Master of Business Administration | Catalog 2012-13

253.535.7330

ADMISSION

The PLU M.B.A. program is competitive. Selection is based on several criteria including work experience and potential contribution to the classroom experience. The Graduate Admission Committee bases decisions on a holistic assessment of the individual merits of each applicant. For questions
regarding admission to the M.B.A. program, contact the M.B.A. director at 253.535.7330.

To apply submit the following:

The PLU graduate application is available online at www.plu.edu/mba.
A current résumé detailing work experience and community service
All official transcripts from higher education institutions
A 300-word Statement of Professional Goals
Official Graduate Management Assessment Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
Two letters of recommendation
$40 Application Fee

International applicants must also submit:

TOEFL or IELTS score report
I-20 Evaluation Documents
Declaration of Finances

An interview with the M.B.A. Graduate Admission Committee may be requested.

Applicants are evaluated individually, based on a presentation of factors indicating equivalence to admission standards, a promise of success in graduate school, qualities of good character, and potential contributions to the educational mission of graduate study.

M.B.A. DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
45 semester hours

Prerequisite/First-Year Co-requisite: Statistics

M.B.A. Core
36 semester hours
- BUSA 509: Global Business Perspectives (3)
- BUSA 510: Legal, Ethical and Social Responsibilities of Business (3)
- BUSA 511: Accounting for Decision Making (3)
- BUSA 513: Marketing Management (3)
- BUSA 515: Organizations and Leadership (3)
- BUSA 517: Understanding & Managing Financial Resources (3)
- BUSA 519: Corporate Information Systems Mgmt (3)
- BUSA 521: Supply Chain and Operations Management (3)
- BUSA 523: Managing Innovation (3)
- BUSA 590: Strategy and Global Competitiveness (3)
- COMA 543: Conflict and Negotiation (3)
- BUSA 522: The Global, Social, Political Environment of the Firm (3) or ECON 520: Economic Policy Analysis (3)
- Required International Experience

MBA Electives
Nine semester hours
- Select from the following Business courses:

BUSA 535: Financial Investments (3)
BUSA 542: Leading Change (3)
BUSA 549: Strategic Management of Human Capital (3)
BUSA 550: Leading Family and Closely-Held Enterprises (3)
BUSA 555: Knowledge Management (3)
BUSA 558: New Venture Management (3)
BUSA 560: Managing Health Care Enterprises (3)
BUSA 562: Health Care Regulation, Law and Ethics (3)
BUSA 565: Marketing Strategy (3)
BUSA 570: Technology Management (3)
BUSA 577: Project Management (3)
BUSA 587/588/589: Special Topics (1 to 4)
BUSA 591: Independent Study (1 to 4)
BUSA 595: Internship (1 to 4)

By taking an appropriate set of identified electives, a student may earn an emphasis in Health Care Management, Entrepreneurship and Closely-Held Business, or Technology and Innovation Management.

Students are not required to have an area of emphasis.

M.B.A. EMPHASIS AREAS

Health Care Management Emphasis
9 semester hours
- BUSA 560: Managing Health Care Enterprises (3)
- And 6 semester hours from the following:
  - BUSA 542: Leading Change (3) or BUSA 549: Strategic Management of Human Capital (3)
  - BUSA 555: Knowledge Management (3)
  - BUSA 562: Health Care Regulation, Law & Ethics (3)
  - BUSA 565: Marketing Strategy (3)
  - BUSA 577: Project Management (3)
  - Approved BUSA 587/588/589: Special Topics (1 to 4)
  - BUSA 595: Internship (1 to 4)

Entrepreneurship and Closely-Held Enterprises Emphasis
9 semester hours

One of the following two courses:

BUSA 550: Leading Family and Closely-Held Enterprises (3) or BUSA 558: New Venture Management (3)

And 6 semester hours from the following:
- Remaining option (if not taken above) of BUSA 550 (3) or BUSA 558 (3)
- BUSA 535: Financial Investments (3)
- BUSA 549: Strategic Management of Human Capital (3)
- BUSA 565: Marketing Strategy (3)
- BUSA 577: Project Management (3)
- Approved BUSA 587/588/589: Special Topics (1 to 4)
- BUSA 595: Internship (1 to 4)

Technology and Innovation Management Emphasis (TIM)
9 semester hours

BUSA 570: Technology Management (3)
And, 6 semester hours from the following:
- BUSA 542: Leading Change (3)
- BUSA 555: Knowledge Management (3)
- BUSA 577: Project Management (3)
- Approved BUSA 587/588/589: Special Topics (1 to 4)
- BUSA 595: Internship (1 to 4)

M.B.A. REPEAT POLICY

Master of Business Administration students may repeat an M.B.A. course one time. The cumulative grade point average is computed using the highest of the grades earned. Credit toward graduation is allowed only once. Under exceptional circumstances, a student may appeal to the dean.

