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Frequently Asked Questions
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 Why is the curriculum changing?
Though faculty and departments have revised course offerings and content continuously as business conditions and student needs have changed, it becomes necessary to undertake larger revisions from time to time. We have an opportunity to streamline our core offerings, and rearrange content in a way that we expect to be more accessible and efficient for student learning. We expect these changes will allow us to continue to be responsive to the business environment, and to provide students with an active learning experience that continues to have real-world applicability.
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What is different about the "new" curriculum?
The new curriculum involves changes to the graduation requirements for students starting the MBA and MSIS programs in Fall 2013 and beyond. Graduation requirements for current students are not changing. The new core curriculum is a revision, rather than a substantial replacement of prior content. We are rearranging and adding content to create a Business Communications course, an innovation course, and a new ending experience for students. The finance and marketing content will be repositioned and delivered more efficiently, while accounting and management requirements will be integrated to enhance comprehension. Students will have greater opportunities for networking through mini-cohort experiences. These changes will be phased in beginning in 2013-14.
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How does the change affect current students?
There will not necessarily be any impact on your planned program of study in the MBA program. Current students have the opportunity to elect the new graduation requirements or stay with the old graduation requirements. We will work with students who choose to do adopt the new requirements to make the transition as seamless as possible. If you are close to completing your program, you may choose not to make a change, but are free to take advantage of new courses as they become available. Continuing students remaining on their current pathway will be able to complete their program of study as originally envisioned.
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How do I learn about my options as a current student?
Each student's situation and goals are likely to be different and we encourage you to take advantage of the Information Sessions and one-on-one advising sessions which will be offered later in the year if you are considering opting in to the new curriculum. You will be able to sign up for appointments online, by phone, or by e-mail. There are a number of current core courses which translate directly into the new curriculum and counselors will be able to help you determine the best path to graduation. Students who have taken a substantial number of elective units prior to completing the core may find it more difficult to move into the new curriculum.
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If I started the program this year (2012-13), can I transfer to the new curriculum?
Yes, students beginning in the 2012-13 year will have the opportunity to opt into the new curriculum. One-on-one advising sessions will be offered later in the year to help students map their completed classes into the new curriculum, and at that time you will be asked to indicate your preferred path. Whether you adopt the new requirements or continue with the existing requirements, you will receive credit for courses you have already completed.
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Can I stay in the current core, but complete one of the 2013 program concentrations?
No, you cannot remain in the current core and also have a 2013 program concentration listed on your transcript. The 2013 core and concentrations are designed as a unit, and have been approved by the faculty and University on that basis. The Graduate Programs office has worked to establish equivalencies between the courses in the two cores, and are happy to work with you to determine how moving to the new core and concentrations would impact your remaining program.
Many current electives are included in the 2013 concentrations, so you may have taken electives which are in the 2013 concentrations, depending on your field of interest. Again, the Graduate Programs office can help you to evaluate exactly how your completed courses map to the 2013 curriculum.
Please note that you are encouraged to take advantage of any new classes introduced next year for which you meet the prerequisites. Even if you choose not to change to the 2013 curriculum, there will be new course options in many areas that will enhance and deepen your knowledge.
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I've taken Accounting 300, but not 302. Should I wait until fall for the new class?
Your best course of action, to ensure that you continue to make progress towards graduation, is to complete the current accounting sequence. Completing 300 and 302 fulfills the accounting requirement in the new core, should you wish to change to the 2013 curriculum. The same is true of the economics, management and OMIS sequences in the current core. Also, if you have completed the first finance or marketing course, your best course of action is to complete the second required course.
However, if you have not completed the first finance (FNCE 451) or marketing course (MKTG 551), it might be preferable to wait until the new 4 unit courses are available next year. The Graduate Programs office will work with you to determine what courses you can take in the remainder of this year to ensure that you continue to progress and that all your courses count in the new curriculum.
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I've completed a few required classes; how can I gain the network experience from the new cohort classes?
One of the advantages of requiring students to declare a concentration will be that we can more readily identify students with particular interests and create events that will allow them to meet each other as well as alumni in related areas. A second advantage is that the concentration classes will more likely be made up of students who share a community of interest in that area, and thus the classes themselves will be more cohesive and provide enriching networking opportunities.
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