Online MBA Courses

Core Courses

Accounting Information and Control Systems

This course provides a structural model of business and its operation. Students examine financial accounting information and learn to gauge a firm’s position of liquidity and profitability. Business operating cycles are explained. Pro forma and budgeted financial statements are constructed using Excel spreadsheets. Competitive management control systems are critiqued.

Behavior in Organizations

This course teaches students to apply behavioral sciences to management issues through integration of conceptual and experiential approaches to self-awareness, perception, communication, motivation, productivity, group behavior processes, leadership, organizational change, diversity, ethical issues, career planning, and the management of personal and organizational stress.

Quantitative Analysis for Business Operations

This course covers the application of quantitative analysis techniques to strategic business decision-making and provides an introduction to production and service operations. Specific business modeling applications are introduced. Software technologies, spreadsheets, and the Internet are used extensively throughout this course.

Prices, Profit, and the Market Economy

This course examines the domestic global production and distribution of goods and services as guided by the market economy. Emphasis is on firms remaining competitive under changing economic conditions. The course examines competitive and changing industries in which firms operate, as well as the impact of external economic environment on the firm’s microeconomic decision-making.

Financial Management of the Firm

This course teaches students to define, comprehend, and apply a market-driven theory for ethically based, strategic financial decisions. Important issues include the return and risk of the activity in which to invest, the size of the investment, and the sources for financing the investment. Each decision is part of the overall financial strategy that adds value to the shareholder.

Information and Process Systems

This course examines production and service delivery processes, the different information requirements, and the critical role of information systems in supporting them. It explores how businesses are applying different information technologies to improve the vital functions of information gathering, processing, and sharing.

Marketing Management

This course analyzes the environment relevant to the creation and distribution of goods and services. This environment includes the global, ethical, political, social, legal, and regulatory issues. The course examines buyer behavior, marketing research, and marketing information from a managerial perspective. Also included is the analysis of product pricing, marketing communications, and distribution decisions in market planning and marketing program implementation. Emphasis is placed on the practical application of marketing concepts to case problems and the student’s current employment experiences.

Integration in Business Operations

Modern information business processes must make efficient use of resources, be effective in meeting growing consumer demands, and be readily adaptable to changes in the environment. This course examines production processes and service delivery processes, their different information requirements, and the critical role of information systems in supporting them. It explores how businesses are applying different information technologies to improve the vital functions of information gathering, information processing, and information sharing. The application of IT to automate, streamline, reengineer, and integrate business processes enables advances such as mass customization, quality management, supply chain management, and knowledge management. Both the potential challenges and the potential benefits of developing effective processes and systems will be emphasized.

Strategic Management

This capstone course examines the running of an enterprise from the chief executive officer’s point of view. It is designed to help students conduct external and internal assessments of an organization, identify its key strategic issues, identify and choose from alternative strategies, and defend those decisions. In addition, the course illuminates the interplay between organizational structure, design, human resources, culture, technology, and the global environment. This knowledge gives the student the foundation for understanding and managing change. In summary, students learn to conduct a strategic analysis, make sound strategic decisions, and implement strategic change. The course is integrative of all prior subject matter. A variety of experiential methods are used, including case studies and a strategic project on an existing company. This course is taken after completing all required core courses.

Elective Courses

Advanced Statistical Tools

This course introduces advanced statistical methods of building models for decision-makers, with a primary focus on modeling techniques such as logistic regression and discriminant analysis. Students will explore the application of statistical models through examples in business, finance, market research, and healthcare management.

Optimization Modeling

This course introduces the basic principles and techniques of applied mathematical modeling for managerial decision-making. The course emphasizes skills in model formulation, assumptions and limitations, and interpretation of results, with some discussion of mathematical theory. Students learn about models widely used in diverse industries and functional areas, including finance, operations, and marketing.

Predictive Analytics

This course teaches students critical skills for succeeding in today’s data-intensive world, including business case studies, data analysis, and management recommendations. Students learn how to utilize database systems and analytics software and how to make trustworthy predictions using traditional statistics and machine learning methods.

