L. William Seidman
L. William Seidman, founding chair of Grand Valley's Board of Trustees, died May 13, 2009 at the age of 88. Seidman was one of the founders of Grand Valley State University, helping galvanize local support for the establishment of a public four-year university in West Michigan.
Master of Business Administration (MBA) Requirements
The Seidman MBA curriculum balances hands-on experience with solid business theory and principles. A faculty-driven emphasis on applied research and participation in working groups fosters an environment where you develop your ability to creatively solve problems, to innovate, to persuade, and to advocate ideas.
The Seidman MBA program is 33 credits, consisting primarily of an extensive and comprehensive core. The focus is applied, specific and practical.
Core (28.5 Credits)
You must complete the following ten courses (exceptions are noted below):
| ACC 611 | Contemporary Managerial Accounting | 3 credits |
| BUS 610 | Management Information Systems & Org. Processes | 3 credits |
| BUS 631 | Leadership and Organizational Dynamics | 3 credits |
| BUS 671 | Global Competitiveness | 3 credits |
| BUS 677 | Ethical Problems & Perspectives | 1.5 credits |
| BUS 681 | Strategy | 3 credits |
| ECO 641 | Business Economics and Strategy | 3 credits |
| FIN 621 | Financial Policy for Managers | 3 credits |
| MGT 660 | Operations and Supply Chain Management | 3 credits |
| MKT 651 | Marketing Management | 3 credits |
Students who have majored in accounting, economics, information systems, international business, finance, marketing, or operations management will not take the corresponding core course, but are required to substitute a graduate business elective. Graduate business electives include courses in accounting, business, economics, finance, management, and marketing.
Students with 12 or more credits, but not a major, in any of the following areas will be required to substitute an elective in the same area: information systems, international business, economics, finance, marketing, or operations.
Students who have completed an undergraduate or previous graduate managerial (cost) accounting course will be required to substitute a graduate business elective for ACC 611. However, students with 12 previous accounting credits which do not include managerial (cost) accounting will be required to complete ACC 611.
The balance of the program, typically 4.5 to 10.5 credits of business electives, will depend on the student's objectives and career interests. All students, regardless of undergraduate major, must complete at least 33 600-level credits.
The Core Courses
ACC 611 - Contemporary Managerial Accounting
Examines the use of information for cost management, decision-making, and performance evaluation and measurement. Topics include activity-based management, cost of unused resources, relevant costs for decision-making, productivity measurement, transfer pricing, theory of constraints, balanced scorecards, total quality management and just-in-time.
Examines the use of information for cost management, decision-making, and performance evaluation and measurement. Topics include activity-based management, cost of unused resources, relevant costs for decision-making, productivity measurement, transfer pricing, theory of constraints, balanced scorecards, total quality management and just-in-time.
BUS 610 - Management Information Systems & Org Processes
This course will examine common, operational-level organizational processes to understand the nature of such processes and the role of data and management information systems (MIS) in facilitating and integrating organizational processes. In addition, the course will provide an understanding of the strategic role of information systems in organizations and responsibilities of managers to effectively manage their information resources.
BUS 631 - Leadership and Organizational Dynamics
Leadership gives insight into organizational life from the perspective of the practicing manager in terms of individual, group and inter-group behavior. Course is designed to benefit persons in a variety of organizations. The goal of the course is to explore ways to achieve managerial success by becoming effective at utilizing individuals and groups as organizational resources. Special emphasis is given to assessment of personal strengths and weaknesses when dealing with situations of managerial responsibility.
BUS 671 - Global Competitiveness
Explores how firms become global and how they sustain their global position. For many firms, selling in home markets no longer guarantees success. Internationalization forces affect firms’ ability to establish and conduct business in foreign markets. Covers knowledge and skills needed to manage firms operating in foreign business environments, and to work effectively with people of other cultures.
Explores how firms become global and how they sustain their global position. For many firms, selling in home markets no longer guarantees success. Internationalization forces affect firms’ ability to establish and conduct business in foreign markets. Covers knowledge and skills needed to manage firms operating in foreign business environments, and to work effectively with people of other cultures.
