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Because each M.B.A. student has varying career interests and goals, you may decide which 11 elective courses you wish to pursue from 14 different areas of concentration. Elective courses in each area involve the application, implementation and integration of principles previously learned in the core courses. In addition to the cross-functional core curriculum, areas of functional specialization include:
Because of the increasing reliance managers place on information technology, knowledge of, and a substantial ability to use computers is integral to the Simon education.
Much of the academic work in the M.B.A. program will rely on computer-based analysis and computer-assisted presentations. Upon completion of the first quarter of your first year, faculty will expect you to have a working knowledge of spreadsheet and word-processing software. The programs most widely used are Microsoft ExcelTM and AccessTM. Most of the core curriculum and several elective courses require significant computer use. Solid knowledge of these programs is excpeted.
In addition, full-time M.B.A. students are required to take the Management Communication course sequence.
(6 courses)
Given the close working relationship between the accounting function and information technology in organizations, the School offers a joint concentration in Accounting and Computers and Information Systems. The concentration provides thorough training in both areas.
Required core courses, plus six other courses. At least four must be selected from this list:
The other two may be selected from this list:
(4 courses)
Business success requires an understanding of the economic environment in which a firm operates. The Business Environment and Public Policy concentration provides the skills required to achieve this understanding.
Required core courses, plus four other courses. At least two of the four must be selected from this list:
The other two may be selected from this list:
(5 courses)
The Competitive and Organizational Strategy concentration builds on the economic fundamentals introduced in STR 401 and STR 403. Its cross-functional and integrative curriculum provides a sound basis for the evaluation and implementation of a broad range of business strategies and policies. Topics included are: policies internal to the firm such as compensation, performance evaluation, job design and aspects of hiring; strategic interaction among industry competitors, including pricing and advertising; and the influence of external factors such as the regulatory and macroeconomic environments.
Skills offered by the STR curriculum will develop the student’s ability to identify the root causes of business problems and sources of new opportunities. The student will respond to these problems and opportunities with innovative solutions and strategies based upon the School’s economics-based approach to management. The concentration holds particular interest to those seeking careers in consulting, general management or industry analysis, as well as those seeking an integrative complement to concentrations in other functional areas. Particular emphasis goes to developing the student’s capacity to deal with unstructured business situations.
Required core courses, plus five other courses. At least three must be selected from this list:
The other two may be selected from this list:
(4 courses)
The CIS concentration, taken by itself or combined with another functional concentration such as accounting, electronic commerce, finance or operations management, prepares students to manage the broad array of information-systems issues that arise in every organization or to act as successful management consultants.
The program focuses on the leading approaches used in the design and development of effective business processes that leverage information technology. It also emphasizes the major business issues that arise in choosing information technologies, designing information processes for improving the effectiveness of specific applications and using enterprise information technology for gaining competitive benefits. The concentration develops the necessary skills for managing in the current environment of rapid technological evolution, increased competition and global markets. In the required courses, students learn how to analyze the fundamental subjects of business information and decision processes in organizations, and the resulting economic and technological trade-offs. In the advanced electives, students can study various aspects of electronic commerce, business process design, advanced information technologies, financial-information systems and business data communications systems. A technical background prior to entering the M.B.A. program is not a prerequisite to success in the CIS concentration. The faculty in this area make use of computers in the curriculum and in elective courses and also allow their use in some exams.
Required core courses, plus:
At least one of:
Remaining one or two courses selected from this list:
(5 courses)
Corporations actively recruit M.B.A. accounting majors for positions in the offices of controller, treasurer and internal auditing, as well as in accounting departments. Many corporate finance positions also require strong corporate accounting backgrounds.
Required core courses, plus:
Plus two courses selected from this list:
(5 courses)
TheSimon School introduced a concentration in Electronic Commerce in September 1999. Managing in this rapidly evolving environment requires an understanding of the technology infrastructure needed for e-commerce and the new business models that leverage on the special capabilities of the Internet. Students learn state-of-the-art tools for supporting the marketing, logistical, financial and service-delivery aspects of doing business online. The concentration prepares students to create, manage, direct and analyze e-commerce initiatives. Courses in this concentration combine ideas, cases, projects and guest lectures by Internet entrepreneurs.
Required core courses, plus:
Plus at least one from the Marketing electives:
Plus at least one from the Information Technology electives:
(4 courses)
The Simon School is committed to the teaching of entrepreneurship. The Entrepreneurship concentration allows the student to draw from a variety of carefully selected courses to become a business generalist, well versed in organizing and managing resources. Graduates with this concentration have started their own ventures or have pursued “intrapreneurial” careers with major corporations. Students often combine this concentration with finance or marketing to further enhance their educational base. This is especially true for those pursuing investment banking/M&A where the entrepreneurship knowledge can be very useful.
