M.B.A. Prerequisite Courses
MTH1120 Finite Mathematics
3 semester hours
Students will be introduced to the tools of finite mathematics: review of basic
functions, linear equations, matrices, financial mathematics, linear programming.
It enables the business or social science student to read mathematics and use it
as a tool.
Prerequisite: MAT1100 or placement in MAT1120 based on demonstrated student
outcomes on AU mathematics competency examination.
BUS2010 Legal Environment of Business
3 semester hours
This course introduces students to the nature of the legal system in which society
functions, including criminal law, litigation, basic business agreements, business
entities and government regulation.
No prerequisites.
BUS2300 Foundations of Marketing
3 semester hours
In this course, students will be introduced to all aspects of marketing foundations
and principles with a focus on an application of meeting target customers needs
and wants. A marketing strategic approach based on product, pricing, promotional,
and place objectives helps to manage brand building, value delivery,
methodology, evaluation of market opportunities based on changes in environmental
business forces. Analyzing marketing problems and providing solutions
based on critical examination of marketing information will also be included.
No prerequisites.
BUS3200 Foundations of Management
3 semester hours
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the fundamental concepts
and techniques involved in managing today’s dynamic organization. A solid
grounding in management is essential to successfully guiding organizations. Students
will become familiar with such basic managerial practices as planning,
organizing, leading and controlling in a variety of organizational settings.
No prerequisites.
MBA5120 Foundations of Accounting
3 semester hours
This course introduces basic financial and managerial accounting concepts from
the viewpoint of the user. Emphasis is on developing critical decision-making skills
through the study of problems and cases. It will also cover financial statement
analysis.
No prerequisites.
MBA5140 Foundations of Economics
3 semester hours
Students will be introduced to the domestic and global economies, business
cycles, unemployment, and inflation. They will also be exposed to the economic
decision process of firms and individuals as they attempt to maximize their relative
well being.
No prerequisites.
M.B.A. Core Courses
MBA6020 Marketing Management
3 semester hours
The primary purpose of this course is to determine how to develop marketing
strategy. Students will develop a client focus and learn how to target market. They
will also study product, distribution, promotion, and pricing strategies. Upon
completion of this course, the student will be able to conduct market-planning
analysis, solve common marketing problems, develop marketing strategies, and
implement introductory marketing campaigns.
Prerequisite: BUS2300 or equivalent.
MBA6030 Leadership and Organizational Behavior
3 semester hours
This course introduces students to an advanced treatment of the behavioral role
of the leader interacting with others within the organization. It offers a critical
review of leadership and human behavior, and addresses those behavioral concepts
that influence such factors as group dynamics, interpersonal relations, and
ultimately, organizational effectiveness.
Prerequisite: BUS3200 or equivalent.
MBA6050 Financial Management
3 semester hours
This course examines financial theory and activities connected with the organization
and operations of a business. It explores: the relationship between management
decisions and financial results, interpretation of financial reports, the
development of financial projections, the evaluation of investment decisions, the
relationship between risk and return, capital budgeting under risk and uncertainty,
the cost of capital, and estimation of the value of a business or a security.
Prerequisite: MBA6140.
MBA6080 Managing Information Technology
3 semester hours
This course explores information as a critical resource of any organization, what
information systems are, how they affect organizations, and how they can make
an enterprise more efficient/competitive. Business system concepts, ethical
aspects, global information and the Internet, and current technological issues
are studied.
Prerequisite: BUS3200 or equivalent.
MBA6100 Strategic Management
3 semester hours
In this course, all functional disciplines are integrated together in an attempt to
look at and comprehend some of the important issues in strategic management.
It concentrates on modern analytical approaches and on enduring successful
strategic practices. It is consciously designed with a technological and global outlook
since this orientation in many ways highlights the significant emerging trends
in strategic management. The course is intended to provide students with a pragmatic
approach that will guide the environmental analysis, formulation, implementation
evaluation and control, and the feedback systems needed to have a
successful strategy. This course will cover strategic and tactical planning, budgeting,
analysis of decision under uncertainty and change. Issues related to making
ethical judgment and leadership are also covered. Teams of students complete
strategic analyses, plans and recommendations for individual companies.
Prerequisites: MBA6020, MBA6030, MBA6050, MBA6080 and MBA6140.
MBA6140 Managerial Accounting
3 semester hours
This course will explore and have students utilize the various accounting tools,
techniques, and knowledge base used by managers to make more effective decisions.
