School of Business | MBA Department

Accounting

Economics & Finance

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MBA

Linkage Program

MBA may not be an acronym for "maximize business acumen", but there is a correlation.

The master in business administration (MBA) program at Southern is ideal for companies that want to enhance the abilities of their top achievers, and attractively priced for firms that pay tuition for employees. Since its formation, the program has aimed at providing a quality, career-oriented education for students with diverse backgrounds and goals.

The university's MBA program is distinguished by the following:

Choice: The opportunity to select courses from subjects in business disciplines that will enhance a student's mastery in his or her field.

Flexibility: A 48-credit curriculum offered on the basis of a graduate semester calendar with a clear, fair and non-discriminatory waiver policy.

Quality: A program taught by full-time, highly qualified faculty members who are active in conducting applied and basic research in their fields.

Professionalism: A core vision in the Southern mission, which advocates the delivery of a career-oriented education by serving local, regional, national and, indeed, global communities.

Please find a detailed description of the program below. Should you have any question or need more information feel free to contact us at (203) 392-7030 or cavallaro@southernct.edu.

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MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

The Master of Business Administration prepares individuals for leadership positions in business, non-profit, or governmental organizations. The program is multidisciplinary and follows a systems approach to understanding the internal and external forces that influence the development of an organization. The structure of the program is based on particular themes divided across eight (8) foundation courses, six (6) advanced courses, and two(2) optional courses. Observance of order between foundation and advanced courses is required. All foundation courses must be taken before any advanced or optional courses. Enrollment in the program can be either full-time or part-time. The program is also designed for students with professional experience who are seeking to enhance their administrative skills and grow within their organizations without interruption to their career. The curriculum emphasizes a hands-on, practical approach to skill development and includes the following objectives:

Assisting profit and not-for-profit organizations to compete more effectively in a changing environment
Preparing personnel in organizations for additional managerial responsibility
Preparing individuals seeking administrative positions
Aiding existing employees in gaining needed skills and knowledge for future organizational success

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ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Candidates for admission to the MBA program are required to hold a four-year baccalaureate degree (or equivalent) from an accredited institution. An undergraduate degree in business is not a requirement; qualified students from all backgrounds are encouraged to submit applications. Admission decisions are based on a combination of a student's undergraduate academic performance, professional accomplishment, letters of recommendation and scores on the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT). In addition, admission to the program requires an acceptable combination of an undergraduate grade point average and GMAT score so that 200(GPA) + (GMAT score) is at least 950. Of these, the greatest weight is given to undergraduate academic performance. If applicants are unable to submit a GMAT score before their desired start date, they may be admitted provisionally (based on prior academic and professional performance) for a maximum of two terms. Receipt of a GMAT score is required for full acceptance and continuation in the program.

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PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Students accepted in the MBA program will study full-time or part-time in a cohort environment. Those students not employed will be required or assisted in having an ongoing relationship with an employer who can provide a mentoring role. Additionally, the employer will provide access to educational and research opportunities within the organization. The MBA curriculum is a 48-hour program distributed over sixteen (16) courses.

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THE STRUCTURE OF THE MBA PROGRAM

1st Semester

Economics: Micro-Macro Economics, MBA 501

Accounting: Financial Managerial Accounting, MBA 506

Statistics: Statistical Decision Making, MBA 502

Management: Management and Organization Behavior, MBA 504

2nd Semester

Marketing: Marketing Management, MBA 505

Business Law: Legal Issues in Business and Management, MBA 507

Finance: Managerial Finance, MBA 503

Management Science: Operations Research, MBA 508

3rd Semester

Information Technology: Information Technologies for Managers, MBA 510

Seminar I: Business Planning and Entrepreneurship, MBA 562

Seminar II: Global Business, MBA 542

Option Course I

4th Semester

Business and Society: Business & Society, MBA 565

Seminar III: Business Strategy, MBA 552

Seminar IV: Research Project Seminar, MBA 595

Option Course II

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WAIVER POLICY

Any of the four required first year courses might be waived on the basis of appropriate undergraduate or graduate courses taken within the last seven years at a regionally accredited institution. Waivers will be considered at the time of admission; waivers based on a "B" (3.0) or better in the appropriate courses will be considered and granted. Students who seek transfer credit must submit a written request (with a course syllabus, preferably, or course description of the previously completed coursework) to the MBA director during the first semester of attendance. Normally, waivers are decided within the first semester of study. Only courses with grades of "B" or better may be used in meeting waiver guidelines for the required courses. Only required foundation courses may be waived. Students can waive out of the first year courses through an equivalency exam on the same subject matters. A course that has been waived may not be taken for or used for elective credits. No tuition refund or cancellation will be issued for courses taken and subsequently waived. Moreover, waiving of courses does not reduce the total minimum number of 36 credits to complete the program.

