Foundation Courses
BACC 518-Accounting for Managers (3 credits)
This course acquaints you with financial reporting, with a focus on financial statements of business organizations, the information they contain, how this information is useful to managers and how accounting information can be used to analyze profitability.
BFIN 515-Economic Analysis (3 credits)
You'll explore the foundations of corporate financial management and managerial economics. The first section of the course provides the principal tools of valuation and discounted cash flow analysis. The second section applies these tools and concepts to two specific instances of valuation: stock valuation and company valuation. The third section of the course provides the fundamental macro and micro economic tools a typical financial manager needs to be familiar with. You'll solidify your understanding by applying the acquired knowledge directly to case studies.
BMGT 523-Presentation Skills (1 credit)
This course is taught early in the MBA for Executives Program to allow you to begin assessing your strengths and areas for improvement, presenting information, giving and receiving feedback, acquiring new knowledge and quickly applying it to relevant business situations, and getting you ready for the types of assignments and challenges that will be found in the program.
Specifically, this course is designed to: expose you to applicable theory on structuring and presenting information for impact and understanding, allows you to practice and receive feedback on your presentation skills as well as give you the opportunity to assess strengths and weaknesses, develop effective business presentation skills, provide you with the opportunity to give feedback to your peers, and explore current business topics and communication techniques via research and presentations.
BISBA 513-Quantitative Analysis for Business (3 credits)
In today’s fast-paced, digital-first business world, data is everywhere—but leveraging it effectively is what sets successful leaders apart. This course is designed to empower executives with the ability to transform complex data into clear, strategic insights.
You’ll gain hands-on experience with essential analytical methods, learning not just how to interpret numbers, but how to use them to make high-impact decisions. More importantly, you’ll develop critical thinking skills to challenge assumptions, avoid common data pitfalls and drive business success with confidence. By the end of this course, you’ll have the analytical acumen to turn data into a competitive advantage.
BMGT 513-Organizational Behavior (3 credits)
This course provides an evidence-based introduction to Organizational Behavior (OB), emphasizing the key psychological and social factors that influence individual and team performance in the workplace. Topics include motivation, emotions, personality, decision-making, job attitudes, teamwork, diversity and inclusion, communication, organizational change and culture. Through a mix of self-reflection activities, applied exercises and discussions, you’ll develop critical skills for diagnosing workplace challenges and implementing effective management strategies. A flipped-classroom format encourages active participation, problem-solving and self-reflection.
Functional Areas of Business
BFIN 525-Financial Management (3 credits)
This course will explore the foundations of corporate financial management. It will cover the four major strategic decisions financial managers face: which investment projects to pursue, financing of those investments, dividend/repurchase policy and target firms.
BISBA 514-Operations Management (3 credits)
Any business organization, whether it produces a manufactured product or delivers a service product, needs to manage its overall operations in a manner that enables it to gain competitive advantage through quality products and services.
The course objective is to present a cross-functional perspective and is designed around the theme of how to deliver value to the customer by effectively managing the process of producing quality products and services. To achieve this objective, the course will introduce key statistical, data and decision concepts and techniques that are then applied to develop an understanding of operations strategy. This will address a variety of operations decisions used to solve real world operations management problems through case studies.
BISBA 522-Information Technology Management (3 credits)
This course focuses on the strategic management of information technology (IT) to maximize the value of technology investments. In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, it is essential for managers to understand the pivotal role that IT plays as key enablers in achieving business objectives. The course will address both the strategic and operational aspects of IT management, preparing you to navigate emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, automation and new IT platforms.
By understanding how IT shapes business operations, you will be equipped to make informed decisions in an ever-evolving technology landscape. While the course aims to cover the major concepts and frameworks, it is not designed to be an exhaustive encyclopedia. Instead, the focus is on laying a strong foundation for you to continue learning and adapting as the field of IT management evolves.
BMGT 514-Human Resources Management (3 credits)
The Human Resources (HR) Management course will delve into those areas of HR that will provide you with foundations around how employers attract, hire, retain, develop and compensate people. HR also plays a big role in compliance and ensuring HR strategies are aligned with corporate strategies. We will also explore human resources technologies, equal employment and affirmative action, diversity and inclusion, performance management, training and development, work-life balance programs, labor relations, safety, and international differences in HR.
