The course familiarizes graduate students with the expectations and conventions of graduate writing and research at Saint Mary's University. It is designed for students with limited graduate writing experience, students who want to refresh their writing skills, and students who need to learn the APA style. Course content includes (a) forms of graduate discourse; (b) APA rules of grammar, punctuation, and usage for APA; (c) word processing functions that support APA style; and (d) methods and resources for graduate research through the Saint Mary's University Library. Grading is pass/no credit (P/NC).

This course is designed to give students a practitioner foundation in applied math and statistics. The tools and applications used in graduate business courses and by individuals in managerial positions are covered. Topics include ratio analysis and comparisons, descriptive and inferential statistics, correlation, analysis of variance and regression. Grading is pass/no credit (P/NC).

This course is designed to foster and support the student's foundational understanding and ability to utilize college algebra, trigonometry, and pre-calculus in the analysis of business problems. The material is presented in three distinct sections: algebraic operations and functions, systems of equations and matrices, and an introduction to sequence and probability theory. Grading is pass/no credit (P/NC).

This course is designed to give students a broad overview of the marketing function within an organization. The marketing techniques used by firms operating in a global environment are covered. Topics include customer decision behavior, product and service concepts, market segmentation and targeting, the four Ps (product, price, promotion and place) and product mix, channel, wholesaling and logistics management, fundamental marketing product, and pricing and life cycle strategies.

This course introduces the essential financial tools, principles and practices used by business. The tools and applications used in this course focus on the role of finance in managerial decisions regarding assets and liabilities, valuation, globalization, response to changes in the macroeconomic business environment and changing government regulation of financial institutions. The course addresses risk and rates of return, time value of money, capital budgeting techniques, cost and structure of capital, leverage, and working capital management.

Prerequisites:

MBA504 Accounting Concepts and Methods

This course is designed to give students a practitioner foundation in the principles of financial accounting. The tools and applications used in graduate business courses and by businesses in decision making in an international environment are covered. Topics include financial accounting methods, preparation of financial statements, the accounting cycle, internal control, and accounting for partnerships and corporations.

This course is designed to give students an overview of the principles of macro and microeconomics. The underlying economic theories and applications used in graduate business courses and by individuals in managerial positions are covered. Students examine supply demand analysis at the industry and firm level, market structures, elasticity analysis, macroeconomic indicators of the economy, business cycle analysis, and the impact of government economic policy on business.

This course provides a theoretical framework to analyze and evaluate the ethical dimension of leadership practices. Topics include the implementation of ethical leadership models and practices, ethical considerations in multinational organizational strategy, and building and maintaining international partnerships. The case method is employed to analyze and evaluate the leaders of firms diverse in their perspective and scope.

This course is the track capstone for Custom Track students. It is focused on global strategy. Students integrate knowledge from previous courses to analyze and evaluate competitive strategies used by various firms. Topics include sustainable competitive advantage, global strategic planning, and corporate responsibility in global markets.

This course examines the principles of corporate finance and the tools and practices used in financial decision making. It examines the treasury function of an organization and the decisions made by the treasurer. Topics include long term financing, capital budgeting decisions, beta, debt-equity options, dividend policy analysis, and IPOs.

This course examines on the principles and techniques of managerial cost accounting. It covers various cost accounting techniques and the effective use of accounting information for business decision making. Topics include cost-volume-profit analysis, activity based costing, activity based management, inventory costing and capacity analysis, cost allocation, and budgeting.

This course gives students the opportunity to study effective organizational communication essential for executive and transformational leadership. Organizational communication structure, ethical communication styles, and executive summary techniques are examined. Strategies for effective leadership communication are explored at all levels of the organization.

This course examines human behavior and social relationships in the workplace setting from a domestic and intercultural perspective. The theories, history and practice of promoting effective individual and group behavior in organizations across cultures are covered. Topics include groups and teams, multicultural teams, power and influence, trust, gender and equality, the impact of culture on work behavior, and creating cultural synergy in a multicultural work environment.

