Business Administration, MBA
Associate Dean: Andrey Mikhailitchenko
Email: Andrey.Mikhailitchenko@ucdenver.edu
Assistant Dean: Andrea Szabo
E-mail: Andrea.Szabo@ucdenver.edu
Introduction
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program provides a general background in management and administration. This background enables the student to have the breadth and depth of knowledge required for an advanced-level management career. The program is designed to develop the concepts, analytical tools and communication skills required for competent and responsible administration of an enterprise viewed in its entirety, within its social, political and economic environment.
The professional MBA program allows the scheduling of classes with maximum flexibility so students can progress through the program at their own pace, by taking as little as one class per semester or as many as five classes per semester, at times that accommodate work schedules. Students may complete on-campus courses at our downtown Denver campus. The program can be completed in as little as 16 months or as long as five years plus one semester.
Online courses add additional flexibility. Students may complete all degree requirements online, or combine online and campus courses to broaden the choice of electives or to fit a business travel schedule or personal learning style. We also offer a fully-online MBA program that is designed for the working professional and features eight-week terms. For more information on the fully-online route, please click here.
Students may choose to add one of fifteen specializations to the professional MBA:
- Accounting
- Bio-innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Business Analytics
- Business Intelligence
- Business Strategy
- Commodities
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance
- Information Systems
- International Business
- Management
- Marketing
- Risk Management and Insurance
- Sustainable Business
The MBA program is also available in different configurations: The One Year MBA and the Health Administration and the Executive MBA. All MBAs have similar curriculum requirements; they differ principally in focus, the flexibility of course scheduling, and the time required to complete the program. The One Year and Executive MBAs are lockstep programs, where students form a cohort and complete all program requirements together. No course transfers, waivers or substitutions are permitted.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| BUSN 6520 | Leading Individuals and Teams | 3 |
| BUSN 6530 | Data Analytics for Managers | 3 |
| BUSN 6540 | Legal and Ethical Environment of Business | 3 |
| BUSN 6550 | Analyzing and Interpreting Accounting Information | 3 |
| BUSN 6560 | Marketing Dynamics in the 21st Century | 3 |
| BUSN 6610 | Information Systems Strategy | 3 |
| BUSN 6620 | Applied Economics for Managers | 3 |
| BUSN 6630 | Management of Operations | 3 |
| BUSN 6640 | Financial Management | 3 |
| BUSN 6710 | Strategic Management | 3 |
| International Elective | ||
| Any course numbered 6000 or higher with INTB prefix or any graduate level business course that is cross-listed with an INTB prefix. May also include either ENTP 6826 International Entrepreneurship or RISK 6209 Cyber Risk Management. Travel studies offered by the Business School also apply. | 3 | |
| Free Electives | ||
| Select 12 credit hours or MBA Specialization 1 | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 45 | |
- 1
Any course numbered 6800 or higher with BUSN prefix or any course numbered 6000 or higher with prefix of ACCT, BANA, CMDT, ENTP, FNCE, INTB, ISMG, MGMT, MKTG, RISK, or SUSB. Students may also select a MBA Specialization.
Core Substitution: Students with extensive and comparable course work in a particular core subject area may petition to substitute a higher-level graduate course on the basis of prior undergraduate or graduate course work taken at a regionally accredited college or university for the corresponding core class. This does not waive the 48-hour requirement. If a core course is substituted, another graduate level course in the same functional area must be used as a substitute so that the student completes a total of 48 semester hours.
MBA Specializations
Graduate students will have an opportunity to take specialized tracks within the professional MBA program by completing a pre-specified program of elective courses. The following 15 specializations are available:
Accounting
Students need to complete the required courses for a total of 4 courses for the specialization. Students who have completed equivalent courses to the ones listed below can substitute any ACCT course numbered 6000 or higher for courses in which they have been waived. Please contact an advisor for course waivers.
Complete four courses total.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ACCT 6031 | Intermediate Financial Accounting I | 3 |
| ACCT 6032 | Intermediate Financial Accounting II | 3 |
| ACCT 6140 | Fundamentals of Federal Income Tax | 3 |
| Complete any ACCT course numbered 6000 or higher | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Bio-innovation and Entrepreneurship
The Jake Jabs Center for Entrepreneurship is pleased to offer a specialization in Bio-innovation and Entrepreneurship, which is the first of its kind in the country to be offered by an AACSB accredited graduate business school. Taking advantage of the Colorado's bio-cluster, in collaboration with faculty at Anschutz Medical Campus, this specialization is one-of-a-kind, and is geared to helping bio-entrepreneurs achieve commercial success. Additionally, you have opportunities to participate in a number of Jake Jabs Center programs; including the annual business plan competition, internships in area businesses, speaker programs with local entrepreneurs, and connections to many new Colorado ventures.
