Master of Business Administration
Program Overview
The McKendree Master of Business Administration program focuses on integrated learning experiences in which students develop problem solving and team building skills in an environment in which they can learn from the faculty and from each other. The program is designed for students who desire a broad understanding of business operations without concentrating their studies in a particular field. All MBA courses incorporate individual and group work, written assignments, and oral presentations.
The McKendree MBA program is designed to meet the needs of the working adult. It is expected that students entering the program will usually be employed while they pursue their studies. Classes are scheduled during the evening hours with an online component. Students may enroll in one or more courses per semester. The program can be completed in as little as 18 months.
MBA Faculty
Frank Spreng, Ph.D., M.B.A., J.D., Professor of Economics;
Christopher K. Dussold, Ph.D., C.F.A., Assistant Professor of Accounting and Economics/Finance;
ckdussold@mckendree.edu; (618) 537-6988; Piper Academic Center 107
Sandra S. Lang, Ph.D., C.P.A., C.F.E., Assistant Professor of Accounting;
Brian Parsons, Ph.D., C.P.A., Associate Professor of Finance;
bparsons@mckendree.edu; (618) 537-6904; Piper Academic Center 106
Jean Sampson, D.Mgt., Assistant Professor of Management;
jsampson@mckendree.edu; (618) 537-6884; Piper Academic Center 104
Peter C. Will, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Management;
pcwill@mckendree.edu; (618) 537-6939; Piper Academic Center 103
Course of Study
The course work component of the MBA presents a balance of theory and application that focuses on situation analysis, problem solving, teamwork, and communication. The MBA curriculum was designed with the assumption that graduate students would enter the program with an undergraduate degree in business from a regionally accredited college or university. Students who have not studied business previously are welcome in this program. A set of courses specifically designed to provide the necessary foundation of business knowledge should enable non-business students to complete the MBA curriculum successfully.
Foundations of Business Knowledge
Students who have not completed undergraduate course work in busness may acquire the necessary knowledge as part of their MBA studies at McKendree. A set of four foundation courses provide students with broad introductory knowledge in key subject areas of business:
|
Course Number
|
Course Title
|
Credits
|
|
MBA 501
|
Foundations of Accounting and Finance
|
3
|
|
MBA 502
|
Economics for Managers
|
3
|
|
MBA 503
|
Marketing and Management Concepts
|
3
|
|
MBA 504
|
Quantitative and Statistical Tools
|
3
|
While there may be some overlap of these foundation courses and the courses of the graduate curriculum, these requirements must be satisfied before the student begins his/her third course in the MBA curriculum.
Transfer Credit
Following matriculation, students are expected to do their course work at McKendree. However, prior to matriculation, up to 12 credits from another accredited institution may be applied toward completion of the requirements for the MBA degree at McKendree. All transfer courses are evaluated by the Director of the MBA Program.
MBA Curriculum
The Master of Business Administration curriculum consists of 12 courses that provide students with knowledge and skills essential for success in the modern business world. The program combines theoretical knowledge with analytical, problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills applied to specific topics. The content of the MBA curriculum focuses on observation and analysis of business problems as exemplified in case studies and problem-solving analysis. To successfully complete the program, students must apply quantitative and qualitative decision tools, effective human relation skills, strong leadership abilities, and effective communication in oral and written forms.
Courses Required for the Master of Business Administration
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Credits |
| MBA 621 |
Accounting for Managers |
3 |
| MBA 622 |
Economics of the Firm |
3 |
| MBA 623 |
Business Research Methods and Applications |
3 |
| MBA 625 |
Legal Issues for Managers |
3 |
| MBA 631 |
Corporate Finance |
3 |
| MBA 632 |
Investments and Financial Markets |
3 |
| MBA 641 |
Electronic Commerce |
3 |
| MBA 642 |
Customers and Competitive Advantage |
3 |
| MBA 643 |
Marketing Management |
3 |
| MBA 651 |
Global Organizations and Management |
3 |
| MBA 653 |
Stakeholder Management and Ethics |
3 |
| MBA 661 |
Corporate Strategy and Leadership |
3 |
|
Total Credits |
36 |
Admission Requirements
Applicants for the MBA must have earned a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. Those whose bachelors degrees are in a business field will be assumed to have the prerequisite knowledge to begin graduate study in business. Those with degrees in other fields may be required to complete foundation course work or demonstrate their knowledge in appropriate ways.
