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Accelerated Online MBA Curriculum and Course Descriptions

A Curriculum That’s Tailored to You

Saint Mary’s accelerated online MBA curriculum focuses on real-world issues and provides learning that is immediately applicable to students’ careers. Designed to help students rapidly advance their progress as professionals, the program can be completed in as little as 12 months1. All of the courses in this program can be completed online.

This MBA consists of 10 courses for 30 total credit hours. All students must complete six core courses (18 credits), three special topic courses (3 credits), and three Area of Emphasis or General MBA courses (9 credits).

Core Courses (18 credits)

MBA 600 Quantitative Decision Making (3 credits)

This course is designed to give students a practitioner’s ability to utilize quantitative decision making tools and techniques commonly used in business. The QDM tools and techniques used in operations management, inventory management, marketing, project management, and finance are covered. Topics include hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, subjective probability, decision trees, Bayes Theorem, and regression.

MBA 604 Managerial Economics (3 credits)

This course focuses on the application of economic theory to examine how an organization can efficiently achieve its aims or objectives. The tools and applications used by organizations to make decisions and assess their outcomes in a global context are covered. Topics include advanced supply and demand analysis and estimation, production and cost analysis, market structure and price analysis, regulation and risk analysis, and global pricing practices.

MBA 609 Operations Management (3 credits)

This course covers the tools, techniques, and methodologies used by managers to plan, design, and implement control systems that create/produce services and/or goods in an organization. The decisions for which operations managers are held accountable, methods used to make those decisions, and the factors affecting productivity, effectiveness, and efficiency in an organization are covered. Topics include strategic considerations in operations management, operations decision-making, quality management, forecasting, just-in-time inventory management, and facility location.

MBA 640 Managerial Accounting (3 credits)

This course examines on the principles and techniques of managerial cost accounting. It covers various cost accounting techniques and the effective use of accounting information for business decision-making. Topics include cost-volume-profit analysis, activity based costing, activity based management, inventory costing and capacity analysis, cost allocation, and budgeting.

MBA 643 Corporate Finance (3 credits)

This course examines the principles of corporate finance and the tools and practices used in financial decision making. It examines the treasury function of an organization and the decisions made by the treasurer. Topics include long term financing, capital budgeting decisions, beta, debt-equity options, dividend policy analysis, and IPOs.

 

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

Use tools and techniques of corporate finance.

Support treasurer level decision making with financial information.

Demonstrate the ability to make capital budgeting decisions.

Create a dividend policy.

Prepare financial information necessary to take a company public.

MBA 669 Strategic Management Capstone (3 credits)

This course is the capstone for the MBA program. Students integrate knowledge from previous courses to analyze and evaluate competitive strategies used by firms. The case method is applied to a wide variety of industries and business issues. In addition, students have the live case experience of working with a sponsoring organization. Students assess the external and internal environments of the organization and develop a strategic plan.

Special Topics (students choose three topics) (3 credits)

These courses explore current topics for business leaders to build competency through an examination of contemporary issues. The courses covers summarized information on the topic assigned, including theories, practical application, and examples.  Upon completion of these courses, students are expected to be able to do the following:

  1. Identify and implement practical application of the content area.
  2. Identify appropriate ethical considerations related to the given topic.
  3. Demonstrate emerging knowledge of the topic.
  4. Analyze and evaluate the need for additional resources, including appropriate collaboration with other disciplines, professionals, and/or systems.*

* In order to allow students more options for learning in the topics they wish to pursue, all students work with the instructors to determine the specific topics for their paper.

