2014-2015 Academic Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2014-2015 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Master of Business Administration (MBA)


Overview


Graduate Program


The Clark University M.B.A. program develops competence in basic management functions, skill in managing organizations and an understanding of the global environment. Each graduate of Clark’s M.B.A. program is able to demonstrate:

  • competence in the functional areas of management;
  • in-depth understanding of one of the functional areas of management or global business;
  • skill in integrating the management functions into an effective organization, and understanding the legal, political, ethical, social and environmental responsibilities of management;
  • appreciation of the global context in which most organizations function; and
  • the leadership and communication skills needed to formulate and implement management decisions.

 

Graduate Program Requirements


The M.B.A curriculum consists of a combination of seven-week course modules and full-semester, 14-week courses. Modular courses count as 1/2 unit each, while a full semester course counts as one unit. For students who enrolled in their first semester of M.B.A. courses prior to the fall 2011 semester, the total unit requirement is 16.5 units. For students who enrolled in their first semester of M.B.A. courses in the fall 2011 semester forward, the total unit requirement is 17 units. Five of the units (seven courses) may be waived if equivalent courses have been completed in an undergraduate program, with a grade of B- or better within six years.

 

Completion of the Career Training Cohort class and a graduate internship are required for all students except: those who have 3 years of relevant professional work experience; those with five or more years of professional work experience, those with full-time employment during the length of the program, and those who are participating in an exchange program (ex. Sorbonne, Trier, etc.). It may be possible to waive these requirements. Visit a member of the Stevenish Career Management Center for more information.

 

All courses are worth one unit, unless otherwise specified.

 

Required Courses


Capstone


In the final stages of the M.B.A. curriculum, each student must complete a course that integrates their academic program and provides a professional, cross-disciplinary, career-building experience. Students have the opportunity to apply their academic skills to the world of practice through courses such as Sustainability Consulting Projects (CAP 5510  ), Leadership and Decision Making (CAP 5784  ), Management Consulting Projects (CAP 5792  ), Entrepreneurship (CAP 5802  ), and Global Business Seminar (CAP 5783  ). Students should choose a capstone option that best complements their selected area of focus.

 

Concentration and Free Electives


In addition to the courses listed above, students must take three to four units in one area of concentration, plus additional electives in any other area to total 16.5 units (for students who enrolled in their first semester of M.B.A. courses prior to the fall 2011 semester) or 17 units (for students enrolled in their first semester of M.B.A. courses in the fall 2011 semester forward) for the entire program. The list of electives that can be taken for each concentration can be found on the Forms and Policies page of the GSOM website. Students may choose from the following areas of concentration:

 

Accounting


The Accounting Concentration prepares students for today’s highly competitive and demanding positions in the field of accounting. Clark’s distinguished faculty gives utmost importance to contemporary issues and changes in national and global accounting sector.

 

Expanded Accounting Option


The Expanded Accounting concentration satisfies the 150-hour, postsecondary-education requirement for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination. It also allows students an opportunity to prepare for the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) examination. Students pursuing this option must complete the foundation, functional and general management courses, along with the following six courses:

 ,  ,  ,  ,  , and  .

 

Finance


You may already be working in the field of finance and planning your next career move to become a portfolio manager or a senior financial analyst; or you maybe in the initial stages of mapping out a career in finance as an economic, financial or investment analyst. Whatever stage you are in, the MBA with a concentration in Finance will provide you with the skills and confidence necessary to succeed in the world of finance.

 

Global Business


Clark’s Global Business concentration is designed to prepare managers to successfully compete in the global marketplace. The program seeks to give students an understanding of the business environment in countries other than the United States as well as present fundamental concepts which will enable graduates to succeed in the multi-national business environment. While at Clark, you will gain hands-on experience by working in cross-cultural teams, learning from a diverse faculty and investigating business practices from across the globe. Students are required to take FIN 5281  and MKT 5482  as part of the Global Business concentration.

 

Management


A concentration in General Management will allow you to further hone your management skills, and adapt to any managerial situation. Students focusing in management study will complete a minimum of three and a maximum of four course units in management. Topics you will investigate include managing teams, organizational change, labor relations and diversity in workplace.

 

Management Information Systems


The Management Information Systems concentration focuses on training students on the skills and knowledge required to manage the technological resources of organizations. It builds upon the broad-based MBA curriculum with topics in technology management such as e-commerce, database management, decision support systems and software development.

 

Marketing


The Marketing concentration in the MBA program is designed to address the demands of for-profit and not-for-profit organizations in various marketing areas, such as branding, advertising, product management, marketing research, etc. The elective courses in marketing will provide up-to-date, relevant knowledge and skills that today’s successful marketers must acquire.

 

Social Change


By earning a Social Change concentration, students use the unique business acumen they develop to promote positive environmental, social, and economic change throughout the world. Whether ultimately working in a corporation, government agency, or nongovernmental organization in the U.S. or abroad, you will have the skills, tools, knowledge, understanding and confidence necessary to be a successful agent of global change, and to function effectively in the context of formal institutions, civil society, markets and technology. Some IDCE courses may also count toward the Social Change concentration. Please contact Laura Burgess, (508) 793-7744, the Program Director for Academic and Student Services, to determine which courses qualify.

 

Sustainability


The concentration in Sustainability is focuses on not only social change, but also the critical business and management skills corporate leaders need to effect global change and be true stewards of the environment. Courses within the concentration couple the principles of environmental sustainability with the business strategies and fundamentals necessary to achieve responsible management at both the local and global level. The curriculum considers the impact of multinational and multiorganizational supply chain partnerships and the worldwide environmental influence of corporations large and small. Some IDCE courses may also count toward the Sustainability concentration. Please contact Laura Burgess, (508) 793-7744, the Program Director for Academic and Student Services, to determine which courses qualify.

 

Graduate School of Management Program Faculty


Program Faculty


Margarete Arndt, D.B.A.
Barbara Bigelow, Ph.D.
Lin Boldt, Ph.D.
Mary-Ellen Boyle, Ph.D.
Gary Chaison, Ph.D.
Keith Coulter, Ph.D.
Dileep Dhavale, Ph.D., C.P.A.
Priscilla Elsass, Ph.D.
Shu Feng, Ph.D.
Donna Gallo, Ph.D.
Laura Graves, Ph.D.
Arpita Joardar, Ph.D.
Edward J. Ottensmeyer, Ph.D.
Sitikantha Parida, Ph.D.
Joseph Sarkis, Ph.D.
Inshik Seol, Ph.D.
Richard Spurgin, Ph.D.
Zhihong Wang, Ph.D.
Guillaume Weisang, Ph.D.
Jing Zhang, Ph.D.

 

Emeriti Faculty


Robert Bradbury, Ph.D.
Harold T. Moody, Ph.D.
Maurry Tamarkin, Ph.D.

 

For a full list of faculty, including visiting and adjunct professors, please see the Faculty page on GSOM’s website.

 

Courses


All courses are worth one unit, unless otherwise specified.