MBA Curriculum Refresh Prospective Students
MBA Curriculum Refresh Prospective Students
MBA Curriculum Refresh
Exciting news for prospective students!
Coming Fall 2021*:
The MBA curriculum is being refreshed* to provide greater flexibility, more options, and expanded content, including new areas of concentration and elective courses.
MBA students will have greater freedom to create customized degree pathways based on career goals and employer, workplace, and industry needs.
Key proposed* features include a shift to allow students to pursue two areas of concentration -- or one area of concentration and three elective courses -- without increasing the total required graduate-level credits for graduation.
Also, all concentrations will be aligned with COGS (Certificates of Graduate Study), so that students can earn micro-credentials along the way to completing the MBA. Stackable Credentials are valuable for all MBA students, but especially so for those in a job search or seeking a promotion within their current organization during their MBA studies. These COGS can be awarded during graduate-level studies, prior to MBA degree completion.
These changes are in the final stages of approval*, and we anticipate final approvals to be complete by the end of Spring 2021 with a launch of Fall 2021.
Current MBA students are invited and encouraged to shift into the new proposed* curriculum, but are able to complete the degree under the requirements of the program as stated when they were first admitted. However, we are confident you will find these proposed refresh changes create more and better opportunities for you rather than slow or hinder your progress in any way. All credits completed under the current MBA model will count towards the model being launched in Fall 2021.
See below notes and details in the accordions.
Do you have questions?
Would you like to hear more?
RSVP to Join Jen and Jason at a Town Hall Meeting.
RSVP for the Town Hall Meeting
Key Logistical Points
- Total required graduate-level sh/credits will remain at 36 (currently 12x 3-credit courses).
- Foundation course requirements remain the same.
- We will work with all students on “translating” your MBA pathway so that all MBA courses completed prior to Summer 2021 will seamlessly be blended into the new curriculum.
Key Curriculum Flexibility Notes
Key Curriculum Flexibility Notes
- The MBA curriculum is proposed* to be revised to offer a 50%/50% balance between required and elective/concentration courses, compared to the current balance of 75%/25%.
- View #1 of the proposed changes:
- Current MBA = 36 credits
- Required core is 27 credits (9x 3-credit courses)
- Elective/concentration is 9 credits (3x 3-credit courses)
- Proposed* Refreshed MBA = 36 credits
- Required core is 18 credits (4x 3-credit and 4x 1.5-credit courses)
- Elective/concentration is 18 credits (6x 3-credit courses)
- Two areas of concentration, or
- One area of concentration and three elective courses
- Current MBA = 36 credits
- View #2 of the proposed changes:
Revised MBA Requirements (Proposed*) |
Current MBA Requirements |
Required/core = 18 credits
Elective/concentration = 18 credits
Total: 36 credits
|
Required/core = 27 credits
Elective/concentration = 9 credits
Total: 36 credits
|
*These changes are pending final approval from Rowan University leadership. We anticipate the proposed changes to be fully and formally finalized by the end of the Spring 2021 semester. Our goal is to launch these changes starting in the Fall 2021 semester.
Snapshot of the Proposed Refreshed MBA Curriculum Targeted to Go Live Fall 2021*
Snapshot of the proposed refreshed MBA curriculum targeted to go live Fall 2021*
Core/Required Courses: 18 S.H.
- ACC 03500 Managerial Accounting (3 sh/credits)
- FIN 04500 Financial Decision Making (3 sh/credits)
- MGT 07550 Operations Analytics (3 sh/credits)
- MGT 06515 Employee Engagement and Performance (1.5 sh/credits)
- MGT 06567 Responsible Leadership: Aligning the Interests of Stakeholders, Profit, and Planet (1.5 sh/credits)
- MIS 02501 Information Systems for Managers (1.5 sh/credits)
- MKT 09511 Marketing Management Fundamentals (1.5 sh/credits)
- MGT 06629 Managing Organizational Strategy (3 sh/credits)
The 18 sh/credits of Elective/Concentration coursework can be utilized to complete:
- Two MBA Concentrations by choosing from specific concentration requirements, or
- One MBA Concentration and three electives
*These changes are pending final approval from Rowan University leadership. We anticipate the proposed changes to be fully and formally finalized by the end of the Spring 2021 semester. Our goal is to launch these changes starting in the Fall 2021 semester.
