School of Management
Web: www.som.gmu.edu Programs in the School of ManagementThe 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, we have over 3,800 students studying in five undergraduate majorsaccounting, decision sciences and management information systems, finance, management, and marketing, the minor in business, and four graduate programs. Our Executive Master's in Business Administration, Master of Science in Technology Management, and Master of Science in Bioscience Management are pioneers in the region and nation. Our MBA is offered at Mason's three campuses—Arlington, Fairfax, and Prince William—as well as on site at a number of corporations. Mason's management programs provide a solid business core with emphasis on information technologies and communication, entrepreneurial thinking, and global business strategy. We prepare students to lead with initiative, imagination, and innovation. There are more than 2,100 business programs in the nation, but only one-fifth are fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, International. SOM is one of only 161 schools in the nation with both business and accounting programs fully accredited by the AACSB International, the "gold standard" of business accreditation. The School of Management is currently ranked 83rd of 408 undergraduate AACSB-International accredited business schools by US News and World Report, placing the school in the top 20 percent of accredited business programs. The school's accreditation and ranking are indicators of quality that underscore the value of its programs. A Mason business degree delivers both in-depth exposure in your area of specialization and the skills required for success in a global business world. The school's unique undergraduate keystone and capstone courses develop skills and provide student 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. The School of Management integrates teamwork, technology, and innovation into a state-of-the art curriculum to prepare you for tomorrow's business environment. AdministrationThe School of Management (SOM) is located in Enterprise Hall. Richard J. Klimoski, Dean David J. Harr, Senior Associate Dean James W. Harvey, Associate Dean, Undergraduate Programs Phillip G. Buchanan, Director of MBA Program Andres Fortino, Associate Dean, Academic Development; Director, Bioscience Management Program Jean-Pierre Auffret, Director of MS in Technology Management Program Karen Hallows, Director of Executive MBA Program Amanda Adolph, Director of Communications and Public Relations Holly Davis, Director of Development Pamela Allen, Assistant Dean of Student Services George Wray, Manager, Information Systems FacultyAccounting Buchanan, Douthett, Heller, Hylton, Krishnan, Leary, Lobingier, Moraglio, Nutter, Parsons, Visvanathan Decision Sciences and Management Information Systems Auffret, C. Chen, M. Chen, Das, Dutta, Fortino, Good, Harris, Hsu, Hughes, Jukic, Kim, Mazumdar, Meixell, Singer, Talalayevsky Finance Brown-Hruska, Christophe, Crockett, Ferri, Hallows, Hanweck, Hsieh, Johnston, Walpuck Management Coffinberger, Cramton, Demory, Eland, Joshi, Klimoski, Kravitz, Lee, Marks, O'Brien, Samuels, Wolf Marketing Entrikin, Harvey, Joiner, Jaju, Kinsley, Martin, McCrohan, Meamber, Philpot, Schneider, Stanbury Course WorkThe School of Management 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 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. 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. The School of Management prepares students to be successful in the fast-paced world of business. The School of Management degree programs are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). Bachelor of Science DegreeOffice of the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs The programs in management education offered by the university 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 courses offered by the School of Management. Students who enroll in courses without having fulfilled the prerequisites may be dropped from such courses. Degree RequirementsAll 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. A minimum of 30 credits of the School of Management core and major courses must be completed at George Mason University. While a student may apply 12 credits of D grades toward graduation, no D grades may be applied to the School of Management core and major requirements. Students pursuing a bachelor of science degree in the School of Management must complete the university-wide general education program plus one additional credit of natural science (for a total of 8 credits). The natural science requirement must be fulfilled by completion of two 4-credit laboratory sciences. All degree applicants must complete the following School of Management degree requirements:
* Completion with a grade of C or better is required for graduation. Acceptance into the School of ManagementA 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 selective, based on completion of the following:
Please Note: Students must meet the admission requirements applicable at the time of application to the school. 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 and 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 School of Management application process should contact the Office of Student Services at 703-993-1880. Academic AdvisingAcademic planning for undergraduate students is available in the School of Management Office of Student Services, Enterprise Hall, Room 008. Students are encouraged to consult with an advisor on a regular basis. Any student who wishes to change to a major in the School of Management must consult a School of Management academic advisor for degree requirements. Call 703-993-1880 to make an appointment or visit www.som.gmu.edu for walk-in advising hours. Accounting, BSDegree RequirementsThe BS in Accounting (ACCT) prepares students for professional careers in the private and public sectors of the economy. Students discover and evaluate fundamental value-propositions for various types of organizations and transactions, and learn how to convert data 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 purposes. Further, students learn how to identify value-creating opportunities and choose between 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 the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). In addition to the 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:
Advising materials are available in the School of Management Office of Student Services to provide guidance regarding recommended electives. Students who anticipate taking the CPA, CMA, CIA or other professional examination should consult applicable regulations and discuss their programs with their advisors. State regulations may dictate course selections. Decision Sciences and Management Information Systems, BSDegree RequirementsThe BS 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 business problems. Their knowledge of business functions as well as information technology makes them capable in assessing information requirements and in leveraging 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 the general degree requirements for the major, students who major in DMIS must complete 18 credits of upper-level DMIS courses with grades 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 their career in information technology industries, 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 a high level programming language course (e.g. C++ or Java) prior to starting their major area courses. Required courses for the major:
Choose three electives from the following: DESC 320, DESC 352, DESC 435, DESC 452, DESC 456, DESC 493, DESC 499, MIS 411, MIS 412, MIS 430, MIS 435, MIS 440, MIS 450, MIS 491, MIS 499 Finance, BSDegree RequirementsThe BS in Finance (FNAN) prepares students for professional careers in finance by providing a solid foundation in 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. Choose three required courses from the following:
Choose three electives from the following: (FNAN 302, FNAN 311, FNAN 321, FNAN 401, if not taken as a required course) FNAN 351, FNAN 411, FNAN 412, FNAN 421, FNAN 440, FNAN 451, or FNAN 491 ) Management, BSDegree RequirementsThe BS in Management prepares students for management and leadership positions in the public and private sectors. In addition to the 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. 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, BSDegree RequirementsThe 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 major in marketing 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 the 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. 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. Certificate Program in AccountingThe certificate program in accounting provides an opportunity for non-matriculated students to earn the academic credit necessary to sit for and pass the Uniform CPA Examination for Virginia. The requirement for enrollment to the certificate program is a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited college or university. To receive the certificate candidates are required to complete a minimum of 24 credits of accounting courses, 15 of which must be taken at George Mason. Additional credits (up to a maximum of 18 credits) that are required to meet the minimum academic requirements to sit for the Uniform CPA examination in Virginia may be completed at either George Mason or by acceptable transfer credit from another institution. Successful completion of the certificate program requires a grade of C or better in accounting courses and a grade point average of at least 2.0 in all courses. The required courses are:
If you have not taken these courses or their equivalent, the following courses are recommended:
The above courses are consistent with the content specification outline for the CPA Exam. Minor in BusinessThe minor in business (BUS) provides an introduction to the business skills needed for success in the rapidly changing and evolving world of business. Because it is designed for non-business students who wish to learn business essentials to enhance their own area of expertise, the minor provides broad exposure to business concepts and theories. The minor 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 of students. Prior to beginning the minor in business, students must have completed 29 credit hours. The minor in business consists of the following six courses. Students must complete five of the six courses for a total of 15 credit hours. Students must achieve a grade of C or better in each course that is applied toward the minor. Required courses for a minor in Management are:
and either:
These courses may not be taken for credit by School of Management majors. Graduate ProgramsWeb: som.gmu.edu The School of Management offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), the Executive MBA, the Master of Science in Technology Management, and the Master of Science in Bioscience Management. The graduate programs are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). Bioscience Management, MSPhone: 703-993-2136 The Bioscience Management program is designed for experienced managers and professionals in the bioscience industry who seek to advance their careers in management. Admission to the program is highly competitive. A minimum of three years 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 10 years work experience, demonstrable ability in graduate work or appropriate GMAT score is required. Applicants are evaluated on relevant work experience, letters of recommendation, executive support, fit to the program, and leadership potential. These criteria are applied with a reasonable flexibility to ensure individuals with unique academic qualifications are given full consideration. Applications for admission to the program must be submitted by April 1 to join the yearly cohort that starts in the fall semester, and rolling admissions thereafter. Built-in Technology for LearningThe program uses the ClassroomPlus method of delivery to facilitate inclusion of a national student body. Two days of face-to-face class meetings are required at the beginning and end of each semester. These meetings, know as domestic residencies, will take place at George Mason's Arlington Campus and usually span one weekend. All students and course faculty will be present. In addition, two-hour video conference sessions are held every other week in the evening for each course, where the professor and a subset of the students meet in Arlington. Students from across the country participate virtually. These technology-facilitated synchronous sessions will be used for instructor-led case discussions, executive guest speakers and panels, or student team presentations as determined by the faculty. The remainder of the course work is carried out asynchronously, using on-line tools. The School of Management uses the WebCT platform for this purpose, and has experienced WebCT-trained faculty staffing the classroom. An International ResidencyGeorge Mason University is committed to providing a platform for global experiences. It is critical that students develop an understanding of global institutions, values, cultures, technologies, economics, social and political conditions affecting the bioscience industry, as well as the implications for commercial opportunity and risk. Each cohort spends one week studying in Europe under the sponsorship of Cambridge University, usually at the end of the first academic year. Lectures and briefings are provided by distinguished university faculty and by internationally recognized experts in research institutes, business and governments from bioscience centers in France, Switzerland, Germany, and England. Lectures and site visits cover a variety of topics concerning global economy, international trade and investment, legal and ethical issues, emerging science and technologies, and comparative methods of business and strategic development. Program ScheduleAcademic Year I Fall semester