Every prospective student will be evaluated for evidence of a high probability of success in the MBA Program.
Applicants to the McKendree MBA program must submit:
2. An essay describing the personal and professional goals that will be met by the student’s completion of the MBA graduate program;
3. Official transcripts from each college or university attended;
4. A minimum 3.0 G.P.A. on a four-point scale in undergraduate studies. Applicants with an undergraduate G.P.A. below 3.0 may be admitted conditionally;
5. Three references from professional associates who could comment on the quality of the applicant’s communication skills and the ability to succeed in graduate study;
6. A current resume;
7. Some applicants may be interviewed prior to admission.
Class Format
Courses are held in a “five-week” time frame. Regular class sessions held on the Lebanon campus meet from 6:00 p.m. to 8:50 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday each week. A third weekly session is comprised of online or independent work. There are occasional Friday classes.
Courses and classes have some clearly defined characteristics. The courses and classes should be ultimately grounded in the “real world” and connected to the local community.
· Classes will be held for the entire scheduled time.
· Courses will have a substantial final examination.
· Some class sessions will be online or revolve around independent work.
· Courses are grounded in practical and applicable skills, tools and knowledge.
· Courses encourage and require group work and cooperation among students.
· Courses involve cases, problems, simulations, projects and the like.
· Courses integrate entrepreneurial and small business themes where appropriate.
· Every course connects to the local community by having one or more significant speakers.
Honorary Society in Business
Sigma Beta Delta is the honorary society in business. MBA students in the top 20% of the class will be invited to become members.
Graduation Requirements
To complete the Master of Business Administration, students must fulfill all of the following requirements:
1. Satisfactorily complete the MBA curriculum within six years of taking the first course numbered MBA 600 or higher.
2. Attain a GPA of at least 3.0 with no more than one grade of C in an MBA course numbered MBA 600 or higher.
3. Earn a minimum grade of B in MBA Corporate Strategy and Leadership.
4. Declare their intent to graduate by completing a Degree Application (available in the Office of Academic Records) the semester prior to the anticipated graduation term.
Prerequisite Courses
MBA 501 Foundations of Accounting and Finance (3)
This course is designed to provide students with the necessary tools to make financial and other business decisions on the basis of critical evaluation and analysis of the accounting information presented in an organization’s financial statements. The course emphasizes a fundamental working knowledge of underlying accounting concepts, the valuation of debt and equity securities, and the analysis of risk and return trade-offs. Prerequisite: Admission to the MBA program.
MBA 502 Economics for Managers (3)
This course focuses on an analysis of decision making in an individual and organizational context. The course includes production possibilities, exchange theory, supply, demand, equilibrium, production, cost and pricing with an emphasis on marginal decision making. Some attention is given to macroeconomic data sources and the structure of the macro economy. Prerequisite: Admission to the MBA program.
MBA 503 Marketing and Management Concepts (3)
A course introducing students to the management of an organization and how the organization achieves its strategic goals. In this course, the strategic goals are examined from the perspective of the management and marketing operations in a global business environment. Topics may include: the functions of management, team development, target market definition and analysis, buyer behavior, competitor analysis, the role of marketing research, strategic planning, and the use of information systems and the Internet for decision making. Prerequisite: Admission to the MBA program.
MBA 504 Quantitative and Statistical Tools (3)
A survey of quantitative business tools such as breakeven analysis, basic financial measures and forecasting. The course will also address fundamentals of descriptive statistics, the use of statistics in decision-making, and the assembly and interpretation of data. Prerequisite: Admission to the MBA program.
MBA Courses
MBA 621 Accounting for Managers (3)
This course is designed to provide guidance for managers regarding the integration of business strategy and accounting information. Examples include applying accounting principles to management compensation in a way that is consistent with company strategy, quantitatively assessing qualitative information through the Balanced Scorecard technique, and including information and objectives in budgets that encourage specific behavior that is congruent with the organization’s long-term goals. These methods of communicating accounting information to increase coordination and cooperation within a company are addressed through a variety of readings, case studies, and class projects. Prerequisite: Completion of MBA 501 or equivalent.
