Finance

The Corporate Finance concentration allows students to gain insight into the key sub-areas of finance including corporate finance, investment analysis and portfolio management.  All of Niagara University's finance courses are good preparation for those planning to write the various finance professional examinations, as well as, careers in banking, and insurance.  Student's planning on writing a professional exam should consult the finance faculty for advice on preparation for the various finance professional exams or visit the web sites of the institutes offering these exams. Students should also note that while normally 51 credit hours are required to complete the Niagara University MBA, the school will consider student's academic record in deciding the total number of course hours required to complete the program.

Please consult with the MBA office prior to registration to determine if there are courses from your previous academic experience which the university may substitute for some or all of the prerequisite courses. Learn more.

Printable Curriculum Card

Course Curriculum

Prerequisite Courses - 18 Credit Hours

• ACC 505: Financial and Management Accounting

Credit Hours: 3.00

This course covers fundamental concepts and procedures of financial and management accounting for business decisions. Financial accounting provides information primarily for external decision makers such as investors, creditors, suppliers, and government agencies. Management accounting serves the needs of managers to fulfill organizational objectives. Case studies will illustrate accounting and ethical issues. Topics include generally accepted accounting principles, international accounting standards, financial accounting procedures, financial reporting, inventory and depreciation methods, and cost analysis.

• MGT 515: Analysis of Quantitative Data

Credit Hours: 3.00

The course focuses on the following topics (1) graphical and arithmetic description of data, (2) the use of computer software in solving statistical problems, (3) the theory of probability, (4) probability distributions and sampling distributions, and (5) estimation and hypothesis testing.

• MGT 560: Law and Business Ethics

Credit Hours: 3.00

This course combines the regulatory and political foundations upon which businesses operate in the United States and Canada, as well as the ethical implications of business decisions. Ethical theories will be explored. These theories are solidified via their application to practical business decision making, including concerns for fair treatment, social justice, the environment, and consumer protection. Strategies for dealing with the unethical organization are offered as well as processes for developing ethical behavior and firm social responsibility. The course delves into the legal environment in which businesses operate as well as a basic understanding of solving problems using legal rules. This includes the sources and origins of law, the court system, the constitution, torts, administrative agencies, and consumer law.

• ECO 525: Economics for Managers

Credit Hours: 3.00

This course is a prerequisite course for ECO 621. The intent is to develop the basic tools of economic analysis. The microeconomic component of the course examines decision making by the individual economic unit, addressing such topics as demand and supply, price and output determination, cost behavior, profit maximization, and competition. The macroeconomic component examines models to explain: national output, inflation, and unemployment; and how fiscal and monetary policies stabilize the economy.

• MGT 565: Communications for Executives

Credit Hours: 3.00

An examination of the process of communication within the business enterprise and an analysis of its basic components. The presentation will include report writing, meeting leadership skills, and effective speaking and listening skills. All this is done within the appropriate technological framework, including PowerPoint and associated software.

• MGT 570: Management Principles

Credit Hours: 3.00

This course presents a detailed introduction to the theory and practice of management. Instruction in managerial functions of planning, organizing, leading and controlling draws from many disciplines in the social and behavioral sciences including sociology, psychology, political science, and communications. The course stresses the theoretical underpinnings of business strategy, the planning process, and its application to other functional areas of management. This course examines management from various theoretical perspectives stressing application to the real world and using practical examples for clarity. Topics studied include theories of management, decision making, leadership, communication, motivation, group dynamics, organizational design and strategic planning.

Core Courses - 18 Credit Hours

• ACC 601: Strategic Accounting Analysis and Planning

Credit Hours: 3.00   /  Pre Requisites: ACC 505, MGT 515

An advanced core course in strategic accounting which focuses on the interpretation and analysis of accounting information for business decisions. Case studies will be used to illustrate strategic decision processes. International accounting issues will be addressed. Topics include financial statement analysis, cash flow, case studies in budgeting, total quality management, activity-based management, target costing, job-order cost systems cost allocation methods, and variable costing.

• MGT 611: Advanced Quantitative Methods

Credit Hours: 3.00   /  Pre Requisites: MGT 515

This course stresses practical applications of statistics in business. Topics covered include analysis of variance, nonparametric statistics, chi-square, simple and multiple regression, time series analysis, statistical forecasting, model building, and statistical process control. Each student is required to complete a project using statistical methods in solving a realistic business problem.

