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 Schulich Foundations of Management Core Courses
INTRODUCTION
In keeping with the School's belief that there is a common body of knowledge and skills necessary for effective management in the private, public and nonprofit sectors, Schulich degree programs share a common core of courses.
The IMBA, MPA, MBA/JD and MBA/MFA programs have additional program-specific core courses. As well, in some instances, such as the MBA 2 Strategy field Study course (MGMT 6100 3.00), the IMBA and MPA programs have substituted a specialized version of the course (INTL 6200 3.00 for the IMBA and PUBL 6100 3.00 for the MPA).
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, IMBA, 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
MBA 2
MBA 2 CORE COURSES
MGMT 6100 3.00 STRATEGY FIELD STUDY - Please note:
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 (SB/MGMT 6100 3.00) 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 included: 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.
Students travel to their partner school/country to meet with 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 in Toronto. Conclusions, recommendations and an action plan are presented and discussed through a series of meetings during this final week in Toronto.
Neither knowledge of a foreign language nor direct ties to another country are necessary for participation in the program. Rather, groups are formed with a balance of technical, market research and international business skills. All MBA, MPA, IMBA and Joint MBA/LL.B full-time and part-time students with good interpersonal and communication skills are eligible.
The program starts in mid-November and ends in mid-May. However, students apply and are selected in the spring of the previous year. Students register for SB/MGMT 6100 3.00 and standard SB/MGMT 6100 3.00 eligibility requirements apply at the time of commencement of the projects. The program covers most the students’ travel expenses and provides some research funds for their work.
The program follows the five phases of a regular SB/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.
The program consists of the following phases for the Schulich students:
- students participate in a 10-day trip to visit their companies and meet with their counterparts (trips take place in early January or mid-March)
- students work intensively to collect information and analyze the competitive position of the company (February to mid-May)
- students from the partner schools spend one week in Toronto and present their final recommendations to the companies’ management (mid-May)
Application forms can be obtained from the Program Coordinator, by sending an email to:GLP@schulich.yorku.ca
THE ABORIGINAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT - CESO MBA EXPERIENCE
| Note: | 1. With the prior approval of the Director of the Aboriginal Economic Development Project and depending on the scope and complexity of a project, students register and get credit for either:
~ an elective SB/MGMT 6950 3.00 Aboriginal Economic Development Project
(or)
~ a SB/MGMT 6100 3.00 Strategy Field Study |
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Schulich offers an opportunity to participate in an annual Canadian Executive Services Organization (CESO) Aboriginal Services program. The project begins in January and concludes in late April. Students apply and are selected during the early part of the previous Fall Term. Groups of three or four students undertake to investigate the viability of an economic initiative linked to one of the Aboriginal Reserves in Canada. They also provide specific recommendations related to the initiative. The project usually involves producing a feasibility study or a business plan, as well as articulating an action plan to implement the recommendations. Normally, the program loosely follows the five phases of a typical SB/MGMT 6100.030 Strategy Field Study. However, meetings are more frequent, and the final report is presented to the appropriate members of the Aboriginal Community under study.
All MBA, IMBA, MPA and Joint MBA/JD full-time and part-time students with good interpersonal and communication skills are eligible. Prior experience and work with the Aboriginal community is not necessary. However, a demonstrable appreciation of cultural diversity is an asset.
Individual members of groups are selected in order to balance functional expertise. As part of either the SB/MGMT 6950 3.00 elective or SB/MGMT 6100 3.00 programs, students spend seven to ten days at an Aboriginal Reserve, living and working with members of the community. These trips usually take place in January or early February. Reserves that have participated in the program over the past five years have been located in all Canadian provinces and territories.
CESO funds most student expenses and assigns a volunteer advisor to each student group. The advisor acts as a resource and as a local administrator.
Information and application forms can be obtained from the Program Director. |
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