This course covers the tools, techniques and methodologies used by managers to plan, design, and implement control systems that create/produce services and/or goods in an organization. The decisions for which operations managers are held accountable,  methods used to make those decisions, and the factors affecting productivity, effectiveness and efficiency in an organization are covered. Topics include strategic considerations in operations management, operations decision making, quality management, forecasting, just-in-time inventory management, the impact of culture on the management of operations, and facility location for an international network.

This course focuses on how legal and regulatory systems affect firms, business strategy, and the decision making process of organizational members. Topics include contracts, commercial and employment law, intellectual property and fraud. The differences between domestic and international legal systems and impact on business operations and ethical perceptions are addressed.

This course focuses on the application of economic theory to examine how an organization can efficiently achieve its aims or objectives. The tools and applications used by organizations to make decisions and assess their outcomes in a global context are covered. Topics include advanced supply demand analysis and estimation, production and cost analysis, market structure and price analysis, regulation and risk analysis, and global pricing practices.

This course investigates the international business environment and identifies the measures that a business firm must undertake in order to operate successfully in the global marketplace. An introduction is made to the political economy of international trade and investment along with the global monetary system, where emphasis is placed upon national and cultural differences that shape economic policies and business practices. Ethical issues and conflicts that arise in such a diverse environment are addressed. The strategies and structures are identified that firms must embrace in organizing their operations to effectively compete across different business environments. The proper steps firms must undertake in performing key functions and in conducting business transactions globally are covered.

This course is designed to give students a practitioner's ability to utilize quantitative decision making tools and techniques commonly used in business. The QDM tools and techniques used in operations management, inventory management, marketing, project management and finance are covered. Topics include hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, subjective probability, decision trees, Bayes Theorem and regression.

Prerequisites:

MBA501 Business Statistics and Quantitative Thinking

This course focuses on non-recourse and limited recourse financing structures where debt, equity, and credit enhancements are combined for the construction and operation of or refinancing of a particular capital-intensive asset. The financial techniques that bring together development, construction, operation, finance and investment to develop a global project in a particular country are covered. Topics include project finance structures, technical/political/economic feasibility, credit enhancement, debt/equity/collateral issues, ownership structures, documentation, and dispute resolution.

This course focuses on how private equity funds are raised and structured, how investments are sourced, selected and negotiated, and the role of the value-added investor. The course provides the opportunity to apply the tools of finance to the problem of venture capital financing for relatively risky new business ventures. Topics include sources of venture capital funds, capital optimization, securitization, ownership structures, legal aspects of venture capital, pricing a private enterprise, and exit strategies.

This course explores the tools and techniques used to evaluate equity securities, and the management of the risk and return of portfolios. The role of portfolio theory in the construction of portfolios and performance measurement is examined. Topics include industry and competitive strategy analysis, alternative valuation methods, investment policy, asset allocation and protection, and ethical issues in security analysis and portfolio management.

Prerequisites:

MBA643 Corporate Finance

This course provides a survey of derivative securities including options, futures, forwards and swaps. The role of derivatives in the financial system and the associated risks are examined. The principles of derivative pricing are explored with an emphasis placed on option pricing.

This course examines the markets and institutions that comprise the financial system. Topics covered include the determination and structure of interest rates, the impact of the Federal Reserve and other central banks on interest rates and economic growth, and the instruments of the debt market. The commercial bank is explored as a special case of a financial institution.

This course applies and expands financial theory and concepts from Managerial Finance to the case of the multinational firm. Risks arising from exchange rate movements, political events and regulatory structure are discussed and techniques for hedging developed. Multinational capital budgeting and the management of assets and liabilities are examined.

This course is focused on detection, analysis and documentation of fraud as found in accounting systems and information. Asset misappropriation, corruption, and fraud in financial statements through the use of statistics are covered. Topics include skimming, cash larceny, tampering, billing schemes, bribery, conflicts of interest, and fraud in financial statements.

Prerequisite or concurrent courses: All other required coursework for the MA in Health and Human Services degree or MBA must be completed before this course can be taken. In this course, theory with practice is integrated by formulating and completing a project that applies the program outcome to the field of health and human services administration and accompanying analysis.

