The Carson-Newman MBA program is designed for you to achieve these goals:
You can choose the traditional MBA or any of our five specializations.
Semester 1 MGT 525 – Leadership ACCT 510 – Accounting and Financial Management ECON 530 – Managerial Economics
Semester 2 BAD 570 – Business Law and Ethics BAD 560 – Quantitative Method for Managers MKT 520 – Strategic Marketing Management
Semester 3 FIN 510 – Advanced Corporate Finance MGT 590 – Entrepreneurship: New Business Venture MGT 550 – Strategic Management
Semester 4 MGT 540 Organizational Behavior
Semester 4 BAD 565 – Business Modeling MGT 535 – Operations Management MGT 575 – Project Management
Semester 3 ASJ 510 – Social Entrepreneurship I: Building Just and Sustainable Communities ASJ 530 – Global Poverty and Social Change or ASJ 540 – Rural Communities in Global Perspectives MGT 590 – Entrepreneurship: New Business Venture
Semester 4 One (1) additional course from MBA core:
Semester 4 HRM 510 – Human Resource Management HRM 520 – Strategic Human Resource Management: Building Competitive Advantages HRM 530 – Contemporary Issues in Human Resource Law & Management
Semester 4 MGT 530 – Leadership Development MGT 535 – Operations Management MGT 540 – Organizational Behavior
Semester 1 MGT 525 — Leadership ACCT 510 — Accounting and Financial Management ECON 530 — Managerial Economics
Semester 2 BAD 570 — Business Law and Ethics BAD 560 — Quantitative Method for Managers MKT 520 — Strategic Marketing Management
Semester 3 FIN 510 — Advanced Corporate Finance MGT 590 — Entrepreneurship: New Business Venture MGT 550 — Strategic Management
Semester 4 MKT 530 — Brand Management MKT 540 — Social Media Management MKT 550 — Marketing Analysis
Semester 4 SMGT 510 – Contemporary Issues in Sport Management SMGT 520 – Sport Psychology MKT 530 – Brand Management
ACCT 510: Accounting and Financial Management
BAD 560: Quantitative Methods for Managers
BAD 570: Business Law and Organizational Ethics
ECON 530: Managerial Economics
FIN 510: Advanced Corporate Finance
MGT 525: Leadership
MGT 550: Strategic Management
MGT590:Entrepreneurship: New Business Venture
MKT520:Strategic Marketing Management,
Military Leadership Specialization
MILS 505: ROTC Cadet Basic Camp
MILS 510: Military History of the United States
MILS 511: Training Management and the Warfighting Functions
MILS 512: Applied Leadership in Small Unit Operations
MILS 513: Physical Conditional I
MILS 520: ROTC Cadet Advance Camp
MILS 521: The Army Officer
MILS 522: Company Grade Leadership
MILS 524: Physical Conditional II
MKT520:Strategic Marketing Management
Communications Specialization
COMM 510: Organizational Communication
COMM 520: Crisis Communication in a Digital Age
COMM 530: Strategic Public Relations Management
Health Care Specialization
HCE-530 Healthcare Finance
HCE-590 Healthcare Entrepreneurship: A New Venture
Choose 3 credits from one of the followings:
COMM-530 Strategic Public Relations Management
NURS 690 Scholarship in Nursing Practice
*BAD-560 Quantitative Methods for Managers
*Prerequisite: BAD-560 Quantitative Methods for Managers (Required if the student has not taken an alternative graduate statistic course in their primary discipline.)
This course is a study of the foundations and applications of accounting and financial management principles, tools, and techniques used by accounting and other managers to make informed business decisions. Aspects of financial and managerial accounting, both useful and necessary in making productive financial decisions, are incorporated into this course. Prerequisites: ACCT 201 and 202 or instructor approval.
This course provides experiential learning of the concepts and practices commonly associated with managerial accounting. In this internship, students participate in individualized learning experience through structured employment situations. The internship is coordinated and agreed upon by the student and the local business site coordinator with approval from the MBA Program Director. Course assignments throughout the term define the employment relationship, specify and discuss relevant learning outcomes, and assist students in their academic, career, and professional preparedness.
