The BU Questrom Online MBA requires 45 credit hours of coursework comprised of six 7.5-credit semester-long integrated modules. The curriculum is designed so that you take one module a semester and each module builds on the one before it. No more worrying about what courses to take and when.
Online MBAAcademics
Modules
Within each module, you will also apply learning concepts and skills to your current or previous work, acquire capability-relevant management communications skills, advance your global team leadership acumen, and enhance your career development toolkit.
MODULE 0 MX 700 ONLINE MBA LAUNCH (0 cr)
Module 0 is a required, non-credit (pass/fail) introduction to the resources and overarching learning principles of the Online MBA. Students will be exposed to the underlying technology utilized to deliver the experience as well as learn communication techniques for managers as well as teaming process in the business.
Introduction to the Online MBA learning platforms
Orientation to BU and Questrom School of Business
How to be successful in an online learning environment
MODULE 1 MX 710 CREATING VALUE FOR BUSINESS AND SOCIETY (7.5 credits)
Module 1 focuses on the purpose of the corporation and the role of the manager in creating and capturing value for their business. In this module, we introduce you to foundational concepts in micro-economics as well as the emerging ideas of information economics that dominate digital business models. This will help you recognize that today’s business world is a nexus of traditional physical products and digital services and platforms. You will apply these core foundational ideas in a capstone project focused on the automotive industry, where physical products and digital services are coming together in new ways for a business to create and capture value.
Role of business in society
Global business trends shaping the role of the manager
Economic principles of how corporations create and capture
Impact of information and digital transformation
MODULE 2 MX 720 MANAGING PERFORMANCE WITH DATA (7.5 credits)
Module 2 emphasizes the use of data in decision making, performance measurement, and system evaluation. Introductory financial accounting, managerial accounting, corporate finance, microeconomics, statistics and operations will be highlighted. Because of the advances in data collection, we now have more access than ever to nearly every type of data imaginable. Module 2 will teach students how to better understand and analyze both financial and non-financial data and use the information in improved decision making. In Module 2 we will follow the story of Questrom Bakeries, a fictional company that competes in the ready-to-eat cookie market. We will use the ongoing Questrom Bakeries case to apply and assemble the concepts and measurements being introduced each week. After module 2, managers will be able to make better use of data in framing important decisions and approaching them quantitatively.
Find data for your business or organization
Build a dashboard to monitor any business or organization
Analyze financial statements and accounting metrics
Use statistics and data to drive business decisions
Understand basic ideas in operations like process analysis and improving quality
MODULE 3 MX 730 LEADING WITH INTEGRITY (7.5 credits)
The focus of Module 3 is to equip you with ways of thinking about and behaving effectively in situations that call for formal or informal leadership. Module 3 challenges you to step into a leadership role, regardless of the formal position you hold in an organization. Leadership requires us to demonstrate behaviors such as empathy, establishing trusting relationships, and bringing out the best in others. It also requires us to refine and strengthen skills such as leading new initiatives, managing a global team, and rebuilding an organizational culture. In Module 3 we pay particular attention to the processes by which leaders proactively engage others in pursuit of organizational and societal goals. You will gain the tools, skills, and frameworks you need to accurately diagnose a situation, develop a deep understanding of the forces at play and take effective action based on your own personal values, the needs of your organization, and the needs of society.
Clarify and enact individual purposes, intentions, and values
Build interpersonal leader-follower relationships
Develop, change, and maintain thriving organizations
Position organizations as ethical actors within society
The Covid pandemic reminded us what an uncertain world we live in. The crisis has impacted every organization. But dealing with risk is not just about dealing with crises. In fact, it is an issue that needs constant attention. Failure to do so can destroy value and even threaten the very survival of an enterprise. Managed well, it can be a valuable source of competitive advantage. Module 4 introduces you to the diverse set of tools managers need to measure, manage, and monitor different types of risks appropriate to all managers. Risks can arise from various sources. Some external to the company like interest rates or demand fluctuations, or systemic forces like climate change. Others internal – like technology innovations, model error, brand crisis or cyberattacks. Managers from different departments may perceive risks differently, or deal with different risks, but they all must manage risk. In Module 4 we will bring multiple functional perspectives and expertise together to view risk from all angles of the business and will introduce a framework to integrate the different perspectives in a holistic way.
Assess environmental, social, political, and regulatory risk
Financial risk management
Develop processes for measuring and monitoring risk
Manage operational risk
MODULE 5 MX 750 LEVERAGING GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES (7.5 credits)
In Module 5, we will continue and, in many ways, will culminate one of the program’s theme of being, “The MBA for a Connected World.” We will explore the challenges and opportunities associated with conducting business globally with different regions and environments. Specifically, we will examine the tools of Marketing in order to ensure that firms know what the best mix of products and services is to meet current and future customer interests. We will explore a firm’s global supply chains and introduce tools of Operations that help us optimize such chains to meet customer demands. We will also explore the tools of Strategy that help us analyze the external environments in which firms compete to develop a firm’s capabilities so that it matches its strategy with external demands.
