Program of Study
The MBA curriculum is divided into two parts: foundation areas and core areas. The foundation areas are really pre-requisites for the program; these are often satisfied by students' undergraduate programs of studies. If not, they can be satisfied at Mercer.
The core areas represent the heart of the degree program, where students learn to manage human and financial resources, think ethically and strategically, and examine business situtations in context. Professors use interactive instructional methods, to encourage problem-solving and critical thinking. Group work and collaborative learning is also stressed throughout the program. These 12 courses are offered every year; full-time students may complete the program in that time, while part-time students typically take two courses per semester and complete the program in two years.
Foundation Areas
MAT 226: Elementary Statistical Methods (waived by an approved undergraduate course with a grade of "C" or better) Students are also required to take, and score at a satisfactory level, the Statistics Skills Test prior to registering for BAM 622.
ECN 150: Principles of Microeconomics (waived by an approved undergraduate course with a grade of "C" or better)
FIN 362: Principles of Finance (waived by an approved undergraduate course with a grade of "C" or better)
18 undergraduate semester credit hours in business with a grade of "C" or better. (This requirement may be met by completing three semester graduate elective hours for every six semester undergraduate hours required.)
Working knowledge of spreadsheet, word-processing, and presentation software.
Core Courses:
BAM 602: Financial Reporting and Analysis
BAM 604: Operations Management or
BAM 624: Advanced Applied Data Analysis
BAM 606: Applied Microeconomic Analysis
BAM 608: Global Macroeconomic Environment
BAM 610: Manager and the Legal Environment of Business
BAM 612: Corporate Financial Managment
BAM 614: Accounting for Control
BAM 616: Management and Leadership
BAM 618: Advanced Seminar in Business Ethics
BAM 620: Seminar in Strategic Management
BAM 699: MBA Capstone
Course Descriptions:
BAM 602: Financial Reporting and Analysis
This course is an in-depth look at financial reporting, regulation, ratio and trend analysis. Research skills using on-line databases will be explored.
BAM 604: Operations Management
This course focuses on the strategic and tactical issues in managing the creation and distribution of goods and services. Concepts and techniques for process and project management are covered. Specific topics include, but are not limited to, operations strategy, quality management, time-based competition, supply chain management and project management. Click here for a sample syllabus.
BAM 606: Applied Microeconomic Analysis
Prerequisite: ECN 150 or an approved undergraduate equivalent.
A survey of economic tools and analysis available to the manager for business decision-making. Includes such topics as: pricing, forecasting, demand analysis, and macroeconomic policy as it affects the business environment. Click here for a sample syllabus.
BAM 608: Global Macroeconomic Environment
A study of aggregate economic activity in an open economy format. Unemployment, inflation and growth are analyzed within a global environment. Policy issues, both monetary and fiscal in nature, are discussed with consideration given to the impact of international linkages. Emphasis is placed upon analytical methods, which enable managers to understand and predict the effect of overall economic fluctuations on their firm.
BAM 610: Managers and the Legal Environment of Business
This course examines the legal and ethical environment in which businesses operate. It focuses on the court system and litigation, administrative law, the formation of contracts, government regulation, public policy and ethical issues. Topics covered may include tort, property and criminal law, agency, partnerships, corporations, securities law, labor and employment law, antitrust law, consumer protection, environmental law intellectual property, international law, ethical decision making principles, and political models and processes.
BAM 612: Corporation Finance
Prerequisites: FIN 362 or an approved undergraduate equivalent and BAM 614.
The course focuses on the conceptual and practical problems associated with the financial management of non-financial firms. Topics include valuation of the firm, capital budgeting risk, cost of capital, capital structure, dividend policy, and investment strategies. Click here for a sample syllabus.
BAM 614: Accounting for Control
Prerequisite: BAM 602
A course designed for middle managers which reviews the effective use of accounting information in business decision-making. A case approach.
BAM 616: Management and Leadership
This course describes and analyzes the growth, development, and application of behavioral science to industrial society. Emphasis is placed upon an understanding of the social, psychological, and cultural aspects of the work situation.
BAM 618: Advanced Seminar in Business Ethics
Prerequisite: BAM 616 or permission of instructor.
This course offers a multidisciplinary approach to the issues of ethical business practice. It examines the concept of leadership as a specialized role and as a social influence process in organizations and in society at-large.
BAM 620: Seminar in Strategic Marketing
An analytical examination of the decision-maker's process in producing a marketing strategy consistent with the underlying factors present in various situations. Case analysis is emphasized to help develop strategic marketing skills.
BAM 622: Applied Data Analysis
Prerequisite: Successful completion of the Statistics Skills Test prior to registration.
A review of major theories, tools, and techniques useful in making decisions and solving problems. Special emphasis on the problems more commonly encountered by middle and lower levels of management.
BAM 624: Advanced Applied Data Analysis
Prerequisite: BAM 622.
The course provides students the opportunity to directly apply the content of BAM 622 to a real world setting. The entire course is based on a self-defined problem. Practical recommendations and potential solutions will be a critical component of the analysis
BAM 699: MBA Capstone
Prerequisite: 24-semester graduate credits.
This course provides students with the opportunity to correlate, integrate, and apply the concepts developed in the program. Click here for a sample syllabus.
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