Full-Time Master of Business Administration

Courses

First Year Full-Time MBA Core Courses

• BUAD 501 - Management Communications

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  3
  
  Builds skills and knowledge to be a successful managerial communicator. The first part covers topics relating to your personal awareness and development of basic communication abilities. As the course proceeds, topics include: communication strategy, presentation graphics, communication style and tone, structuring message content and argument, as well as, change, crisis, ethics, electronic, and intercultural communication, as well as news and media relations. Through the course, students learn to understand the importance of effective communication in managerial and leadership roles, appreciate the value of strategic organizational communication, and enhance their speaking, writing, and other communication abilities.
  
  
• BUAD 510 - Financial Accounting: Reporting and Analysis

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  3
  
  Analysis and interpretation of financial statements. Attention is given to contemporary issues in financial reporting and the economic consequences of accounting choices.
  
  
• BUAD 511 - Accounting for Managerial Decision Making

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  2
  
  Emphasis on managerial decision-making and control of operations using accounting information systems. Included are basic accounting concepts, accounting for manufacturing and investment decisions, and designing management control systems to implement strategies (e.g., transfer pricing, balanced scorecard.)
  
  
• BUAD 521 - The Technology Infrastructure

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  1 Graded Pass/Fail.
  
  The focus of this introductory IT module is on the “technology” part of “Information Technology.” We will discuss hardware, software, databases, telecommunications, and the Internet, and will experience hands-on applications in each of these areas. For example, students will create a web site, develop a basic understanding of computer programming using Visual Basic For Applications, and design and construct a relational database.
  
  
• BUAD 522 - IT-Enabled Technological Transformations

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  2
  
  The focus of the second IT module is on the “information” part of “Information Technology.” Through readings and case discussion, students will gain an understanding of how IT is enabling fundamental transformations in firms, markets, products, and business processes. These transformations have important implications for the way companies organize (both internally and with customers and suppliers) and compete. Accordingly, this course addresses the management issues surrounding the impact of information technology in organizations. It is designed with the line and general managers in mind, rather than the managers of the IS function.
  
  
• BUAD 530 - Financial Management

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  3
  
  This course emphasizes alternative approaches to valuation. Topics covered include financial markets; financial analysis and forecasting; approaches to risk and return; project evaluation; financial policy. Selected advanced topics, such as international financing transactions, new venture finance, and risk management will also be covered.
  
  
• BUAD 540 - Marketing Management

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  3
  
  Focuses on developing integrated marketing programs that address customer needs, competitive activity, channel and supplier behavior, macro environmental factors, and market evolution. Emphasis is placed on assessing the market and developing a responsive marketing mix: product policy, pricing, channels of distribution, integrated marketing communications, and support structure.
  
  
• BUAD 550 - Organizational Behavior and Process

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  3
  
  Designed to provide you with the analytic frameworks and tools to diagnose events in and to take effective action in today’s changing organizations. The course draws on knowledge from the domains of Organization Behavior (OB), Organization Theory (OT), and Human Resource Management (HRM) to provide you with the understanding and skills that you need to be an effective manager of people in these changing organizations. OT, OB and HRM are concerned with developing understanding about how human beings act in organized settings and how organized systems affect human behavior through policies, structures and strategies. In addition to conceptual understanding, ongoing assessments and experiential exercises provide you opportunities to reflect on your own behavior in order to develop new and more effective ways of interacting with others to accomplish work.
  
  
• BUAD 560 - Design and Control of the Modern Operations Function

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  3
  
  aking and tool focused, with emphasis on the acquisition of information for decision-making. It covers the topics most associated with today’s complex operation management activities: planning and scheduling, process selection and design, managing the supply and value chains, decision tools, day-to-day control (quality, inventory, demand management, capacity planning, etc.), and managing and controlling complex projects.
  
  
• BUAD 570 - Applied Data & Economic Analysis I

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  3
  
  Covers the use of key economic concepts of demand and supply in managerial decision- making. Strong emphasis is placed on data analysis. Ties together important statistical tools with application to economic analysis through live data case work.
  
  
• BUAD 571 - Applied Data and Economic Analysis II

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  3
  
  Continues the economic and statistical analysis begun in 570 into applications to industrial structure. The dynamic nature of industries’ competitive nature is explored through live data cases.
  
  
• BUAD 580 - Ethics

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  1.5
  
  Business Ethics is the study of ethical perspectives and values in management decision-making. Through cases, readings and exercises, students explore the nature of ethical dilemmas faced by managers in making decisions and in exercising their responsibilities to society, to stakeholders, and to themselves. Emphasis is placed on the students’ becoming aware of their own values system, taking accountability for their own professional development, and recognize their own personal and professional responsibilities as ethical managers.
  
  
• BUAD 581A - BRS - Global Issues Discussion Group

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  1 credit hour per discussion group Graded Pass/Fail.
  
  This offering provides students the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions on important topics of the day with a small group of classmates. Students select the topics for each group and develop the resources, which may include books, business publications, speakers, faculty, etc. Students organize these weekly meetings in order to explore and expand their understanding of the particular topic. Course progress is recorded weekly in a group wiki, and each group will present a summary of what they have learned to the class and core faculty as the end of each Module. Grading is pass/fail, based on the value of each student’s contribution to the group.
  
  
• BUAD 594 - Business, Government, and the Global Economy

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  2
  
  This course introduces the basic macroeconomic concepts in the global economy for both industrialized and developing countries. Students are encouraged to analyze business and economic policies and money and capital markets.
  
