CURRICULUM Prerequisites Schedule Course Descriptions Orientation Curriculum

Kelley Direct (KD) requires students to be adequately prepared in the areas of accounting and statistics prior to enrolling in KD MBA or MS degree programs. Typically, our accounting and statistics prerequisites can be satisfied by a student enrolling in an undergraduate course (200 level or above) in these areas.  However, KD recognizes that students might apply and be admitted into a KD degree program without enrolling in coursework that satisfies the accounting and statistics prerequisites.  KD also recognizes that a person’s skills in these areas might have eroded over time.

Historically, graduate schools have addressed this issue by requiring students who cannot demonstrate a specified level of competence to enroll in prerequisite courses prior to matriculation in a graduate program.   As mentioned, Kelley School of Business graduate programs specifically require proficiency in accounting and statistics prior to enrolling in a graduate program.  When proficiency is not demonstrated via a transcript, students have satisfied these prerequisites by enrolling in undergraduate courses at a local university or community college. The latter is an inefficient process: sometimes the courses do not cover the material that is necessary for a student when they begin their graduate program; sometimes the quality of instruction is poor; and sometimes the tuition expense is great.   As a result, KD has developed the following process to determine if a student needs to receive additional instruction in accounting and/or statistics prior to enrolling in a KD MBA or MS degree program:

1. Once admitted, a student’s transcript will be reviewed to determine if a student has satisfied the accounting and statistics prerequisites.
   
   
2. Once this review has been completed, a student will receive written notice from the School whether it is necessary to continue to assess a student’s degree of preparation in accounting and/or statistics.  Currently admitted students for Fall will be sent a letter in May 2003 indicating whether or not they need additional instruction in accounting and/or statistics.  Students admitted into a KD degree program after this date will receive this notification with their Letter of Admission.
   
   
3. If a student needs to complete additional instruction, then he or she will be required to complete an online examination covering topics a student needs to know prior to enrolling in a KD program in accounting and statistics.  The examination is offered free of charge to students.
   
   
4. The purpose of the examination is to determine whether or not students understand and can apply what they already know in accounting and/or statistics to solve problems. There is no score provided on the examination.  Results of the examination do not affect the status of a student’s candidacy in a KD program.
   
   
5. There will be multiple graders for each examination. Graders will report whether or not a student’s performance suggests if a student has demonstrated accounting and/or statistics proficiency or if a student should enroll in a KD Accounting or Statistics Primer prior to enrolling in a KD degree program.  If a student’s performance indicates a student should take a KD Primer course, the student will be sent directions via e-mail on how to sign up for the course(s).¹
   
   
6. KD Accounting and/or Statistics Primer courses are offered online and are self-paced. Students will learn the material in each chapter and submit course work that is required. Students do NOT receive University credit for enrolling in a KD Primer.
   
   
7. KD Primer courses are designed specifically to cover the material and to develop skills students should already possess when they begin a KD degree program.  Admitted students for Fall 2003 and after who have not already made arrangements to improve their understanding and application of accounting and statistics will be required to take KD Primer courses, if Primer courses are needed.  Admitted students for Fall 2003 who have already made arrangements to improve their understanding and application of accounting and statistics will be allowed to demonstrate proficiency via alternative means.
   
   
8. KD Primer courses last no more than four weeks. There is no final examination or assessment at the end of each Primer.  A student cannot “fail” a Primer.  The purpose of the Primer is to ensure that a student learns the material needed and develops the skills required when s/he begins a KD program.  >>>Students should sign up for a KD Primer no later than July 11 in order to complete the Primer prior to the In-Residence.
   
   
9. The cost of each KD Primer is $150.00.  This must be paid by check or credit card when signing up for a Primer.
   
   
10. Occasionally, the Graders will “pass” a student but report that there was evidence in the examination of performance gaps by the student. In this instance, a representative of KD might contact the student to counsel the student on whether he or she should enroll in the Primer anyway.
    
    
11. Finally, some students might volunteer to enroll in the Primers to ensure they are prepared in accounting and statistics prior to enrolling in their degree program.