Curriculum
The MBA degree provides professional education applicable to the various fields of business. This degree prepares graduates to meet the complex problems of the technical, economic, and social environment and enables them to provide informed and responsible leadership within organizations.
The UAF program recognizes that competence in the practice of management necessitates education with both breadth and depth. This graduate program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, which ensures quality business education across the globe.
MBA Curriculum 2024-2025
Minimum Requirements for Degree: 30 credits
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General University Requirements |
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Master’s Degree Requirements |
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MBA Core Courses |
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Code |
Title |
Credits |
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MBA F602 |
Accounting for Managers |
3 |
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Organizational Theory for Managers |
3 |
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MBA F621 |
Economics for Managers |
3 |
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Marketing Management |
3 |
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Quantitative Methods for Managers |
3 |
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Financial Markets and Strategy |
3 |
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Complete the following capstone course: |
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Corporate Strategy |
3 |
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Concentrations |
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Complete one of the following concentrations: |
15 |
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| BLUE | ||
| Business Analytics | ||
| Business Continuity | ||
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Cybersecurity |
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General Management |
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Healthcare |
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One Health |
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STEM |
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More than one concentration may be earned for the degree; however, courses used in one concentration may not be used to meet requirements in another concentration.
- Students who earn grades of two Cs, one D, or one F in courses that are part of their MBA program will no longer be in good standing in the MBA program even if their cumulative GPA remains at or above 3.0. MBA students who are not in good standing will be subject to review and may be dismissed by the MBA committee.
- Students may not use more than two F600-level courses with C grades on their Advancement to Candidacy application.
- Students holding an undergraduate Accounting degree or CPA license may, with advisor approval, substitute MBA 602 with any UAF MBA or BA 400-level course.
MBA Concentrations
The CBSM MBA offers eight concentration options. Each student in this degree program must choose from one of the following concentrations:
Blue
The Blue concentration is a collaboration with the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences designed to meet the growing demand for leaders with skills in both business and science, particularly in fisheries, oceanography, and climate science and policy. An in-depth description can be found on the CFOS website.
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Complete three of the following (9 credits):
3 Credits
Offered Fall
Study of human-environment relationships and applications to resource management. Draws on a range of social scientific approaches to the study of environmental systems, including: environmental anthropology, environmental history, historical ecology, political ecology, ethnoecology, property theory and environmental justice.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing.
Stacked with FISH F411.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
3 Credits
Offered Spring
Theory and practice of fisheries management, including strategies utilized for the management of freshwater and marine fisheries. Application of quantitative methodologies for the assessment and manipulation of aquatic habitats, fish populations and human resource users are considered, as is the setting of appropriate goals and objectives for science-based management.
Prerequisites: graduate standing.
Stacked with FISH F487.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
Any other 600-level fisheries or marine science courses can be taken to satisfy concentration requirements, although these courses may require being taken in residence.3 Credits
Offered Fall
Explores how human activities are affecting Earth's oceans. Topics include climate change, sea-level rise, coastal erosion, declining sea ice, shifting ecosystems, ocean acidification, pollution and various mitigation proposals. The course will investigate the causes and effects of these changes and consider the challenges and opportunities that arise from them.
Stacked with OCN F481.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
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Complete two approved CBSM or CFOS electives at the F400 or F600 level (6 credits).
Business Analytics
The business analytics concentration introduces students to high-demand skills in data collection and analytical methods and provides training in commonly used digital tools used in marketing, HR and business process analytics. An emphasis is placed on the visual representation and interpretation of data.
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Complete the following (6 credits):
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
This class provides an introduction and application of data analytics in accounting and business contexts. Students will develop an understanding of analytic concepts and how they apply to the investigation of business data relationships and trends.
Prerequisites: Admission to the MBA program.
Stacked with BA F421.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
This course introduces students to the visual representation and interpretation of data. Students learn to develop meaningful data visualizations for the appropriate audiences through the use of Tableau, Excel, and other data visualization tools.