This course will look at a number of aspects within the accounting decision-
making framework. These aspects will include: overview of accounting and
financial reporting, how accountants measure and report, managing financial
reporting, cost concepts and analysis, product costing and an introduction to cost
management, analysis for capital investment decisions, and measurements for
management. Business decision-making will be the focus of this course and the
business cases approach will be used extensively.
Prerequisites: ACC2010 and ACC2020 or MBA5120 or equivalent.
MBA6500 Global Business Immersion
3 semester hours
This course focuses on the differences between domestic and international businesses
as well as the impact of the global economy on all functions of business.
Prerequisite: MBA6020.
MBA6880 Travel Study: Global Business Experience 3 semester hours
Offered either on campus or on location at a non-U.S. site, this course focuses on
the differences between domestic and international business and the impact of
the global economy on all the functions of business.
Prerequisite: MBA6020.
M.B.A. Concentration Courses
M.B.A. in Human Resource Management
MBA6200 Human Resource Management
3 semester hours
This course explores the basic concepts of individual and social behavior as they
apply to the modern organizational environment and day-to-day issues of human
resource management. Specific topics include: communication, motivation, training
and development, compensation, and labor relations issues. Labor relation
issues include: minority rights, sexual harassment and environmental concerns.
Emphasis is on organizational development and team building.
Prerequisite: A course in management.
MBA6210 The SHRM® Learning System Course
3 semester hours
This program is offered in cooperation with the Society for Human Resource
Management (SHRM®) as study material for the Professional in Human
Resources (PHR) and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification
examinations administered by HRCI. Modules include: Strategic Management,
Workforce Planning and Employment, Human Resource Development,
Compensation and Benefits, Employee and Labor Relations, and Occupational
Health, Safety and Security.
Prerequisite: Two years exempt-level HR experience.
MBA6220 Human Resource Information Systems
3 semester hours
This course focuses on developing the skills necessary to select appropriate technology
to transform a human resource function into a strategic business partner.
Students will participate in hands-on activities including database design, exploring
commercial HR software and design of a system to address a specific HR issue
as they learn to build value-added HR organizations.
Prerequisites: MBA6200 and a course in information systems.
MBA6230 Strategic Human Resource Management
3 semester hours
This course will expose students to the “big picture” at the intersection of Human
Resource Management (HRM), business policy, and competitive strategy. Students
will be introduced to the “core competencies” necessary to become successful
managers of human capital. A broad overview of strategic management
processes with a special emphasis on the HR function will be the basis for critical
dialogue on corporate-level and business unit-level strategy formulation and
implementation.
Prerequisites: MBA6200 and a course in financial accounting.
M.B.A. in Leadership
MBA6610 Leading Organizational Development
3 semester hours
This leadership concentration course discusses this field in terms of how it has
evolved during challenging times. Students will explore the literature on leadership
as it applies to the complexities of the current business environment. In
addition, the course will focus on what companies can do to develop tomorrow’s
leaders and how to overcome the inevitable conflict and resistance to change.
The three subsections are (1) developing tomorrow’s leaders (2) evolution of
leadership and (3) leading in a complex environment.
Prerequisite: MBA6030.
MBA6620 Leading Strategically
3 semester hours
This leadership concentration course addresses how leaders can effectively utilize
creative strategies. Students will explore innovative strategies for overcoming
barriers to the ethical resolution of conflict and crisis. Students will also discuss
moral ethical and legal issues that affect the ability to lead an organization. The
subsections are (1) conflict resolution (2) crisis strategies and (3) moral, ethical
and legal leadership (4) leading strategic changes.
Prerequisite: MBA6030.
MBA6630 Leading Teams
3 semester hours
In today’s global marketplace the organizations that thrive are the ones that anticipate
change and create new adaptations to their business model. Creativity is
the key to finding new opportunities and establishing a competitive advantage
through collaborative teams and the use of organizational alliances and strategic
partnerships. The three subsections are (1) creating competitive advantage
through teamwork (2) global alliances & partners and (3) emerging topics.
Prerequisite: MBA6030.
MBA6810 Servant Leadership 3 semester hours
M.B.A. in Technology and Operations Management
MBA6400 Coordinating and Managing Supply Chains
3 semester hours
This course builds on a number of core topics in the M.B.A. curriculum. Topics
explored include inventory management, distribution economics, retailing operations,
and supply chain information technology. The course focuses on managing
material and information flows across organizational boundaries from the
“manager’s perspective” and emphasizes the challenges of managing across functional
and firm boundaries. Cases are used to put challenges in context.
