The University�s general degree requirements are discussed here.
The MBA degree is obtained by completing a 53-hour program beyond prerequisite courses (see section above) consisting of 29 hours of core courses and 24 hours of elective courses. At the option of the student, a concentration may be developed by taking a set of electives related to an area of interest. Students may obtain further information about these concentrations from the School of Management Advising Office.
Students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average in both core courses and in aggregate courses to qualify for the MBA degree.
�Each candidate must also complete an additional 24 hours of elective graduate course work. Students may develop a concentration within the 24 hours of electives, but are not required to do so. Students cannot include more than 15 hours in any single functional area (demarcated by the area prefix) beyond the required core courses. A student may elect to submit a Master�s thesis, which counts as three elective credit hours.
Concentrations are informal collections of electives that address a student�s educational goals. A concentration may be aligned with functional area specialties, or may cut across functional areas. Students are encouraged to develop their concentration with the help of a faculty member, area coordinator, or the Advising Office. Typical concentrations include:
Accounting and Information Management: In today�s global and technology-driven environment, managers need skills to effectively analyze accounting information and make value-enhancing decisions. Students may select accounting and information management (AIM) courses to concentrate in financial analysis, consulting, corporate governance and tax management.
Finance: � Prepares students for careers in corporate finance, investment management, or the management of financial institutions. �The curriculum emphasizes creative solutions to business financing problems, the development of value maximizing investment and financing strategies, and the analysis and management of fixed income and equity investments. �Students may choose to concentrate in� either corporate financial planning or the analysis of financial securities and investment portfolios.
Information Systems: Information Technology permeates all aspects of modern business and our courses will enable you to make the most of information technology to solve business problems and gain strategic advantage. We also provide advanced courses for students who wish to be on the �supply� side of information technology in the areas of IT consulting, software management, and e-business.
Operations Management:��Leaning how to use operations effectively to create and sustain competitive advantages.��Students� gain a deeper and analytical understanding of how challenges posed by a fast and continuously developing business environment can be morphed into profit-making opportunities. Effective integration of various parties (suppliers, factories, stores) and various functional areas (marketing, finance, procurement) is an important theme. �In particular, incentives, contracts and information technologies fostering collaboration among financially independent parties are emphasized. ��
Marketing: Learning to satisfy the needs of a firm�s customers while making a profit. In order to do that, one must not only understand customers� needs and purchase behaviors but also understand the competition. This knowledge helps a manager develop an effective marketing strategy. Then one needs to learn to develop new products successfully, and manage the different brands, and product categories. In managing products, students can acquire expertise in pricing, in advertising and promotions, in market research, and in retailing strategies. In addition, students can learn about recent developments on the Internet and its effect on marketing and business.
Organizations, Strategy, and International Management: addressing a broad scope of management issues, students have the option of taking courses in managing people and organizations, corporate strategy and leadership, human resources management, change management, ethics, and international management and strategy.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship: focusing on innovation in the entrepreneurial environment, this multidisciplinary sequence of courses provides additional depth in strategy, marketing, finance, operations management, and business plan development, with an emphasis on technology-based innovation in large and small organizations. Recommended electives provide opportunities for students with particular interests to explore a functional area more thoroughly.