Prerequisites: Admission to the MBA program.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 7 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
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Complete one of the following (3 credits):
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
An introduction to the theory of people analytics. This course will explore how data and models are used for decision-making in employee selection, compensation, and performance evaluations. Students will learn how and when data is used to make soft-skill decisions about hiring and talent development.
Prerequisites: Admission to the MBA program.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 6 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
This course will explore introductory principles and strategies of data-driven marketing. Students will gain familiarity with common analytical methods, data management, and digital tools for applying marketing analytics.
Prerequisites: Admission to the MBA program.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 6 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
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Complete two approved CBSM electives at the F400 or F600 level (6 credits).
Business Continuity
The business continuity concentration provides students with an in-depth look at what it takes to help a business mitigate for and survive after a major disaster or crisis. Courses include topics in crisis management, business continuity, and project management.
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Complete three of the following (9 credits):
3 Credits
Offered Fall and Spring
This course is designed to cover key components of project management fundamentals with emphasis on the project life cycle, project definition, project schedule and cost management, human resource allocation and the challenges facing project managers in every industry.
Prerequisites: Must be admitted to the MSDM or MBA program; or permission of MSDM or MBA program director.
Cross-listed with HSEM F632.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
An in-depth review of crisis management to include the different crises an organization may face. The importance of an ethical and strategic response, developing a solid crisis management plan, strong crisis communication, and developing a crisis management team will be discussed.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing in the MSDM, MBA or certificate program.
Cross-listed with HSEM F645.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
In-depth analysis of business continuity to include risk analysis and plan assessment. Overview of potential risks from more than a natural disaster standpoint. The correct way to use risk analyzes while developing a continuity plan will be discussed. The importance of exercising and maintaining a plan will also be reviewed.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing in the MSDM, MBA or certificate program.
Cross-listed with HSEM F646.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
As part of the business continuity cycle, audits of the business continuity system must be conducted. Topics for this class include: What an audit is, the framework for conducting, how to conduct an audit, the importance of auditing, and what and how the final product should be used.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing in the MSDM, MBA or certificate program.
Cross-listed with HSEM F647.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
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Complete two approved CBSM electives at the F400 or F600 level (6 credits).
Cybersecurity
The cybersecurity concentration is designed for students who desire an in-depth knowledge in the cybersecurity field. This is not a technical concentration, but rather the focus is on the managerial components and decision making skills need in the cybersecurity field. Courses include topics in information assurance, cyber threats, and addressing critical infrastructure.
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Complete the following (9 credits):
MBA F641 Information Assurance and Risk Assessment
3 CreditsOffered As Demand Warrants
Overview of enterprise security, privacy and information security assessment and management, and cybersecurity. Concentration on tangible and intangible costs of risks and examination of information assurance and security risk assessment concepts. Students will understand how to assess information security risks and use that information to develop potential solutions.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing in the MSDM or MBA program or certificates, or as approved by program director.
Cross-listed with HSEM F641.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
The course explores the nature of the critical infrastructure, the possible threats that exist or might exist and how they can be countered. Through case studies, we will examine the varied serious potential threats out there to the numerous critical infrastructures we have identified.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing in the MSDM or MBA program or certificates, or as approved by program director.
Cross-listed with HSEM F648.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
This course is focused on threats, vulnerabilities, patch management, incident response, and security operations to identify and protect against internal and external threats. Various security threats will be covered including hacker attacks, e-mail borne viruses, backdoor problems, and internal sabotage. Cybercrime, cybersecurity, and global information security will be discussed.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing in the MSDM or MBA programs, certificates, or as approved by program director.
Cross-listed with HSEM F649.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
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Complete two approved CBSM electives at the F400 or F600 level (6 credits).
General Management
The general management concentration is designed for students seeking a traditional MBA program. This concentration allows students to choose from a variety of business topics that fit their interests and align with better management practices.
