Schulich School of Business

Nature of Courses

Courses are generally of two kinds: one three-hour class each week (with a 20-minute break) and two 80-minute classes each week. Underlying all pedagogy is an emphasis on developing managerial effectiveness. Overall, there is an emphasis on student involvement and participation in the classroom, and on practical managerial application. Many courses involve real-time, real-life, in-company projects of one sort or another.

There is no overall teaching format, as the organization, pedagogy and style of classes is determined solely by the most effective way to teach a particular course. Many course instructors make extensive use of case studies, while others do not. Other approaches to delivering courses include in-class presentations, role-playing exercises and visiting speakers and business leaders.

Course Description (MBA, MBA/JD, MPA, MBA/MA)

Note:

1. All courses coded 51xx.xxx must be taken before enroling in any 52XX.XXX. In general, all 52xx.xxx courses must be completed before any 6XXX.XX courses with the same functional area or special program coding can be started (e.g. MKTG = Marketing; NMLP = Nonprofit Management and Leadership).

MBA 1

MBA 1 CORE COURSES

ACTG 5100 3.00 Financial Accounting for Managers ACTG 5210 1.50 Management Accounting ECON 5100 3.00 The Economic Environment of Business FINE 5200 3.00 Managerial Finance MGMT 5150 3.00 Skills for Leadership MGMT 5260 3.00 Managing for Value Creation

OMIS 5110 1.50 Information Systems OMIS 5120 1.50 Quantitative Methods OMIS 5210 1.50 Operations Management MKTG 5200 3.00 Marketing Management ORGS 5100 3.00 Organizational Behaviour

MBA 2

MBA 2 CORE COURSES

MGMT 6090 0.00 Strategy Field Study Formation MGMT 6100 3.00 Strategy Field Study (two terms)

SGMT 6000 3.00 Strategic Management

MGMT 6100 3.00 Strategy Field Study

Since its inception, the Strategy Field Study, the capstone of the Schulich MBA, has been carried out on over 3000 organizations (approximately 90 per year). Groups of seven or eight students undertake comprehensive strategy studies of large or small, profit-seeking or non-profit, entrepreneurial or mature, service or manufacturing, domestic or international organizations. Each project spans two terms and demands substantial effort and time on behalf of the students, particularly early on when groups are being formed and sites chosen. Although time-intensive, the Strategy Field Study course can be extremely rewarding both academically and personally. Organizations and students alike have been praising its value and have consistently recognized its unique benefits to the Schulich MBA experience.

A panel of three faculty advisors directs each project. The course takes the form of a two-term study of an actual organization. It requires an extensive and in-depth evaluation of an organization's activities, together with appropriate recommendations for improved performance. The main purpose of the strategy study is to provide an opportunity to develop a thorough understanding of the environment, markets, technology and operations of a real organization. Students apply and integrate knowledge and skills acquired throughout their MBA curriculum and further develop their skills in working productively within a team. At the conclusion of the study, students produce a comprehensive report and make a final presentation to the organization's senior management team; they are expected to develop convincing arguments about their overall assessment of the situation and their actionable recommendations for improved performance.

Prerequisites: This is a capstone and integrative course that spans two semesters. It is expected that it will be completed during the last two semesters of a student’s program of study. Individual student members bring to their group a wealth of knowledge acquired throughout their studies of core and elective courses and have the opportunity to integrate, apply, and test such knowledge in a real setting. Given that the Strategy Field Study (SFS) should be undertaken during the last two semesters of a student’s MBA studies, the following normally apply:

Full time students: They must have successfully completed all 5000-series Required Foundations of Management Core Courses before enrolling in this course. In addition, they must enrol in this course concurrently with SGMT 6000 3.00 Strategic Management and successfully complete the latter course in the first semester of their SFS. During the first and second semesters of the SFS (which typically correspond to the third and fourth semesters of a full time students MBA) students are expected to complete all their required electives for successful graduation with the MBA degree.

Part time students: before enrolling in this course, part time students must meet the following requirements: a) they must have successfully completed all 5000-series Required Foundations of Management Core Courses; b) they must have successfully completed SGMT 6000.030 Strategic Management; c) they must have successfully completed at least four 6000-series electives courses.

Full time students planning to study abroad on an exchange program: They should coordinate with the Division of Student Services & International Relations (DSS&IR) and the Strategy Filed Study Office well in advance of their exchange, and make arrangements for completing this course while accommodating their exchange plans. It is advisable that they contact the DSS&IR during the very first semester of their MBA studies to allow for ample time to make appropriate arrangements that would not compromise their studies. In any event, they must have successfully completed all 5000-series Required Foundations of Management Core Courses, as well as the SGMT 6000 3.00 Strategic Management course before enrolling in this course. Students normally undertake their SFS during the last two semesters of their program but arrangements might have to be made from the beginning of the second semester of their studies.

Part time students planning to go on exchange should have no problem scheduling their SFS to meet the schedule as outlined above for all part time students. They should consult with the DSS&IR before submitting their exchange application to ensure that such scheduling meets SFS requirements.

Accelerated/Advanced standing students: Students who have been awarded partial credit for successfully completing degree-level courses before starting their MBA program at Schulich are considered on a case by case basis; their study programs are designed to mirror as closely as possible the sequencing of courses described above for full time and part time students, as appropriate.

The Global Leadership Program

The Global Leadership Program (GLP) takes the place of a 601 project and involves creating a market entry strategy for a foreign company that is interested in entering the North American market or a Canadian company contemplating foreign markets. Students work in teams composed of five Schulich students, plus three to five students from the partnering schools. Previous partner schools include: the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania in the U.S.; Copenhagen Business School (CBS) in Denmark; the Recanati School of Business, Tel Aviv University in Israel; the Management Development Institute of Argentina (IDEA) in Argentina; and the Monterrey Institute of Technology (ITESM) in Mexico.

Individual projects follow a variant of the typical schedule. In early January, students travel to their partner school/country to meet the company, negotiate the type of research that will be conducted, and to see first hand the capabilities of the company. Team members return to Toronto where they conduct necessary research about the market and competition. In May, executives of the company and all team members from the schools involved meet again to review. Conclusions, recommendations and the suggested action plans are presented and discussed through a series of meetings during this time.

Neither knowledge of a foreign language nor direct ties to another country are necessary for participation in the program. Students though, are required to travel to the designated location and participate in these meetings. The sessions are very intensive and demanding. Yet, students learn a tremendous amount from the experience. Groups are formed with a balance of technical, market research and international business skills. All MBA, IMBA, Joint MBA/JD full-time and part-time students with good interpersonal and communication skills are eligible.

The program starts in mid-November and ends in late May. Students register for MGMT 6100 3.00 and standard MGMT 6100 3.00 eligibility requirements apply at the time of commencement of the projects. The program covers most of the students’ travel expenses and provides some research funds for their work.

The program follows the five phases of a regular MGMT 6100 3.00 structure, but meetings with faculty advisors are more frequent. In addition, students make presentations to a board of outside advisors in meetings which take the form of devil’s advocate sessions. These advisors typically provide valuable insights, as well as contacts and references to assist in the students’ research.

Application forms can be obtained from the Program Coordinator by sending an e-mail to: GLP@schulich.yorku.ca