Master of Business Administration General Course Descriptions
30 Total Credit Hours
Students seeking the MBA must complete all required core courses along with one area of concentration.
Required Courses
BUS 602 – Accounting for Managers3 credits. This graduate level course is designed to provide insight into managerial accounting concepts with a focus on real-world application. Specifically, this course will examine managerial accounting tools and resources that assist managers with business decisions spanning different disciplines, including human resources, marketing, finance and operations. Standard costing, budgeting and forecasting methodologies will be examined. Financial statements will be analyzed by examining key ratios and trends. Sustainability reporting, which is becoming increasingly more important for businesses today, will also be covered. An entrepreneurial perspective will be provided throughout different aspects of the course, including an entrepreneurship case study. This course is challenging, fast paced and relevant for business managers or those making or supporting business decisions.
BUS 603 – Organizational Development/Behavior3 credits. Organizational Development and Behavior is the study of human behavior in an organizational setting. The purpose of this kind of study is to equip organizational leaders with the insight necessary to develop interpersonal relationships that will build teams, increase productivity, enhance the quality of work life, orchestrate change, improve employee retention, and augment communication. Topics in management including: Perception, Personality and Attitudes, Group Process: Building Teams, Communication, Orchestrating Change, Motivation, Empowerment, Leadership, Performance Appraisals and Business Ethics.
BUS 606 – Strategic Marketing 3 credits.This is a course that intends to integrate marketing knowledge and apply it in addressing strategic decision making situations. Strongly emphasizing application, the course is centered around the process of analyzing cases in marketing management with the express purpose of making clear, specific, and justifiable strategic marketing decisions. This course emphasizes the use of analytical skills in making judgments under uncertainty in a variety of marketing contexts, including strategic selling, sales management, new product introduction, franchising, marketing research, and others. It is intended to help students apply critical thinking skills in making better decisions using strategic criteria.
BUS 607 – Corporate Finance3 credits. The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the world of corporate finance. Topics covered include financial statement analysis, cost of capital, capital structure, common stock valuation, capital budgeting, market efficiency, dividend policy, mergers and acquisitions, corporate hedging, and corporate restructuring and failure.
BUS 617 – Supply Chain and Negotiations3 credits. The course is designed to help students learn how to identify, dissect, and answer management level problems. To remedy the crucial challenges facing organizations, students will review, analyze, and evaluate solutions. Students cultivate skills using decision and visualization tools, logic frameworks, and negotiation tactics. Students will present fact-based analysis and recommendations in oral and written formats to persuade an audience to support recommendations.
BUS 618 – Managing Information and Technology3 credits. This course provides the foundation for business professionals to collaborate with IT experts while making business decisions with a significant technology component. This course is more strategic than technical and is designed to help the students appreciate and integrate the idea of IT as a critical and strategic asset of the enterprise. This course will cover the strategic use of IS/IT in various industries and sectors including health care, financial services, professional services, manufacturing, distribution, government, among others.
Capstone
BUS 609 – MBA Strategic Management3 credits. Students will develop an understanding of strategy and its formulation, implementation, and evaluation. The course focuses on strategic management decisions and actively incorporates multi-disciplinary elements of marketing, finance, operations, and quantitative analysis. It is designed to help students learn how to identify, dissect, and answer strategic management problems; research, analyze, and offer solutions to crucial challenges facing organizations; and present fact-based analysis and recommendations in oral and written formats to persuade an audience to support recommendations. The course utilizes readings, business cases and real-life examples to accomplish the synthesis.
General Business Concentration Requirements
Students should select 9 credits from the following list or other graduate level courses with departmental approval.
BUS 605 – Statistics for Managers 3 credits. This course is an intermediate-level business statistics course. Topics include the application of One-Way ANOVA, Simple Linear Regression, and Multiple Linear Regression and Time-Series models to business applications. Students are required to be proficient in EXCEL, which will be used for statistical applications.
BUS 616 – Business Ethics 3 credits. This interdisciplinary course explores and implements the critical thinking and managerial and ethical decision-making skills necessary for developing ethical organizations and an ethical society. The objective of this course is to design ethical organizations and create organizations of high integrity. Students explore real-life ethical dilemmas and benchmark their organization’s performance with the best practices in business ethics.
