MBA Elective Courses
Accounting & Finance Information Technology Management Marketing
Accounting & Finance

Accounting & Finance Electives

Fundamental Methods of Forecasting

The ability to forecast data which becomes available at regular intervals is very important in the business environment. With the power of modern computers it is possible to carry out effective short term (one or two periods ahead) forecasts using methods studied in the context of a short course. The course will be very heavily weighted toward applied work rather than the mathematical theory behind the methods. Students will have a portfolio of forecasts at the end of the course to demonstrate competence.   - 1 credit

Tax Impact of Business Decisions

This course introduces the student to an overall framework for evaluating the impact that taxes have on business decisions. While the course concentrates on the impact of federal income taxes, the concepts are general and can apply to a variety of taxing jurisdictions.   - 1.5 credit

Incorporation of Exchange Rates in Strategic Decision-making

Students will acquire competency with the terminology, strategies, and practices needed to interact with confidence in business settings that require working within the global currency market.   - 1.5 credit

Financial Statement Analysis

Analysis and interpretation of financial statements. Skills taught include: how to interpret financial statements, analyze cash flows, evaluate earnings quality, uncover hidden assets and liabilities, and forecasting financial statements.   - 2 credits

Introduction to Assurance Services

This course helps students identify situations in which assurance services are necessary, evaluate different types of assurance services and assess the quality of assurance services companies and investment funds provide.   - 1 credit

Strategic Cost Management

Strategic Cost Management is the managerial use of cost information explicitly directed at strategic management. Three key elements to be studied are value chain, analysis, strategic positioning analysis, and cost driver analysis.   - 1 credit

Reengineering Financial Performance

Traditional accounting practices may not accurately reflect the true value of organizations undergoing reengineering. This course investigates using a “balanced scorecard” approach in analyzing performance.   - 1 credit

Introduction to Financial Fraud

This course provides an introduction to fraud. Fraudulent financial reporting and misappropriation of assets are major problems for businesses of all sizes. Knowledge about how fraud is committed and how to spot the potential for fraud are valuable for managers at all levels.   - 1.5 credit

Investment Analysis and Management

This course will develop a thorough understanding of the portfolio construction thought process. Students will discover how to manage a portfolio by examining the logic and potential of using options and futures to enhance return and minimize risk.   - 2 credits

 
Information Technology

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Information Technology Electives

E-Business Fundamentals for Managers

This course provides an overview of the fast-growing Internet-based economy and asks, from a management point of view, How may e-business contribute to the operational, tactical and strategic goals of an organization?   - 1.5 credit

Introduction to Enterprise Resource Planning

This course describes the principal functions of ERP software and emphasizes the business impacts of such   - 1.5 credit

Data Mining

Data mining develops techniques to assist managers in the intelligent use of databases and data warehouses for decision making. This course examines methods of recognizing patterns and making predictions, surveys applications and case studies, and provides hands-on experimentation with easy-to- use software and public domain data.   - 1.5 credit

IS Security Policy Development

This course is designed for managers who have or would like to have responsibilities for security. The technical aspects of information security are not covered in depth in this course - the emphasis is on the managerial aspects and planning for the continuation of the business in the face of catastrophic events.   - 1.5 credit

Managing Technology in Turbulent Times

The intent of this course it to show the synergy that exists between the introduction of technologies into an organization and the shift in management strategy and decision making that is essential to receive full value from the technology investment.   - 2 credits

E-Business Website Development

This course provides students with skills to develop a simple and effective E-business website. It examines design factors and the development process and focuses on facilitation of intra-organizational and inter-organizational communication and extra-organizational relationships. Requires Dreamweaver.   - 1.5 credit

 
Management

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Management Electives

Advanced Topics in Project Management

This course will be oriented toward the more experienced project manager and/or those who supervise project managers. The focus of the course will be to address some current “hot topics” in the field of project management and assess whether and how they should be addressed in your organization.   - 1.5 credit

Work-Family Issues in Contemporary Times

This course will critically examine and analyze issues of work and family life from both employee and employer perspectives   - 1 credit

Organizational Leadership and Change

This course examines how change can be accomplished within organizations–who is responsible for change and how people can be helped to change.   - 1.5 credit

Business and Ethics

Does a company have any obligation to help solve social problems? What about a manufacturer's obligation to the consumer with respect to product defects and safety? This course examines economic activity in an ethical framework.   - 1.5 credit

Classic & Contemporary Literature in Business

This class takes the student on a reflective tour of a classic business book and three others that address contemporary business issues. The course is designed to be a discussion group similar to a book club in which instructor and students critically review the authors' comments in light of our their experiences and other sources.   - 1.5 credit

Project Execution and Control (Prerequisite: Project Management)

The primary focus of this course is identifying and managing challenges commonly seen in doing the work in projects after the project baseline has been approved.   - 1.5 credit

Business Process Simulation

This course will establish basic proficiency in simulation model development, verification, validation, and analysis.   - 2 credits

Decision Analysis

Students will learn decision analysis techniques such as structuring a problem, use of decision trees and influence diagrams, application of utility theory, analysis of multi-attribute decision problems and simulation.   - 2 credits

Project Portfolio Management (Prerequisite: Project Management)

This course is designed to clarify ways to manage the project portfolio which involves tracking and managing all of an organization’s projects, keep an eye on costs and resources, comply with deadlines and ensure the projects are in line with the company’s overall mission.   - 1.5 credit

Employee Training and Development

This course focuses on: (1) Human resource development's role in maintaining an organization's competitive position, (2) Identification of training needs, (3) Transferring training to the workplace, (4) Training assessment.   - 2 credits

Project Management

The course examines project identification, selection, and planning. It will be organized along two major phases of the project management process: 1) Project Selection and Definition; and 2) Project Planning.)   - 1.5 credit

 
Marketing

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Marketing Electives

Business in East Asia

This course provides perspective on business in Japan, South Korea and China by looking at the historical backgrounds of each market and examining how those backgrounds impact present economic & business relations. Students focus on understanding of each country's business practices and learn strategies to build successful East Asian partnerships and to succeed in business in East Asia.   - 1.5 credit

Strategies and Tactics of Pricing

This course presents a framework for evaluating pricing decisions. Pricing is examined from the perspective of customers, competitors and costs; in a variety of contexts, including business-to-business markets, consumer goods markets, services, and not-for profit companies.   - 2 credits

International Marketing Research

This course focuses on the principles of international marketing research and be illustrates the practice of international marketing research with specific examples from different regions of the world.   - 1.5 credit

Selling Ideas at Work

This course provides students with an understanding of how business people make decisions. It teaches students to utilize developed skills to sell ideas at work to both individuals and to groups.   - 1.5 credit

Impact of Regional Marketing Agreements and Emerging Markets on Global Business

This course is an introduction to current issues relating to regional marketing agreements (trading blocs). Special attention is given to the European Union and the North American Free Trade Agreement and to assessing the business potential of emerging markets in Europe and Latin America.   - 1.5 credit

Corporate Venturing

This course examines how organizations effectively create new businesses and foster innovation. It focuses on the process through which organizations turn a good idea into a viable business. Students will learn how to encourage entrepreneurship, identify opportunities, locate potential new business within the firm, select the right managers, and set up planning processes.   - 1.5 credit