Master of Business Administration (MBA)
The master of business administration (MBA) program provides training in business for students interested in understanding the working nature of business in a competitive environment. Courses in the MBA program integrate information and theories from various disciplines, including accounting, economics, finance, marketing, production operations, and strategic management. The objective of this program is to develop students into broadly educated business managers and executives who understand the nature of business as a whole, with the tools and techniques applicable to a wide variety of business situations.
The capstone for the MBA program gives students the chance to bring together all of the theories, skills, and tools studied during the program and integrate them into a learning experience that highlights the nature of competition and the kind of strategic maneuvering that must be done in order to succeed.
The degree requires satisfactory completion of 30 credit hours of the MBA curriculum and 6 credit hours of graduate electives for a total of 36 credit hours, OR, if the Global Track is selected for a total of no less than 42 credit hours, students, or if an area of emphasis is selected for a total of no less than 48 credit hours. Students who require prerequisite courses may have to complete more than 36, 42, or 48 credit hours to receive the MBA. Electives for the MBA may be selected from any graduate School of Business offering. If a student has a particular interest in a graduate course outside of the School of Business, approval may be sought for such course(s).
- Students will demonstrate foundation knowledge in each of the primary functional areas of business.
- Students will be able to solve semi-structured business problems.
- Students will be able to solve unstructured business problems
MBA Certificate in Global Commerce
The MBA/MHA dual degree option requires the completion of 54 credit hours consisting of the 9 required core courses (27 credit hours) in the Master of Health Administration (MHA) and the 9 required core courses (27 credit hours) in the Master of Business Administration (MBA), as listed in the respective sections of this catalog.
Upon completion of the 54 credits, two separate diplomas are issued at the same time. The two degrees cannot be awarded separately or sequentially under this arrangement. Dual degree students must take BUSN 5760 Applied Business Statistics, but they may substitute another relevant graduate course for the HLTH 5100 Statistics for Health Administration requirement. (They may also complete both statistics courses as an option.)
For information on dual degree and sequential degree options, see the appropriate sections in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of this catalog.
Prerequisite Course Descriptions
BUSN 5000 Business (3)
This course is designed to provide a foundation in such general business concepts as economics, finance, accounting, business law, marketing, and other business systems.
BUSN 5600 Accounting Theory and Practice (3)
Students examine the accounting function and its role in modern business. Basic accounting theory and principles are examined, and some of the more important contemporary accounting developments are reviewed. Case studies are analyzed with an emphasis on situations from the students' own work experiences. This course is designed for consumers as opposed to producers of accounting. Prerequisite: BUSN 5000 or HLTH 5000
BUSN 5620 Current Economic Analysis (3)
Implications of current economic events are examined through the applications of economic theory. Emphasis is placed on acquainting the student with methods of economic analysis in the context of current economic issues.
MRKT 5000 Marketing (3)
Students examine the character and importance of the marketing process, its essential functions, and the institutions exercising these functions. Course content focuses on the major policies that underlie the activities of marketing institutions and the social, economic, and political implications of such policies.
MNGT 5590 Organizational Behavior (3)
This course introduces students to many of the basic principles of human behavior that effective managers use when managing individuals and groups in organizations. These include theories relating to individual differences in abilities and attitudes, attribution, motivation, group dynamics, power and politics, leadership, conflict resolution, organizational culture, and organizational structure and design.
FINC 5000 Finance (3)
The student examines the general nature of financial management, the American financial system, taxes, and the major financial decisions of corporations. Specific attention is given to present value and capital budgeting; risk and asset pricing; financial analysis and forecasting; financial decisions and market efficiency; and capital structure. Problem-solving methodology is used to illustrate the theories and tools in financial decision-making. Prerequisites: BUSN 5600 and BUSN 5760. (BUSN 5200 cannot be substituted for FINC 5000.)
