MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (M

2009-10 CATALOG

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (M.B.A.)

Director: Howard G. Ling

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a professional degree program designed to accelerate entrepreneurial career development by preparing graduates to form their own businesses or to take a leadership role in new corporate ventures. The program is open to all students regardless of their undergraduate major. The expected results and outcomes of the MBA program are to:

• Provide graduates with an opportunity for advanced studies in entrepreneurial business management;

• Prepare graduates to attain entrepreneurial leadership positions in for-profit and non-profit organizations or to establish their own entrepreneurial business;

• Provide a comprehensive knowledge of the functional areas of business, such as accounting, finance, management, economics, and marketing, which are used as the basis for an integrated business endeavor;

• Provide an understanding of the balance required to be a successful leader among the sometimes-conflicting business elements, such as ethical, political, societal, and technical;

• Provide an understanding of the economy, especially as it affects the business environment of North Carolina;

• Enhance the graduates’ competency in oral and written communication because of their impact on leadership success. The program emphasizes case analysis for written and presentation skill evaluation and development;

• Improve the graduates’ competency in the effective use of Business Information Technology (BIT);

• Develop graduates who can function effectively as members of virtual and participative teams;

• Improve graduates’ competencies to integrate and synthesize the various business areas and to develop cross-functional approaches to organizational issues.

PROGRAM-SPECIFIC ADMISSIONS STANDARDS (see also Graduate Admissions)

Students are expected to demonstrate competence in calculus, communication skills, and computer related skills. Students who have not completed at least three semester hours of calculus (MAT 2150 or equivalent) in a prior undergraduate or graduate program must complete at least three semester hours of calculus as part of the MBA degree requirement.

In addition, all students will have to show evidence of either completion of undergraduate “Common Body of Knowledge (CBK)” courses in business or completion of Foundation courses as prerequisites to the formal MBA courses. Since the Foundation courses are at a 5000 level, they are considered graduate level courses. Students taking the foundation courses must complete them successfully as defined in the Graduate Studies section on MASTER’S DEGREE REQUIREMENTS.

COMMON BODY OF KNOWLEDGE OR FOUNDATION REQUIREMENTS:

CBK	OR	FOUNDATION
Principles of Accounting, 6 hours	or	ACC 5010 Foundations of Accounting, 3 hours
Principles of Finance, 3 hours	or	FIN 5010 Foundations of Finance, 3 hours
Principles of Marketing, 3 hours Principles of Management, 3 hours	or	MGT 5010 Foundations of Marketing and Management, 3 hours
Principles of Economics, 6 hours	or	ECN 5030 Foundations of Economics, 3 hours
Quantitative Methods , 6 hours	or	DSC 5050 Foundations of Business Statistics, 3 hours
Calculus, at least 3 hours	or	MAT 2150 or equivalent

Requirements for the Master of Business Administration	Sem. Hrs.
Professional Entrepreneurial Competence and Integrative Applications (all are required) DSC 5100 Quantitative Methods ECN 5150 Managerial Economics FIN 5200 Managerial Finance MGT 5250 Organizational Theory & Behavior MGT 5300 Human Resources Management MKT 5400 Marketing Planning and Strategy ACC 5500 Managerial Accounting MGT 5750 Strategic Planning	24
*Professional Enhancement Courses (choose four)** DSC 5120 Research Methods MGT 5270 Leadership and Change MKT 5450 Services Marketing ACC 5520 Tax Implications of Business Decisions BLAW 5280 Legal Issues for Managers MGT 5290 Entrepreneurship ITM 5370 Management Information Systems FIN 5210 Investment Analysis MGT 5350 Operations Management FIN 5250 Entrepreneurial Finance BLAW 5320 Law for Entrepreneurs MGT 5700 Entrepreneurial Strategy ACCS/BLWS/DSCS/ECNS/FINS/ITMS/MGTS/MKTS 5xxx Special Topics	12
	Total: 36

*In addition to the courses listed as Professional Enhancement courses, students may choose courses from another graduate program as substitutes to fulfill their required 4 elective courses (Requires permission from both MBA director and other program director).

COURSES

ACCOUNTING (ACC)

ACC 5010. Foundations of Financial and Managerial Accounting

This course is an accelerated course designed for students with no accounting background or as a refresher course for students who desire to review accounting before enrolling in required MBA courses. A study of the basic concepts of accounting with an emphasis on the evaluation of transactions and the preparation and analysis of financial statements including their use in the management planning and control process. (This course will not count toward the 36 hours required for the MBA degree.)

ACC 5500. Managerial Accounting

The course introduces the student to management’s use of accounting data in the decision-making process. Topics covered include: Estimating Cost Behavior using both Linear Regression and Multiple Regression Analysis; Short-term Planning with Constraints on Resources; Information for Production and Control Analysis; Capital Budgeting and; Segment and Managerial Performance Evaluation. PREREQ: DSC 5100 or permission of instructor.

