Master of Business Administration (online distance learning)

Communication skills have consistently been ranked in the top five characteristics of successful managers for many years. Being able to communicate effectively is also a key component for success in academic situations as well. Through-out this course students will examine various communication strategies used in the 21st Century marketplace; additionally students will learn how to utilize these strategies to communicate information effectively using a variety of communication styles/tools. The course will provide students with the feedback, tools and coaching for both their academic and professional careers.

The course will synthesize marketing and product development models in, but not limited to, the creation of customer value, consumer buying patterns, product innovation and development, strategy development, and the delivery of goods and services in a culturally diverse marketplace.

The course will examine strategy and economic systems to manage risk and assess the impact of economic changes including regionalism, government regulations, corporate governance, international fiscal and monetary policies, and the balance of payments for strategy development.

The course will examine ethical theories and styles in contemporary organizational decision making, examining the ethics of current regulatory and legal issues impacting organizations.

The course synthesizes the responsibility of an organization as a leader in supporting global sustainability and integration of sustainability through entrepreneurial innovation and opportunities using industry analysis, competitive leverage, funding strategies, etc. within the organization.

This course analyzes contemporary theories of finance as applied to management decision-making including cash flow analysis, capital budgeting, risk and return, valuation models, financial instruments, statement analysis and capital structure. Prerequisites: MBA 500 or baccalaureate degree in a business discipline or basic level of knowledge in accounting or finance.

The emphasis serves to integrate the student’s studies in Business Administration by examining in depth an issue or problem of significance and special interest to the student. Research, writing, and presentation skills are employed in this course. Each student will design his/her own project, subject to approval of the faculty member, in order to fulfill the course requirements. The project shall demonstrate (1) integration of the MBA program objectives, (2) graduate-level writing skills using APA format, (3)graduate level critical thinking skills and (4) in-depth understanding and application of the objectives of the area of emphasis utilizing appropriate research techniques. A PowerPoint™ presentation of the project, suitable for senior-level decision makers, is also required. Prerequisite: 9 semester credit hours or fewer remaining in program.

Students explore advanced topics in Accounting Information Systems (AIS) needed to understand and use technologies in making decisions in key practice areas of the accounting profession: managerial accounting, financial accounting, auditing, and tax accounting. Course topics include the technologies involved in AIS, types of AIS applications and systems, use of systems technology and database concepts as a philosophy of AIS, internal control issues of AIS, audit issues related to AIS, and systems development issues including the Software Development Life Cycle and current trends in AIS design. Prerequisite: Undergraduate degree in accounting or 30 semester credits of undergraduate accounting.

This course focuses on advanced topics of taxation related to business entities. The class is designed to introduce students to topics related to tax research, corporate taxation, partnership taxation, limited liability companies, and capital structure. Students will also examine how these topics effect organizational strategy and management decisions.

This course is designed to enhance a student’s understanding of the emerging field of forensic accounting. The course is structured to enhance the ability of students to think critically and to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to compete effectively in the rapidly changing world of information technology.

Managerial Accounting at the graduate level examines various methods that are utilized to make decisions within the context of organizational strategy. Effective decisions are linked with management concepts such as strategic position analysis, value chain analyses, and the effects that decisions have on the organization’s competitive position. Students will learn how to use both non-financial and financial information to create strategic recommendations for the organization.

Students will explore domestic and international financial markets and the environments in which they function with emphasis on the operation, regulation, use, and evaluation of principal financial markets and institutions. Related issues explored include monetary policy, arbitrage, and their effects on business valuation. Students will examine the choices available to finance businesses and selection of optimal capital structures.

This class will examine various information technology solutions used to manage financial data/statistics and their applications. Topic coverage will include financial statement analysis, forecasting, and quantitative approaches used in conducting financial analysis.

Students will review principles of investment used to develop financial plans for individuals and businesses. Through analyses of financial forecasting in a dynamic environment, students will be prepared to create limited risk solutions. They will also examine accountability of financial managers to their clients in a volatile market.

Managerial Accounting at the graduate level examines various methods that are utilized to make decisions within the context of organizational strategy. Effective decisions are linked with management concepts such as strategic position analysis, value chain analyses, and the effects that decisions have on the organization’s competitive position. Students will learn how to use both non-financial and financial information to create strategic recommendations for the organization.

This course work provides a detailed review of the principles and methods for training and developing human resources in a work environment. Learning theory and principles of effective training provide the foundation, but the emphasis is on applied delivery including training and presentation skills. Methods for analyzing training and development needs and the principles and techniques of program evaluation are also emphasized. Development of a training proposal is a key element. This course provides “hands-on” experience in designing and implementing training programs.

An explanation of the core values and behavioral science theories that have shaped the field and defined the practice for organizational development and a prerequisite to understanding collaborative processes for managing planned change. Students are familiarized with the intellectual legacies of the major theorists and practitioners that have influenced the evolution of organization development as well as the traditional organizational development concepts, models and interventions. Contemporary practices and future trends in the field are also examined.

This course focuses on managing the informal organization, individual idiosyncrasies, the organization as a social system, and organization politics. The course reviews various models of organizational culture, including origins and purposes, how to establish and nourish a business-supporting culture, culture audits, and culture change.

This course utilizes the conceptual foundations acquired in Organizational Development and Organizational Culture as a basis for analyzing and diagnosing organizational performance and designing appropriate interventions. A primary focus is on understanding and applying organizational functioning, and becoming familiarized with different interventions and organizational development technologies. Heavy emphasis is placed on applying various diagnostic models. Both in-class case analysis of organizations and outside projects which require learners to conduct a diagnosis and assessment in an organizational setting are used to facilitate the acquisition of diagnostic competence.

A course that will illustrate how teams benefit organizations and analyze how teams function. The student will obtain and analyze techniques used to improve group dynamics and obtain skills in how to facilitate an effective meeting.

This is a survey course of the issues presented to managers in the international environment. Students explore a variety of topics utilizing discussion, researched reports and case analysis. Students will explore issues including: the nature of international business, the external environment of international business, strategy and planning, marketing, trade practices, human resources management, financial management, and operations management in an international environment. Students also explore the ethical considerations faced by international managers in decision making.

An investigation of the National Labor Relations Act and its implications to businesses. Labor legislation, labor unions and collective bargaining are topics to explore.

This course provides an overview of the major principles of organization and management, in an integrated context. Frameworks for the analysis of managerial problems and decisions will be explored. Starting with basic organization theory and concluding with theories of micro-level processes, this course will introduce the different lenses with which to view behavioral processes within and between organizations. Special emphasis on issues of managing in a global business environment, the changing nature of governance, shareholder and stakeholder rights, multiculturalism in organizations, organizational power and domination and alternative organizational forms will be woven throughout.

A study of the design and functioning of the entire compensation system with emphasis on wage and salary determination, individual group incentives, employee benefits, and non-economic rewards.

An exploration of the principles and practices required to forecast and acquire the human resources necessary to implement operational and strategic plans in organizations. Students will develop a plan for a specific project. Topics can include compensation, motivation and quality of work life.