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Complete three of the following:
3 Credits
Offered Spring
The study of the effective management of human resources in organizations to include employee planning and recruiting, selection and orientation, training and career development, performance evaluation, compensation, EEO, occupational safety and health, and labor relations.
Prerequisites: Admission to the MBA program; or permission of the MBA director.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
3 Credits
Offered Fall
Gain an understanding of the legal, ethical and practical aspects of business law. This course is intended to prepare graduate students for their roles as leaders in the business world by enhancing their ethical decision making and understanding of relevant law.
Prerequisites: Admission to the MBA program.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
3 CreditsOffered Fall and Spring
This course is designed to cover key components of project management fundamentals with emphasis on the project life cycle, project definition, project schedule and cost management, human resource allocation and the challenges facing project managers in every industry.
Prerequisites: Must be admitted to the MSDM or MBA program; or permission of MSDM or MBA program director.
Cross-listed with HSEM F632.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Examines the emerging role of business in responding to the economic challenges of achieving social and ecological sustainability. Investigates alternative measurements for evaluating the performance of the economy and the business and consumer sectors, including the triple bottom line model.
Prerequisites: Must be admitted to the MBA program.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
A supervised practical work experience that engages students in structured exploration of the business environment and an opportunity to demonstrate and apply previous coursework and prior learning to their current internship. Focus on applying previous learning, developing business acumen, and preparing for future employment. Admission requires approved job arrangements.
Prerequisites: Admission to the MBA program.
Stacked with BA F453.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 3 + 20
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
This course is designed to explore the techniques of collaboration and communication and their strategic use in managing contemporary organizations. Students will identify their own communication style and how to deploy it in various managerial situations. Topics will include exploring individual personality type and the effect of type on collaboration.
Prerequisites: Must be admitted to the MSDM or MBA program; or permission of MSDM or MBA program manager.
Cross-listed with HSEM F665.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
3 Credits
Offered Fall
Overview of the skills a manager needs to administer an innovation systems and toolkit for dealing with various innovation issues in a broad business setting. Topics include creation innovation diversity; innovation dynamics, intellectual properties, technology/innovation commercialization, and innovation strategies.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing or approval of the MBA director.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
3 Credits
Offered Spring
Students will take a hands-on approach to commercializing their own or selected innovative ideas through focused study in several key areas of entrepreneurship, as well as learn how to assess and understand the industry, customers and competitors for a new venture.
Prerequisites: Must be admitted to the MBA program.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
How to comprehend and critically evaluate financial statements. Building on topics introduced in a first-year course in financial accounting, analyze additional disclosures typically included in financial statements. These activities will be useful in tasks related to valuation, credit decisions, competitor assessment and bankruptcy predictions.
Prerequisites: Admission to the MBA program; or permission of MBA director.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Current topics and issues in marketing management, such as political and services marketing, marketing communications, marketing in Alaska or other relevant subjects.
Prerequisites: Admission to the MBA program; MBA F643; or permission of MBA director.
Special Notes: May be taken twice for credit when topic changes.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
Repeatable for Credit: May be taken 2 times for up to 6 credits
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Developing managers' ability to excel in specialized areas of business such as entrepreneurship and risk management.
Prerequisites: Admission to the MBA program; or permission of MBA director.
Special Notes: May be taken twice for credit when topic changes.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
Repeatable for Credit: May be taken 2 times for up to 6 credits
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Complete two approved CBSM electives at the F400 or F600 level (6 credits).
Healthcare
The Healthcare concentration under the MBA program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks prepares students for leadership positions in the healthcare industry. The curriculum includes courses on health care economics and finance, health law and ethics, and health information systems and ethical decision-making. Students gain hands-on experience through internships and capstone projects with healthcare organizations in Alaska and beyond. Graduates of the program are equipped with the knowledge and skills to address the complex challenges facing the healthcare industry, and are prepared for roles such as healthcare administrator, healthcare consultant, or executive director of a healthcare organization.
