Master of Business Administration

Edward S. Ageno School of Business

The rapidly evolving global marketplace of today is highly competitive; it demands a new kind of executive. You'll need a deep grounding in business theory along with first-rate leadership skills, an understanding of the changing environment that business operates in, and a keen understanding of human behavior and the ability to motivate - not dominate - co-workers. The MBA programs at Golden Gate University's Ageno School of Business are designed to give you the skills and knowledge you need to become a successful executive in this new business environment.

The Ageno School offers many choices for pursuing an MBA degree. For those who prefer maximum flexibility and convenience in scheduling, our traditional evening and online CyberCampus programs will allow you to take classes when and where it is most convenient for you. You can attend classes at our many teaching locations throughout the Northern California area, or online from the convenience of your office, home or anywhere you have Internet access. We are proud to offer the finest MBA program in San Francisco, the Bay Area, and beyond.

With our MBA program, you can mix and match the delivery mode that best suits you at the time. We also offer an executive MBA programand professional program. Finally, for those of you who wish to pursue a law degree and an MBA simultaneously, we have partnered with the Golden Gate University School of Law to offer an accelerated JD/MBA program.

All of GGU's carefully structured MBA degree programs provide you with the education to match our technology-based, international marketplace. We offer a rigorous intellectual foundation in business theory and management, hands-on practical experience in applying theoretical knowledge to current real-life problems, and an experienced, top-notch faculty. Founded in 1953, the program is renowned for its academic and professional excellence. We've worked hard to develop a curriculum that is contemporary and applicable to the problems and issues you'll encounter in today's business environment. Our faculty brings you the best of two worlds: full-time professors with an in-depth knowledge of business theory and philosophy; and adjunct professors, all with advanced degrees, who work in the field and share their knowledge and experience in the classroom. You'll find an enthusiastic faculty whose goal is your growth and success in the field.

Golden Gate University's traditional MBA program examines the theories of management and how they are applied to an organization. Our executive MBA program is centered around four managerial themes: managerial analysis, communications, teamwork and leadership. These themes are designed to unite the program providing the student with the innovative analytic capabilities to understand the changing environment and the managerial skills necessary to effectively lead the organization to meet that change. Our core curriculum will give you a sound foundation in theory and a perspective on how and where today's business and envirnmental trends fit into the larger, global picture. Viewing today's issues and trends through a wide lens will enable you to problem solve more successfully, with an eye to the future, as well as the past and the present.

Our MBA curriculum combines the theoretical and practical elements of management. You'll study the theories and concepts important to managing business, and spend an equivalent amount of time discussing and applying them in a hands-on, case-study framework, the method of choice for today's top business schools. Your classroom experience will often resemble actual management experience. We'll encourage you to examine problems, explore alternatives and apply theories and concepts to derive solutions. The approach helps you hone your critical-thinking, logic and problem-solving skills, preparing you for the daily challenges in the business marketplace.

The course of study is broken down into three modules: the foundation program; the advanced program core courses; and the advanced program area of concentration. The foundation and advanced programs focus on the fundamentals of business operation and management techniques, and provide a general, but critical, knowledge of business functions in the twenty-first century. You will study accounting, finance, business policy and strategy, information systems, marketing and operations, the changing context in which business operates, and innovation management, and the critical role that managers play in multinational organizations. The concentration component of our MBA allows you to select an area of interest from eight different concentrations or select a general course of study. Each concentration presents an in-depth examination of a particular area, how it functions and how it should be managed.

Graduating students will be able to:

• Work effectively in teams
• Sell their ideas
• Apply theory to understand real practical situations
• Think "outside the box" and develop novel solutions
• Integrate the functional department issues into a coherent strategic whole
• Analyze and synthesize problems

Graduating students will be knowledgeable about:

• Current international and global issues
• Ethical and diversity issues
• Current technology and environmental issues
• Leading change in an organization
• Current management trends

GMAT REQUIREMENT

Applicants to the master of business administration degree program are required to take the GMAT. Some exceptions to this requirement exist.

