The Bloch School offers a master of business administration (MBA) and an executive master of business administration (EMBA). Students enrolling in the MBA program are required to choose among eight emphasis areas, and their programs will consist of between 30 and 48 credit hours. Most MBA students attend evening courses on a part-time basis and admission is available in the fall, spring and summer semesters. EMBA students enter a cohort-based, lockstep program that offers an integrated curriculum with the themes of leadership, strategic thinking, and innovation woven throughout the program. This full-time program meets three times per month, (one Friday/Saturday and one additional Saturday) over a 21-month period, with admission taking place in the fall.
MBA core courses stress the knowledge and skills needed to deal with an organization and its personnel. The functional courses (accounting, finance, operations, economics and marketing) develop specialized knowledge and skills. In addition, the MBA program stresses leadership and the related social and public responsibilities for those in business.
The Curriculum
The MBA degree requires a minimum of 30 hours and a maximum of 48 hours, depending upon the student's educational background. (Of the total 30-48 hours, 12-18 hours beyond the core must be outside the student's area of emphasis).
Students may pursue the MBA program full-time or part-time. Students who have completed the Bloch School B.B.A. or B.S. in accounting programs with grades of C or better in required courses, and who have met MBA admissions standards, may enter directly into the courses beyond the core of the MBA program and complete the degree requirements with 30 hours of coursework. Additionally, students who have completed an undergraduate business degree from an AACSB-accredited institution and have met the MBA admissions standards, are waived from the appropriate components of the core with a grade of C or better in the equivalent undergraduate courses.
Students with prior coursework in business (C or better grades) may be exempted from up to 18 credit hours of the 48 hours required for the degree. Waivers and exemptions are determined based on documentation provided by the student. Note: Students who repeat courses that have been waived from their program may not count the repeated course for credit toward their degree.
Previous college work in business is not required, but students with no preparation in mathematics and computer applications must complete Math 110 and MIS 202.
1. Core Courses: 24 Hours
2. Beyond Core Courses: 24-30 Hours
A minimum of 30 credit hours must be completed for the MBA degree, with additional hours possibly required based on educational background. The following must be completed:
- MGT 5537 Competitive Strategies
- Emphasis Area (12 hours)
- Electives (9-15 hours outside of emphasis)
MBA Emphasis Areas
The MBA program offers advanced study in eight emphasis areas:
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance
- General Management
- International Business
- Leadership and Change in Human Systems
- Management of Information Systems
- Marketing
- Supply Chain and Operations Management
Each emphasis area is comprised of 12 hours. No more than 12 hours from any one area (beyond the core) can be used toward the MBA.
Students can, with the consent of appropriate faculty, select any other Bloch courses that might fit within the emphasis areas listed below (courses outside the Bloch School require special approval). Students are strongly encouraged to work closely with an adviser in planning their programs so that the courses they choose will be of interest and benefit to them while fulfilling the requirements of the degree. Not all classes are offered each semester. Emphasis areas follow.
Entrepreneurship (12 hours)
Four courses selected from the following:
- ENT 5515 Entrepreneurship & Innovation Boot Camp
- ENT 5525 Entrepreneurship: Managing Creativity and Innovation
- ENT 5535 Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship
- ENT 5541 Personal Entrepreneurial Strategy
- ENT 5542 Technology & New Ventures I
- ENT 5543 Technology & New Ventures II
- ENT 5545 Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation
- ENT 5571 *Advanced Real Estate Planning
- ENT 5573 *Real Estate Market Analysis Feasibility Study
- ENT 5576 *Real Estate Property Management
- ENT 5578 *Legal Context of Real Estate Decision Making
- ENT 5585 Venture Capital Finance and Investment
- ENT 5587 Seminar in Entrepreneurship
- ENT 5591 Small Business Management Practicum
- ENT 5597 Independent Research in Entrepreneurship
- Or any other course approved by Entrepreneurship faculty.
*Only two of these courses can count in the Entrepreneurship emphasis area.
