Admission Criteria Curriculum Delivery Prerequisites Application and Admission Master in Management Courses |
Master in Management541-552-8242
Timothy Dolan, Director
Southern Oregon University’s Master in Management Program (MiM) is designed to enhance the skills of management professionals working in governmental, commercial, health care, and nonprofit organizations. Participants acquire the skills necessary to advance in their fields while continuing to work. The program offers a rich academic environment that combines fundamental management principles and specific management skills with a broad range of conceptual and applied perspectives. Back to top of page.Admission CriteriaThis program is oriented toward people who are working or aspiring to work as managers in commercial, government, health care, or nonprofit organizations. Admission to the program is based on criteria that best predicts success within these career tracks. Admission requirements include:- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. No specific academic or technical field is stipulated.
- At least three years of increasingly responsible experience working full time at the management level. This is measured by such criteria as the number of people supervised, the size of budget for which the applicant has been responsible, and the degree of decision-making autonomy.
- Evidence of writing skills appropriate to the graduate level.
Program applications are reviewed by an admissions committee composed of senior administrators and faculty. Evaluation is based on the program application form, three letters of reference, transcripts, a written 400-word statement of purpose, and other relevant materials. There are no entrance examinations required for applicants who meet the experience requirement. Back to top of page.CurriculumThe 45–51 credit MiM curriculum comprises the following components: - A set of interdisciplinary core courses and two 1-credit seminars totaling 26 credits. These courses and seminars are designed to impart universal management skills.
| Budget and Finance (MM 512) | 3 | | Strategic Management (MM 513) | 3 | | Practical Research, Analysis, and Decision Making (MM 514) | 3 | | Management Information Systems (MM 515) | 3 | | Organizational Leadership and Communication (MM 516) | 3 | | The Human Resource Environment (MM 517) | 3 | | Marketing for Public and Private Organizations (MM 518) | 3 | | Legal Issues in Management (MM 519) | 3 | | Orientation to Graduate Study for the Management Professional (MM 520) | 1 | | Society, Ethics, and Management (MM 521) | 1 |
- At least 16 elective credits in an area of management specialization. Students determine appropriate courses in consultation with the program director.
- Completion of 3 credits in a capstone project designed to demonstrate a comprehensive command of professional competencies learned in the program.
- At the discretion of the program director, 3 to 6 credits in supplementary skill-building coursework beyond the 45-credit minimum may be added to the participant’s course of study.
Back to top of page.DeliveryThe Master in Management program is structured and scheduled to accommodate students who are working full time. All core courses are offered on an evening and weekend schedule in Medford. Many specialization courses are also available as evening sessions in Medford. Every effort is made to use technology to supplement in-class time. All students are required to have Internet access, which is the primary mode of communication and serves as an instructional vehicle in some cases. Back to top of page.PrerequisitesThere are no course prerequisites for the MiM core curriculum with the exception of Research (MM 514) and Capstone (MM 598). MM 514 requires the successful completion of at least 15 credit hours of MiM core coursework; MM 598 requires the successful completion of MM 514. Some supplementary coursework may be recommended on a case-by-case basis. These competency enhancements are specified in the advising process. Some of the specialization courses may have specific course prerequisites. Transfer of credit for graduate coursework completed prior to entrance to the MiM program is evaluated for acceptance on a case-by-case basis, consistent with existing SOU policy. Back to top of page.Application and AdmissionCandidates for the MiM program must complete a program application and apply to SOU for graduate admission as well. Applications are available at the SOU Extended Campus Programs Office in Ashland, the SOU Medford Campus, or from the MiM program director on the Ashland campus. A combined University and program application is available online at the Master in Management Web site (www.sou.edu/mim). Back to top of page.Master in Management CoursesSee Course Prerequisites Policy| MM 509 Practicum | | Credit to be arranged (no more than 6 credits may be applied toward the MiM degree) | | Prerequisite: Program director consent. |
| MM 512 Budget and Finance | | 3 credits | | Familiarizes managers with the role and processes of budgeting in diverse organizations. Students develop an appreciation for both the theory and application of financial practices to aid in their fiscal decision making. An understanding of basic accounting concepts is recommended. |
| MM 513 Strategic Management | | 3 credits | | Introduces students to advanced strategic management concepts in successful organizations. Students develop an understanding of how to use strategic management tools to initiate and implement problem-solving processes in dynamic and diverse environments. An in-depth case analysis allows students to demonstrate their understanding of key strategic management principles. |
| MM 514 Practical Research, Analysis, and Decision Making | | 3 credits | | Examines the relationship between practice and research in organizational decision making. Students acquire the skills and understanding necessary to critically review and competently interpret research findings in a decision-making context. Prerequisites: Successful completion of at least 15 hours of core coursework. |
| MM 515 Management Information Systems | | 3 credits | | Provides a broad overview of contemporary management information systems (MIS). Describes the MIS manager’s diverse technical, managerial, and professional knowledge at a level that is accessible to the non-MIS manager. Emphasizes both the data component of information systems and the management behavior (i.e., knowledge and skills) necessary to successfully manage information systems within organizations. Presents current trends and drivers, including emerging technologies that affect the present and future of information systems. |
| MM 516 Organizational Leadership and Communication | | 3 credits | | Surveys the theoretical frameworks, empirical literature, and requisite skills associated with effective organizational leadership and communication. Examines questions of bureaucracy, culture, power, reciprocal influence, employee involvement, and other central issues from an organizational and communicative perspective. |
| MM 517 The Human Resource Environment | | 3 credits | | Focuses on critical issues and strategic questions managers must understand to manage employees effectively. Emphasizes applied skills relevant to managing employees, including recruitment, selection, compensation, evaluation, and employee development. |
| MM 518 Marketing for Public and Private Organizations | | 3 credits | | Details the planning and implementation of marketing activities, marketing research, and effective evaluation of marketing strategies. Students develop an understanding of what is required to succeed and to achieve a competitive advantage within a framework of ethical marketing practices. |
| MM 519 Legal Issues in Management | | 3 credits | | Acquaints the manager with fundamental legal concepts in the areas of personal liability, malpractice, and product liability. Introduces the concepts associated with contracts and agreements, as well as intellectual property rights, organizational formation, and alternative dispute resolution techniques. Includes a brief introduction to employment law on the fundamentals of wrongful termination. |
| MM 520 Orientation to Graduate Study for the Management Professional | | 1 credit | | A gateway course required of all participants in the MiM program. Provides a means for students and faculty to discuss expectations for the program and to become familiar with the graduate school experience. Emphasizes exposure to the academic culture and practices and the unique design of the MiM program. |
| MM 521 Society, Ethics, and Management | | 1 credit | | Considers the relationship between common management values and those held by society as a whole, as well as various groups that comprise our diverse social milieu. Students, faculty, and community professionals are brought together to describe, critique, and evaluate the connections between management principles and contemporary issues from a variety of perspectives. |
| MM 530 Nonprofit Organization Management | | 3 credits | | Explores management techniques and best practices in the nonprofit organizational environment. Emphasizes effective organizational structure, personnel management, budget and finance, board development, planning and decision making, grant and Request for Proposal (RFP) procedures, and liability issues. | | Cross-listed with PS 430/530 |
| MM 540 Topics in Management | | Credit determined by individual course content | | Focuses on selected topics in management concepts and practice. Repeat credit is allowed for different topics. |
| MM 598 Capstone Project | | 3 credits | | Applies the management skills acquired in the program’s core offerings, with special emphasis on demonstrating competencies in budget and finance, personnel management, and research and planning. Prerequisite: Completion of program core courses or program director consent. |
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