ACC 5520. Tax Implications of Business Decisions

The course introduces the student to Federal tax planning strategies for business. Includes an overview of the Federal tax system, sources of tax law, guidelines for organizing and financing a business, tax incentives for capital investments, and other tax planning topics.

ACC 5990. Directed Studies

Independent study in an area of business administration of particular interest to a student under the direction of one or more faculty members. Students must submit detailed proposals for a directed study, detailing the proposed plan of study, research involved, dates for deliverables, final product to be produced and faculty who will be supervising. Proposals will be reviewed by a faculty committee to determine acceptance of the proposal.

ACCS 5xxx. Special Topics

The study of a particular topic of special importance, relevance, and currency to students in the Master of Business Administration program. The content of the special topics course varies with each offering and may be taken twice.

BUSINESS LAW (BLAW)

BLAW 5280. Legal Issues for Managers

The goal of this course is to help graduate students develop a deeper appreciation and understanding of the legal mechanics of various types of business transactions and of the commercial law environment within which those transactions are negotiated and executed. The course is designed to enhance the student’s analytical, communication, and negotiation skills while developing knowledge of several areas of law that play an integral part in management decisions.

BLAW 5320. Law for Entrepreneurs

This course will help students develop a deeper appreciation and understanding of the legal issues faced in establishing, operating and maximizing a business. The course is designed to enhance the student’s analytical and communication skills while developing knowledge of the legal decisions made by entrepreneurs.

BLWS 5xxx. Special Topics

DECISION SCIENCES (DSC)

DSC 5010. Foundations of Analytical Methods

This course equips prospective MBA students with the means and methods of quantitative reasoning through a concise and applied process, which includes introduction to the concepts of mathematical economics, mathematical finance, and business mathematics. The course will cover essentials of algebra with business and economic applications and essentials of calculus with business and economic applications. Upon completing the course students will be able to apply mathematical thinking and quantitative reasoning to solve problems in MBA-level accounting, economics, finance, marketing, and management classes. The applications of concepts include, but are not limited to, Pricing and Inventory Control; Payrolls and Banking; Taxes; Simple Interest; Compound Interest; Annuities; Sinking Funds and Amortization; Accounting; Productivity and Costs, Constrained Optimization (consumer and producer theories); Market Equilibrium; and Elasticities of Demand and Supply.

DSC 5050. Foundations of Business Statistics

This course is an accelerated course designed for students with no statistics background or as a refresher course for students who desire to review statistical methods before enrolling in required MBA courses. Intensive examination of statistical and graphical methods of analyzing quantitative information. Specific topics include frequency distribution, probability, sampling, T-tests, correlation, various graphic forms, regression analysis, and analysis of variance. (This course will not count toward the 36 hours required for the MBA degree.)

DSC 5100. Quantitative Methods

Intermediate level quantitative skills in multivariate statistics, optimization, and decision-making which will be used in subsequent MBA courses. Topics will include multiple regression, multivariate ANOVA, logistic regression, factor analysis, and linear programming. Computer software will be used.

DSC 5120. Research Methods

This course details the methods employed in defining business problems, research design, primary and secondary data sources, methods of data collection, scaling methods, sampling techniques, and report preparation. Through case analyses, literature reviews and research projects, this applications-oriented course focuses on improving decision making.

DSC 5550. Time Series Analysis

A review of statistical methods for analysis of business time-series data. Use of these methods for forecasting will also be discussed. The methods surveyed include smoothing methods, filters, ARIMA models, vector autoregressive models, and cointegration models. PREREQ: DSC 5100 or permission of instructor.

DSC 5990. Directed Studies

DSCS 5xxx. Special Topics

ECONOMICS (ECN)

ECN 5030. Foundations of Microeconomics/Macroeconomics

This course is an accelerated course designed for students with no economics background or as a refresher course for students who desire to review economic principles before enrolling in required MBA courses. A study of the individual decisions in the market economy and an overall view of the operation of the economy. Specific topics include theories of consumer behavior, behavior of firms in various degrees of competition, and government regulation. Fiscal, monetary, and supply-side policies are discussed. (This course will not count toward the 36 hours required for the MBA degree.)

ECN 5150. Managerial Economics

An overview of methods of economic analysis applied to the modern United States economy. Emphasis on microeconomics and managerial economics such as theory of consumer choice and demand, theory of cost, outputs, and industrial structure, analysis of efficient use of resources within an organization. Also, macroeconomic analyses including a review of monetary institutions, and theory of GNP, inflation, and the rate of unemployment.