Simulation Modeling

This course is designed to develop a student’s ability to model and analyze real systems using event simulation. It will apply computer modeling and simulation approaches for studying complex systems, with emphasis on using general purpose programming tools. Areas covered include system structure, system analysis, model construction, data collection, and computer simulation.

Multiple Attribute Decision Analysis

This course examines a major class of problems in decision analysis: one-time decisions where a group of alternatives must be compared on the basis of multiple (and possibly competing) goals and objectives. Students will consider the social and environmental consequences of their firms’ actions, and how the ability to solve multi-attribute-decision problems has become more important than ever.

Social Media Analytics

This course focuses on the difference between knowing what stats mean and knowing which stats are meaningful. Students are first able to identify which metrics are important for decision making and focus on these rather than “vanity” metrics. This class also equips students to make critical decisions regarding trade-offs in terms of what is most important to decision makers.

Databases and Big Data Management

In this course, students will acquire understanding of the business value of big data and the importance of effective management of big data, and develop technical competencies in using leading-edge platforms for managing and manipulating structured and unstructured big data.

Applying Analytics to Achieve Business Impact

In this course, students will explore how the ability to use data has driven rapid, precise, and profitable decisions for Fortune 500 companies. Students will be equipped to identify, evaluate, and capture business analytic opportunities to create value within their own organizations.

Marketing Informatics

This course covers the use of information technology and systems that enable and enhance marketing strategies and tactics. This course prepares managers to face the challenges of various information systems, data collection methodology, and organization; the process of mining valuable information from the data; and ethical situations created by data collection and information use.

Business Process Analysis and Innovation

In this course, students will be introduced to key concepts and approaches to business process analysis and improvement. The main focus of this course is both understanding and designing business processes that accomplish specific desired outcomes. Students will learn how to identify, document, model, assess, and improve core business processes.

Valuation of Real Options

In this course, students are presented with analytical techniques that apply option pricing methods, which were initially developed for financially traded instruments, to the valuation of options on real assets. The course includes hands-on experience with software tools used for numerical analysis of problems, as well as an introduction to numerical techniques for solving dynamic programming problems.

Healthcare Analytics

This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of healthcare research methodologies including: research design, data collection, and applied statistics. In addition, the course will introduce students to basic operations research/management (OR/OM) techniques and demonstrate how those tools can also be applied in health service management. A basic knowledge of all such methods is critical for anyone who manages an enterprise, conducts research, or formulates policies, in a healthcare setting.

Information Security Data Analytics

Research and statistics reveal that a risk-based approach utilizing data analytics across three dimensions: volume, variety, and velocity is critical for effectively providing Information Security analytics. An essential element of a risk-based approach is the use of user-behavior analytics (UBA) to compare and contrast threats against normal behavior. This type of analytics enables business leaders to understand and learn from user-behavior to assess risk, anticipate, and respond to security breaches. This course will equip business managers to effectively recognize and address the key risks to business information systems and data.

Business Analytics and Intelligence

This course introduces techniques to transform data into business intelligence and to use analytics to create business value. Students acquire the knowledge required to develop solutions to real-world problems through a combination of different learning mediums. Business analytics and intelligence (BA & I) empowers organizations to anticipate and shape business outcomes.

Designing, Sourcing and Building Digital Platforms

This course covers the areas of enterprise architecture and infrastructure management as essential approaches for the development of coherent, robust, efficient, and agile enterprise digital platforms. In a global business environment, managers must understand the alignment of technology and business functions, and how to manage enterprise architecture and infrastructure.

DIIS Portfolio and Project Management

This course provides students with the techniques, tools, and managerial competencies to manage individual DIIS projects while gaining the requisite insights and the approaches to manage a portfolio of projects into a coherent program of innovation.

Managing Cyber Security, Risk and Privacy

This course equips business managers with the tools to make informed decisions that reflect an understanding of the ethical and social issues surrounding the use of information systems. By the end of this course, business managers will also be able to effectively meet the security and ethical challenges of information systems.

