Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Program Description
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is designed for students with diverse undergraduate backgrounds. It is a program suitable for both non-business and business graduates. The program is offered in two delivery formats - on-campus MBA and online MBA.
The goal of the MBA program is to prepare individuals for the responsibilities of management in a wide variety of business and non-business endeavors. Optional concentrations are available, by taking additional hours, in Accounting, Finance, Health Care Administration, Management, and International Business.
Student Learning Goals and Objectives
- G1. To be effective communicators
- O1. Students demonstrate the ability to integrate data and analysis effectively in written form (proper grammar, spelling, syntax, and construction).
- O2. Students demonstrate the ability to present data and analysis effectively in public presentations with professional and technical presentation skills.
- G2. To be competent in business practices
- O1. Students demonstrate basic knowledge of business theories and understanding of how to apply correct business concepts.
- O2. Students demonstrate the ability to integrate theories, concepts, and practices across disciplines to develop practical answers.
- O3. Students demonstrate the ability to use technology effectively to analyze data
- G3. To be good decision makers
- O1. Students demonstrate the ability to identify valid and reliable information applicable to the issue at hand in an effective and efficient manner
- O2. Students demonstrate the ability to generate multiple responses to issues and analyze the relative value of these responses
- O3. Students demonstrate the ability to determine the appropriate response and provide rationale for the selected response
- G4. To be good citizens
- O1. Students demonstrate the ability to apply concepts of ethics to business practices and to assess the impacts of their decisions.
For Additional Information
Website:
http://www.cob.tamucc.edu
Campus address:
Michael and Karen O’Connor Building, OCNR 234
Phone: (361) 825-2655
Mailing address:
Director of Master’s Programs, College of Business
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
6300 Ocean Dr. Unit 5808
Corpus Christi, TX 78412-5808
Admission Requirements
Applicants must comply with University procedures and meet University standards for admission. Applicants must submit an application to the Office of Recruitment and Admissions. Also required are a resume or curriculum vitae, an essay describing professional and educational goals in at least 500 words, and other information that may have impacted the applicant’s decision to pursue graduate study or deemed important to individual or career goals. Applicants are required to submit Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores prior to admission. Generally, GMAT and GRE scores will not be accepted if over five years old. The GMAT or GRE is not required of applicants with a last 60 hours GPA of at least 3.0 and a grade of at least B in a college algebra or higher level mathematics course or for Executive MBA applicants. The GMAT or GRE is not required of applicants who earned a graduate degree (master’s, doctoral, etc.) from a regionally accredited university and have at least a grade of B in college algebra or a higher level mathematics course. The GMAT or GRE is not required for applicants to the Executive MBA program. In addition to the admission requirements listed above, admission to the Executive MBA program requires a minimum of 5 years of professional work experience. A personal interview is required to assess the applicant’s scope of managerial responsibility and experience.
Admission decisions are made on the basis of undergraduate performance, GMAT or GRE scores (if required), experience, and other indicators of the ability to pursue graduate study successfully. To be accepted in the graduate program, in addition to other requirements, applicants must be in good standing at the college or university they previously attended. Official notification of the admission decision is issued by the Office of the Dean of the College of Business and is sent directly to the applicant. The College of Business does not have “conditional” or “non-degree seeking” graduate admission classifications. Normally, no credit will be applied toward a master’s degree for graduate classes taken prior to acceptance into a graduate degree program in business.
Program Requirements
The number of hours required for the MBA degree requirements range from 30 to 42 and vary by concentration area, delivery format, and necessity for foundational courses for students with non-business degrees. The program may require up to 42 hours of graduate work for non-business majors and may be completed in as few as 30 hours for students with an undergraduate degree in business. The on-campus and online MBA formats both require 30 hours for students with an undergraduate degree in business. The selection of a concentration would increase the number of hours in the program of study to 36 for a student with an undergraduate degree in business. The weekend-based Executive MBA program requires a total of 36 hours of coursework.
