Graduate Courses

Covers the statistical and quantitative tools for conducting basic research in the business environment. Topics include descriptive statistics, probability distributions, and hypothesis testing, with extensive treatment of multiple regression models. Course presumes some familiarity with statistics and basic proficiency with Microsoft Excel.

Provides a comprehensive review of macro- and microeconomics topics as background for M.B.A. study.

Overview of how Operations Management & Information Technology work together to improve business efficiencies and competitive positioning. Emphasizes competitive advantages derivable through intelligent application of operations management and information technology as an integrated discipline. Introduces critical concepts including forecasting, business process analysis/design, database management, business intelligence/decision support, supply chain management and operational disciplines through case analyses and technical skills development.

Introduction to financial and managerial accounting and reporting issues. Topics include the preparation, analysis, and interpretation of general purpose financial reports and uses of accounting information for decision-making purposes.

Ecosystems, communities and enterprises are examples of complex systems. Sustainability, as it applies to each of these examples requires a systems thinking approach for its implementation and management. This course develops systems thinking perspectives and skills through a series of case studies drawn from environmental, social, and business contexts, using a participatory approach.

Comprehensive view of the current philanthropic/fundraising landscape will be presented, and we will explore the individual and organizational components necessary for fundraising to thrive in organizations. We will explore why donors are important, their motivations for giving, and explore your personal orientation to fundraising.  Best practices in annual giving, stewardship programs, and board fundraising efforts will be reviewed.

Examines ecological and environmental economics and the role of the business, nonprofit, and government sectors in fostering sustainability. Through field study in the Portland region, students learn how to benchmark an organization's sustainability performance, build the quantitative and qualitative case for sustainability action, and propose flexible strategies for moving forward.

Promotes a systematic understanding of cultural differences across and within nations and their impact on business practice and managerial behavior. Students will conduct in-depth comparative cultural analysis, and develop their global mindsets and multicultural skills (e.g., cultural sensitivity, intercultural communication, negotiations, and cooperation) throughout the course.

Explores the role of leadership within organizations focusing on integrative roles of middle and higher level managers. Topics include a survey of leadership theory, team building skills, conflict and politics, and the management of change.

Explores the role of business in society. Coverage of company values, actions, and outcomes that affect employees, investors, business partners, communities, and the natural environment. Examines business ethics in these relationships and ways that leaders can improve corporate citizenship.

The course covers key accounting and financial control concepts necessary for effective financial management. It provides an overview of budgeting, managerial controls, financial statement analysis, capital budgeting, other long-term decisions, cost models, risk and assessment and auditing. Students gain experience with basic accounting and financial tools supporting the successful management of a nonprofit organization.

Addresses the key area of business for nonprofit organizations from public relations, promotions, revenue generation, and strategic planning to governance, financial controls, and the use of information. Employs lectures, discussions, and case analysis.

The course provides students with an understanding of the marketing function within nonprofit organizations. It covers material such as marketing terminology, functions, and activities. Additional topics include cause-related marketing, negotiations, PR and advertising for the nonprofit manager, pricing, and social media.

An examination of financial management of nonprofit organizations. The course addresses the role of finance in achieving the objectives of various nonprofit organizations by focusing on financial capital markets, working capital, cash flow analysis, Excel for financial analysis, and managing investments.

Business analytics is the use of data, information technology, statistical analysis, and quantitative models to help managers make data-driven decisions. This course provides students with knowledge and skills in descriptive and predictive analytics to understand, analyze, and predict business performance. The concepts learned will be applied to diverse business applications using easy-to-use software.

Develops marketing plans and strategies for products and services in an increasingly competitive environment. Examines processes for serving these markets in ways that are economically, environmentally and socially sustainable.

Offers a detailed analysis of consumer decision processes, product usage behavior, and responses to various elements of marketing strategy. Explores external environmental influences and internal mental processes that help shape consumer behavior.

Presents a problem-solving approach to understanding the ways information is used to guide strategic marketing decisions. Using an experiential method, students learn to define research objectives, choose and evaluate data sources, implement data collection procedures, interpret, and analyze and present research results.

Applies negotiation strategies and tactics in a variety of business and nonprofit environments; emphasis on collaborative and competitive styles of negotiating. Seminar-style course with multiple bargaining simulations throughout the semester.

Provides an in-depth examination of how to build a brand for a corporation or non-profit organization through uses of various elements of marketing communication, including advertising, sales promotion, public relations, and event sponsorships.

