The Master of Science in Management: An Alternative to the MBA

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1 The Master of Science in Management: An Alternative to the MBA The Master of Science in Management degree meets a growing need in graduate management education. Unlike a traditional MBA that focuses on development of functional knowledge and skills, our MSc program focuses on developing competence in research. The University of Lethbridge MSc (Management) degree is a proven alternative to the traditional MBA, and focuses on building competencies in research. This intensive program provides students with the knowledge and hands-on experience to conduct rigorous and scholarly research into a business or management issue(s) in the discipline of Accounting, Finance, Human Resources & Labour Relations, International Management, Marketing, or Policy & Strategy. The MSc (Management) program attracts students with an interest in research and is designed for students with an undergraduate degree in Management, Commerce, or Business, and does not require any previous work experience. This rigorous, full-time program consists of four modules running over a month period (24-48 months for part-time study). The first module serves as a four-day orientation for students entering the program. This module is designed to orient students into the program. Topics covered will include: building and campus tours, IT set-up, meetings with instructors and potential supervisors, other meetings and workshops to assist with getting started. During the second module, students begin the process of integrating research methodologies and different theories used across the various management fields of specialization. In the third module, students specialize in their area of interest, and begin to develop their research proposals in more depth. In the final module, students present their thesis proposals. After the successful defence of their research proposal students continue to conduct their primary research and analysis, writes up the thesis and schedules the final thesis defence. Whether your career goals are within academia, research, or the corporate sector, our graduate program will provide a value-added experience that will lead to many new employment opportunities for you to explore.

2 Individual Workspace All full-time graduate students are provided with a secure workspace, network printer, and have access to technically advanced audiovisual equipment. All students are assigned and Internet accounts at no additional cost. Students must have their own wireless internet ready laptop for in-class use, and will have access to up-to-date software and databases needed for study and research work. Learning with Accomplished Researchers and Teachers in Management The Master of Science in Management Program is delivered by Faculty of Management professors who are dedicated to our mission: We develop scholars who have a solid understanding of research paths in their discipline, are skilled in the research process, and contribute knowledge to management scholarship. Our graduates are prepared to enter and succeed in high quality doctoral programs or to pursue careers where research skills and scholarly knowledge are valued Students work directly with the faculty and their supervisor during the coursework of the program and through to the completion of their Master's Thesis. All faculty members involved with the MSc (Mgt) Program have a Doctoral degree, active streams of research, and many have industry (domestic and international) experience. Financial Support The School of Graduate Studies offers a variety of competitive funding available to MSc(Mgt) students. For details please visit: Contact the Award Advisor for additional assistance Application Requirements 4-year Baccalaureate degree in management or related discipline Minimum 3.00/4.00 GPA in last 20 graded university courses Application Documentation: o Academic Transcripts o Curriculum Vitae o Three Letters of Reference o Letter of Intent o GMAT Score minimum score 550 and 4.0 Analytical Writing score o TOEFL (if required) The Future Technical, personal and interpersonal competencies gained in the Program are valuable for: o Advancing your career in Management o Becoming a Research Consultant o Starting a new career in Education and teaching o Careers in Market Research, Financial Analysis, or Policy Analysis o Pursuing Doctoral Studies For more information, visit our website: or msc.management@uleth.ca

3 PROGRAM STRUCTURE The Master of Science in Management Faculty of Management, University of Lethbridge The Master of Science in Management Program consists of four modules running over a (maximum) 24-month period. The first module serves as a four-day orientation for students entering the program. The second module is a twelve-week integrative module in which students are exposed to research methodology and management theory, data management and statistics, and other research issues. During this module, students begin the process of integrating research methodologies and different theories used across the various management fields of specialization. In the third module, students specialize in their area of interest, and develop their initial research proposals in more depth. In the final module, each student conducts his/her primary research and analyses, writes up the thesis, and schedules a thesis defense with his or her research thesis committee. Students are required to defend their master s thesis proposal early in the module, and must be successful to continue with their thesis work. ORIENTATION MODULE MGT 5100 Orientation (0 credit hours) Introduction to Master of Science (Management) program philosophy, structure and participants. This four-day orientation is a comprehensive review of selected topics, including statistics, information systems, library facilities and resources, and career development; this module is designed to orient students and faculty into the program. INTEGRATIVE MANAGEMENT STUDIES MODULE (12.0 credit hours) The Integrative Module exposes students to a comprehensive and rigorous cross-disciplinary analysis of the field of Management. The module is composed of: MGT 5150 Research Methodology in Management (3 credit hours, 12 weeks) A comprehensive introduction and application of research methods in the field of Management. Topics include, for example, research methods paradigms, research designs (e.g. experimental, ex post facto); data gathering, analysis, and interpretation; research and the issue of relevance; ethical issues in research. MGT 5110 Management Field Overviews (1.5 credit hours, six weeks) A comprehensive and rigorous cross-disciplinary analysis of fundamental management issues. Students are introduced to research programs in a variety of functional areas (e.g., organizational development, marketing, finance, and accounting). MGT 5130 Ways of Knowing (1.5 credit hours, six weeks) This course will examine the nature of scientific research. Students will gain and understanding of the philosophy behind the positivist approach to social science, as well as criticisms of the approach. The course will address induction, confirmation, the importance of falsification, the role of theory, paradigm assessment, paradigm shifts, conceptualization, and limitations of the scientific method. MGT 5115 Research Workshops I (0 credit hour) One-day workshops held to introduce students to current management issues and to assist students with development of their own program of research for their Master's project (e.g., project management, stress and time management, ethics in research, writing and publishing in organizational sciences). MGT 5120 Thinking by Design I (1.5 credit hours, 6 weeks) This course is the first of a pair of courses that aim to equip the graduate student with the necessary divergent and convergent thinking skills useful for the rigorous critique of research problems and the generation and extension of new ideas. MGT5120 begins with a review of reasoning. The course then explores why the world is not always as rational, normal and linear as we might hope such that the tools of traditional reasoning must often be augmented with other techniques. Chief among these techniques will be the exploration and practice of Lateral Thinking.