Translation: Transitioning from the Current to Proposed New MBA Curriculum
Translation: Transitioning from the current to proposed new MBA curriculum
For most students transitioning to the new program will be simple and straightforward. Working with your advisor will ensure that you remain on track for efficient degree completion.
No matter what, MBA graduate-level degree requirements remain at 36 total credits.
Reach out to GraduateBusinessStudies@rowan.edu to connect with the MBA Academic Advisor.
Comparison: Current vs Proposed New Core/Required Courses
Comparison: Current vs Proposed* New Core/Required Courses
Core/Required CoursesNot Significantly Changing |
|
New MBA Curriculum targeted for Fall 2021* |
Current MBA Curriculum through Summer 2021* |
ACC 03.500 Managerial Accounting (3 sh)
|
ACC 03.500 Managerial Accounting (3 sh)
|
FIN 04.500 Financial Decision Making (3 sh)
|
FIN 04.500 Financial Decision Making (3 sh)
|
MGT 06.629 Managing Organizational Strategy (3 sh)
|
MGT 06.629 Managing Organizational Strategy (3 sh)
|
Core/Required Courses – new for Fall 2021* and how current courses may translate/transfer Note courses can only “transfer” to satisfy one requirement, although in some instances there is flexibility on which requirement can be satisfied. |
|
New MBA Curriculum targeted for Fall 2021* |
Current MBA Curriculum through Summer 2021* |
MGT 06.515 Employee Engagement and Performance (1.5 sh) |
MGT 06.500 Designing, Developing, and Leading High-Performance Organizations (3 sh) Note: 1.5 sh will satisfy elective requirements. |
MGT 06.567 Responsible Leadership: Aligning the Interests of Stakeholders, Profit, and Planet (1.5 sh) |
MGT 01.510 Professional, Legal and Managerial Responsibilities (3 sh). Note: 1.5 sh will satisfy elective requirements. |
MIS 02.501 Information Systems for Managers (1.5 sh) |
MIS 02.500 Issues in Management Information Systems (3 sh).
Note: 1.5 sh will satisfy elective requirements.
|
MKT 09.511 Marketing Management Fundamentals (1.5 sh) |
MKT 09.500 Marketing Management
Note: 1.5 sh will satisfy elective requirements.
|
MGT 07.550 Operations Analytics (3 sh) |
Can be satisfied by these courses if completed Summer 2021 or prior:
|
Elective/concentration course (3 sh) |
MGT 06.502 International Business and Society |
*These changes are pending final approval from Rowan University leadership. We anticipate the proposed changes to be fully and formally finalized by the end of the Spring 2021 semester. Our goal is to launch these changes starting in the Fall 2021 semester.
Proposed New Areas of Concentration
Proposed New Areas of Concentration*
MBA students will soon have an expanded set of opportunities for pursuing areas of concentration and/or elective courses. In the proposed refreshed MBA curriculum, 50% of coursework, or 18 sh/credits, is composed of concentration and/or elective courses.
MBA students will have the option of pursuing two distinct areas of concentration or to pursue one area of concentration and three elective courses.
All Areas of Concentration require a total of 9 sh/credits (3x 3-credit courses) to be completed to satisfy requirements.
MBA students can pursue any of the concentration courses as electives (providing pre-requisites are satisfied).
Proposed new MBA Areas of Concentration incude:
Business Analytics - Proposed and targeted to launch Fall 2021*
- Explore analytics from a management lens while growing expertise in the application of data to improve business performance.
- Proposed course set includes: MGT 0.6603 Process Analytics, MGT 07.500 Prescriptive Analytics, MGT 07.510 Quality Analytics, and MGT 07.600 Predictive Analytics.
- Build expertise in using programs, data, and computational tools to explore and discover relevant insights in big data as well as apply critical thinking skills to data analysis for purposes of improving organizational efficiency and solving business problems.
- Proposed course set includes:
- Required: MIS 02.540 - Data Warehousing & Business Intelligence and MIS - 02.538 Database Design
- Choose one of the following: CS 02.505 - Data Mining I, DA 02.510 - Visual Analytics, and/or CS 02.625 - Data Quality/Web Text Mining.