An introduction to statistical methods useful for analyzing data, with specific applications to problems of business and economics. Topics will include: uncertainty and risk management, estimation and forecasting, optimization, and the logic of statistical inference. Students will apply statistical methodology to problems in economics, marketing, financial and managerial accounting, corporate finance, and applied operational methods. Prerequisites: Undergraduate business or general statistics course (MATH 201) or instructor approval.
This course covers the development, implementation, and utilization of business models for managerial decision making. Various techniques for analytical modeling, such as forecasting, optimization, simulation, decision analysis, and classification are examined. This course helps students understand complex business models implemented in decision support systems that cover applications in strategic planning, financial management, operations/project management, and marketing research.
To be successful, managers and entrepreneurs must have an understanding of how to navigate the legal environment in which they operate their business. This course examines the U.S. legal system and how a number of critical legal concepts impact business agreements, interactions, and relationships. Additionally, this course will explore common moral dilemmas faced by managers and how successful business leaders make ethical, faith-based decisions when challenged.
This intensive course equips students for leadership in dynamic settings by deeply engaging with critical facets of organizational behavior, from culture to power dynamics. Emphasizing a personal approach, the curriculum invites students to dissect and reconstruct concepts like conflict resolution, socialization processes, and group dynamics, using real[1]life scenarios to refine their own communication and leadership abilities. The interactive format ensures that students not only understand theoretical underpinnings but also adeptly translate them into enhanced practices for their professional growth and interpersonal relationships within any organizational structure.
This advanced course delves into the dynamic and evolving field of crisis communication, equipping students with the essential knowledge and skills to navigate and excel in the complex landscape of crisis management in today’s digital era. The course blends theoretical foundations with real-world case studies, peer-reviewed research, and hands-on simulations to prepare students for the challenges of effectively communicating during times of crisis. From developing strategic crisis communication plans to understanding crisis impact in a digital age, this course provides a comprehensive understanding of crisis communication in contemporary contexts.
This course explores the dynamic landscape of public relations in the digital era, emphasizing strategic management principles. Students will delve into the convergence of traditional and digital communication channels, studying the impact of social media, data analytics, and emerging technologies on contemporary public relations practices. Through case studies, hands-on projects, and theoretical frameworks, participants will develop advanced skills in crafting and executing strategic PR campaigns that align with organizational goals. The course also addresses ethical considerations, crisis communication, and the evolving role of PR professionals in shaping public perception.
This course explores the use of economic analysis in managerial decisions. Topics include consumer choice, demand, production and cost functions, the effect of market structure on strategic decisions, pricing, and non-price concepts in managerial decision making. Cases and problems are used to understand economic tools and their potential for solving real-world problems. Prerequisites: ECON 210 and 220 or instructor approval.
An examination of the finance function in business organizations, including managing cash flow, capital budgeting, break even analysis, capital structure, risk and return, and working capital management.
This course provides experiential learning of the concepts and practices commonly associated with managerial finance. In this internship, students participate in individualized learning experience through structured employment situations. The internship is coordinated and agreed upon by the student and the local business site coordinator with approval from the MBA Program Director. Course assignments throughout the term define the employment relationship, specify and discuss relevant learning outcomes, and assist students in their academic, career, and professional preparedness.
This course will provide Health Care leaders with the financial literacy needed to manage organizations and create financially sound strategies for delivering health care. Recent shifts in U.S. health care policy towards payment structures that incentavize high quality and efficient care, a refocus on value-based care from volume-based care. This course is designed to increase a health care leader’s competence in the critical area of financial management and control.
This course provides a comprehensive view of Human Resource Management in 21st Century organizations. The course includes traditional activities of HRM, such as workforce assessments, job analysis, appraisals, employee motivation, turnover, recruitment, retention, career development, and employee safety. However, the course goes beyond these topics to discuss the many more issues facing HRM in the 21st century. The role of HR director/manager has become much more than managing personnel; it encompasses overcoming the unique challenges posed by outsourcing, profitability, ethical and social responsibility, aligning HR activities with strategy and mission, technological changes, diversity, and developing human capital to maximize organizational success.
