Curriculum Requirements

Master of Business Administration – Finance Concentration

Academics > Degrees > Master of Business Administration, M.B.A. – Finance > Curriculum

Major Requirements

Waivable Program Core (Prerequisite Courses) Credits:
ACCT 501 Accounting I 1.5
A study of accounting fundamentals. Topics include the accounting cycle, statement preparation, systems, asset valuations, accounting concepts and principles for the sole proprietorship.

Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 1.5-0-1.5
ECON 501 Principles of Economics I 1.5
A study of basic economic concepts emphasizing analysis of the aggregate economy. The fundamental concepts of national income and its determination, economic fluctuations, monetary and fiscal policies, and economic growth are covered.

Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 1.5-0-1.5
FINC 501 Finance 1.5
An overview of the financial management function in modern business, emphasizing the time value of money and financial analysis. The financial and economic environment and capital markets and securities are covered.

Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 1.5-0-1.5
MIST 501 Management Information Systems 1.5
This course provides an introduction to information technology and application software. It also introduces students to how information is used in organizations and how information technology enables improvement in decision making at all managerial levels.

Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 1.5-0-1.5
QANT 501 Business Statistics 1.5
This course introduces students to both descriptive and inferential statistics. Coverage includes applications to business and other disciplines and the use of technology as a decision support tool.

Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 1.5-0-1.5
QANT 510 Production and Operations Management 1.5
Addresses concepts and critical activities required in the manufacturing of goods and the delivery of services. Quantitative applications and the use of relevant computer software are an integral part of this course.

Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 1.5-0-1.5
    Total: 9 Credits
All students must complete this 9-credit core requirement. Courses may be waived in those instances where the undergraduate experience includes course equivalencies. Courses in this core are offered to M.B.A. students in an accelerated format.
 
Non-Waivable Program Core Credits:
ACCT 601 Managerial Accounting 3
Prerequisite: Prerequisite: ACCT 501 or a waiver

Waived for undergraduate accounting majors who have completed a baccalaureate degree within five years of acceptance into the MBA program with an average of 3.0 or better.

Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 3-0-3
BUSI 610 Professional Development Seminar 0
This preparatory course addresses select professional skills that are requisite to success for the MBA student, and include seminars and workshops in public speaking, business writing, teamwork, critical thinking and business research.

Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 0-0-0
ECON 601 Managerial Economics for Decision Making 3
Prerequisite: Prerequisite: ECON 501 or a waiver.

Application of economic theory and quantitative methods to business decision making. Topics: consumer choice, product demand, marginal pricing, neoclassical and linear production theory, market structure, and choice under imperfect information. Use of empirical techniques and model building for business analysis and forecasting using standard econometric software package is also addressed.

Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 3-0-3
FINC 601 Financial Management 3
Prerequisite: Prerequisite: FINC 501 or waiver

Topics covered in FINC 601 span a broad spectrum of financial markets and of corporate financial practices to emphasize the development of a comprehensive framework for the theory and practice of financial decision-making. This course uses data and information technology resources to bridge the gap between abstract theories and managerial practices.

Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 3-0-3
MGMT 605 Organizational Behavior 3
The classical substance of organization and management is linked with the analysis of organizational elements and dimensions of human behavior in the work environment.

Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 3-0-3
MIST 610 Enterprise Resource Planning Systems 1.5
Prerequisite: Prerequisite: MIST 501 or a waiver

This course provides an overview of modern Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems in use today. It introduces students to how information is used in ERP systems of organizations and how information technology enables ERP systems to support decision making at all managerial levels.

Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 1.5-0-1.5
MRKT 620 Strategic Marketing and Branding 3
Marketing is at the core of a business enterprise. Without customers, a business cannot exist. This course prepares students to approach, structure, and solve complex marketing problems on strategic and tactical levels. Analysis of the dynamic marketplace trends affecting everchanging customer preferences, evolving market structures, and competitive scenarios will reflect the complexity of the marketing task. The course provides students an understanding of strategies and tactics for capturing market opportunities via delivery of superior customer value and brand equity management. Analysis of the trends affecting the ever changing customers' wants and preferences, evolving market structures and competitive scenarios will reflect the present complexity of the marketing task, and the imperative of capturing market opportunities via delivery of superior customer value and the brand equity management. Classroom Hours- Laboratory and/or Studio Hours- Course Credits: 3-0-3

Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 3-0-3
QANT 620 Multi-criteria Decision Models 1.5
Prerequisite: Prerequisite: QANT 501or a waiver

An introduction to decision sciences and the application of multi-criteria quantitative and behavioral modeling to those problems often requiring complex decisions of policy makers. Course content focuses on applications in the business environment and the use of technology as a decision support tool.

Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 1.5-0-1.5
QANT 630 Operations and Supply Chain Management 3
Prerequisite: Prerequisite: QANT 510 or a waiver

This course discusses a wide range of issues from how organizations successfully create and manage its operations and supply chain to how they control operations and supply chain. Using state of the art technologies, this course discusses key drivers and approaches organizations adopt to improve productivity and achieve competitive position. It also addresses major issues in operations and supply chain including inventory management, logistics management, facility location, total quality, material requirement planning (MRP), project management, and scheduling, The innovations and capabilities of these areas that are related to revenues and financial performance of the organizations are discussed .

Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 3-0-3
    Total: 21 Credits
The non-waivable core is an integrated educational experience where courses are delivered in modules and are highly interdisciplinary. Modules in this core may not be waived, nor can credit hours be transferred into the Division of Management as substitutes for these modules. The core must be completed, in its entirety, in the Division of Management.
 
Required Capstone (choose one) Credits:
BUSI 650 Business Analytics and Decision Making 3
Prerequisite: Prerequisite: FINC 601, MRKT 620, QANT 630

This course discusses the integration of data analytics and modeling to support businesses, non-profits, and governments towards gaining insight and strengthening decision-making ability. Students will develop predictive and prescriptive capabilities using data mining and simulation techniques through case studies and also use optimization techniques to support decision-making in the presence of uncertainty and a large set of alternatives. Focus will be on applying these techniques to different functional areas of business including operations, marketing, finance, and strategic planning.

Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 3-0-3
MGMT 650 Strategic Leadership Capstone 3
An examination of the operational aspects of high level leadership, including its role in framing the organization's 20 year strategic plan, the making of consequential decisions in an uncertain, complex, and rapidly changing environment, and maintaining excellence in the corporate world.

Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 3-0-3
    Total: 3 Credits
Students will take the required capstone course after completing all 600-level courses.
 
Finance Concentration Requirement Credits:
ACCT 721 Advanced Financial Accounting 3
Prerequisite: Prerequisite: ACCT 610

Accounting concepts are combined with accounting practice and methods in order to provide a comprehensive presentation of the discipline of financial reporting. Specific topics covered include: accounting for inventory, property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, bonds, pensions, the cash flow statement, shareholders' equity and revenue recognition, International Financial Reporting Standards, and its similarities and differences with the US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles will also be examined.

Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 3-0-3
FINC 765 Portfolio Management 3
Prerequisite: Prerequisites: FINC 601 or FINC 610 and FINC 620

This course will focus on financial institutions and markets in the context of portfolio construction, management, performance evaluation and performance presentations standards. Specific topics include: the efficient market hypothesis, market inefficiencies and selection criteria, fundamental versus technical analysis, portfolio diversification methods, asset pricing models, portfolio construction and asset allocations, hedging and risk management including the role of derivative securities, performance presentation standards, performance evaluation and attribution.

Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 3-0-3
    Total: 6 Credits
 
Finance Concentration (select two**) Credits:
ACCT 713 Financial Statement Analysis 3
Prerequisite: Prerequisite: ACCT 501 and (FINC 501 or waiver)

An in-depth analysis of financial reporting from a user's perspective, using financial statement information and related disclosures to evaluate the underlying economics of a firm. Emphasis is placed on the assessment of a firm's past and current performance, the concept of quality of earnings, and approaches to valuation. Other topics include: basic accounting principles, key elements of financial reporting regulations as set out in the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), and the relationship if the financial statement information to various legal documents and business transactions. Readings and case studies applied to provide a contemporary prospective.

Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 3-0-3
FINC 705 International Finance 3
Prerequisite: Prerequisite: FINC 601 or (FINC 610 and FINC 620)

The central theme of this course is financial decision making in a multicurrency setting. Modern paradigms of foreign exchange markets are used to relate differences between countries in terms of interest rates, purchasing power, inflation and changes in the relative values of various currencies. The course develops a modern, consistent and integrated framework of foreign exchange markets and applies it to problems of international financial management. Topics include: interest rate parity, purchasing power parity, balance of payments, adjustment mechanisms, currency risk and hedging foreign exchange exposure, international investment and financing.

Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 3-0-3
FINC 734 Analysis and Valuation of Equity Investments 3
Prerequisite: Prerequisite: FINC 601 or (FINC 610 and FINC 620)

This course focuses on the development of a comprehensive framework for analyzing and evaluating equity investments and selecting stocks. Both Intrinsic ("Absolute") equity valuation models of discounted cash flows to stockholders (Dividends, Free Cash Flows, and Residual Cash Flows) and Relative valuation of Comparable Multiples will be applied and reconciled. The Capital Asset Pricing Model and multi-factor Arbitrage Pricing Theories will be employed. Criteria for choosing an appropriate model for valuing a particular firm will be discussed. Estimates of risk-adjusted-discount-rates, growth rates, and duration of growth phases will be explained. Financial statements will also be utilized to obtain relevant estimates for company and industry analysis and valuation.

Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 3-0-3
FINC 736 Management of Valuation of Fixed Income Securities 3
Prerequisite: Prerequisite: FINC 601 or (FINC 610 and FINC 620)

This course provides the foundations for one's effective participation in fixed income investment activities. The course starts with a broad overview of the major segments (Treasury, Corporate, Agency, Municipal, Mortgage-Backed, Asset-Based and International) of the fixed income markets and instruments. The features and characteristics if the segments and securities will be discussed. The course then focuses on the development of a comprehensive framework for analyzing, evaluating, and selecting fixed income securities and constructing fixed income portfolios. The following tools and techniques will be included among our means of valuation and management of fixed income portfolios: yield-spreads, term-structure and risk-structure of interest rates, spot rates and forward rates, duration and convexity, cash matching, indexing, immunization, bond swaps, and interest rate options.

Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 3-0-3
FINC 740 Derivatives Analysis 3
Prerequisite: Prerequisite: FINC 601 or (FINC 610 and FINC 620)

This course is an introduction to derivatives, including options, futures, forward contracts and SWAPs. The emphasis of this course is on the use of derivatives in trading, hedging, arbitrage and risk management. The course will provide an integrated framework for the valuation of different types of derivatives.

Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 3-0-3
FINC 760 Corporate Financial Decision Making 3
Prerequisite: Prerequisites: FINC 601 or FINC 610 and FINC 620

This course examines established paradigms related to corporate finance and explores advanced theory in financial management. Additionally, the course will apply such concepts and analytical tools learnt in a real-world case study framework to enhance financial decision making in a complex business world.

Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 3-0-3
BUSIE 700 Faculty-Led Study Abroad 3
Students travel abroad for intensive study that includes academic, professional and cultural components. These experiences are culture-specific, including academic lectures, company visits, and site seeing in the context of developing global business competencies.

Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 0-3-3
    Total: 6 Credits
** Students pursuing the M.B.A. Finance concentration with the CFA track must choose three courses from the list (excluding BUSIE 700) to complete five courses total (15 credits).
 
Total Required Credits = 36–48

Students with a concentration may complete the M.B.A. program in as few as 36 credits. The program consists of the waivable program core, the non-waivable program core, capstone course, and concentration courses.