On-Campus and Online MBA
Students with Nonbusiness Degrees
Students who have had no undergraduate work in business may be required to complete 12 credits of core courses designed to provide preparation comparable to the professional core in the undergraduate curriculum of the College of Business. Some or all of these core courses may be waived for students who have received a “B” or better in comparable undergraduate courses.
Core Courses
The following courses form the core knowledge in business required for students with nonbusiness undergraduate degrees. Core courses cannot be taken for advanced course credit. Students must be admitted to the MBA program before enrolling in graduate-level core courses.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| ACCT 5312 | Foundations of Accounting * | 3 |
| ORMS 5310 | Statistical and Decision Analysis * | 3 |
| ECON 5311 | Foundations in Economics * | 3 |
| FINA 5311 | Financial Management Concepts * | 3 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
- *
Online offering
Note:
The Director of Master’s Programs may waive core courses if the student has previously completed appropriate business courses. Graduate students from other colleges should consult the Director of Master’s Programs in the College of Business for selection of appropriate courses. Courses need to be taken in an order that allows satisfying the prerequisite requirements (check course descriptions for prerequisites).
Master of Business Administration Advanced Requirements
In addition to satisfying the core requirements in business, all MBA students must complete a minimum of 30 credits of advanced graduate courses at the 5315 level or higher (36 hours for those electing to concentrate in Accounting, Finance, Health Care Administration, Management, or International Business as listed below). These advanced courses should be taken in the order listed to enhance understanding of course materials and satisfy needed prerequisites.
Students with an undergraduate major in the field of an advanced course may substitute an additional approved elective in that field. At least 18 credits must be in areas other than the area of concentration. Electives (courses numbered above 5315) are selected from the offerings of the College of Business.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Courses 1 | ||
| MISY 5325 | Software Based Business Solutions * | 3 |
| OPSY 5315 | Operations Management * | 3 |
| ECON 5315 | Managerial Economics * | 3 |
| ACCT 5315 | Accounting Topics * | 3 |
| FINA 5320 | Managerial Finance * | 3 |
| MGMT 5320 | Organizational Behavior and Theory * | 3 |
| MKTG 5320 | Marketing Management * | 3 |
| MGMT 5355 | Administrative Strategy and Policy 1,* | 3 |
| Approved Electives | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- 1
Must be taken at the end of the program after completion of all advanced, non-elective, courses. In unusual circumstances, it may be taken concurrently with the final required courses with the written permission of the Director of Master’s Programs.
- *
Online offering
Concentration Courses
A concentration is not required in the MBA, but is available to students desiring degree specialization. Students who elect to concentrate in Accounting, Finance, Health Care Administration, Management, or International Business are required to complete 36 hours of advanced courses: 24 hours of required credits and 12 hours in the area of concentration.
Accounting Concentration Requirements:
See the College of Business section of the Graduate Catalog for details on the MAcc and the MBA programs. (An advanced degree is not currently required to meet the 150-hours standard for becoming a candidate for the CPA examination.) See the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy website for more information: https://www.tsbpa.texas.gov.
