Dr. Betsy Boze, Dean -South 246 -982-0161 -bboze@utb1.utb.edu -www.ntmain.utb.edu/business

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)

Department of Accounting -South Hall 286 -544-3837

    R.B. Vinson, Chair -South Hall #244 -982-0235 -rbvinson@utb1.utb.edu

Department of Business Administration -South Hall 276 -982-0230

    Dr. Suzanne Hardebeck, Chair -South Hall #277 -544-3874-shardebeck@utb1.utb.edu

Master of Business Administration, Program Director

        Dr. Katherine Barker -South Hall #266 -983-7390 -kbarker@utb1.utb.edu

The graduate programs of the School of Business offer learning opportunities to enhance the development of competent, responsible professionals in business and not-for-profit administration.

The M.B.A. degree is designed for students who wish to pursue advanced studies in business to improve their business and administrative. An M.B.A. degree candidate is expected to be able to understand and apply organizational, managerial, and analytical skills. Additionally, candidates are expected to be knowledgeable in current business literature. The M.B.A. program at UTB/TSC includes a choice of electives that focus on issues and problems unique to the Texas/Mexico border region, in keeping with the bicultural, binational nature of the region. At UTB/TSC, graduate classes in the School of Business typically meet in the evenings or on weekends to accommodate the needs of working professionals.

Executive Management Certificate/Diplomado de Administraci—n de Empresas

Additionally, the School of Business offers post-baccalaureate certificate programs to meet specific needs for advanced education that do not lead to a graduate degree. The Executive Management Certificate/Diplomado de Administraci—n de Empresas program offers managers and entrepreneurs a bi-lingual five course sequence of M.B.A., foundation-level courses. The program is primarily designed for managers and business owners who wish to update their business skills rather than aim for an academic degree. Fluency in Spanish is required for admission to Diplomado courses.

For information on other post-baccalaureate programs of the School of Business contact the M.B.A. Program Director. Students should note that completion of a post-baccalaureate certificate does not guarantee admission to the M.B.A. program.

Admission

A student must meet all requirements for regular admission to the graduate program to be admitted to the M.B.A. program (see “Admissions” section). These include undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale, or 3.0 for the last 60 hours of undergraduate work. Requirements for admission also include a minimum Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) score of 400 on a test taken no more than five years prior to the time of application.

Provisional admission may be given to student applicants who are unable to complete their admission files but who otherwise meet admission requirements. Provisional status allows the student to enroll for one semester, with an academic course load of no more than seven credit hours. During that semester, all application materials must be received in order to further enroll.

Conditional admission may be granted for students who do not meet regular admission requirements, but show promise for successful graduate study. Conditions (e.g., additional coursework) may be placed on students receiving conditional admission, and subsequent registration will be barred if such conditions are not met. Normally a student must satisfy conditions within the first 12 hours of graduate study.

Students wishing to enroll in the M.B.A. Online program must meet conditions of Unconditional Admission.

Students who already have a Master’s degree and are interested in taking additional graduate courses for professional improvement, or who are pursuing the Executive Management Certificate/Diplomado may enroll in graduate level business courses as non-degree-seeking students. (See “Categories of Admission” section.) Prospective students should consult with the Program Director for suggested enrollment status and course prerequisites.

International students must meet all requirements for admission in addition to those described above (see “International Students” section).

Degree and Graduation Requirements

Students with Unconditional Admission status in the M.B.A. program should develop a formal Program of Study in consultation with the M.B.A. advisor during the first semester of graduate work. The Program of Study should contain the following elements:

1. Student’s plans for enhanced Personal Biliteracy (Spanish/English) abilities. The mission of UTB/TSC is expressly binational and bicultural. Students enrolled in the M.B.A. should plan to begin or enhance their own bilingual abilities throughout their time in the program.

2. Specific information regarding where and how prerequisite competencies in computer literacy, college-level algebra, and statistics have been obtained. These competencies should be obtained prior to enrollment in the program. Students lacking a competency may be allowed to enroll in the M.B.A. with concurrent enrollment in coursework covering that competency area.

3. M.B.A. Foundations courses (18 semester hours) are designed to give students basic knowledge and tools in the six major areas of business administration in preparation for advanced study. Students who have completed an undergraduate degree with a business administration major or minor may waive certain Foundations courses through successful completion of recent substantially similar coursework no more than 7 years prior to their admission to the M.B.A. program.

4. M.B.A. Breadth courses (30 semester hours) offer students advanced and integrated knowledge and tools for successful business analysis and implementation. Specific areas of study include business research methods, business law, strategic utilization of information technology, and administrative policy, along with other required and elective courses. All students must complete the Breadth portion of the M.B.A. requirements. If a substantially similar graduate -level course has been completed prior to enrollment in the M.B.A., the student may be allowed to substitute an additional graduate business elective for that course.

