 |
Catalog Index |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
School of ManagementAdministrationThe School of Management (SOM) is located in Enterprise Hall. Richard J. Klimoski, Dean FacultyFinancial/Accounting Information Systems Brown-Hruska, Buchanan, Christophe, Coffinberger, Crockett, Erickson, Ferri, Hallows, Hanweck, Harr, Heller, Hysom, Johnston, Lacy, Leary, Lobingier, Nutter, Parsons, Samuels, Wilkie, Yau Management Strategy, Organizational Development, and Change Andersen, Beekman, Cramton, Eland, Kravitz, Kovach, Lee, Morse, O'Brien, Pruett, Schmidt, Wasserman Marketing, Management Information Systems, and Decision Sciences Chen, Das, Domzal, Dutta, Entrikin, Fortino, Good, Harvey, Hsu, Hughes, Jukic, Kernan, Martin, Meixell, McCarty, McCrohan, Meamber, Poisant, Reston, Shaw, Singer Course WorkThe School of Management offers all course work designated ACCT, BULE, DESC, EMBA, FNAN, MBA, MGMT, MIS, MKTG, MSOM, SOM and TECM in the "Course Descriptions" chapter of this catalog. Undergraduate ProgramsBecause all organizations face constant change, driven largely by information technology, new organizations and new business models are continually evolving. In the School of Management, faculty and students are intellectually curious about what information technology, new business models, and paradigm shifts mean to present and future organizations. To be successful in business, you must have a broad portfolio of skills as well as a desire for lifelong learning. When studying business, focusing on one discipline is not enough. In e-business and e-commerce environments, employees are often entrusted with much more responsibility than their job description outlines. Today's workforce must be able to perform successfully in an environment of change and ambiguity. The School of Management prepares students to be successful in the fast-paced world of business. The School of Management's degree programs are accredited by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Bachelor of Science DegreeThe programs in management education offered by the university culminate in a B.S. degree with a major in 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 the literacy, general education, residence, and other academic requirements. In addition, students should carefully examine prerequisites for courses offered by the School of Management. Students who enroll in courses without having fulfilled the prerequisites risk being dropped from such courses. All degree applicants must complete at least 24 credits in the degree program, following acceptance to the School of Management. The 24 credits must include 18 to 21 credits required for the specific major and SOM 498 Capstone Course: Advanced Business Models. While a student may apply 12 credits of D grades toward graduation, no D grades may be applied to the School of Management core requirements and no D grades may be applied to the major.
Acceptance into the School of ManagementThis applies to all students admitted to George Mason University commencing with the 2001-02 University Catalog. A student interested in pursuing a major in accounting, decision sciences and management information systems, finance, management, or marketing must apply for acceptance to the School of Management during the semester in which the student will complete the acceptance requirements. A student who has not received acceptance into the School of Management will have a degree status classified as "BPRE," until the application is approved. Acceptance into the School of Management is competitive, based on completion of general education foundation courses with a grade of "C" or better and a required minimum GPA (grade point average) from selected courses. Students interested in application to the School of Management should contact School of Management Student Services Office at (703) 993-1880. Please Note: Acceptance requirements for the School of Management have changed. Students who entered George Mason University prior to fall 2001 should consult the catalog of their year of entry to the university for degree requirements. Any student who wishes to change to a major in the School of Management must consult a School of Management academic advisor for graduation requirements. Applications for acceptance to the School of Management must be submitted by November 1 for the following spring semester, by April 1 for the following Summer Term, or 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. Students with any questions about the SOM application process should contact SOM Student Services at (703) 993-1880. Academic AdvisingAcademic planning for undergraduate students is available in the SOM Office of Student Services, Enterprise Hall, Room 008. Students are encouraged to consult with an assigned advisor on a regular basis. Call (703) 993-1880 to make arrangements with an advisor. Accounting, B.S.Degree Requirements The B.S. in Accounting prepares students for professional careers in public, private, and governmental accounting. The B.S. provides a foundation of accounting principles in areas such as financial and managerial accounting, auditing, taxation, and accounting information systems. The program emphasizes the accounting profession and its role in managing the operations of an organization. Professional responsibilities and ethics, analytical thinking, quantitative reasoning, communication, and the use of information technology in accounting are emphasized. In addition to the general requirements for the B.S. degree, students must complete all required credits in upper-level accounting courses, with grades of C or better in each course. The following courses are required of all accounting majors (21 credits):
Advising materials that provide guidance regarding electives are available in the SOM Office of Student Services. Students who anticipate taking the CPA, CMA, CIA, or other professional examination should consult applicable regulations and discuss programs with an assigned advisor. Decision Sciences and Management Information Systems, B.S.Degree Requirements The B.S. in Decision Sciences and Management Information Systems (DMIS) prepares students for a range of career options that involve the application of information technology and quantitative methods to management and operational problems. In the context of integrated business functions, information technology provides students with the capability to determine information requirements needed for business process, leveraging technology to improve business operations, and adding value. The content of the DMIS major is at the intersection of technology, process, and people. In addition to the 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. Required courses are: MIS 310 and DESC 352 Electives: 12 credits of noncore upper-level DESC and/or MIS courses, of which three credits may be satisfied by ACCT 331, ECON 345, INFS 310, 311, 312, 315, or 316. Finance, B.S.Degree Requirements The B.S. in Finance prepares students for professional careers in finance, by providing a solid foundation of financial principles necessary to make operating decisions for an organization. In addition to the general degree requirements for the major, students who want to major in finance must complete 18 credits in upper-level finance courses with a grade of C or better in each course. Required courses: Three from FNAN 302, 311, 321, or 401. Electives from FNAN 302, 311, 321, 351, 401, 411, 412, 421, 423, 440, 451, 453, or 491, if not taken as a required course. Management, B.S.Degree Requirements The B.S. in Management prepares students for management and leadership positions in the public and private sectors. In addition to the general degree requirements for the B.S., students must complete 18 credits in upper-level management courses with a grade of C or better in each course. Students are required to take the following:
Beyond these three required courses, students must choose three courses from the following:
Students specializing in human resources/personnel should take:
Marketing, B.S.Degree Requirements The B.S. in Marketing prepares students for a broad range of global and domestic career options in market and consumer research, brand management, advertising, new market and business development, and marketing strategy. Marketing opportunities are increasing in the new economy as government agencies, nonprofits, and dot.com companies adopt a market orientation. A major in marketing provides students with a solid background in marketing concepts and practices, with emphasis on market analysis and planning, research, consumer behavior, and advertising management. 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 the required core courses for the B.S. degree, students must complete 18 credits of upper-level marketing courses with a grade of C or better in each course. Students are required to take the following:
The remaining six credits must be chosen from a variety of upper-level electives in marketing. Marketing majors are advised to work closely with their academic advisors to ensure that electives taken in related fields provide the opportunity to gain proficiency in specific marketing-related areas. Minor in ManagementThe minor in Management provides an overview of the business environment to students with majors outside the School of Management. Since it is designed for non-business students who want to learn business essentials and enhance their own area of expertise, the minor draws on core courses in management to provide broad exposure to business concepts and theories. The minor presents the major functional areas in business, and integrates them by solving management problems through the application of information technology. Strong written and oral communications are expected for students who choose to minor in management. These skills must be developed in the General Education portion of the student's academic program. Prior to beginning a minor in management, students must have completed General Education foundation requirements and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. The School of Management recommends taking ECON 103 to fulfill the social science requirement and MATH 108 to fulfill the quantitative reasoning requirement for General Education. The minor in Management consists of 15 credit hours. Required courses for a minor in Management are:
and either:
or
Graduate ProgramsThe School of Management offers the Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree. The MBA program is accredited by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). To receive an application or more information, send a request to the School of Management's Graduate Admissions Processing Center at 4400 University Drive, MS 5A2, Fairfax, VA 22030-4444; call (703) 993-2136; send e-mail to masonmba@som.gmu.edu; or fax to (703) 993-1886. Business Administration, M.B.A.The Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) program provides a high-level professional education in business administration. The curriculum integrates functional areas with an emphasis on group work, information technology, and the global business environment. All students registering for graduate courses offered by the School of Management must have graduate standing. Nondegree student status is not available. Admission to the M.B.A. program is highly competitive. No previous course work in business administration is required, but an undergraduate degree and a college-level calculus course must be successfully completed before matriculation. Applicants are evaluated primarily on undergraduate record and GMAT performance. A minimum of two years of professional work experience before entering the program is required. Preference is also based on strength of professional background and leadership potential. These criteria are applied with a reasonable amount of flexibility to ensure that individuals with unusual academic and professional qualifications are considered. Applications for admission to the M.B.A. program must be submitted by November 1 for the following spring semester, and by April 1 for the following fall semester. The M.B.A. program is a part-time evening program. Student cohorts are admitted in fall and spring semesters to commence course work. The curriculum effectively integrates functional areas with the use of information technology, oral and written communication, and teamwork. The M.B.A. program requires 48 credits: 30 credits of core courses and 18 credits of elective courses. Students complete the degree program in two and one-half years by taking six credits each semester for eight consecutive semesters (including Summer Terms). Due to the cohort structure, students must commit to attending classes two times per week. Each year a cohort of qualified students is selected from those who want to accelerate their studies and complete their degree in 23 months. They take three courses per semester, which is considered full time graduate work. Core Courses, 30 Credits The core courses are offered during the first five semesters, with students taking six credits each fall, spring, and summer. Every course sets the foundation for the next and builds on knowledge gained in previous courses. All M.B.A. students must complete the following required core courses:
