Current Students | Faculty and Staff | Alumni | Parents
Attention: For the best experience, please update your browser.

Pacific Lutheran University

The MBA Curriculum

MBA Courses and Requirements


The MBA program is designed to be completed in just 20 months, however you can complete the program at a more moderate pace should that meet your needs.  You choose a schedule that fits your work and family circumstances.

The MBA program is 45 credit hours.  Thirty six credit hours are dedicated to foundation core courses, nine are elective credit hours of your choosing that you can mix and match to create an area of emphasis or to meet your specific needs. 

MBA Curriculum: 45 credit hours

1st Term
  • BUSA 509 Global Business Perspectives (3)* includes International Experience to be completed during program, see description below
  • BUSA 510 Legal, Ethical and Social Responsibilities of Business (3)
  • BUSA 511 Accounting for Decision Making (3)
2nd Term
  • BUSA 513 Marketing Management (3)
  • BUSA 515 Organizations and Leadership (3)
  • ECON 517 Understanding and Managing Financial Resources (3)
3rd Term
  • BUSA 521 Supply Chain and Operations Management (3)
  • BUSA 522 or 520 Economic Policy Analysis (3-4)
  • Elective (3)
4th Term
  • BUSA 519 Information Systems and Knowledge Mgmt. (3)
  • COMM 543 Conflict & Negotiation (3) or BUSA 540 Effective Business Negotiations (3)
  • Elective (3)
5th Term
  • BUSA 523 Managing Innovation (3)
  • BUSA 590 Strategy & Global Competitiveness (3)
  • Elective (3)
Elective Offerings (these courses are offered on a rotating basis, to inquire about the offering of a specific elective course make an inquiry to: plumba@plu.edu):
BUSA 535 Financial Investments (3)
BUSA 538 Advanced Managerial Accounting
BUSA 540 Effective Business Negotiations
BUSA 542 Leading Organization Change (3)
BUSA 549 Strategic Management of Human Capital (3)
BUSA 550 Leading Family and Closely Held Enterprises (3)
BUSA 553 Transnational management (3)
BUSA 555 Knowledge Management (3)
BUSA 558 New Venture Management (3)
BUSA 560 Managing Health Care Enterprises (3)
BUSA 562 Health Care Regulation, Law and Ethics (3)
BUSA 563 Health Care Marketing (3)
BUSA 564 Managing Services Marketing (3)
BUSA 570 Technology Management (3)
BUSA 575 Electronic Business and Commerce (3)
BUSA 577 Project Management (3)
BUSA 578 Database Applications in Business (3)
BUSA 587,588, 589 Special Topics (3)
BUSA 595 Internship (3)


10-Day International Experience


MBA students will take part in a 10-day international experience before graduation. The Experience exposes students to global business best practices, international business leaders and trade. International Experiences are covered by tuition, students do not incur travel or hotel costs but may be responsible for one to two meals per day and any personal tourist activities. PLU Employees and dependants enrolled in the MBA program must review the HR Benefits for International Experience and the cost information. The PLU tuition benefit does not apply to international study. Experiences are coordinated through the Wang Center for International Programs at PLU and will be offered at various times throughout the year. PLU students may also elect to participate in a trade mission trip coordinated through the Tacoma World Trade Center. For more information about the International Experience contact the Director of Graduate Studies at plumba@plu.edu or call 253-535-7330.