  
• BUAD 595 - Leadership Development Experience

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  0 Graded Pass/Fail.
  
  The Leadership Development Experience accelerates students’ development of personal and interpersonal competencies critical to early career success. This program is comprised of ongoing assessment and feedback, personal development planning and activities, and executive coaching.
  
  

Summer Courses - Full-Time MBA

• BUAD 500 - Internship Issues

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  Summer 1 Graded Pass/Fail.
  
  This course is for international students completing CPT or students needing educational credit for a summer internship. Two parts will include: a mandatory written paper evaluating the internship due in the Fall, and two class sessions in the Fall semester of your second year.
  
  

Second Year Full-Time MBA Required Courses

• BUAD 590 - Global Competitive Strategy

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  3
  
  Covers analysis for decision making at industry, firm and business levels, focusing especially on multi-business firms and global industries. Firm resources and competencies, business and environmental demands, and the sources of competitive advantage are the major focus points of this course, which stresses practical applications of theory.
  
  
• BUAD 596 - Field Consultancy

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  Spring 4.5
  
  Students participate in all phases of consulting engagements for actual client firms: problem definition, proposal, research and implementation recommendations. Lectures and speakers are included with emphasis placed on field work and professional presentations.
  
  
• BUAD 598 - Career Acceleration Module

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  6
  
  Students are required to select two Career Acceleration Module (CAM) offerings in their second year. Size limits may be placed on individual CAMs to enhance the educational experience of participants. Availability of CAM offerings are dependent upon faculty resources.
  
  

Career Acceleration Module

• BUAD 598 - Brand Management

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  6
  
  The “Customer-Driven Decision Making” module focuses on preparing students for careers in marketing management, primarily in product and brand management for consumer goods (B2C marketing.) The module is organized around the structure and content of a basic marketing plan, with the goal that students will develop a rich understanding of the tools and frameworks of product or brand management as they are applied in the contemporary customer-driven organization.
  
  
• BUAD 598 - Business-to-Business Marketing

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  6
  
  Participants in the Business-to-Business (B2B) marketing module will prepare for careers in brand management, sales, and sales management. The module includes learning firsthand the current best practices in B2B marketing through intense interaction with B2B company executives at every level. Career activities will focus on skill set practice and application through developing B2B marketing strategies, relationship management, strategic pricing in a competitive marketplace, sales force and distribution management, and negotiation.
  
  
• BUAD 598 - Corporate Finance

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  6
  
  The module in Corporate Finance is designed to prepare students for careers in corporate financial decision-making, consulting, and financial analysis. The module aims to develop students’ understanding of financial analytical tools and to improve students’ ability to interpret and analyze issues typically faced by corporate controllers, treasurers, CFOs, and their staffs.
  
  
• BUAD 598 - Enterprise Engineering

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  6
  
  The Agile Enterprise considers the current turbulent business environment where managers must negotiate highly disruptive technologies, globalization, hyper-competitive markets, shrinking product life cycles, increased product variety, increasing regulation, and new organizational and collaborative structures. This Module is intended to provide students with an integrated set of practical skills and experiences, from an Operations and Information Technology standpoint, that will allow them to take a leadership role in the design and operation of flexible, responsive value-creating activities that are capable of surviving and flourishing in this highly dynamic business environment.
  
  
• BUAD 598 - Entrepreneurship

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  6
  
  The Entrepreneurship and Small Businesses module focuses on three particular areas: The creation, financing, valuation and management of both smaller enterprises and new businesses; Working with or managing the smaller enterprise or family business, and thoroughly understanding the strategies and structures of investing and financing through both Venture Capital and Private Equity sources. Students prepare business plans and complete entrepreneurial internships with local companies. This module incorporates continuous participation by Executive Partners and community business leaders.
  
  
• BUAD 598 - Financial Instruments and Markets

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  6
  
  The Investments and Finance Services module will focus on developing successful careers in investment banking or related financial services by learning through interactions with current business leaders. Participants will practice and apply the skills needed for careers in investments and financial services by exploring the public equity offering process, private placements, securitization, acquisitions, corporate restructuring, research-driven sales, and trading.
  
  
• BUAD 598 - Real Estate

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  6
  
  This CAM will provide students with an essential understanding of the key forces underlying real estate development and entrepreneurship. Students will be provided with the key analytical tools and foundational knowledge required to be an effective stakeholder in the real estate development and entrepreneurship processes. The course will bring in leading real estate professionals who will reflect on their experiences and offer their perspectives on current and recent events. The course emphasizes practical and applied skills. Topics will include Types of Real Estate Investment Properties, Real Estate Cycles, Portfolio Analysis, Real Estate Investment Trusts, Redevelopment Opportunities, Turnaround Strategies, Brownfield Redevelopment, Smart Growth, New Urbanism, Public-Private Partnership, Sustainability, Green Development, and other timely entrepreneurship issues.
  
  
• BUAD 598 - Social Entrepreneurship

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  6
  
  This course examines the consulting process specifically in the context of the developing world and prepares students for a role in international development working with entrepreneurs and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The fieldwork course follows the process of a typical consulting engagement in identifying key project requirements, feasibility and design alternatives allowing students to develop a better understanding of the context of consulting within the domain of social entrepreneurship while creating innovating and sustainable responses to critical social needs. This immersion course will take place in Latin America and provide a deeper understanding of the cultural, political, and business environment in one or more countries through various excursions allowing students to gain a unique perspective on how locals live and work.
  