Prerequisites:

GM620 Communication Skills

GM635 Social Economics

GM643 Multicultural Perspectives

GM655 Human Resource Management

HS685 Research Methods

MBA610 Organizations and Human Behavior

This course reviews standard methods when designing and conducting qualitative and quantitative research projects in health and human services research. Topics include the research question, the literature review, information technology, components of a research study, and quantitative and qualitative research design, data collection, analysis, write-up, and publication. 

This course examines the financial practices and procedures associated with leading a heathcare organization. Students have the opportunity to analyze and interpret financial statements, as well as create and evaluate capital budgets. Public policy and the economic forces that influence healthcare organizations are explored.

This course examines the ethical and legal dimensions of healthcare administration.  Topics include ethical issues, public policy, and compliance standards impacting healthcare finance and delivery: frameworks for ethical decision making; socioeconomic impacts on public policy; and strategies for influencing the policy-making process.

This course reviews the foundational theories and concepts of health informatics and covers what one meant by information, what constitutes a model, and what defines a system. Roles that information systems play in healthcare, types of computer-based health information systems, and issues related to data privacy, confidentiality, integrity, and availability are addressed.

This course provides applied theories and skills of leadership and management in healthcare administration.  Governance, vision and mission, strategic planning, decision making, and promotion of organizational growth and sustainability are explored.

Prerequisites:

MBA610 Organizations and Human Behavior

This course utilizes a managerial approach to understanding important legal and regulatory issues confronting the international business and its transactions. It examines the making of international law, dispute resolution and jurisdiction. In particular, this course examines the major intergovernmental organizations and regional agreements that regulate and promote international business. In addition, the interrelationships between different legal systems and the resulting effect on individuals and organizations are examined from a comparative and multicultural perspective.

This course examines characteristics of contemporary entrepreneurship domestically and globally. Critical factors in the entrepreneurial business process such as: identifying new opportunities, financing a new venture, development and evaluation of a business plan from a strategic perspective and utilizing alternative forms for establishing a business are explored.

This course examines the evolving nature of managerial accounting practice in a rapidly changing global environment. Special consideration is given to unique problems faced by international business concerns with respect to developing and utilizing effective managerial accounting and reporting systems. The latest theoretical and technical innovations in accounting and reporting from around the world are examined.

This course examines beliefs and practices of religious traditions around the world and the effect they have upon culture, geopolitics and business. Students examine and analyze the major religions of the world such as Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Taoism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism their differences, similarities, and how practice of these religions impacts today's world.

This course applies and expands financial theory and concepts from Managerial Finance to the case of the multinational firm. Risks arising from exchange rate movements, political events and regulatory structure are discussed and techniques for hedging developed. Multinational capital budgeting and the management of assets and liabilities are examined.

This course is designed to give students a broad overview of the marketing function within a global or globalized organization. The marketing tools and applications covered in this course are used by firms operating in a global environment. Topics include market assessment, global positioning, global competitiveness, and planning and marketing tactics.

This course focuses on the various considerations project managers must make for successful global projects. It addresses the differences between differing political climates and stages of economic development. Social and cultural differences of countries are examined for their impact on project processes.

Prerequisites:

PRM600 Fundamentals of Project Management

PRM601 Project Planning and Estimating

This course examines the principles and concepts essential to procuring products or services outside the project organization. Topics include procurement planning, solicitation, evaluation, selection, negotiation, and contract management. Various types of contracts used in procurement are reviewed.

Prerequisites:

PRM600 Fundamentals of Project Management

PRM601 Project Planning and Estimating

This course explores the basic principles and practices of risk and quality management. Key concepts in developing a risk management plan include: identifying, analyzing, mitigating, and monitoring risks in projects. Key concepts in quality management include quality planning, quality assurance and quality control.

Prerequisites:

PRM600 Fundamentals of Project Management

This course examines various methods used to effectively communicate project information including requirements, project plan, performance, milestone reporting, and project closure. Technical writing and formal presentation techniques are addressed.

This course examines the various organizational designs used to effectively complete projects through people. Topics include organizational planning, staff acquisition, team development, conflict resolution, and negotiation.