View All Special Topics

  • MBA 505 Special Topics: Project Planning (1 credit)
  • MBA 506 Special Topics: Project Scheduling (1 credit)
  • MBA 507 Special Topics: Quality Management (1 credit
  • MBA 508 Special Topics: Risk Management (1 credit)
  • MBA 509 Special Topics: International Development (1 credit)
  • MBA 516 Special Topics: Financial Markets and Institutions (1 credit)
  • MBA 518 Special Topics: Healthcare Policy (1 credit)
  • MBA 519 Special Topics: Healthcare Systems (1 credit)
  • MBA 521 Special Topics: Benefits and Compensation (1 credit)
  • MBA 522 Special Topics: Employment Law (1 credit)
  • MBA 523 Special Topics: Consumer Behavior (1 credit)
  • MBA 524 Special Topics: Issues in E-Commerce (1 credit)
  • MBA 525 Special Topics: Marketing Research Strategies (1 credit)
  • MBA 526 Special Topics: Advertising (1 credit)
  • MBA 527 Special Topics: Forensic Accounting (1 credit)
  • MBA 529 Special Topics: Decision Modeling (1 credit)
  • MBA 530 Special Topics: Web Analytics (1 credit)
  • MBA 531 Special Topics: Measuring the Value of Social and Environment Responsibility (1 credit)
  • MBA 533 Special Topics: Monetary Policy and Central Banks (1 credit)
  • MBA 534 Special Topics: Financial Crises (1 credit)
  • MBA 535 Special Topics: Lending (1 credit)
  • MBA 536 Special Topics: Risk Management, Insurance (1 credit)
  • MBA 537 Special Topics: Supply Chain (1 credit)
  • MBA 538 Special Topics: Law and Ethics in Environmental Management (1 credit)
  • MBA 539 Special Topics: Sustainability Marketing (1 credit)

General MBA Curriculum (no area of emphasis) (9 credits)

Students selecting the General MBA option must complete the following three courses in addition to the core courses.

MBA 610 Organizations and Human Behavior (3 credits)

This course examines human behavior and social relationships in the workplace setting from a domestic and intercultural perspective. The theories, history, and practice of promoting effective individual and group behavior in organizations across cultures are covered. Topics include groups and teams, multicultural teams, power and influence, trust, gender and equality, the impact of culture on work behavior, and creating cultural synergy in a multicultural work environment.

MBA 612 Executive Communication (3 credits)

This course gives students the opportunity to study effective organizational communication essential for executive and transformational leadership. Organizational communication structure, ethical communication styles, and executive summary techniques are examined. Strategies for effective leadership communication are explored at all levels of the organization.

MBA 613 Ethical Leadership (3 credits)

This course provides a theoretical framework to analyze and evaluate the ethical dimension of leadership practices. Topics include the implementation of ethical leadership models and practices, ethical considerations in multinational organizational strategy, and building and maintaining international partnerships. The case method is employed to analyze and evaluate the leaders of firms diverse in their perspective and scope.

 
Area of Emphasis MBA Curriculum (9 credits)

Students selecting an area of emphasis MBA curriculum option must complete all three courses in each area of emphasis in addition to the core courses.

Data Analytics Emphasis Courses

MBA 631 Data Visualization (3 credits)

This course reviews the data analytics lifecycle, and provides practical application of advanced analytic theory. Methods for classifying and predicting relationships within the data are examined. Students learn to translate data into a narrative for communicating to key stakeholders.

At the end of the course, you’re expected to:

  1. Analyze the contributions of a data science team.
  2. Implement a structured data analytics lifestyle approach to problems.
  3. Apply appropriate techniques and tools to analyzing big data.
  4. Construct a compelling story with data to drive business action.

MBA 632 Case Studies in Business Analytics Strategy (3 credits)

This course focuses on managing analytics at the enterprise level. Topics include leveraging proprietary data, analytics on the web, predictive analytics in the cloud, and technology and organizational performance. Case studies allow students to apply principles to actual business scenarios.

At the end of the course, you’re expected to:

  1. Differentiate company products and services by monitoring and analyzing usage patterns.
  2. Calculate return on investment as applied to business analytics.
  3. Use an enterprise perspective in coordinating the work of analysts to gain the greatest business value.
  4. Apply business analytics strategy to complex scenarios.

MBA 633 Ethics in Data Analytics (3 credits)

Examine the next generation of business analytics and opportunities to use data for the greater good. You’ll explore concerns such as social marketing, fraud, risk management, mobile intelligence, human capital, and data privacy.

At the end of the course, you will be able to:

  • Explore theories of data analytics from various thought leaders.
  • Evaluate and compare the risks and results of big data technology.
  • Anticipate the shift toward predictive analytics and the necessary safeguards.
  • Assess a company’s rights and responsibilities in collecting data.

Marketing and Social Media Emphasis

MBA 634 Digital Storytelling (3 credits)

This course explores storytelling techniques and media development processes. Students review industry cases involving a variety of story genres that use platforms such as video games, mobile apps, interactive books, and social media.

SLOs:

  1. Create interactive narratives across various devices, platforms and media.
  2. Plan processes for developing stories for entertainment and informative purposes.
  3. Utilize and evaluate digital storytelling to teach, train, and inform.

