MBA PROGRAM GUIDE | SCHEDULE OF COURSES
The MBA program at Point Park University's School of Business consists of eight core courses, followed by four courses in one of five concentrations: management, international business, management information systems, sport, arts and entertainment management, or health systems management. Whether you take the traditional two year, 15 week semester program or the accelerated one year, seven semester MBA program, the course descriptions remain the same.
Core Courses
MBA 511 - Accounting for Managers
The basic concepts of accounting and their significance to management are studied. Efforts to establish international accounting standards for foreign currency transactions and international operations are introduced.
MBA 570 - Global Environment of Business
Introduces the multinational enterprise and reviews basic terminology and general practices of international business. Geo-politics and comparative cultures are studied in relation to basic world geography. World organizations of potential assistance to the international business manager are introduced.
MBA 571 - Legal Environment of Business
The relationship of the business manager to the legal foundations of the business/economic system is considered through theory and case studies. The legal and regulatory climates in which businesses operate are examined. The impact of international laws such as the act of state doctrine, and the effects of U.S. legislation on multinational business operations will also be considered.
MBA 572 - Marketing
This class will examine specific methods of market research capable of facilitating market analysis and competitive analysis. Students utilize appropriate policies concerning the product, its pricing, promotion and distribution as well as aspects of planning and organizing for the domestic and international marketplace. The course will include a review of fundamental statistical techniques with marketing research applications.
MBA 573 - Corporate Finance
The class will examine discounted cash flow techniques for decision-making applications. Topics to be examined will involve operational budgeting, capital appropriation requests, investment planning, new product introductions, acquisitions, divestitures, shutdowns, and other special project decisions. The course will combine theory, cases and computer application projects.
MBA 574 - Organizational Behavior
The class will examine human behavior in organizations at the individual, interpersonal and group levels. The interplay of human, technological, and structural factors in organizations will be examined. Important issues to be considered will also involve motivation theories, communication, and group decision theories for managerial applications. The class will look at how we can design jobs and organizational structures and techniques to be used for evaluating and rewarding performance. Similarly, the class will look at techniques for the development of team building, leadership and conflict resolution skills.
MBA 576 - Quantitative Methods
A general overview of statistical techniques and quantitative methods used in business and government. Probability theory and statistical decision models are emphasized. Linear regression and correlation analysis leading to computer use for solutions.
MBA 578 - Managerial Economics
Managerial Economics deals with a diversity of issues. For instance, the class will discuss ways of directing scarce resources in an efficient manner so as to attain managerial goals defined by the firm. To this end, students will learn to apply economic ideas, theories, and methodologies in a strategic manner to enhance corporate performance. Students will also analyze organizational structures in order to maximize corporate behavior in the multitude of industrial and service sectors in which firms operate. Discussion of additional pertinent topics will provide students with further ways of using managerial economics, tools and procedures in the modern business environment.
MBA 595, 596, 597 - Special Topics
Management
MBA 538 - Advertising
Examines advertising from a world-wide perspective. The management of advertising in various foreign markets will be compared. Advertising strategies developed by multinational agencies and used by multinational corporations are studied. The specifics of account management, media selection, media planning and media research are discussed in relation to selected countries.
MBA 575 - Organizational Systems
This class will examine organizational change, transformation and evolution from the systems and socio-technical perspectives. Models to be explored will involve mechanistic and cybernetic systems. Moreover, recent models looking at organizations from the organic/biological perspectives will also be examined. Finally, an attempt will be made to see how the above can be used for strategic corporate applications.
MBA 577 - Strategic Planning
Enables students to identify, comprehend and appraise an organization’s strategies and policies. Provides students with the methodology to formulate and implement strategy, and to analyze possible consequences of strategic and policy actions
MBA 595 - Special Topics in Management
International Business
MBA 514 - International Economics
The analytical framework for economic decision-making within the international firm with respect to supply, demand, cost, price and profit is developed. Geographic trade patterns, differences between price and non-price economics, real and currency value changes, and international variations of corporate and national economic policies are reviewed and evaluated.
MBA 517 - International Finance
An overview of the financial function including applications and sources of corporate funds relating to the money and capital markets. Examines the special risks and returns of international operations. Special financial considerations of beginning operations such as joint ventures in another country, different tax systems, foreign exchange valuation, altered working capital and long-term funding arrangements such as use of the Eurodollar and other capital sources are analyzed.
