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Master of Business Administration: Curriculum

Curriculum Details

36–39 TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED

Develop a nuanced understanding of your leadership style, learn fundamentals in accounting, statistics, marketing and more, and gain the skills to become an ethical leader with the Queens MBA.

You can customize this AACSB-accredited program to fit your needs. Learn online, on campus, or both, and choose from six optional concentrations: Cybersecurity Management, Executive Coaching,* Finance, Global Business Management, Healthcare Management, and Leadership and Change.*

Foundation courses ensure that you are prepared to be successful and get the most out of the program – these may be waived based on prior academic and work experience. You’ll take 11 core courses and 2-3 electives, depending on whether you choose to pursue a concentration.

*Elective courses for the Executive Coaching and Leadership and Change concentrations are fully or partially on-campus. See selected concentration for more details.

Foundation Courses (may be waived based on prior academic and work experience)

This course covers Financial Accounting concepts essential in core MBA courses

This course covers spreadsheet skills and statistics concepts essential in core MBA courses.

This course covers Finance concepts essential to success in the core MBA courses

Core Courses (Take all 7)

The primary objective of the course is to provide a developmental opportunity for students to be more effective and intentional as leaders. Based on the finding that increased self-awareness is key to leadership effectiveness, students will be exposed to a variety of assessments and experiences including personality assessment, 360-degree feedback, and coaching in order to increase their capacity to lead effectively.

Managerial Accounting: This course examines the way in which managers analyze and use accounting information to make effective managerial decisions. The course focuses on how to compute and prepare special analyses and reports as well as how to interpret those results for decision making purposes. Major topics include financial statements, product costing, budgeting, cost-volume-profit relationship, and planning and control.

This course introduces core economic concepts and relationships pertinent to business strategy formulation and managerial decisions. Topics covered include the role and interaction between consumer demand, firm costs, and industry market structure in guiding informed managerial decisions, the impact of alternative public policies at the industry and firm level, and assessment of broader macroeconomic policies. Students learn and apply basic economic concepts to gain understanding of their use and importance for business management and effective decision making.

The marketing manager’s requirements include analyzing marketing, designing and implementing market strategies, and managing brands. These requirements are achieved by identifying and targeting customer needs that can be satisfied by the organization’s value proposition. A successful marketer, therefore, focuses an organization’s resources to meet customer needs and to maximize internal objectives. In this course, students will utilize quantitative and qualitative methods that enhance the likelihood of successfully achieving these goals.

This course provides an overview of concepts, techniques and applications of statistical data analysis and management science as they support decision making processes throughout the organization. Includes quantitative methods commonly used to support business decision modeling and to investigate past business performance to drive business planning. This course includes the application of current computer software.

This course introduces students to the theory and practice of corporate finance in a valuation and decision making context. In particular, students will learn to employ a valuation approach for making decisions in areas including capital budgeting, capital structure, cash distributions, raising capital, and mergers and acquisitions. The course blends theoretical aspects of corporate finance with case discussions.

This course integrates many of the student’s academic and professional experiences to focus on the strategic planning necessary for an organization to define and achieve its overall objectives. The course includes discussion of cases and a project. The ability to identify issues and problems and to develop management strategies for an organization is emphasized.

Flexible Core Courses (Choose 3)

This course provides an overview of topics and concepts in the field of Organizational Behavior. Emphasis is on developing a theoretical grasp of issues and problems and an understanding of practical implications of various theories of human behavior at work. Specific topics include leadership, motivation, teamwork, career issues, work roles, job enrichment, and employee participation activities necessary to generate goods and services in profit and non-profit organizations

This course develops an understanding of the challenges that firms and their managers face in attempting to operate in a global business environment. The course explores the causes and consequences of the evolving global business environment including the changing patterns of international trade and investment, the nature and impact of international trade policies and institutions, foreign currency markets and the international monetary system, and strategies for international expansion.

This course explores the relationship between operating systems of the organization and the marketing, financial and human resource systems. Tactical day-to-day operating decisions and long-range strategic decisions are covered and discussed. The student will learn strategies and methods that will assist in discerning how productive entities work and ways to improve performance.

This course examines how information systems are developed and used in organizations to achieve business success and competitive advantage. Emphasis is placed on information technology as an enabler to support business strategy, define business models and provide for more efficient operations in both domestic and global business environments.

Cybersecurity Management Concentration (MBA 656 and 657 are required, then choose 1 more)

Provides a working knowledge of fundamental data protection techniques for protecting data at rest, data in motion, and data in processing. Techniques include encryption algorithms and systems (symmetric, asymmetric, standard, digital certificates, and hashes), Steganography, data masking, and data obfuscation. Examines access controls, availability, authentication, confidentiality, data integrity, and non-repudiation as well as defenses against DDOS and other data attacks. Security by diversity and security in depth are presented as fundamental requirements. Prerequisite: MBA 655.