Successful students will develop an understanding of the most recent theories in strategic human resource management, and how, through strategic initiatives, firms build competitive advantages using human resource development. Using case studies and textual readings, students will understand the vital connection between various HR functions, and activities and achieving organizational strategic goals. Prerequisite: HRM 510
A practical approach designed for the general manager that provides a knowledge base in contemporary human resource topics, as well as an in-depth analysis of important current issues in the field. Through text readings and case studies students research, synthesize, and integrate theory with application and evaluate the effectiveness of an organization’s human resources. Prerequisite: HRM 520
Students will be equipped with a solid understanding of leadership theory and critical skills necessary in leading an organization in the 21st century. This course will explore the latest thinking in leadership theory combined with contemporary practices at work within organizations throughout the world. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.
The student explores the management of the efficient transformation of inputs, to outputs, to suitably satisfy customers. Inputs are materials, labor, capital and management. Outputs are products or services which customers want. The focus of discussions varies from strategical to daily control of business processes.
Intentional professional development and career planning is essential for success and satisfaction in most business-related careers. In today’s businesses, personal branding and professionalism is especially important. This course is focused on ensuring that each business graduate students will have a clear understanding of how to intentionally manage their career and will be well equipped to success, grow in their career, and have the impact they choose.
An exploration of how individuals function in highly organized social systems with an emphasis on perception, motivation, job satisfaction, leadership, influence, and training. This course will provide a foundation of fundamental skills for understanding and managing organizational behavior and human aspects of work organizations while emphasizing managing for quality and results. Prerequisites: MGT 306 or instructor approval.
Students will examine strategic processes that influence the direction of an organization, including defining an enterprise’s mission and objectives, understanding competitive forces and industry dynamics, and analyzing aspects of competitive advantage. It will explore matching organizational strengths with environmental opportunities and developing strategies and policies to help achieve the organization’s mission. Prerequisites: MGT 408 or instructor approval.
This course provides experiential learning of the concepts and practices commonly associated with managerial management. In this internship, students participate in individualized learning experience through structured employment situations. The internship is coordinated and agreed upon by the student and the local business site coordinator with approval from the MBA Program Director. Course assignments throughout the term define the employment relationship, specify and discuss relevant learning outcomes, and assist students in their academic, career, and professional preparedness.
This course introduces advanced concepts in the design and operation of a new business venture. Topics covered include new venture funding, market analysis, preparation of pro-forma financial statements, and the writing of a business plan. Prerequisites: MGT 410 or instructor approval.
Summer Four weeks of military training at Fort Knox, KY, to qualify for the ROTC Advanced course. Equal to first two years of the on-campus program. This allows potential Cadets to gain the understanding of the military values pertaining to leadership, military rank structure, customs, courtesies, operational field, tactics, and standard operating procedures seen within the United States Army. The Army pays housing, meals, travel expenses and a stipend (approximately $700) for the period. ROTC scholarships available. Cross listed with MILS300.
Introduction to critical thinking, grounded in military history, as the basis for decision making. This course will examine military history of the U.S. from 1776 to the present. It will seek to develop students’ awareness of the relationship of the military establishment to society, particularly in the United States. It will examine the evolution of war and the progression of military professionalism, giving the student an awareness of the history and purpose of joint operations, role of history in understanding the Army profession, and encourage the viewing of American military history from both joint and combined perspectives. Prerequisite MILS-505.Crosslisted with MILS-100.
Challenges cadets to study, practice, and apply the fundamentals of Army Leadership, Officership, Army Values and Ethics, Personal Development, and small unit tactics at the platoon level. Cadets receive systematic and specific feedback on their leadership attributes values, and core leader competencies from instructor, other ROTC cadre, and MSL IV Cadets using the Cadet Officer Evaluation System (OES). Crosslisted with MILS 301. $150 fee.