ECN 5990. Directed Studies

ECNS 5xxx. Special Topics

FINANCE (FIN)

FIN 5010. Foundations of Finance

This course will provide a survey or review of basic Business Finance principles, including Time Value of Money, Financial Statement Analysis, Basic Stock and Bond markets and valuation, risk and return relationships and interest rates, and capital budgeting. Emphasis will also be on using technology to assist in financial analysis: Internet research, spreadsheet modeling, and the use of financial calculators. (This course will not count toward the 36 hours required for the MBA degree.)

FIN 5200. Managerial Finance

Course covers time-value of money, capital budgeting and structure, and other finance related decisions for corporations. In addition, the course is intended to give the student an appreciation for the role of finance within the firm, and the impact of financial decisions on society at large. Includes basic microeconomic principles and accounting principles and practical applications within the business world.

FIN 5210. Investment Analysis

This course is an extension of Managerial Finance (FIN 5200), covering trade-offs between risk and return, and the benefits of diversification within a portfolio. The principles of duration, immunization, and other forms of risk management within the portfolio are also discussed. Modern investment theory is addressed, including the study of efficient capital market, capital asset pricing model (CAPM), and arbitrage pricing theory (APT). PREREQ: FIN 5200 or instructor’s permission.

FIN 5250. Entrepreneurial Finance

This course acquaints the business person who is in an entrepreneurial environment with the particular issues involved in finance related to the particular needs and conditions of the emerging firm. Cash flow, valuation, managing growth, and raising private and public capital are topics explored through lectures and cases. PREREQ: FIN 5200 and ACC 5010.

FIN 5990. Directed Studies

FINS 5xxx. Special Topics

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT (ITM)

ITM 5370. Management Information Systems

Conceptual and practical foundations of information processing systems support for management and decision-making functions, computer system project management, economic and legal considerations of management information systems, system implementation and evaluation.

ITMS 5xxx. Special Topics

MANAGEMENT (MGT)

MGT 5010. Foundations of Marketing and Management

This course is an accelerated course designed for students with no formal undergraduate background or as a refresher course for students who desire or need to review the newest practices in marketing and management. Marketing topics covered include marketing concept; product analysis; consumer behavior; pricing; promotion; and communications. Management topics include the decision-making process tied to planning, organizing, leading, and controlling organizations. (This course will not count toward the 36 hours required for the MBA degree.)

MGT 5250. Organizational Theory and Behavior

Course will examine explanations of individual behavior, the nature of human behavior in groups, and organizational structures and processes, especially as they affect human behavior. Principles of organizational change and development will also be addressed. The course will rely heavily on analysis and solution of case problems in addition to text and directed readings.

MGT 5270. Leadership and Change

This course will examine contemporary organizations and their leadership within the context of change management in a dynamic environment. In particular, the course will focus upon the concept of leadership as an interactive process and the means by which change is initiated and sustained. Throughout the course the relationship between strategy, structure, and culture will be highlighted.

MGT 5290. Entrepreneurship

The course provides students with the competency to identify and implement opportunities and overcome business obstacles in forming a new venture, leading a new corporate venture, or advancing current business careers. This course will identify and explain how Initiation and Entrepreneurship are ways of thinking, reasoning, and acting that are opportunity obsessed, holistic in approach, and leadership balanced to advance the entrepreneurial venture.

MGT 5300. Human Resources Management

Course will examine how an organization secures, develops, maintains, and rewards employees to meet organization objectives. Topics include recruitment, selection, training, performance appraisal, compensation, benefits, and labor-management relations. Examines effective integration of human resource functions.

MGT 5350. Operations Management

Managing the operation function is extremely important due to strong competition nationally and internationally. Operations management is responsible for systems that create goods and/or provide services. The course examines the techniques required to operate the system and points out potential problems. Global systems, with emphasis on Japan, are discussed.

MGT 5700. Entrepreneurial Strategy

An examination of strategic management issues from the perspective of the entrepreneurial organization. Topics include entrepreneurial leadership, growth, ethics, strategic positioning, franchising, and entrepreneurship. Prerequisite: MGT 5260 or permission of instructor.

MGT 5750. Strategic Planning (Capstone Course)

Course integrates knowledge from functional areas through both analysis of complex business problems and managing a computer simulated company. Case approach requires student involvement in decision making. PREREQ: FIN 5200, MKT 5400, and ACC 5500 or permission of instructor.

MGT 5990. Directed Studies

MGTS 5xxx. Special Topics

MARKETING (MKT)

MKT 5400. Marketing Planning and Strategy

This course details the role of marketing in the firm and its impact on the strategic planning process. An emphasis is placed on identifying and solving marketing problems, marketing strategy, and current issues facing marketing managers.

MKT 5450. Services Marketing

The primary goal of this course is to acquaint students with the unique aspects of marketing service firms and nonprofit organizations. The course will cover such topics as service quality, service operations, pricing, distribution, managing supply and demand, customer retention, and developing an integrated marketing communications program.

MKT 5990. Directed Studies

MKTS 5xxx. Special Topics

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