The M.B.A. Director will make initial determination on course waivers and substitutions. Course waivers will not be granted on the basis of experiential or life-experience learning.

Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above (on a 4.0 scale) to remain in good standing in the M.B.A. Program. A student falling below this minimum will be placed on academic probation. A student failing to remove him, or herself from academic probation will be suspended from the M.B.A. program. See “Academic Probation and Suspension” in this catalog for rules governing academic probation and suspension.

A student must achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to graduate and be awarded an M.B.A. degree.

MBA On-line Degree

UTB/TSC, in cooperation with a consortium of University of Texas system universities, offers an MBA On-line Degree program. The MBA On-line is designed to meet the needs of students whose work, geographic location, or other commitments prevent them from participating fully in conventional on-campus courses. Instructional materials, course discussion or forums, and student work will be delivered entirely by electronic means.

Curriculum for the MBA On-line consists of 16 courses, for a total of 48 credit hours. Eighteen credit hours are taken in six “core” courses which provide the student with a foundation of general business knowledge. Thirty credit hours are taken in ten courses of a General Management MBA curriculum.

Specific information concerning admission, course registration, tuition and fees, and course for the MBA On-line degree program, is available from the School of Business or the MBA Director.

M.B.A. Prerequisite Competencies

The following prerequisite competencies are required of students applying to the M.B.A. program:

Computer Literacy-equivalent to COSC    1305    or three (3) credit hours of BMIS courses

College Algebra-equivalent to MATH    1314    or MATH 1324

Statistics-equivalent to BUSI    3341    

[Course numbers are those listed in the UTB/TSC undergraduate catalog.]

Knowledge in these areas can be demonstrated by the specified UTB/TSC courses, equivalent coursework at an accredited university, or CLEP exam. Courses to meet this requirement shall have been taken within the seven years prior to admission. In the case of computer literacy, the M.B.A. director may consider substantial work experience in making the determination of a course waiver.

The M.B.A. Program Director will make all waiver determinations under the authority of the Dean of the School of Business and in accordance with the academic policies established by the Graduate Faculty of the School of Business.

M.B.A. Foundations

M.B.A. Foundation knowledge includes 18 semester hours of coursework. Any or all of these courses and credit hours may be waived if equivalent knowledge has been mastered in substantially similar, coursework within the seven year limit on transfer credits at an accredited institution, with a grade of “B” or better.

Course Title Credit Hours

ACCT    6301            Accounting for Managers            3

ECON   6301            Business Economics            3

FINA     6301            Financial Management            3

MANA   6301            Management Theory and Organizational Behavior            3

MANA   6360            Operations Management            3

MARK   6301            Marketing Management            3

Questions of applicability of coursework and waivers from other institutions will be evaluated by the M.B.A. Director under the direction of the Dean of the School of Business.

M.B.A. Breadth, Issues and Capstone Courses

Breadth Courses

BLAW   6300            Business Law            3

BUSI     6310            Business Research            3

BUSI     6380            International Business            3

MANA   6350            Information Technology for Managers            3

                        Graduate Business Elective*            3

                        Graduate Business Elective*            3

                        Bi-National Graduate Elective**            3

* Students will select 6-9 six semester hours of graduate electives from the School of Business.

** Pre-Approved Bi-National Graduate Electives include:

BLAW   6301            Comparative Business Law           

GOVT   6376            United States-Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Relations

HIST     6314            Brownsville and Matamoros History

HIST     6316            Studies in Mexican & American Heritages, and

SOCI    6323            The Mexican-American Presence.

Other electives which provide a similar binational focus may be approved by the M.B.A. Director.

Issues Courses

BUSI     6101            Environments of Business            1

BUSI     6105            Current Issues in Business            1

BUSI     6105            Current Issues in Business            1

Students with an undergraduate degree in Business Administration may petition to substitute an additional section of BUSI 6105 for BUSI 6101. Students may petition to substitute Issues (BUSI 6100) courses with recent, substantial (at least 15 instructor contact hours) business skills training/nonacademic instruction, as approved by the M.B.A. Director. However, students must still have a minimum of 30 graduate-level academic credit hours in the breadth portion of the program in order to receive the M.B.A. degree.