- Explore theories and strategies such as working with other leaders in a multinational world, influencing and empowering teams with diverse backgrounds, changing organization culture, ethics in leadership, and how to achieve high-quality results in a leadership position.
- Proposed course set includes: MGT 06.520 - Global Leadership and Organizational Culture, MGT 06.521 - Leadership Theory and Practice, and MGT 06.555 - Personal Leadership
HR Management - Proposed and targeted to launch Spring 2022*
- Maximizing employee potential can be achieved by leveraging recruitment, selection, development, and reward systems. Talent management is a critical skill set across management and leadership roles.
- Proposed course set includes: HRM 06.605 - Strategic Human Resource Management, HRM - 06.688 - Talent Leadership, and HRM - 06.677 People Analytics.
Sustainable Business - Proposed and targeted to launch Spring 2022*
- Examine the impacts of “green” industries, products, and business practices and gain expertise on how to implement sustainability-oriented changes in areas ranging from operations and product design to finance, marketing, and human resources management.
- Course set options include:
- Required – two of the following: MGT 06.530 - Sustainable Commerce, MGT 06.531 - Sustainability Assessment, MGT 06.532 - Topics in Sustainability Innovation and Problem Solving.
- Choose one of the following: ENT 06.505 - Entrepreneurship & Innovation, ENT 06.506 - Corporate Entrepreneurship and New Venture Development, ENT 06.601 - Social Entrepreneurship and Impact Investing for Change, ACC 03.507 - Government and Not-For-Profit Accounting, or one of the other "required" courses in this concentration set.
Fall 2022 and Beyond
- Additional topics being explored!
Existing MBA Areas of Concentration
Students will still have the option to pursue these existing areas of concentration as well: Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Management, Management Information Systems (MIS), and/or Supply Chain and Logistical Systems.
*These changes are pending final approval from Rowan University leadership. We anticipate the proposed changes to be fully and formally finalized by the end of the Spring 2021 semester. Our goal is to launch these changes starting in the Fall 2021 semester.
Stackable Credentials
- Send an email to GraduateBusinessStudies@rowan.edu to confirm which concentrations you are pursuing within your MBA (can either be one or two concentrations, your choice); additionally, please include if you would like to be awarded a Business COGS prior to MBA completion.
- If you have discussed with the MBA Academic Advisor and you are told that you have met the requirements for any of the COGS you're interested in, please complete this Certificate Completion Form for each COGS you are requesting and send back to GraduateBusinessStudies@rowan.edu.
- Our office will then send the form directly to the Registrar's office for processing and the certificate(s) will be awarded to your transcript.
FAQs for Current MBA students
1. Will I be required to take extra credits in the proposed* new curriculum?
No, overall total graduate-level credit requirements in the proposed new curriculum are the same as in the current structure, and foundation-level requirements remain the same.
The total graduate-level requirements remain at 36 credits, and the Foundation course requirements remain consistent overall. While the total number of courses in the new MBA is increasing, four of these courses are only 1.5 credits each, so overall it is the same volume of credits and coursework.
2. How will proposed* changes in the curriculum impact my targeted graduation timeline?
Your graduation timeline should remain unchanged; however, we encourage you to meet with your Academic Advisor to determine the most efficient pathway to graduation. Reach out to GraduateBusinessStudies@rowan.edu to connect with the MBA Academic Advisor.
3. Since I was admitted to the MBA prior to Fall 2021, do I have the option to follow the original MBA curriculum?
Current MBA students are invited and encouraged to shift into the new proposed* curriculum, but are able to complete the degree under the requirements of the program as stated when they were first admitted. However, we are confident you will find these proposed* refresh changes create more and better opportunities for you rather than slow or hinder your progress in any way. All credits completed under the current MBA model will count towards the model being launched in Fall 2021.
Reach out to GraduateBusinessStudies@rowan.edu to connect with the MBA Academic Advisor.
4. How does this proposed* curriculum change impact my COGS program?
There will be changes to all COGS programs so that they remain in alignment with the MBA changes. This includes the curriculum changes to individual courses, as well as all credits completed for COGS under the current model counting towards the proposed model to launch Fall 2021.