Understand the personal selling function as a means to develop buyer-seller interrelationships. Provides an opportunity to discuss and practice the selling process and personal selling strategies with an emphasis on managing across cultures. Role plays and cases are featured components for enhancing marketing and sales skills.

Covers the principles of sustainable marketing. Using The Natural Step Framework, it begins at the mission, values, and strategy levels of marketing and then moves through the sustainable management of the various marketing influences (i.e. social, political, and technological) and functions (i.e. branding, product design, packaging, pricing, distribution).

Explores the strategic uses of digital marketing tools (e.g., search advertising, mobile messaging, social networks, blogs, etc.) to build a brand or to further a nonprofit organization's mission.  Students will have hands-on experience using digital marketing tactics to launch or build a brand, or to promote a nonprofit organization or cause.

Provides students with a basic understanding of sports marketing, including the marketing of sports as well as marketing through sports. Specific emphasis is placed on market selection, marketing mix decisions, and implementation of the strategic sports marketing process. Also covered are event sponsorships, professional sports teams, governing organizations, sports media (broadcast, print, and Internet), licensing, and hospitality.

Examines in depth the key theories and practices in corporate finance. Covers the corporation's financing, investing, and distribution activities, the assessment and management of risk, a critical analysis of financial reports, and the valuation of claims and contingent claims. Quantitative content.

Examines international financial institutions, markets, and instruments. Emphasis on exchange-rate determination, and currency-risk management techniques employing forward, futures, and options contracts. Other topics include international money and capital markets, portfolio theory in an international context, international capital budgeting, and economic developments reshaping the financing and investment environment.

Surveys the field of investments. Topics include investment objectives, short-term and long-term media, real estate media, stock and bond valuation theory, the capital asset pricing model and portfolio theory, the efficient market hypothesis, options, and futures.

Studies the global financial system and the financial markets and intermediaries that comprise this system. The course examines related topics such as interest rates and the pricing of financial assets, regulation, and the risk analysis and management of banks and other financial institutions.

Examines derivatives, their markets, and their role in portfolio and corporate financial management. Emphasis on risk management techniques employing derivatives, and the pricing of options, futures, forward contracts, and swaps. Other topics include market structure, speculation, and arbitrage.

Deals with the exchange of goods, services, and capital across national boundaries. The record of these transactions and the balance of payment accounts are analyzed extensively. Other topics include theories of trade, exchange rate determination, and economic growth.

Provides the informational and decision-making tools needed for planning and implementing a successful personal financial program. Topics include money management models, consumer finance issues, insurance, investing, retirement and estate planning.

Covers forecasting methods useful in a range of applications. Introduces basic graphic and statistical tools of data analysis. Applies statistical methods such as regression, moving average, smoothing methods, and autoregressive models to produce forecasts of stationary and non-stationary financial and other time series data. Experiments with these forecasting methods will use actual data from the web.

A course on advanced corporate financial strategy. Content includes advanced coverage on financing strategies, mergers and acquisitions, bankruptcy and reorganization, and corporate governance and managerial incentives. Other topics include the role of taxation on corporate strategy and the nature of information conveyed by financial decisions.

Examines the statistical techniques employed to answer questions in the finance field for both practitioners and researchers. Content includes event studies, tests of asset pricing models, time-series modeling of exchange rate, interest rate, and stock returns behavior, portfolio optimization, and assessment of option pricing models. Course involves the use of common time-series econometric software such as SAS, RAT's, and Shazam.

Takes a comprehensive look at process analysis and quality management with an emphasis on qualitative and quantitative analysis tools. Case based analysis will cover process diagramming, process performance measurement, flow analysis, lean operations and quality management methodologies/techniques.

Covers theories, practices, and research in employment, development, appraisal, and compensation of employees from the views of line management and the human resource department. Also covers government regulations, the diverse labor force, job analysis, safety and health, and globalization. Strategic implications and skill-building are emphasized.

Provides fundamental systems analysis and design techniques for modern information systems. Oriented to problem solving, which studies a current business system, determines business needs and information requirements, and evaluates alternative solutions. Topics include the general feasibility study, the traditional analysis and design approach using a Systems Life Cycle Model, and emerging approaches such as Object-Oriented analysis and design.

Develops understanding of quantitative decision making by considering problems in accounting, finance, HR, marketing, operations, and strategic business management. Examines the impact of uncertainty on business results, as well as the application of tools and methods useful in making business decisions under uncertainty and constraints. The course stresses the use of computer software in performing business analysis.

Explores issues related to the management of innovation, technology and change within organizations. Examines the range of forces impacting new product/process/service development and the implementation and coordination of these activities with internal operations and external markets.