Capstone Courses

BUSI     6390            Administrative Policy and Strategy            3

BUSI     6399            Management Practicum            3

Total M.B.A. Credit Hours 30-48

M.B.A. Elective Courses

ACCT    5323            Contemporary Accounting Theory            3

ACCT    5329            Advanced Income Tax Procedure            3

ACCT    6321            Strategic Cost Management            3

ACCT    6323            Accounting Seminar            3

ACCT    6330            Seminar in Auditing            3

ECON   6351            Economics Seminar            3

FINA     6341            Finance Seminar            3

MANA   6331            Human Resources Administration & Industrial Relations            3

MANA   6332            Management Seminar            3

MARK   6371            Marketing Seminar            3

MARK   6372            Marketing Strategy            3

BLAW   6301            Comparative Business Law            3

Graduate Courses in Business

Accounting (ACCT)

ACCT     5323   Contemporary Accounting Theory

Contemporary advanced accounting and auditing theory, including controversial issues, with emphasis on income determination and asset valuation; special attention will be given to researching standard setting pronouncements from FASB, GASB, and other standard-setting bodies. There will also be a major research paper on an approved topic required as part of this course.

Prerequisite: ACCT 3322 (Intermediate II) with a grade of “C” or better. Lec 3, Cr 3

ACCT     5329   Advanced Income Tax Procedure

This course is an in-depth analysis of tax laws applicable to corporations and partnerships. Also covered will be federal gift, estate and inheritance taxes. Special attention will be given to learning to research the federal tax code. There will also be a major research paper on an approved topic required as part of the requirements of this course.

Prerequisite: ACCT 3323 (TAX I) with a grade of “C” or better. Lec 3, Cr 3

ACCT     6301   Accounting for Managers

An intensive examination of financial and managerial accounting theory and procedures and their application in the generation of data for integrated financial and managerial accounting information systems. Includes an overview of the accounting cycle, analysis of financial statements, income determination and inventory valuation, cost allocation, and interpretations of financial information for managerial decision making. Lec 3, Cr 3

ACCT     6321   Strategic Cost Management

This course will focus on planning aspects of the corporate finance function and developing critical thinking skills. Specific topics include allocations, financial modeling and decision-making, budgeting, customer profitability analysis, and performance measurement. Prerequisite: Completion of ACCT 2402 with a grade of “B or better, or ACCT 6301 with a grade of “B” or better, or consent of instructor. Lec 3, Cr 3

ACCT     6323   Accounting Seminar

A study of current and special topics concerning accounting. Emphasis on literature from professional public accounting societies and governmental agencies. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.

Prerequisite: ACCT 6301 or consent of instructor. Lec 3, Cr 3

ACCT     6330   Seminar in Auditing

Examination of auditing philosophy and contemporary issues. Study of auditing research including the behavioral aspects of auditing. Prerequisite: ACCT 4324, ACCT 6301, or consent of instructor. Lec 3, Cr 3

Business Law (BLAW)

BLAW     6300   Business Law

An intensive study of the legal environment of business. The course begins with an overview of the court system, constitutional law and torts. It progresses into areas of law directly applicable to the business environment. Business topics will include contracts, sales, commercial paper, secured transactions, agency, partnership, corporations, property, bankrupy, and international law. Lec 3, Cr 3

BLAW     6301   Comparative Business Law

Various areas of business law in the U.S. and Mexico will be compared. Issues include: contracting for international sale of goods, forms of business organizations, maquiladora laws, foreign trade zones, and NAFTA. Lec 3, Cr 3

BLAW     6302   Business Law for Educators

Business and education law, to include discussion of contracts, administrative law, agency, Americans with Disabilities Act, EEOC, environmental law, Open Meeting Act, Open Records Act, vouchers, and other current topics. Lec 3, Cr 3

BLAW     6303   Business Law II

A continuation and expansion of the study of rules of law, including sales, commercial paper and credit transactions with emphasis on the Uniform Commercial Code; business organization; government regulations; property, wills and trusts; consumer protection; bankrupy. Prerequisite: Business Law (BLAW 6300) or Business Law I (BLAW 3337) Lec 3, Cr 3

Business (BUSI)

BUSI       6101   Environments of Business

A broad exposure to the many environments and factors in the field of business administration. Introduction to a variety of managerial issues such as: shareholder equity, globalization, information explosion, quality systems, the case method, business media, ethics, and business research sources. Designed to be taken during or before the M.B.A. student’s first semester. Lec 1, Cr 1

BUSI       6105   Current Issues in Business

Current issues in business, topics varied. Exploration of specific topics related to the business disciplines. Examples include: Leadership, Ethics, Effective Communication, Quality Systems, Negotiation/Arbitration, e. Course may be repeated up to two times for credit, as topics vary. Lec 1, Cr 1

BUSI       6310   Business Research

Business research techniques & methodologies. Topics include identifying valid research activities, review of literature, data sources & collection, research design & methodology, computer statistical analysis, and written/oral communication of the research paper. Prerequisites: FINA 6301, MANA 6301, MARK 6301. Lec 3, Cr 3

BUSI       6380   International Business

Readings and cases in international business. Emphasizes the impact of comparative differences in the domestic and international business environments and operations, including the impact of historical, economic, cultural, and political foundations on operations. Special international business topics of unique contemporary importance are also studied.

