Master of Business Administration / 2003-04 Course Catalog / Pacific Lutheran University

253.535.7250
www.plu.edu/~busa/mba

J. Thaddeus Barnowe, PhD, Interim Dean, School of Business
Catherine Pratt, EdD, Associate Dean and Director, MBA Program, School of Business

MBA Program: The MBA program is centered on the skills and knowledge required for professional management, providing a strong foundation for responsible leadership in business, government, and non-profit organizations. The MBA program offers both evening and weekend program options to serve the working community. The classroom environment is enhanced by a balance of full- and part-time students, as well as students with diverse backgrounds. Students may enter the program at terms throughout the year.

AACSB Accredation: The MBA program is accredited by AACSB. AACSB is the premier accrediting agency for degree programs in business. AACSB accredition assures quality and promotes excellence and continuous improvement in business education. PLU's MBA program has been accredited since 1976 and was the first AACSB-accredited MBA program in the South Puget Sound region.

MBA with Emphasis in Technology and Innovation Management (MBA-TIM): In addition to the general MBA program, PLU offers an MBA with an emphasis in Technology and Innovation Management. This program focuses on technology and innovation management issues and skills within a high-quality MBA curriculum. It is designed for technical and non-technical employees who want a deeper appreciation of managing in technology oriented and/or fast-moving innovative organizations. Students may enter the evening program at terms throughout the year. The MBA-TIM emphasis is offered in the evening and in a two-year Saturday-only format to a cohort of students who begin the program in the fall semester only.

Post MBA-Certificate in Technology and Innovation Management: Individuals holding an MBA degree may apply for and enroll in a post-MBA certificate in Technology and Innovation Management (TIM). This certificate updates the skills and abilities of MBA degree holders. Requirements include completion of 16 semester hours in TIM coursework. There is a reduced application process and the GMAT is not required. For more information, see the following section on Degree Requirements or the School of Business MBA website.

Objectives of the MBA Program

To prepare students for management positions in commercial and not-for-profit organizations by providing them the basic knowledge of how these organizations function and equipping them with the necessary competencies to work effectively. These competencies include (1) leadership, (2) critical/creative thinking, (3) effective communication,(4) team effectiveness, and (5) taking initiative and managing change.
To give students an integrated perspective of the interconnections among the functional area of businesses and the contextual environment that affects them.
To identify and challenge students to adopt high standards for ethical practice and professional conduct.
To prepare students for lives of service to the community.
To prepare students to use contemporary technologies and to embrace the changes caused by technological innovation.
To inculcate a global perspective in students.

Admission: Students who hold bachelor's degrees in any field from regionally accredited universities or colleges and who have demonstrated their ability or potential to do high quality academic work on a consistent basis are encouraged to apply for admission to the Master of Business Administration program.

Consultation about the program is available from the School of Business MBA director by calling 253.535.7250 before filing the application for admission. For the evening MBA program and the evening MBA-TIM program students may begin studies any term. Applications are accepted for courses beginning September, January, February, May, or July. The Saturday MBA-TIM program has a priority application deadline of June 1. Applications received after the application deadline will be evaluated and qualified applicants may be admitted. All applicants are required to submit scores from the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).

To be admitted to the MBA program, candidates must show potential to complete the MBA curriculum successfully. Criteria used to evaluate applicants are:

a 2.75 or higher cumulative grade point average in all college- level coursework before application;
a score of 470 or above on the Graduate Management Admis- sion Test (GMAT);
Evidence of managerial and professional potential through statement of goals, recommendations, and prior experience.

An interview with the MBA director may be requested.

Applicants are evaluated individually, based on a presentation of factors indicating equivalence to admission standards, a promise of success in graduate school, qualities of good character, and potential contributions to the educational mission of graduate study.

The Graduate Management Admission Test: The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a test of aptitude rather than a test of business knowledge per se. The GMAT is a computer-adaptive test that is available, year-round, at test centers throughout the world. Candidates are examined in three major areas: verbal, mathematical, and analytical writing skills. A score is earned in each area, and candidates receive a total score, which ranges between 200 and 800.

Information about the GMAT may be obtained from the Counseling and Testing Center at 253.535.7206, by calling GMAT directly at 800.462.8669, or by visiting the web site at www.gmat.org.

Advising: The MBA director advises all MBA students and should be contacted for assistance in planning course work.

MBA Degree Requirements:

(48 semester hours)

MBA Core (30 semester hours)
    Business 503 Understanding and Managing Financial Resources (4)
    Business 504 Legal and Ethical Environment of Business (4)
    Business 505 Managing Effective Organizations (4)
    Business 511 Managerial Accounting (2)
    Business 512 Value Creation: Operations and Information Systems (4)
    Business 513 Marketing and Value Creation (2)
    Communication 500 Effective Communications (2)
    Economics 500 Applied Statistical Analysis (4)
    Economics 520 Economic Policy Analysis (4)

Strategic Management (4 semester hours)
    Business 590 Strategic Management in a Global Context (4)
    or Business 580 Technology Strategy and Competitiveness (4)
        Note: Business 580 is required for students in the Technology and Innovation Management concentration.

MBA Electives (14 semester hours)
Select from the following Business courses:
    535 Financial Investments (4)
    537 Decision Models and Strategies for Financial Managers (4)
    540 Effective Negotiations (4)
    541 Managing Innovation and Technology Change (4)
    542 Management of Change (2)
    545 Continuous Improvement Strategies (2)
    549 Contemporary Human Resource Management (2)
    553 Transnational Management (2)
    555 Knowledge Management (4)
    558 New Venture Management (4)
    564 Managing Services Marketing (4)
    566 Developing New Products and Services (4)
    574 Advanced Service and Manufacturing Delivery Systems (2)
    575 Electronic Commerce (4)
    577 Project Management (2)
    579 Technology Commercialization and Transfer (2)
    587 or 588 Special Topics (2-4)
    591 Independent Studies (1-4)
    595 Internship (1-4)

MBA Concentration in Technology and Innovation Management (TIM) Degree Requirements: (48 semester hours)

MBA Core (30 semester hours)
(see above for MBA Core requirements)

Strategic Management (4 semester hours)
580 Technology Strategy and Competitiveness (4)

MBA-TIM Concentration Courses (14 semester hours)
Required Specializations Courses: (8 semester hours)
541 Managing Innovation and Technology Change (4)
555 Knowledge Management (4)

Specialization Electives: (6 hours)
Select from the following:
    542 Management of Change (2)
    545 Continuous Improvement Strategies (2)
    549 Contemporary Human Resource Management (2)
    558 New Venture Management (4)
    566 Developing New Products and Services (4)
    574 Advanced Service and Manufacturing Delivery Systems (2)
    575 Electronic Commerce (4)
    577 Project Management (2)
    579 Technology Commercialization and Transfer (2)

Select Special Topics (587 or 588), Independent Studies (591), and Internships (595), approved for TIM.

See course descriptions under Business.

Post MBA-Certificate in Technology and Innovation management:

(16 semester hours)

    541 Managing Innovation and Technology Change (4)
    555 Knowledge Management (4)
    580 Technology Strategy and Competitiveness (4)
    4-hour TIM elective from approved MBA elective list

If a student has received a PLU MBA in the past five years, previous TIM coursework may be counted toward completion of the certificate requirements. A minimum of 10 post-MBA semester hours is required.

If a student has received an MBA from another AACSB institution in the past five years, equivalent previous coursework will be considered toward completion of the certificate requirements. A minimum of 10 post-MBA semester hours is required.

2003-2004 Course Catalog