Required core courses, plus:
Plus at least one of:
Plus two courses selected from this list:
(5 courses)
The Simon School is best known for its research and scholarship in the area of finance. This concentration provides students with state-of-the-art techniques for financial analysis. Students learn to formulate and solve important corporate-finance problems and to obtain information from the many databases on financial markets.
Required core courses, plus:
Plus three courses selected from this list:
(5 courses)
The Health Sciences Management concentration draws on the Simon School ’s proven strengths and directs them to a dynamic industry. The Simon School ’s concentration focuses primarily on two management issues: ongoing operations and strategic planning. This is in contrast to the traditional Master of Public Health programs which generally focus on public policy issues. The program especially suits future health sciences consultants and front-line managers in health maintenance organizations, hospitals, insurance companies and pharmaceutical firms.
Required core courses, plus five additional courses as follows:
At least two of:
The remaining courses can be taken from the list below:
or
Additionally, one of the remaining courses may be taken from the following, provided the project is health care related:
*Courses taught at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Community and Preventive Medicine.
The International Management concentration gives students opportunities to apply various disciplines to international markets. Differences in legal environments, currencies and workplace practices among countries provide both challenges and problems for businesses operating in the global marketplace.
One of two options will satisfy the concentration. The International Management option includes one required course and three electives. The International Management Exchange option includes one required course, one elective and one term (minimum of six credits) in an approved International Exchange Program.
(4 courses)
Required core courses, plus:
Plus three courses selected from this list:
(Two courses at the Simon School , plus International Exchange Program. See p. 43)
Plus one course selected from this list:
Plus one term in one of the approved International Exchange Programs (GBA 492—six credits; GBA 493—nine credits).
(5 courses)
Marketing knowledge and skills have become a necessity in today’s increasingly competitive global business environment. Regardless of the kind of business—consumer goods or industrial goods, financial services or the non-profit sector—success depends on satisfying the customer better than one’s competitors. The Marketing concentration at the Simon School prepares M.B.A. students for these challenges. Alumni with Marketing concentrations now hold key positions in marketing management, research and consulting. Specialized programs are offered to students interested in brand management. In addition, many students have combined marketing with another discipline to round out their education. Popular combinations include marketing/finance, marketing/operations management, and marketing/electronic commerce.
The Marketing curriculum emphasizes the integration of applications with theory. Applications are introduced via cases, experiential exercises, guest speakers and projects. Elective courses provide opportunities to pursue specific interests in marketing.
Required core courses, plus:
Plus four elective courses from the following list. At least two of those elective courses must be from Group A.
Group A
Group B
(5 courses)
For those students wishing to become brand/product managers in either the consumer or industrial products markets or in financial services, a unique Brand Management Track is offered. Participation in the program requires taking MKT 412 (Marketing Research), MKT 441 (Brand Management Workshop) and choosing three courses out of:
(4 courses)
Operations Management is concerned with the management of a firm’s physical, financial and human resources with the objective of producing, distributing and selling goods and services. Operations Management has become increasingly important due to renewed interest in productivity and the utilization of operations for competitive advantage. Students may choose one of two tracks—manufacturing management or service management.
The manufacturing management track appeals to students preparing for a career in manufacturing or consulting. This track benefits those managing the manufacturing function, as well as those supporting it in finance, accounting and marketing. The manufacturing track provides training in the latest ideas about production management.*
The faculty in this area make use of computers in the core courses and in elective courses and also allow their use in exams.
Required core courses, plus:
(4 courses)
Operations Management is concerned with the management of a firm’s physical, financial and human resources with the objective of producing goods and services. Operations management is becoming increasingly important due to renewed interest in productivity and the utilization of operations for competitive advantage. Students may choose one of two tracks—service management or manufacturing management.
The service management track appeals to students preparing for a career in service-oriented industries such as finance, consulting and retailing. We recommend this track for those targeting a career with line responsibilities or consulting. The service track will help students receive a general management perspective.*
Required core courses, plus:
Plus one of these courses:
Plus one course selected from this list:
*Experience has shown that students pursuing a career in Operations Management benefit from taking additional courses such as STR 424 (Managing Human Resources) or STR 427 (Organizational Behavior).
(13 courses*)
The Public Accounting concentration offers courses needed toward the requirements for the Uniform Certified Public Accounting (CPA) examination in New York and other states. The degree is Licensure Qualified for New York State.
Required core courses, plus:
By fulfilling the Public Accounting concentration requuirements, students will also fulfill the Finance concentration requirements and the Corporate Accounting concentration requirements.
*This concentration requires 13 electives, 11 of which are included in the requirement for the full-time M.B.A. The final two courses necessary to complete this concentration are offered free of charge.