The MBA curriculum is designed to provide knowledge and skills through diverse yet complementary avenues:
The core courses establish a well-rounded base of business knowledge in 8 areas of accounting, economics, finance, marketing, operations, statistics, strategy and organizational behavior. Throughout these courses (24 credit hours) students will develop and enhance critical analytical, communication, and leadership skills. Students engage in independent and team learning for course assignments by working with a diverse student body and faculty.
Students can use the remaining 4 elective courses (12 credits) to tailor the RU MBA to meet individual career and academic interests. Tailoring your MBA provides the opportunity to enhance the core business concepts. By gaining a stronger expertise in concentrated areas by applying knowledge through global elective courses, applied projects, study abroad, and other tailored options.
Professional development opportunities are also available throughout each semester to prepare students for their future career goals. The programs accentuate leadership skills, job seeking and career development skills, networking, and additional topic areas that are beneficial to an MBA’s future career path.
The RU Graduate faculty have the option of using a +/- grading scale for all courses. The grading scale for each class will be communicated to the students during the first meeting of class.
Core Courses
The following core courses are required for all full-time and professional MBA students (click on course number to view course syllabus):
Course |
Course Title |
Overview |
Prerequisites |
Credit Hours |
ACTG611 |
Accounting for Decision Making and Control |
Emphasis on accounting data used by managers in decision making. The course uses a textbook and cases. Among topics covered are relevant cost identification in decision making, contribution margin approach and capital budgeting. |
MBA status or permission of the instructor. |
3 |
MGNT621 |
Organizational Behavior and Managerial Skills |
Studies behaviors of individuals and groups in work organizations from managerial view; applies the concepts, methods, and research findings of the behavioral sciences to the understanding of the causes of human performance, satisfaction and development in work organizations. |
MBA status or permission of the instructor. |
3 |
ITEC623 |
Management Information Systems |
Development and application of management information systems to organizations. Analysis of critical information flow in the context of an organizational system. |
MBA status or permission of the instructor. |
3 |
MGNT624 |
Operations Management |
A problem-solving course designed to help reduce uncertainty in the decision-making environment of operations and production in manufacturing and service firms of private and public sectors of the economy. Emphasis on employment of mathematical models for use and application in decision making in business. |
MBA status or permission of the instructor. |
3 |
FINC631 |
Financial Management |
Examines techniques and concepts used in modern business and the theoretical advances in the areas of asset management and capital structure planning. Topics include capital budgeting, working capital management, valuation, cost of capital, capital structure planning, dividend policy, option pricing, mergers and acquisitions. Problems and short cases used to enhance student skills in financial planning and decision making. |
MBA status or permission of the instructor. |
3 |
MKTG641 |
Marketing Management |
This course teaches students the art and science of selecting target markets and acquiring and maintaining profitable customers in a socially responsible and ethical manner. Case studies, experiential projects, simulations and marketing planning assignments may be used. |
MBA status or permission of the instructor. |
3 |
ECON651 |
Managerial Economics |
Study of selected topics in economic theory and their application to management problems. Topics include demand and supply, revenues, elasticity, production and cost, incremental decision making, market structure and pricing, and investment analysis. Elementary quantitative methods will be developed and utilized |
MBA status or permission of the instructor. |
3 |
MGNT685 |
Strategic Management |
Integrates graduate business courses in a top level strategy development course. Emphasis on environmental analysis and decision making. A capstone course; must be taken during or after the term in which the last required MBA course is taken. |
MBA status or permission of the instructor, ACTG611, FINC631, MGNT624, MKTG641 taken prior to or concurrently. |
3 |
