Course Descriptions

The following courses are required for the program (30 units):

BUS 5000--Introduction to the EMBA (1 unit)
An off-site orientation day provides students with an overview of the program, the program structure, and the courses that comprise the program. Includes brief descriptions of each course, helpful strategies for working in an accelerated program structure, research tools, and comprehensive training in technology used for on-line courses. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the EMBA program.

BUS 5100--Executive Management Accounting (3 units)
The interpretation and use of accounting information to solve managerial problems in all functional areas of business. Topics include financial planning and control, cost-volume-profit analysis, performance evaluation, transfer pricing, and relevant costs for decision-making. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the EMBA program.

BUS 5150--Leading Through Technology (3 units)
This course addresses how to direct and manage the major technological and innovative challenges that organizations face. Key areas include effective technological resources, innovation and growth, technological opportunities and threats. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the EMBA program.

BUS 5200--Strategic Finance for Executives (3 units)
Focuses attention on financial management of business enterprises and its relation to other functional areas of management and to general business policy. Extensive use of case problems and/or simulation exercises provides applications of theory to financial decisions involving cash flow management, capital structure planning, capital costs, capital budgeting, dividend policy, and valuation of enterprises operating for profit. Students will apply analytical methods to cases based on their understanding of finance and financial theory and practice. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the EMBA program.

BUS 5250--Leading and Managing People for Success (3 units)
Advanced study of management skills and interpersonal techniques proven most effective in bringing out the best in subordinates and peers. Emphasis on understanding human motivation and behavior in organizations with the aim of engaging cooperation and commitment to organizational goals and interests. Topics include: interpersonal styles and techniques, motivation and motivational skills, cooperation and conflict in organizations, managing conflict, managing dynamics between groups, and managing change. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the EMBA program.

BUS 5300--Strategic Leadership in Marketing (3 units)
An advanced course in strategic marketing leadership for Executive MBAs. Integrates managerial marketing concepts and strategies used for creating customer value, sustainable competitive advantage, and economic value. Emphasizes a total system of customer-driven strategic marketing planning, implementation, and control elements that are ethical and responsive to the marketing environment. Describes the key areas that managers need to consider when implementing a marketing strategy including marketing research, segmentation, product development and positioning, integrated marketing communications, pricing, and marketing channels in a variety of markets, i.e., domestic, global, e-commerce, profit, and not-for-profit. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the EMBA program.

BUS 5350--Supply Chain Management (3 units)
This course shows how managers can improve a firm’s competitive position by employing the latest practices and techniques of supply chain management in the global marketplace. It will discuss the main components and concepts of the supply chain and will explain how to best manage the entire supply chain. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the EMBA program.

BUS 5400--Managing for Strategic Advantage in a Global Market (3 units) 
A comprehensive course covering international environmental forces and their influence in all functional areas of the international firm—finance, management, marketing, personnel, production, and the multinationals’ ethical responsibility to the host countries. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the EMBA program.

BUS 5450--Best Practices in Leadership (3 units)
Advanced study of leadership and leadership practices that have proven effective both in fostering an ethical and responsible work environment in business organizations, and in helping to ensure the ongoing continuity and success of the organization. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the EMBA program.

BUS 5500--Executive Strategic Leadership Management (3 units)
This course develops a general management perspective to address issues of integration between functional areas and adaptation to a changing global environment for top-level executives. It covers leadership, including analysis, planning, implementation, and formulation of business strategy and solutions to complex business problems and situations. Executives learn how to do industry analysis, market analysis, financial analysis, and competitive analysis. These strategic skills are applied to their strategic planning cases to create a complete deliverable. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the EMBA program.

BUS 5960--Individual Project (2 units)
The centerpiece of the final course sequence in the program pairs up teams of three/four executives with a business opportunity. A team project will involve diagnosing, analyzing, and resolving a strategic issue in an area organization.  Each team will choose a business opportunity, either entrepreneurial or intrapreneurial, and formulate a solution. Individual students will present written and oral results of project. The focus is on the knowledge transfer and the realities of applying EMBA knowledge to actual business problems or solutions. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the EMBA program.

The following is a list of elective courses in the program (6 units):

BUS 5600--Global Business Strategy (3 units)
This course offers strategies for formulating business planning in a global setting. It covers global strategy issues, international competitiveness, nation specific and region specific competitive strategies, and an understanding of key European and Asian theories on global business strategy. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the EMBA program.

BUS 5650--Current Topics in Legal/Ethical Issues in Business (3 units)
This course addresses legal problems commonly encountered by managers and executives with an emphasis on preventing or minimizing legal disputes as well as organizational exposure to legal liability. This course will cover sales contracts, employment law, alternative dispute resolution, intellectual property, and antitrust matters. This course will also cover client and attorney interaction, how to use and communicate with a lawyer, and how to make legal executive decisions. This course will also stress ethical standards and the responsible roles of businesses in society. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the EMBA program.

BUS 5700--Crafting the Lean Business Enterprise (3 units)
This course shows how managers can improve a firm’s competitive position by employing latest practices and techniques of Lean Business Enterprise. It will cover the tools and principles of Lean Systems, as well as their applications in manufacturing and service operations.  This course also emphasizes plant tours, cases, and analysis of operations in regional companies. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the EMBA program.

BUS 5750--Leading High-Performance Teams (3 units)
This course covers the cutting edge issues regarding teams and team leadership. While most courses on teams and team leadership deal with the topic in a conceptual manner, the focus of this course is on practical issues regarding how to create and sustain high-performance teams in a dynamic environment. This course will address: how to create a team environment and structure; how to form and lead teams; how to define team processes and responsibilities; how to lead teams in goal setting; and, how to deal with conflicts and issues between teams. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the EMBA program.