University Catalog 2006-2007

University Catalog > School of Management

School of Management

Enterprise Hall
Phone: 703-993-1807
Web: www.som.gmu.edu

Programs

The School of Management (SOM) offers the following academic programs:

Undergraduate

Graduate

Administration

Richard J. Klimoski, Dean

David J. Harr, Senior Associate Dean

Alison S. O’Brien, Associate Dean, Undergraduate Programs

Angel J. Burgos, Director of MBA Program

Jean-Pierre Auffret, Director of Technology Management Program

Roy W. Hinton, Director of Executive MBA Program

Daniel C. Mackeben, Director of External Relations

Pamela A. Allen, Assistant Dean of Academic and Career Services

Laura S. Winkler, Career Coordinator

The School of Management (SOM) has provided high- quality business education to the region since 1972. SOM faculty members bring both theoretical and applied expertise to the classroom.

Nearly one-third of the faculty is bilingual. SOM faculty members have international reputations on topics such as executive compensation, effects of insider trading on stock prices and e-commerce, and international work groups and teams. Faculty members have provided testimony before nearly every federal agency, and have served as consultants to industry and organizations such as NASDAQ, the FDIC, and the Department of Defense.

Today, more than 3,800 students are studying in five undergraduate majors, the business minor, and four graduate programs. The MBA, EMBA, and MS in technology management are pioneers nationwide. Mason’s management programs provide a solid business core emphasizing information technologies and communication, entrepreneurial thinking, and global business strategy. We prepare students to lead with initiative, imagination, and innovation.

Of more than 2,100 business programs in the nation, only one-fifth are fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International. Mason’s SOM is one of only 167 schools in the nation with both business and accounting programs fully accredited by this organization.

A Mason business degree delivers in-depth exposure in an area of specialization as well as the skills required for success in a global business world. The school’s unique undergraduate keystone and capstone courses develop skills and provide students with opportunities to interact with regional business leaders. More than 90 percent of the school’s graduate students study while employed. Since our graduate programs emphasize learning in teams, each student has the opportunity to test classroom concepts against the best practices of some of the region’s premier organizations. Graduate students experience global business through an international residency. SOM integrates teamwork, technology, and innovation into a state-of-the art curriculum to prepare students for tomorrow’s business environment.

Faculty

Accounting

Buchanan, Cox, Douthett, Heller, Hylton, Jones, Krishnan, Moraglio, Nutter, Parsons, Sengupta, Shen, Visvanathan

Decision Sciences and Management Information Systems

Auffret, C. Chen, M. Chen, Das, Dutta, Hsu, Hughes, Hutchison, Kim, Kinsley, Mazumdar, Mehta, Meixell, Noar, Singer,

Finance

Canterbury, Christophe, Crockett, Ferri, Gao, -Hallows, Hanweck, Hsieh, Johnston, Nikolova, Stahel, Zhdanov

Management

Coffinberger, Cramton, Cronin, Demory, Joshi, Klimoski, Kravitz, Lee, Lei, Ling, Marks, O’Brien, Parker, Rockmann, Samuels, Wolf, Wolfe, Yasai

Marketing

Entrikin, Harvey, Joiner, Jaju, Li, Martin, McCrohan, Meamber, Philpot, Saini, Schneider, Sussan

Course Work

SOM offers all course work designated ACCT, BULE, DESC, EMBA, FNAN, MBA, MGMT, MIS, MKTG, MSBM, MSOM, SOM, and TECM in the “Course Descriptions” chapter of this catalog.

Undergraduate Programs

Because all organizations face constant change driven largely by information technology, new organizations and new business models are continually evolving. SOM faculty and students are intellectually curious about what information technology, new business models, and paradigm shifts mean to present and future organizations.

Success in business requires a broad portfolio of skills as well as a desire for lifelong learning. When studying business, focusing on just one discipline is not enough. Today’s workforce must be able to perform successfully in an environment of change and ambiguity. SOM prepares students to be successful in the fast-paced world of business.

