Business Administration (M.S.N. bridge to M.B.A.)

To document the required mentoring program, students will complete assigned activities in a minimum of six 8-week sessions in which they are enrolled in the MBA program. Assignments will be completed in the students' eportfolio.

This course provides the skills needed to understand the financial reports of organizations. The objective is to develop the ability to make the decisions in the financial reporting process and to develop the ability to evaluate and use accounting data.  Emphasis is placed on understanding the breadth of accounting measurement practices and on being able to make the adjustments necessary for careful analysis.  The course highlights the linkages between accounting information and management planning, and decision making.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the graduate program.

This course is an overview of how economic theory is applied to evaluating and making decisions and understanding decisions of others. It will cover the basics of the classical microeconomic analysis: supply and demand model and its applications under different assumptions about the market structure. Among topics covered are also more complex pricing strategies and decision making under uncertainty, elements of game theory and its applications to analyzing decision making.

This course will provide an overview of key topics and concepts used in business diciplines, such as accounting, economics and finanace. An understanding of these topics will help students solve business problems by developing their analytical skills. This course also covers other skills required to be successful, including written and oral communications, spreadsheets and networking. Students should complete this course in their first two terms in the MBA.
Recommended to be taken prior to ACCT 5010 Accounting for Decision Making and ECON 5030 Managerial Economics.

This course focuses on the skills and characteristics top executives look for in MBA graduates that aren't related to specific dicipline, such as adaptability, self-awareness and strategic thinking. Learners will perform self-assessments, set goals, build community and develop leadership skills. In addition, students will begin the mentoring program in this course. This course should be completed in the first two terms of a student's program.

This course exposes students to major financial principles, concepts and financial techniques of corporate finance as applied to management decision-making.  Some of these concepts include the risk/return trade-off, time value of money, asset valuation, the cost of capital and the capital budgeting process.  The objective of this course is to develp an understanding of the financial principles and concepts, understand how they are used and their limitations, and to provide students with the analytical tools to make the decisions when managing a company's financial resources.  Emphasis is placed on the application of this information and students' ability to analyze a company's financial condition and make recommendations for future actions. 
Prerequisite(s): ACCT 5010 Accounting for Decision Making and ECON 5030 Managerial Economics.

Applies major elements of the marketing process, strategic planning, and the development of an effective marketing mix to create customer value. Analyzes key marketing concepts, such as consumer/buyer behavior, market research, brand management, product development, pricing strategies, and the design of marketing channels. Examines the integration of marketing with other functions in a business organization.

Provides a conceptual basis for managers to interpret, assess, and influence human behavior in an organization. Analyzes the interaction of individual, group, and organizational dynamics that influence human behavior in organizations and determines appropriate management approaches to foster a productive work environment. Examines a variety of theories, models and strategies used to understand motivation and individual behavior, decision making, the dynamics of groups, work teams, communication, leadership, power and politics, conflict resolution, work design, organizational structure and culture, and managing change.

This class provides a framework for understanding the importance of business ethics and corporate responsibility. The aspects of leadership, compliance and decision making in organization will be studied, along with the potential conflicts between, and impacts on the stakeholders of an organizaiton. This course will examine the relationships between business and society, considering the ethical questions and implications involved. Students will become involved in the local business community through off-campus visits and explorations of various business- community partnerships in the area.

In this capstone course, MBA students synthesize the knowledge and skills gaines throughout the program. Topics include the development and implementation of organizational strategies and policies, interrelationships between external and internal environments, identification, analysis and implementation of solutions to strategic situations. The class will complete a "live case" with a local business or nonprofit organization. Teams of students apply techniques in business finance, cross-functional alignment, competitive analysis, and the selection of tactics and provide recommendations to the organization.
Prerequisite(s): BUSAD 5110 Marketing Management, BUSAD 5040 Managerial Finance, BUSAD 5260 Organizational Behavior, and BUSAD 5330 Business Ethics and Corporate Responsibilty.