MBA 653 Case Studies in Brand Strategy (3 credits)

This course emphasizes a brand’s ability to simplify customer decision-making, set expectations, and reduce risk. Students gain a deeper understanding of the importance of maintaining, strengthening, and evolving a brand’s value over time.

SLOs:

  1. Describe the main branding challenges and opportunities.
  2. Explain the criteria and tactics for choosing a brand strategy, and the legal issues surrounding this decision.
  3. Apply concepts related to planning, implementing and evaluating brand strategy.
  4. Assemble a basic brand hierarchy.

MBA 636 Ethics in Social Marketing (3 credits)

In this course, students work through a model of ethical and policy decision-making for social marketing campaigns and learn how emerging technologies raise ethical considerations. The concept of privacy and security with regard to social media is also explored. Topics involving photojournalism, morality, truth in art, and social responsibility are discussed.

In addition to earning course credit, students will learn the six content domains covered in the NISM Social Media Strategist (SMS) certification exam*: Strategic Planning, Compliance & Governance, Project Management, Social Media Marketing, Community Management and Research & Analysis.

SLOs:

  1. Use philosophical principles applicable to marketing and communications decisions.
  2. Evaluate the strategic communication campaign around current client advocacy.
  3. Understand the contextual nature of privacy, including the right to know and the need to know.
  4. Articulate and apply the stakeholder model of media economics.

*Students will see a $250 course fee which covers the course textbook and electronic access to all other course materials, guided instruction by a NISM-certified course instructor, and full preparation for the Social Media Strategist Certification exam. Those seeking the Social Media Strategist Certification will also receive a $49 credit toward the exam voucher and a 20% discount on hard copies of all materials, if they wish to purchase those.

Healthcare Administration Emphasis

HS662 – Financial Practices in the Health and Human Services Sector (3 credits)

This course explores the skills required for effective, ethical financial management within the health sector. Students analyze and interpret financial statements, create and evaluate operating and capital budgets, and incorporate general principles of financial management.

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

  1. Relate the historical context of healthcare financial management, theory, and concepts to the current state of the health sector.
  2. Create and evaluate an operating and capital budget for an organization.
  3. Examine the reimbursement requirements and regulatory compliance on financial performance, including exploration billing and collections practices.
  4. Analyze and evaluate the financial statements of organizations in the health or human service sectors.
  5. Use the tools of financial forecasting, planning auditing programs, reporting systems, and control needed to make managerial decisions within the health sector.

HS 715 Advanced Health Policy and Ethics (3 credits)

This course examines the ethical, legal, and culturally relevant dimensions of the U.S. health sector, including nonprofit, for-profit, and public health systems. Topics include ethical issues, public policy, stewardship, and compliance standards impacting healthcare finance and delivery; frameworks for ethical decision making; socio-economic impacts on public policy; and strategies for influencing the policy-making process within the health sector (Prerequisite(s): HS710, HS662, HS712, HS713).

HS 716 Health and Human Service Administration (3 credits)

This course explores applied theories and skills of leadership and management within the health and human service sectors. Leadership styles and culturally responsive approaches to decision making are examined. Topics such as governance, vision and mission, strategic planning, business decision support, and promotion of sustainable, ethical organizational growth, and organization stewardship are explored (Prerequisite(s): HS710, HS662, HS712, HS713).

Financial Services/Banking Emphasis

MBA 642 International Financial Management (3 credits)

This course applies and expands financial theory and concepts from managerial finance to the case of the multinational firm. Risks arising from exchange rate movements, political events, and regulatory structure are discussed and techniques for hedging developed. Multinational capital budgeting and the management of assets and liabilities are examined.

MBA 644 Financial Markets and Institutions (3 credits)

This course examines the markets and institutions that comprise the financial system. Topics covered include the determination and structure of interest rates, the impact of the Federal Reserve and other central banks on interest rates and economic growth, and the instruments of the debt market. The commercial bank is explored as a special case of a financial institution.

MBA 671 Banking Regulatory Environment (3 credits)

This course explores the foundations of the banking system, including the stock market, derivatives, the Federal Reserve, and aspects of monetary policy. Special attention is given to banking regulation to combat the rise in economic crimes and economic policy following the financial crisis of 2008.

To find out more about Saint Mary’s online accelerated MBA program and its curriculum, call 877-308-9954 to speak with an enrollment counselor or request more information.

 

1Students must be registered for 12+ credit hours each semester in order to complete the program in 12 months.

 

Current Degree Requirements

For current degree requirements, visit the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Course. Catalog at https://catalog.smumn.edu