University Catalog 2007-2008

University Catalog > School of Management

School of Management

Enterprise Hall

Phone: 703-993-1807

Web: som.gmu.edu

Programs

The School of Management (SOM) provides the following academic offerings:

Undergraduate

Graduate

The School of Management (SOM) has provided high-quality business education to the region since 1972. SOM's 71 full-time faculty and 35 adjunct faculty members bring both theoretical and applied expertise to the classroom.

SOM faculty members have research and teaching expertise 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 testified before nearly every federal agency and served as consultants to industry and organizations such as NASDAQ, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Department of Defense.

Today, more than 3,800 students are studying in five undergraduate majors, the business minor, and four graduate programs. SOM's offerings provide a solid business core that emphasizes information technologies and communication, entrepreneurial thinking, and a global business strategy. We prepare students to lead with initiative, imagination, and innovation. The Mason MBA, Executive MBA, and MS in Technology Management are pioneers nationwide, being among the first graduate business programs to require a global residency program for all graduate business students.

Of more than 2,000 business programs in the nation, only one-quarter are fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International. SOM is one of only 167 business schools with both business and accounting accreditation by AACSB International. Mason's accounting program is also one of only 167 business schools in the world fully accredited by AACSB.

A Mason business degree provides 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 communication and analytical 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, which gives them numerous opportunities to link classroom learning to real-world business challenges. Because 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. SOM integrates teamwork, technology, and innovation into a state-of-the-art curriculum to prepare students for tomorrow's business environment.

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, Associate Dean, Executive Programs and 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 Services Coordinator

Faculty

Accounting

Buchanan, Douthett, Heller, Hylton, Jones, Krishnan, Moraglio, Nutter, Phillips, Sengupta, Shen, Visvanathan, Zadeh, Zhang

Finance

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

Information Systems and Operations Management

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

Management

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

Marketing

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

Course Work

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

Undergraduate Programs

Because all organizations face constant change driven largely by information technology (IT), new organizations and new business models are continuously evolving. SOM faculty and students are intellectually curious about what IT, 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 SOM interdisciplinary curriculum 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, finance, information systems and operations management, 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 in this catalog 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 a course 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:

Course Work 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
FNAN 301 3
MGMT 301 3
MIS 102 3
MIS 301 3
MKTG 301 3
OM 210 3
OM 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 specific information.

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, finance, information systems and operations management, 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:

Note: Students must meet the SOM acceptance requirements in effect at the time of application to the school.

Applications must be submitted by November 1 for the following spring semester; 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. For more information about the application process, contact the Office of Academic and Career Services, 703-993-1880, or visit som.gmu.edu.

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 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 making decisions. Students also learn how to design and test information systems that provide reliable and relevant information for planning and control. Furthermore, students learn how to identify value-creating opportunities and choose from 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 accounting degree program 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:

The following elective courses are offered by the accounting area:

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.

Information Systems and Operations Management, BS

Degree Requirements

The BS in Information Systems and Operations Management (ISOM) prepares students for a range of career options by instilling in them skills that add value to organizations. Graduates will apply their knowledge of technology and business functions to design and improve existing operational and core business processes. They will integrate different business functions into seamless IT-enabled processes and collaborate with business users in defining requirements, identifying new IT-driven business opportunities, building prototypes to validate operations, and managing complex technology projects. The content of the ISOM major is at the intersection of technology, process, and people.

In addition to general degree requirements for the major, students who major in ISOM must complete 18 credits of upper-level ISOM courses with a grade of C or better in each course. Of these, 9 credits in the required courses for the major are 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 IT 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 academic advisor. It is also strongly recommended that students planning to major in ISOM 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 the 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 such skills 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.

Two other courses from above list

One other course from above list

Two other courses from above list

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 select the most qualified students to participate.

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 nonprofit organizations 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. 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 nondegree-seeking 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.

Students 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 students who want to sit for the Uniform CPA Examination for Virginia are required to have completed 150 college-level credits, including at least 30 credits of accounting with courses in financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and management accounting, and at least 24 credits of nonaccounting 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-credit 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 essentials 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 IT. Strong written and oral communication skills are expected. Prior to beginning the minor, students must have sophomore standing.

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 university general education global understanding requirement.