Digital Innovation and Strategy

This course provides students with a deep understanding of strategic issues surrounding IT innovations and how they shape IT investment decisions. In addition, this course examines ways in which IT managers can employ leading practices to integrate information systems and business strategy.

Real Estate Investing and Finance

This course covers methods of property valuation and acquisition for investment purposes within a portfolio optimization concept. Financing sources and techniques are examined from a strategic acquisition perspective. Issues related to property management, maintenance, and collections also are explored. The tax implications of holding real property are applied to the investment decision to maximize the returns to the investor.

Global Capital Markets and Institutions

This course examines the operations of financial markets and financial institutions in allocating capital in an international macroeconomic environment. A major focus is on debt contracts, securities, and innovations in credit and money markets. The functions of financial intermediaries and regulation are also discussed.Global Capital Markets and InstitutionsThis course examines the operations of financial markets and financial institutions in allocating capital in an international macroeconomic environment. A major focus is on debt contracts, securities, and innovations in credit and money markets. The functions of financial intermediaries and regulation are also discussed.

Valuation and Corporate Combinations

This course examines methods for measuring and managing the value of companies. Methods for creating takeover defenses also are developed. The influences of the legal and regulatory environment, as well as competition in input and product markets, are considered in developing a framework for understanding merger waves and industry consolidation.

Investments and Portfolio Management

This course focuses on the foundations for analysis of optimal security selection. It examines procedures for constructing investment portfolios and strategies that investors can employ to meet various alternative investment objectives. Some core concepts include measures of risk, diversification and risk management, and expected returns and covariance of returns between securities.

Advanced Principles of Organizations and Leadership

This course examines the interactions among human resources, technologies, organization design, external forces, and management practices from a macro organization perspective. Study concentrates on organizations as systems and managerial, technical, structural, and cultural subsystems. This course examines different design practices and management theory. Prerequisite(s): BSCI 651

Leadership and Ethics

This course will provide a foundation for the art of value clarification and responsible leadership within organizations and society. Students will learn the roots and values of ethical expression as a lifestyle. By experiencing and working through scenarios and case studies, learners will isolate the ethical issues, both pro and con, and propose viable alternatives consistent with ethical and moral values.

Leadership Theory and Practice

This course explores the major theories and approaches of leadership to prepare individuals to understand, develop, and accept complex leadership roles. The topic of leadership raises several questions that this course aims to examine. Students are able to bridge leadership concepts to leadership actions by applying leadership theory to case situations.

Business Negotiation and the Resolution of Conflict

This course addresses the dynamics of conflict, including techniques for its avoidance as well as alternative avenues of resolution should it occur. Communication and decision making will be studied, with attention to various methods of resolving disputes other than traditional litigation. Students will identify useful negotiation and conflict-avoidance procedures and implement them in practical exercises. Class discussion, simulation, role playing, and research methods will be used as part of understanding how the various procedures apply. Students will negotiate, mediate, arbitrate, and argue issues in a variety of circumstances including the litigation environment.

Organizational Dynamics and Managing Change

This course examines how to manage change by looking at strategy, organization design and processes, and multi-organizational systems. Specific topics include traditional and contemporary approaches to change management, organization learning, consulting skills, and organization development.

Talent Management

As the 21st century global economy has transitioned from the Knowledge Age to what is being called the Talent Age, talent is viewed as being the primary differentiator between great companies and ordinary ones. In this context, talent management has become an overarching strategic lens and a set of functions that can drive the management of human capital and create sustained competitive advantage for organizations. This course provides an in-depth analysis of the talent management functions of workforce planning, talent acquisition, learning and development, performance management, career planning, employee engagement, and retention.

Managerial Creativity and Innovation for Leadership

Business leaders must respond to such contemporary realities as the information explosion, intense competition, accelerated social and technological change, fresh expectations from new generations, and ever-higher customer demands. Therefore, contemporary leaders must be more creative and innovative. This course focuses on imagination and invention (“creativity”) and on the productive results of such processes (“innovation”). To enhance business problem solving and effective leadership, students will integrate a dozen linear methods with a dozen nonlinear, imaginative tools.

