Course Descriptions
Course Descriptions for the Elon MBA Program
MBA Required Non-Credit Courses
Foundations Bootcamps
MBA 5000 Accounting Foundations
In this introduction to the financial reporting process, course content emphasizes the accrual basis of accounting. Students learn to prepare and interpret income statements and balance sheets, analyze business transactions and determine the effects of transactions on assets and equities. Offered online, asynchronously (self-paced).
MBA 5003 Statistics Foundations
This part of the bootcamp is designed for students to gain a solid grasp of statistical analysis and modeling. This will also form the foundation for more advanced topics to come in later courses. The course will emphasize the principles of statistical reasoning, underlying assumptions, hypothesis testing, and careful interpretation of results. Topics include data presentation and summarization, regression analysis, fundamental probability theory, random variables, introductory decision analysis, estimation, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, and ANOVA. Offered online, asynchronously (self-paced).
*If you have taken either/both courses within the last five years and received at least a “C” you are eligible to test out. (Passing score on this Qualification Exam is 70%, students can retake this exam up to two times to opt-out)
Workshops
MBA 5010 Introduction to the MBA
Taken as students begin the MBA, this required, non-credit workshop introduces students to the campus, one another, and, at the same time, provides skills that can help them be successful in the program. Students in MBA 5010 work on development goals they hope to achieve in their MBA education. They also participate in a leadership development exercise intended to identify their preferred leadership style while providing guidance about how to develop and improve these skills. Students also go through advanced Excel training to ensure they have the skills they will call upon throughout their coursework. Must be completed before starting classes unless approval granted by MBA director.
MBA 5001 Power Skills
Power skills, which are personal attributes that enable us to interact effectively and harmoniously with other people, play a significant role in working and interacting with the people around us effectively. This bootcamp is packed with tips, tricks, and information geared to help students convey effective communication through writing and presentations. Specifically, students will enhance their understanding of key concepts, and gain tools that are critical to their future careers.
MBA 6820 Professional Development
An effective job search requires a tactical routine, a prioritization process, a well-defined order of specific tasks, a targeted marketing program, and a measurement criterion to help ensure that students are optimizing their time and ability to track progress. This professional development workshop series will introduce available resources and present requirements for current analytics jobs. In addition, we will also pack with tips, tricks, and key information to help students develop the required skills, build a strong resume, apply for jobs more effectively, build a strong network, and eventually succeed in their career and professional development.
*These courses/workshops have no credit or tuition
MBA Required Courses
The Bookends ( 9 credits/ 3 Courses)
MBA 6100 Business for the Greater Good (3 credits)
This course examines the interaction of business, government, and society with a specific emphasis on how businesses create value for their stakeholders. This course utilizes a stakeholder theory lens to explore the role of markets and market failure within society, the expectations of modern corporations, and how businesses design value propositions that respond to and balance the needs of all stakeholder groups while maintaining financial viability. Students will utilize current case studies and simulations to explore how businesses navigate and respond to existing and emerging issues that require a balance between social, environmental, and economic resources with emphasis on corporate social responsibility, triple bottom line accounting, ethical decision making, and innovation to address market failures.
MBA 6230 Principled Leadership (3 credits)
This course explores the concept of Principled Leadership which involves leading people using methods that adhere to the values of the leader and the leader’s organization. Students in the course will examine a diverse roster of leadership approaches and critically evaluate how these approaches may align with their values, the current demands of business, and the values of different business organizations. Students will support their leadership development by exploring specific management topics in motivation, team building, organizing, decision making, and managing employee job performance and job attitudes.
MBA 7650 Principled Strategic Decision-Making (3 credits)
This capstone course—Principled Strategic Decision-Making—bookends with the “Business for the Greater Good” and “Principled Leadership” courses and integrates the business process topics from the core courses. Students will work with outside organizations facing specific challenges and focus on methods to diagnose internal and external issues, research and propose alternatives, and present solutions.
MBA Core (18 credits / 6 Courses)
MBA 6250 Essential Economics for Strategic Management (3 credits)
Future managers, entrepreneurs, and business strategists practice applying the economic way of thinking. You will begin by reviewing the basics of cost-benefit analysis and market com- petition. Using this intuition, you will consider more advanced topics. For example, you will examine the importance of product differentiation and learn how to use pricing strategies such as group pricing and targeted discounts. You will also judge how your views of markets might change when market power, neighborhood effects, and information problems are present. Lastly, you will consider how to think strategically when your best choices depend on what others choose.
MBA 6430 Data-Informed Decision-Making (3 credits)
This course examines the foundational business analytics skills and tools required to make effective and informed managerial decisions. Topics covered in this course include descriptive statistics, probability distribution functions, Central Limit Theorem, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, ANOVA, simple and multiple regression, among others. Computer applications of the course material will be performed using Excel.
MBA 6270 Applied Marketing Management (3 credits)
This class introduces the concepts and principles of marketing management. The primary thrust of this course is framework-based analysis of marketing problems. The goal of the class is for students to learn the basics of marketing management, as well as improve their structured thinking, communication and analytic skills. The course emphasizes the following: Primary and changing perspectives on marketing management in the New Economy; the impact of interactive media on marketing management, applied marketing management and strategy, domestic and global, an international focus in developing marketing management and strategy.
MBA 6450 Project Management (3 credits)
The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of the knowledge, skills and processes associated with project management as it is practiced in a wide variety of organizations. This course is appropriate for individuals with limited project management knowledge/experience, as well as those who have extensive experience managing projects in organizations for internal and/or external clients. The course will cover project initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and controlling, and closing, and will focus on building subject matter knowledge in the project management discipline. Additionally, this course will provide students with opportunities for skill building using project management tools, techniques, and software (e.g., MS Project and Oracle® Crystal Ball). Additional guidance will be provided for individuals who seek PMI project management certification (CAPM® or PMP®).