BUS 703 – Intermediate Accounting I 3 credits. An in-depth study of the theoretical foundations of financial accounting and reporting at the intermediate level. Topics include the accounting conceptual framework, the accounting information system, advanced financial statement preparation (balance sheet, income statement, statement of stockholders’ equity and statement of cash flows), footnote disclosures, time value of money concepts, accounting for cash, receivables, inventories, property, plant, and equipment, and intangible assets. International accounting convergence topics are introduced. The course includes an introduction to Sage Peachtree accounting software. Application of topics through written case analyses and through research in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification is required.
BUS 704 – Intermediate Accounting II3 credits. A continuation of Intermediate Accounting I. Topics covered include accounting for current and non-current liabilities, contingencies and equity accounts; accounting for leases, investments, income taxes and pensions; dilutive securities and earnings per share; accounting changes, disclosure in financial reporting and revenue recognition. International accounting convergence topics are introduced. Application of topics through written case analysis is required.
BUS 705 – Cost Accounting I 3 credits. In addition to providing data used to cost products and services, cost accounting provides data to managers for planning and controlling. Today cost accountants are increasingly expected to actively contribute in the making of strategic decisions instead of simply providing data. Cost accounting is a managerial tool used by business to formulate strategy and its implementation. The course’s focus is upon how accounting information can assist managers in controlling the activities for which they are responsible, and how manager’s use cost information to make better decisions to improve their organization’s competitiveness. The course covers the fundamentals of cost accounting, including job order, process, and activity based costing. Particular emphasis is given to current practices in cost control through reports to management.
BUS 706 – Auditing 3 credits. Principles of auditing and the audit process. The course describes the foundation for the role of the independent auditor in the global economy, professional standards, planning the audit and designing audit programs, audit working papers, auditing specific financial statement categories, auditors’ reports and professional ethics.
BUS 707 – Income Tax Accounting I3 credits. Tax laws and regulations relating to individual taxpayers and the principles of taxation common to all taxpayers (i.e., individuals, partnerships and corporations).
BUS 709 – Income Tax Accounting II3 credits. Tax laws and regulations for partnerships and corporations; tax administration and research.
BUS 714 – Advanced Cost Management & Control 3 credits. An advanced course in cost and managerial accounting from a strategic decision-making perspective. Topics include strategy considerations, operational planning, performance and quality controls, variance analysis in accounting information, inventory management and social responsibility. This course also includes an introduction to project management.
BUS 722 – Innovation: Cncpts, Plnng, Implemnt3 credits. This course helps students develop an understanding of innovation as a key strategic option for organizations in the commercial, public and not-for-profit sectors. It encourages use of decision science and structured approaches to support innovation. Students learn how to (a) estimate the return on investment (ROI) from innovation, based on an innovative idea relevant to the products, services, processes or strategies of the students’ employer / industry, and (b) use planning and implementation tools such as logic models and project charters. The course utilizes readings, real-life business case studies and hands-on practice.
BUS 723 – Business Law II3 credits. This course builds upon the content from Business Law I, presenting topics such as commercial paper, real property, secured transactions, bankruptcy, partnerships, corporations, wills and trusts through a case study approach. The presented content reinforces (1) an understanding of how the law affects business operations; (2) an understanding of the principle of “stare decisis” and the ability to apply the rule of precedent to case studies; (3) skills to use current technology in completing a legal research project involving a current ethical issue; and (4) a thorough understanding of business law principles.
BUS 724 – Analysis Tools for Managers 3 credits. This course is designed to equip managers with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively analyze and interpret data in a business environment. It provides a comprehensive overview of various analytical tools and techniques such as SQL, Tableau, Python and other contemporary technologies that managers can leverage to gain insights and drive strategic decision-making in their organizations.
BUS 725 – Accounting Systems3 credits. Understanding current information technology. Topics include accounting information system, flow charting, internal control, advanced spreadsheets and database techniques, information system selection, and developing business requirements.
BUS 726 – Advanced Accounting I 3 credits. A study of advanced accounting topics including business combinations, equity method of accounting for investments, consolidated financial statements, various intercompany transactions, multinational accounting, foreign currency transactions, and translation of foreign financial statements. This course is challenging, fast paced and current with the rapidly changing environment of financial reporting, especially as it relates to convergence with international accounting standards.