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WAIVER GUIDELINES

The minimum course requirements, all taken within the last seven years, for waivers are:

MBA 507: Two courses in business law.

MBA 506: One course in financial accounting and one course in managerial

accounting.

MBA 501: One course in macroeconomics and one course in microeconomics

MBA 503: Two upper division courses in finance.

MBA 504: Two upper division courses in management or organizational behavior.

MBA 505: Two upper division courses in marketing.

MBA 502: Two courses in statistics.

MBA 508: Two courses in quantitative business analysis or management science/operations research.

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CLASS SCHEDULING

All courses are offered one night a week and held within a 5:00-7:30 or 7:35-10:05 time period. Students can pursue the program as intensively as they choose. There are also Saturday courses in addition to the regular course offerings. Please note that MBA courses are open only to those students matriculated into the MBA program or by permission of the MBA Director.

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MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION REQUIRED COURSES

MBA courses are open only to those students matriculated into the MBA program or by permission of the MBA Director.

I. Foundation Courses:

MBA 501: Micro-Macro Economics

This course discusses how a market-oriented economy operates and how we measure the performance of the economy. In addition, it will review how the various agents in the economy make decisions. 3 credits

MBA 502: Statistical Decision Making

This course will cover the descriptive and inferential statistical methods frequently used for business and economics decision-making. Upon the completion of this course, a student should be able to select an appropriate statistical method for solving a given problem, to model the problem and produce desirable solutions using the computer, and to interpret and communicate the results in a non-technical language. 3 credits

MBA 503: Managerial Finance

This course addresses the financial management issues of an economic agent within the context of a free-market capitalistic economy, using a manufacturing corporation operating in both a "domestic" as well as international market as a basic model. At the end of the course, the student will have an understanding of the issues involved and their general solution, with the objective of maximizing the wealth of the firm owners through maximizing common stock prices. 3 credits

MBA 504: Management and Organizational Behavior

This course investigates essential managerial functions such as planning, organizing, leading, controlling, and issues in organization behavior. It also looks at current challenges in management, both in the profit and nonprofit sector, global economy, competitive advantage, diversity in the workplace, and team building. 3 credits
MBA 505: Marketing Management
This course will enable students to understand the processes involved in the planning, creation, valuation, distribution (both traditional and e-commerce) and sale of products and services. During this course students will explore the tasks and decisions facing marketing managers. Particular areas of focus will include market and competitive analysis, customer behavior, and the design and implementation of marketing strategies (product, price, promotion and distribution) in domestic and international markets. 3 credits

MBA 506: Financial and Managerial Accounting

Emphasis on financial accounting theory and practice oriented toward the use of financial statements for decision-making. Cost concepts and principles as a managerial tool in planning, controlling, and decision-making are also covered. 3 credits

MBA 507: Legal Issues in Business and Management

This Business Law course emphasizes the legal aspects of business decision-making. It exposes students to the basic principles of law with regard to starting, expanding and operating a small or large business and includes the study of the judicial process, torts, contracts, agency, partnerships, corporations, intellectual property and certain aspects of UCC. 3 credits

MBA 508: Operations Research

This course will cover several quantitative methods used frequently in managerial decision-making. Upon the completion of this course, students should be able to select an appropriate method for solving a given problem, to model the problem and produce desirable solutions using the computer, and to interpret and communicate the results in a non-technical language. 3 credits

II. Advanced Courses:

MBA 510: Information Technologies for Managers

An overview of currently available technologies for computing and communicating in business from the viewpoint of a manager selecting the most appropriate technology to fit a particular business need. Various case studies will be used to provide examples as well as experiences from the different workplaces. 3 credits

MBA 522: Organizational Change and Development

Comprehensive study of managing the change process (needs analysis, planning, implementation, measurement, evaluation and feedback) on the personal, team, inter-group, techno-structural and organizational levels of modern corporations. Prerequisites: MBA 504 or permission of the MBA Director. 3 credits

MBA 525: Business Ethics

Discussion and evaluation of social and moral dimensions of managerial decision making. Focus of the course is an in-depth study of values, conflicts, resolutions and ramifications in a business context. Prerequisites: MBA 504 and MBA 507. 3 credits

