Oct 15, 2024  
2021-2022 Saint Joseph’s College Online Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Saint Joseph’s College Online Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Master of Business Administration (MBA)


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The Emerging Leader Master of Business Administration (MBA) is designed specifically to ensure entry level professionals possess a practical foundation from which to build their careers long into the future. Especially suitable for emerging leaders, this degree also offers maximum flexibility for those with graduate transfer credits and/or the desire to attain an MBA with customized study options.

The distinctive curriculum prepares future business supervisors and managers to be leaders by deepening their understanding of the interplay between the quantitative (revenue, profit and costs) and the qualitative (meaning, relationships and values) in business organizations.  This approach challenges “bottom line” thinking and fosters recognition of the inherent value of sustainability (ethics, social and environmental responsibility) and community (communication, relationship building).  Both short term decision-making and long term strategic thinking for the individual and for the organization are reflected in emphases on the traditional business skills and knowledge necessary for employment, as well as, ongoing career development. 

Program Outcomes Matched to Institutional Outcomes

Institutional Outcomes

Program Outcomes include the abilities to…

Identify and apply the ethical and moral dimensions of students’ particular field of study.

  • Think holistically through a systems perspective

Demonstrate effective communication skills in both written and oral formats.

  • Develop interpersonal skills
  • Communicate with clarity and credibility

Demonstrate competency in programmatic content and career preparation through applied and/or experiential learning opportunities.

  • Apply concepts and principles to real world problems
  • Prepare for continuing professional development
  • Understand the dynamics of business

Engage in responsible citizenship, social justice, and environmental stewardship.

  • Act responsibly

Demonstrate critical thinking skills and the ability to analyze and evaluate information from diverse sources and perspectives.

  • Think analytically and critically
 

Credits

Candidates must satisfactorily complete 39 graduate credits, with a cumulative GPA of Saint Joseph’s College courses of 3.0 or higher.

Transfer Credit

Up to 6 credits may be transferred into the program, with the approval of the Program Director.

  • Applicants wishing to apply graduate credits earned from another institution must provide transcripts and course descriptions for the course(s).
  • SJC undergraduates may, in certain cases, apply undergraduate credits earned for transfer according to the requirements outlined for specific graduate business courses.
  • SJC students may, in certain cases, apply internship credits earned for transfer according to the requirements outlined for specific graduate business courses.

About the Curriculum

The “leveled” curriculum consists of four reciprocally interdependent groups of courses that reflect a developmental approach to the art and discipline of leadership, thus ensuring students achieve a high level of mastery in each of the program outcome areas.

  • Each level builds on the lessons of the previous coursework.
  • Personal advisors work closely with students to ensure they choose courses from the schedule that will ensure optimal progress as they advance through the program.
  • Students can expect that although each faculty member brings their unique perspective and knowledge to their teaching, they share the same mission: to help students develop essential business and leadership competencies (program outcomes).

Students can also expect a high degree of quality and genuine caring in the guidance they receive on their learning journey.
 

Curriculum Content and Course Progression

Level 1

Thinking Ahead

Foundational in content and preparatory in strategy, with a focus on what is needed to be successful

Level 2

Thinking Systemically

Big picture thinking, with an emphasis on the language & tools needed to understand systems and our place within them

Level 3

Thinking Responsibly

A framework for thinking and acting responsibly through the discipline of exercising of foresight

Level 4

Thinking Strategically

Concerning the fundamental relationship between assessment and planning

MB 515 - Leadership & Lifelong Learning  

MB 500 - Business / Organizational Dynamics  

MB 530 - Ethical, Social, & Environmental Responsibility  

MB 510 - Financial Principles & Policy  

MK 500 - Strategic Marketing  

MB 540 - Economy as a System  

MB 641 - Statistical Thinking  

 MB 605 (SF)   Strategic Management of the Sustainable Enterprise  

HR 500 - Human Resource Management  

MB 642 - Systems Thinking   

 

 

 

 

Schedule

Courses must be taken in the sequence defined by the levels. Exceptions may be made with approval from the Program Director. 

Courses are offered in five terms per year and are ten weeks in length.

This semi-asynchronous online program consists of both independent study and discussion based courses. Both formats are structured around weekly activities and due dates.  Students have the opportunity to engage in research, reflection, writing and facilitated discussions with classmates much like they would in a traditional classroom but without the requirement of everyone being online on the same day or at the same time.

 

Program Options: Concentrations, MBA Elective Courses


(3 courses; 9 credits)

Students may choose from the following pathways:

  1. Choose a concentration that consists of three courses that are unique to the concentration and that are focused on a particular profession or industry.
  2. Create a grouping of three courses drawing from any of the MBA Elective Courses listed.  Note the suggested areas of study listed below (7B0).
  3. Choose from any of the MBA Elective Courses to complement up to six transfer credits (see above).

 

1. Profession or Industry Focused Concentration

Health Sector Management (7B8): HS500, HS512, HS515

No work experience in the healthcare field; no previous academic studies and no special admission requirements are necessary to pursue this concentration.

