Graduate School of Business  Curriculum

MBA Core Curriculum ~ General Information

The MBA Program consists of foundation courses and 40 credits of graduate business study.  The curriculum is divided into three parts:

• The Foundation Component, providing training in basic business fundamentals (12 credits) ~ required only if a student lacks the required academic background
• The Core Required Component, comprising fundamental graduate business courses (28 credits)
• The Core Elective Component, encompassing highly advanced and elective graduate business courses, special tracks, and the thesis option (12 credits)

All new MBA students are required to take GEB 6215 Graduate Business Communication and GEB 6931 the MBA Executive Forum, at their first registration in core or elective courses.  Students enrolling exclusively in foundation courses are not required to register for GEB 6215 until they enroll in classes other than foundation courses. They must receive credit for GEB 6215 within one year (three semesters) of enrollment in the first core or elective class.

MBA Core Curriculum ~ Foundation Component & Courses

The Foundation Component introduces the broad field of business administration and the fundamental quantitative techniques used in business analysis.  Courses in the Foundation Component are:

• ACG 6027    Financial Accounting Concepts            
• FIN 6406      Financial Management                         
• MAR 6055    Marketing Functions and Processes
• ECO 6008    Seminar in Modern Economic Concepts & Theories

The exact number of credits required for each student will be dependent upon the previous academic record.  More information about particular specializations and tracks can be found by [clicking here].  Specific prerequisites will depend upon the selection of graduate accounting coursework used to meet degree requirements.

Fundamental knowledge of college algebra, calculus, statistics and software is assumed.  It is recommended that all candidates evaluate their skills in those areas prior to application.  Successful performance in graduate-level coursework will require proficiency in the use of  personal database software.  The capabilities may be developed through coursework or through self-study in the Stuart-James Research Center.

MBA Core Required Curriculum ~ The Core Component

The core component is comprised of required graduate business courses that extend the basic business background provided in the Foundation Component.  The Core Courses are:

• GEB 6215    Graduate Business Communication Applications

• GEB 6931    Contemporary Issues in the Industry: the Executive Forum

• ACG 6315   Advanced Analysis and Application of Accounting Data (1)

• FIN 6806     Advanced Financial Management (2)

• MAN 6937  Global Environment of Management

• MAR 6815   Strategic Concepts in Marketing (3)

• ISM 6026     Management of Information Systems & Technology (4)

• MAN 6245  Organizational Behavior

• MAN 6501  Operations Management (5)

• MAN 6721  Global Business Strategy

NOTES: 

(1) Accounting Track students must meet the same general admission criteria as Master of Accounting students, and be approved by the School of Accounting for inclusion in the track as well as be approved to the MBA Program.  Electives will be in 6000-level courses for which perquisites have been met.  Accounting courses at the 5000-level are unacceptable in the MBA Program.  Undergraduate accounting majors NOT in the Accounting Track must substitute a 6000-level accounting course for ACG 6315.

(2) Undergraduate majors in Finance or those with advanced work in Finance will substitute another 6000-level FIN course for FIN 6806.  Students in a Financial Planning Track will take FIN 6515 in lieu of FIN 6806.

(3) Undergraduate majors in Marketing will substitute a 6000-level Marketing elective for MAR 6815.

(4) Students who have had an undergraduate Operations Management course may substitute MAN 6525, MAN 6526 or QMB 6603 for MAN 6501.

Required core courses will change for students who earned undergraduate degrees in business, depending on past academic experience.  Other MBA courses may be substituted for core courses if a student has had equivalent work.  Therefore, upon entry into the MBA program, each student should meet with a Graduate Business Advisor to develop a program of study that reflects past academic work and that best meets the student's career objective.