Academic Catalog 2018–2019

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Master of Business Administration

Overview

In offering the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program, the Adnan Kassar School of Business draws on substantial experience in undergraduate business education to provide advanced learning for seekers of a business career, adapting its curriculum to meet the diverse needs of individuals with business and non-business backgrounds.

In order to make the program accessible to those already active in practice, a provision has been made for part-time students, with classes set at conveniently scheduled times, as the program encourages students to pursue their careers in parallel with higher education. Hands-on experience brings an added value to the classroom environment and is conducive to real-world thinking.

Program Objectives

In support of the LAU Adnan Kassar School of Business mission, the MBA program provides students with a high-quality education that managers seek in order to solve complex problems in today’s global business environment. The program aims at forming business professionals with solid analytical, communication, and leadership skills in an ethical framework.

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program provides students with

  • appropriate techniques to effectively solve business problems;
  • resources to become effective team players;
  • an understanding of the ethical and social dimensions of decision making process; and
  • professional communication skills.

Learning Outcomes

Upon the completion of this program, graduates will be able to

  • select and analyze relevant data and propose an optimal solution to a business problem;
  • demonstrate effective involvement in a team;
  • evaluate the social and ethical issues involved in a business case;
  • demonstrate effective written communication skills; and
  • demonstrate effective oral communication skills

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the M.B.A. program are expected to have a sound academic background. Prospective students must have completed a bachelor’s degree in business studies or equivalent from a recognized university. Admission is granted on a selective and competitive basis to students who have demonstrated distinct academic ability and motivation by meeting at least the minimum requirements described below.

In addition to a satisfactory proof of English language proficiency as per LAU rules and regulations, applicants to the MBA program are expected to meet the following admissions requirements:

  1. A 3.0 GPA on a scale of 4.0 as per LAU rules, or its equivalent.
  2. GMAT/Pre-MBA Course or GRE test score (taken within the past five years prior to joining the MBA)
  3. Letters of recommendation.
  4. Interview, if required.

Meeting these requirements, however, does not guarantee admission to the program.

Although work experience is not a prerequisite for admission, the Graduate Admissions Committee considers applicants’ professional experience as an asset and welcomes the business experience that professionals bring to the classroom. As such, relevant work experience is viewed favorably when studying an applicant’s file.

The School Graduate Admission Council (SGAC) calculates a Composite Index (CI) of both the GPA and GMAT. Admission is considered only if the applicant meets the CI minimum requirement.

At the discretion of the School Graduate Admission Council, applicants who are short of meeting the 3.0 GPA and/or the anticipated acceptable GMAT score might be considered for “probationary” admission, provided they have significant relevant work experience and have met the CI minimum requirement.

Students admitted on probation will earn regular status upon the completion of 12 graduate credits with at least 3.0 average and no more than one “C” grade.

Qualified applicants with a BA or BS in areas of study other than business will be required to complete remedial courses as a prerequisite for core courses.

Please see application details on the Admission page of this publication.

Contact Information

Dr. Leila Messarra, Program Director

For all inquiries, contact:

  • Phone: +961 1 786456, extension 1846
  • Address: Adnan Kassar School of Business, 15th floor
  • Website

Curriculum

A total of 39 credits are required to graduate, distributed as follows:

  • Core Requirements (21 credits)
  • Electives (18 credits)

Core Requirements (21 credits)

  • ACC821 Financial Accounting (3 cr.)
  • ECO811 Business Economics (3 cr.)
  • FIN861 Financial Management (3 cr.)
  • MGT831 Management Theory (3 cr.)
  • MGT851 Leadership, Ethics & Team Management (3 cr.)
  • MKT841 Marketing Management (3 cr.)
  • QBA851 Quantitative Methods in Business (3 cr.)

Electives (18 credits)

Students may choose to pursue one of the following options to complete the Electives requirement:

  1. Take six courses from the following list.
  2. Take five courses from the following list plus BUS898 Project in Business.
  3. Take four courses from the following list plus BUS899 Thesis in Business.
  • ACC822 Management Accounting (3 cr.)
  • ACC830 Financial Statement Analysis (3 cr.)
  • ACC880 Special Topics in Accounting (3 cr.)
  • BUS898 Project in Business (3 cr.)
  • BUS899 Thesis in Business (6 cr.)
  • ECO880 Special Topics in Accounting (3 cr.)
  • FIN835 Commercial Bank Management (3 cr.)
  • FIN836 Modern Portfolio Management (3 cr.)
  • FIN837 International Business (3 cr.)
  • FIN863 Financial Derivatives (3 cr.)
  • FIN880 Special Topics in Finance (3 cr.)
  • HOM880 Special Topics in Hospitality & Tourism (3 cr.)
  • ITM832 Management Systems (3 cr.)
  • ITM880 Special Topics in Information Technology Mgt. (3 cr.)
  • MGT833 Personnel Management & HRD (3 cr.)
  • MGT834 Project Planning & Management (3 cr.)
  • MGT839 Organizational Behavior (3 cr.)
  • MGT872 Business Policy & Planning (3 cr.)
  • MGT874 Trends Management (3 cr.)
  • MGT875 Strategic Management (3 cr.)
  • MGT880 Special Topics in Management (3 cr.)
  • MKT840 Marketing Research Analysis (3 cr.)
  • MKT842 International & Global Marketing (3 cr.)
  • MKT845 Digital Marketing (3 cr.)
  • MKT880 Special Topics in Marketing (3 cr.)
  • OPM880 Special Topics in Operations & Production Mgt. (3 cr.)
  • QBA880 Special Topics in Quantitative Business Analysis (3 cr.)

Recommended Study Plan

Year One

Fall (9 credits)

  • MGT831 Management Theory (3 cr.)
  • QBA851 Quantitative Methods in Bus. (3 cr.)
  • MBA Elective (3 cr.)

Spring (9 credits)

  • MKT841 Marketing Management (3 cr.)
  • ECO811 Business Economics (3 cr.)
  • MBA Elective (3 cr.)

Summer (3 credits)

  • MBA Elective (3 cr.)  

Year Two

Fall (9 credits)

  • MGT851 Leadership Ethics & Team Management (3 cr.)
  • ACC821 Financial Accounting (3 cr.)
  • MBA Elective (3 cr.)

Spring (9 credits)

  • FIN861 Financial Management (3 cr.)
  • MBA Elective (3 cr.)
  • MBA Elective (3 cr.)