Business and Management

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Our programs in Business Administration provide an enterprise wide view of advanced skills in business and management disciplines, including practical experience in the application of those skills in the context of the overall dynamics of organizations.  The hallmarks of our business program are an emphasis on students learning in a diverse community of international and multicultural learners, while preparing to contribute to significant business issues in a socially engaged manner.  

The Business Administration programs were recently revised to reflect the environment in which contemporary managers must make decisions and contribute to society. The curriculum emphasizes an integrated approach to management education, drawing from our unique strengths in international relations, organizational psychology, traditional business topics, and sustainable and social entrepreneurship.  Courses expose students to innovative strategies, quantitative and technology tools, group interaction, and simulated business situations. 

Our students are prepared for professional practice and responsible leadership in corporations, governmental and non-governmental organizations in the national and international arena.  Our Professional Development program has been recently strengthened to allow students to gain practical experience in business practices, as well as in community, environmental and ethical practices.  In addition to the content knowledge gained in the courses, students get trained for professional practice through a three-part training which includes traditional internship, professional identity coaching, and community service learning projects.  This is geared towards supporting them for competing in the contemporary job market.

The business stakeholders, including our faculty, students and alumni, are working together to set the learning goals for our programs. Our business students will have:

1. Professional skills for communication in writing and in presentation

2. Skills in critical thinking in the context of business management

3. A positive, pro-active and non-judgmental attitude towards diverse cultural and international identities and in their interpersonal and professional interactions

4. An understanding and the ability for ethical decision making in business scenarios

5. The skills to work well in international, multicultural teams

6. Knowledge in the selected business and management concentration (for MBA and BS) or specialization (for DBA) of study

Additionally, doctoral students will have:

1. Ability to disseminate knowledge academic or professional publications or presentations

Additionally, undergraduate students will have:

1. Skills in business problem solving

All programs are:

• International and multi-cultural – to provide the understanding and skills that are required for success in a multicultural global environment 

• Multidisciplinary – to provide a view of the organization that includes critical skills from Business and Management, International Relations and Organizational Psychology 

• Environment-driven – to provide the understanding and analytic skills that are necessary to evaluate and respond appropriately to an organization’s changing economic, political, cultural and technological environments with special emphasis on sustainable and social engagement

• Experiential for Professional Practice– to provide practical experience working with multicultural teams on practical and significant problems in corporate, governmental and non-governmental organizations in the national and international arenas.

• Change-oriented – to provide the attitude, understanding and skills necessary to achieve success in turbulent organizational environments

• Holistic – to provide an overall perspective of the organization as a system

Master’s programs provide advanced skills in selected business and management disciplines, including practical experience in the application of those skills in the context of the overall dynamics of organizations; change manager and change agent skills; skill in working as a member of a multicultural team; and an ability to collect, analyze and critically evaluate data as well as other information to arrive at reasoned conclusions. 

Doctoral programs emphasize discovery of new knowledge that can be applied to enhance successful management of discontinuous change in business firms, government organizations and other not-for-profit organizations. The doctoral programs prepare students for advanced positions in management or consulting, or entry into teaching and research.

Management development and certificate programs provide advanced knowledge and skills for working managers to acquire new proficiencies to respond to changing organizational environments. Programs may be open for managers from a variety of organizations, or tailored to the needs of a single organization.

Business and Management programs are committed to excellence in the formulation and delivery of a climate that includes (i) challenging academic requirements for students, (ii) an interdisciplinary faculty with a holistic perspective who can provide excellence in teaching, curriculum development, scholarship and service to the University and to the global community (iii) support staff that is dedicated to the creation of a conducive learning environment for students and faculty, and (iv) a mutually supportive faculty-student community.

Business and Management Contact Information:
Academic Advisor for Business and Management
Telephone: (858) 635-4504
Email: athompson@alliant.edu

Degree Programs

Business and Management program offerings differ by location and include:

Bachelor’s Degrees

Business Administration: BS 

International Business Administration: BS 

Integrated Marketing Communications and Social Media: BA 

Concentrations

• Finance
• Information Systems and Technology Management
• Management
• Marketing
• Sustainable Management

Master’s Degrees

MBA: Master of Business Administration 

MBA: Bright Green MBA 

MBA: Accelerated / Executive Format 

MBA: Master of International Business Administration (I-MBA) 