Examines legal, privacy, and compliance environments facing organizations globally. Students build an understanding of the complexities of security, compliance and legal obligations starting with a general foundation of laws and industry standards that apply across most organizations that handle sensitive data. Examination of industry verticals expand students’ knowledge of particular federal and state regulatory and industry-based obligations. It also examines how security and compliance obligations can be used to establish the security, compliance, and risk management programs for an enterprise. Prerequisite: MBA 655

Focuses on developing skills relative to an understanding of the business risks that exist when proper cybersecurity access controls are not effectively implemented. Students will study breach cases and have the opportunity to interface with security experts to gain an in-depth understanding of current risks, threats, and vulnerabilities organizations face. Lab simulations will be completed and each lab will be analyzed for its meaning and purpose in increasing security knowledge. Students will create a cybersecurity breach report and as a team project create an access control plan with recommendations for overcoming or minimizing cyber breach situations through the use of proper controls, the control framework, lab experiences, and other resources explored in the course. Prerequisite: MBA 656.

In-depth understanding of penetration (pen) testing and “ethical hacking”, including requirements and reporting. Examination of the business impact of testing and will conduct security testing (including network and web application penetration testing) in the lab environment including: intelligence gathering, identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities, conducting post-exploitation exercises, and reporting results. Students are required to create a comprehensive report summarizing the findings including recommendations to mitigate the risks identified. Topics will include social engineering, web application testing, managing a security test, and tools of attack. Prerequisite: MBA 656.

Executive Coaching Concentration (take all 3)

This course examines organizational change and surveys the foundational disciplines on which the practice of organizational coaching is based, as well as, applicable theories and methods. Coaching will be explored as an intervention and developmental technology. Students are introduced to the practice of coaching and coaching conversation models as well as coaching-related skills including contracting, listening, questioning, designing actions, planning and goal setting, and managing progress and accountability.

A survey of advanced and contemporary theories in the study of organizational coaching and of the leading scholars who have made important contributions to the field. Topics will include formal and informal coaching relationships; internal and external practices; and advance coaching-related skill development. Students will develop coaching skills through in-class and out-of-class practice.

This course provides the opportunity for students to engage in applied coaching efforts in the field. Working independently with a client, students will provide an intensive coaching consultation. This applied field experience is a supervised practicum.

Finance Concentration (take all 3)

This course includes the study of capital market theory, the balance between risk and return, rates of return required by investors and the study of betas in the capital asset pricing model, all examined from the viewpoint of the private investor.

This course covers international financial management topics including exchange rate determination, interest rate parity and purchasing power parity relationships, international Fisher Effect, transaction and operating exposure, forward markets, hedging with futures and options, international financial markets, and international cost of capital, capital budgeting, and capital structure.

This course focuses on the financial derivatives known as options and futures. Topics include the long and short positions in calls and put options, valuing options using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model, the “Greeks” of options including delta, gamma, vega, and theta, put-call parity, covered call options, options combinations and spreads, forwards and futures markets, arbitrage conditions for options and futures, credit derivatives, comparing hedging strategies for options and futures, using financial engineering with futures contracts to adjust characteristics of stock and bond portfolios, basics of swaps markets, and swaptions. Emphasis is placed on the use of derivative contracts for hedging and speculative purposes.

Global Business Management Concentration (Choose 3)

This course covers international financial management topics including exchange rate determination, interest rate parity and purchasing power parity relationships, international Fisher Effect, transaction and operating exposure, forward markets, hedging with futures and options, international financial markets, and international cost of capital, capital budgeting, and capital structure.

Study of opportunities, problems, and techniques involved in developing and implementing business strategy in an international context.

During this course, students participate in a “hands-on” OD effort in collaboration with an international OD program in a country or countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, or North America. Course requirements include attendance at pre-trip seminars and completion of all course assignments after the conclusion of the travel experience.

This course provides an overview of opportunities, problems, and techniques involved in managing organizations in a cross-cultural context. Students will utilize frameworks and tools to assess the impact of skills, behaviors and management style on cross-border interactions and operations. Students will develop plans for individuals and organizations in cultivating a global mindset for effective leadership across cultures. Prerequisites: None.

Healthcare Management Concentration (MHA 500 is required, then choose 2 more)

This course introduces students to the structure and functions of the U.S. Health Care System – historical, current, and future: at local, regional, state, and national levels. Three recurring and foundational issues of access, cost, and quality will be studied. Students will analyze the interfacing roles between the various health care delivery structures: stakeholders, healthcare resources, types of health services, industries, health services financing, healthcare coverage, special populations needs, and critical issues in health services. Students will examine the interaction between government organizations and each stakeholder group. A framework for critical analysis of the healthcare system will be provided.

