M.Ed. in Special Education
The University of North Florida (UNF) in Jacksonville offers a Master of Education (M.E...
Master of Business Administration - Economics and Geography
Jacksonville, Florida
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The University of North Florida (UNF) in Jacksonville, Florida, offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Economics and Geography through its AACSB-accredited Coggin College of Business. This unique interdisciplinary program is designed for professionals who wish to deepen their understanding of economic principles and their spatial applications, preparing them for analytical and strategic roles that require a nuanced understanding of market dynamics, regional development, and global economic forces. The program is flexible, with options for full-time and part-time study, typically requiring 30-36 credit hours, and includes prerequisites for those without a foundational business background.
AACSB-accredited: The Coggin College of Business at the University of North Florida holds the prestigious AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) accreditation. This is a globally recognized hallmark of excellence in business education, ensuring that the MBA program, including its Economics and Geography concentration, meets the highest standards for curriculum quality, faculty expertise, and student outcomes. This accreditation signifies UNF's commitment to delivering a rigorous and highly respected business education that is valued by employers worldwide.
Curriculum: The MBA with an Economics and Geography concentration at UNF integrates a core MBA curriculum with specialized coursework in economics and geography. The general MBA foundation covers essential business areas such as financial accounting, managerial economics, advanced financial management, organizational leadership, marketing strategy, and strategic management. For the Economics and Geography concentration, students delve into advanced topics by choosing three graduate-level courses with an ECO (Economics), ECP (Economics of Public Policy), or GEO (Geography) prefix. This allows students to tailor their studies to areas like advanced microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, regional economics, urban geography, geographic information systems (GIS), or environmental economics. The program aims to provide a robust analytical toolkit for understanding economic forces and their spatial distribution, crucial for strategic decision-making in various sectors.
Research Focus: While the MBA with an Economics and Geography concentration is a professional degree, it places a strong emphasis on analytical rigor and evidence-based decision-making. Students are trained to use economic theories and geographic analytical tools to conduct in-depth analyses of market trends, policy impacts, and regional development. The curriculum likely incorporates advanced statistical methods and economic modeling, preparing students to interpret complex data and formulate informed business strategies. Faculty members within the Economics and Geography Department often engage in research on topics such as regional growth, environmental economics, urban studies, and international trade, which informs classroom discussions and student projects, fostering a strong research-informed mindset.
Industry Engagement: UNF's MBA programs are designed with strong connections to the local and regional business community. While a direct "industry engagement" component specific to the Economics and Geography concentration (e.g., dedicated internships) might not be as explicit as in more vocational concentrations like FinTech, the program's location in Jacksonville, a growing metropolitan area, offers significant opportunities. Students can leverage the general MBA program's ties to various industries, including those involved in logistics, regional planning, real estate, and finance. Guest lectures from economists, urban planners, or business leaders, and networking events provide students with insights into real-world applications of economic and geographic principles. The analytical skills gained are highly transferable across a wide range of sectors.
Global Perspective: The MBA with an Economics and Geography concentration inherently offers a significant global perspective. Economics deals with global markets, trade, and international policy, while geography provides a framework for understanding spatial relationships, cultural contexts, and the distribution of resources across the world. The curriculum would likely explore topics such as global economic development, international trade theory, regional economic disparities, and the impact of globalization on local economies. UNF also offers a distinct GlobalMBA program, underscoring the university's broader commitment to preparing leaders with an understanding of international business complexities, which enriches the learning environment for all MBA students. Graduates are equipped to analyze and respond to global economic shifts and understand their spatial implications.
Location
Jacksonville, Florida
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 18803
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: $31
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 110.
Standardized Test Requirements
- GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test): Minimum score of 550 required.
- GRE (Graduate Record Examinations): Minimum score of 304 required.
The University of North Florida (UNF) offers a variety of scholarships specifically designed to support international students in achieving their academic goals while easing the financial burden of studying in the United States. These scholarships recognize outstanding academic achievements, leadership potential, and community involvement.