  

MBA/MAcc Electives

• BUAD 531 - BRS – Forecasting

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  1.5
  
  This course offers insights about how to be an effective forecaster. You will become familiar with the major considerations and pitfalls involved in the selection, use, and interpretation of a variety of forecasting approaches. Practice is essential — to develop experience and judgment in applying the tools and processes. Judgment includes recognizing when and why to override or adjust a forecast – because you are the forecaster who gets the praise or blame, not the methodology or model.
  
  
• BUAD 595 - BRS – Lean Toolkit

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  1.5
  
  In this course, students learn the Lean methodology, which is used to reduce process lead time, improve responsiveness to customers, increase efficiency, and reduce inventory. Specifically, students learn how to identify inefficiencies in processes using a particular type of business process mapping (value stream mapping) and, subsequently, lean tools aimed at reducing those inefficiencies. This course would not qualify a student for Green Belt Certification.
  
  
• BUAD 595 - BRS – Lean Toolkit & Lean Six Sigma Project

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  3
  
  This course teaches Lean and Six Sigma business process improvement methodologies, which improve the quality and responsiveness of business processes. Completion of the course with a satisfactory grade will qualify a student for a “Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification,” which is a recognized business credential. A portion of a student’s effort in this course will be learning the tools of Lean (see course description for Lean Toolkit) and Six Sigma (see course description for Six Sigma Toolkit) through classroom lecture, discussion, and homework assignments. The remaining part of the course is spent completing a process improvement project.
  
  
• BUAD 595 - BRS – Six Sigma Toolkit

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  1.5
  
  In this course, students are introduced to the many tools and techniques for establishing quality in products, processes, and services. Six Sigma techniques are widely accepted as the Best Practices for achieving quality. This course would not qualify a student for Green Belt Certification.
  
  

Accounting and Control

• BUAD 515 - The Influence of Taxation on Business Decisions

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  3
  
  The course provides the student with an overview of the influence of Federal income taxation on the business decision- making process. A conceptual foundation is established that links Federal income taxation and cost/benefit analysis in terms of the impact on business decisions. The student will understand tax terminology, develop and awareness of tax reduction techniques, and utilize tax planning in applying these techniques in a business setting. Differences in financial reporting objectives and the related financial statements versus those associated with tax reduction techniques are identified.
  
  
• BUAD 518 - Tax Compliance Research and Planning

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  3
  
  The objective of this course is to broaden the ability of the student to engage in tax compliance, tax research, and tax planning in a team-oriented environment. Group communication opportunities, both oral and written, are emphasized.
  
  

Finance

• BUAD 532 - Corporate Financial Policy

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  3
  
  This course is intended to give the students a forum to investigate both the theory and practice of finance in a corporate setting. It covers a broad spectrum of issues facing a financial manager including: planning and financial control; working capital policy; analysis of financing alternatives; capital structure and equity management policy; investment analysis; resource allocation policy; and corporate restructure and merger analysis.
  
  
• BUAD 536 - Portfolio Management

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  3
  
  This course is designed to give students an understanding of the principles of portfolio management in a global capital market. Emphasis is placed on mutual fund management. Topics include individual and institutional investor behaviors, international diversification, latest developments in trading, fundamental analysis and technical analysis, performance measurement, mutual fund structures and management, risk management and hedging. Students will emerge from this course with an understanding of the portfolio management process, and with the ability to evaluate the performance of portfolios with respect to different investor objectives and to articulate recommendations for changes.
  
  
• BUAD 538 - International Financial Management

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  3
  
  Covers important concepts in international economic and financial analysis, and stresses their use in the financial management of multinational corporations, in international portfolio management, and foreign direct investment decisions.
  
  

Marketing

• BUAD 542 - Marketing Strategy

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  3
  
  Focuses on analyzing market threats and opportunities, assessing competitive advantages, forecasting patterns of market evolution and developing marketing strategies that are consistent with these assessments.
  
  

Organizational Management

• BUAD 553 - Leadership Development Experience II

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  1.5
  
  The LDE Program accelerates students’ development of personal and interpersonal competencies critical to early career success. This program spans a student’s residency in the MBA Program, and is comprised of ongoing assessment and feedback, action planning, and development activities, and executive coaching.)
  
  
• BUAD 557 - Leadership and Planned Change

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  3
  
  Examines current issues in leadership and managerial strategies for successfully implementing, institutionalizing and evaluating change initiatives.
  
  

Operations Management

• BUAD 561 - BRS - Supply Chain Management

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  3
  
  This newly designed elective offering primarily deals with the design and operation of logistics networks or supply chains, and the flow of materials and information on them. Students in this course will be exposed to both the strategic and operational aspects of managing today’s complex supply chains. Specific topics include Vendor managed inventory; efficient customer response; collaborative planning, forecasting and replenishment; planning distribution and supply; managing product variety; transportation; supply chain planning software; eMarketplaces; inter- and meta-mediaries and design & optimization of supply networks.
  
  
• BUAD 562 - Project Management

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  1.5
  
  This course focuses on the management of complex projects and the rules and techniques, which have been developed in the past 25 years to assist managers with such projects. All three phases of project management - Planning, Scheduling, and Control are explored in detail. In addition to studying various scheduling techniques for projects, this course explores issues dealing with project selection methods, project risk assessment, project team dynamics, new product development projects, runaway projects, and monitoring and control of projects.
  