Bachelor of Science Degree

Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs
Phone: 703-993-1880
Web: som.gmu.edu

The programs in management education culminate in a BS degree with a major from one of five areas: accounting, decision sciences and management information systems, finance, management, or marketing. A minimum of 120 credits of course work is required, of which at least 45 credits must be at the 300 or 400 level.

Students should consult the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements section in the “Academic Policies” chapter for information concerning literacy, general education, residence, and other academic requirements.

In addition, students should carefully examine prerequisites for SOM courses. Students will be removed from courses if they enroll without having fulfilled the prerequisites.

Writing-Intensive, Synthesis Requirements

Mason’s writing-intensive requirement for SOM majors is satisfied by successful completion of SOM 301. The synthesis requirement is satisfied by successful completion of SOM 498.

Degree Requirements

All degree applicants must complete a minimum of 30 credits of SOM core and major courses at Mason. They must include at least 9 credits required for the specific major, and SOM 498. A grade of C or higher must be earned in SOM core and major requirements.

SOM students pursuing a BS degree must complete the university-wide general education program plus 1 additional credit of natural science, for a total of 41 credits. The natural science requirement must be fulfilled by completing two, 4-credit laboratory sciences. All degree applicants must complete the following SOM degree requirements:

  Credits
ECON 103* 3
ECON 104* 3
ECON 300–400 3
ANTH, PSYC, or SOCI 3
MATH 108 or 113* (satisfies university requirement for quantitative reasoning) 3
School of Management Core * 35
ACCT 203 3
ACCT 301 3
BULE 302 3
DESC 210 4
DESC 301 3
FNAN 301 3
MGMT 301 3
MIS 102 1
MIS 301 3
MKTG 301 3
SOM 301 3
SOM 498 3
Major* 18
General Electives 20
These credits may not include pure activity courses such as those listed under the catalog designations of individual sports, physical education, team sports, and recreational activities. Certain courses under the designation of dance, music, theater, and arts are also restricted. Consult the SOM web site for more specific information. A minimum of 9 credits must come from courses outside SOM or the Department of Economics.  
Total Credits  
University General Education and SOM 120

* Completion with a grade of C or better is required for graduation.

Acceptance into SOM

A student interested in pursuing a major in accounting, decision sciences and management information systems, finance, management, or marketing must apply for acceptance to SOM during the semester in which the student will complete acceptance requirements. A student who has not received acceptance will have a degree status classified as “BPRE,” until the application is approved.

Acceptance is selective, based on completion of the following:

Please note: Students must meet the admission requirements in effect at the time of application to the school.

Applications must be submitted by November 1 for the following spring semester; by April 1 for the following Summer Term; and by July 1 for the following fall semester. Students should file the application at the beginning of the semester in which they anticipate completing the requirements set forth above. For more information about the application process, contact the Office of Academic and Career Services, 703-993-1880.

Academic Advising

Academic planning for undergraduate students is available in the SOM Office of Academic and Career Services, Enterprise Hall, Room 008. Students are encouraged to consult with an advisor regularly. Any student who wishes to change to a major in SOM must consult a SOM academic advisor for degree requirements. For more information about making an appointment or walk-in advising hours, call 703-993-1880, or go to www.som.gmu.edu.

Accounting, BS

Degree Requirements

The BS in accounting (ACCT) prepares students for professional careers in the private and public sectors. Students learn how to evaluate fundamental value propositions for various types of organizations and transactions, and convert financial and economic information from these organizations and transactions into information that is useful for decision-making purposes. Students also learn how to design and test information systems that provide reliable and relevant information for planning and control. Further, students learn how to identify value-creating opportunities and choose among competing operating, investing, financing, and disclosure alternatives to maximize firm or organizational value.

The program emphasizes, but is not limited to, the accounting profession and its role in business and government, including professional responsibilities and ethics. The program stresses conceptual understanding, technical competency, analytic abilities, communication skills, and computer literacy. The degree is separately accredited by AACSB International.