GRADUATE WRITING PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENT

Students admitted to the master of business administration degree program must meet the graduate writing proficiency requirement.

COMPUTER PROFICIENCY

Applicants are expected to demonstrate a working familiarity with computers and software applications appropriate for graduate studies. Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet analysis and network access capabilities are included for evaluation. Deficiencies in computer proficiency may require additional work as determined by the faculty.

MATH PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENT

Students admitted to this program are expected to possess a level of mathematical skill at least equivalent to College Algebra (MATH 30).

FOUNDATION PROGRAM - 18 units

The six-course foundation program provides the groundwork for the advanced program core and concentration courses. Some, or all, of the foundation course requirements may be waived if you have previously completed comparable undergraduate courses at a regionally accredited college or university with a grade of C- or better. You may be admitted to advanced program courses before completion of the entire foundation program, but you must complete the foundation program by the time six (6) units have been earned in the advanced program.

· ACCTG 201 Accounting for Managers
· ECON 202 Economics for Managers
· ITM 225 Management Information Systems
· MGT 204 International Business and Strategy
· MGT 210 Management Theory and Communications
· MATH 240 Data Analysis for Managers

ADVANCED PROGRAM - 30 units

The six core courses in the advanced program are taken by all MBA students. This ensures that all MBA graduates have an understanding of the important skills for effective management and an integrative knowledge of the core areas of business, regardless of their area of concentration. Although you are required to choose either a concentration or a general course of study when you apply for admission, the common core allows you to rethink your concentration (or general course of study) decision, and to change it with minimum course penalty.

CORE COURSES - 18 units
· MGT 300 Managerial Analysis and Team Dynamics (Must be taken as part of the first six units of the advanced program.)
· FI 300A Managerial Finance
· MKT 300 Marketing Management
· OP 300 Operations Management
· MGT 345 Contextual Environment of Business
· MGT 362 Developing Strategies for Competitive Advantage (Must be taken as part of the final six units of the advanced program.)

The four concentration courses in the advanced program allow you to develop expertise in a specialized area of business. The concentrations include required and elective courses. Currently, GGU offers eight MBA concentrations. Or, you can choose a general concentration. For those students who wish to develop on-the-job experience in the program, you can develop hands-on experience through our internship program by taking three (3) units of an internship course in your field of interest. For three months, under the supervision of GGU faculty, you will work for a business or nonprofit organization, applying your Golden Gate education to real-life circumstances.

GENERAL CONCENTRATION

Whatever your goal is in the world of business, the general concentration allows you to tailor your MBA program to your own individual needs. Choose any four three-unit courses from the GGU graduate catalog to build your own course of study. With an array of electives to choose from, you can pick those courses that give you the set of knowledge and skills that you need in your career. Select courses from Accounting, Finance, health Services Management, Human Resource Management, Information Technology Management., International Business, Marketing, Management, Operations and Chain Management, Project Management, Public Administration, Public Relations, Psychology, or Taxation. You are encouraged to meet with your advisor to help select the best courses to meet your needs.

REQUIREMENTS - 12 units
• Any Four 300-or 400 level graduate course (12 units)

ACCOUNTING CONCENTRATION

Want to combine your management skills with a strong foundation in accounting? Whether your career goal lies in the public sector, private industry or not-for-profit organizations, you'll learn how to apply the theory and practice of contemporary accounting to a variety of management positions. You'll get abundant hands-on practice, a firm foundation in the latest technology used in the field, and the accounting and management tools you'll need to be a leader in your chosen organization. The accounting concentration prepares you for a career in public accounting as an auditor, tax professional or consultant; in private industry as a controller, treasurer or chief financial officer; in not-for-profit accounting; or in banking and other positions where strong integration of finance and accounting is required.

REQUIREMENTS - 12 units
· ACCTG 300 Accounting Research and Communication
· Three 300-level courses (9 units) with the ACCTG prefix, which may include ACCTG 398 Internship: Accounting.