  

Applied Economics and Management

• BUAD 531 - Forecasting

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• BUAD 574 - Principles of Negotiation

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  3
  
  This course uses Game Theory to provide a theoretical foundation for understanding negotiation, and it provides first hand experience in different bargaining situations. A number of tools are developed that are useful in planning and preparing for a negotiation.
  
  

Environment of Business

• BUAD 581 - Global Business Analysis & Immersion

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  1.5 or 3
  
  The objectives of this course are: 1) to introduce students to the interactive concepts of marketing and culture, 2) to enable students to understand the cultural issues at the corporate, national and transnational levels, 3) to provide insights on effective marketing and management decision making in unfamiliar or cross-cultural settings, particularly with respect to various international contexts, and 4) most importantly to give students unique experiences with cultural immersion. This year the course focuses on Southeast and East Asia.
  
  

Business Administration

• BUAD 582 - BRS – Contracts/Corp/Bankr & Reorg

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  3
  
  This course is designed specially for the student who is active in the business world. We will study the law of contracts—offer, acceptance, consideration, capacity to contract, mistake, fraud, duress, when a writing is required, performance, breach, and remedies.
  
  
• BUAD 583 - Non-Profit Organizations

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  3
  
  The objective of this course is to analyze the role of non-profit organizations as economic entities in a market economy (for example, methods of financing these organizations.) The course will also explore the liability, application of strategic planning to identify potentially useful market niches of these organizations, the legal obligations of management, and portfolio management appropriate for these organizations.
  
  
• BUAD 584 - Entrepreneurship and the Law

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  1.5
  
  This course will familiarize business students with the bodies of law, legal issues, vocabularies, legal reasoning and the orientation of lawyers that impact business decisions and their implementation. Students will also gain an understanding of how business executives and lawyers can work together to deal efficiently and effectively with matters inextricably part business and part legal.
  
  
• BUAD 587 - Managing & Financing a Small Business Enterprise

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  3
  
  Designed for those who wish to undertake a career journey in the direction of running a smaller business enterprise or a family business. It is structured to allow the students to develop an alternative to a large company or professional service firm. Every aspect of a business is covered, from the legal entity utilized through the management and financing of the enterprise. The creation and review of individual Business Plans will be required.
  
  
• BUAD 588 - Private Equity and Venture Capital

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  3
  
  Covers the essential principles of the risks and rewards associated with Private Equity and Venture Capital. Financial analysis of a business and risk/return characteristics, business valuation methods, and the financing sources are covered to better understand the required returns to risk investors. Other topics include: fundraising, early stage, middle stage, and ultimately late stage investments; buyouts and exit strategies; the structuring of the “deal”; the creation of term sheets, negotiation strategies, and human capital and resources.
  
  

Independent Study

• BUAD 597 - Independent Study in Business

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  1.5-3.(0)
  
  This course is designed to allow interested MBA students to pursue advanced study in some area of business for which there is no formal course. A qualified member of the faculty shall supervise the study. Students must have a 3.0 GPA or better. Please see the Graduate Registrar for appropriate paper work.
  
  

Recent Topics Courses

• BUAD 581 - BRS – Global Business Immersion

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  1.5
  
  In the second phase of the course we will study partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies. We will cover topics such as the formation of a partnership, partnership property, a partner’s liability; officer’s and director’s liability, promoter’s liability, shareholder rights; and mergers and acquisitions. The final segment of the course will be devoted to the study of business and consumer bankruptcy. Some of the topics will include chapters 7, 11, and 13 of the United States Bankruptcy Code, the automatic stay, the trustee’s avoiding powers, fraudulent transfers, voidable preferences, claims of secured and unsecured creditors, nondischargeable debts, adequate protection, financing the debtor in possession, executory contracts and unexpired leases, plan confirmation, and cramdown. During the 2009 calendar year, 1,473,675 bankruptcy cases were filed, and these cases affected millions of creditors.
  
  
• BUAD 595 - BRS – Advanced Modeling Techniques

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  3
  
  The Advanced Modeling Techniques course will focus on development and application of programming, database and statistical skills necessary to construct advanced analytical decision models. Models of this type are emerging as a new competitive arena in many industries - most notably Supply Chain logistics and Financial Services - as organizations attempt to position themselves for an impending “perfect storm.” Firstly, there is an urgent need for advanced analytics to contend with the increasing complexities and risks associated with the modern global enterprise. Secondly, data is becoming available to support these types of decision systems (internal ERP systems, Web 3.0+, “Big Data”, the “Internet of Things”). Thirdly, processing and communications systems are reaching a level of sophistication that for the first time make many computer-based analytical techniques computationally tractable. As a result, as organizations attempt to develop in-house modeling expertise in their core activities, they will require people whose skills include both a broad, interdisciplinary understanding of business dynamics and the technical skills necessary to identify and develop (or manage the development of) advanced analytical models. This second-year elective is designed to develop these skills.
  
  
• BUAD 595 - BRS – Applied Decision Theory

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  3
  
  The purpose of this course is to familiarize the student with applied techniques for decision making, and to explain decisions as cognitive processes. This course will combine theory and practice and will examine the psychological aspects of human decision making.
  
  
• BUAD 595 - BRS – Business Ethics

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  1.5
  
  This course is designed specifically for MAcc students who need additional credit hours in ethics. Business Ethics is the study of ethical perspectives and values in management decision-making. Through cases, readings and exercises, students explore the nature of ethical dilemmas faced by managers in making decisions and in exercising their responsibilities to society, to stakeholders, and to themselves. Emphasis is placed on the students’ becoming aware of their own values system, taking accountability for their own professional development, and recognize their own personal and professional responsibilities as ethical managers.
  
