Professional MBA Course Descriptions

View Course Sections:

Foundation Courses

Core Courses

Electives:

Finance

Marketing

General

Foundation Courses (15 hours)

Financial Accounting                            
This course introduces accounting principles, including income-statement analysis, balance-sheet analysis, cash flow and financial statement analysis and the use of accounting information in a case based format. Pass/ No Record grading with Pass = B or better.
3 Credit Hours

Foundations of Marketing
This course provides the student with the fundamental concepts of the marketing discipline. Since this discipline encompasses different but interrelated functions, this course is designed to provide a foundational understanding of each of these functions and how they are inter-related within successful marketing. Such marketing functions include planning, coordinating, and evaluating product design, pricing distribution and promotional activities. The case approach is used to illustrate these concepts and how they are successfully integrated. Pass/No Record grading with Pass = B or better.     
2 Credit Hours

** The McColl School faculty as part of the curriculum review process has revised the content and delivery method for BUSN 506 Foundations of Marketing.  In fall 2009 and spring 2010 BUSN 525 Foundations of Marketing will satisfy the foundation requirement for Marketing.  The course will be delivered online and will be for one credit hour. Steve Cox has designed the course and will provide the technology management needed for student access to the course.  Contact him at coxs@queens.edu if you have any questions. 

If you need to satisfy the marketing foundation requirement in 2009-2010, register for BUSN 525 Foundations of Marketing.

Foundations of Management
This course provides the student with the fundamental concepts of the management discipline. It is designed to provide an understanding of the areas of management and how they are inter-related. Topics include strategic planning, coordination of human resources, control, communication, change and leadership. In addition, trends in technology and their affect on management practices will be discussed. Pass/No Record grading with Pass = B or better.       
2 Credit Hours

Foundations of Decision Making
The course is an introduction to the collection and analysis of data for business decision making.  It focuses on ways that basic mathematical concepts can assist managers in exploring and understanding complex relationships and in choosing between competing alternative courses of action.  The topics covered will include: Data Collection methods, Date Presentation in tables, graphs, and charts, Probability concepts and distributions, Introduction to Linear Regression, and Introductory Statistical Concepts - basics of sampling methods, and a critical view of polls, surveys, and statistical studies.  A basic knowledge of spreadsheet software is required.  Pass/No Record grading with Pass = B or better.      
2 Credit Hours

Foundations of Economics
This course is an introduction to economic theory, spending equal time with decisions of consumers and firms (microeconomics), and the decisions of policymakers in the economy (macroeconomics).  Current economic events will be stressed, to allow the students to understand the importance of economics, and how economics relates with other business disciplines.  Topics covered will include price and output decisions under various market conditions, labor markets, unemployment, inflation, and the role of fiscal and monetary policymakers.  Pass/No Record grading with Pass = B or better.     
3 Credit Hours

Foundations of Finance
This course introduces the basic concepts, principles and analytical techniques in financial management. Topics include formulating financial objectives, short-term financial analysis, financial forecasting and planning, elementary capital budgeting and cost of capital, and the nature of long-term sources of funds. Analysis of risk in financial decisions includes probability distributions, statistical inference and introduction to regression and correlation. Pass/No Record grading with Pass = B or better.       
Prerequisite: BUSN 502, BUSN 508 and BUSN 516.
3 Credit Hours

Core Courses (30 hours)

Leadership Development

The primary objective of the course is to provide a developmental opportunity for students to be more effective and intentional as leaders.  Based on the finding that increased self-awareness is key to leadership effectiveness, students will be exposed to a variety of assessments and experiences including personality assessment, 360-degree feedback, and coaching in order to increase their capacity to lead effectively.  The course includes online components and four day-long Saturday class meetings spread over two terms.

Prerequisite: All Foundation courses.    
3 Credit Hours

Law and Ethics
This course will examine the relationship between business and the complex network of state and federal laws and regulatory agencies. It is designed as a study of the legal and ethical environment of business. Topics will include the development of the law and legal system, regulatory law and regulatory agencies, commercial law basics and the fundamentals of applied business ethics. Specialty topics will include employment and labor law, environmental law, litigation/risk management, insurance and others.  
3 Credit Hours

International Business
This course will focus on the principal aspects of conducting business in the international context, the politico-legal context, marketing and management implications, and international economic and financial issues. The objective is to show similarities as well as differences between domestic and international business practices, and to provide a perspective from which to analyze business problems in the international context.   Prerequisite: BUSN 516.   
3 Credit Hours

The Management of Organizations
This is an advanced seminar in management, which explores the emerging management paradigm and contrasts it with traditional approaches.  The course addresses the development, design, operation and control of activities necessary to generate goods and services in profit and non-profit organizations.  Topics include motivation, team development, leadership and ethics, operational excellence, organizational design and structure, change, and strategy.  Prerequisite: BUSN 507.    
3 Credit Hours