Understand the challenges of a global business
Manage the marketing mix for various customer segments
Source and optimize supply chains globally
Develop competitive strategies in a global context
MODULE 6 MX 760 FOSTERING AN INNOVATIVE MINDSET (7.5 credits)
Module 6 explores how you can create not just an innovative mindset but also offers a toolkit that can help accelerate innovation outcomes at the individual, team, and organization level. What is an innovation mindset? It is a constant search for new ways to deliver value that meet a true need, coupled with the ability to mobilize the resources to experiment and put those ideas into practice. It is after all, mindsets, not devices, that are the driving source behind new innovations. Mindsets are powerful because they create frames for what we experience, and they both inform and limit the way we think and act – thus they define the landscape of opportunities. But we also view toolkits as important as innovation is inherently uncertain, risky and resource intense. We have carefully curated toolkits to advance idea generation and concept development that should help you both create and claim value while balancing the need to maintain existing operations.
Apply principles of design thinking to reframe innovation challenges
Source and generate new ideas that create value
Align organizational capabilities to develop and test those ideas
Manage the innovation portfolio
Please note: Curriculum for the Online MBA is subject to change.
Each module is the workload equivalent of two individual courses. However, with this innovative program design, the integration within each module makes you feel like you’re taking just one.
The BU Questrom Online MBA maintains the same rigor the market has come to expect from a Questrom MBA program. Each module is comparable to the workload of two individual courses, which account for 7.5 graduate credits each. As such, you should expect to work between 15-20 hours per week on the program components – both synchronous (live) and asynchronous (on your own).
Our modules provide an integrated perspective on the key capabilities needed to make management decisions in a complex global business ecosystem. We’ve designed each module to weave together business concepts. Instead of studying business in silos—with separate courses in accounting, finance, marketing, etc.—you’ll discover the interdependent nature of these core business disciplines. In other words, you’ll study business the way you experience it every day in the real world: as complex interconnected challenges. For example, how do you launch a new product; is your business ready to expand in scale and scope; how can your organization create value for the world? So, while you won’t see individual courses in our design, you can be assured that you are receiving the same rigorous core business knowledge expected from the globally-recognized MBA credential.
Online MBAAcademics
Capstone
Most modules will end with an action-oriented capstone project. The capstone is a comprehensive learning assignment that may take the form of a team or individual project. The capstone bridges together concepts learned throughout the course and applied either to a prescribed prompt (such is the case in MOD 1 with the automotive capstone) or organically created capstones that emerge from student interest/industry focus.
Online MBAAcademics
Live Sessions
The weekly Live session is a valuable and important component of the learning experience. Each week, the live session introduces new concepts and reviews material covered during the week’s self-paced material. You’ll find a number of engaging elements in the live sessions including case discussions, polling, debates, and live interviews with industry experts. This is a sample of various elements in our MOD Live Sessions.
Live Session Attendance
The Live session is offered typically mid-week at both 7 am ET and 8 pm ET to accommodate multiple time zones. Although each session is recorded, most students find participating “live” is extremely valuable. Depending on the MOD or term, faculty may require attendance at a select number of Live sessions (with your team or as an individual student). Required attendance varies, but does not exceed 7 Live sessions (e.g., most MODs require 5 Live sessions but the exact number may vary). Dates for the required Live sessions are generally released during the registration period when students sign up for the module. Additionally, the exact number and dates of Live sessions (if applicable) are also stated in the syllabus for each MOD. Learning Facilitators also offer synchronous group office hours each week to help support your success. These are scheduled at a time that works for both you and the Learning Facilitator.
Program calendar
The program aims to stay as close as possible to the Boston University academic calendar, but OMBA is distinctive in its own creation and learning flow. Therefore, students should pay close attention to start and end dates as they may differ from the BU academic calendar. Questions about the course dates should be directed to the Graduate Admissions & Financial Aid Office.
Program Schedule
Modules are offered during the fall (late August/September-December), spring (January-May), and summer (May-August) semesters. Students can only take one module at a time. Taking the modules in six consecutive semesters allows you to complete your MBA in as few as 24 months while attending part-time. Students are encouraged to take the modules in sequential order. Upon starting the Online MBA program as a matriculated student, you will complete Module 0 and Module 1. After completing MOD 1, students may take MOD 2 and MOD 3 in any order. Modules 4, 5, and 6 may be taken in any order, but only after completing Modules 0-3.
Module
Semesters Offered
Mod 0 – MX 700 OMBA Launch
August, January
Mod 1 – MX 710 Creating Value for Business and Society
Fall, Spring
Mod 2 – MX 720 Managing Performance with Data
Spring, Summer
Mod 3 – MX 730 Leading with Integrity
Summer, Fall
Mod 4 – MX 740 Assessing & Managing Risks
Fall, Spring
Mod 5 – MX 750 Leveraging Global Opportunities
Spring, Summer
Mod 6 – MX 760 Fostering an Innovative Mindset
Summer, Fall
Online MBAAcademics
Weekly Learning Journey
Each Module in the Online MBA program is structured around the weekly learning journey, which gives you guidance on what to expect as each new week of content is released and to provide structure to how you’ll manage your time each week. You will see three phases in each week of the Module, outlined below.
Phase 1
Release Day to Live Session: Introduction & Comprehension
This phase introduces new content and assesses your comprehension. The goal of Phase 1 is to prepare you for Phase 2.
Phase 2
Live Session: Introduction & Comprehension
You’ll apply content from Phase 1 in a new way to ensure mastery of specific techniques and frameworks. You will be challenged to consider different business scenarios to increase the realism of what they are learning.
Phase 3
After Live Session Through Weekend: Extension and Reflection
This phase provides an opportunity to extend the application of content from Phase 2 through either solo or team assignments to achieve a deeper understanding, and to reflect on what you have learned.
Online MBAAcademics
Events
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