Merit-Based Scholarships: UNF provides merit scholarships to international students based on their academic performance, standardized test scores, and extracurricular accomplishments. These scholarships can significantly reduce tuition costs and are awarded automatically to eligible applicants during the admissions process.
International Student Scholarships: Special scholarships are reserved exclusively for international students. Examples include the International Freshman Scholarship and the International Transfer Scholarship, which reward high-achieving students with financial aid packages that may cover partial to full tuition fees.
Need-Based Financial Aid: While limited for international students, some need-based financial aid options may be available through private organizations or partnerships coordinated by UNF’s financial aid office. International students are encouraged to explore external scholarship databases for additional funding opportunities.
Departmental Scholarships: Certain academic departments and colleges at UNF offer scholarships targeted to students enrolled in specific fields of study. International students can apply for these scholarships based on their major, research interests, or academic achievements within their discipline.
An MBA with a concentration in Economics and Geography from the University of North Florida (UNF) equips graduates with a distinctive blend of quantitative analytical skills and a spatial understanding of markets and human activity. This unique combination, reinforced by the AACSB accreditation of the Coggin College of Business, prepares individuals for strategic roles where economic trends meet geographic realities. Graduates are adept at analyzing complex data, understanding regional economic drivers, and assessing market opportunities from a holistic perspective.
Economic Development Specialist/Analyst: These professionals work for government agencies, non-profits, or private consulting firms to promote economic growth within a specific region or city. They analyze economic trends, identify growth opportunities, attract businesses, and develop strategies to improve local economies, often using geographic data.
Market Research Analyst (with Geographic Focus): Combining economic understanding with spatial analysis, these graduates analyze consumer behavior, market trends, and competitive landscapes, often with a geographic component. They use GIS (Geographic Information Systems) to understand optimal store locations, target specific demographics, or analyze supply chain efficiencies.
Urban or Regional Planner: These professionals work for municipal or regional planning departments, developing comprehensive plans for land use, infrastructure, transportation, and economic development. Their economic knowledge helps assess feasibility and impact, while their geographic skills are crucial for spatial analysis and visualization.
Location Strategy Consultant: Businesses seeking to optimize their operations or expand their footprint often hire consultants who can analyze economic demographics, infrastructure, competitive landscapes, and geographic factors to determine the best locations for new facilities, stores, or distribution centers.
International Trade Specialist/Analyst: Graduates can work for government agencies, multinational corporations, or trade organizations, analyzing global economic trends, trade policies, and market access issues. Their geographic understanding helps them navigate complex international logistics and understand regional trade dynamics.
Real Estate Market Analyst: These professionals assess real estate markets by analyzing economic indicators, demographic shifts, property values, and geographic data (e.g., proximity to amenities, transportation networks) to forecast trends, identify investment opportunities, and advise on property development.
Geospatial Business Analyst: This role involves applying geographic information systems (GIS) and spatial analysis to various business problems. Graduates might work in logistics, retail site selection, insurance (risk assessment based on location), or utilities (network optimization) to derive actionable insights from spatial data.
Environmental Economist/Analyst: With an understanding of both economic principles and environmental geography, graduates can work on projects assessing the economic impact of environmental policies, resource management, climate change, and sustainability initiatives, often in governmental or non-profit sectors.
Data Analyst (with Economic & Geographic Context): Many organizations collect vast amounts of data. Graduates with this MBA specialization can analyze economic datasets alongside geographic information to uncover patterns, forecast future trends, and inform strategic decisions in various industries, from finance to retail.
Policy Analyst (Economic or Urban Policy): Working for think tanks, government bodies, or advocacy groups, these analysts research and evaluate economic and urban policies. They use their skills to assess the potential impacts of proposed policies, recommend adjustments, and contribute to evidence-based policymaking related to economic development, housing, or infrastructure.