• MKG 631: Strategic Marketing

Credit Hours: 3.00

This advanced marketing course aims to avail the students with marketing tools and concepts to engage in strategic marketing planning. Students learn about the marketing concept, value creation and the development, implementation and control of the strategic plan.

• FIN 641: Corporate Financial Policy I

Credit Hours: 3.00

Using a balanced approach of theory and application, this class focuses on the analytical techniques involved in financial planning and decision-making in the firm. Primary emphasis is placed on the importance of strategic investment and financing choices and the logic behind these critical decisions made by the financial manager. Case method will be used to apply principles developed in managerial finance to situations involving financial planning, valuation, capital budgeting risk analysis, and cost of capital.

• MGT 651: Strategic MIS

Credit Hours: 3.00

This course provides knowledge of how information technology impacts upon effective management activities, especially in the area of strategic decision making. Topics include organizational information system design, management control of information technology, strategic and competitive aspects of information technology, social issues, and the globalization of information technology.

• MGT 670: People In Organizations

Credit Hours: 3.00   /  Pre Requisites: MGT 570

This course provides today’s managers with the background and skills necessary to lead and motivate an increasingly diverse, team-based work force. Topics include the structuring of effective teams, leading and participating in teams, communicating with and motivating others, and recognizing and valuing individual differences. Using current theories from the social and behavioral sciences, students are provided with negotiation and conflict resolution techniques that will enable effective conflict management with employees and other organizational stakeholders. The course also requires working cooperatively in effective teams, which is an important element of the Niagara University MBA program. It is also a requirement of all managers in private, public and nonprofit organizations. This course is designed to provide teamwork experience and team building basics to MBA students.

Restricted Elective - 3 Credit Hours (Choose One)

• MGT 673: Production & Operations Management

Credit Hours: 3.00   /  Pre Requisites: MGT 515, MGT 611

This course provides a management overview of the planning, coordinating and executing of all activities that create goods and services. Topics include productivity, demand and capacity planning, quality measurement systems, network analysis, supply chain interface and production related information technologies.

• MGT 674: Strategic Supply Chain Management

Credit Hours: 3.00   /  Pre Requisites: MGT 515, MGT 611

This course is designed to view the supply chain from a strategic perspective so that purchasing, materials management, and transportation logistics can be leveraged for competitive advantage. Specific topics include supply chain re-engineering, improving customer service, inventory management, outsourcing, supplier certification, supplier/buyer ethical considerations, and global procurement issues.

Concentration Courses - 9 Credit Hours

• FIN 644: Investments

Credit Hours: 3.00   /  Pre Requisites: FIN 641

This course deals with the theories, analysis, and management of fixed income and equity securities in a global capital market. The emphasis is on the application of finance, economics, accounting and statistics to the valuation of the aggregate stock market, alternative industries, asset pricing models, and portfolio management.

• FIN 645: International Finance

Credit Hours: 3.00   /  Pre Requisites: ACC 505, FIN 641

The focus of this course is on the international financial environment in which business firms operate and in which financial service providers compete. Attention is given to foreign direct investment, risk analysis, capital budgeting, international banking, and portfolio management. In addition advanced topics such as international taxation, currency, and interest rate risk management/ The material presented will assist in the understanding of global management, international banking operations, and international financial institutions.

• FIN 643: Corporate Financial Policy II

Credit Hours: 3.00   /  Pre Requisites: FIN 641

This is an advanced course emphasizing capital market theory, risk management and financial planning. Through study of the theory and case discussion, the course applies many of the analytical techniques studied in FIN 641.

Additional Electives - 9 Credit Hours (Optional)

• MGT 681: Study Abroad

Credit Hours: 3.00

• MGT 682: MBA Special Topics/Consulting Projects

Credit Hours: 3.00

• MGT 683 MBA Co-op

Credit Hours: 3.00

Capstone Course - 3 Credit Hours

• MGT 691 Business Research Strategy and Planning

Credit Hours: 3.00   /  Pre Requisites: Final Course. All other prerequisites must be completed before enrollment in this course is allowed

This capstone course synthesizes the knowledge gained in the functional areas of the firm to enable the student to formulate business decisions and policies. The course uses techniques of research developed throughout the program to analyze comprehensive business problems. A major component of the course is a special project requiring a practical exercise in strategic planning.