Master in Management Program

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Southern Oregon University's Master in Management Degree Program (MIM) is designed to develop management professionals working in governmental, commercial, health care, and non profit organizations. Participants acquire the skills necessary to advance in their fields while continuing to work. The program offers a rich study environment that combines fundamental management principles with a broad range of related theoretical and applied perspectives, and specific management skills.

Admission Criteria

This program is oriented toward people working, or aspiring to work, as managers in commercial, government, health care, or non profit organizations.

Admission requirements include:

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. No specific academic or technical field is stipulated.

2. At least three years experience working full time at the management level. This criteria is measured by number of people supervised, size of budget for which responsible, degree of decision-making autonomy, and other criteria.

3. Evidence of writing skills appropriate to the management level.

An admissions committee, composed of senior administrators and faculty, reviews program applications. Evaluation is based upon materials submitted, including 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.

Curriculum

The 45­51 credit MIM curriculum consists of the following components:

1. A set of interdisciplinary core courses and a series of three 1-credit seminars totaling 27 credits, which all students will take. These courses and seminars, which are designed to impart universal management skills, are:

• Budget and Finance 3
• Strategic Planning and Implementation 3
• Practical Research, Analysis, and Decision Making 3
• Management Information Systems 3
• Organizational Leadership and Communication 3
• The Human Resource Environment 3
• Marketing for Public and Private Organizations 3
• Legal Issues in Management 3
• Orientation to Graduate Study for the Management Professional 1
• Society, Ethics, and Management 1
• Seminar on The Guru Guide 1

2. At least 15 credits in a specialization area defined according to management sector (commercial, government, or non profit); discipline (arts, business, government, health, or social services); or skill area (marketing, budgeting, personnel). Courses that are appropriate to these specialization areas are determined in consultation with the program director.

3. Completion of 3 credits in a capstone project designed to demonstrate a comprehensive command of those professional competencies learned in the program.

4. At the option of the program advisor, 3 to 6 credits in practica and/or internships may be added to the participant's course of study. This component provides a means to gain new career experience. It is designed specifically for students beginning their careers or for those seeking to change fields.

Delivery

The Master in Management program is structured and scheduled to accommodate students who are working full time. Students can complete the degree requirements in as little as two years. All core courses, with the exception of the initial management seminar (a two-week intensive session on the Ashland Campus), are offered in a fixed evening and weekend schedule in Medford. Many specialization courses are also available in evening sessions in Medford. Every effort is made to use technology to supplement in-class time. All students are required to have access to the Internet, which is the primary vehicle of communication and is, in some cases, an instructional vehicle.

Prerequisites

There are no course prerequisites for the core curriculum of the MIM program. Some supplementary coursework is suggested to individuals 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 coursework done prior to entrance to the MIM program is evaluated for acceptance on a case-by-case basis, consistent with existing SOU policy.

Application and Admission

Applicants to the MIM program must apply to Southern Oregon University for graduate study. Both the application for graduate or post-baccalaureate admission and the application packet for admission to the MIM program are available from the following sources: the SOU Extended Campus Programs office in Ashland; the SOU Medford Campus; or Dr. Timothy Dolan, MIM Program Director, Southern Oregon University, 1250 Siskiyou Boulevard, Ashland, Oregon 97520. Phone: 541-552-8242. Fax: 541-552-6439. Email: dolant@sou.edu.