In addition to general requirements for the BS degree, students must complete all required credits in upper-level accounting courses, with grades of C or better in each course. Students majoring in accounting must complete 18 credits composed of the following:

Materials are available in the Office of Academic and Career Services to provide guidance regarding recommended electives. Students who anticipate taking the CPA, CMA, CIA, or other professional exam should consult applicable regulations and meet with their advisor. State regulations may dictate course selections.

Note: Students who anticipate taking the Uniform CPA exam in Virginia after June 30, 2006, will be required to complete a minimum of 150 credits, including a baccalaureate or higher degree conferred by an accredited college or university.

Decision Sciences and Management Information Systems, BS

Degree Requirements

The BS in decision sciences and management information systems (DMIS) prepares students for a range of career options that involve applying information technology and quantitative methods to business problems. Knowledge of business functions as well as information technology is necessary to assess information requirements and leverage technology to design and improve business processes. The content of the DMIS major is at the intersection of technology, process, and people.

In addition to general degree requirements for the major, students who major in DMIS must complete 18 credits of upper-level DMIS courses with a grade of C or better in each course. Of these, 9 credits are taken up by the required courses for the major as listed below. Students have considerable flexibility in their choice of electives, and may choose from two tracks of study: one in management information systems, which prepares students for a career in the information technology industry; and the other in management of business operations, which develops expertise in areas such as quality, project, and supply chain management and business process analysis. Students are strongly urged to discuss their choice of electives and programs of study with their advisor. It is also strongly recommended that students planning to major in DMIS take MIS 302 as part of their program.

Required courses

Electives (choose three)

Finance, BS

Degree Requirements

The BS in finance (FNAN) prepares students for professional careers by providing a solid foundation in financial principles necessary to make operating decisions for an organization. In addition to general degree requirements for the major, students must complete 18 credits in upper-level finance courses with a grade of C or better in each course.

Required courses (choose three)

Electives (choose three)

Management, BS

Degree Requirements

The BS in management prepares students to take leadership, management, and entrepreneurial roles in the public and private sectors. Students learn skills such as strategic thinking, motivating and managing nationally and internationally diverse workforces, building and leading team efforts, negotiating successfully, and instituting planned change in organizations. In addition to general degree requirements for the BS, students must complete 18 credits in upper-level management courses with a grade of C or better in each course.

Required courses

Beyond the two required management courses, students must choose four additional management courses from the following list:

Management majors may focus their careers in several areas. In selecting four elective courses, students may want to consider a likely career path. Recommended courses for three possible careers are provided below.

Students with a GPA of at least 3.00 are offered the opportunity to further distinguish their record by participating in MGMT 462 Management Honors Seminar, which addresses a key contemporary management issue in an intensive small group format.

Enrollment in MGMT 462 is by management faculty invitation. To be eligible for an invitation, students must be accepted into SOM with a management major; have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 with a minimum of 75 semester hours of course work; and have a minimum GPA of 3.00 in course work completed for the management major.The size of the Honors Seminar will be kept small. If the number of interested and qualified students exceeds the number of available spots, management faculty will enact a selection process.

Marketing, BS

Degree Requirements

The BS in marketing prepares students for a broad range of global and domestic career options in market and consumer research, brand management, advertising, customer relationship management, new market and business development, and marketing strategy. Marketing opportunities are increasing in the new economy as firms, government agencies, and nonprofits adopt a market orientation.

A marketing major provides students with a solid background in marketing concepts and practices, with emphasis on market analysis and planning, research, and consumer behavior. Because marketing draws on a variety of disciplines for its foundation and is practiced globally, marketing majors are encouraged to take electives in related fields such as psychology, sociology, economics, public policy, international studies, computer science, and foreign languages.

In addition to required core courses for the BS degree, students must complete 18 credits of upper-level marketing courses with a grade of C or better in each course.

