Graduate Certificate | M.B.A. in Technology and Operations Management

Technology and Operations Management Graduate Certificate

The Technology and Operations Management Graduate Certificate focuses on applied business innovation and how to create value in firms, not only through new products and services but also through new technologies, business concepts, transaction mechanisms, and distribution channels. The Technology and Operations Management concentration encourages students to master concepts and research skills directly relevant to business problems.

The Graduate Certificate in Technology and Operations is comprised of the following three courses (9 semester hours):

• MBA6400 Coordinating and Managing Supply Chains
• MBA6410 Operations Strategy
• MBA6420 Innovation and Venture Initiation

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) in Technology and Operations Management

Course Descriptions:

MBA6400 Coordinating and Managing Supply Chains 3 semester hours
This course builds on a number of core topics in the M.B.A. curriculum. Topics explored include inventory management, distribution economics, retailing operations, and supply chain information technology. The course focuses on managing material and information flows across organizational boundaries from the “manager’s perspective” and emphasizes the challenges of managing across functional and firm boundaries. Cases are used to put challenges in context.
Prerequisites: MBA6010 and MTH1800 or ECN3300.

MBA6410 Operations Strategy 3 semester hours
This course will prepare students to identify and frame complex strategic issues in operations, design operating strategies that address those issues, and take effective action to achieve the full potential of the decisions. The course introduces students to concepts, tools, and techniques such as the design and evolution of multi-site operating networks, the selection and development of process technologies, and the creation of operating systems that effectively connect operations with suppliers, distribution channels, and customers. Emphasis is given to tools that students will need to participate effectively in decision-making early in their careers.
Prerequisites: MBA6010 and MTH1800 or ECN3300.

MBA6420 Innovation and Venture Initiation 3 semester hours
This course is divided into two parts: Intrapreneurship and Entrepreneurship. Intrapreneurship examines the range of internal and external forces that impact technological innovation and growth. Emphasis is placed on managerial initiatives that can influence the nature and rate of technology innovation and change, technology forecasting and assessment, R&D management, technical planning, and the use of organizational models. Entrepreneurship focuses on the strategic issues that entrepreneurs must address to exploit opportunities when industries are either created or transformed by emerging new technologies. Issues of starting, financing, growing, and managing a technology company are addressed with topics covering cutting edge business models, technology development and intellectual property issues, financing options, culture and human resource development, and alliances.
Prerequisites: MBA6010, MBA6020, MBA6030, MBA6140 and MBA6050.

Admission Requirements

The general admission requirements are to be found in the section “Graduate Admission Requirements”. In addition to the requirements listed there, it is expected that applicants to the M.B.A. program will have at least two years of some work experience.

Attendance Policy

Attendance is mandatory for all class sections. If a student is to be absent for any reason, he/she must discuss the expected absence with the course instructor before it occurs.

Academic Standards and Evaluation

Grades will be assigned to each student at the conclusion of each course according to the procedures outlined in the section “Graduate Grading System.”

At the graduate level, a “C” grade indicates less than complete mastery of the content of a course. Only two grades of “C” are accepted at the graduate level in the M.B.A. program and they must be balanced by two grades of “A.” If a “C” is received within the first three courses, the student may be removed from the program by action of the program faculty.

Residency Requirement

A minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate credit must be earned at Aurora University in order to receive the M.B.A. degree. A maximum of 6 semester hours of graduate credit may be transferred from an accredited college or university and applied to the requirements of this degree. Any course work submitted for transfer must be approved by the program faculty and the director. See the section “Transfer of Credit” for the conditions governing the transfer of credit.

Please Note: The information listed on this page is current according to the 2007-2009 Graduate Catalog, unless otherwise noted.