  
• BUAD 595 - BRS – Doing Business in Brazil

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  1.5
  
  The objective of this course is to learn about Brazil and it’s role in the global business environment. The program focuses of business and economy, politics, culture, and business practices. The students have the opportunity to visit Brazilian corporations that are world benchmarks, and to participate in classes with Brazilian MBA students to talk about current global business issues.
  
  
• BUAD 595 - BRS – Estate and Financial Planning

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  3
  
  This course provides an introductory knowledge of the principles of estate and financial planning, with specific reference to estate, gift and individual income tax laws. Selected topics include property ownership, insurance, trusts, and planning for the closely-held business with emphasis on awareness of federal tax concepts and laws; identification of tax and financial planning issues; tax, financial, debt management, investment and retirement planning techniques; and communication of creative solutions to financial planning solutions.
  
  
• BUAD 595 - BRS – Lean Toolkit

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  1.5
  
  In this course, you will learn the Lean methodology, which uses a particular type of business process mapping in order to document and understand business processes (values stream mapping). This course would not qualify a student for Green Belt Certification.
  
  
• BUAD 595 - BRS – Lean Toolkit & Lean Six Sigma Project

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  3
  
  This course teaches Lean and Six Sigma business process improvement methodologies, which improve the quality and responsiveness of business processes. Completion of the course with a satisfactory grade will qualify a student for a “Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification,” which is a recognized business credential. A portion of a student’s effort in this course will be learning the tools of Lean and Six Sigma through classroom lecture, discussion, and homework assignments. The remaining part of the course is spent completing a process improvement project.
  
  
• BUAD 595 - BRS – Negotiations

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  3
  
  This course will develop confidence in negotiation by exposing you to different types of negotiating situations “first-hand.” Students will develop analytical tools for dissecting past negotiations and for devising strategies to cope with future ones. Course interest will be in the anatomy–the underlying structures–of negotiations.
  
  
• BUAD 595 - BRS – Real Estate Management

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  3
  
  
• BUAD 595 - BRS – Six Sigma Toolkit

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  1.5
  
  In this course, you will learn the Lean methodology, which uses a particular type of business process mapping in order to document and understand business processes (values stream mapping). This course would not qualify a student for Green Belt Certification.
  
  
• BUAD 595 - BRS – Strategic Foresight

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  1.5
  
  Futuring is “the act, art, or science of identifying and evaluating possible future events.” [Cornish, E. (2004). Futuring is a different, broader mindset than traditional forecasting, uses a variety of tools developed and applied over the last 40+ years, explores multiple alternative futures, from three years to decades ahead and is increasingly used and valued by corporations in strategic planning. This course flows from applying futuring methods to your personal future over the next decade to applications at the regional, national, and global level.
  
  
• BUAD 595 - BRS – Supply Chain Management

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  3
  
  This newly designed elective offering primarily deals with the design and operation of logistics networks or supply chains, and the flow of materials and information on them. Students in this course will be exposed to both the strategic and operational aspects of managing today’s complex supply chains. Specific topics include Vendor managed inventory; efficient customer response; collaborative planning, forecasting and replenishment; planning distribution and supply; managing product variety; transportation; supply chain planning software; eMarketplaces; inter- and meta-mediaries and design & optimization of supply networks.
  
  
• BUAD 595 - BRS – Teams: Design, Selection and Development

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  3
  
  Working in teams has become the norm in most organizations (Sundstrom) yet most people have many misconceptions about what makes groups effective. We will cover work in a variety of teams including: project teams, self-directed teams, research teams, consulting teams, and multinational teams. Groups can be exhilarating or maddening. This course is designed to develop the knowledge and skills to enable you to improve the performance of most teams. The course includes arefresher on practical theories of group effectiveness, application of human resource management techniques to teams: selecting team members; developing the team and its members; applying appropriate rewards, and coverage of skills and tools designed to diagnose and improve team functioning.
  
  
• BUAD 595 - Consulting

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• BUAD 595 - Customer Experience Management

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• BUAD 595 - Healthcare Informatics

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• BUAD 595 - Marketing and Society

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• BUAD 595 - Real Estate Mgmt and Entrepreneurship

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Flex Master of Business Administration

Courses

Flex MBA Core Courses

• BUAD 601 - Communication for Managers

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  3
  
  The need to communicate well is a critical part of a manager’s professional development. This course helps prospective and practicing managers assess and develop their communication abilities to be a successful managerial communicator. Through course activities, students will understand the importance of effective communication in managerial and leadership roles, appreciate the value of strategic organizational communication, and enhance their speaking, writing, and other communication abilities. Special topics in the course include: presentation graphics, ethics, intercultural communication, and media relation.
  
  
• BUAD 602 - Financial Accounting

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  3
  
  Concepts and principles of financial and administrative accounting essential to the interpretation and analysis of accounting information, including financial reports, bankruptcy analysis, budgeting, control, production and costing, stock options, and board governance.
  
  
• BUAD 603 - Managerial Accounting

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  3
  
  This course deals with the use of accounting information for decision-making, planning, and control. The goal is to acquaint the student of management with the fundamentals of internal accounting, better known as management accounting. The emphasis is on using accounting information in managing an organization, rather than product costing and income determination.
  