UNDERGRADUATE PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENT - 3 units
· ACCTG 1A Financial Accounting

ACCOUNTING FOUNDATION COURSES - 18 units
· ACCTG 100A Intermediate Accounting I
· ACCTG 100B Intermediate Accounting II
· ACCTG 100C Intermediate Accounting III
· ACCTG 105 Cost Management
· ACCTG 108A Federal Income Tax I**
· ACCTG 146 Business Law

(* These courses will be waived for those students who have passed the CPA examination. Additionally, individual courses can be waived if students have previously completed comparable courses at another regionally accredited institution with a grade of "B-" or better. Students may be admitted to advanced program courses before completion of the entire accounting foundation and foundation program courses, but must complete all accounting foundation and foundation program courses by the time that twelve (6) units have been earned in the advanced program.)
(** Students who have passed the Enrolled Agents Exam do not have to take ACCTG 108A.)

FINANCE CONCENTRATION - 12 units

Whatever your goal in the world of business, from corporate management to consulting and entrepreneurship, the study of finance will give you the solid grounding in decision-making techniques that will help you ensure the financial health of your enterprise in the competitive global market. You'll learn the traditional decision-making techniques in the areas of capital budgeting, capital structure, investment management, and short-term capital management. You'll learn how to manage financial risks with derivatives that are playing an increasingly important role in corporate risk management. You'll find that our unique method - combining a theoretical knowledge of finance with extensive hands-on learning, using real-life case studies and our state-of-the art computer labs - will give you the abilities you need to be an effective, exceptionally competent manager in any organization.

REQUIREMENTS - 12 units
· FI 300 Corporate Finance
· Three 300- or 400-level courses (9 units) with the FI or ECON prefix, which may include FI 497 Internship: Finance.

HEALTH SERVICES MANAGEMENT CONCENTRATION - 12 units

This concentration will help you develop the knowledge, skills and tools you will need to effectively manage a health services organization. Special emphasis will be placed on present and future issues affecting health services management.

REQUIREMENTS - 12 units
· HSM 372 US Health Services Delivery Systems
· HSM 373 Healthcare Policy and Government Relations

Two of the following:
· HSM 374 Healthcare Economics and Public Policy
· HSM 375 Health Services Quality Assessment and Improvement
· HSM 376 Continuum of Long-Term Care
· HSM 377 Financial Management of Health Services Organizations
· HSM 378 Managing the Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Services
· HSM 379 Evolution of Managed Care and Integrated Health Services Delivery Systems
· HSM 396A-ZZ Selected Topics in Health Services Management
· HSM 398 Internship: Healthcare Management
· HSM 399 Directed Study in Health Services Management


HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CONCENTRATION - 12 units

In the competitive global marketplace, effective management of human resources is necessary for success. You'll learn to understand the human resource issues triggered by technology and the international business environment, and how to apply your knowledge as a human resource manager or personnel officer in business and public organizations.

REQUIREMENTS - 12 units
· MGT 346 Human Resource Management
· MGT 370 Strategic Human Resource Management (To be taken as part of the last six units in the concentration.)

Two of the following:
· MGT 305 Managing People in International Settings
· MGT 341 Benefits Administration
· MGT 342 Compensation and Administration
· MGT 343 Labor Relations
· MGT 344 Training and Development
· MGT 358 Employment Law
· MGT 359 Managing the Employment Function
· MGT 396A-ZZ Selected Topics in Management
· MGT 398 Internship: Management


INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT CONCENTRATION - 12 units

The concentration in information technology prepares you as a professional with knowledge and skills essential for managers who are responsible for participating in the planning, design, integration and deployment of strategic enterprise technologies and systems essential for the contemporary organization's competitive success.

REQUIREMENTS - 12 units
· ITM 340 Managing Infomation Technologies in the Business Enterprise
· Three 300-level courses (9 units) with the ITM prefix

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CONCENTRATION

The globalization of the marketplace has increased the demand for internationally oriented managers. This concentration will prepare you for a managerial career in an international setting. It is designed to respond to the changing demands for managers who are in tune with the international economy through the advanced electives in international marketing, international finance or international operations management. You will gain an unusual degree of competence and confidence in understanding the context of international business.

