Course Descriptions
The Specialized MBA program at 爆料社区 is designed to equip students with in-depth knowledge
and practical skills in key business areas, preparing them for leadership roles across
diverse industries. With a comprehensive curriculum that integrates core business
fundamentals with specialized coursework, students develop expertise in their chosen
field while honing critical thinking, strategic decision-making, and leadership capabilities.
Unlike traditional MBA programs, no prior work experience is required, making this
program accessible to students from diverse academic and professional backgrounds.
Whether you鈥檙e a recent graduate looking to accelerate your career or a professional
aiming to transition into a new industry, our program offers the flexibility and support
needed for success. Through classroom learning, hands-on projects, and real-world
applications, students graduate ready to tackle complex business challenges and drive
innovation in their fields.
The 36-unit program is offered over three terms and can be completed in 12 months
(full-time) or 24 months (part-time). Classes are held in the evening, allowing students
to balance their education with personal and professional commitments. Students who
are not employed full-time can complete the program on an accelerated full-time schedule,
while those who are working full-time are advised to enroll part-time due to the intensity
of the coursework. Additionally, students benefit from the Meet the Leaders Series,
an exclusive opportunity to engage with industry leaders and executives in an informal
setting. This unique experience allows students to gain insights into contemporary
business challenges and leadership strategies from professionals who have been on
the frontlines of their organizations.
BA 601 (1): MBA Bridge
Quantitative skills, and business communications. Quantitative skills provides a refresher
in basic business calculus and probability used in quantitative courses of the MBA
Program. Business communications provides strategies for effective written and oral
business communications.
Core Business Knowledge Courses
- BA 602 (2): Statistics for Business Decisions
Statistical inferences emphasizing applications to business decision-making. Include
estimation, hypotheses testing, analysis of variance, goodness-of-fit and regression.
- MGMT 604 (2): Human Resource Management
Introduction to the principles and practices of human resource management including
employment law, HR planning/recruiting, selection, training, performance management
and compensation/benefits. Presents theoretical and practical information relating
to the 鈥渕ost important asset鈥 in organizations today 鈥 people.
- MKTG 602 (2): Marketing Management
Application of the basic concepts introduced in MKTG 502 using case studies focused
on strategic decision-making. Case analyses focus on decisions related to products
and services, pricing, distribution, promotion, and market entry.
- MGMT 606 (2): Managing the Sustainable Enterprise
The role of business in building a sustainable world, what sustainability means to
business, how it is measured and reported, and how to formulate and implement actionable
value-generating strategies. Preparation for thriving in a changing business environment
that values innovativeness and adaptability to current global challenges.
- OM 602 (2): Operations and Supply Chain Management
The Operations Management course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive
understanding of the principles and techniques essential for effective planning, organizing,
and controlling of business processes and operations. Through a blend of theoretical
concepts and practical applications, students will explore topics such as supply chain
management, process design, capacity planning, inventory management, and production
planning. Case studies and real-world examples will be utilized to foster critical
thinking and problem-solving skills. By the end of the course, students will be equipped
with the knowledge and tools to drive sustainable
improvements in operations.
- MIS 602 (2): Management Information Systems
How does Information System (IS) add value? How can firms capture this value? This course examines these questions by discussing industry practices in the use of (IS). It introduces latest IS, and discusses its implications for operations, marketing, decision making, and eBusiness activities. It examines the role of technology and its evolution over time, factors that govern the choice of IS applications, and how IS influences business strategy. The course also covers key challenges in managing IS resources, and factors that limit business' ability to exploit the latest technologies.
- ACCT 601 (1): Financial Accounting
Includes financial and managerial accounting modules. The financial accounting module
introduces how firms prepare financial statements and how firms use financial statements
to communicate financial conditions and results of operations to their stakeholders.
The managerial accounting module addresses how accountants produce managerial accounting
information for internal decision-making. Also includes environment of financial reporting,
measurement framework and mechanics of financial accounting, analysis of financial
statements, environment of managerial accounting, and use of cost information in management
decision making.
- FIN 601 (1): Foundation of Finance
Serves as a foundational guide to business finance, catering to both students majoring
in the field and those with other focuses, gearing up for advanced finance classes.
The central aim is to establish a groundwork encompassing essential frameworks, ideas, and resources used in the process of financial valuation, crucial for making sound decisions. Delves into a variety of subjects,
which include Framework for valuation (Time value of money), Valuation of Bond and
Stock, and relationship between Risk and return.
- BA 675 (2): Strategic Management in Global Environment
How firms make strategic decisions, and how organizational structures, resources and
capabilities, and strategic positioning enable firms to achieve competitive advantage
in an increasingly dynamic, hypercompetitive and globalized environment. Several aspects
of a firm鈥檚 strategy are emphasized, including business-level, corporate, international,
and cooperative strategies.