MBA 622 Economics of the Firm (3)
This course centers on the application of microeconomic concepts to managerial issues. The course includes tools such as equilibrium analysis, elasticity, optimization, production theory, opportunity cost, cost theory, and pricing. Problems, cases, and analysis will be stressed. Prerequisite: Six credits of undergraduate economics or MBA 502 or equivalent.
MBA 623 Business Research Methods and Applications (3)
Business success results in part from proper control of resources and performance, which is driven by information gathering and assessment. Students will learn methods for planning, data analysis, and communications of results in applied business research. Students will utilize these skills in a team research project on a regional organization or issue. Prerequisite: MBA 504 or equivalent.
MBA 625 Legal Issues for Managers (3)
A topics course intended to acquaint students with important legal issues facing the business community. Topics such as the following will be considered: corporate governance, business structures, torts, tort reform, operation of the legal system, role of inside and outside counsel, securities regulation, employment law, consumer debt/bankruptcy, and government regulation. Prerequisite: Admission to the MBA program or permission of the instructor.
MBA 631 Corporate Finance (3)
This course examines the major decisions facing corporate financial managers. These include risk and return trade-offs, capital budgeting, corporate financing, capital structure, new equity issues, options, debt financing, risk management, mergers and corporate governance. Prerequisite: MBA 501 or equivalent.
MBA 632 Investments and Financial Markets (3)
This course presents the financial theory and quantitative analytical tools necessary for making investment decisions and for understanding how stock, bond, and option prices are determined. Topics covered include the term structure of interest rates, portfolio choice, mean-variance analysis, models of risk and return, market efficiency, the capital asset pricing model, arbitrage pricing theory, the Fama-French three-factor model, bond pricing, mortgage-backed securities, swaps, futures, options, and money-manager performance. Prerequisite: MBA 501 or equivalent.
MBA 641 Electronic Commerce (3)
This course is designed to provide an orientation to the field of electronic commerce. Course topics include marketing issues such as the electronic marketing value chain, attracting customers and satisfying their needs and wants through interactive marketing. Technical topics include the Internet and web technologies, e-commerce system design, cryptography and Internet security, payment systems, and secure transaction processing. The course focuses on business requirements for electronic commerce and examines fundamental design issues for both business-to-business and business-to-consumer applications and their implications for the information industry. Prerequisite: MBA 503 or equivalent.
MBA 642 Customers and Competitive Advantage (3)
This course introduces the student to the concepts of creating customer value and satisfaction; positioning for competitive advantage; consumer markets, business markets and buyer behavior; marketing research and information systems; and the role of marketing in the strategic planning process. An understanding of the theoretical and applied aspects of marketing knowledge sharpens a student’s analytical skills for critical thinking and enables him/her to communicate effectively. Prerequisite: MBA 503 or equivalent.
MBA 643 Marketing Management (3)
This course introduces a managerial approach to the study of marketing. Emphasis is placed on the nature and scope of the marketing manager's responsibilities and on marketing decision making. Students apply material from previous marketing courses to make trade-off decisions between variables such as distribution intensity and cost, sales force management, sales forecasting, and the relationships between marketing and the other organizational functions. Prerequisite: MBA 503 or equivalent.
MBA 651 Global Organization and Management (3)
This course is a study of the influence of culture, economics, industry, regulation, and strategy on the management and structure of the international firm. Major topics such as technology control, outsourcing, and strategic alliances will be addressed by comparative evaluation of international organizations. Prerequisite: MBA 503 or the equivalent.
MBA 653 Stakeholder Management and Ethics (3)
The stakeholder management model posits that organizations can simultaneously pursue corporate social responsibility and financial success. Topics include the impact of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines for Organizations on company ethics programs, legitimacy, stakeholder relations, public policy issues, and ethical decision-making models. The course will utilize a case-study approach. Prerequisite: MBA 503 or equivalent.
MBA 661 Corporate Strategy and Leadership (3)
This capstone course requires students to integrate and apply previous MBA courses to executive decision-making and leadership. Themes such as the leader-manager dichotomy, charismatic and transformational leadership, groupthink, and the cult of personality will be explored from potential links with leadership style and organizational performance. Students will apply the strategic management process and entrepreneurial approaches for business financing in preparing a business plan and presenting this plan to external reviewers. Prerequisite: MBA 651 and completion of at least 27 hours of MBA core courses.