Spring semester
Summer session
Academic Year II Fall semester
Spring semester
Summer sessionincludes one-week international residency
Business Administration, MBA703-993-2136 The Mason MBA 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. Admission RequirementsAll students registering for graduate courses offered by the School of Management must have graduate standing. Nondegree student status is not available. Admission to the Mason MBA program is highly competitive. 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. Applicants are evaluated primarily on undergraduate record and Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) performance. For information on the GMAT, visit www.mba.com. 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 MBA program must be submitted by November 1 for the following spring semester, and by April1 for the following fall semester. 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 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 upon the cohort selected. Due to the cohort structure, students must commit to attending classes a minimum of two times per week. Core Courses, 30 Credits The core courses are offered within the first five scheduling periods, with students normally taking at least six credits per semester. Students are normally expected to enroll in the summer session. Each course sets the foundation for the next and builds on knowledge gained in previous courses. All MBA students must complete the following required core courses:
Technology Competency Requirement Before taking any MBA electives, students are required to demonstrate technology literacy. Elective Courses, 18 Credits After completing the core courses, students can choose from several market-driven elective courses offered by the School of Management. ConcentrationsMBA 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 Required courses:
Two courses from the following:
Note: One elective must be taken outside this concentration. 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. Electives may be chosen from courses offered by other graduate programs in the university, with approval from the School of Management. CIO Certification703-993-2136 Requirements for the George Mason University CIO Certificate for MBA students The certificate consists of seven courses. This sequence is intended for holders of an MBA or EMBA degree from George Mason University or any other Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) accredited school of business or management. 1. Required courses:
2. Two additional courses from the following:
3. Two additional courses from the following:
If a student has taken any of these courses in their MBA program as an upper level elective, they may submit evidence of having taken the course and will be given credit for up to one course in the seven courses required for the certificate. They will be waived from having to repeat a course they have taken and must chose from the remaining electives for a minimum total of five courses, which is a George Mason requirement for a graduate credit-bearing certificate. Executive MBAPhone: 703-993-2136 The Executive Master of Business Administration program is a 21-month general management program leading to the MBA 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. ParticipantsThe Executive MBA 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, PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP, L-3 Communcations, Allstate Insurance, Atlantic Research Corporation, AT&T, Verizon, Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), General Motors, Landmark Systems Corporation, Paxton Van Lines, TASC, the U.S. government, the World Bank, and Xerox Corporation. Methods of InstructionStudy groups are an essential part of the Executive MBA 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 theoretical with the practical, making each person's contribution to the discussion essential. Residency WeeksLive-in sessions complete the Executive MBA 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. Technology Management, MSPhone: 703-993-2136 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 oriented businesses. With technology innovation and commercialization occurring at an increasing pace and with 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; the special considerations of technology innovation, commercialization, introduction and integration; and the methods and approaches of systems thinking. Students in the program reflect the major industries 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 work for federal government agencies or departments. Admissions RequirementsApplication requirements include holding a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, three years of professional work experience, two professional references, and a GMAT or other evidence that the student can perform graduate level work. Program DesignThe Technology Management Program is designed for working professionals with the program starting in January and lasting for 18 months. Classes are held on the Fairfax Campus on Saturdays from 8 am to 5 pm. The program is 36 credit hours and includes a capstone project and an international residency. Program ScheduleSpring Semester—First Year
Summer Session—First Year
Fall Semester—First Year
Spring Semester
Summer Session
Technology Management Programs are awarded chief information officer (CIO) certification, in partnership with the Federal CIO Council. The program satisfies the requirements for federal government CIOs which were developed in response to the passage of the Information Technology Management Reform Act. George Mason is one of only six institutions certified to offer this qualification and was one of the founding university partners with CIO University. |