Master of Business Administration Courses

BUSA 509 : Global Business Perspectives

Cultural and environmental contexts for global business. Developing perspectives, personal competencies, and organizational capabilities for business success across borders and cultures. On-campus course followed by an international experience prior to graduation. (3) BUSA 509 Global Business Perspectives Lab: International experience. Pass/Fail. (0)

BUSA 510 : Legal, Ethical and Social Responsibilities of Business

Explores legal, ethical, and social implications of business decision-making. Provides a framework of the legal environment in which business decisions are made. Explores implications of business decisions that incorporate concern for natural and social environments as well as the economic environment. (3)

BUSA 511 : Accounting for Decision Making

An examination of financial and managerial accounting topics, including financial reporting, budgeting, and cost behavior. The focus is on using accounting to support ethical business decision-making. (3)

BUSA 513 : Marketing Management

A practical approach to understanding and applying customer-directed marketing strategies for achieving organizational goals. Students will examine theoretical concepts and apply contemporary approaches to the marketing of services, products and ideas in business, public, and non-profit organizations. (3)

BUSA 515 : Organizations and Leadership

The leader’s role in creating organizational designs, processes and cultures that effectively engage rapidly shifting external realities, promote collaboration and problem solving, and enable organizations to continuously experiment, improve, and increase capabilities. Competencies for developing and managing people to meet performance requirements and organization cultural fit. (3)

BUSA 517 : Understanding and Managing Financial Resources

Advanced treatment of corporate finance topics including cash flow forecasting, planning, budgeting, valuation models, cost of capital, leverage, and risk and return. Additional topics include ratio analysis, computer simulation, financial feasibility assessment, balance sheet analysis, determinants of interest rates, and the impact of business cycle fluctuations on shareholder value. (3)

BUSA 519 : Corporate Information Systems Management

Examines the strategic role of information technology and systems in enabling decision-making and organizational effectiveness for competitive advantage. Discusses a broad range of information management topics including the impacts of information technology on organization and business models, corporate IT infrastructure and governance, sourcing and funding IT, and IT service and project delivery. Prerequisites: BUSA 509, BUSA 511. (3)

BUSA 521 : Supply Chain and Operations Management

Manufacturing and service operations, and technologies within the enterprise and across the extended value chains. Topics include operations and quality management, value chain strategy, project management, integrating extended operations, international operations, current issues and the synergistic role of systems. Prerequisites: BUSA 509, 511. (3)

BUSA 522 : The Global, Social, Political Environment of the Firm

Examination of the context within which individual firm decisions must be made. Topics include globalization, diversity within and among nations, the regulatory environment of the firm, the social, political and economic aspects of trade, the flow of capital, determinants of inflation and interest rates, business cycles, and related issues. Employs statistical and case analysis of how aggregate events have firm specific impacts. (3)

BUSA 523 : Managing Innovation

Multidisciplinary approach to theories and practices of managing innovation and change for sustainable competitive advantage. Focus is on the planning and implementation of innovations, technologies, processes, or systems that pose significant uncertainty and the necessity for fundamental change in the organization's design, culture, and industry structure. Prerequisites: BUSA 522 or ECON 520, BUSA 509, 510, 511, 513, 515, 517. (3)

BUSA 535 : Financial Investments

In depth evaluation of fundamental principles governing the valuation of individual investments and portfolios. Topics include valuation models, business cycles, real estate, commodity prices, determinants of interest rates and earnings, behavioral finance, risk and return, investment strategy, global markets, pension funds, and demographic influences on markets. Prerequisites: BUSA 522 or ECON 520, BUSA 517. (3)

BUSA 542 : Leading Change

Leader competencies and practices for analyzing needs for organizational change, creating a shared vision, crafting implementation plans for multiple interventions, developing enabling structures and processes, enlisting political support and involving people, and for evaluating and institutionalizing changes. Prerequisite: BUSA 515. (3)