Economic Policy 
This macroeconomics course studies the problems of inflation, unemployment, economic growth and other current policy issues as indicated by current economic conditions.  Prerequisite: BUSN 516.   
3 Credit Hours

Managerial Accounting
This course examines the ways in which accounting enables managers to operate effectively through the use of analysis and information as the foundation for managerial decision-making. Topics include cost-volume-profit relationships, cost behavior patterns, flexible budgets and standards for control, relevant costs, capital budgeting and the impact of taxes on management planning.   Prerequisites: BUSN 502.    
3 Credit Hours

Financial Management
This course examines the financial function and how it relates to other functions of the business firm including how financial decisions can further the basic enterprise's goal of wealth maximization. The student will explore in-depth controversial conceptual problems. This course focuses on the various concepts for manager decision-making under uncertainty, optimum financial structure, cost of capital and asset management. Prerequisites: BUSN 522.   
3 Credit Hours

Marketing Management
This course is designed to acquaint the student with techniques in defining a target market and specifying a marketing mix to satisfy that target. The main point of emphasis is that marketing is a total system of business action rather than a fragmented assortment of functions and institutions. The structure of the course is the case approach, which requires the student to use principles of marketing in the analysis of business problems.   Prerequisites: BUSN 506 & BUSN 620.   
3 Credit Hours

Decision Science
This course develops a generalized framework for examining the executive decision making process. Topics included are: decision structures, decision diagramming, and expected value; subjective probability assessment; pay off tables and decision analysis in normal form; Monte Carlo simulation; and the assessment of personal attitude toward risk.   Prerequisites: BUSN 508.  
3 Credit Hours

Strategic Management
This is the capstone course of the MBA program in which the emphasis is on the strategic planning necessary for an organization to define and achieve its overall objectives. Cases include problems in which economic, moral, personal, social and political factors are involved. A major theoretical or practical project is required. The final exam of the course is comprehensive and is designed to evaluate overall synthesis of content of the foundation and core courses. The capstone course may not be transferred from another institution.  Prerequisites: All other Core Courses.    
3 Credit Hours

Finance Concentration (9 hours)

Investment Analysis
This course includes the study of capital market theory, the balance between risk and return, rates of return required by investors and the study of beats in the capital asset pricing model, all examined from the viewpoint of the private investor.  Prerequisite: BUSN 622.  
3 Credit Hours 

International Finance
This course is an in-depth look at the role of money in the modern economy, the international market for currencies, hedging and speculation in international finance, exchange rates and the effect of international money movements on domestic economic activity. Prerequisite: BUSN 608 & 622.  
3 Credit Hours

Seminar in Financial Management
Financial Management topics will focus on various areas within the discipline using case analysis. Topics may include, but are not limited to, Working Capital, Capital Budgeting, Capital Structure, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Risk Management.
Prerequisites: BUSN 622.
3 Credit Hours

Marketing Concentration (9 hours)

Consumer Behavior
This course provides the student with an overview of the consumer decision-making process and factors that influence this process. The course will examine the psychological and sociological aspects of how consumers evaluate their ever-increasing purchasing options. Understanding such a process is a critical factor in strategic planning. The manner in which marketers utilize such information will be emphasized through class analyses. Prerequisite: BUSN 506.   
3 Credit Hours 

Market Research
This course provides an introduction into marketing research processes and results. Upon completing this course, the student should be able to interpret research findings and to reach meaningful conclusions based upon those findings. To meet these objectives, this course requires actual fieldwork supplemented by case studies. Prerequisite: BUSN 506.    
3 Credit Hours 

International Marketing
This course focuses on the economic, social and political influences on marketing management in the international context.  Basic marketing principles and processes from the conceptual framework for understanding global integration, decision-making and strategic planning.  Prerequisite: BUSN 506.
3 Credit Hours

General Electives (9 hours)

Entrepreneurship

This course examines the skills, concepts, and knowledge relevant to creating and funding a new venture. Considerable attention is given to the screening and evaluation of ideas and new business opportunities. The capabilities gained in this course apply to potential entrepreneurs interested in starting a new business, those interested in taking over an existing business, and those interested in incorporating an entrepreneurial approach in established businesses.  The course examines the nature of the entrepreneur and the entrepreneurial process, as well as the critical ingredients in success and failure.