MBA in Sustainable Management  and MPA in Sustainable Management  -  San Francisco

Concentrations

• Finance
• Information and Technology Management
• Marketing
• NAFTA Business
• Sustainable Business
• Igor Ansoff Strategic Management

Doctoral Degrees

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) 

Concentrations

• International Business with specialization in Finance
• International Business with specialization in Marketing
• Strategic Management

PhD in Leadership 

Certificate Programs

Certificate in e-Business Management - Online 

Certificate in Global Management 

Certificate in Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Reporting (In partnership with GRI and ISOS Group, Certified Sustainability Reporting Trainers for North America) 

Certificate in Strategic Management - ASM 

Certificate in Sustainability Leadership: Executive  

Certificate Programs - Undergraduate

The objective of these undergraduate certificate programs is to provide short term education and training in business topics including information technology, e-commerce, accounting and finance to those who are career changers, what to upgrade their skills, and our veterans transitioning to the workplace. These certificates have been designed to provide skills which are essential foundation skills for the workplace and will lead to employment, internships and jobs.

Business and Management Undergraduate Certificate Programs Mission:

The Business and Management Undergraduate certificate programs offer students training and education to allow them to make contributions when placed in local and global corporations.

Through integrated and well-balanced theoretical- and practical-oriented curricula, students develop intellectual, practical and multicultural expertise in their respective fields which also prepares them to make significant contributions to the lives of people in diverse cultures and communities around the world.

In addition, these certificates will complement Alliant’s “Passport to Success” program. This program is designed to address the needs of individuals in the midst of career changes in business employment, as well as ideally suited for transitioning veterans and the Yellow Ribbon Program recipients.

Learning Outcomes:

To provide education and training in business topics including information technology, ecommerce, accounting and finance for individuals seeking employment and internships.

1. Understand the basic interdisciplinary theoretical foundation that underlies the practice of business and management;
2. Interpret and apply business, communication and some management theories and principles in diverse organizational, workplace, cultural and leadership situations;
3. Understand the impact of technology and operational procedures related to Computer and Information Systems Skills, E-Business Management, Financial Management, and Accounting and Business Management Skills;
4. Design and implement pertinent written, spoken and visual strategies and tactics for business and management projects, programs and campaigns.

Enrollment Criteria:

The enrollment criteria is the same as for Alliant’s undergraduate Open University Program.

Transferring Alliant School of Management Certificate Courses to the Undergraduate Degree Program

One of the unique features of these certificates is that they are comprised of courses which are regular degree courses in the undergraduate business curriculum at the Alliant School of Management (ASM). ASM features one of the premier undergraduate degree programs in business administration offered today. Students who pursue these certificate programs take four undergraduate courses in the ASM Bachelors in Business Administration (BBA) Program. Upon completion of all certificate coursework, in addition to receiving a Certificate of Completion from the Alliant School of Management, student have the option to continue their study by applying to Alliant and, if accepted, transferring their certificate coursework toward the BBA degree. In order to have the credits for the certificate courses count towards the BBA at Alliant, students need to pay the difference in tuition. If you are considering applying these courses to the BBA degree program at another institution, please consult with the university that you plan to attend.

Certificate in e-Business Management   

Certificate in Computer and Information Systems Skills 

Certificate in Financial Management 

Certificate in Accounting and Business Management Skills 

Master’s Programs

Admission Criteria for Master’s Programs

While applicants are selected for entrance to Alliant’s graduate programs on the basis of their composite applications, the following items are essential components of the admissions decision.

• A baccalaureate degree is required from an institution that is regionally accredited in the U.S. or the international equivalent, or the equivalent academic requirements as determined by the Program Director of the Business and Management Programs.
   
• International students must submit a TOEFL score or other equivalent, acceptable scores. For details on minimum scores and acceptable English proficiency exams, refer to our International Students English Proficiency Policy.
   
• A GPA of at least 2.75 in prior academic work.
   
• A GMAT or GRE test score is required as part of the application package.

Please refer to the Admissions and Registration  section of this catalog for general policies and enrollment limitations regarding conditional status, transfer credits and GPA maintenance standards.

