Catalog 2024-25

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)

253.535.7252 www.plu.edu/mba/ plumba@plu.edu
Mark Mulder, Ph.D., Dean Juanita Reed, M.Ed., Associate Dean

Admission

The PLU M.B.A. program offers two tracks: a general M.B.A. in Business Administration and an M.B.A. in Management Science & Quantitative Methods. Aspirants may apply for admission to either of the two tracks.

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 253.535.7252.

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
    • International transcripts should be translated into English. In some cases, a professional transcript evaluation may be required.
    • A Statement of Professional Goals
    • Official Graduate Management Assessment Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE) (Optional)
    • Two letters of recommendation
    • Application Fee

International applicants must also submit:

    • TOEFL or IELTS score report (determination of English proficiency is at the sole discretion of PLU)
    • 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 multiple 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.

Fast Track Admission

Fast Track is an abbreviated application process to the School of Business graduate programs. Students and recent alumni from PLU, any AACSB accredited school, or any Bachelor of Applied Science program at a community or technical college in Washington State, from any major, may be eligible to apply via this process. Applications may be submitted at any time during undergraduate studies. Eligible candidates remain admitted, provided that they complete their degree with minimum qualifications. Please contact the program director for details.

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 to repeat a course a second time.

Master of Business Administration Degree (M.B.A.)

M.B.A. (Business Administration) Degree Requirements
36 semester hours; 44 semester hours with emphasis

Students are not required to have an area of emphasis

    • M.B.A.
      36 semester hours
      • BMBA 509: Global Business Perspectives (4)
      • BMBA 510: Legal, Ethical and Social Responsibilities of Business (4)
      • BMBA 511: Accounting for Decision Making (4)
      • BMBA 513: Marketing Management (4)
      • BMBA 515: Organizations, Leadership and Change Management (4)
      • BMBA 517: Understanding & Managing Financial Resources (4)
      • BMBA 521: Supply Chain and Information Management (4)
      • BMBA 522: Quantitative and Managerial Decision Analysis (4)
      • BMBA 523: Business Strategy and Innovation Management (4)

M.B.A. Emphasis Areas

    • Healthcare Management Emphasis
      8 semester hours
      • BMBA 560: Managing Health Care Enterprises (4)
      • And 4 semester hours from the following:
        • BMBA 577: Project Management (4)
        • Approved BMBA 587/588/589: Special Topics (1 to 4)
        • BMBA 596: Internship (1 to 4)

    • Entrepreneurship and Closely-Held Enterprises Emphasis
      8 semester hours
      • BMBA 550: Leading Family and Closely-Held Enterprises (4)
      • And 4 semester hours from the following:
        • BMBA 577: Project Management (4)
        • Approved BMBA 587/588/589: Special Topics (1 to 4)
        • BMBA 595: Internship (1 to 4)

    • Technology and Innovation Management Emphasis (TIM)
      8 semester hours
      • BMBA 570: Management and Marketing of Technology (4)
      • And 4 semester hours from the following:
        • BMBA 577: Project Management (4)
        • Approved BMBA 587/588/589: Special Topics (1 to 4)
        • BMBA 595: Internship (1 to 4)

    • Supply Chain Management Emphasis
      8 semester hours
      • BMBA 561: Advanced Supply Chain Management (4)
      • And 4 semester hours from the following:
        • BMBA 577: Project Management (4)
        • Approved BMBA 587/588/589 Special Topics (1 to 4)
        • BMBA 595: Internship (1 to 4)

M.B.A. (Management Science & Quantitative Methods) Degree Requirements
44 semester hours

    • BMBA 504: Quantitative Methods for Decision Making (4)
    • BMBA 509: Global Business Perspectives (4)
    • BMBA 510: Legal, Ethical and Social Responsibilities of Business (4)
    • BMBA 511: Accounting for Decision Making (4)
    • BMBA 513: Marketing Management (4)
    • BMBA 515: Organizations, Leadership and Change Management (4)
    • BMBA 517: Understanding & Managing Financial Resources (4)
    • BMBA 521: Supply Chain and Information Management (4)
    • BMBA 522: Quantitative and Managerial Decision Analysis (4)
    • BMBA 523: Business Strategy and Innovation Management (4)
    • BMBA 526: Big Data and Decision Analytics (4)

Certificates

Certificate in Technology and Innovation Management (TIM)

8 semester hours

Individuals holding a bachelor’s degree in a business or technology related field from an accredited institution may pursue a Certificate in Technology and Innovation Management (TIM). Holders of bachelor’s degrees in other fields with relevant industry experience are also considered.