BUS 727 – Governmental & Not-For-Profit Accounting3 credits. A study of advanced accounting topics including accounting for governments and not-for-profit organizations. Topics include the analysis of organizational structure, strategy decision-making and reporting. Practical application includes governmental CAFRs and not-for-profit financial and tax compliance reporting.
BUS 756 – Fraud & Forensic Accounting3 credits. Detecting and deterring occupational fraud are key elements of an organization’s risk management plan. Topics included in this course include the impact of fraud on auditing and financial reporting, the recognition of weaknesses in business processes and control systems, the measures organizations can take to prevent fraud, and the ways allegations of fraud should be investigated and resolved.
BUS 762 – Quality as a Business Strategy 3 credits. Students will develop an understanding of innovation and quality as key strategic options for organizations in the commercial, public and not-for-profit sectors. Students will discuss how companies are using data science and analytics to encourage innovation and quality. Students will also learn about ways to estimate the return on investment (ROI) from innovation. They will identify an innovative idea relevant to the products, services, processes or strategies of their employer / industry, and learn to use planning and implementation tools such as logic models and project charters in the context of their innovative idea. The course is designed to help students learn through readings, multiple real-life business case studies and hands-on practice.
BUS 776 – Data-Driven Decision Making 3 credits. This course presents an overview of managerial decision making – why do it, risk management, and key considerations. The course will present decision matrices through concepts, examples, and applied practice. Students will also explore the use of decision trees, expected monetary value, and data visualization using concepts, examples, and applied practice. They will also learn about function-specific use cases of analytics (such as in marketing, finance, etc.). All concepts will be viewed through a lens of ethical business decision making.
BUS 782 – MBA Business Internship3 credits. This course is designed to provide students with at least 100 hours of supervised, professional experience in a US business. Students will have an opportunity to integrate and apply the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom to actual work settings. Students will deepen their knowledge and understanding of a broad range of business practices. The internship will be supervised by a Business Department faculty member working closely with the mentor of the company where the student interns in order to provide an experience appropriate for the student.
BUS 787 – Health Systems Operations3 credits. This online course explores the complex business and operational challenges of healthcare organizations including hospital and clinic systems. Health systems encompass multiple functional subcomponents, and human, financial and technical resources are required to efficiently and effectively deliver quality products and services to customers. Students will learn how systems are organized and processes effectively planned, managed and improved to achieve organizational success. The course will also explore how the various sub-functions and processes (e.g., emergency care, pharmacy, lab radiology, nursing service, and foundational operations such as information technology) seamlessly interrelate to optimize care and service quality.
BUS 789 – Service and Clinical Quality3 credits. The primary focus of this course is to understand the methods and practices that clinical practitioners, administrative managers and leaders of health systems deploy to measure and assure continuous improvement in patient safety and clinical quality. This course will define the role of the integrated health care leadership administrative and clinical teams in improving culture, environments, clinical and operating processes to efficiently and effectively achieve improved outcomes in patient quality, safety and satisfaction. Using contemporary examples of theory, clinical practice and hospital management, students will understand the principles, interpretation and resolution of statistical variation in service delivery. A hands-on practical quality improvement project is an integral component of this course.
BUS 790 – Independent Project1 credit. Each independent project involves choosing a topic, conducting research, developing conclusions or hypotheses, and presenting a paper. Goals and objectives are set individually with an instructor to allow exploration of areas of individual interest.
BUS 795A – International Study Tour A-Germany 1 credit. Each year, the School of Business offers students the opportunity to participate in a short-term international travel experience to different countries through two sequential courses (BUS 795A and BUS 795B). Through the courses, students gain critical insights and valuable real-world experience of global business processes and practices. In BUS 795A, students learn about various aspects of a country’s culture and society, history, cultural values/customs, and social and economic development and the impact of these issues on business practices. Books, readings and videos will be assigned for students to read/watch with class discussion focused on comparing and understanding differences in these topic areas between the US and the focus country.
BUS 795B – International Study Tour B-Germany2 credits. Each year, the School of Business offers students the opportunity to participate in a short-term international travel experience to different countries through two sequential courses (BUS 795Aand 795B). Through the courses, students gain critical insights and valuable real-world experience of global business processes and practices. In BUS 795B, students participate in an approximately 10-day trip to the focus country. During the trip, student tour locally- and foreign-owned companies, meet business executives to discuss business challenges and opportunities in the country, attend lectures about the country’s economy and culture, and participate in guided tours of historical and cultural sites. After the trip, students will write a report in which they analyze and compare the business practices of companies in the US and the focus country.