*Entrepreneurship with a Real Estate Concentration (12 hours)
Required
- ENT 5515 Entrepreneurship & Innovation Boot Camp
- ENT 5545 Entrepreneurship & New Venture Creation
Plus any two classes (6 hours) selected from the following:
- ENT 5571 Advanced Real Estate Finance
- ENT 5573 Real Estate Market Analysis Feasibility Study
- ENT 5576 Real Estate Property Management
- ENT 5578 Legal Context of Real Estate Decision Making
*Note: The Real Estate Concentration does not appear on the diploma or transcript.
Finance (12 hours)
Required
- FIN 5550 Advanced Financial Management Theory and Policies
Plus nine hours selected from the following:
*Students may use only one real estate course for credit in the Finance emphasis.
General Management (12 hours)
At least one course from four of the five areas:
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Entrepreneurship: see emphasis area listing
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International Business: see emphasis area listing
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Law & Society: MGT 5506, MGT 5508
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Leadership & Change: see emphasis area listing
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Strategy & Planning: MGT 5513
International Business (12 hours)
Four courses selected from the following:
- DSOM 5544 Global Supply Chain and Logistics Management
- FIN 5551 International Financial Management
- FIN 5552 Global Financial Markets and Institutions
- MGT 5545 International Management
- MGT 5546 Seminar in International Management
- MGT 5552 International Study in Business
- MKT 5555 International Marketing
Leadership & Change in Human Systems (12 hours)
Four courses selected from the following:
Management of Information Systems (12 hours)
Four courses selected from the following:
- ACCTNG 5565 Advanced Accounting Systems
- ACCTNG 5567 Information Systems Control and Audit
- MIS 5529 Decision Support & Expert Systems
- MIS 5552 Data Base Management
- MIS 5554 Systems Analysis, Design and Engineering
- MIS 5558 Management and Economics of Computing
- MIS 5580 Seminar in Information Systems
Additional elective courses may be selected from the following:
- DSOM 5514 Forecasting Theory & Applications
- DSOM 5542 ERP - Enterprise Resource Planning Systems
- DSOM 5543 Project Management
- DSOM 5544 Global Supply Chain and Logistics Management
Marketing (12 hours)
Required
Plus nine hours selected from the following:
Additional elective courses may be selected from the following:
Supply Chain and Operations Management (12 hours)
Required
Note: Students should ensure that prerequisites are taken in the proper sequence.
Executive MBA Program
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http://www.bloch.umkc.edu/graduate/emba/index.aspx
The Bloch Executive MBA (EMBA) is a highly-selective degree program for experienced professionals. The program offers a comprehensive integrated curriculum, field experiences, and four residencies. It is distinguished by an emphasis on cohort-learning, teamwork, hands-on projects, leadership coaching and development, and learning activities that contribute substantial value to participants, employers, and the larger community.
Students are admitted each year to a new EMBA cohort through a special application process. Students begin coursework in mid-August, and program completion requires 21 months.
The program is composed of 16 semester-long, graduate-level courses and of four week-long immersion residencies that are focused on leadership, innovation, public policy, and the global marketplace. A variety of teaching formats are employed, including case studies, group projects, simulations and role playing, fieldwork, interactive discussions, and renowned guest lecturers. Daylong classes meet three days per month (one Friday/ Saturday and one additional Saturday). Classes do not meet in June and July. To ensure that all students are up to speed on academic and business basics, the program starts with required self-paced tutorials in key subject areas, such as finance, accounting, and statistics.
Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Bloch School's EMBA program will gain the business knowledge skills needed to excel as executives, entrepreneurs, and leaders. The EMBA graduate will:
- Define, analyze and evaluate decisions through an integrated analysis by using tools from the major business disciplines.
- Devise solutions for a variety of business problems and issues by using cohesive and logical reasoning patterns.
- Conceptualize a complex issue into a coherent written statement and oral presentation.
- Master a variety of leadership and collaborative skills.
- Be exposed to and comprehend the forces and personalities that shape America's business policy.
- Develop capacities to participate effectively in teams and exert effective team leadership.
- Apply leadership theories and insights to complex scenarios and show a greater awareness of personal leadership strengths and areas for development.