Leadership: Great Leaders, Great Literature

This course prepares you to understand and assume leadership roles in increasingly competitive, globalized, multicultural, multi-values organizations. You will learn significant theories and models of leadership; analyze your own unique leadership style; develop, refine, and articulate your individual leadership philosophy; and examine the values and ethical issues associated with leadership.

Global Brand Management

This course introduces students to the global brand dynamic and focuses on why a global brand is important, how to nurture and protect a global brand, global brand management, and the importance of brand authenticity in the formation of consumers’ brand trust and commitment. Students develop oral and written presentations skills. Prerequisite(s): MKTG 658

Market Innovation and Commercialization

This course helps students understand innovation in the context of the commercialization of a firm’s market offering. Students are exposed to the strategic business imperatives for innovation, contemporary academic and practitioner theories of commercialization, adoption and diffusion, the criticality of differentiation, and the role of innovation in organizations. Prerequisite(s): MKTG 658

Marketing Communications and the Digital Age

This course emphasizes the role of the integrated marketing communications (IMC) program in both building and maintaining the brand image and health of an organization. Students examine the process by which IMC programs are planned, developed, executed, and measured through exposure to the various IMC tools used in digital age marketing. Prerequisite(s): MKTG 658Marketing Communications and the Digital AgeThis course emphasizes the role of the integrated marketing communications (IMC) program in both building and maintaining the brand image and health of an organization. Students examine the process by which IMC programs are planned, developed, executed, and measured through exposure to the various IMC tools used in digital age marketing. Prerequisite(s): MKTG 658

Global Business Intensive

This course consists of a series of seminars covering topics such as international economics, culture, marketing, finance, and political and legal context. Some programs include field visits to organizations in the region for a hands-on look at business opportunities and management strategies. Also included are study tours of important historical sites for a culture-filled experience.

Project Management

This course provides an introduction to, and overview of, the variety of topics and diverse functions of project management. The fundamental theory of each function will be explored and the essential project management skills, practices, and tools with be identified.

Entrepreneurship and the Generation of New Venture Ideas

This is an introductory course focusing on the individual entrepreneur, the generation of innovative business ideas, the protection of intellectual property, the process of venture creation, and the role of entrepreneurship within society. Students will acquire the skills and process knowledge needed to create innovative for-profit solutions for real-world market opportunities and to pitch their ideas.Entrepreneurship and the Generation of New Venture Ideas*This is an introductory course focusing on the individual entrepreneur, the generation of innovative business ideas, the protection of intellectual property, the process of venture creation, and the role of entrepreneurship within society. Students will acquire the skills and process knowledge needed to create innovative for-profit solutions for real-world market opportunities and to pitch their ideas.

The Feasibility of New Venture Ideas

This course concentrates on testing the personal, technical, financial, and market feasibility of entrepreneurial ideas generated to solve a perceived opportunity in the market. Students will learn how to assess the personal desirability, technical difficulty, financial viability, and market demand for products and services that are new to market and/or for which no market currently exists. Prerequisite: Entrepreneurship and the Generation of New Venture Ideas

Building a Business Model

This is an advanced course that examines issues related to building a viable business model in support of an innovative business opportunity with a compelling customer value proposition. More specifically, it focuses on generating key financial metrics, creating the value chain, and engaging the customer. The course will also help students gain the confidence and skills needed to defend their business model to a panel of business professionals in a formal presentation. Prerequisite: The Feasibility of New Venture Ideas

Launching a New Venture

This is a capstone course designed for students actively involved in creating a new venture. It investigates issues related to bringing a product or service to market, that is, actually launching their “minimum viable business.” More specifically, the course focuses on supplying products, creating promotional materials, and soliciting funds. The course will also help students gain the confidence and skills needed to solicit funding from a panel of potential investors in a formal presentation. Prerequisite: Building a Business Model