Required Courses

The remaining 9 credits must be chosen from a variety of upper-level electives in marketing.

Concentration in Internet Marketing Resiliency

Marketing also offers a concentration in Internet marketing resiliency within the marketing major. This concentration prepares students to enhance and protect the electronic marketing efforts of their firms.

Required courses

Choose four from the following six courses:

Marketing majors are advised to work closely with their academic advisor to ensure that electives taken in related fields provide the opportunity to gain proficiency in specific marketing-related areas.

Certificate Program in Accounting

This program provides an opportunity for nonmatriculated students to earn the academic credit necessary to sit for the Uniform CPA Examination for Virginia. The requirement for enrollment is a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.

Candidates are required to complete a minimum of 30 credits of accounting courses, 15 of which must be taken at Mason. Successful completion of the certificate program requires a grade of C or better in accounting courses, and a GPA of at least 2.00 in all courses. All candidates who want to sit for the Uniform CPA Examination for Virginia are required to have completed 150 hours of college-level credit, including at least 30 semester hours of accounting with courses in financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and management accounting; and at least 24 hours of non-accounting business courses. To receive the Mason accounting certificate, individuals must have completed the following required accounting courses, or their equivalents:

Required courses

And two elective courses from the following list:

If a student has not previously studied business, the following courses are recommended:

If a student has a previous degree in business or accounting, the faculty recommends SOM courses above the 301 level to complete the 15 SOM credits needed for the 30-hour requirement.

Minor in Business

The business minor provides an introduction to the skills needed for success in the rapidly changing and evolving world of business. Because it is designed for nonbusiness students who seek to learn business essen-tials to enhance their own area of expertise, the minor provides broad exposure to business concepts and theories. The minor also presents and integrates the major functional -areas in business to solve management problems through the use of information technology. Strong written and oral communication skills are expected. Prior to beginning the minor, students must have completed 29 credits.

The minor consists of the -following seven courses. Students must complete five of the seven courses for a total of 15 credits*. Students must achieve a grade of C or better in each course that is applied toward the minor.

Required courses*

Electives (choose one of the following)

These courses may not be taken for credit by SOM majors, except for MSOM 305, which may be used only to fulfill the general education global understanding requirement.

* General education students who have already taken and received credit for MGMT 301, MIS 301, MKTG 301, or DESC 301 shall substitute courses as follows: MGMT 301 for MSOM 301, MIS 301 for MSOM 302, MKTG 301 for MSOM 303, and DESC 301 for MSOM 306. Both courses cannot be taken for credit. Students who have taken and received credit for both ACCT 203 and FNAN 301 shall substitute the combination for MSOM 300. All three courses cannot be taken for credit. Transfer students may transfer a maximum of 6 credits toward the business minor.

Graduate Programs

Graduate Admissions
4400 University Drive, MS 5A2
Fairfax, Va. 22030-4444
Phone: 703-993-2136
Fax: 703-993-1778
Web: som.gmu.edu
E-mail: somgrad@gmu.edu

SOM offers an MS in accounting, MS in bioscience management, MBA, executive MBA, and MS in technology management. Graduate programs are accredited by AACSB International.

Accounting, MS

703-993-2136
E-mail: somgrad@gmu.edu

The MSA is designed to meet the special needs of new professionals entering the accounting profession. The programs allow students to earn a state-of-the-art graduate degree in accounting and thereby meet the 150-hour requirement to sit for the Uniform CPA Examination in Virginia and most other states. The program integrates fundamental business skills and skills required by the accounting profession.

Admission Requirements

All students registering for SOM graduate courses must have graduate standing. Nondegree student status is not available. Admission is highly competitive and is available to qualified candidates holding a baccalaureate degree in accounting (or the equivalent) from an AACSB-accredited business school. Candidates are encouraged to apply for the program during the last year of their undergraduate program. Applicants are evaluated primarily on their undergraduate record and GMAT performance. For information on the GMAT, go to www.mba.com. The normal two years of professional work experience before entering the program is waived for students applying to these programs. The priority deadline for applications is March 1.