BUSA 549 : Strategic Management of Human Capital

Issues and practices in the strategic management of human capital. Human resource strategy formulation, implementation, and evaluation in terms of return on investment and other impacts on firm performance. Human resource best practices for developing and sustaining a high-involvement workforce to achieve competitive advantage. Prerequisite: BUSA 515. (3)

BUSA 550 : Leading Family and Closely-Held Enterprises

Explores issues unique to managing, working within, or advising closely held businesses. Role of closely held firms in global economy; control, fairness, and equity issues; succession; unique aspects of family firms including family dynamics inside and outside of the business. Prerequisites: BUSA 509, 510. (3)

BUSA 555 : Knowledge Management

Provides a global and holistic perspective for leveraging knowledge through the integration of organizational theory, people, business processes and technology. Provides an integrated approach in managing an enterprise’s intellectual capital. Examines the implementation of knowledge management in business and non-profit organizations. Prerequisite: BUSA 509 or 515. (3)

BUSA 558 : New Venture Management

Examines the entrepreneurial skills and conditions needed for effective business start-ups whether independent or within larger organizations. Prerequisite: BUSA 509, 511. (3)

BUSA 560 : Managing Health Care Enterprises

Surveys policy and operational issues facing managers in the rapidly changing health care environment. Explores challenges of managing in health care settings, including hospitals, medical practice organizations, long-term care facilities and clinics. Discusses health care related organizations such as health insurance companies, consulting firms, managed care organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and other organizations that support the health care industry. Prerequisite: BUSA 515. (3)

BUSA 562 : Health Care Regulations, Law and Ethics

Survey of the legal, regulatory and ethical dilemmas confronting health care managers and the implications of these issues from the perspectives of administration and governance, external stakeholders, and patients. Topics include labor relations and the impact of state and federal employment laws; the public health regulatory environment and the organizations and systems that impact business decisions; and strategies for managing third party payments. (3)

BUSA 565 : Marketing Strategy

Addresses development and execution of marketing strategies in a customer-driven marketplace. Explores theories, methods, analytical techniques, and current best practices for developing and implementing marketing strategies. Focus is on integrating marketing knowledge into applied strategy for the firm. Applies creative thinking and problem-solving skills to "real world" situations. Course includes classic readings, cases, and experiential learning. Prerequisite: BUSA 513. (3)

BUSA 570 : Technology Management

Examines the critical role that technology plays in achieving organizational effectiveness and competitive advantages. Topics include planning, developing, sourcing, and controls of technology and systems, technology transfer and commercialization, technology road mapping, technology integration, marketing of technology, science and technology policy, and global issues in technology management. Prerequisite: BUSA 519. (3)

BUSA 577 : Project Management

Study of project management principles and techniques including planning, network building, project control, reporting and closing to address the unique conditions and challenges associated with designing and managing major non-repetitive undertakings. Prerequisite: BUSA 515. (3)

BUSA 587 : Special Topics in Business Administration

To provide graduate students with new, one-time and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. Selected advanced topics. (1 to 4)

BUSA 588 : Special Topics in Business Administration

BUSA 589 : Special Topics in Business Administration

BUSA 590 : Strategic Management in a Global Context

An integrated study of business strategy formulation and implementation under conditions of continuing economic, technological, and competitive change in the global marketplace. Explores industry, competitive, and company analysis. Emphasis on path-finding to identify strategic choices that create sustainable advantage. Prerequisites: BUSA 509, 510, 511, 513, 515, 517, 519, 521, and 522 or ECON 520. (3)

BUSA 591 : Independent Study

Individualized reading and studies. Minimum supervision after initial planning of student’s work. Rarely granted and requires prior approval of MBA director and consent of instructor. (1 to 4)

BUSA 595 : Internship

Application of business knowledge in field setting. Credit granted determined by hours spent in working environment and depth of project associated with course of study. Pass/fail. (1 to 4)

M.B.A. Courses in Communication and Economics:

COMA 543: Conflict and Negotiation: This course examines the sources and development of conflict and develops negotiation as a tool for managing conflict situations. Emphasis is on understanding conflict interactions and reaching agreement through negotiation (3)
ECON 500: Applied Statistical Analysis: An intensive introduction to statistical methods. Emphasis on the application of inferential statistics to concrete situations. (4)
ECON 520: Economic Policy Analysis: An intensive introduction to the concepts of macroeconomics and microeconomics with an emphasis on policy formation within a global framework. (3)