The MBA program consists of 30 semester hours of coursework—eight core and two elective courses. Meredith’s MBA is a part-time, evening program designed for working professionals. For some students, additional foundations courses (3 to 12 credit hours) may be required, dependent upon transcript review.

CORE COURSES

MBA 620—DOMESTIC AND GLOBAL ECONOMIC ISSUES
Application of economics principles to the tasks and problems faced by business managers. Focus is on the impacts of market structure, the legal/political environment, macroeconomic environment and international considerations on value-maximization decisions pertaining to resource usage, production levels, and pricing strategies as practiced in imperfectly competitive markets. Fall, Spring, 3 hours.

MBA 630—ACCOUNTING AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
An approach to analysis of data and information relevant to management decision making. Topics covered include budgeting, differential costs in alternative decisions, allocation of cost, cost relationships, pricing, standard costing, and performance evaluation. This course also emphasizes the planning and use of information technology for business processes and decision making in business. Fall, Spring, 3 hours.

MBA 640—MANAGEMENT AND ETHICAL LEADERSHIP
An exploration of the theory and application of management and leadership skills for enhancement of individual, team and organizational effectiveness. This course examines the ethical issues business managers routinely face and the implications for various stakeholders. Fall, Spring, 3 hours.

MBA 650—MANAGERIAL FINANCE
An examination of the role of financial management of the firm. Emphasis is on the basic techniques utilized in financial decision making, valuing, cash flows, capital structure, managing working capital, and optimal investment policy. Fall, Spring, 3 hours.

MBA 660—COMPETING IN THE GLOBAL MARKETPLACE
This course focuses on developing strategies for managing the operations of companies whose activities encompass more than one nation. The course analyzes the internationalization process and compares and contrasts different internationalization strategies; examines managing political risk and ethical issues in international business; and studies functional management of the transnational corporation (e.g., financial management, marketing management and human resource management). The student will develop the skills and methodology necessary for market analysis and business strategizing on a global scale. Fall, Spring, 3 hours.

MBA 670—MARKETING STRATEGY
An examination of the marketing management decision process, with particular emphasis on market opportunity analysis, strategy development, product planning, pricing, distribution, promotional strategy, and the integration of marketing mix variables with segmentation and targeting decisions. Fall, Spring, 3 hours.

MBA 699—INTEGRATED STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT
A capstone study that examines executive-level policy and decision-making processes in setting goals, determining objectives, and developing and implementing action plans. The course emphasizes tactical and strategic planning through the use of relevant problems and case studies that include social, ethical, political, financial, and economic factors. Students will apply newly acquired concepts in the creation of a business plan. Prerequisites: completion of 18 hours of 600-level courses to be taken in student’s final fall or spring semester. Fall, Spring, 3 hours.

ELECTIVES —Offered in summer only. Course offerings vary.

MBA 644—BUSINESS CONSULTING
Teams complete strategic consulting projects for local companies. The consulting teams are expected to identify and analyze problems confronting the company and recommend resolutions to the management team in the form of written reports and oral presentations. Prerequisite: completion of a minimum of 12 hours of 600-level MBA courses. Summer, 3 hours.

MBA 646—LAW AND ETHICS FOR MANAGERS
This course enables students to comprehend the legal principles that arise in business so that they can identify legal issues that pose potential threats. An appreciation of the law will give managers the tools they need to protect their firms form unnecessary liability. Topics include business ethics, contracts, sales, labor and employment, product liability, intellectual property, business forms, secured transactions and bankruptcy. Summer, 3 hours.

MBA 648—PROJECT MANAGEMENT
This course is designed to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge to effectively manage projects. Topics include project planning, organizing, directing, and controlling. The focus will be on the application of tools and techniques that can be applied to defining projects, establishing task structure, planning and budgeting, and managing of resources to achieve the project objects, and post-project evaluation. Summer, 3 hours.

MBA 652—FINANCIAL FORECASTING AND ANALYSIS
This course is a study of various topics in Finance. Topics include complex time value of money, investment topics such as diversification, advanced valuation topics, capital budgeting, cost of capital, capital structure, dividend policy, leasing, mergers, and derivatives. Summer, 3 hours.

MBA 672—INTERNATIONAL MARKETING
The purpose of this course is for students to understand challenges presented by the complex economic, political, legal, and social environment found in non-domestic markets, and for students to develop strategies to meet the unique requirements presented by these challenges. Successful students will gain the knowledge and managerial skills that are essential for successful marketing in the international arena. Summer, 3 hours.

MBA 682—BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEMS
This course focuses on the development of a practical understanding of information systems devoted to the capturing, transmitting, storing, retrieving, manipulating, and displaying information in contemporary business practice. The purpose of the course is to provide students with an understanding of the system perspective and to provide them with skills in the use of information systems. The course requires development of models of information systems in the area of distribution, production, human resource management, and accounting. Summer, 3 hours.

MBA 695—SPECIAL TOPICS IN BUSINESS
This course is offered as needed. It is normally an examination of significant issues, theories, and practical problems in the areas of management, finance, marketing, accounting, or economics. The specific topic for a given semester and the course content are selected to meet student interests and needs. Summer, 3 hours.

FOUNDATIONS COURSES

MBA 510—FOUNDATIONS IN QUANTITATIVE METHODS
An introduction to the theory, principles, and application of statistical and other quantitative analytic techniques which provides an effective means of managerial practices such as business performance appraisal, market trend evaluation, and managerial decision making. Spring, 3 hours.

MBA 520—FOUNDATIONS IN ECONOMICS
An introduction to the theories, principles, and applications of microeconomics and macroeconomics. Topics include pricing decisions, elasticity, market structure analysis, business cycles, taxation, and monetary policy. Fall, 3 hours.

MBA 530—FOUNDATIONS IN ACCOUNTING
An introduction to financial accounting from a user's perspective including how financial statements are prepared, the interpretation of information provided in financial statements, and the analysis of financial data. Fall, 3 hours.

MBA 550—FOUNDATIONS IN FINANCE
A survey of issues related to the acquisition and management of funds by the firm. Topics in the course include time value of money, analysis of financial statements, asset valuation, forecasting of cash flows, capital budgeting, and cost of capital. Prerequisite: BUS 530. Spring, 3 hours.

Costs of MBA Program

2008–2009 MBA Tuition
$570 per credit hour or $1,710 per course

Total Cost of Tuition for Core MBA $17,100

Total Cost for Tuition for Core MBA plus all Foundations $23,940

Additional Expenses:
Program Fee—$75 per semester
Parking Fee—$100 per academic year
Textbooks—$150 estimated per course
Diploma Fee—$75 due at graduation

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