Master of Science in Management - General Online

Effective communication is an essential skill for today’s manager. This course covers the key forms of communication in organizations: reading, writing, speaking, listening, and nonverbal communication. It also treats different kinds of writing, such as letters and reports; different kinds of oral communication, such as public speaking, committee meetings, and interviewing; and the study of communication within organizations, especially as it pertains to management. The course considers the importance of communication and increases the student’s understanding of how communications works. The manner in which all aspects of communication are interrelated is also emphasized.

This course examines information technology related business risk management and the methodology that includes risk identification, evaluation and response. The course describes the principles of information technology risk management, the responsibilities and accountability for information technology risk, how to build risk awareness, and how to communicate risk scenarios, business impact and key risk indicators. Included in the course is the opportunity to create a business focused, process oriented and measurement driven risk response plan. This course provides a solid foundation for identifying and managing risks through an established process which incorporates cross functional disciplines as well as the design and implementation of efficient but effective internal controls. The course will address all five components of the COSO Framework for evaluating internal controls, namely: the control environment, risk assessment, control activities, information and communication, and ongoing monitoring activities. The skills acquired in this course will enable students to assist businesses in identifying and mitigating critical risks.

This course examines behavioral issues in organizations to develop an understanding for working with people individually, in groups, and as members of larger organizations. The course also reviews theories and research in the area of effective management, in order to develop a base of understanding for managerial practice and organizational leadership.

This course focuses on past, current, and emerging quality improvement theories, practices, techniques, and skills. It includes an overview of organizational systemic processes and programs, necessary to deliver quality results, such as those established under the Baldridge Award and under standards programs such as ISO 9000. The mechanics, structures, and dynamics of effective quality improvement teams are covered, as are issues relating to effective implementation of quality-related programs.

This course is an introduction to Business Analytics. It covers managerial statistical tools in descriptive analytics and predictive analytics, including regression. Other topics covered include forecasting, risk analysis, simulation, and data mining, and decision analysis. This course provides students with the fundamental concepts and tools needed to understand the emerging role of business analytics in organizations and shows students how to apply basic business analytics tools in a spreadsheet environment, and how to communicate with analytics professionals to effectively use and interpret analytic models and results for making better business decisions. Emphasis is placed on applications, concepts and interpretation of results, rather than theory and calculations. Students use a computer software package for data analysis.

Use of Forensic Accounting tools and techniques to review detail transactions to identify control weaknesses and potentially fraudulent activities. Application of IT general computer and application controls to prevent control weaknesses and mitigate risk. Introduction and application of auditing technology (e.g., Data Analytics / Visualization, RPA, AI and Blockchain). Use of system risk monitoring processes and tools. The course also introduces the many professional opportunities available to forensic accountants. Students enrolling in this graduate course should have a thorough understanding of the business transaction cycle and, at a minimum, a background in both financial accounting and auditing, obtained through either prior course work or professional experience.

This course examines the structural and environmental forces that influence the management process within organizations and its effectiveness in managing the organization through the process of change. Procedures and methodology are developed for identifying the organization’s type, readiness for change, and appropriate intervention and change strategies. Issues examined include power and resistance, human motivation and behavior, intervention in systems, group dynamics, team building, power and politics in organizations, and the creation of change-oriented cultures.

Professionals in the business world are often required to perform an in-depth financial review and analysis of a company’s financial statements. Independent study allows the student to explore a topic of interest under the close supervision of a faculty member. The course will include directed readings, applied work, performing a financial analysis of a company, including: trend analysis, fluctuation analysis, and ratio analysis. This project will require the student to review all financial information available for the company to be found in the 10K, Annual Report, Stock Market Company and Industry Research Reports, news releases and other information to be found on their website and other SEC Reports. Eventually, in this course, students have the opportunity to review, grasp, and learn the advanced tools such as various models on financial distress and earning manipulation prediction.

This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to investigate the social responsibility of business, manners in which business leaders and managers deal with ethical issues, and the role of business professionals in the process of guiding (stewarding) the organization in the ways in which it is willing to acknowledge its influential role in the community and design efforts to respond to the important problems in that community.

This course provides an opportunity to apply academic knowledge through research and the development of a proposal to improve a managerial task within an organization. Working in teams, students develop real world solutions through a research-oriented project that has applied objectives. The thrust of the creative response here is toward solving an actual operating problem. In a graduate business program, performance of this type of task is an appropriate way to further develop the knowledge and skills acquired in academic learning.

Based upon classical and contemporary theory and empirical research, this course provides an analysis of organizations, focusing on the impacts that organizations have upon individuals and society. The course focuses on how managers structure and operate organizations so that they are efficient and effective. In reviewing the field of organization studies, the course considers the past, present, and areas of likely significant future development in the study of organizations. Specifically, it surveys the development of rational, natural, and open systems theories—from earlier to contemporary versions—and provides a framework to allow students to comprehend past and present theories and to understand current controversies.

This course provides the manager with a basic understanding of the field of human resource management as it is practiced today. Theories, concepts, terminology, procedures, laws, and regulations, are explored and discussed as they apply to the process of maintaining a well-qualified, motivated workforce. In particular, students will explore the variety of problems, issues, and conflicts that may arise in the workplace and some of the strategies designed to deal with such problems.