Students should also be aware that pursuant to TAC Rule 511.57(c), the Board will accept no fewer than 30 semester credit hours of accounting courses from the courses listed in subsection (e)(1) - (13) of this section. The courses must meet the Board’s standards by containing sufficient business knowledge and application to be useful to candidates taking the UCPAE. A Board-recognized institution of higher education must have accepted the courses for purposes of obtaining a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent, and they must be shown on an official transcript. At least 15 of these hours must result from physical attendance at classes meeting regularly on the campus of the transcript-issuing institution.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Courses | ||
| Select one of the following optional Concentrations: | 12 | |
| Accounting Concentration | ||
Select four of the following: | ||
| Oil, Gas and Energy Accounting * | ||
| Taxes and Business Strategy * | ||
| Forensic Accounting * | ||
| Advanced Auditing and Assurance Services * | ||
| Information Systems in Accounting * | ||
| Seminar * | ||
| Professional Accounting Research * | ||
| Accounting Theory * | ||
| Directed Individual Research or Readings | ||
| Data Analytics Concentration | ||
| Business Data Base Management * | ||
| Business Intelligence and Analytics * | ||
| Data Warehousing and Data Mining for Business Intelligence * | ||
Select one of the following elective courses: | ||
| Website Development for E-Commerce * | ||
| Managing the Information Systems Function * | ||
| Business Application Development * | ||
| Enterprise Resource Planning * | ||
| Managing IT Projects * | ||
| Finance Concentration | ||
Select four of the following: | ||
| Real Estate Finance and Investments * | ||
| Analysis of Derivative Securities * | ||
| Personal Financial Planning * | ||
| Multinational Finance * | ||
| Investment and Portfolio Theory * | ||
| Financial Markets and Institutions * | ||
| Seminar * | ||
| Directed Individual Research Or Readings | ||
| Health Care Administration Concentration | ||
Select four of the following: | ||
| The Health Care System * | ||
| Health Economics and Policy * | ||
| Health Care Financial Management * | ||
| Health Law and Ethics * | ||
| Health Care Selected Topics * | ||
| Management Concentration | ||
| Select four of the following: | ||
| Leadership | ||
| Multinational Management | ||
| Business, Government, and Society | ||
| Entrepreneurship | ||
| Human Resource Management | ||
| Seminar | ||
| International Business Concentration | ||
Select four of the following: | ||
| International Economics | ||
| Multinational Finance * | ||
| Multinational Management * | ||
| Marketing in the International Environment | ||
Approved Graduate Elective | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
- *
Online offering
Note:
Students in all graduate business programs must comply with the college academic policies and requirements described previously.
Courses
Accounting Courses
Theoretical and applied facets of financial and managerial accounting for business. The course includes preparation and communication of financial information as well as the uses of accounting data in planning and controlling activities of business firms and other types of organizations. (This is a core course.) Not open to students who have completed six semester hours of accounting.
A continuation of financial and managerial accounting with emphasis on applications, and analysis and interpretation of financial statements.
Prerequisite: ACCT 5312.
This course covers the basic principles of oil and gas accounting. Course topics include upstream oil and gas operations, successful efforts accounting, full cost pool accounting, accounting for production, exploration and construction, joint interest accounting, international operations, oil and gas taxation and analysis of oil and gas financial statements.
Prerequisite: ACCT 3311.
Development and integration of budgets, variable budgets, cash budgets, capital budgets, and cost-volume-profit analysis for operational planning and financial controls. Case Study orientation.
Prerequisite: ACCT 5312.
A framework to analyze how tax rules affect decision-making. Cases and problems, taken from historical and current developments in tax planning, develop understanding of how changes in tax rules influence the behavior of various constituents in the broad business and regulatory environment.
Prerequisite: ACCT 5312.
The course will cover the concepts and skills of forensic accounting investigations. The course focuses on the methods and technological tools used to detect occupational fraud. These include the steps in conducting an investigation, use of technological tools, witness and suspect interviewing techniques, investigation report writing, and expert testimony.
This course is designed as a discussion-based seminar and case analysis to provide graduate students with an understanding of auditing theory, practice, and research methods. This course continues from Auditing Principles and Procedures (ACCT 4311) by implementing the auditing principles, standards, procedures, and practices learned in that course and applving them in case analysis. Topics include research of professional accounting and auditing standards, technical memo writing, professional ethics, professional judgment, sampling, forensic examinations, integrated audits, gualitv control reviews, assurance services, and other contemporary issues in auditing.
The course will cover ethical theory, ethical reasoning, integrity, objectivity, independence and other core values and regulatory requirements associated with the practice of professional accounting and decision making of other executives, with an emphasis on corporate governance in the post-Sarbanes-Oxley regulatory environment. This course satisfies the ethics education requirement of the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA); however, it will not be counted for advanced accounting hours required to sit for the CPA exam. Students who receive credit for ACCT 4345 cannot also receive credit for ACCT 5345.
