MBA with an Emphasis in Public Policy

Integration of management principles to effectively utilize resources to the firm’s competitive advantage, thus creating value for shareholders.

Accounting is the financial language of business communications and a measurement point of an organization’s financial health, creating the quantitative information used in decision making. This course examines financial statements, reviewing generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and reporting of financial transactions on both an accrual and cash basis.

The course provides a comprehensive overview of marketing activities for managers in the private and public sectors and not-for-profit organizations. The focus is on key marketing processes to identify needs and target markets, create demand through value propositions and manage the competitive landscape.

Minimizing risk and increasing value requires successful acquisition of and efficient allocation of capital resources. This course examines the financial health of a company, funding sources and capital structure, cash flow modeling used to make capital investment decisions, funding of day-to-day working capital needs, and the corporate planning cycle leading to earnings announcements.
Prerequisite: Accounting; and MBA 632: Microeconomics, if no Economics class in any previous coursework has been taken.

A successful organization is able to appraise its marketing, production, research and development and resource allocation models with a critical eye. Through case studies, this course examines strategic management theory, corporate governance and functional business strategy, developing the tools to research, acquire data and interpret information used in pursuit of competitive advantage and decision making, affecting firm value. Prerequisite: MBA 603, MBA 604, MBA 605 and MBA 606.

This course introduces the student to the basic elements of accounting, methods of gathering and reporting financial data, and the accounting environment for state and local governmental agencies. It includes a study of fund accounting and the processes followed by governments in recording financial transactions within the structure of multiple funds; preparation and review of basic government financial statements; the role of accounting in the governmental sector; in-depth analysis of governmental accounting principles; preparation, recording, monitoring and reporting of an agency’s budgetary process; and the differences between governmental accounting and for-profit accounting.

This course introduces the student to the basic elements of accounting for governmental agencies with focus on the compliance and regulatory environment in which governmental agencies must function. Emphasis will be on the preparation of the basic financial statements of a governmental entity and the various compliance and regulatory requirements published by the Federal government relating to Federal grant programs and Generally Accepted Governmental Auditing Standards (Yellow Book) as published by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). It includes a study and analysis of governmental reporting principles; review of the regulatory and compliance environment; and the impact of compliance on the accounting and reporting of financial transactions. Prerequisite: MBA 618.

Students utilize a case study approach to evaluate government problem solving, overcoming political obstacles and building public consensus. Students will form a strategy for creating public value and an understanding of the effective characteristics of public sector leadership.

This class exposes students to the intergovernmental structure of California government, reviews revenue and taxation strategies, public finance and contemporary labor relations. Students review contemporary problems and issues related to project finance, governance and budgeting.

Contract, research and implement a project that adds value to a business.In this option the student will conduct a team project which adds value to a new or existing business. The student team will contract with their client business to develop the scope, outcomes and deliverables for their project. Typical projects can be the exploration, research, implementation and development of operations, marketing, branding, finance or accounting features or processes. These are action research projects that increase the value of the business through their implementation.

This course teaches basic concepts of Economics and the impact on business; focusing on supply and demand and resource allocation. It explores basic forms of economies, how wealth is generated in a capitalistic society, government intervention, and fiscal and monetary policy. Course material is drawn from current events and how they relate to economic principles.

This course is for individuals at all levels in all types of businesses/organizations who desire to polish and/or develop additional communication skills in formal and informal settings. Through interactive discussions, role plays and activities the following areas are covered: verbal and nonverbal communication; defensive/supportive communication; assertiveness, submissiveness and aggressiveness; active listening; receiving and providing criticism; team building; delegation of responsibilities; empowerment; management and sales strategies; leadership; customer service; interviewing/recruiting; conflict resolution.

The objectives of the course are to promote and strengthen one's leadership abilities within the business setting. Leadership skills play a huge role in managing employees. Particularly in this turbulent environment, a strong leader can provide direction and guidance to motivate employees. This course is about being a leader. The course is designed to be a nontraditional independent study class focusing on learning about personal leadership skills within the context of an organization.