Prerequisite: Completion of M.B.A. Foundations requirements, or consent of instructor. Lec 3, Cr 3

BUSI       6390   Administrative Policy and Strategy

A study of management problems under dynamic conditions. Comprehensive, integrative cases will be studied and analyzed. This course should be taken during the last or next-to-last semester of the students program.

Prerequisite: Completion of M.B.A. Foundations requirements plus at least 15 hours of M.B.A. Breadth requirements, or consent of instructor or M.B.A. Director. Lec 3, Cr 3

BUSI       6399   Management Practicum

A directed, applied consulting project for small business or not-for-profit organizations. Instruction includes consulting methods, presentation and written skills, contact with clients, e. Students will work in small teams to define and solve problems of these organizations. This course should be taken during the last or next-to-last semester of the students program. Prerequisite: Completion of M.B.A. Foundations requirements plus at least 15 hours of M.B.A. Breadth requirements, or permission of instructor or M.B.A. Director. Lec 3, Cr 3

Economics (ECON)

ECON    6301   Business Economics

The relationship among basic economic concepts and methods. The competitive market system, problems in resource allocation and economic efficiency, government regulations and the public sector, money and banking, unemployment and inflation in economic policy making. Lec 3, Cr 3

ECON    6351   Economics Seminar

Readings and discussion of selected topics in economics. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.

Prerequisites: M.B.A. Foundations requirements or permission of instructor. Lec 3, Cr 3

Finance (FINA)

FINA       6301   Financial Management

The financial function of the firm and the specific responsibilities of the firm’s financial manager. Emphasis is on financial decisions using managerial information systems as an integrating force to deliver planned results. This includes, but is not limited to, decisions affecting the internal management of the firm and the acquisition of new assets. Prerequisites: ACCT 6301 and ECON 6301 are strongly suggested. Lec 3, Cr 3

FINA       6341   Finance Seminar

Readings, reports and discussion of selected topics in finance. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.

Prerequisite: M.B.A. Foundations requirements or permission of instructor. Lec 3, Cr 3

Management (MANA)

MANA     6301   Management Theory and Organizational Behavior

Analysis of formal organizational theory and the interrelationship of individuals in organizations. Study is made of the organization as a system of authority, status, leadership, direction, communication and influence. Lec 3, Cr 3

MANA     6331   Human Resources Administration and Industrial Relations

An analysis of the functions of human resources administration and the relationship between the personnel-industrial relations system and the total organization system. Contemporary industrial relations, philosophies and practices.

Prerequisite: MANA 6301. Lec 3, Cr 3

MANA     6332   Management Seminar

The development of management thought and practice with emphasis on current trends and problems in management. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.

Prerequisite: MANA 6301, 12 semester hours of graduate business credit, or permission of instructor. Lec 3, Cr 3

MANA     6350   Information Technology for Managers

Alternative approaches to managing the resources (computers, networks, software, data, people) that organizations utilize in applying information technology. The role of the user/manager in identifying opportunities, obtaining computer applications, and creatively using information technology to improve personal and organizational performance. Prerequisite: 9 hours of M.B.A. Foundations requirements or permission of instructor. Lec 3, Cr 3

MANA     6360   Production & Operations Management

Focus on the role of the production function in the business system and study of production system operations. Emphasis is placed on production system design, integration of system inputs, outputs, and transformations, and computer applications to decision processes utilized in managing operations and achieving optimal production.

Prerequisite: MANA 6301. Lec 3, Cr 3

Marketing (MARK)

MARK     6301   Marketing Policy and Management

Managing the creation, pricing, promotion, and distribution of goods and services, including special attention to the consumer’s needs while maintaining profitability. Theory and case-style application. Issues include: target markets, product positioning, environmental effects on the firm’s marketing decision making. Lec 3, Cr 3

MARK     6371   Marketing Seminar

A study of current thought and practice within a specific subject area in the discipline of marketing. May be repeated as topics vary.

Prerequisite: M.B.A. Foundations requirements or permission of instructor. Lec 3, Cr 3                       

MARK     6372   Marketing Strategy

A study of the formulation of marketing strategy, its relationship to corporate and business strategy, and the strategic aspects of marketing decisions in product planning, promotion, pricing, and distribution.

Prerequisite: M.B.A. Foundations requirements or permission of instructor. Lec 3, Cr 3

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