A conceptual approach to the use of cost accounting information to support decision-makers as they develop, communicate, implement, evaluate and modify organizational strategy. The linkage between cost management and strategy is facilitated by examining such tools as: cost driver, value chain, and organizational design analyses.
A study of current topics in accounting information systems. Topics include the role of accounting information systems and their applications in a variety of computer environments including the Internet, service organizations, and centralized and decentralized environments.
in an identified topic in accounting. May be repeated for significantly different topics with written permission from the Director of Master's Programs.
Course presents practice of general accounting research. Content includes study of professional research using authoritative standards and databases. The course develops procedures for identifying the applicable accounting issues, locating appropriate authority, and communicating the results of professional research. Through comprehensive case studies, students will obtain hands-on experience in researching and evaluating technical accounting, tax, and audit issues.
A study of diverse accounting theories and concepts. Includes an intensive study of the underlying framework of financial accounting. Contemporary accounting issues are emphasized focusing on proper financial statement presentation and disclosure. Includes the study of similarities and differences between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards and the related convergence projects.
The use of case studies to explore the integration of financial accounting, auditing, taxation, managerial accounting and accounting information systems to assess their relationship individually and collectively to business decision-making. Must be taken at the end of the program after completion of all advanced, non-elective courses. In unusual circumstances, it may be taken concurrently with the final non-elective courses with the written permission of the Director of Master's Programs.
Contact the Director of Master's Programs.
Economics Courses
An intensive study for graduate students with limited or no academic experience in economics. Provides an introduction to economic principles, analysis and procedures used in graduate-level study.
A graduate-level course in managerial micro economics focusing on the use of economic tools and concepts to assist managers in decision-making. Topics may include market demand and elasticity, demand estimation, production and cost functions, marginal analysis under various forms of market structure and game theory.
Prerequisite: ECON 5311.
An analysis and evaluation of classical and modern economic theory, principles and procedures applicable to the health care delivery system and their implications for public policy.
Prerequisite: ECON 311.
An analysis of why international trade takes place and how private agents react to changes in government policies. Determination of exchange rates, exports, imports, capital flows, employment, prices, interest rates, and economic growth are the focus of simple analytical techniques. Monetary and fiscal policies are also examined in an international macroeconomics context.
Prerequisite: ECON 5311.
in an identified topic in economics. May be repeated for significantly different topics with written permission from the Director of Master's Programs.
Contact Director of Master's Programs.
Finance Courses
An intensive study for students with limited or no academic experience in finance. Helps to provide an understanding of the concepts of present value, funds flow analysis, cost of capital, capital budgeting, and valuation theories used in corporate finance.
An expanded study of the theoretical framework of financial analytical principles, including contemporary topics. Combines theory and case analysis to integrate principles with practice, emphasis on the relevant theory, the application of theory to managerial problems, and the presentation of results in written and oral form. Applies concepts of corporate finance, accounting principles and quantitative analysis.
This course will examine the risks and rewards associated with investing in and financing residential as well as commercial real estate. These concepts include appraising/valuing income properties, valuing debt securities, and managing portfolios of properties and securities.
Prerequisite: FINA 5311.
Analysis of financial derivative contracts; including options, futures and forward contracts; in particular commodity trading and hedging strategies. Swaps will be included in the presentation if time permits. Class is oriented to helping applicants pass the derivatives material on a broker's license exam.
Prerequisite: FINA 5311.
Survey course in financial planning. Covers topics in the financial planning process: cash, debt and savings management, taxes, housing decisions, insurance and risk management, investment alternatives, and retirement and estate planning.
Prerequisite: FINA 5311.
A study of corporate financial planning and decision making in a multinational environment. Topics covered include measurement and management of exchange rate risk, financing international trade, short-and long-term asset and liability management, direct foreign investment, cost of capital and capital structure, and country risk analysis.
