Curriculum

The first-year curriculum focuses on the basics of business. Cross functional classes apply skills learned in one class to develop solutions in another class. Business skills are honed, and electives allow students to tailor a program to their career interest. A total of 48 hours are required to complete the MBA degree.

Prerequisites

Math 104 (calculus) or equivalent, Economics 215 (statistics) or equivalent, evidence of computer literacy or Management 198D (computers) or equivalent.

The program is time efficient. Part-time students can easily fit the evening class schedule around full-time jobs. Full-time students can complete the program in less than two years.

The Core (18 Semester Hours)

• Managerial Accounting
  • GRBA 810
    Contemporary Managerial Accounting
    Internal accounting as a tool to generate information for managerial planning and control. Problems and case material used to review basic financial accounting, to develop operational understanding of elementary cost systems, capital and operating budgeting concepts, incremental analysis, transfer pricing, performance evaluation, and other selected quantitative techniques available to assist management in the performance of the planning and control functions.
• Managerial Finance
  • GRBA 811
    Managerial Finance
    Application of financial theory to business problems. Financial statement analysis, working capital management, capital structure planning, cost of capital, and capital expenditure analysis.
• Managerial Economics
  • GRBA 812
    Managerial Economics
    Applies economics to problems faced by managers in both the private and public sector. Consideration is given to the impact of the economic environment on decisions made by the firm including the effects of legal, regulatory and social constraints. Internal allocation of resources in organizations from an economic perspective. Economic tools that aid managers, including statistical analysis, are applied to practical decisions.
• Marketing Management
  • GRBA 813
    Managerial Marketing
    Development of analytical and decision making skills, and an understanding of the market forces which influence those decisions. Major emphasis on the decision areas of product, distribution, personal selling, advertising and pricing, as well as on the development of integrated marketing programs. Social, ethical, and global issues.
• Organizational Behavior
  • GRBA 814
    Applied Organizational Behavior
    Critical behavioral science theories that contribute to the effective management of human behavior in organizations. Conceptual frameworks that help diagnose and explain the potential for common interpersonal problems. These models serve as the foundation for student efforts to develop behavioral skills and intervention techniques that promote effective individual and team activity leading to positive managerial experiences. Communication, power and influence, conflict management, and perception.
• Operations and Information Systems Strategy
  • GRBA 815
    Operations and Information Systems Strategy
    Understanding of how operations and information systems can be used to capture competitive advantage in the marketplace. Relationships between operations and information systems and other functional areas of organizations, e.g., marketing, finance, and engineering/research and development.

Cross-Functional Requirements (12 Semester Hours)

• Managerial Decision Making
  • GRBA 851
    Managerial Decision Making
    Advanced quantitative tools for aiding and enhancing managerial decision-making so that students develop skills for formulating, analyzing, and solving a wide range of interdisciplinary business problems. Decision-making under certainty, uncertainty and risk, and in competitive situations. Use of various quantitative models and computer-based tools, including problem formulation, interpretation of solution, sensitivity and shadow price, heuristic approaches, simulation and game models.
• International Business
  • GRBA 852
    International Business
    Reconsideration of marketing, management, accounting, and financial concepts within and between foreign environments. Understanding of alternative cultural, economic, and political systems which affect the operations of business firms. Attention to functional business decision making.
• Strategic Management and Business Policy
  • This course is to be taken in the last semester of classes.
    GRBA 853
    Strategic Management and Business Policy
    Development and implementation of corporate strategies and policies. Interrelationships between the external and internal environments of the organization (including functional areas) are stressed through identification, analysis, and implementation of solutions to strategic situations facing varying types of organizations. Policy cases, live cases/industry analyses, and an executive-level simulation game. Bridging the gap between management theory and practice.
• Management Skills Seminar
  • Seminars in topical issues such as diversity, ethics, leadership, business communication etc., portions to be taught by visiting executives.
    GRBA 898
    Managerial Skills Seminar (A, B, D, E, G, J)
    Seminar in current topics in business. Topical issues such as diversity, ethics, leadership, business communication, etc. New topics announced prior to each term in which the course is being offered.

Breadth Electives (9 Semester Hours)

Nine hours of electives from three of the four interdepartmental business areas-accounting, finance, marketing or management.

Specialization Electives (9 Semester Hours)

If no specialization is selected, students can select 9 hours of elective credit.

Internships

MBA students with little or relevant work experience are highly encouraged to do an internship. A maximum of 6 semester hours can be counted toward a graduate degree. This independent course offers study of theories, principles, practices, techniques, and strategies utilized in the business field. With faculty guidance, internships are designed to give students practical experience in managerial and/or administrative situations. A performance evaluation is given by the employer and a PowerPoint presentation is given to faculty and invited guests to summarize the learning experience.