BUS 677 - Business Ethical Problems & Perspectives
The study of ethical problems commonly encountered in modern global business environments. Students will study the ethical issues of character, leadership, decision making, organizational governance and social responsibility.
The study of ethical problems commonly encountered in modern global business environments. Students will study the ethical issues of character, leadership, decision making, organizational governance and social responsibility.
BUS 681 - Strategy
Focuses on the job of the general manager in formulating and implementing short- and long-run business strategy. An integrative course that draws on knowledge and skills acquired in other courses.
ECO 641 - Business Economics and Strategy
Develops an analytical framework to identify and evaluate cost-cutting or revenue-enhancing strategies. Topics include economics of production costs and consumer demand, projections using supply/demand analysis, competitive labor markets and employee compensation strategies, cost-benefit analysis of investment projects, decision-making under uncertainty, product pricing strategies, make-or-buy decisions, economics of business organization.
Focuses on the job of the general manager in formulating and implementing short- and long-run business strategy. An integrative course that draws on knowledge and skills acquired in other courses.
ECO 641 - Business Economics and Strategy
Develops an analytical framework to identify and evaluate cost-cutting or revenue-enhancing strategies. Topics include economics of production costs and consumer demand, projections using supply/demand analysis, competitive labor markets and employee compensation strategies, cost-benefit analysis of investment projects, decision-making under uncertainty, product pricing strategies, make-or-buy decisions, economics of business organization.
FIN 621 - Financial Policy for Managers
Course presumes a thorough understanding of the principles of managerial finance. Emphasis on problem-solving, decision-making and actions leading to optimizing the value of business firms. Methods of incorporating risk analysis into decisions concerning management of working capital, capital budgeting, and capital structure. Analysis of alternative theories and procedures regarding financial goals, portfolio concepts, cost of capital and dividend policy. Selected aspects of international finance are discussed.
MGT 660 - Operations and Supply Chain Management
Develops an understanding and appreciation of the conceptual and quantitative aspects of operations management as a core business competency in manufacturing and service environments. Emphasis is placed on specific operations management concepts/methods, such as supply chain management, lean operations/Just-in-Time, inventory management, MRP/ERP, aggregate planning, and total quality management/SPC.
MKT 651 - Marketing Management
Focuses on developing an understanding of the role of markets and marketing in the macroeconomic environment, and on providing marketing managers with the knowledge and tools they will need to successfully analyze product markets and develop marketing strategies that will provide sustainable competitive advantage. Offered fall and winter semesters. Prerequisites: Admission to the MBA program.
Course presumes a thorough understanding of the principles of managerial finance. Emphasis on problem-solving, decision-making and actions leading to optimizing the value of business firms. Methods of incorporating risk analysis into decisions concerning management of working capital, capital budgeting, and capital structure. Analysis of alternative theories and procedures regarding financial goals, portfolio concepts, cost of capital and dividend policy. Selected aspects of international finance are discussed.
MGT 660 - Operations and Supply Chain Management
Develops an understanding and appreciation of the conceptual and quantitative aspects of operations management as a core business competency in manufacturing and service environments. Emphasis is placed on specific operations management concepts/methods, such as supply chain management, lean operations/Just-in-Time, inventory management, MRP/ERP, aggregate planning, and total quality management/SPC.
MKT 651 - Marketing Management
Focuses on developing an understanding of the role of markets and marketing in the macroeconomic environment, and on providing marketing managers with the knowledge and tools they will need to successfully analyze product markets and develop marketing strategies that will provide sustainable competitive advantage. Offered fall and winter semesters. Prerequisites: Admission to the MBA program.
Seidman MBA candidates also complete three other ELECTIVES to maximize personal and professional development, choosing from engaging and challenging graduate-level courses available at Grand Valley State University in the areas of accounting, economics, finance, management, and marketing.
Page last modified November 15, 2012