3 Credit Hours

Operations Management
Managing operations means dealing with the ways these human and capital resources interact to create products and services.  This course will sharpen participants' insights to the impact of corporate decisions on operations through discussion of selected case studies, many of which will deal with firms having a global operating reach.  Prerequisite: BUSN 610.
3 Credit Hours  

Capitalism and Its Origins
What is capitalism? When, where, why and how did it arise? What are its costs and benefits? What are the alternatives to capitalism? This is a course in political economy. It aims to foster clear and dispassionate analysis of volatile issues arising from the impact of a market economy on aspects of contemporary life.  
3 Credit Hours 

Legal Environments of Business
Focusing on strategy implications, this course will examine the legal, regulatory, political, ethical and social environment of business. Using a case approach, the course builds on a foundation of legal basics, helping practical managers analyze issues and operate within the external framework of their business. Prerequisite: BUSN 605.   
3 Credit Hours  

International Experience
During this course students participate in a "hands-on" exploration of the business environment of a country or countries in Europe, Asia, Latin America or North America.  Course requirements include attendance at pre-trip seminars and completion of all course assignments after the conclusion of the travel experience.   
3 Credit Hours  

Topics in Business:

Section 001 - Introduction to Coaching Theories (Cross-listed with ODEV 640)
This course examines organizational coaching and surveys the foundational disciplines on which the practice of organizational coaching is based, applicable theories and methods.  Coaching will be explored as an intervention and developmental technology.  Students are introduced to the practice of coaching and coaching conversation models as well as coaching-related skills including contracting, listening, questioning, designing actions, planning and goal setting, and managing progress and accountability.
3 Credit Hours

Section 003 - Management Consulting (Cross-listed with ODEV 670)
This course provides an introduction to the concepts, methods, skills, and attitudes required for effective consultation in organizations, both from an internal and external role.  Beyond a mere knowledge base, the course is designed to develop skill in dialogue and consulting, with a particular emphasis on attitude development.  The consulting project intention is learning and development of the client, either at the individual, group, or organization level.  Prerequisite: BUSN 610 or ODEV 625.
3 Credit Hours

________________________________________________________
For Spring 2010:

Topics in Business:

Section 001 - Introduction to Coaching Theories (Cross-listed with ODEV 640)
This course examines organizational coaching and surveys the foundational disciplines on which the practice of organizational coaching is based, applicable theories and methods.  Coaching will be explored as an intervention and developmental technology.  Students are introduced to the practice of coaching and coaching conversation models as well as coaching-related skills including contracting, listening, questioning, designing actions, planning and goal setting, and managing progress and accountability.
3 Credit Hours
 

Section 002 - Advanced Coaching Theories (Cross-listed with ODEV 645)
A survey of advanced and contemporary theories in the study of organizational coaching and of the leading scholars who have made important contributions to the field.  Topics will include formal and informal coaching relationships; internal and external practices; and advance coaching-related skill development.  Students will develop coaching skills through in-class and out-of-class practice.  Prerequisite: ODEV 640.
3 Credit Hours

Section 003 - Management Consulting
This course provides an introduction to the concepts, methods, skills, and attitudes required for effective consultation in organizations, both from an internal and external perspective. The texts and readings are sequenced to meet the course objectives and requirements. This course will enhance consultants, managers who must engage consultants, and program/project managers that must engage internal clients. A consulting project will be utilized to facilitate learning, along with selected texts, readings, and class dialogue.  Prerequisite: ODEV 625 or BUSN 610.
3 Credit Hours

Section 004 - Integrated Strategic Communication  (Cross listed with COMM 605)
Strategic communication refers to the totality of an organization's efforts to lead, motivate, persuade, and inform its various publics, which include consumers, investors, employees, and the media. Strategic communication can include such traditional disciplines as: public relations, crisis and issues management, investor relations, internal and employee communication, community relations, media relations, government relations, technical communication, training and employee development, marketing communication, and management communication.  This course provides students with information and insights about strategic communication: how messages are created and framed, why we respond to messages the way we do, and how to employ communications strategies to advance organizational goals.
3 Credit Hours

Section 005 - Interpersonal Communication in the Workplace  (Cross listed with COMM 615)
This course focuses on interpersonal interactions, from those among business and professional associates to those among families and friends that may affect. Topics may include language usage, nonverbal communication, listening, and conflict management.     
3 Credit Hours

Section 006 - Social Responsibility and Environmental Advocacy in Organizations (Cross listed with COMM 636)
Organizations are realizing the vital importance of corporate social responsibility and environmental advocacy in today’s marketplace. This course investigates the ways organizations employ communication to create and maintain socially and environmentally conscious organizational identities and ideologies.  It also explores the viability of these practices for the “triple bottom line”—people, profit, and planet.
3 Credit Hours

Independent Study
This course requires independent reading and investigation of literature relevant to a specific topic or area of business.  Students must complete and have approved a proposal for an Independent Study on a form available in the graduate programs office prior to registration for this course.  This course may be repeated for a maximum of six credit hours.   
1, 2, or 3 Credit Hours