ORG 605 – Employee Learning & Development 3 credits. This highly practical and relevant course emphasizes individual and organizational adult learning concepts and theories as well as pragmatic application that will accelerate effective organizational learning and development. Students learn and apply the techniques and procedures used in the development of adult learners, including employment settings in different organizations and at all organizational levels. Course topics include creating a culture of learning, theories of learning and teaching, practices that enhance adult learning (performance consulting, needs analysis, design and delivery). The course includes contemporary and emerging perspectives as they pertain to movements toward individualized learning, learning in a social enterprise, new discoveries in neuroscience, and technological advancements.
ORG 610 – Organizational Theory and Design3 credits. This course focuses on organizations as entities within a diverse social system. Organizations are striving to survive in an environment that is unpredictable and turbulent, where stakeholder demands for social and environmental responsibility are escalating, and where intense pressures to remain competitive drive strategy and leadership. As an introduction to current perspectives in organizational theory and design, the course explores how organizations as systems are designed and structured in relation to their environments, leadership, culture, capability, and processes. Attention is paid to how an organization is equipped for organizational effectiveness and performance in order to sustain value creation.
ORG 615 – Organizational Leadership 3 credits. Leadership, provides students with an overview of a variety of theories, methods, and models of leadership, with an emphasis on the cultural context in which leadership is pursued. Students will explore their own model of leadership by reflecting on the models presented in class, through interactions with peers/colleagues within the course, and by constructing a leadership profile.
ORG 620 – Individual and Team Interventions 3 credits. This course focuses on how people’s behavior is influenced by their actions and the actions of others in organizational settings. This course examines individual and team interventions from a business perspective. Professionals in the workforce today are facing new challenges and the rapid pace of organizational change requires us to deepen our expertise and prepare for the demands of the present and future. Successfully designing, aligning, and implementing adaptive people management practices is an essential component of organizational effectiveness and value delivery. Topics covered include individual performance improvement, performance coaching, teams and teamwork, conflict resolution, change management, motivation and process consulting. The course is designed to be highly practical, current, and relevant.
ORG 625 – Leading in a Global Context 3 credits. Leadership is a necessary factor for organizations to compete successfully in the global marketplace. This course introduces concepts and theories of leading organizations in a global context with particular emphasis on an organization’s global strategy and organizational factors within the context of its industry and the global economy.
ORG 630 – Organizational Change3 credits. Investigates the nature of change, forces for change, and the impact of change on its recipients. Introduces students to the practice of organization development with respect to change efforts in organizations as they examine their own roles and skill sets as change agents. Stresses the design and implementation of various organizational interventions. Students learn to choose between, and then design, appropriate interventions to transform an organization from a current state to a desired future state.
ORG 635 – Consultation in Organizations 3 credits. Theoretical and practical examination of the process of consulting in organizations in an applied learning setting is examined in both internal and external organizational consulting practices. Effective consulting can support the creation of workplaces that are more collaborative, agile, and ultimately more successful. Topics include entry and contracting, diagnosis and role setting, implementation, evaluation, withdrawal, and maintenance. The course also provides pragmatic suggestions for dealing with difficult clients, and contains expansive guidelines on engaging forms of implementation. Students learn to effectively contribute in teams, develop and empower others, and apply what they learn directly to organizations.
ORG 640 – Sustain Decision-Making for Leaders3 credits. Effective decision making is key to success in the workplace and beyond. In organizations, critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making are among the most important tasks people perform on a daily basis. However, increasing levels of complexity can put a significant strain on our judgment, often leading to poor choices that can have a long-term impact. Learn key decision-making concepts and processes necessary for developing and implementing long-term strategies that create a competitive advantage to support sustainable organizations. Understand factors that impact individual and group decision-making processes as well as tools and techniques to improve strategic decision making with a focus on sustainability. Learn how to avoid common decision-making errors and blunders that lead to failure in the competitive marketplace. This course is essential for leading the strategic decision-making processes and impacting the direction of the organization.