  
• BUAD 604 - Organizational Behavior

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  3
  
  Designed to provide you with the analytic frameworks and tools to diagnose events in and to take effective action in today’s changing organizations. The course draws on knowledge from the domains of Organization Behavior (OB), Organization Theory (OT), and Human Resource Management (HRM) to provide you with the understanding and skills that you need to be an effective manager of people in these changing organizations. OT, OB and HRM are concerned with developing understanding about how human beings act in organized settings and how organized systems affect human behavior through policies, structures and strategies. In addition to conceptual understanding, ongoing assessments and experiential exercises provide you opportunities to reflect on your own behavior in order to develop new and more effective ways of interacting with others to accomplish work.
  
  
• BUAD 605 - Quantitative Methods

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  3
  
  Role and application of statistics in the analysis of business problems including estimation, statistical measures, hypothesis testing analysis of variance, simple and multiple linear regression and time series analysis.
  
  
• BUAD 606 - Modeling and Simulation

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  1.5 Prerequisite(s): BUAD 605 
  
  This course is designed to introduce students to basic modeling, analysis, and simulation techniques. Emphasis will be placed on problem identification and formulation, sensitivity analysis, and model construction. Tools such as MS Excel, Solver, Crystal Ball, and @Risk will be used to solve business problems across all business functional areas: Finance, Accounting, Operations, Marketing, Information Systems, Policy, and Human Resource Management.
  
  
• BUAD 607 - Marketing

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  3
  
  Examination of marketing from a managerial viewpoint; emphasis on evaluating marketing alternatives and in choosing from these alternatives.
  
  
• BUAD 608 - The National and Global Economies

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  3 Prerequisite(s): BUAD 609 
  
  This course is intended to provide information that can be used to interpret economic events and assess their impact on the economy and an organization. Part of this information concerns not just economics but an understanding of how some political choices are made in various countries. This knowledge is critical for risk assessment and a realistic planning of business operations over the next year. You leave the course with some fundamental “rules of thumb” that allow you to assess potential large scale economic risks to your organization.
  
  
• BUAD 609 - Managerial Economics

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  3 Prerequisite(s): BUAD 605 
  
  This course studies economic analysis applied to managerial decision making. Besides basic topics of demand, cost and production, and market structures, this course also covers demand forecasting, pricing strategies, game theory, and information economics.
  
  
• BUAD 610 - Operations Management

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  3 Prerequisite(s):  BUAD 602 , BUAD 605 
  
  Study of the design, operation, and control of production and operating systems from a managerial standpoint, with emphasis on quantitative methods of analysis.
  
  
• BUAD 611 - Finance

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  3 Prerequisite(s): BUAD 602 , BUAD 609 
  
  The course covers basic principles and theories of financial valuation, risk pricing and risk management. These principles are applied to corporate finance topics such as: how a firm decides to invest its resources in long term assets and growth opportunities; how a firm will manage its sources of capital and raise funds to finance chosen investments; and how the firm will plan and control funds flow.
  
  
• BUAD 612 - Management of Information Systems

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  3 Prerequisite(s): BUAD 602 , BUAD 605 
  
  The focus of Management of Information Systems is on the technology that enables its use in the business and organizational setting. Issues such as hardware, software, databases, telecommunications, and the Internet will be discussed. Students will experience hands-on applications in some areas. An understanding of how Information Technology enables fundamental transformations in firms, markets, products, and business processes will be gained. This course addresses the management issues surrounding the impact of information technology in organizations. It is designed with the line and general managers in mind, rather than the managers of the IS function.
  
  
• BUAD 614 - Core Capstone-General Manager

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  1.5 Prerequisite(s): BUAD 602 , BUAD 609 , BUAD 610 , BUAD 611 
  
  This course encourages participants to apply the concepts and skills they have learned in the core courses through work on an actual business application or project. Effective presentation of serious, creative recommendations for action is strongly emphasized. Course topics will vary as new projects and business events present themselves.
  
  
• BUAD 690 - Global Competitive Strategy

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  3 Prerequisite(s): Complete Phase II courses and two electives
  
  Covers analysis for decision making at industry, firm and business levels, focusing especially on multi-business firms and global industries. Firm resources and competencies, business and environmental demands, and the sources of competitive advantage are the major focus points of this course, which stresses practical applications of theory.
  
  

Executive Master of Business Administration

Courses

EMBA Program Curriculum - First Semester

• BUAD 701 - Accounting - Reporting and Analysis

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  2.5
  
  This course introduces the basic concepts of financial accounting necessary to generate financial statements and reports. It examines strategies used to master the economic subtleties of business, and provides the managerial skills needed to analyze and interpret financial statements for internal and external use. BUAD 703 Statistics for Business (2.5 Credits): This course focuses on data analysis and how managers use data to make better business decisions. We will examine the role and application of statistics in the analysis of business problems including estimation, statistical measures, hypothesis testing, analysis of variance, and regression models.
  
  
• BUAD 707 - Marketing Management

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  2.5
  
  This course focuses on the problems of building an integrated marketing program in light of external forces, such as the consumer, the trade, the competition and the regulatory environment. Specific emphasis is placed on the marketing concept, the marketing mix, market definition and dynamics, segmentation and positioning, and product/market evolution.
  
  
• BUAD 709 - Leadership in an Uncertain Era: Understanding Organizational Behavior and Processes

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  2.5
  
  This course is designed to improve your effectiveness as a manager by deepening your understanding of how organizations work. To succeed in the business world, you must (a) analyze organizational events and processes and (b) design and implement actions to increase organizational effectiveness. These critical leadership skills are even more important today, as organizations enter a period of enormous upheaval and change. The course begins with an intensive two-day leadership forum that focuses on heightening your awareness of leadership challenges and enhancing your ability to address them. As the semester continues, we build upon that seminal experience by exploring how the structure, power relations, and culture of organizations shape and constrain the behavior of individuals within them. The course culminates in a project in which you apply both conceptual tools and leadership skills to events in your current organization.
  