- FIN 602 (2): Corporate Finance
Provides students with a continuation of their exploration of the basic concepts and
analytical techniques utilized in the field of financial management. Focuses on the
financing decisions made by firms鈥 financial managers in their attempt to maximize
shareholder wealth. Include advanced real investment proposal analysis, operating
leverage, financial leverage, long-term capital structure, dividend policy, and financial
engineering fundamentals.
- ACCT 602 (2): Accounting for Managers
Includes financial accounting and managerial accounting modules. The financial accounting
module discusses advance topics in preparing financial statements of its operating
results. The managerial accounting module covers the use of managerial accounting
information to make short-term and long-term business decisions. Also includes financial
reporting for operating transactions, long-term assets and investments, financial
reporting for financing activities, pricing decisions, activity-based costing, capital
budgeting and other long-term decisions, budget planning and control, and decentralization
and performance evaluation.
*Course is optional for Certificate of Advanced Study in Core Business Knowledge.
Business Analytics Option Courses
- OM 612 (2): Business Analytics
Introduction to the tools used extensively in business organizations to solve managerial
problems. Such methods generate results that support decision-making at all levels
of the organization over various time horizons. Includes deterministic such as linear,
integer, and network optimization using Excel Solver, and probabilistic models such
as decision analysis and Monte Carlo Simulation using Crystal Ball.
- OM 613 (2): Descriptive Analytics
Introduces tools and techniques that create a summary of historical data to generate
information and prepare the data for further analysis and gain insight into business
applications. Data warehousing, data query, descriptive statistics, data visualization,
dashboard design, and descriptive data mining using the software environment R.
Note: This is the first course in a series of three, which includes OM 615 and OM
617.
Prerequisite(s): BA 602 with a grade of C (2.0) or better.
- OM 614 (2): Business Forecasting
Methods used to predict the uncertain nature of business trends in an effort to help
managers make better decisions and plans. Study and manipulation of historical data
in the search for patterns that can be effectively extrapolated to produce forecast.
Includes exploring data patterns, moving averages and smoothing methods, regression
with time series data, ARIMA methodology, and judgmental forecasting and forecast
adjustment.
- OM 615 (2): Advanced Predictive Analytics
Introduces building and implementation of models constructed from past data to predict
the future or ascertain the impact of one variable on another in various business
settings. Classification, clustering, association, artificial neural networks, and
an introduction to machine learning using the software environment R.
Note: This is the second course in a series of three, which includes OM 613 and OM
617.
Prerequisite(s): OM 613 with a grade of C (2.0) or better.
- OM 690-1 (2): Machine Learning for Business Analytics
This course provides an in-depth introduction to Machine Learning for Business Intelligence,
including a range of models and algorithms for prediction, classification, dimension
reduction, and network analytics, utilizing open-source software. The class emphasizes
hands-on exercises and real business case studies. Also addresses managerial and ethical
considerations essential for the responsible application of Machine Learning techniques.
- OM 617 (2): Advanced Prescriptive Analytics
Introduces tools and techniques to determine the best solution or outcome among various
choices, given the analysis of descriptive and predictive analytics in business settings.
Decision analysis, decision trees, risk analysis, multi-criteria decision-making,
and simulation optimization using the software environment R.
Note: This is the final course in a series of three, which includes OM 613 and OM
615.
Prerequisite(s): OM 612 and OM 615 with a grade of C (2.0) or better.
MASTER'S EXPERIENCE
BA 685 (3): Supply Chain Management Master鈥檚 Project
Applications of Supply Chain Management theories and methods are implemented to investigate
a wide range of managerial issues. Each project is conducted in collaboration with
a local company. Projects are proposed, researched and reported culminating in a written
report that includes problem identification, evaluation of potential solution, discussion
of the selected implementation, and evaluation of the results.
International Business Option Courses
- MGMT 612 (2): International Comparative Leadership
This course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of
the impact of cultural differences on organizational leadership in the global business
environment. It aims to equip students with the knowledge and practical skills to
successfully navigate the challenges posed by diverse cultural values, norms, and
communication styles in international organizations. The course will examine the leadership
styles and effectiveness of business leaders in different regions of the world, drawing
comparisons and contrasts between different approaches. Additionally, students will
gain an overview of international human resources management,
exploring topics such as expatriation, repatriation, incentives alignment, labor issues,
and global regulatory frameworks.
- GBM 612 (2): International Culture and Negotiations
Understanding of how business practices of other countries are essential for creating
relationships, reducing conflict, and developing more effective strategies with businesspeople
in other cultures. Focuses on how to use an understanding of business behaviors, assumptions,
values, and attitudes to negotiate and conduct business successfully in other cultures.
- FIN 612 (2): International Finance
A guide to financial management in an increasingly globalized world, and in particular,
to the financial management. Introduces foundational knowledge of international financial
management, including international financial environments, foreign exchange markets,
exchange rate determinants and currency derivatives. Includes analyses of foreign
exchange exposure, hedging of foreign exchange risk, making financing and investing
decisions for MNCs.