This course focuses on understanding human resource management and its impact on organizational decision-making. This course explains the theory, law, and practice of human resource management in both public and nonprofit agency sectors as they relate to healthcare and health services delivery personnel. Students will discuss and differentiate the theoretical and practical issues that leaders, managers, and human resources managers utilize in daily operations. Students will explain the interface between human capital, human capital management, and operational functions as they deal with individuals, work teams, and the goals of organizations, communities, and society. Students will describe the human resource trend of moving from a “custodial” function focused on compliance, to moving towards incorporating strategic functions and processes that contribute to achievement of an agency’s mission, goals, and objectives through employee selection, retentions, engagement, and leadership.
Pre-requisite: MHA 610. (Offered Fall, Spring, Summer)

This course provides fundamentals and tools for assessing, evaluating, and managing the operational processes of defining, assuring, and measuring quality and quality outcomes within an organization. Students will develop and enhance skills in leadership, communication, organizational design, continual quality improvement, outcomes manager, root cause analysis, data design, and analysis. The roles of The Joint Commission, Baldrige, and other quality monitoring agencies will be studied as well as current issues and evaluation tools with healthcare delivery.

This course provides a synthesis of epidemiology as it pertains to identifying, understanding, and managing health and factors that influence outcomes for patients and communities. Students will learn about evidence-based medicine, clinician roles, systems analysis, public health, and disease prevention.
Pre-requisite MHA 625. (Offered Fall, Spring, Summer)

Leadership & Change Concentration (choose 3)

Introduction to Organization Development: This course provides an overview of organization development, including its history, ethics, literature, and the principle behavioral theories on which it is based. Analysis of the consultation process includes the skills and techniques involved in entry, contracting, organizational scanning, and preliminary diagnosis, as well as such individual and intra-group interventions as coaching, process consultation, teaming, and behavior modeling.

Building on MBA 681, this advanced graduate seminar explores cutting practices and findings in the field of organization development. Students participate in an applied OD effort that includes data collection and analysis, and client feedback. Special attention will be paid to the impact of emerging trends such as innovation and complexity theory on best practices in change management.

The purpose of this course is to examine the nature of conflict and to better understand the impact that it has on our lives. Starting with the premise that conflict is a natural part of everyday life, the goal of the course is to assist you in identifying and analyzing your conflict management style and in developing an action plan for improving your negotiation skills and for managing conflict.

Transformational Change provides an experience of an intensive leadership development process focused on the individual becoming a more fully integrated person. Using a highly experiential approach, the course utilizes personality and leadership assessments, reflective papers and journaling to create a platform for transformational change. Special emphasis is placed on building personal resiliency with a focus on moving towards selfactualization and growth by identifying and managing an individual’s unique leadership “shadow.” This experience is an intensive process to promote transformational growth and breakthrough leadership development.

This course introduces the concepts, methods, skills, and attributes required for effective consultation in organizations, both from an internal and external role. Beyond a mere knowledge base, the course is designed to develop skill in dialogue and consulting, with a particular emphasis on attitude development through the application of Action Research and Process Consultation models in an ethical context. Additional focus is on issues of practice development and management such as client identification, marketing, partnering, contracting, and client relationship management.

This course focuses on the study of the form, process, and function of small groups, with particular emphasis on work teams in the contemporary organization. A variety of theories and models are explored and applied. Students are expected to explore their use of self in the context of groups as well as groups at a behavioral level.

More Electives

This course focuses on the practice of corporate governance and ethical behavior. Students will deepen their understanding of the legal and ethical responsibilities of shareholders, board of directors, and management of a corporation with the goal of learning to develop a sound corporate governance framework. Students will analyze and discuss cases and real-world situations to better understand the interplay between law, ethics, corporate governance, and social responsibility in the context of business and public policy.

This course examines the nature of the entrepreneur and the entrepreneurial process, as well as the critical ingredients in success and failure. The course explores the skills, concepts, and knowledge relevant to creating and funding a new venture. Considerable attention is given to the screening and evaluation of ideas and new business opportunities. The capabilities gained in this course apply to potential entrepreneurs interested in starting a new business, those interested in taking over an existing business, and those interested in incorporating an entrepreneurial approach in established businesses

Study of opportunities, problems, and techniques involved in developing and implementing business strategy in an international context.

This hands-on course will draw on community resources to explore the nature and universality of creativity, methods for cultivating individual creativity, and organizational frameworks for creative problem-solving. Everyone is creative, but not everyone has explored his/her creativity or made connections between individual creative interests and a business career. In an environment of rapid change, leaders must be able to find connections between seemingly disparate fields and functions and to critically assess options.

Special topics courses will be offered on a regular basis and may vary by term. This course may be repeated up to 6 credits and count toward elective courses.

During this course, students participate in a “hands-on” OD effort in collaboration with an international OD program in a country or countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, or North America. Course requirements include attendance at pre-trip seminars and completion of all course assignments after the conclusion of the travel experience.

This course requires independent reading and investigation of literature relevant to a specific topic or area of business. Students must complete and have approved a proposal for an Independent Study prior to registration for this course. This course may be repeated for up to 6 credits.

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