MBA 542: Global Business

The seminar aims at an understanding of the new economy and global issues confronting international business. It also examines various patterns of international economic relations and analyzes some of the causes of these patterns. An emphasis on global perspectives will enable students to develop essential managerial skills for handling environmental factors (such as political, cultural, technological, and legal). Prerequisites: MBA 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, or permission of the MBA Director. 3 credits

MBA 552: Seminar II: Business Strategy

This seminar focuses on strategic issues and problems that managers (e.g. CEO's, presidents, and SUB managers) face in a globally competitive environment. It also looks at the nature of competitive interactions among firms in the market through design of efficient organizations. Furthermore, techniques for strategy formulation and implementation are discussed. Prerequisites: MBA 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, or permission of the MBA Director. 3 credits

MBA 553: Management Simulation

Experiential learning. Emphasis on integration of different functional aspects of business (e.g. organizing, staffing, production, marketing, finance, accounting, capital investments, international commerce,etc.) Management teams develop and practice skills in strategic management and operational decision making in an evolving economic environment. Prerequisites: MBA 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 552. 3 credits

MBA 562: Business Planning and Entrepreneurship

An examination of entrepreneurship and management of innovation by emphasizing a systems approach toward business planning. This seminar also looks at various approaches to management of innovation given the interaction between the enterprise and its larger containing environments. Prerequisites: MBA 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, or Permissions of the MBA Director. 3 credits

MBA 565: Business & Society

While business needs to satisfy the profit claim of shareholders, it must also reconcile the legal, moral and discretionary claims of other stakeholders. Managers must be able to recognize and accommodate these competing claims as they arise across the organization and within various business disciplines. Prerequisites: MBA 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, or permission of the MBA Director. 3 credits

MBA 574: Multinational Financial Management

Explores in-depth the conceptual framework within which the financial analysis and decisions must be made by multinational corporations. The focus is on the financial decision making process in a multinational context. Prerequisite: MBA 503. 3 credits

MBA 595: Research Project Seminar

Students apply their knowledge and skills under faculty guidance within an approved framework. Students are allowed to individualize their culminating experiences by selecting one of the following areas: within his/her organization to achieve significant project goals, develop and research a global project through university sponsored international opportunities, develop an entrepreneurial project and begin implementation. Prerequisites: Completion of all MBA course work. 3 credits

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Optional Courses

MBA 512: Strategic Factors in E-Marketing

At the heart of a coherent e-commerce strategy is the development of an e-marketing plan. This course will provide an overview of marketing online: the how and why of online research, the impact of an online strategy on the 4 Ps (product, price, place, and promotion), and relationship marketing through online strategies. This hands-on course will culminate with the development of an original, team-based e-marketing plan. Prerequisite: MBA 505. 3 credits

MBA 522: Organizational Change and Development

MBA 525: Business Ethics

MBA 532: Human Resources Management

Provide the knowledge to manage human resources effectively and legally. Review of HRM practices/policies enables the manager to coordinate better with the official HRM staff, and provide the level of support and understanding required by most employees. Prerequisite: MBA 504. 3 credits

MBA 537: Product Management

Comprehensive study of the techniques of product planning and development, including a team approach to product idea generation, concept testing and commercialization, including the development of a marketing plan. Prerequisite: MBA 505. 3 credits

MBA 550: Public Finance

The role of the public sector as it affects use of resources, distribution of income, and economic stability. The nature and solution of problems of state and local governments as they provide education, fire and police protection, welfare assistance, highway construction and related activities.
Prerequisites: MBA 503. 3 credits

MBA 553: Management Simulation

Experiential learning. Emphasis on integration of different functional aspects of business (e.g. organizing, staffing, production, marketing, finance, accounting, capital investments, international commerce, etc.) Management teams develop and practice skills in strategic management and operational decision making in an evolving economic environment. Prerequisites: MBA 501, MBA 502, MBA 503, MBA 504, MBA 505, MBA 506, MBA 507, MBA 508, MBA 552. 3 credits

MBA 574: Multinational Financial Management

MBA 579: Advanced Auditing

In depth coverage of key aspects of financial auditing as performed by the external auditor, including statistical and non-statistical sampling, evaluation and testing of Electronic Data Processing, and operational auditing as performed by the internal auditor. 3 credits.

MBA 581: Contemporary Accounting Issues

In depth, cutting edge issues in financial and management accounting with greater emphasis on the former. Students not only demonstrate content knowledge in topics covered, but also do original work on one of the financial accounting topics, including a paper and a presentation. 3 credits.

For more updated available optional courses, please contact the MBA Program Director.