This course examines activities related to project planning and estimating. It examines the use of various planning techniques in managing budgets, schedules, and human/material resource allocations. Planning activities associated with quality, communications, risk and procurement are addressed.

This foundation course examines the project management framework. This framework covers key terminology, project management context, and processes. Topics include project management knowledge areas, life cycles and organizational designs.

This course provides an overview of the technological responsibilities of a manager in the area of finding stragetic solutions, business process solutions, project management solutions and technology solutions to daily business problems. Identification of opportunities to apply and leverage technology and use of technology to support and enhance communication, information gathering, information sharing and data analysis are covered. The use of technology in decision-making, strategy and attainment of competitive advantage is discussed. Other topics include aligning technology with organizational goals and mission, metrics and accountability development, vendor selection, needs assessment, cross function/departmental alignment of technology, project planning and facilitating and technology enhanced/enabled communication.

Prerequisites:

MBA600 Quantitative Decision Making

This course focuses on the theories and realities of economic growth and development for emergent and emerging economies. It examines the theories of economic development and applies them to the cases of Latin America, Asia, Eastern Europe and Africa. Topics include neoclassical growth theory, capital mobility, human capital theories, globalization, anti-globalization, market transformation, the role of social infrastructure in economic development, the role of global institutions, sustainable economic development and current trends and problems.

Prerequisites:

MBA604 Managerial Economics in a Global Environment

This course focuses on the fundamentals of management and control of the trade function within a firm. It covers the principles and practices of exporting and importing from a managerial perspective. Topics include finding markets, establishing terms of sale and financing, the legal framework of exporting and importing, documentation, and risk assessment.

This course provides addresses the characteristics of contemporary entrepreneurship. Critical factors in the entrepreneurial business development process are addressed: Identifying new opportunities, financing a new venture, evaluation of a plan from a strategic perspective, and alternative forms for establishing a business. Lectures, cases, guest lectures by entrepreneurs, and student projects will be used throughout the course.

This course is focused on product and brand management decisions that must be made to build, measure and manage brand equity in a global context. Students examine the importance of brands within a marketing strategy, how brands are managed and how brand equity is built and protected. Topics include brand elements, managing and measuring brand equity, brand extension strategies, and brand knowledge.

This course is designed to give students a theoretical framework to evaluate customer behavior and maximize the buying response. Topics include the nature of customer behavior, factors affecting buyer decisions, formation of customer needs, buying motives, organizational learning, and customer strategies.

This course focuses on the principles and concepts of advertising and promotion used to influence customer buying decisions. Topics include factors affecting advertising and promotions, message development and management, media selection, effects, and assessment.

This course identifies the tools and techniques of marketing research and their application to marketing decisions and the marketing function. Topics include problem identification, common marketing research techniques, analysis of marketing data, design and conduct of research tools, the role, scope and limitation of marketing research within the marketing function, and ethics in market research.

This course provides a theoretical framework to evaluate the political, historic, economic and social context in which business activities take place around the world. Topics include economic relations, risk assessment, ethics, strategic analysis of nation-states, institutional and policy management of multinational economic relations, and sustainability of economic growth and global competitiveness. Students develop the skills and techniques used by global managers to analyze the political-economic health of a country in terms of financially oriented risk-reward criteria and operationally-oriented competitiveness as set by global standards.

This course provides a practical framework for managers to appraise and manage the balance between cultural unification, accommodation and uniqueness that arises in the domestic and global workplace. The skills and techniques required to manage a global work force, conduct business in foreign countries with cultural literacy, and communicate with individuals and organizations in other cultures are covered. Students analyze cultural general theories; the impact of culture on interpersonal interactions such as negotiating, managing conflict, team work, business ethics, and motivation; cultural taxonomies; and the fundamentals of intercultural competence.

This course is program capstone for all MBA students in all Traks. Students will have the live case experience of developing a market for a product or service. Working with sponsoring companies, students will assess the market, the environment, and competitors. A portion of the class will be designated to travel to the market site for first-hand assessment. Upon return, the students will complete their final report to a panel.

Prerequisite: All other requirements of the program.