Technology Competency Requirement Before taking any MBA electives, students are required to take and pass at least the first module of Tek.Xam. Tek.Xam is a nationwide standard for technical literacy assessment (see www.tekxam.com). Administered by the university on a periodic basis, Tek.Xam is a unique test measuring technology and problem-solving skills within the technology environment. It is anInternet-based, vendor-neutral test delivered online in a proctoredcomputer lab. Each student is required to take and pass at least module 1 (basic IT information and web resources) of Tek.Xam. Elective Courses, 18 Credits After completing the core courses, students can choose from several market-driven elective courses offered by the School of Management. Concentrations M.B.A. students may use electives to complete courses leading to a concentration in financial management, enterprise management, market and business development, or information systems management. Financial Management Two courses from the following: Note: One elective must be taken outside this concentration. Enterprise Management Two courses from the following: Note: One elective must be taken outside this concentration. Market and Business Development Two courses from the following: Note: One elective must be taken outside this concentration. Information Systems Management Two courses from the following: Note: One elective must be taken outside this concentration. Electives may also be chosen from courses offered by other graduate programs in the university, with approval from the School of Management. For more information, contact the MBA Program Director at (703) 993-1872 or visit the SOM website at www.som.gmu.edu. Executive M.B.A.The Executive Master of Business Administration program is a 21-month general management program leading to the M.B.A. degree. The program provides managers and executives with state-of-the-art education in contemporary management. Emphasis is placed on leadership and strategic management of business resources, technology, and operations. The class schedule of alternating Fridays and Saturdays, two domestic residencies, and one international residency is designed to allow participants to continue their careers while they study and master a broad range of functional and leadership skills. The curriculum incorporates three distinctive elements: a focus on services as the dominant context, competencies needed to transition to executive rank, and an understanding of the transformational impact of technology. Participants The Executive M.B.A. is designed for those with significant business and professional experience. Participants must have the support of their organizations (i.e., given the time to attend class). Financial sponsorship is desired but not required. Sponsoring organizations include but are not limited to SAIC, Oracle Corporation, EDS, ExxonMobil Corporation, Defense Intelligence Agency, ProceWaterhouseCoopers LLP, L3 Communcations, Allstate Insurance, Atlantic Research Corporation, AT&T, Verizon, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, General Motors, Landmark Systems Corporation, Paxton Van Lines, TASC, the U.S. government, the World Bank, and Xerox Corporation. Methods of Instruction Study groups are an essential part of the Executive M.B.A. experience and are arranged by the director of the program. 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 whole class. The program is designed to combine the theoreticalwith the practical, so each person's contribution to the discussion is essential. Residency Weeks Live-in sessions complete the Executive M.B.A. experience. The international residency is scheduled at the end of the first year. It is a two-week program in Europe, designed to help the participants integrate the managerial disciplines learned during the year. The European program includes one week of study in residence at Oxford University where a certificate is earned, and one week in continental Europe where participants visit firms, research centers, and governmental institutions. The domestic residencies vary in length and are designed to provide students with business seminars, site visits, and lectures that leverage our location in the Northern Virginia and greater Washington D.C. area. For the most current information on the program, contact the program office by e-mail at emba@gmu.edu or by phone at (703) 993-1832. Technology Management, M.S.The Technology Management program is designed for experienced managers and professionals in the information technology industry who are seeking to advance their careers in management. An 18-month executive program that meets on Saturdays, it awards an M.S. in Technology Management. Admission to the program is highly competitive. A minimum of three years of professional work experience before entering the program is required. No previous course work in business is necessary. A bachelor's degree with an acceptable GPA is required. For those with less than ten years work experience, an acceptable GMAT score (or equivalent) is required. Applicants are evaluated on relevant work experience, letters of recommendation, executive support, their fit to the program, and on leadership potential. These criteria are applied with a reasonable flexibility to ensure that individuals with unique academic qualifications are give full consideration. Applications for admission to the program must be submitted by September 1 to join the yearly cohort that starts in January. Methods of Instruction Study groups are an essential part of the M.S. in Technology Management experience and are arranged by the director of the program. The groups usually meet independently, once a week, to discuss course work and prepare class presentations. Between classes and study group sessions, the group members continue to work collaboratively through the groupware platform Lotus Notes, provided by the program. The Technology Management program includes an international residency. Students travel abroad to explore the global information technology industry and to have a week-long program that examines economic, sociopolitical, and cultural issues that affect the global marketplace. Program Schedule
Summer Session—First Year
Fall Semester—First Year
Spring Semester—Second Year
Summer Session—Second Year, One-Week
CIO University Partnership The School of Management is also a CIO (Chief Information Officer) University Academic Partner. Working in cooperation with the Federal CIO Council, SOM educates federal information technology (IT) managers to acquire the IT management competencies of a CIO mandated by the Clinger-Cohen Act. The Federal CIO Council created CIO University as a virtual university to develop and educate the top managers in government and those aspiring to those positions. The major emphasis of the CIO University is the use of IT to deliver agency business objectives and outcomes. Students and graduates of the technology management program are eligible to apply for CIO certification once they complete the degree and present themselves to the Federal CIO Council as candidates for certification. Acceptable candidates must be working at the GS14 or GS15 level, or equivalent, and have executive sponsorship. For more information about the Technology Management program or CIO University,
contact the program office at (703) 993-1792.
George Mason University: 2001-2002 University Catalog: Catalog Index: School of Management |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||