MBA 541 - Cultures of International Business
An overview of structure and functions of multinational organizations. Included are the role of the manager in various organizational settings, the influence of manager and organization upon each other, comparisons of the effect of cultures upon organizations, managerial assumptions about people when designing organizational structure, and the impact of the sociocultural environment on the multinational firm.
MBA 596 - Special Topics in International Business
Management Information Systems
MBA 580 - Management Information Systems
This course addresses three major computer issues. First, this course examines the business aspects of computer information systems, with a focus on hardware, software, and computer systems management. Second, it introduces business productivity software. In particular, it explores presentation and spreadsheet programs providing the students with considerable hands-on experience. Third, the course offers a case-oriented study of statistical data analysis for business decision making. Here, topics include: data summary measure, methods, population and sample characteristics, and linear regression, all implemented using the spreadsheet technology.
MBA 581 - Development of Support Networks
A comprehensive analysis of the impact of computer-based information systems on decision-making, planning and control. Topics include organizational structures needed to accommodate information technology; concepts of project management; design of information systems for managing the traditional functional areas of a firm; use of computer-aided software engineering (CASE) tools in systems development.
MBA 582 - Database Management and Applications
An exploration of concepts, principles, issues, and techniques for managing organizational data using database management systems. Topics include database architecture, data models with emphasis on relational model, logical database design, relational query languages, normalization, and database administration issues. Emphasis on the managerial and strategic impact of databases. Two projects are required.
MBA 597- Special Topics in Info Systems
Sport, Arts and Entertainment
MBA 551 – Applied SAEM Marketing
This course will provide a strategic look at marketing concepts within the sport, arts and entertainment industries. Specifically, students will develop and evaluate strategic marketing plans that address consumer (fan/audience) behavior, creating high levels of customer service, developing brand loyalty (relationship marketing), applying research data, segmenting markets, promotions and branding.
MBA 552 – Applied SAEM Management
This course concerns the application of management concepts and theories in various sport, arts and entertainment settings. Students will assess and recommend courses of action for the management of event planning and facility operations. Students will also integrate legal liability and risk management, organization design, governance, public policy, labor relations, collective bargaining, and ethical issues into the globalization of the sport, arts and entertainment industries.
MBA 553 – Applied SAEM Finance
Using finance principles, students in this course will assess, design and evaluate revenue streams (setting ticket prices, concessions, luxury suites, associated merchandise, etc.) contracts, budgets and facility/equipment financing in sport, arts and entertainment organizations.
MBA 590 – Graduate Internship in Sport, Arts and Entertainment
In this course the students complete an internship in a sport, arts and/or entertainment organization under the supervision of the SAEM Graduate Program Director.
MBA 591 – Thesis/Project in Sport, Arts and Entertainment
In this course, the student develops his or her own individual thesis/project under the supervision of the SAEM Graduate Program Director.
Health Systems Management
MBA 579 - Health Economics
Economic concepts will be applied to analyze health care markets and evaluate health policies, including distinctive economic characteristics of health, the health care industry and the delivery of care, health care professionals, and the financing of health care services. The American system of health care, current health policy issues such as health care reform, managed care, and manpower planning will be areas of focus as well as a comparative study of other health care systems.
MBA 583 - Financial Management of Health Care
This course addresses financial principles and concepts as applied to the health care financial management of both for-profit and not-for-profit entities within the context of the current health care environment in the United States. The goal of this course is to prepare individuals for the responsibilities involved in maintaining a well-managed health care organization. Specific processes, functions and reports are presented in this course, including financial statements and reports as commonly seen in health care environments. This course will also include a discussion of financial management of challenges of particular interest to administrators such as identification of costs of care, and types of provider payment
MBA 585 - Health Care Policy Analysis
The core elements of health policy analysis: problem definition; background; political, economic, and social landscape; development of policy options; and recommendations will be presented. The course will also teach the written, graphic, and oral presentation skills associated with policy analysis. Case studies of various health care issues will provide students substantive knowledge of the federal policy making process and key issues in health policy. In the context of the discussion of the cases, in-depth historical background related to the policies addressed will be provided. Students should gain both a technical capacity for analysis and an understanding of the operations of the health policy making process.
MBA 587 - Health Systems Management and Administration
Theories, strategies and systems of managing health care organizations are analyzed. Students will analyze administrative practices and procedures in health services organizations including certain information technology aspects, examine the evolution of organizational design, and appraise accountability relative to public trust. Continuous process improvement and healthcare quality management will be explored. The course will also examine the contributions of operations research and quality management to improve delivery and production of health services and business and computer processes from the perspective of the health care manager.
MBA 589 - Special Topics in Health Field