Prerequisites: MBA6010 and MTH1120 or MTH2300.
MBA6410 Operations Strategy
3 semester hours
This course will prepare students to identify and frame complex strategic issues
in operations, design operating strategies that address those issues, and take effective
action to achieve the full potential of the decisions. The course introduces students
to concepts, tools, and techniques such as the design and evolution of
multi-site operating networks, the selection and development of process technologies,
and the creation of operating systems that effectively connect operations
with suppliers, distribution channels, and customers. Emphasis is given to
tools that students will need to participate effectively in decision-making early in
their careers.
Prerequisites: MBA6010 and MTH1120 or MTH2300.
MBA6420 Innovation and Venture Initiation
3 semester hours
This course is divided into two parts: Intrapreneurship and Entrepreneurship.
Intrapreneurship examines the range of internal and external forces that impact
technological innovation and growth. Emphasis is placed on managerial initiatives
that can influence the nature and rate of technology innovation and change,
technology forecasting and assessment, R&D management, technical planning,
and the use of organizational models. Entrepreneurship focuses on the strategic
issues that entrepreneurs must address to exploit opportunities when industries
are either created or transformed by emerging new technologies. Issues of starting,
financing, growing, and managing a technology company are addressed with
topics covering cutting edge business models, technology development and intellectual
property issues, financing options, culture and human resource development,
and alliances.
Prerequisites: MBA6020, MBA6030, MBA6140 and MBA6050.
Certificate Programs
Aurora University recognizes that some individuals seek short, more specializedprograms of study to support professional growth. Therefore, Aurora Universityoffers certificate programs in several business-related fields. Each certificateprogram is designed for professionals with time-demanding careers who want tobecome leaders in the complex business environment of tomorrow.
Certificates are open to students with any undergraduate major and credits
completed within the certification program are fully applicable to Aurora University’s
M.B.A. program, provided the candidate meets the M.B.A. admission
requirements.
Certificates are offered to students who:
• prefer a certification program as a shorter, more concentrated alternative
to an M.B.A. degree;
• have already completed a graduate program, but would like to either
update their skills or focus on another professional skill different from their
graduate concentration; and
• see the program as a short-term goal that may help them earn a graduate
degree at a later time.
Graduate Certificate in Accounting
This certificate is designed for professionals who are interested in obtaining
additional accounting skills in the area of managerial accounting and financial
decision making, accounting information design and implementation and
advanced accounting topics such as: consolidations of financial statements, segmental
and interim reporting, foreign currency transactions and translations as
well as partnership accounting.
The Graduate Accounting Certificate is comprised of three of the courses (9
semester hours):
• MBA6140 Managerial Accounting
• ACC5510 Accounting Information Systems
• ACC5520 Government and Nonprofit Accounting
• ACC6530 Special Topics in Accounting
• ACC6600 Accounting Research
Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management
The Human Resource Management Graduate Certificate is designed for the
HR Professional who seeks to acquire the critical competencies to meet the everchanging
demands and challenges faced in the human resource field.
The Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management is comprised of
three of the following four courses (9 semester hours):
• MBA6200 Human Resource Management
• MBA6210 The SHRM® Learning System Course (prerequisite: two years
exempt-level HR experience)
• MBA6220 Human Resource Information Systems
• MBA6230 Strategic Human Resource Management
Graduate Certificate in Leadership
The Graduate Certificate in Leadership is designed for individuals who already
hold a master’s degree or those individuals not ready to pursue the M.B.A. degree
who desire specialized study in leadership to support their professional growth.
Certificate programs, in general, are designed to advance skills and provide an
excellent way to begin the path toward earning an M.B.A. degree.
The Graduate Certificate in Leadership requires:
• MBA6030 Leadership and Organizational Behavior
Choice of two of the three leadership courses offered:
• MBA6610 Leading Organizational Development
• MBA6620 Leading Strategically
• MBA6630 Leading Teams
Graduate Certificate in Technology and Operations Management
The Technology and Operations Management Graduate Certificate focuses
on applied business innovation and how to create value in firms, not only through
new products and services but also through new technologies, business concepts,
transaction mechanisms, and distribution channels. The Technology and Operations
Management concentration encourages students to master concepts and
research skills directly relevant to business problems.
The Graduate Certificate in Technology and Operations is comprised of the
following three courses (9 semester hours):
• MBA6400 Coordinating and Managing Supply Chains
• MBA6410 Operations Strategy
• MBA6420 Innovation and Venture Initiation