Takes a comprehensive view of project management, addressing the technical and socio-cultural aspects of the field. Examines how the technical/tools aspects of project management integrate with the socio-cultural aspects in successfully managing projects. Utilizes lectures, group problem-solving exercises, team planning activities, and case discussion to emphasize various aspects of project management concepts, tools, and trade-offs.

Examines the flow of materials and information through the suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers in order to effectively match supply with demand. Topics include firm coordination, incentive design, the impact of uncertainty, and information technology. Special emphasis is given to understanding how business context shapes the strategic design and management of the supply chain.

Covers inventory as more than simple raw materials or finished goods. Presents a comprehensive view of managing the flow of inventory to, within, and from the organizations. Deals with the balance between shortages and excesses in an environment characterized by demand and supply uncertainty. Includes contemporary strategies such as JIT, lean, and reverse logistics.

Takes a comprehensive look at approaches and tools for planning, executing and closing projects based on the Project Management Institute's (PMI) library of global standards. Presents a process-oriented view of project integration and managing project scope, cost, time, resources, quality and communications. Provides an excellent preparation for PMI's Certified Associate in Project Management and Project Management Professional certification examinations.

Covers techniques widely used to assess and manage risk, structure problems, determine the optimal decision, and estimate the impact of a decision on performance measures of interest. Improves problem-solving skills, analytical and logical thinking, and decision-making ability in an uncertain and complex environment. Students are expected to enhance their proficiency in spreadsheet analysis and modeling.

Provides a survey of the American health care system and the linkage of organizations in the health care industry. Explores the evolution of health care policy and the economics of alternative health care delivery systems.

Develops understanding of advanced optimization methods by considering business problems in a variety of functional areas. Covers linear programming, integer programming, network models, nonlinear programming, stochastic programming, multicriteria optimization, and decentralized optimization. The goal is to maintain a balance between theory, problem formulation, solution development by computer software, and applications to business problems.

Develops an understanding of R, a flexible statistical computing environment with an enormous base of statistical and modeling methods, that is increasingly the statistical computing environment of choice for academia and industry. Emphasizes programming and data management facilities. Applications in data management, quality management, and simulation will be used to strengthen problem solving and programming skills.

Covers fundamental concepts/techniques in design, implementation, and use of databases in the data driven business world. Approaches how database can support business objectives and solve business problems by managing data effectively. Focuses on conceptual relational database modeling using entity relationships models, normalization, relational schema and hands on database skills including Microsoft Access, Visual Basic Applications and Structured Query Language.

Examines the functions of management applied in the design and daily operation of a warehouse or distribution center. Students will develop an understanding of the basic processes, relationships and requirements of distribution operations and to satisfy the needs of the company. Explores the application of labor and technologies in performing warehouse functions. Identifies and practice skills required of operations managers.

Develops students’ ability to recognize personal and workgroup productivity improvement opportunities and to improve analysis and document consistency using VBA. Emphasis will be placed on the use of VBA to improve Excel spreadsheet integrity and maintainability, increasing the value of electronic spreadsheets as strategic and tactical assets and significantly reducing organizational liability and audit burdens associated with electronic spreadsheets.

Provides students with accounting and analytical skills useful for managerial decision-making. Topics covered include: performance evaluation, pricing and operational decisions, strategy, cost allocation, variance analysis, inventory and capital budgeting, among others.

Course covers real estate finance and investment. Topics include the various forms of real estate investment including home ownership, rental property, REITs, real estate syndicates, mortgages and securitization of mortgages, real estate companies, investment in land, etc. Brokerage, loan analysis, and real estate valuation techniques.

Develops skills for examining financial information by external users (lenders, stock analysts, and owners/shareholders). Includes study of properties of financial information, choices of generally accepted accounting principles, income manipulation, methods of information disclosure, and off-balance sheet accounting.

This course examines the determination of national output, inflation, and unemployment within the context of the global economy. Difficulties of implementing stabilization policies in the open economy are discussed. The effects of monetary and fiscal policy on interest rates and currency values are considered. The issue of trade deficits and surpluses are also discussed.

Examines the theory, methodology, and specific techniques used in the verification and presentation of financial data provided to outsiders. The course introduces specific verification services, including assurance, attest, and audit services while concentrating on the external audits of publically traded companies.   Audit techniques, documentation of work completed, and audit opinions are both studied and performed by the student.