  

EMBA Program Curriculum - Second Semester

• BUAD 702 - Accounting for Decision Making and Control

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  2.5
  
  This course continues the accounting series with cost accounting, activities analysis, profit planning and budgetary systems, cost allocations, transfer pricing, and performance evaluation.
  
  
• BUAD 704 - Quantitative Models for Business

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  1.5
  
  This course is designed to introduce students to basic modeling, analysis and simulation techniques. Emphasis will be placed on problem identification and formulation, sensitivity analysis and model construction. Spreadsheet tools will be used to solve business problems across various business functional areas.
  
  
• BUAD 706 - Managerial Economics and Public Policy

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  2.5
  
  This introductory applied economics class examines the basic concepts and applications of demand and supply analysis. The course also explores topics of production and pricing in both domestic and international markets. Furthering the understanding of different market structures, this course focuses on the causes and consequences of market failures, the application of game theory to corporate decision-making, and the impact of technological change, international competition and government regulation.
  
  
• BUAD 710 - Communications for Executives

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  1.5
  
  This course is designed specifically for the communication needs of executives. Building on skills and knowledge essential for successful communication, the course will focus on the value of effective managerial communication, provide an understanding of strategic organizational communication, and enhance speaking, writing, and other communication abilities.
  
  

EMBA Program Curriculum - Third Semester

• BUAD 705 - Global Environment of Business

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  2.5
  
  This course focuses on how domestic and international product and financial markets operate. Students will develop expertise in applying models to generate qualitative forecasts of economic growth, interest rates, exchange rates and inflation. Through the analysis of case studies, the students will develop an understanding of policy decisions at the Federal Reserve and the effect that these policies have in the money and exchange rate markets.
  
  
• BUAD 713 - Marketing Strategy

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  2.5
  
  This course focuses on the formulation of marketing strategy, including balancing market opportunities and threats with available resources and alternative responses, as well as analysis of markets, product and pricing strategies.
  
  
• BUAD 714 - Financial Management

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  2.5
  
  This course is structured on the concepts and tools of valuation. It covers financial and project analysis, financial forecasting, risk and return, cost of capital, mergers and acquisitions, and valuation.
  
  
• BUAD 715 - Operations and Supply Chain Management

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  2.5
  
  To achieve competitive advantage, managers must understand how to design and control products and services, as well as the systems for their delivery. To reach that understanding, this course focuses on issues of planning and control of complex products and services, managing quality and continuous improvement, and control of the supply chain.
  
  

EMBA Program Curriculum - Fourth Semester

• BUAD 716 - Leading Change in Organizations

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  2.5
  
  Building on the concepts from Leadership in an Uncertain Era, this course examines the leader’s role in diagnosing, anticipating, planning, implementing, and evaluating change within organizations. Case studies and group projects focus on organizational analysis, barriers to change, overcoming resistance to change, change intervention strategies and methods, and change evaluation.
  
  
• BUAD 717 - Corporate Financial Policy

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  2.5
  
  Building on the topics in Financial Management, Corporate Financial Policy covers advanced topics in financial markets and strategy, including debt and equity management policy, financing, derivatives and risk management, and international finance.
  
  
• BUAD 719 - Business Policy

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  1.5
  
  This course is the study of the management of organizations with special focus on the roles and tasks of individual managers. The course deals with analyzing external and internal environmental forces; formulating organizational objectives; understanding the often conflicting needs and expectations of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders; defining and appraising alternative courses of action; formulating and executing action plans; and establishing systems for monitoring and measuring results.
  
  
• BUAD 721 - Managing Information Systems

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  2.5
  
  The course focuses upon strategic influence of information technology (IT) within organizations. Designed primarily for non-IT executives, the course will prepare for understanding of technological vocabulary, emerging technologies and how they enhance core business functions, and demonstrating the business value of IT investment. Practice based exercises will augment the learning experience through modeling IT choices and information utilization.
  
  
• BUAD 721 - Managing Information Systems

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  2.5
  
  The course focuses upon strategic influence of information technology (IT) within organizations. Designed primarily for non-IT executives, the course will prepare for understanding of technological vocabulary, emerging technologies and how they enhance core business functions, and demonstrating the business value of IT investment. Practice based exercises will augment the learning experience through modeling IT choices and information utilization.
  
  
• BUAD 722 - Ethical Accountability

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  1
  
  In a world of increased global trade and commerce, this course focuses on understanding and managing the differing standards for everything from earnings to ethics. The course serves to help us better understand values, our accountabilities, and the impact of our decisions and actions in the workplace. To reach this understanding, issues of business ethics, business strategy and emerging technologies, and managing conflicting interests in a global economy will be discussed.
  
  

EMBA Program Curriculum - Fifth Semester

• BUAD 720 - Global Strategy Management

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  3
  
  An examination of the distinctive management issues that arise when firms are either contemplating or already doing business across national boundaries. This course requires the integration and application of knowledge and skills learned in earlier courses and also introduces the critical business skills of understanding and managing strategic issues in international settings.
  
  

Master of Accounting

Courses

MAcc Core Courses - Fall Semester - Financial Markets Module

• BUAD 504 - Equity Valuation and Financial Statement Modeling

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  1.5
  
  Reviews theories of equity valuation and applies these theories by building valuation models using financial statements.
  
