Master of Science in Administrative Studies concentration in Financial Economics

The course examines the concepts and applied techniques for cost effective management of both long-term development programs and projects. Project management principles and methodology are provided with special focus on planning, controlling, and coordinating individual and group efforts. Key topics of focus include overview of modern project management, organization strategy and project selection, defining a project and developing a project plan and scheduling resources, project risk analysis, work breakdown structures, and project networks. MS Project will be introduced in this course to provide hands-on practical skills with the above topics. Mastery of key tools and concepts introduced in this course provides a significant competitive advantage in the marketplace.   [ 4 cr. ]

Provides a detailed examination of how businesses can successfully use Internet and Web technology. Students are introduced to the concepts and issues of electronic commerce. Topics include comparison of e-commerce procedures, payment mechanisms, applications in different industry sectors, security, the challenges of starting and maintaining an electronic business site, as well as a comparison with traditional business practices.   [ 4 cr. ]

This course considers macroeconomic factors of relevance to the firm: aggregate economic activity, cyclical movements, and fiscal and monetary policies. The course reviews the problems of decision-making relating to demand, production, costs, market structure, and price, and provides an analysis of the interplay between governments, economic systems, labor, and multinational corporations (MNCs). Topics include: the basis for the existence, organization, and growth of MNCs; a comparison of major economic and government systems; areas include the impact on the firm's business transactions and trade due to taxation, regulation, legal environments and labor influences. This course additionally investigates the relationship between the interaction of national culture and development. Topics range from developing nations' rain forest and species management to pollution generated by developed nations. Culture, policy, and development are also discussed in relation to the impact of the business interactions (agriculture, fishing, technology transfer, etc.) among developing and developed nations.  [ 4 cr. ]

Emphasizes issues of accounting, finance, and economics that are important in most management contexts. Stresses understanding financial statements, planning and control, cost and benefit evaluation, cash flow analysis, and capital budgeting.   [ 4 cr. ]

Addresses the specifics of new product and service development and fostering innovation and technology to increase performance. Topics include generating and screening initial ideas; assessing user needs and interests; forecasting results; launching, and improving products and programs; bringing innovation to commercial reality.   [ 4 cr. ]

Introduction to the concepts, methods, and problems of financial and managerial accounting. Includes data accumulation, accounting principles, financial statement analysis, measurement and disclosure issues, cost analysis, budgeting and control, production costs, and standard costs.   [ 4 cr. ]

Investigation and analysis of organization, structure, and performance of U.S. money and capital markets, and institutions. Examines regulation of the financial industry and the role of financial instruments.   [ 4 cr. ]

Mechanics of securities markets, types of available investments, and an introduction to determination of securities values. Problems of investment policy are approached through studies of portfolio selection methods and the valuation of special classes of securities (e.g., growth stocks).  [ 4 cr. ]

Applies the concepts of corporate finance to the problems of multinational financial management. Major topics include private and public institutions, foreign exchange rates, capital flows, speculation, analysis of alternative foreign investments, analysis of sources and uses of corporate funds abroad, multinational tax and profit planning, international risk analysis, and capital budgeting.   [ 4 cr. ]

This overview course examines the management issues involved with assessing the security and risk environments in both the private and public sectors in order to assure continuous system-wide operations. The course studies the elements of risk assessment and operational continuity using the project management framework of planning, organizing, and control. Students are exposed to the role of the firm in crisis response and management as well as the terms, systems, and interactions necessary to assure continuous operations. Topics include: the role and need for comprehensive assurance strategy and planning; the security aspects of the firm; an overview of the system-wide structure?as well as the organizations within that structure?designed to plan for and respond to local or national crisis; the social and emotional impact on the workforce as well as its effect on productivity; and the organizational infrastructure relating to national, regional, and international compliance. 4 cr  [ 4 cr. ]

Finance forecasting and planning; capital budgeting, cost of capital, dividend policy, rate of return, and financial aspects of growth. Readings and extensive use of case studies.   [ 4 cr. ]

Provides an overview of operation, mechanics, and structure of the derivative markets and covers the concepts of options and futures pricing, arbitrage, and risk management. Emphasizes the theory of risk management and hedging opportunities offered by derivative securities.   [ 4 cr. ]

This course examines the process by which takeovers and other corporate control transactions take place. Of particular interest will be the defensive measures by management against hostile bids, buyout transactions, the relation of takeovers to capital structure changes, and the insider trading in takeover contests.   [ 4 cr. ]

Explores decision making and policy formulation in organizations. Includes goal setting and the planning process, rational models of decision making, evaluation of alternatives, prediction of outcomes, cost-benefit analysis, decision trees, uncertainty and risk assessment, and procedures for evaluation of outcomes.   [ 4 cr. ]

Course acquaints the student with the role of financial management in the new broad financial service industry. Topics include the changing legal/regulatory environment in which financial institutions operate liquidity and reserve positions, assist-liability management marketing issues as well as the tools necessary for managing financial institutions.   [ 4 cr. ]

Provides a comprehensive review of the operations of the mutual funds industry. The organization and management of a mutual funds firm, back office operations, accounting procedures and marketing processes are covered in depth. The course provides a historical context of mutual funds, their development and role of mutual funds in private, corporate and retirement accounts.   [ 4 cr. ]

A review of the legal and regulatory issues that govern the financial industry. The course reviews SEC regulations as well as the financial legal environments that affect the financial system, the operations of financial firms and protect shareholders and company employees. The course provides a historical context in which the legal and regulatory systems have evolved and relates that history to today's complex financial environment.  [ 4 cr. ]

Provides an analysis of the economics of innovation and the means by which firms secure the necessary capital to begin or expand operations. Procedures for raising venture capital through investment institutions and individuals are discussed.  [ 4 cr. ]

Reviews the process whereby organizations establish and pursue goals within internal and external constraints, resources, and opportunities. Topics include strategy and tactics; the process of strategic choice and adjustment; resource assessment; environmental and competitor analysis; stakeholders and values; and strategy implementation, control, and valuation.   [ 4 cr. ]

This course involves the study of the foundations of the trade theory as well as modern international economics issues. It utilizes a self-directed approach through computer testing, electronic interaction with the instructor, video-tape series, and a comprehensive research project. 4cr.  [ 4 cr. ]

Introduces the student to the contemporary word of international business through an examination of the social, cultural, economic, ecological and commercial aspects that impact global operations. Emphasis is on both the thorough understanding of the effect that international business has on the different functional aspects of the enterprise as well as the manner in which firms organize, operate and formulate strategies in order to maximize their chances of successful operations.  [ 4 cr. ]

Through the use of an international business simulation, students develop the ability to manage in the shifting international environment by integrating finance, strategy, and marketing skills to expand their company globally. By selling, exporting, or manufacturing in up to fourteen countries the simulation is intended to provide the student with a "real life" approach to international expansion, environmental stability, inflation and currency issues, financial operations as well as international sales and manufacturing issues. The objective of the course is to offer an overview of the factors affecting global business operations in a stimulating learning environment that is enjoyable and challenging. Intensive course.  [ 4 cr. ]

Topics include the concepts of investment and portfolio management applied to the complex multinational and multicurrency environment; analysis of international money, capital markets and foreign exchange markets, as well as foreign company evaluation. Students are exposed to the concepts and techniques of risk management, global equity investing, and the world's major stock markets.  [ 4 cr. ]