Covers both accounting for not-for-profit entities and international/foreign currency accounting. Examines accounting regulations for governments, charitable organizations, colleges and universities, and hospitals. Considers transactions made by U.S. entities but denominated in foreign currencies and international accounting standards compared to U.S. standards.

Students accepted into course will study portfolio management while managing the Miller Fund.  Since this is an applied course involving the ‘real-time’ management of money, students must possess strong financial analytical skills and a solid financial/accounting knowledge base before beginning the course.  Concepts such as investment philosophy, asset allocation, asset class management, investment process, and behavioral finance are covered.

Examines how to integrate tax strategy into business decision-making. The focus is not on technical tax rules but optimizing operations to minimize tax. Topics include: fundamentals of the U.S. tax system; corporate structure, mergers, and liquidations; property dispositions; compensation issues including employee stock options; international and interstate tax planning; and family tax planning.

Examines the entrepreneurial process-the critical ingredients determining a startup's success or failure and the driving forces behind this event through the eyes of the entrepreneur. Course exposes students to the role of the entrepreneur and the process used in finding, screening, and evaluating new business opportunities.

Explores the personal, family, and business issues found in family owned firms. Focus on development of relevant analytical and managerial skills. Topics include family business systems, family business governance, succession, and family wealth planning.

Course focuses on analysis of international business environments.  Students will investigate cultural, legal and economic issues affecting the development of business relations in various countries and their economy.  Course includes one week of international travel for student meetings and cultural visits.  Primary research project for class will involve developing group projects specific to the development of international business relations.  (Additional fee will be assessed for travel component.)

Provides an understanding of the important roles of finance and accounting in funding and growing new ventures. Topics covered include sources of financing for young, fast growing business lines, valuation of new ventures, construction and presentation of pro forma financial statements, cashflows in new businesses, IPOs, measurement of financial performance, and tax planning for new ventures.

Explores how to recognize and screen technology opportunities in diverse areas. Participants gain an overview of intellectual property acquisition, creation, and protection. Unique business models related to high technology start-ups and technology licensing are covered.

Students attend at least 15 hours of off-campus programs and seminars offered by organizations dedicated to the growth in innovation, entrepreneurship and commercialization of technology in the region. Through this experience participants gain content knowledge and an extensive network of people and organizations actively engaged in supporting technology entrepreneurship.

Seminar style class concentrating on issues pertinent to both the law and emerging technology businesses; such as negotiations, use of legal counsel, business and legal ethics, intellectual property, firm governance, raising capital and exit strategies, and the anatomy of business/legal transactions.

Goes into depth on concepts and tools necessary to analyze the value of new technology, create new products, and get products to market. Upon completion, students will have the knowledge to put together a commercialization plan for bringing a new technology or product to market.

Participants apply the skills developed throughout the program by working to commercialize an invention. A specific technology invention is selected by the student teams from a portfolio of technologies and approved by the course instructor as a suitable project. Each project team has two mentors on their project and may apply for funds to be used to advance technology.

Examines the competitive process through the firm's management of its strategic issues. Students are exposed to the techniques used by managers to evaluate their firm's competitive position, to develop a strategy based on competitive advantages, and to successfully execute their chosen strategy. Course should be taken in student's graduating semester.

Course designed to help students attain professional-level competence in oral and written business communication. Students learn rhetorical principles and apply them to business communication situations. Included: making formal oral presentations, conducting meetings, writing business reports.

Examines the impact of U.S., foreign, and international law on global businesses and comparison of U.S. and foreign commercial legal systems. Topics include laws governing multinational firms; international sales transactions; trade and transportation issues; protection of intellectual property; finance, accounting, and tax issues; and dispute resolution including the use of arbitration.

Designed for strong students desiring to do extensive study in a particular area of interest for which there is currently no University course offered. Students electing to do a directed study must find a professor with a particular area of expertise to serve as their faculty sponsor.

In the semesters in which they are offered, courses cover a variety of subjects the staff considers appropriate for the needs of the students in meeting the objectives of the graduate business program.

In the semesters in which they are offered, courses cover a variety of subjects the. staff considers appropriate for the needs of the students in meeting the objectives of the graduate business program.

Allows highly-qualified M.B.A. students to complete an internship for credit to gain professional work experience. Interns must fulfill an academic component in addition to the contact time with the company. Open to full-time students. (Approval of the internship director required.)

MSF candidates pursuing the Thesis Option will complete a thesis and oral defense on a finance topic following the Thesis Guidelines of the University of Portland Graduate School. Once a student has completed 50% of their degree program requirements, the student should consult the finance faculty and establish a thesis committee consisting of three University of Portland faculty members.