Students are admitted to begin their programs only in the summer semester. Students begin the program on a full-time or part-time basis by completing either 12 credits (four courses) or 6 credits (two courses) of course work in a cohort format, with classes offered in late afternoon and evening hours. Courses in subsequent semesters are typically offered on Saturdays and evenings. Students completing the MSA course work can elect to further their leadership potential by transferring to the MBA with a concentration in accounting and completing 12 additional credits. Students graduating with a MS in accounting can complete their studies in 18 months. Students can complete the MBA with a concentration in accounting in 27 months on a part-time basis. Due to the cohort structure, part-time students must commit to the program of study outlined in the program brochure available from the MBA program office.

All MSA students must complete the following 10 courses (3 credits each):

Students electing to continue their studies to earn the MBA with a concentration in accounting must complete an additional 12 credits, in addition to the MSA courses described above, as follows:

One of the following courses:

Note: One elective must be taken outside this concentration

* Travel outside the United States is required; travel costs are included in the MBA program tuition and fees.

Bioscience Management, MS

Phone: 703-993-2136
E-mail: bioman@gmu.edu

The MS in bioscience management is designed to provide students with a graduate management education that will help them further their leadership career in bioscience- oriented firms and organizations, including those in the biotechnology, biodefense, and pharmaceutical industries. The bioscience industry today is undergoing rapid scientific and business change. Genomics and proteomics are moving to the forefront, while medicine is becoming more personalized and bioscience businesses are competing globally. To prepare bioscience leaders to compete in this environment, the SOM and a consortium of Washington, D.C., area bioscience firms and organizations established this program. It addresses how to succeed in the marketplace and emphasizes leadership and management, special considerations of bioscience entrepreneurship, product development and regulation, and systems thinking.

Students are from the major bioscience firms in the Washington, D.C., region and from across the country. They average 10 years of work experience, with a mix of business and science academic and work backgrounds.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, three years of professional work experience, two professional references, and a GMAT score or other evidence that they can perform graduate-level work.

Program Schedule

The program uses the ClassroomPlus approach to facilitate participation of a national student body from the major biotechnology industry regions. Two to four days of face-to-face class meetings are held at the beginning and end of each semester. These meetings are held at Mason’s Arlington Campus, and usually span the end of a week and the weekend. In addition, two-hour video conference sessions are held every other week for each course. The professor and the Washington-area students meet at the Fairfax Campus, and students from across the country participate from their home location.

Academic Year I

Fall semester

Spring semester

Summer session

Academic Year II

Fall semester

Spring semester

Summer Session (includes one-week international -residency)

Business Administration, MBA

703-993-2136
E-mail: somgrad@gmu.edu

The Mason MBA program provides a high-level, professional education in business administration. It is offered as both a part-time and traditional full-time program. The curriculum integrates functional areas with an emphasis on group work, information technology, and the global business environment.

Admission Requirements

All students registering for SOM graduate courses must have graduate standing. Nondegree student status is not available. Admission is highly competitive, and is available to all qualified candidates without regard to prior academic major. No previous course work in business administration is required, but a four-year undergraduate degree and a college-level calculus course must be successfully completed before matriculation. Admission is based on a combination of academic, professional, and leadership factors. No portion of the portfolio is considered more important than another; careful consideration is given to every part of the application packet to ensure that the Admission Committee has an accurate profile of a candidate’s professional and academic qualifications. For information on the GMAT, go to www.mba.com. A minimum of two years of professional work experience is required before entering the program.

The part-time MBA program commences twice a year: fall and spring semesters. Priority is given to applicants submitting their application by November 1 for the following spring semester, and by April 1 for the following fall semester. Applications for admission received after November 1 and April 1 will be considered on a space-available basis. The full-time MBA program begins only in the fall, and has an application deadline of April 1. International students have an application deadline of February 1.

