Master of Business Administration

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The Doane University Master of Business Administration (MBA) program provides graduate learners with education in rational business decision-making. A primary goal of the MBA program is to provide learners with an understanding of how business functions in the macro- and competitive environments. The Doane MBA consists of a sequence of core coursework, indicative of a traditional MBA curriculum, and the opportunity to specialize in one of a variety of disciplines. Core courses in the MBA program integrate theories from a variety of general business disciplines, including accounting, economics, finance, human resources management/organizational behavior, marketing, decision sciences, and strategic management. The degree requires satisfactory completion of 21 credit hours of the core MBA curriculum and 9 credit hours of graduate electives (focused emphasis or tailored electives) for a total of 30 credit hours.

The Doane University mission “is to provide an exceptional liberal arts education in a creative, inclusive, and collaborative community where faculty and staff work closely with undergraduate and graduate students preparing them for lives rooted in intellectual inquiry, ethical values, and a commitment to engage as leaders and responsible citizens in the world.” The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program aligns with this mission in that learners will experience high quality learning experiences that are rigorous and conveniently accessible. Each experience is infused with the opportunity to utilize important transferable skills such as communication, collaboration, and critical thinking.

Program Mission

The primary mission of the MBA is to provide graduate learners with education in rational business decision making and with an understanding of how business functions in the macro- and competitive environments. The program learning outcomes are as follows:

1. Learners will demonstrate an understanding of strategic planning. Example course objectives include
   • describe how businesses operate and the role played by the various functional areas in the success of an organization in a global environment;
   • explain the purpose of a strategic plan;
   • list and describe the various macro-environmental, competitive, and global forces that affect the formation and implementation of a firm’s strategic plan; and
   • list and describe the levels of management and their complementary roles in fulfilling a strategic vision.
2. Learners will leverage innovation to create and implement operational strategies. Example course objectives include
   • identify opportunities for innovation,
   • describe the process for managing organizational change, and
   • assess the impact of environmental forces on an organization’s primary and staff functions.
3. Learners will develop the skill set necessary to make rational decisions to solve common organizational challenges. Example course objectives include
   • describe and evaluate the use of information systems and technologies, financial and accounting techniques, marketing research, and other rational decision-making tools to diagnose, analyze and resolve common business problems;
   • integrate the concepts from functional areas of business (e.g., accounting, marketing, etc.) and apply them to common business problems;
   • describe socially responsible decision-making that considers legal regulation and theories or moral responsibility; and
   • describe the balance necessary when making decisions that impact stakeholders and stockholders.
4. Learners will apply techniques to evaluate organizational performance. Example course objectives include
   • measure individual work performance through reliable and valid data collection methods and
   • evaluate organizational performance using financial, accounting, and other key performance indicators.
5. Learners will describe the value of human capital and human capital management. Example course objectives include
   • list, describe, and explain the processes for recruitment and selection;
   • describe the value of employing a workforce that is diverse on both surface and deep levels;
   • describe and demonstrate the key components of team and consensus building; and
   • describe and implement techniques that enhance employee engagement, motivation, satisfaction, and positivity.

Programs

• Business Administration, M.B.A.

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