Complete four courses total.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Course | 3 | |
| ENTP 6801 | Healthcare Innovation and Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| Select two other ENTP courses numbered 6000 or higher 1 | 6 | |
| Complete the following capstone course | 3 | |
| Business Model Development & Planning | ||
| Total Hours | 15 | |
- 1
excluding ENTP 6801 Healthcare Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Business Analytics
Business analytics merges data, technology, and mathematical models to produce evidence-based information relevant for today's business and government decision-making.
This specialization in business analytics trains you to construct and interpret models of big data, forecasting, optimization, and simulation. Analytics touch every aspect of business, driving the way businesses understand not only their own processes, but also the way their customers behave.
Complete four courses total.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| BANA 6610 | Statistics for Business Analytics 1 | 3 |
| BANA 6620 | Computing for Business Analytics | 3 |
| BANA 6670 | Prescriptive Analytics with Optimization | 3 |
| Select 1 additional BANA course numbered 6000 or higher or 1 of the following | 3 | |
| Data Analysis with SAS | ||
| Database Management Systems | ||
| Text Data Analytics | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
- 1
To enroll in BANA 6610 Statistics for Business Analytics, you must submit a petition that demonstrates your quantitative ability with either a GMAT quantitative score or other quantitative skills. Contact your advisor for the petition form. If approved, BANA 6610 can serve as a substitute for BUSN 6530. See advisor for details.
Business Intelligence
Modern business runs on information. Success may depend on the quality of the collection and analysis. Business Intelligence (BI) systems combine operational data with analytical tools to present complex and competitive information for planning and decision making, and improves the timeliness and quality of inputs to the planning and decision process.
Complete four courses total.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select 4 of the following | 12 | |
| Database Management Systems | ||
| Business Intelligence Systems and Analytics | ||
| Information Systems Security and Privacy | ||
| Text Data Analytics | ||
| Data Warehouse and Administration | ||
| Business Intelligence in Healthcare | ||
| Business Intelligence and Financial Modeling | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Business Strategy
Business Strategy examines the development of firm strategic plans and implementation including careful resource allocation and leadership skills essential for organizations to effectively meet their objectives. With this specialization, you get the necessary skills and knowledge used to develop and implement business strategy.
Complete four courses total.
Select 4 of the following courses: (Note: if you want additional flexibility, you may select 2 from this list (rather than 4) and 2 from the additional elective list below)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select 4 of the following | 12 | |
| Business Strategy Lab | ||
| Human Resources Management: Performance Management | ||
| Visionary Leadership | ||
| Negotiation and Conflict Management. | ||
| Transformative Leadership for Sustainability | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
If you wish additional flexibility, you may select two from the list above and select up to 2 of the following CMDT, ENTP, FNCE, INTB, MKTG or RISK courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CMDT 6682 | Commodities Hedging | 3 |
| ENTP 6022 | Launching Innovative Digital Businesses | 3 |
| ENTP 6826 | International Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| FNCE 6310 | Financial Decisions and Policies | 3 |
| FNCE 6382 | Survey of Financial Derivatives | 3 |
| FNCE 6411 | International Corporate Governance | 3 |
| FNCE 6420 | Mergers and Acquisitions | 3 |
| FNCE 6480 | Financial Modeling | 3 |
| INTB 6022 | International Business Negotiations and Transactions | 3 |
| or INTB 6500 | International Business Consulting | |
| MKTG 6010 | Marketing Strategy | 3 |
| RISK 6309 | Strategic Risk Management | 3 |
| RISK 6909 | Corporate Risk Management | 3 |
Commodities
MBA candidates and business professionals should take this Commodities Specialization for a better understanding of the commodities market in its entirety, from both the physical and financial perspective. Students obtain the specialization by taking 4 classes (12 credits). Classes focus on commodity trading operations, investment management, investment banking, data analysis, and more. With strong industry support, courses in this specialization are catered to, and designed around, actual business problems in the commodities sector. Students will have an edge in competing for jobs in the commodity rich sectors of this state.
Complete four courses total.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Course | ||
| CMDT 6802 | Foundations of Commodities | 3 |
| Complete 3 of the following | 9 | |
| Commodity Trading | ||
| Commodity Supply Chain Management | ||
| Commodities Hedging | ||
| Commodity Data Analysis | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Entrepreneurship
The Entrepreneurship specialization provides a range of focused courses geared towards individuals looking to start their own business. Courses are taught at the Jake Jabs Center for Entrepreneurship located in the heart of downtown Denver or at the new South Denver location near I25 and Lincoln Avenue. Complete four entrepreneurship courses to receive a specialization in Entrepreneurship. Additionally, you have opportunities to participate in a number of Jake Jabs Center programs; including the annual business plan competition, internships in area businesses, speaker programs with local entrepreneurs, and connection with new ventures.
Complete four courses total.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete 4 ENTP courses numbered 6000 or higher 1 | 12 | |
| If interested, consider the following capstone course: | ||
| Business Model Development & Planning | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
- 1
Excluding ENTP 6801 Healthcare Innovation and Entrepreneurship and ENTP 6802 Regulatory Environment of Life Science Innovation.