General education students who have already taken and received credit for MGMT 301, MIS 301, MKTG 301, or OM 301 shall substitute courses as follows: MGMT 301 for MSOM 301, MIS 301 for MSOM 302, MKTG 301 for MSOM 303, and OM 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.

BS in Business Administration (BUAD)

George Mason University at Ras Al Khaimah (RAK)

The program in business administration offered by SOM at the Mason RAK Campus culminates in a BS degree. 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 of this catalog for information concerning the literacy requirement, English composition requirement, core requirements, catalog requirements, residence requirements, and academic requirements. All undergraduates seeking a baccalaureate degree from Mason must complete the university's general education requirements. The requirements and the selection of courses that fulfill those requirements are listed earlier in this catalog. SOM degree requirements and acceptance to degree status must be completed as stated earlier in this section. Additional courses to satisfy the 18 credits of major courses will be in advanced accounting, finance, management, marketing, operations management, and management information systems, along with global business administration.

This program is available only on the Mason RAK Campus. More information may be found at the rak.gmu.edu.

Graduate Programs

Graduate Admissions

4400 University Drive, MS 5A2

Fairfax, VA 22030

Phone: 703-993-2136

Fax: 703-993-1778

E-mail: somgrad@gmu.edu

Web: som.gmu.edu

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

Accounting, MS

Phone: 703-993-2136

E-mail: somgrad@gmu.edu

The MS in accounting (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-credit requirement to sit for the Uniform CPA Examination in Virginia and CPA exams in most other states. The program integrates fundamental business skills and specialized knowledge 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 available to qualified candidates holding a baccalaureate degree in accounting from an AACSB-accredited business school. Applicants are evaluated primarily on their undergraduate record and GMAT performance. For information on the GMAT, go to www.mba.com. Professional work experience is not required. The priority deadline is April 1.

Students begin the program in the fall or spring semester. Students can be part-time or full-time status. Students completing the MS in accounting course work may elect to further their leadership potential by transferring to the MBA with a concentration in accounting. Please contact the department for details.

All MS in accounting students must complete the following 10 courses (3 credits each):

Students must either graduate with an MSA degree upon completion of 30 credits or opt into the Mason MBA program.

Business Administration, MBA

Phone: 703-993-2136

E-mail: somgrad@gmu.edu

The Mason MBA Program provides a high-level professional education in business administration. It is offered in both part-time and full-time formats. 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 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 format 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 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 format 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 IT, 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 two or three years depending on the cohort selected. Because of 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

Thirty credits of core courses 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 students complete the following core courses:

Course Work 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 (18 credits). A limited number of courses from outside 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

Financial Management

Entrepreneurship

Market and Business Development

Information Systems Management

Project Management

Executive MBA

Phone: 703-993-4457

E-mail: emba@gmu.edu

The Executive MBA Program is completed in 21 months, including a summer break between the first and second year. Students attend classes one day per week, on alternating Fridays and Saturdays. The program's focus is management decision making, strategic management of business resources, and leadership.

Dedicated faculty, an innovative and relevant curriculum, a student-centered program team, and great colleagues contribute to the learning experience of a lifetime.

Participants

The Executive MBA is designed for those with a minimum of 7 to 10 years of significant business and professional experience. Participants must have the support of their organizations to attend Friday classes and participate in global and domestic residencies.

Sponsoring organizations have included ATPCO, AMS, Apple Federal Credit Union, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Booz Allen Hamilton, Case New Holland, the 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, the U.S. Army, the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Postal Service, Verizon, World Bank, WR Systems, and Xerox.

Diversity in Learning

Students encounter multiple approaches to teaching in the Executive MBA Program. Classroom discussions, team projects, individual reading, team presentations, team problem solving, business simulations, business case analyses, coaching, and domestic and international residencies all contribute to the creative learning environment delivered by the Mason Executive MBA.

Program Residency Weeks

Five residency sessions complete the Executive MBA experience:

Program Schedule

Eight Modules

During each of our seven-week modules, students complete two to three courses in an applications-oriented sequence that takes them from developing core management skills through the understanding and application of the tools of business performance to the talents of leadership.

Academic Year I

Academic Year II

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 that 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, Second Year

Summer Session, Second Year

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.