Online MBA

Business is increasingly being conducted in the digital world. This program is 100% online and allows students to increase their technical and managerial skills, while learning core business principles in context with today’s digital economy.

Strategic Marketing
The strategic marketing management concentration allows students to gain insight into the key sub-areas of product and marketing communications, marketing engineering and global marketing strategy. All of the courses in the marketing concentration are designed to give students a solid, well-rounded background in the qualitative and quantitative aspects of strategic marketing.

Within our Strategic Marketing Concentration, we have designated two specializations for students who are looking to direct their focus within a specific area of marketing

  • Social Media Marketing specialization for students who are looking to focus on the strategies and marketing within social media

  • Digital Analytics specialization for students who are looking to analyze big data and the marketing engineering. 

Strategic Management 
By emphasizing business performance based on analytics and creative problem-solving, the program is designed to create value for corporate employees, as well as small businesses and entrepreneurial ventures. Since the global economy is increasingly a knowledge-based economy, this online strategic management concentration will also provide students with an edge in understanding and competing in the digital marketplace.

 

Business Foundations*

Foundation courses for students who did not primarily study business as an undergraduate.

  • ACC 505: Financial and Management Accounting

    Credit Hours: 3

    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

    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.

  • ECO 525: Economics for Managers

    Credit Hours: 3

    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.

  • LAW 560: Law & Business Ethics

    Credit Hours: 3

    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.

  • MGT 570: Management Principles

    Credit Hours: 3

    An introduction to the theory and practice of management. Instruction in the managerial functions of planning, organizing, leading and controlling draws from many disciplines in the social and behavioral sciences. This course examines management from various theoretical perspectives stressing application to the real world and using case studies. Topics studied include theories of management, decision making, leadership, communication, motivation, group dynamics, organizational design and strategic planning.

  • MGT 565: Communications for Executives

    Credit Hours: 3

    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.

* For students who have previously studied and successfully completed undergraduate coursework on the topics covered, prerequisite courses may be waived through evaluation on a case-by-case basis. 

Block 1 | Business Core: 18 Credit Hours

Classes that provide conceptual integration of accounting, economics, finance, marketing, management information systems and organizational structure.

  • ACC 601: Strategic Accounting Analysis and Planning

    Credit Hours: 3

    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 651: Strategic MIS

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course provides knowledge of how information technology impacts 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 611: Advanced Quantitative Methods

    Credit Hours: 3

    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.

  • MGT 670: People in Organizations

    Credit Hours: 3

    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.

  • MKG 631: Strategic Marketing

    Credit Hours: 3

    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 610: Financial Management

    Credit Hours: 3


    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.

Block 2 | Advised Elective: 3 Credit Hours

Students have the option to take one of three courses related to their specific field of study. 

  • MGT 673: Production & Operations Management

    Credit Hours: 3

    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

    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.

  • MGT 639: Project Management

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course studies the concepts, issues and approaches important in effectively managing projects. Topics include project selection, project planning, negotiation, budgeting, scheduling, resource allocation, project control, project auditing, and project termination. Topics are viewed from a managerial perspective.

Block 3| Concentration Courses

For the Strategic Marketing concentration you can choose 3 from any of the following MKG courses. If you are looking to complete one of the specializations, you will select the following course sequences. 

  • Social Media Marketing
    • MKG 632 Communications Strategy
    • MKG 636 Digital Analytics
    • MKG 637 Social Media Marketing
  • Digital Analytics 
    • MKG 633 Marketing Engineering
    • MKG 636 Digital Analytics
    • MKG 638 Big Data Analytics 

 

For the Strategic Management concentration, you will take the following 3 courses

  • MGT 672 Creative Problem Solving
  • MGT 677 Organizational Development
  • MGT 679 Data & Knowledge

 

  • MKG 636: Digital Analytics

    Credit Hours: 3

    Digital analytics is collection, management, and analysis of data to empower digital transformation of the enterprise. In this class, students learn key concepts of digital transformation, digital metrics, and key performance indicators. Students also complete digital certifications and a search optimization project for a company in the field.

  • MKG 637: Social Media Marketing

    Credit Hours: 3

    Social media marketing comprises a significant part of marketers; communication goals and budgets. In this course, students understand and apply the concepts and best practices associated with social media marketing including technical aspects of strategic planning, content marketing, and social advertising.

  • MKG 638: Big Data Analytics

    Credit Hours: 3

    Big data are datasets too large for traditional processing because of high volume, velocity, and variety. In this course, students learn how to analyze big data for data-driven decision making. Data mining and artificial intelligence approaches are introduced using big data sets. Big data storage methods are also introduced.

  • MGT 677: Organizational Development*

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course considers organizational development as a process of planned change to improve an organization's problem-solving skills, creativity, innovation, and its overall effectiveness within a changing and complex environment. Students will study intervention strategies to help individuals and organizations achieve their goals.

    *This course is required as part of the Strategic Management Concentration

  • MKG 632: Marketing Communication Strategy

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course focuses on theory, concepts, and best practices associated with integrating and leveraging communication elements to create, enhance, and maintain winning brand performance for maximum corporate impact. Using a case study approach, the suite of communication elements are assessed for synergy and persuasive impact.

  • MKG 633: Marketing Engineering

    Credit Hours: 3

    An advanced marketing class which integrates concepts, analytic marketing techniques, marketing models, and computer decision models in making marketing management decisions. It applies marketing science methodologies to areas of product strategy, integrated marketing communication, sales force and channel design, consumer choice, and pricing strategy.

  • MGT 672: Creative Problem Solving

    Credit Hours: 3

    Edward deBono said: “Creative thinking is not a talent, it is a skill that can be learned. It empowers people by adding strength to their natural abilities which improves teamwork, productivity, and, where appropriate, profits." This course examines the development of ideas as a collaborative process by exploring design thinking and other tools to creatively address organizational problems.

  • MKG 634: Global Marketing

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course aims to provide an understanding of the issues, contextual factors, mechanisms and organizational processes central to successfully establishing and maintaining an effective global marketing strategy. It aims to provide students with opportunities to enhance their strategic decision making skills for global market success.

  • MGT 679: Data & Knowledge

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course builds on the problem solving, data manipulation skills, and associated analytics needed to turn information into competitive knowledge and enable business leaders to compete effectively in the digital data environment. Students will translate real-world problems into forms where digital technology and resources can provide problem solving assistance and insight.

  • MKG 682: New Product Commercialization

    Credit Hours: 3

    **Not offered every semester, may be offered periodically**

    This course, developed and led by a global executive, focuses on developing a comprehensive market analysis, strategy, and implementation of new technology for commercialization. Students experience the critical steps, principles, and best practices in launching innovative and new products and services for market success.

OPTIONAL (within Block 3) - Any substitution requires pre-approval from both Career Services and the Graduate Business Program Director.

Block 4 | Capstone: 3 Credit Hours

Business Research, Strategy and Planning

  • MGT 691: Business Research, Strategy, & Planning

    Credit Hours: 3

    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.