Finance
Adding the finance specialization to your degree gives you skills relevant to different financial functional areas including corporate, investments, and financial institutions. You get the tools and skill sets you need for finance decision making and investment.
Complete four courses total.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Course | 3 | |
| FNCE 6330 | Investment Management Analysis | 3 |
| Complete 3 FNCE, CMDT, or RISK courses numbered 6000 or higher | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Information Systems
Complete four courses total.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete 4 ISMG courses numbered 6000 or higher (except ISMG 6180/BUSN 6610) | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
International Business
International Business is quickly becoming simply business. Adding a specialization in International Business to your degree will help you to work internationally, and with international companies. From cross cultural management to legal aspects to marketing internationally. Prepare yourself for how business works today.
Complete four courses total.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Course | ||
| INTB 6000 | Introduction to International Business | 3 |
| or ENTP 6826 | International Entrepreneurship | |
| Other Courses | ||
| Select 3 of the following: | 9 | |
Any INTB course numbered 6000 or higher 1 | ||
| International Entrepreneurship 2 | ||
| Cyber Risk Management | ||
Any travel study course offered by the Business School. | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
- 1
Excluding INTB 6000 Introduction to International Business
- 2
If not chosen as the required course above
Management
Adding a career-focused management specialization to your degree will better prepare you for significant management responsibilities in the private and public sectors.
Complete four courses total.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| MGMT 6320 | Leading Organizational Change | 3 |
| MGMT 6360 | Designing Effective Organizations | 3 |
| Select 2 of the following | 6 | |
| Managing for Sustainability | ||
| Managing People for Competitive Advantage | ||
| Visionary Leadership | ||
| Negotiation and Conflict Management. | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Marketing
Marketing is about building long-term relationships between your firm and those who buy its offerings. Just how important is marketing to a firm's success? Well without it there would be no way to communicate with current or potential customers and no revenues. The Marketing specialization will give you the skills and confidence needed to effectively manage a firm and in particular those aspects associated with building profitable, long-term, business relationships.
Complete four courses total.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete 4 MKTG courses numbered 6000 or higher | 12 | |
Students may also petition to have a marketing internship count toward the specialization. (MKTG 5939 Internship) | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Risk Management and Insurance (RMI)
The specialization in Risk Management and Insurance is designed for students who are interested in pursuing or advancing a career in areas of risk management or the insurance industry. 50% of this industry is retiring in the next 5 to 10 years, leaving a huge need for new talent. The pervasive reality of risk affects all individuals and organizations. Specialized knowledge and understanding of risk increase students’ marketability and potential for success across a wide range of industries.
Every Fall and Spring semester, the RMI Program awards about $25,000 in scholarships. Students may apply for RMI Scholarships when they enroll in a RISK course. Students with the RMI Specialization can also take advantage of the unique opportunities offered by the RMI Program and our industry partners.
More about careers in risk management can be found here.
Complete four courses total.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| RISK 6809 | Principles of Risk Management & Insurance | 3 |
| RISK 6909 | Corporate Risk Management | 3 |
| Select 1 of the following | ||
| Practical Enterprise Risk Management | ||
| Strategic Risk Management | ||
| Investment Management Analysis | ||
| Financial Innovations | ||
| Management of Financial Institutions | ||
| Survey of Financial Derivatives | ||
| Select 1 of the following | ||
| Cyber Risk Management | ||
| Global Risk Management | ||
| Life and Health Insurance | ||
| Commodity Supply Chain Management | ||
| Foundations of Commodities | ||
| Entrepreneurial Financial Management | ||
| Information Systems Security and Privacy | ||
| Environmental Sustainability and Stewardship | ||
| Global Climate Change | ||
Sustainable Business
More than ever before, major companies and entrepreneurial ventures are seeking competitive advantage and success by embracing sustainability, and related environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives as a core business strategy. The need to reduce global carbon emissions, manage increasingly scarce resources, create transparent, fair, diverse, and equitable governance systems, rebuild deteriorating social safety nets, and report on sustainability initiatives has accelerated the demand for sustainable business expertise. Farsighted leaders recognize that this new way of doing business requires new knowledge and skills. Make your MBA a green MBA and gain the knowledge and skills you’ll need to be successful leading or supporting sustainability strategies by adding the Sustainable Business specialization.
Complete four courses total.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Course | 3 | |
| SUSB 6000 | Key Concepts and Issues in Sustainable Business | 3 |
| Complete 3 of the following | 9 | |
| Travel Study Topics | ||
| Environmental Sustainability and Stewardship | ||
| Accounting and Finance for Sustainability | ||
| Social Enterprise | ||
| Strategic Risk Management | ||
| Global Climate Change | ||
| Sustainable Supply Chains and Circularity | ||
| Managing for Sustainability | ||
| Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility | ||
| Transformative Leadership for Sustainability | ||
| Marketing and Global Sustainability | ||
| Total Hours | 15 | |