The MBA core curriculum effectively integrates functional areas with the use of information technology, oral and written communication, and teamwork. The MBA program requires 48 credits: 30 credits of core courses, and 18 credits of elective courses. Students complete the degree program in either two or three years depending on the cohort selected. Due to the cohort structure, part-time students commit to attending classes a minimum of two times per week, and full-time students attend classes in the late afternoon three or four days each week. Part-time students are required to enroll in classes during the summer session to complete their degrees on a timely basis.

Core Courses

Core courses (total of 30 credits) are completed prior to enrollment in electives. Part-time students enroll in at least 6 credits per semester, and at least 3 credits each summer. Full-time students enroll in 12 credits per semester, with no expectation for enrollment in the summer session. All MBA student complete the following core courses:

Credits
MBA 603 Managerial Economics and Decisions of the Firm 3
MBA 612 Managing Costs and Evaluating Performance 1.5
MBA 613 Financial Reporting and Decision Making 3
MBA 623 Marketing Management 3
MBA 633 Statistics for Business Decision Making 3
MBA 638 Managing Operations and Technology for the Digital Enterprise 3
MBA 643 Managerial Finance 3
MBA 653 Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management 3
MBA 673 Legal Environment for Management 1.5
MBA 678 Strategy and Organizational Leadership 3
MBA 798 Global Business Perspectives* 3
Total 30

* Travel outside the United States is required. Travel costs are included in the MBA program tuition and fees.

Elective Courses

After completing the core courses, students must complete a series of market-driven elective courses (total of 18 credits). A limited number of courses from outside of the MBA program or through the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area may be taken as electives with the permission of the program director.

Concentrations

MBA students may use electives to complete courses leading to a concentration in accounting, financial management, entrepreneurship, market and business development, information systems management, or project management.

Accounting

Required courses

One course from the following:

Note: One elective must be taken outside this concentration.

Financial Management

Required courses

Two courses from the following:

Note: One elective must be taken outside this concentration.

Enterprise Management and Entrepreneurship

Required courses

Two courses from the following:

Note: One elective must be taken outside this concentration.

Market and Business Development

Required courses

Two courses from the following:

Note: One elective must be taken outside this concentration.

Information Systems Management

Required courses

Two courses from the following:

Note: One elective must be taken outside this concentration.

Project Management

Required courses

Two electives from the following:

Note: One elective must be taken outside this concentration.

CIO Certification

703-993-2136
E-mail: somgrad@gmu.edu

The certificate consists of a minimum of seven courses. Mason MBA students may fulfill the requirements as part of the information systems management concentration; Mason MBA and EMBA alumni may also complete the certificate, but must take any additional required courses that were not taken as part of their degree program. In addition, graduates of any other MBA or EMBA program accredited by AACSB International may complete the certificate by enrollment in the MBA Plus program. Additional information on the CIO certification program is available from the MBA program office.

Executive MBA

Phone: 703-993-2136
E-mail: emba@gmu.edu

This 21-month, general management program leads to the MBA degree. It is for mid- to senior-level executives who have in-depth functional knowledge in one or more areas and want to broaden their knowledge across all business functions and develop skills in business development and leadership. The program’s focus is leadership growth and strategic management of business resources, technology, and operations.

The class schedule of alternating Fridays and Saturdays is designed to allow participants to continue their careers while they study and master a broad range of functional business development and leadership skills.

The curriculum incorporates four distinctive elements: a focus on services as the dominant context, competencies needed to transition to executive rank, an understanding of the transformational impact of technology and an understanding of global markets.

Participants

The Executive MBA is designed for those with significant business and professional experience. Participants must have the support of their organizations to attend Friday classes and participate in global and domestic residencies. Financial sponsorship is desired but not -required.

