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 Mgt & Info Technology improve business efficiencies and competitive positioning 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-book analysis 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), while also applying frameworks for ethical decision-making.

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, and successfully manage, an organization's brand by closely examining brand touchpoints including social, digital and traditional promotions tools of a chosen organization. 

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 use of digital media and marketing tools to build a brand or achieve an organization’s goals. We will investigate best practices for offering consumers a seamless brand experience using multiple media, information sources and purchase options. Students will apply course concepts in creating a strategic, actionable digital marketing plan for a brand or organization of their choosing.

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 innovation in terms of developing and marketing new products (goods or services). Students learn the stages of a new product development process, identify the components of new product development strategy, and understand how to structure organizations for creativity and innovation.

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.

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.

Course on advanced restructuring strategy. Content includes advanced coverage on mergers and acquisitions, corporate reorganization, and corporate governance and managerial incentives. Other topics include the management of the acquisition process, study the nature of information conveyed by financial decisions, and commonly used business valuation/financial modeling methods can be applied to valuing various types of business combinations.

Examines techniques employed to answer questions in the finance field for practitioners and researchers. Empirical research conducted based on econometric techniques such as event studies, cross-sectional and panel regressions. Problems studied include price effects of various corporate events, capital structure, executive compensation, corporate governance, market efficiency tests, portfolio-trading strategies, among others. Involves use of common econometric software such as EVIEWS.

A comprehensive view of process analysis and quality management techniques with an emphasis on quantitative and qualitative analysis tools. A case based analysis approach will cover process diagramming, process performance measurement, process redesign, flow analysis, queuing methods, quality management methods, lean operations and six sigma concepts.

This course focuses on reward systems, performance management and motivational tools; all critical components towards professional effectiveness with organizational systems. This course will be designed to provide a foundation based on theory but also present the student with case studies and practical applications so as to be more effective managers in their organizations.

Provides fundamental systems analysis and design techniques for modern information systems. Analyzes if current business processes and systems meet business needs/information requirements. Evaluates alternative systems solutions to support/enable effective business processes. Covers systems lifecycle & object-oriented models with data flow diagram, Structured English, relational database model, and normalization.

Develops understanding of analytics-based 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. 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.

Develops skills in examining and improving the flow of materials and information through the network of suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to match supply with demand effectively. Topics include inter- and intra-firm coordination, incentive design, the impact of uncertainty, and the role of information technology.

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 areas. Covers linear, nonlinear, integer, and goal programming, multicriteria optimization, network models, stochastic programming, 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 powerful statistical computing environment with an enormous base of statistical and modeling methods, frequently the statistical computing environment of choice for academia and industry. Emphasizes sound programming fundamentals and data management facilities. Applications in data management, project management, quality management, and supply chain management 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.

Develops an understanding of the scientific process as it relates to social science research methods, and uses the scientific method, appropriate quantitative techniques, and technological tools (R and Excel) to conduct a basic data science research project. Also covers issues related to quantifying, monetizing, and managing information.

This course covers fundamentals of object oriented analysis and design. Topics include requirements gathering, systems modeling and software specification. The course emphasizes the use of the Unified Modeling Language (UML) to specify the structural and behavioral aspects of a software architecture. Additionally, the course will address object relational mapping and illustrate key object oriented concepts using Java.

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.

The course covers accounting for business combination and corporate consolidations.  It also covers accounting for foreign currency transactions, hedging foreign translation of foreign currency financial statement and other emergent issues in accounting. 

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.

Experience the entrepreneurial process.  Understand the driving forces behind creating, launching and developing a new venture.  Hands-on opportunity to discover, create, test, present and launch a viable and sustainable new venture.  Includes in-depth development of business plan and investor presentation.  Emphasis on stand-alone new ventures; however, venture creation in established firms is also covered. 

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.

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.

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.

This course unpacks leaders’ communicative means to engage people’s thought, attention, motivation, and learning. Students examine research, theory, philosophy, and instructional communication practices designed to increase credibility, flexibility, comfort and effectiveness in teaching-learning leadership situations. Students develop their own teaching philosophies and learn about sharing memorable information, facilitating teamwork and discussion, and developing productive, satisfying teaching-learning relationships with others.

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.)

Research study or original work under the direction of a faculty mentor, leading to a scholarly thesis document with a public presentation of results. Requires approval of thesis director, dean, and graduate dean when appropriate. Prerequisite: Approval of Associate Dean.

Registration for any candidate who has received the grade of IP in BUS 599 is required while the thesis is in progress. Fee: $50