Transfer Credit

Applicants who have completed equivalent master’s courses at other regionally accredited universities with a grade of B or higher may, with the approval of the Program Director, have up to 9 semester units transferred into their programs. Applicants who have completed identical upper division business courses with a grade of B or higher, may obtain credit for up to three master’s courses. The maximum number of credits obtained/transferred is 9 units. Students desiring to receive credit for any prior coursework will need to make a formal request which includes:

• A list of the Alliant courses for which the student is interested in getting credit
   
• Official transcript(s) indicating courses that may be equivalent
   
• Descriptions and syllabi/outlines for the course(s)

It is the student’s responsibility to begin the process by first becoming familiar with the required courses for the Alliant program as described in the current catalog.

These materials are submitted to the Business and Management Program’s Academic Advisor for review. Final approval will rest with the Program Director.

Prerequisites for the Master’s Degrees

A student’s academic transcripts will be evaluated and, if any prerequisites are lacking, appropriate survey courses must be taken.

The survey courses can be completed with 7 one credit courses or two 3 credit courses:

The survey courses are:

The survey courses may be waived if completed at the undergraduate level with a grade of B or higher. Also those courses may be waived based on extensive work experience.

Doctoral Program

Admission Criteria for Doctoral Programs

Candidates wishing to have their applications considered for Business and Management doctoral degree programs must meet the following criteria:

• A master’s degree in business, management, or related field from an educational institution with established and recognized programs in business and management
   
• A graduate GPA of at least 3.0
   
• A minimum index of 1050 (calculated by multiplying the master’s GPA times 200 and adding the score obtained on the Graduate Management Admission Test “GMAT” in addition to an acceptable score on the writing section of the test (meeting the minimum score does not guarantee admission to the Doctoral Program). Applicants wishing to substitute the GRE for the GMAT may inquire regarding the minimum index.
   
• Three letters of recommendation from previous professors or employers commenting on applicant’s ability to do doctoral research work
   
• International students must submit a TOEFL score of at least 550 (213 computer-based).

Transfer Credit

Applicants who have completed equivalent master and doctoral courses at other regionally accredited universities with a grade of B or higher may, with the approval of the Program Director, have any identical courses transferred into their programs. Students desiring to transfer credit for coursework completed at another college/university will need to make a formal request which includes:

• A list of the Alliant courses for which the student is interested in getting credit
   
• Official transcript(s) indicating courses that may be equivalent
   
• Descriptions and syllabi/outlines for the course(s)

These materials are submitted to the Business and Management Program for review. Final approval will rest with the Program Director.

ASM’s policy concerning the maximum allowable number of transfer credits may be changing. Contact the ASM office for current information.

It is the student’s responsibility to begin the process by first becoming familiar with the required courses for the Alliant program as described in the current catalog.

General Requirements

1. Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all coursework. Students failing to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 at the end of any semester will be placed on academic warning and must correct the deficiency by the following semester or be subject to academic dismissal from the doctoral program.
    
2. Students who have completed their formal coursework must pass the Field Specialization Examination (comprehensive) in which candidates demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and knowledge of their respective areas. The field examination must be passed prior to enrollment in the 9950-9970 series dissertation courses. Students who fail the exam may repeat it once at the next time it is offered. Students who fail the examination for the second time are automatically dismissed from the program.

Doctoral (DBA) Degree Requirements

The Doctor of Business Administration programs are designed to provide a multidisciplinary and global perspective for managers and to emphasize the use of both practical and theoretical abilities. The programs encourage the assimilation of ideas from business administration, the humanities and the behavioral sciences. The programs also emphasize discovery of new knowledge that can be applied to enhance successful management of change in business firms, government organizations, and not-for-profit organizations.

The curriculum for the doctoral degree in business consists of the following: core courses (shared with the master’s programs), concentration courses (some of which are shared with the master’s programs), interdepartmental electives (doctoral level), doctoral research courses, and dissertation courses. As in the master’s program, a student will have to complete appropriate prerequisite (survey) courses if a student’s previous academic preparation is deemed to be lacking.

Prerequisites for the Doctoral Degree

A student’s academic transcripts will be evaluated and, if any prerequisites are lacking, appropriate survey courses must be taken. All survey courses are 1 unit each.

The survey courses are:

The survey courses may be waived if completed at the Master’s level with a grade of B or higher. Also those courses may be waived based on extensive work experience.

Graduate Level Prerequisites

In addition to the survey courses, the following courses are required:

Applicants who completed equivalent graduate courses with a grade of B or higher may have these courses transferred into the doctoral program, subject to the maximum transfer credit limit.

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