Prerequisite: FINA 5311.
A study of the financial markets, security, evaluation, efficiency of markets evaluations, investment goals and portfolio selection. Professional investment management techniques are examined in the context of modern portfolio theory. A unified systems approach is adopted for investment selection and control.
Prerequisite: FINA 5320.
The role of the financial markets and institutions in the global economy is examined including regulation, money market operations, global impact of central banking monetary policy, and determinants of interest rates and financial asset pricing.
in specific topics within Finance. May be repeated for significantly different topics with written permission from the Director of Master's Programs.
Contact Director of Master's Programs.
Management Courses
Introduction to essential management and communication functions within the business firm and its environment. Topics include basic principles of organization behavior and management, the process of research, communication and management decision making, and issues in the global business environment.
The study of individual, group, and intergroup behavior within organizations. Issues discussed include personality differences, power, politics, interpersonal relations, conflict management, work environment, satisfaction, performance, and team building.
Prerequisite: MGMT 5310.
This course provides an in-depth review of traditional as well as current theories in Leadership. Students will complete self-assessment exercises designed to assess their leadership style and ability as a leader. This course will drill future leaders in a variety of lessons in leadership from which they can develop and grow, as well as lessons of bad leadership illustrating what to avoid.
A study of the values, relationships, social structures and cultural differences that affect the application of management processes in different international environments. Attempts are made to distinguish problems that stem from organizational goals and those due to cultural factors.
Prerequisite: MGMT 5310.
An analysis of business, government, and society interaction and how these relationships affect outcomes and stakeholders in varying contexts. Contemporary business issues are examined in terms of how major social changes impact organizations. Corporate social responsibility and ethical conduct in business are given particular attention.
An analysis of the organization and operation systems appropriate to owner-operated business firms. Business functions are examined with particular attention given to establishing and operating the firm.
An analysis of strategic decision making, policy, and strategy. Focus is on the integrative and multi-functional nature of organizational strategy decision. Intensive analysis of the influence of administrative decisions on organizational outcomes.
An analysis and critique of concepts, theories and practices in human resource management, including employment planning, selection and placement, training and development, compensation systems, and performance appraisals.
in an identified topic in management. May be repeated for significantly different topics with written permission from the Director of Master's Programs.
Contact Director of Master's Programs.
Management Information Systems Courses
Study of computer-based technologies for facilitating the analysis and evaluation of business problems. Provides the student with a case-driven analysis of evaluating and selecting the appropriate software tool to match the required management application. Software coverage may include a variety of available packages, such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, ftp, e-mail, and electronic presentation.
Prerequisite: MISY 2305.
This course provides an understanding of the principles and techniques for client-side development using HTML, XHTML and CSS. Text editors and the software tools such as Dreamweaver will be used. This course includes designing for web standard, accessibility, usability, and workflow for web design.
Concepts and methodology of data base planning, design, development, and management of the computerized data base for business-oriented applications. The logical models of hierarchical and network data bases are presented, but the emphasis is on the relational data base model. Exercises and assignments will be completed utilizing a relational DBMS package.
Prerequisite: MISY 2305.
A study of the concepts of doing business via the Internet. General topics include electronic commerce history, opportunities, limitations, and risks. Technical discussions include the Internet, intranets, extranets, electronic payment systems, firewalls, security, protocols, servers, browsers, and ethics.
Prerequisite: MISY 2305.
Characteristics of contemporary business data communication components, their configurations, and their impact on business-oriented applications. Includes the design, implementation and operation of peer-to-peer, and client-server network systems for organizational Intranets and Internet presence. Exercises and assignments will be completed using selected data communications facilities.
This course provides an understanding of the role of information systems in businesses today. The focus of the course will be on management issues related to information systems. Major topics that will be covered include e-commerce, data management, networks, and management information systems.