- Complete the following (3 credits):
3 Credits
Offered Fall
Students will study the specialized area of business and healthcare administration, which involves everything from entrepreneurship (one provider in a private practice) to risk management (malpractice insurance, quality measures, etc.). Students will explore the dynamic field of healthcare and how it is changing rapidly with advancements in technology.
Cross-listed with HML F636.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
- Complete two of the following (6 credits):
3 Credits
Offered Spring
Overview of clinical and administrative health care data, their uses and impact on quality, cost and operations on a health care organization. The aim of the course is to gain skills to develop, manage and integrate clinical and administrative information, to support timely and informed decision making by all stakeholders.
Cross-listed with HML F637.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
3 Credits
Offered Fall
Students will be introduced to major health care laws, regulations, professional and ethical principles, and industry standards governing health care structure and delivery. This includes health care fraud, professional licensing and credentialing, malpractice, compliance, quality, risk management and privacy and security of health information.
Cross-listed with HML F638.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
3 Credits
Offered Spring
The first half of the course will focus on financial principles to individuals without a finance background as applicable to the healthcare sector. The second half of the course will delve into the economic drivers that influence the demand and supply of the health care industry.
Cross-listed with HML F639.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
One Health
One Health encompasses the relationship between human health, animal health, and the health of the environment holding that these entities are inextricably linked to the extent that none can be optimal unless they are all optimal. The One Health concentration allows CBSM to integrate novel areas of student interest (such as sustainability) while taking advantage of the existing courses developed at UAF's Center for One Health Research.
MBA students will be able to engage with One Health students from across the Circumpolar North and work together to solve problems that may have international significance.
- Complete three of the following (9 credits):
2 Credits
Offered Fall
This course introduces students to the One Health paradigm with emphasis on its application in the circumpolar North. Students explore the relationships between human, animal and environmental health. This holistic approach incorporates knowledge from natural and social sciences, history and culture of communities, traditional knowledge, laws, and government regulations.
Prerequisites: Admission to the One Health Masters.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
3 Credits
Offered Fall
Students are introduced to various tools and techniques to use a constructionist approach through a One Health lens to address significant issues in the circumpolar North. Students will learn to identify One Health challenges, gather information, engage stakeholders, communicate across several disciplines, build consensus, and develop action plans.
Prerequisites: DVM F615; admission to the One Health master's degree program.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
4 Credits
Offered Fall
Building on the concepts developed in DVM F615 and the tools utilized in DVM F620, this course provides students with the opportunity to work completely through a One Health challenge, including engagement of stakeholders, gathering of data, proposal of solutions, and presentation of management plans in a public forum.
Prerequisites: Admission to the Masters of One Health and completion of both DVM F615 and DVM F620.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 4 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
- Students may take other One Health courses as approved.
STEM
The science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) MBA concentration is designed for students with an undergraduate STEM baccalaureate degree. This concentration allows students to take three approved graduate-level courses from their field of study and pair them with College of Business and Security Management classes to provide the skills necessary to be a successful manager in their given career field.
Possible STEM fields include fisheries, ocean science, engineering, mathematics, statistics, biology, and more. Students will take three graduate-level courses in their approved STEM field. These courses must be approved by both a faculty member in their chosen STEM program and the MBA advisor. Students will also complete two approved CBSM electives at the F400 or F600 level. Please contact the Graduate Advisor, Angel Buchanan, for more information.
Sample Study Plan
The MBA Degree Map provides a roadmap of classes to take by semester.
"Beginning my Master of Business Administration during the summer semester with UAF online seemed like a daunting endeavor. Beginning graduate level classes after nearly a decade removed from academia and managing my zipline business seemed to leave little time for anything resembling summer. Fortunately, my instructor was flexible and understanding of the requirements of both class and business."