5. Will we still have flexibility in choosing course format options?
Yes, we will still be offering the flexibility of students choosing various delivery formats.
The choice of format options, coupled with the proposed* refreshed MBA curriculum model, further expands flexibility and options for our students.
6. Should I adjust my Summer 2021 schedule based on this news?
Most students will be served best by remaining in whichever summer courses they have already chosen - all transfer into the new curriculum, and completing the summer courses will help you remain on track toward your target graduation timeline.
However, as always, you can adjust your schedule as needed to best fit your goals and needs.
7. Will the 1.5 credit courses impact my federal financial aid eligibility?
You will now have greater flexibility regarding the course load you carry to be eligible for federal financial aid.
Graduate students must be registered for a minimum of 4.5 credits per semester to be eligible for federal financial aid. This minimum 4.5 credits requirement can be achieved by students taking one 1.5 credit course and one 3.0 credit course.
8. I want to learn more about how this proposed* curriculum change will impact me. What should I do?
The Office of Graduate Business Studies will host several "Town Hall" style meetings. Jen and Jason will share an overview of the curriculum change, highlight the benefits, and then will open up to audience Q&A.
You will be able to meet 1:1 with an Academic Advisor for a more detailed discussion about your situation.
As always, we can do much of the advising on your ongoing course selections via email. Reach out to GraduateBusinessStudies@rowan.edu to connect with the MBA Academic Advisor.
*These changes are pending final approval from Rowan University leadership. We anticipate the proposed changes to be fully and formally finalized by the end of the Spring 2021 semester. Our goal is to launch these changes starting in the Fall 2021 semester.
Fall 2021 MBA Course Schedule (Tentative)
Course | Course Title | Credits | Format | Length |
MGT 06515 | Employee Engagement and Performance (Section 1) | 1.5 | Online | 8 weeks |
MGT 06515 | Employee Engagement and Performance (Section 2) | 1.5 | Face-to-Face | 8 weeks |
MGT 06567 |
Responsible Leadership: AISPP
(Section 1)
|
1.5 | Face-to-Face | 8 weeks |
MGT 06567 |
Responsible Leadership: AISPP
(Section 2)
|
1.5 | Online | 8 weeks |
MIS 02501 | Information Systems for Managers (Section 1) | 1.5 | Face-to-Face | 8 weeks |
MIS 02501 | Information Systems for Managers (Section 2) | 1.5 | Online | 8 weeks |
MKT 09511 | Marketing Management Fundamentals (Section 1) | 1.5 | Online | 8 weeks |
MKT 09511 | Marketing Management Fundamentals (Section 2) | 1.5 | Face-to-Face | 8 weeks |
MGT 07550 | Operations Analytics | 3 | Face-to-Face | 16 weeks |
ACC 03500 | Managerial Accounting | 3 | Online | 8 weeks |
FIN 04500 | Financial Decision Making | 3 | Online | 8 weeks |
MGT 06629 | Managing Organizational Strategy | 3 | Face-to-Face | 16 weeks |
MGT 5XX+ | ELECTIVE: Business Analytics Concentration | 3 | Online or F2F | 8 or 16 weeks |
MGT 07600 | Predictive Analytics | 3 | Online | 8 weeks |
MIS 02538 | Database Design | 3 | Face-to-Face | 16 weeks |
ACC 5XX+ | ELECTIVE: Accounting Concentration | 3 | Face-to-Face | 16 weeks |
FIN 04560 | Fixed Income Securities | 3 | Online | 8 weeks |
FIN 04540 | Financial Institutions Management | 3 | Online | 8 weeks |