    • BMBA 570: Management and Marketing of Technology (4)
    • BMBA 577: Project Management (4)
    • Approved BMBA 587/588/589: Special Topics (1 to 4)

Certificate in Healthcare Management

8 semester hours

Individuals holding a bachelor’s degree in a business or healthcare related field from an accredited institution may pursue a Certificate in Healthcare Management. Holders of bachelor’s degrees in other fields with relevant industry experience are also considered.

    • BMBA 560: Managing Health Care Enterprises (4)
    • And 4 semester hours from the following:
      • BMBA 562: Health Care Regulation, Law & Ethics (4)
      • BMBA 577: Project Management (4)
      • Approved BMBA 587/588/589: Special Topics (1 to 4)

Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Closely-Held Enterprises

8 semester hours

Individuals holding a bachelor’s degree in a business or related field from an accredited institution may pursue a Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Closely-Held Enterprises. Holders of bachelor’s degrees in other fields with relevant industry experience are also considered.

    • BMBA 550: Leading Family and Closely-Held Enterprises (4)
    • And 4 semester hours from the following:
      • BMBA 577: Project Management (4)
      • Approved BMBA 587/588/589: Special Topics (1 to 4)

Certificate in Supply Chain Management

8 semester hours

Individuals holding a bachelor’s degree in a business or related field from an accredited institution may pursue a Certificate in Supply Chain Management. Holders of bachelor’s degrees in other fields with relevant industry experience are also considered.

    • BMBA 561: Advanced Supply Chain Management (4)
    • And 4 semester hours from the following:
      • BMBA 577: Project Management (4)
      • Approved BMBA 587/588/589: Special Topics (1 to 4)

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) - Graduate Courses

BMBA 504 : Quantitative Methods for Decision Making

Methods and techniques of quantitative research. Emphasis on research design, data collection, basic data analysis; including, chi-square, correlation, ANOVA and regression, as well as interpretation and presentation of results. Students will work in groups to provide a custom research project for a business or non-profit client. (4)

BMBA 509 : Global Business Perspectives

Evaluate cultural, economic, political and environmental contexts for global business. Develop value-adding strategies, organizational capabilities and personal competencies for business success across borders and cultures. On-campus course with embedded international experience. (4)

BMBA 510 : Legal, Ethical and Social Responsibilities of Business

A survey of legal topics essential to effective managerial decision making. Explore the legal, ethical, and social implications of legal strategies and practices. This course also examines the sources and development of conflict and develops negotiation as a tool for managing conflict situations. (4)

BMBA 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 business decision making. (4)

BMBA 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 nonprofit organizations. (4)

BMBA 515 : Organizations, Leadership, and Change Management

The leader's role in creating organizational designs, processes and cultures. Leader competencies and practices for developing and managing people to meet performance requirements and organization cultural fit, and analyzing needs for organizational change. (4)

BMBA 517 : Understanding and Managing Financial Resources

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. (4)

BMBA 521 : Supply Chain and Information Management

Develops a managerial perspective on the role of manufacturing and service operations within the enterprise and in supply chains. Examine the strategic role of information technology and systems in enabling decision making for global competitive advantage. (4)

BMBA 522 : Quantitative and Managerial Decision Analysis

Provide an intensive introduction to quantitative methods for business applications. Examination of the context within which individual firm decisions must be made. Demand, cost, pricing decisions, and the economic and regulatory environment of the firm are emphasized. (4)

BMBA 523 : Business Strategy and Innovation Management

Apply a multidisciplinary approach to explore execution of business- and corporate-level strategies, such as differentiation, cost-leadership, diversification, alliances, and M&As, and managing innovation to generate sustainable competitive advantage in a global context. (4)

BMBA 526 : Big Data and Decision Analytics

This course provides a broad overview of analytic strategies for (structured and unstructured) data collected in interactive channels. Topics covered include: big data, key performance indicators, and how to optimize digital experiences by incorporating testing and experimentation. Prerequisites: BMBA 513. (4)

BMBA 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. Prerequisite: BMBA 515. (4)

BMBA 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: BMBA 515. (4)

BMBA 561 : Advanced Supply Chain Management

This course presents a range of advanced topics in integrated operations and supply chain management. Topics include strategic sourcing and procurement strategies, demand-driven performance, mitigation of supply chain risk, management of third party logistics, and management of supply chain security and risk. Critical to understanding supply chain operations is a review of conventional operations practices and the challenges of flow vs unit costs and the specific challenges of complex supply chains and complex technical systems. Prerequisite: BMBA 521. (4)

BMBA 570 : Management and Marketing of Technology

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: BMBA 521. (4)

BMBA 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. May not be counted toward more than one concentration or certificate. Prerequisite: BMBA 515. (4)

BMBA 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)

BMBA 588 : 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)

BMBA 589 : 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)

BMBA 591 : Independent Study

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

BMBA 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)