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FACULTY

NODOUSHANI, OMID, Professor and Director of M.B.A. Program; B.A., National University of Iran; M.A., Ph.D., The Wharton School-University of Pennsylvania. Telephone: (203) 392-7030
ABDELSAYED, WAFEEK, Professor; B.B.A., Hofstra University; M.B.A., M.S., Adelphi University; Ph.D., University of Connecticut; C.P.A., C.M.A., C.I.A., C.F.E., C.F. M., C.G.F.M.
ANDOH, SAMUEL K., Professor; B.A., University of Science and Technology, Ghana, West Africa; M.A., Virginia State College; Ph.D., New York University
BODO, PETER, Associate Professor; B.A., M.A., University of Budapest; Ph.D., University of Connecticut
COTTRILL, MELVILLE T., Professor; B.A., Hamilton College; M.B.A., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; Ph.D., J.D., University of Connecticut
CRAKES, GARY M., Professor; B.A., Central Connecticut State University; M.A., Ph.D., University of Connecticut
CURTIS, CAREY C., Associate Professor; B.A., Vassar College; M.A.T., Wesleyan University; M.B.A., University of Hartford; Sc.D., University of New Haven; C.P.A.
ELDRIDGE, ROBERT M., Professor; B.S., Naval Science United States Naval Academy; M.S., D.B.A., The George Washington University
EMENYONU, EMMANUAL N., Associate Professor; M.Acc., Ph.D., University of Glasgow
FRANK, ELLEN J., Professor; B.A., Queens College, City University of New York; M.S., Ph.D., Purdue University.
GEBREMARIAM, YILMA, Associate Professor; B.S., M.P.A., Arizona State University; M.A., Southern Methodist University; Ph.D., University of Southern California
GRUBACIC, SANJA, Assistant Professor; B.A., University of Belgrade; M.A., Ph.D., University of Connecticut
HORN, BETTY C., Associate Professor; B.S., Oklahoma City University; Master's of Professional Accountancy, Ph.D., Georgia State University; C.P.A.
KIDNEY, JAMES, A., Professor; B.S., Yale University; M.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles
KIRSCH, ROBERT J., Professor; B.A., Duquesne University; M.A., M.B.A., Ph.D., University of South Carolina; Ph.D.; C.P.A.
LAIRD, KENNETH, R., Associate Professor; B.A., University of Maryland; M.B.A., Baruch College; Sc.D., University of New Haven
LODHA, SHYAM S., Professor; B.Com., M.Com., LL.B., University of Rajasthan; M.B.A., Michigan State University; Ph.D., University of Jodphur.
LUEDER, SANDRA, Associate Professor; B.A., University of Wisconsin; M.C.P., University of Cincinnati; M.B.A., University of Connecticut; Ph. D. City University of New York
MOSTAGHIMI, MEHDI, Professor; B.A., National University of Iran; M.S., Western Michigan University; Ph.D., University of Virginia
MULLEN, ROBERT L., Associate Professor, B.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology; M.S., Pennsylvania State University; M.B.A., University of Iowa; Sc.D., University of New Haven
NANGIA, MADAN N., Associate Professor, B.A., M.A., Punjab University, India; M.B.A., University of California, Los Angeles; Ph.D., New York University
NARUMANCHI, RADHA R., Associate Professor; B.A., Andhra University; M.B.A., Bernard M. Baruch College; C.P.A., C.I.S., R.F.P., I.C.W.A
OPPEDISANO, JEANNETTE, Associate Professor; B.A., M.S., State University of New York at Albany; Ph.D. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
PAGE, ROBERT A., Assistant Professor ; B.S., Cornell University ; M.O.B., Brigham Young University ; Ph.D., University of California - Irvine
PRASAD, DURGA, Professor; B.Sc., LL.B., Lucknow University, India; LL.M., Banaras Law School; LL.M., J.S.D., Yale University.
PRINCE, MELVIN, Associate Professor; B.A., M.A., Brooklyn College; Ph.D., Columbia University
SAVAGE, DEBORAH A., Associate Professor; B.S., George Mason University; M.A., Ph.D., University of Connecticut
SPENCE, MARK T., Associate Professor; B.S., California Polytechnic State University; M.A., San Jose State University; Ph.D., University of Arizona
THORSON, JAMES, Associate Professor; B.S., University of Wisconsin; M.A., Ph.D., University of Illinois at Chicago
WHELAN, FRANK E., Professor; B.S., University of New Haven; M.A., Trinity College; Ed.D., Nova University

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