BMKT 522-Marketing Management (3 credits)
In this course, you will be provided with a strong foundation in marketing management. The course will cover topics such as the marketing plan, marketing environment, marketing research, consumer behavior, product/service strategies, distribution, pricing and marketing communications.
Integrated Concepts
BISBA 512-Data Management for Organizational Success (2 credits)
Organizational success is in part achievable by exploiting operational data collected during the execution of standard business processes like accounting, human resource management, manufacturing, service delivery and sales. Foundational knowledge about the mechanics involved when integrating data in organizations.
This course focuses on the creation, use, and transformation of data being stored in all organizations. Management of IT means effective conversion of data into information for optimized decision making, and this course will explore the complexities of doing so in various organizational contexts.
Protecting transaction data as well as mission critical information is another important aspect to effective IT management. The course covers business continuity planning and disaster recovery from data loss and process disruption.
BMGT 682-Strategic Management (3 credits)
The course is designed to assist you in developing the knowledge and skills of strategic management necessary for managers in today’s global, fast-moving, highly competitive and unpredictable environments. The course has an applied focus and introduces the concepts, models and tools used by strategic decision makers. You will identify your own strategy-related objectives and personal competencies that you require as a manager. You will also apply principles of strategic management to your organization and industry.
BMKT 675-International Business (3 credits)
This course introduces you to the various issues related to international business with particular emphasis on globalization, cultural differences, international trade theory, global monetary systems, and functional strategies for competing in the global marketplace. A one-week international residency visiting businesses outside the U.S. is incorporated, during which you are directly exposed to the complex dynamics of operating in a global marketplace.
Electives
Note: You’ll take three electives, rotating among those offered based on student interests and business relevance.
BLAW 680-Business Law for Managers (3 credits)
The objectives of this course are primarily based upon developing and understanding the growing interrelationship of legal and business concepts of employment law, agency and partnership law. The basic course topics concern the legal rights and obligations of managers and employees. The material is presented in a context which involves the political and social forces that impact contemporary business. Relevant legislation and court decisions are examined to illustrate the existence of an evolving business environment in which social and ethical considerations give rise to new legal rights and duties. Through this process, you'll learn about the impact of law upon business and the businessperson.
BMGT 650-Leadership & Managerial Skills (3 credits)
This course covers major theories and research on leadership and the skills required for effectiveness. You will take responsibility for reporting on assigned topics such as leadership traits, behaviors, ethics, managerial roles and skills, team performance, organizational change, and related issues. You will be encouraged to apply course theories and concepts to real-life management situations and organizations through reflective journal essays, discussion forums, classroom reports and discussion. This course reviews accepted theories of leadership and their application to management situations.
Topics include leader characteristics, leadership roles, power and influence, politics, participation, stewardship, ethical decisions, and leadership development. This course builds awareness and skills through case studies, skill practice, role-plays, discussion and business decision exercises.
BMGT 661-Change Management (3 credits)
The complexity of today’s global business environment has made the ability to lead organizational change a critical management competency. Successful leaders must be able to identify challenges and opportunities facing their organization, thoughtfully consider alternatives and develop implementation plans for selected courses of action, evaluate individual readiness for change, and successfully lead change initiatives.
We use content from Project and Change Management, Behavioral Research Methods, and Organizational Psychology to help you prepare to lead successful change. A substantial portion of this course focuses on the application of the model of sustainable change. You’ll work in teams to develop a detailed plan for implementing and sustaining a substantial change within an organization. By the end of this class, you will be prepared to guide your organization through major change efforts.
Capstone
BBUS 698-Applied Research Project or SEED Consulting Project (3 credits)
The research thesis project is a rigorous, student-driven exploration of a critical business issue, allowing you to apply research methodologies to solve real-world challenges. Under faculty mentorship, you’ll investigate emerging trends, analyze data and develop insights that contribute to industry knowledge and organizational strategy. You can also utilize the research project to create a business plan to help jump start your dream of being an entrepreneur.
The Small Enterprise Economic Development (SEED) Consulting Project connects you with local small businesses and entrepreneurs to provide strategic consulting services. Through this experiential learning initiative, you’ll work in teams to analyze real-world business challenges, develop actionable solutions, and support economic growth in New York’s Capital Region. SEED Consulting enhances students' practical skills in areas such as marketing, finance, and operations while fostering strong community partnerships and entrepreneurial success. Participation in the project is on a space available basis.