Sponsoring organizations have included ATPCO, AMS, Apple Federal Credit Union, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Booz Allen Hamilton, Case New Holland, Center for Naval Analyses, Cisco, CSC, DISA, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, EDS, Ernst & Young, ExxonMobil, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, GE Healthcare Financial Services, General Dynamics, HP, IBM, KPMG, Level (3) Communications, Lockheed Martin, ManTech International, Marriott, Nextel, Northrop Grumman, OPM, Orbital Sciences, PamAmSat, Pinkerton Computer Consultants, Raytheon, SAIC, SRA, Sunrise Senior Living, USA Today, U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Postal Service, Verizon, World Bank, WR Systems, and Xerox.

Methods of Instruction

Study groups, an essential part of the Executive MBA experience, are arranged by the program director. The groups usually meet independently once a week to discuss course work and prepare class presentations. Between classes and study group sessions, group members continue to work collaboratively through a groupware platform provided by the program.

The faculty encourages classroom discussions in which opinions are shared and experiences reviewed for the benefit of the entire class. The program is designed to combine the theoretical with the practical, making each person’s contribution to the discussion essential.

Residency Weeks

Four residency sessions complete the Executive MBA experience: a four-day orientation residency, two-week global residency, one-week joint cohort residency in New York City, and one-week Oxford University “Doing Business in the EU” residency.

The global residency is scheduled at the end of the first year. It is a two-week international program to help students integrate the managerial disciplines learned during the year. The global residency focuses on developing an increased understanding of global markets, competition, business strategy, and business opportunities. This residency will be held in Asia, South America, or some other area in the world where there is relevant business activity.

The one-week joint cohort residency in New York City, held the third week of January every other year, focuses on financial markets, regulatory effects on business decision-making, ethical financial market considerations, and entrepreneurship within the financial sector. During the week, students hear from prominent speakers and visit many financial institutions including NYMEX, NASD, and the Stock Exchange.

The one-week Oxford University “Doing Business in the EU” residency, held the third week of March in the last semester of a student’s program, focuses on EU business and regulation. Students stay at Mansfield College at Oxford University, and attend seminars with Oxford professors and EU business representatives. One day is spent in London on site visits to appropriate EU regulatory agencies and selected companies.

Program Schedule

Academic Year I

Academic Year II

* To complete the second year, the academic director, with input from students and faculty, determines the final three courses in the curriculum. Students take courses from the following:

Technology Management, MS

Phone: 703-993-2136
E-mail: techman@gmu.edu

The MS in technology management is designed to provide students with a graduate management education that will help them further their leadership careers in technology and technology oriented businesses and organizations. With technology innovation and commercialization occurring at an increasing pace and industries becoming more networked and global, business success depends on the successful management of technology. Companies are succeeding with rapid innovation, insightful technology integration, creation of focused technology organizations, and skillful management of complexity. The program addresses how to succeed in this marketplace and emphasizes leadership and management; special considerations of technology innovation, commercialization, introduction and integration; and methods and approaches of systems thinking.

Students are from the major firms and organizations in the Washington, D.C., region. They average 12 years of work experience, and the classes are balanced evenly between men and women. Almost 30 percent of the students already have graduate degrees. Approximately two-thirds of the students work for the private sector, while the remainder works for federal government agencies or departments.

Admission Requirements

Students must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, three years of professional work experience, two professional references, and a GMAT score or other evidence they can perform graduate level work.

Program Schedule

The program, designed for working professionals, starts in January and lasts for 18 months. Classes are held on the Fairfax Campus on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The program is 36 credits, and includes a capstone project and an international residency.

Spring Semester, First Year

Summer Session, First Year

Fall Semester, First Year

Spring Semester

Summer Session

CIO University Partnership

Program graduates receive chief information officer (CIO) certification, in partnership with the Federal CIO Council, in addition to their MS degree. The program satisfies the requirements for federal government CIOs that were developed in response to the passage of the Information Technology Management Reform Act. Mason is one of only six institutions certified to offer this qualification, and was one of the founding university partners with CIO University.