Overview of important concepts of business intelligence, and the use of analytics, technologies, applications and processes used by organizations to gain data-driven insights. These insights and predictions can be used to aid decision-making and performance management across functional areas, including marketing, operations, and finance. Students will learn to extract and manipulate data, and create reports, scorecards and dashboards, including mobile apps.
This course develops the student's ability to analyze and manage an existing information system within an organization, to identify information requirements, and to specify the functions of a new information system. Include cost/benefit analysis of proposed information systems. Exercises and assignments will develop the student's systems analysis and design skills.
This course introduces students to the fundamental techniques used in the development and programming of software applications. This course is designed for students who have little or no previous computer programming experience. This course will use a scripting and/or visual development programming language. Topics covered include (but are not limited to) problem solving, algorithms, data types, expressions, control structures, functions, and GUIs (graphical user interfaces).
A study of the management of information technology as it is practiced in organizations today. Traditional organizations are moving toward a more interconnected or networked business environment. A major focus is understanding the role and use of complex technology in the support of individual, workgroup, enterprise, inter-enterprise and international computing. This course will utilize a business process management approach through the use of enterprise software.
In the information age, organizations can and do collect massive amounts of data. Yet organizations are often "data rich" but "information and knowledge poor." This course is designed to prepare business professions who, by using analytical methods and data mining and data visualizations tools, will be able to harness the potential of data by extracting business intelligence that can be used to improve decisions and operations at various points in the value chain.
This course covers issues related to managing projects in organizations. The course focuses on the management of projects and working as a team. Students are expected to draw on materials from other management information system courses, especially the Systems Analysis and Design, and Database Management courses.
Prerequisite: MISY 5335.
in an identified topic in management information systems. May be repeated for significantly different topics with written permission from the Director of Master’s Programs.
Contact Director of Master's Programs.
Marketing Courses
An examination of basic marketing activities involved in the flow of goods, services, and ideas from producer to consumer or industrial user. A managerial emphasis designed for students with limited or no academic experience in marketing.
An advanced study of contemporary marketing management concepts, tools of analysis, and implementation of marketing programs.
Prerequisite: MKTG 5311.
This course introduces students to the cutting edge social media tools necessary to perform effectively as marketing professionals. Topic coverage includes the understanding of social media unique structure, emerging segmentation and positioning practices, as well as evaluation and implementation of a social media marketing strategy.
A study of the environment within which a firm operating outside the U.S. considers the political, social, and economic variables that impact marketing decisions.
Prerequisite: MKTG 5311.
An overview of the area of marketing research. A managerial orientation is used stressing such topics as the informational needs of marketing managers, the application of research in marketing management, decision models and concepts, and research concepts and data analysis methodology.
Prerequisite: MKTG 5320.
in an identified topic in marketing. May be repeated for significantly different topics with written permission from the Director of Master's Programs.
Contact Director of Master's Programs.
Operations Management Courses
Study of operations of manufacturing and service organizations. Introduction to operational design and control issues such as forecasting, capacity planning, facility location and layout, quality, JIT/lean philosophies and materials requirement planning. Emphasis on developing an operational strategy linking functional areas. Includes international, environmental, legal, and ethical aspects of operations.
Prerequisite: ORMS 5310.
in an identified topic in Operations Management. May be repeated for significantly different topics with written permission from the Director of Master's Programs.
Contact Director of Master's Programs.
Operations Research/Management Sciences Courses
An introduction to analytic tools for business and economic decision making. Topics include analytic methods appropriate for cost-volume-profit analysis, financial analysis and valuation, portfolio selection, capacity planning, job scheduling, process and facility design, market analysis, and decision tools needed in other courses.
A study of analytical methods useful for business and economic decision making. Topics include descriptive statistics, probability, inferential statistical methods, and decision analysis.
in selected business applications of quantitative methods. May be repeated for significantly different topics with written permission from the Director of Master's Programs.
Contact Director of Master's Programs.