2. Suggested Areas of Study (7B0)

Suggested course groupings offer a focused study path that allows students to choose elective courses that align with their needs and interests. Note that some groupings are interdisciplinary, drawing from business, accounting, education, health administration and theology. Suggestions for course groupings are as follows:

Financial Management: MB510, MB641, AC620, AC640, 

Training & Development: HR525, ED540, ED650, ED662, ED650, ED662, MB520, MB560, 

Accounting: AC540, AC520, AC550, AC630; All accounting courses are available to MBA students with indicated preparatory and prerequisite coursework completed.

Ethics in Business: MB530, AC520, AC550

Intercultural / Crosscultural Studies: ED560, MB650, **TH572

Quality & Continuous Improvement:  MB560, MB641, ED650, HS715

Human Resources: HR525, HR535, MB651

Sport Administration: *SE500

 

3. MBA Elective Courses

Please speak to an Admissions Counselor or Advisor about elective and course equivalency options and availabilty.

AC 520  – Legal Environment / Business Law (Ethics)

AC 530   – Research for Accounting Professionals

AC 540   – Accounting Information Systems

AC 550   – Leadership & Relationship Management (for accountants)

AC 600   – Taxation (Business)

AC 610   – Audit (Risk Management & Assurance Services)

AC 620   – Advanced Topics in Disclosure & Financial Reporting

AC 620   – Advanced Management Accounting

AC 640   – (Applied) Corporate Financial Management

AC 650   – International Accounting

HR 525   – HRM-Leading People, Managing Change

ED 505 – Curriculum Design, Development & Assessment

ED 524   – Digital Strategies for 21st Century Learning

ED 540 – Adult Education & Self-Directed Learning

ED 560 – Intercultural Communications & Learning

ED 650 – Theories & Principles in Adult Education & Training

ED 662 – Technology in Adult Education & Training

HR 525  - Managing People Through Change

HS 500  - Healthcare in the US

HS 515  - Health Services Management

MB 560   – Quality Leadership

MB 605 (SF)   - Strategic Leadership of the Sustainable Enterprise

MB 641   - Statistical Thinking

 MB 650  - Cross-Cultural Leadership

MB 651 (SR)  - Strategic Leadership of Human Capital

*SE 500   - Sport Facility & Event Management

SE 505  - Legal Strategies in Sport Administration

SE 600  - Leadership in Sport Administration

**TH 541 - Church Management & Leadership

**TH 550   - Foundations of Catholic Theology

**TH 572   - Ministry in the Intercultural Church of America

**TH 617   - Pastoral Leadership Among Latino Catholics

 

*Undergraduate Course Equivalencies

If a student successfully completes the undergraduate courses of Sport Facilities Management (SE 318) and Sport Facility and Event Planning (SE 300) with a B or better, and subsequently completes a one credit independent study research project, the study to require selection of a faculty advisor and application approval by the Graduate Coordinator, said student will upon completion qualify for a three credit graduate waiver of (SE 500) Sport Facility & Event Management.

**Courses offered in the twelve week term format may not be compatible without scheduling adjustments.

Admissions Requirements


Matriculates in the MBA program must hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited academic institution, with a minimum GPA of 2.5.

No employment experience required.

Preparatory Coursework

Successful completion (B- / 2.7 GPA or better) or other evidence of competency in of each of the following prior to graduate course (500 level and above) enrollment is required.  *In some cases, professional experience will be considered.  Students with undergraduate degrees who have not yet completed any or all of these courses may do so through our online offerings prior to enrolling in 500 level courses.  SJC courses are indicated in parentheses and include both on campus and online courses.

  • Macroeconomics (EC 203, or, BA202)
  • Financial Accounting (AC 210)
  • Managerial Accounting (AC 211)
  • Business Finance (FI 301)

*Applicants must also submit a resume or work history to supplement their application and allow for a comprehensive evaluation that takes professional credentials into consideration.

Scheduling of Preparatory Courses Suggested pairings for students who must take two courses per term:

AC 210, BA 202,

AC 211, FI 301

Accelerated Program!

Bachelor degreed applicants who meet all of the admission and preparatory requirements who elect to take two courses in each of the five ten week terms can complete the program in one year!

Submissions

Applicants must submit the following two items for evaluation of preparedness for success in the program:

  • Resume
  • A 750-word Essay

Essay Requirements

The essay synthesizes the applicant’s reflections on their personal beliefs and life experiences and why they believe that the MBA program suits their values, ethics, professional goals and aspirations. This self-assessment essay should explain what the applicant believes is the gap between where they perceive their current business and leadership skills to be and where they would like those skills to be upon completion of the MBA program.

To this end, there are two areas of self-assessment and reflection that the essay must address:

1. Who are you as a person? Who do you aspire to become?

Example questions that might be considered for critical introspection include: Who am I? What do I care about? What matters to me most? What lessons have my life taught me? What kind of person do I aspire to be?   How do I hope others will be influenced by my example?

2. What do you hope to accomplish from your studies in the MBA program?

This portion of the essay should explain why you believe that the MBA program aligns with your personal and professional goals and how you plan to be successful in the program.

PLEASE NOTE: 

  • The essay must not be a biographical accounting of the applicant’s accomplishments and skills, but rather an in depth self-analysis of the person who he/she is.
  • Applicants must demonstrate that they are able to speak directly to the two required areas of self-assessment and reflection, as this is a required ability for success throughout the program.
  • The essay will be evaluated for clarity and quality of expression.

 

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