Builds on the lessons learned and leadership attributes gained and developed during MILS 511. This is an academically challenging course where Cadets will study, practice, and apply the fundamentals of Army Leadership, Officership, Army Values and Ethics, Personal Development, and small unit tactics at the platoon level. At the conclusion of this course, Cadets will be capable of planning, coordinating, navigating, motivating, and leading a squad.
Fall Introduction to Physical Fitness. Set and meet a physical fitness goal. Learn the principles of fitness and apply these principles to pass the Army Physical Fitness Test. Cross listed with MILS 104.
Summer Five weeks of practical leadership application training, performed primarily in a field environment, at an Army installation between the in the summer between the two years of the MBA program. The Army pays housing, meals, travel expenses and a stipend (approximately $700) for the period. Cross listed MILS 303
Develops cadet proficiency in planning, executing, and assessing complex operations, functioning as a member of a staff, and providing performance feedback to subordinates. Cadets assess risk, make ethical decisions, and lead fellow Army ROTC cadets. They identify the responsibilities of Key staff, coordinate staff roles, and use situational opportunities to teach, train and develop subordinates. Cross listed with MILS 401. $150 fee.
Explores the dynamics of leading in the complex situations of current military operations in today’s operational environment. Cadets examine differences in customs and courtesies, military law, principles of war and rules of engagement in the face of international terrorism. They also explore aspects of interacting with nongovernmental organizations, civilians on the battlefield and host nation support. The course places significant emphasis on preparing cadets for their unit of assignment. Cross listed with MILS 402. $150 fee.
Progressive conditioning program. Army Physical Fitness Test is given as midterm and final. Cadets will be required to develop and assist in creating a fitness plan that demonstrates their understanding of the health and holistic fitness components, which will be assessed through changes in the Cadet sample population’s physical ability and collective Army combat fitness test performance results. Cross listed with MILS 104
This course will provide MBA students with a working knowledge of the steps involved in the analytical and decision-making processes involved in formulating, implementing and controlling a strategic marketing program for a product market entry. The course covers topics such as 1)relationships among corporate, business level and tactical strategies, 2) relationships between marketing strategy and the internal/external operating environments of an organization, and 3) relationships between marketing and other functional areas of the organization. Prerequisites: MGT 308, MKT 300, or instructor approval.
Building and effectively maintaining brand equity is among the top priorities of high performing companies. Effective brand-building and brand management drive superior financial results, consumer loyalty, and competitive insulation. This course provides students with insights into how profitable brand strategies can be created and the implications for brand management professionals. The class blends marketing theory and practice to provide prospective corporate marketing and the brand management function.
Social media is an integral component of successful marketing strategies. In this course, students will develop social media best practices and the skills to connect business objectives with social media strategy.
Marketing analytics is a blend of both an art and a science to discover and understand patterns in a company’s marketing data to predict, evaluate, and improve advertising and promotion performance.
This course provides experiential learning of the concepts and practices commonly associated with managerial marketing. In this internship, students participate in individualized learning experience through structured employment situations. The internship is coordinated and agreed upon by the student and the local business site coordinator with approval from the MBA Program Director. Course assignments throughout the term define the employment relationship, specify and discuss relevant learning outcomes, and assist students in their academic, career, and professional preparedness.
This course will provide students with a spectrum of the issues and management structures in the world of spots. An in-depth study will occur on how these trends are changing the practices and viewpoints on how sport management is impacting society.
This course will identify psychological aspects of competitors and coaches in sports. Consideration will be given to motivational techniques and ideas to train athletes mentally as well as physically. Coaching strategies will be identified to strengthen the competitiveness of teams and athletes.
This course provides experiential learning of the concepts and practices commonly associated with managerial sports management. In this internship, students participate in individualized learning experience through structured employment situations. The internship is coordinated and agreed upon by the student and the local business site coordinator with approval from the MBA Program Director. Course assignments throughout the term define the employment relationship, specify and discuss relevant learning outcomes, and assist students in their academic, career, and professional preparedness.