- MKTG 614 (2): Global Marketing and Sales
Challenges of marketing and sales in a global economy, difficulties that arise when
buyers and sellers come from different national or cultural backgrounds. Covers the
impact of cultural, political and economic differences in international marketing,
and the challenges of face-to-face personal selling efforts, particularly for industrial
products in global markets.
- GBM 614 (2): Executive Seminar: Doing Business in a Selected Country/Region
Involves a series of guest lectures from scholars and business leaders with expertise
in particular countries or regions of the world. Potential countries/regions are
Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS), Latin America, the EU, and
other emerging markets throughout the world.
- OM 616 (2): Global Supply Chain Management
Managing material and information flows in multi-stage production-distribution networks.
The knowledge and tools for developing, implementing, and sustaining strategies for
managing global supply chains. Basic supply chain issues are reviewed, followed by
more advanced themes related to coordinating global supply chain players and the incentive
problems related to this topic.
MASTER'S EXPERIENCE
GBM 685 (3): International Experience
This culminating experience lasts ten weeks. Students spend the first five weeks
at 爆料社区 preparing for the international experience. The second five weeks has two
different tracks. International students remain in Southern California and engage
in company visits and projects. Domestic students travel to one of the locations
where the College has relationships (Denmark, Taiwan, China, Ecuador, India, etc.).
There will be in-class lectures by local faculty and business leaders as well as visits
to local businesses.鈥
Supply Chain Management Option Courses
- OM 612 (2): Business Analytics
Introduction to the tools used extensively in business organizations to solve managerial
problems. Such methods generate results that support decision-making at all levels
of the organization over various time horizons. Includes deterministic such as linear,
integer, and network optimization using Excel Solver, and probabilistic models such
as decision analysis and Monte Carlo Simulation using Crystal Ball.
- GBM 612 (2): International Culture and Negotiations
Understanding of how business practices of other countries are essential for creating
relationships, reducing conflict, and developing more effective strategies with businesspeople
in other cultures. Focuses on how to use an understanding of business behaviors, assumptions,
values, and attitudes to negotiate and conduct business successfully in other cultures.
- OM 634 (2): Global Procurement & Strategic Sourcing
Global procurement has become a way for organizations to meet the challenges of new
marketers and global competitors while also creating shareholder and customer value.
CEO鈥檚 and CFO鈥檚 recognize that their competitive success is linked to the performance
of their procurement and strategic sourcing function. This course will focus on the
tools, techniques, strategies, and processes used by world-class global procurement
organizations. Role-playing simulations and case studies will be used. Topics include:
make vs. buy analysis, strategic sourcing process, negotiation of supplier pricing
and terms, contract management of commercial and government contracts, supplier management,
risk management, and the Procure-to-Pay (P2) Process.
- OM 632 (2): Sales and Operations Planning
Sales and Operations Planning (S7OP) is a senior management decision-making process
that ensures that the tactical plans in all business functions are aligned and support
the business plan. S&OP is the vital process to balance customer demand with supply
capacity S&OP aims to better match supply and demand by managing supply using capacity,
inventory, and outsourcing backlogs by managing demand using short-term price discounts
and trade promotions. This course particularly focuses on three main concepts: demand
planning, supply planning, and sales and operations planning. Topics include, but
are not limited to, Demand Forecasting, Demand Shaping, Capacity Planning, Inventory
Management, Material and Production Planning, Outsourcing, Aggregate Production Planning,
Supply Chain Integration and Coordination, Consensus Forecast (Tactical S&OP), Collaboration
(Sales/Operations/Finance/Business Development), Management review and KPI measurement,
and S&OP simulation game.
- OM 690-2 (2): Integrated Business and Supply Chain Solutions
This course provides strategic insights into modern business operations. Dives into
Material Requirements Planning (MRP), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and Supply
Chain (SC) technologies, focusing on how to integrate these systems for enhanced efficiency.
Provides the chance to explore the complexities of global supply chains and learn
how technology can facilitate real-time collaboration and visibility. Combines theoretical
knowledge with practical case studies, equipping students to navigate the ever-evolving
landscape of integrated business systems.
- OM 616 (2): Global Supply Chain Management
Managing material and information flows in multi-stage production-distribution networks.
The knowledge and tools for developing, implementing, and sustaining strategies for
managing global supply chains. Basic supply chain issues are reviewed, followed by
more advanced themes related to coordinating global supply chain players and the incentive
problems related to this topic.
MASTER'S EXPERIENCE
BA 685 (3): Supply Chain Management Master鈥檚 Project
Applications of Supply Chain Management theories and methods are implemented to investigate
a wide range of managerial issues. Each project is conducted in collaboration with
a local company. Projects are proposed, researched and reported culminating in a written
report that includes problem identification, evaluation of potential solution, discussion
of the selected implementation, and evaluation of the results.