ENT 06599 | Special Topics: Impact Investment for Change | 3 | Online | 8 weeks |
MGT 06601 | Strategic Planning | 3 | Online | 8 weeks |
MGT 5XX+ | ELECTIVE: Organizational Leadership Concentration | 3 | Online | 8 weeks |
MIS 02522 | Systems Analysis and Design | 3 | Face-to-Face | 16 weeks |
MKT 09575 | Introduction to Supply Chain & Logistical Systems | 3 | Face-to-Face | 16 weeks |
Spring 2022 MBA Course Schedule (Tentative)
Course | Course Title | Credits | Format | Length |
MGT 06515 | Employee Engagement and Performance (Section 1) | 1.5 | Face-to-Face | 8 weeks |
MGT 06515 | Employee Engagement and Performance (Section 2) | 1.5 | Online | 8 weeks |
MGT 06567 |
Responsible Leadership: AISPP
(Section 1)
|
1.5 | Online | 8 weeks |
MGT 06567 |
Responsible Leadership: AISPP
(Section 2)
|
1.5 | Face-to-Face | 8 weeks |
MIS 02501 | Information Systems for Managers (Section 1) | 1.5 | Online | 8 weeks |
MIS 02501 | Information Systems for Managers (Section 2) | 1.5 | Face-to-Face | 8 weeks |
MKT 09511 | Marketing Management Fundamentals (Section 1) | 1.5 | Face-to-Face | 8 weeks |
MKT 09511 | Marketing Management Fundamentals (Section 2) | 1.5 | Online | 8 weeks |
MGT 07550 | Operations Analytics | 3 | Online | 16 weeks |
ACC 03500 | Managerial Accounting | 3 | Face-to-Face | 8 weeks |
FIN 04500 | Financial Decision Making | 3 | Face-to-Face | 16 weeks |
MGT 06629 | Managing Organizational Strategy | 3 | Online | 16 weeks |
MGT 5XX+ | ELECTIVE: Business Analytics Concentration | 3 | Online | 8 or 16 weeks |
MIS 5XX+ | ELECTIVE: Data Analytics Concentration | 3 | Online | 8 weeks |
ACC 5XX+ | ELECTIVE: Accounting Concentration | 3 | Online | 16 weeks |
FIN 5XX+ | ELECTIVE: Finance Concentration | 3 | Online | 16 weeks |
ENT 5XX+ | ELECTIVE: Entrepreneurship Concentration | 3 | Face-to-Face | 8 weeks |
MGT 5XX+ | ELECTIVE: Management Concentration | 3 | Face-to-Face | 8 weeks |
MGT 5XX+ | ELECTIVE: Organizational Leadership Concentration | 3 | Face-to-Face | 8 weeks |
MIS 5XX+ | ELECTIVE: MIS Concentration | 3 | Face-to-Face | 8 weeks |
MKT 5XX+ | ELECTIVE: Supply Chain Concentration | 3 | Face-to-Face | 8 weeks |
Summer 2022 MBA Course Schedule (Tentative)
Course | Course Title | Credits | Format | Length |
MIS 02501 |
Information Systems for Managers
(Section 1)
|
1.5 | Online | 8 weeks |
MIS 02501 |
Information Systems for Managers
(Section 2)
|
1.5 | Online | 8 weeks |
MKT 09511 | Marketing Management Fundamentals (Section 1) | 1.5 | Online | 8 weeks |
MKT 09511 | Marketing Management Fundamentals (Section 2) | 1.5 | Online | 8 weeks |
MGT 07550 | Operations Analytics | 3 | Online | 8 weeks |
ACC 03500 | Managerial Accounting | 3 | Online | 8 weeks |
FIN 04500 | Financial Decision Making | 3 | Online | 8 weeks |
MGT 06629 | Managing Organizational Strategy | 3 | Online | 8 weeks |
MGT 5XX+ | ELECTIVE: Business Analytics Concentration | 3 | Online | 8 weeks |
MIS 5XX+ | ELECTIVE: Data Analytics Concentration | 3 | Online | 8 weeks |
ACC 5XX+ | ELECTIVE: Accounting Concentration | 3 | Online | 8 weeks |
FIN 5XX+ | ELECTIVE: Finance Concentration | 3 | Online | 8 weeks |
ENT 5XX+ | ELECTIVE: Entrepreneurship Concentration | 3 | Online | 8 weeks |
MGT 5XX+ | ELECTIVE: Management Concentration | 3 | Online | 8 weeks |
*These changes are pending final approval from Rowan University leadership. We anticipate the proposed changes to be fully and formally finalized by the end of the Spring 2021 semester. Our goal is to launch these changes starting in the Fall 2021 semester.