Areas of Emphasis
Optional areas of emphasis allow you to take the majority of your elective courses in one area of study. Each option requires nine credit hours of associated elective classes and gives you the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge of a particular area of interest. Available areas of emphasis include:
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
Professionals currently working in a health-related field or wishing to enter this burgeoning industry will receive an overview of several functional areas and their specific application to health care. A required course in health care organizations is available during the summer in a seven-week format. Additional electives, scheduled primarily on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, are taken alongside students in the Master of Health Sector Management degree program.
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.