FINC 5880 Advanced Corporate Finance (3)
This advanced study of corporate financial analysis and planning includes capital budgeting, cost of funds, and capital structure and valuation. Selected topics that may be covered are leasing, mergers, takeovers, business failure, reorganization, and liquidation. A combination of problem-solving and case study methodologies is used to illustrate theories and techniques helpful in financial analysis and planning. Prerequisite: FINC 5000.
BUSN 5760 Applied Business Statistics (3)
The student examines the application of statistical analysis, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis in business decision making. The course should focus on the utilization of statistical methods as applied to business problems and operations.
BUSN 6050 Macroeconomic Analysis (3)
The course provides the consumer of macroeconomic news a conceptual foundation in macroeconomic theory. The goal is to prepare the manager/analyst to consume macroeconomic news and analysis and to draw independent conclusions. Prerequisite: BUSN 5620.
BUSN 6070 Management Accounting (3)
The student examines advanced topics in management accounting as these relate to management information needs for planning, control, and decision making. Topics include interpretation of standard cost variances; application of quantitative techniques; evaluation of divisional performance; activity-based costing; and the behavioral impact of accounting systems. Prerequisites: BUSN 5600 and BUSN 5760.
BUSN 6080 Business Information Systems (3)
The student examines information systems in business organizations. This course will develop the framework for an information system and explore how systems that support the business functions of the organization are integrated and aid the manager with decision-making responsibilities within the operational, tactical, and strategic hierarchy of the company. Underlying the examination of various organizational information systems will be an exploration of emerging technologies that drive these systems. This course provides the student with the skills necessary to effectively understand and use information technology and shows how information technology provides organizations with a strategic competitive advantage. Students who have completed MNGT 5540 may not take BUSN 6080.
BUSN 6100 Quantitative Business Analysis (3)
Students examine the techniques of optimum research allocation, emphasizing the application of the quantitative methods to practical problems. Topics covered include: optimum values, minimum and maximum values with and without constraints, queuing, linear models and techniques, and statistical methods. Emphasis is less on derivation than on application. Examples used for application come from all areas of business, manufacturing, and institutional experience.
BUSN 6110 Operations and Project Management (3)
This is a course that focuses on the major managerial issues in manufacturing management and the tools that can be used to manage them. Special attention will be given to project management, including PERT, critical path scheduling, and time-cost models, in operations management and other business settings. The major operations management issues are quality management and control, capacity management, plant location, layout and design, production planning and scheduling, supply chain management, and inventory management. The analytical tools covered include queuing theory, statistical quality control, linear programming, and learning curves. Where appropriate, the use of operations management techniques in service and distribution organizations will be demonstrated. Prerequisite: BUSN 5760.
BUSN 6120 Managerial Economics (3)
The student examines the application of microeconomic theory as applied to the managers' responsibilities within the organization. This course should emphasize the quantitative and qualitative application of economic principles to business analysis. Prerequisites: BUSN 5620 and BUSN 5760.
BUSN 6140 Business Research Analysis (3)
The student examines the application of the tools and methods of research to management problems. The course focuses on the nature of research; the use of research in decision making; decision making; research concepts and methods for the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data from surveys, experiments, and observational studies; and the evaluation, use, and presentation of research findings.
BUSN 6150 Business Communications and Technology (3)
The student examines the methods, protocol, and appropriateness of various forms of communication for business decision making, which include written, oral, networking, teleconferencing, e-mail, and other modern methods of communication that are required in today's business world. The course should include all types of communications the student needs to operate in the national and international aspects of business, including sales promotions and financial promotions, as well as computer networking within the business structure.
Capstone Course:
BUSN 6200 Strategy and Competition (3)
The student examines the conceptual and practical aspects of business policies and policy decision making by utilizing all the concepts, theories, and tools that were presented in the previous courses. The student should be able to analyze and recommend a comprehensive and workable approach to the situation. The course should cover current business issues and developments. Prerequisites: completion of all other required courses in the MBA.
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