Admissions Requirements
The EMBA is designed for experienced professionals who typically possess a minimum of 8 years of work experience with growing responsibilities for managing people, projects, and/or budgets. Admissions decisions are based on a combination of a solid academic record, demonstrated professional achievement, and evidence of a strong commitment to learning and to career and professional development. Further information on the Bloch EMBA program is available at (816) 235-2370 or at the program's web site http://www.bloch.umkc.edu/graduate/emba/index.aspx.
The Curriculum
Leadership Residency introduces students to fundamentals of business, organizational behavior, leadership, and teamwork.
Semester 1
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Leadership and Organizations focuses on how organizations work and how leaders can set direction, marshal resources, and build support to move initiatives forward.
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Managerial Economics studies the relationship between the economic theory and system as a whole and the ways in which both are affected by the behavior of the interdependent sectors of which they are composed.
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Marketing Management examines the role of marketing in driving profitable revenue growth in companies.
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Financial Reporting Systems introduces generally accepted accounting principles and concepts along with the preparation and analysis of financial statements.
Semester 2
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Organizational Finance gives students a thorough introduction to financial management that blends appropriate amounts of relevant theory with practical application.
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Influence, Persuasion and Change presents ideas, strategies and tools for leading change in complex organizations and for defining an ethical approach to leading, influencing, and persuading others.
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Public Policy Context for Business Decisions provides intensive exposure to the forces, practices, and personalities in Washington that shape America's business policy. The course includes the required 5 day Washington, D.C. Residency to expand student understandings of the role of social leadership in the development of business policies, practices and processes.
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Applied Statistical Methods investigates the use of detailed sample data for purposes of estimating, predicting, forecasting, and explaining correlations among varied observations.
Innovation Residency
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Entrepreneurship and Innovation Immersion is a 5-day, required, off-campus residency that gives students grounded understanding of how to identify and evaluate business opportunities. An engaging, true-to-life business simulation serves as an evolving "case" where students experience the opportunities and challenges in the day-to-day decisions and competitive worlds of the entrepreneur and of the general manager.
Semester 3
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Leadership Accountability and the Legal Implications highlights the full meaning of leadership accountability and of the legal challenges leaders face in a rapidly changing global world.
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Strategic Management examines the principles essential for the formulation and evaluation of strategy including industry analysis, strategic positioning, and the boundaries of the firm. The course also addresses the capacity of executive leadership to innovate and to create new or added values, as well as their responsibility for developing and communicating a clear vision and direction for a company's future.
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Operations Management for World Class Competitiveness explores the basic principles and strategic use of managing the production and distribution of goods and services.
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Information Technology as a Strategic Tool examines the critical linkage among an organization's business, culture, and information technology strategies and provides essential knowledge and frameworks for enhancing the IT role in innovation, change, and continuous organizational learning.
Semester 4
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Leadership, Strategy and Human Resources focuses on the leader as a catalyst in developing high-performance, market-based cultures and as a human resources strategist in marshalling the workforce toward productive ends.
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Global Initiatives in Management explores key, contemporary international business issues for leaders and for organizations in today's global economy and includes a required, 11 day, international residency experience in a major business center abroad.
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Integrated Business Strategies - Capstone Course explores critical factors involved in effective decision making, in organizational governance, and in developing the broad enterprise leadership perspective needed for effective executive planning and action.
The fourth course in the final semester is a student's choice from among two electives:
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Innovation and Entrepreneurship explores the creative, entrepreneurial, and managerial processes involved in moving from a concept to the development of a new business and provides students hands-on opportunities to convert a dream into a high-growth business. -or-
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Advanced Topics in Finance builds on the previous finance course in the program and delves deeper into topics such as valuation, enterprise risk management, securities and investments, regulatory frameworks, and corporate governance.
Combined J.D./MBA Program
The Bloch School and UMKC School of Law offer the combined J.D. and MBA program. Students must satisfy the admission and degree requirements for each school. For further information, contact the School of Law or consult the Bloch School Web site at http://www.bloch.umkc.edu/graduate/mba/jd-mba-joint-program/index.aspx.