  
• BUAD 507 - Fixed Income Securities and Securitizations

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  1.5
  
  Introduces characteristics and valuation of fixed income securities, including the effects of the term structure of interest rates on pricing. Examines bonds, mortgage securities, and more complex fixed income structures. Explores the repackaging of financial assets via securitization.
  
  
• BUAD 508 - Derivatives and Risk Management

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  1.5
  
  Introduces credit risk, market risk, liquidity risk and operations risk. Examines characteristics and valuation of options, futures, forwards, and swaps and how they are used to manage risk. Explores the concept of an effective hedge and general methods of measuring risk.
  
  

MAcc Core Courses - Fall Semester - Professional Accounting Module

• BUAD 502 - Professional Accounting I; Professional Accounting II

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  6
  
  Focuses on expanding and integrating knowledge of generally accepted accounting and auditing standards in rigorous study of the selection, substantiation and consequences of specific accounting choices and auditing procedures in private and public sector enterprises; extensive use of cases and simulation. Also focuses on the role of financial reporting in capital allocation and contracting decisions in the U.S. and internationally, considering the perspectives and incentives of both preparers and users. Graduate accounting students are given the opportunity to use their expertise in the areas of accounting, finance, and statistics to estimate credit risk, equity risk, and firm value. Students apply statistical tools and analytical methods increasingly used in business, including those related to hedge accounting, bankruptcy prediction, stock option valuation, and fraud detection. Assignments equip students to effectively research issues in financial reporting using a variety of resources accessible on-line and resident in Mason databases. In addition, students develop communication skills through class discussion and negotiations, as well as written assignments directed toward actively participating in the accounting standard setting process.
  
  
• BUAD 503 - Professional Accounting I; Professional Accounting II

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  6
  
  Focuses on expanding and integrating knowledge of generally accepted accounting and auditing standards in rigorous study of the selection, substantiation and consequences of specific accounting choices and auditing procedures in private and public sector enterprises; extensive use of cases and simulation. Also focuses on the role of financial reporting in capital allocation and contracting decisions in the U.S. and internationally, considering the perspectives and incentives of both preparers and users. Graduate accounting students are given the opportunity to use their expertise in the areas of accounting, finance, and statistics to estimate credit risk, equity risk, and firm value. Students apply statistical tools and analytical methods increasingly used in business, including those related to hedge accounting, bankruptcy prediction, stock option valuation, and fraud detection. Assignments equip students to effectively research issues in financial reporting using a variety of resources accessible on-line and resident in Mason databases. In addition, students develop communication skills through class discussion and negotiations, as well as written assignments directed toward actively participating in the accounting standard setting process.
  
  

MAcc Core Courses - Fall Semester - Professional Development Module

• BUAD 506 - Communications & Professional Development

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  1.5
  
  Emphasizes writing, presentation, interpersonal and interview skills through a combination of individual assessment and group exercises.
  
  
• BUAD 595 - Eth 1 – Prof Values, Actg & Gov

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  1.5
  
  This course is designed to allow you to critically examine your values and commitments and how they impact you, the organization for which you work, the profession, and the larger society. As a business person, your values will influence your use of resources, your decision-making processes, and your leadership endeavors. Business is a powerful force for change and influence. If you listed the world’s largest economies, fifty are corporations. The opportunities for influence and leadership carry responsibilities.
  
  
• BUAD 595 - Modeling & Analysis Modeling & Sim for Acctg

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  3
  
  Designed to introduce students to basic modeling techniques that can be implemented with MS Excel. This course begins with an introduction to problem identification and formulation, sensitivity analysis, and the use of spreadsheets for constructing models. Includes the use of numerous internal Excel functions, as well as add-ins that can be found in Excel or purchased from outside vendors (Solver, @Risk®, Crystal Ball®, PHStats2, etc.) Techniques will also be developed that permit investigation of problems containing uncertainty by employing simulation- Monte Carlo simulation, discrete event simulation, what-if analysis, Scenarios and Goal Seeking. The course is about modeling and the subsequent analysis that is too often ignored.
  
  
• BUAD 595 - Negotiation for Financial Professionals

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  3
  
  Covers the basics of negotiation and game theory. It focuses on recognizing and understanding different negotiation situations and the strategic implications of each. The goal is to obtain successful and satisfactory outcomes from negotiations rather than allowing one’s self to get bogged down in confrontational haggling.
  
  

MAcc Core Courses - Fall Semester - Fall Required Accounting Courses

• BUAD 512 - Professional Accounting III

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  3
  
  Enhances the understanding of the intersection between business and accounting issues. Selected industries will be studied, focusing on key players and primary business models, significant operating and market risk exposures, critical accounting and reporting issues, the most significant auditing issues and the most relevant tax issues. Students will select an industry not already studied in the course and will conduct research and present findings about the drivers critical to that industry. A strong emphasis will be placed on refining written and presentation skills.
  
  
• BUAD 595 - Cost Management

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  1.5
  
  Introduces standard cost systems and cost variance analysis, profit planning and budgets, cost-volume-profit analysis, cost allocation and transfer pricing, and cost analysis for corporate planning and control.45
  
  
• BUAD 595 - Federal Taxation

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  1.5
  
  An analysis of federal tax laws, with specific reference to individual income taxes. Development of conceptual awareness of the federal income tax structure, tax planning opportunities, and special topics affecting individual taxpayers.
  
  

Dual Degrees