REQUIREMENTS - 12 units
Four of the following:
· ECON 340 International Trade and Finance
· FI 343 International Corporate Finance
· MGT 305 Managing People in International Settings
· MGT 306 Legal Aspects of International Business Transactions
· MKT 343 International Marketing
· OP 329 Global Supply Chain Management

MANAGEMENT CONCENTRATION - 12 units

This dynamic concentration educates you in the use of modern management theories, concepts, research findings and problem-solving techniques. You'll get an in-depth foundation in evolving theories and contemporary management problems and will be well prepared to manage creatively and effectively in the current business environment.

REQUIREMENTS - 12 units
· MGT 320 Management Leadership: Theory and Practice
· MGT 346 Human Resource Management
· MGT 348 Negotiating in Business

One of the following:
· MGT 301 Entrepreneurship
· MGT 338 The Manager as Communicator
· MGT 353 Organizational Development
· MGT 396OB Organizational Behavior & Process
· MGT 396CR Conflict Resolution: Skills and Techniques
· MGT 398 Internship: Management

MARKETING CONCENTRATION - 12 units

Often considered the central discipline of business, the challenges and practices of marketing are evolving along with the changes in the contemporary business environment. This concentration prepares you to manage the marketing function inside private or public sector business organizations. General management and marketing techniques, such as market research and market planning, are covered along with the current trends and techniques in the field.

REQUIREMENTS - 12 units

Four of the following:
· Any 300-level course with the MKT prefix, which may include MKT 398 Internship: Marketing and PR 320 Contemporary Public Relations.

OPERATIONS AND SUPPLY CHAIN-MANAGEMENT CONCENTRATION - 12 units

Our operations and supply-chain management concentration provides you with a foundation in the theories and practice of management in businesses where operations and supply-chain management are critical to success. You can take a variety of operations management courses to cover an overview of the field, or choose to focus on a specific area such as project and systems management, or procurement and supply-chain management.

REQUIREMENTS - 12 units
· OP 302 Quality Management and Process Improvement
· Three 300-level courses (9 units) with the OP prefix, which may include OP 398 Internship: Operations Management.

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION CONCENTRATION - 12 units

Outsourcing of public sector services to business and non-profit organizations has increased the need for private sector managers who understand how the government bureaucracy works. This concentration provides you with the necessary skills and Knowledge to be successful at public management.

REQUIREMENTS - 12 units
· EMPA 300 Theory, Ethics, and Practice in Public Service

Two of the following:
· EMPA 302 Public Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation
· EMPA 304 Public Enterprise Management and Public Sector Business Relations
· EMPA 305 Public Budgeting and Financial Management
· EMPA 306 Public Service and the Law
· EMPA 307 Public Personnel Management(3 units maximum)

PROJECT MANAGEMENT CONCENTRATION - 12 units

The concentration in Project Management prepares you as a professional with highly desirable skills in the field of project management, by giving you a thorough grounding in multiple PM skills, including budgeting, conflict resolution, communication, project scope, developing and using resources, leadership and team building.

These skills and many others provided by the program enable you to take leadership roles in local, outsourced and global projects. You'll be gaining knowledge from faculty who are certificated by PMI, and who have significant real-world project management experience. The content of courses is integrated with the Project Management Body of Knowledge. As you progress through courses, you are preparing yourself for the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification exam*.

The PM concentration provides an opportunity for those who wish to build on their MBA degree work by obtaining project management skills. The certificate is for those who may be working and find the need to increase project management skills in their present and future professional endeavors.

*GGU has applied to be a PMI provider

REQUIREMENTS - 12 units
· OP 340 Project Management
· OP 343 Project Feasibility, Planning and Control
· OP 345 Project Administration, Leadership and Team Dynamics
· OP 346 The Practice of Project Management

Two or more concentrations may be taken in the MBA program. In addition to the course requirements for the concentrations, you must also complete the coursework for all the foundation and the advanced programs. All of the coursework for multiple concentrations must be completed prior to graduation; you may not request any additional concentrations after you have received your MBA. Your diploma will list all of the concentrations that you have successfully completed by the date of your graduation.