Area of Emphasis
An area of emphasis allows you to take the majority of your elective courses in one area of study, giving you the opportunity to gain greater depth of knowledge in the discipline of your choice. Each option requires nine credit hours of associated elective classes. We offer many areas of emphasis for you to choose from:
Entrepreneurship
If your goal is to start a new business or grow an existing one, this area of emphasis will provide you with in-depth knowledge of the financial implications of small business and the creative thinking skills necessary to develop a successful business plan.
Finance
Courses are designed for students seeking careers in the financial services industry or corporate finance. Completion of managerial finance, a core curriculum course, is required as a prerequisite, followed by a course in investment fundamentals and portfolio management. Additional electives may be selected to highlight mergers and acquisitions, international finance or taxes and business strategy.
Health Sector Management
An increasing demand for business leadership in health-related fields requires professionals who are prepared to work at the intersection of business and the rapidly-changing health industry. Students can choose to add an area of emphasis in Health Sector Management to their MBA degree to gain more in-depth knowledge of the health sector. Elective courses in Health Sector Management will help you speak the language of the health industry as a business person looking to make a difference in a health-related field.
Information Management
The guiding principle for the Information Management area of emphasis is to prepare future and current managers to leverage information systems and technology platforms as engines for sustainable business advantage. Three strategic components are integrated throughout the coursework including: 1) Preparation for evaluating, designing and managing business processes that are enabled by IT, 2) Creating and leading a culture of data-driven decision making capabilities and evidence-based business environment awareness, and 3) Leveraging network effects through collaboration technologies that enable building and sustaining collaborative communities throughout the value chain.
International Business
Off-site electives at international locations are offered during breaks and in the summer in conjunction with partner universities. If you are unable to travel, you can take elective courses such as global issues in marketing, supply chain management, logistics and finance. Cross-cultural management and a survey course in international business are also available. Additional program fees and travel costs are required for off-site international electives.
Marketing
A number of elective courses are offered that build upon the core business course in marketing management. You can select from advanced marketing strategy, business-to-business marketing, customer relationship management and measurement or new product development and pricing.
Leadership
Leadership qualities are among the most sought-after attributes for hiring managers. Courses included in this area of emphasis address the functions of effective leadership in today's competitive market. Complex issues explored in the courses include negotiation, emotional intelligence and organizational change.
Supply Chain Management
Supply chain management integrates global information and processes across all functions, including supply management, operations and logistics. The ability to understand how the pieces integrate into the whole defines this area of emphasis. Courses focus on such areas as supply chain cost and design, logistics, integrated supply chain management and project management.
Sustainability
"Growth" is used in almost every facet of the business world as the key measure of success. From the bottom line to consumer retention, the tendency is to view a company's success by looking at how the figures and productivity have grown. However, the realities of that growth are becoming more apparent in a world made smaller by globalization. How do we balance development and the environment? Do we really need to sacrifice one for the other, or is it possible to find that balance? Sustainability seeks to answer those questions and find that balance. This area of emphasis will expose you to the challenges facing business leaders in incorporating sustainability into practice.