MBA 7170 Financial Management (3 credits)
Selected topics in corporate finance, including the finance function and the role of financial managers in a firm, capital structure optimization, project selection methods, shareholder payout policies and corporate governance.
MBA 7150 Quantitative Decision-Making with Accounting Data (3 credits)
In this course, students delve into how leaders use cost and revenue data for decision-making, planning, and control. The course focuses on quantitative analyses for managerial decisions using accounting information. It covers qualitative and quantitative data aspects, sources, critical thinking, mathematical models, problem-solving, and effective communication of recommendations, ethical considerations, and the impact of decisions.
Intensive Skills Electives (6 credits total)
MBA 6231 Talent Acquisition and Onboarding (1.5 credits)
To achieve competitive advantage within an industry, organizations must support the recruitment, selection, and deployment of human capital. This course introduces students to talent acquisition and onboarding issues that impact any manager who has direct and indirect reports. Through readings, discussions, exams, and team projects, students will complete the course with a broad understanding of the complexities involved in talent acquisition and onboarding.
MBA 6271 Creativity and the Doer-Maker Mindset (1 credits)
Creativity is the development of novel and useful products, services, ideas, or processes. Indeed, before people engage in formal entrepreneurship – the founding of a new venture – they tend to have already been acting creatively. It is relatively easy to recognize the utility and aesthetic of something creative when we encounter it. Yet, most of us are not sure how to go about being creative ourselves. Moreover, if we have creative thoughts, we are not sure what to ‘do’ or ‘make’ with them. This intensive course introduces cognitive tools designed to jump-start your creative thought and action.
MBA 6272 Entrepreneurial Evaluation and Persuasion (1 credits)
There is an expression that states, “ideas are a dime a dozen”. Lots of people have ideas, but the execution – the founding team, the geographic location, the market constraints, the financial implications, and more – tend to be the reasons ideas succeed or fail. This intensive course immerses students in the process of evaluating and selecting real ventures run by real people. Moreover, students will demonstrate their personal value-add to persuade classmates that their chosen ventures are the most viable.
MBA 6273 Bringing the Venture to Life (1 credits)
In this third installment of intensive graduate coursework in entrepreneurship, student will practice Bringing the Venture to Life. The course title is a double entendre’ invoking the processes of getting an initiative from idea to action, but also suggesting that students make entrepreneurial thinking a core part of their everyday lives. Following this theme, each of the phases of the course will include both the examination of how famous entrepreneurs (e.g., Benjamin Franklin) orient their lives and students making progress toward a real entrepreneurial initiative of their own.
MBA 6280 Digital Marketing (1.5 credits)
This course will provide an overview of digital marketing practices with insight on how modern industry is adopting new emerging media and technology as marketing tools. It aims to give learners a general understanding of digital marketing and prepare them with practical skills and knowledge to implement, optimize, and modify digital marketing campaigns. Topics will include search engine optimization, website design, website analytics, and social media marketing. In addition, this course will address ethical issues that can be found in the adoption of these diverse emerging media from the perspectives of both consumers and practitioners.
MBA 6290 The Science of Persuasion (1.5 credits)
In this course, we will unravel the intricate and fascinating science of persuasion. Drawing from research in marketing psychology, and neuroscience, we’ll explore the hidden drivers that influence human decision-making. With a keen focus on practical applications, you’ll develop the skills needed to ethically and effectively persuade others in a world where influence is a critical asset. Discover the secrets of crafting compelling messages, leveraging social proof, and understanding the power of reciprocity. Join me on a journey to uncover the mechanics behind persuasion, equipping you with the tools to navigate a persuasive world with insight and integrity.
MBA 6410 Global Supply Chain Management (1.5 credits)
Supply chain involves the integration of numerous activities and processes from sourcing raw materials to delivering finished products to customers in a highly competitive global environment. This course provides an in-depth exploration of the strategies, tools, and techniques required to manage global supply chains effectively. At the end of the course, students will have a fair understanding of the role supply chain management plays in business practices. Emphasis is given both to familiarization of various supply chain processes and to quantitative analysis of problems presented by global operations. Topics include inventory management, transportation management, risk management, etc.
MBA 7130 International Business – Study Abroad (1.5 credits)
This course provides an in-depth exploration of dynamic and fast-growing economies, focusing on the interaction of business and government, environmental issues tied to growth, and the impacts of climate change. It offers a first-hand experience of various business, legal, political, and cultural aspects of different economic environments, emphasizing the challenges faced by developing regions in balancing rapid urbanization and industrialization.
MBA 7260 Investments (1.5 credits)
This course is an introduction to modern investment thought and practice, with an emphasis on the portfolio. We’ll take the point of view of someone saving for retirement or putting together a 401(k) plan for their firm. We’ll cover the institutional basics, such as who participates in financial markets, how mutual funds and exchange traded funds (ETFs) work, the relationship between risk and return, some portfolio mathematics, and how taxes affect investment decisions. We’ll use case studies to get hands-on experience and real examples throughout.
MBA 7280 Marketing Research (3 credits)
This course will enable students to conduct, understand, use, and evaluate marketing research done for you or your company. This is a highly applied course; you will learn by conducting marketing research, not just by reading about it. You will develop a research program, collect and analyze data, report and present results, and make recommendations based on your analysis.
Imagine Yourself With Us
Design your future with the Elon MBA.