Master of Business Administration - Specialization in
Information Management
The new economy means new ways of doing business. The proliferation
of information technologies and the need for managing the
flow of information requires a new breed of manager and
executive to serve as liaison between executive management
and information technology.
Aspen's 36 semester credit MBA with Specialization in Information
Management program equips business professionals and entrepreneurs
with an understanding of essential business principles and
technical topics, such as technology integration and eBusiness
strategies.
MBA/IM Degree Completion Requirements:
- 36 Total semester credits (11 Courses- 3 semester credits
each)
- A Final Project (3 semester credits)
- Two Proctored Exams
Course Descriptions:
505
Managing in an Age of Information Technology Change
This
course investigates the challenges that fast-paced frequently-changing
IT environments present to managers. Students will examine
factors that are common to most IT departments, symptoms
of IT-related problems, the characteristics of software
projects, and the challenges of managing IT personnel and
IT projects. Students will establish lists of "best
practices" that managers should follow for a wide-range
of IT-related issues. Students will develop the skills managers
must possess to successfully manage IT projects.
645 Project Management Essentials
PME introduces students to the fundamental elements
of effective project management. It provides students with
the opportunity to apply these elements using exercises
and examples based on real-time projects. The required tools
and techniques used to plan, measure, and control projects
and the methods used to organize and manage projects are
also discussed.
510 Accounting
Accounting, the language of business, provides crucial decision-making
information to business organizations. This introduction
to financial and managerial accounting prepares students
to construct and interpret financial statements, generate
budgets, and to use accounting data for strategic and management
purposes with an emphasis on profitability. Legal and ethical
issues in accounting are also discussed.
515 Management of Information Systems
In this course, students gain
valuable insight into the planning, organizing, and controlling
of user services, as well as the management of the information
systems development process. The course also examines organizational
learning curves, dealing with vendors, budgeting, accounting,
management reporting, and legal considerations of information
systems.
520 Quantitative Analysis
Quantitative analysis is a valuable process for decision-makers
and professionals who are responsible for guiding their
organizations in today's dynamic business environment. This
course provides the necessary quantitative tools for analyzing
data, modeling problems, and making informed decisions.
The focus is on construction of models, interpretation of
results, and critical evaluation of assumptions.
525 Information Systems Strategic Planning
Information
systems are an integral part of corporate operations. This
course examines guidelines for developing an information
systems plan, selecting systems projects, assessing current
systems, and planning future systems expansion that supports
organizational growth.
530 Marketing Management
Marketing is the epicenter of an organization's strategic
and operational life. This course presents marketing management
within the broader context of the organization's strategies
and operations. Students discover the benefits of market
research and analysis, and develop effective marketing strategies
through segmentation, targeting, and positioning.
605 Customers, Markets & Technology
The relationship between technology-based products
and the consumers of these products comes under investigation
in this course. This course also teaches methods for designing,
developing, and delivering technology-based products that
can solve real-world problems. Students will examine best
practices for integrating technology solutions and metrics
managers can apply to measure the return on an IT investment.
Throughout the course, students will learn skills they can
use to increase their own creative skills.
540 Managerial Economics
Managerial economics form the overall theory and foundation
for the workings of a corporation. This course deals with
applying microeconomic theory to the management of the firm
by focusing on the use of microeconomics to enhance decision-making.
By exploring the complex relationships between a manager's
decisions and the resulting impact of those decisions on
the demand for the company's products and the profitability
of the firm, students come to understand the economic environment
in which the firm operates and learn how to think strategically
within this environment.
545 Emerging Technologies
Through this course, students explore state-of-the-art and
emerging technologies in information processing (software
development, hardware, and computer networking strategies).
Students will learn techniques and metrics managers can
use to evaluate a new technology's benefits and potential
pitfalls. Students will also learn best practices for integrating
technology without disrupting a company. Students will establish
techniques for staying current with new technologies in
today's age of dynamic innovations.
550 Finance
This introduction to corporate financial management and
investments provides the framework, concepts, and tools
for analyzing financial decisions by applying the fundamental
principles of modern financial theory. Major topics include
the time value of money and capital budgeting.
560 Business Ethics
This course examines ethics and values in multiple contexts.
It begins with an exploration of individual values and the
integration of mind, body and soul. The perspective then
broadens to include corporate ethics and the role of moral
leadership in business. The course concludes with an examination
of ethical dilemmas created by an expanding global economy.
685 eBusiness
The internet and related technologies pose enormous opportunities
for developing new business models and significant threats
to existing models. Information professionals must be prepared
to recognize opportunities and overcome challenges posed
by the electronic economy. This course defines the core
elements of developing an eBusiness strategy, including
branding, competitive analysis, technology assessment, business
method models, and preparing for emerging trends. Course
assignments involve extensive case studies and online research
using the latest e-tools. Students collaborate to create
a prototype eBusiness venture.
599 Capstone Project
The capstone project allows students to apply the knowledge
and skills acquired in their courses to the work environment.
This project is completely individualized; students are
encouraged to select work-related projects that are of particular
interest to them and that will result in professional growth
and benefit the organization.
Due to the extensive evaluation process, and the quantity
of work and research involved, the Capstone course has a
time limit of 6 months.
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