4 MGT 5125 Thinking by Design II (1.5 credit hours, 6 weeks) The second course begins with mapping mental states and processes to ensure that students share a common language as they get deeper into thinking about thinking. The course then moves into Design Thinking to bring together divergent and convergent thinking through the Inspiration - Ideation - Implementation process. Initially developed for product design use, the course strives to demonstrate how this approach can yield payoffs that extend far beyond the marketplace to general research endeavours and broad social concerns. MGT 5200 Major Seminar I (3 credit hours, 12 weeks) A selection from a list of topics will be offered in this twelve-week seminar. The topics vary according to the major of the student. MAJOR STUDIES MODULE (9 credit hours) In the Major Module, students undertake in-depth studies in their approved major and develop their initial research proposals in more detail. The module is composed of: MGT 5160 Qualitative Methods & Analysis (3 credit hours, 12 weeks) A comprehensive introduction and application of qualitative research methods in the field of Management. Provides an indepth analysis of the conceptual and practical issues to be considered when engaging in qualitative research. Topics include, for example, the general categories of ethnography, interviews, focus groups, documentary analysis, content analysis, and discourse analysis. Finance/Accounting majors register in ECON 5960 in replace of Mgt 5160 MGT 5170 Data Management & Statistical Techniques I (1.5 credit hours, 6 weeks) A comprehensive introduction and application of univariate and bivariate statistical techniques. From a Social Scientist perspective, the following topics, for example, may be examined: data management, descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, non-parametric statistics, univariate statistics (t-tests, ANOVA), and correlation. MGT 5175 Data management & Statistical Techniques II (1.5 credits, 6 weeks) A comprehensive introduction and application of measurement assessment and multivariate statistical techniques. From a Social Scientist perspective, the following statistical topics, for example, may be examined: factor analysis, reliability, validity, MANOVA, regression, path analysis, and structured equation modeling (partial least squares, Lisrel) MGT 5300 Major Seminar II (3 credit hours, 12 weeks) This seminar develops students understanding by examining multiple perspectives in the specific area of the major. ECON 5960 Econometrics (3 credit hours, 12 weeks) Finance/Accounting Majors ONLY Introduction to the specification, estimation, and testing of economic models. Topics include the classical linear regression model, t tests, structure tests, specification error, the consequences of the violation of the classical assumptions, detection and correction of autocorrelation, and heteroscedasticity. Additional topics such as asymptotic theory, maximum likelihood estimation, instrumental variables, simultaneous equation models, and selected topics such as models for limited dependent variables, models for panel data, ARCH models, units roots, and error correction models may be added at the discretion of the instructor.. MASTER S THESIS MODULE (15.0 credit hours) This final module is composed of: MGT 6100 Master s Thesis Selected under the supervision of a Faculty member, the master s thesis will address valid research questions related to real market, industry or organization issues in the student s major. Students will defend their master s thesis proposal early in the module, and must be successful to continue with their thesis work. The master s thesis should yield output, of publishable quality, that reflects the student s substantive contribution to knowledge. Students must submit a final version of the thesis to their Thesis Exam Committee, a four-person committee consisting of their supervisor, one Faculty member of the Faculty of Management and one Faculty member who may be external to the Faculty of Management and one Faculty member who is external to the University of Lethbridge. The master s thesis must be defended in an oral examination. The master s thesis is graded Pass/Fail. The examining committee may assess a qualified pass to the master s thesis in those instances where it is evaluated as a largely successful project, but which nevertheless requires significant revisions. Once the master's project is final (i.e., assessed and corrected, if necessary), it must be submitted in both print and electronic formats.

5 The Master of Science in Management Faculty of Management, University of Lethbridge APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for admission to the Master of Science in Management Program. I. Undergraduate Degree A 4-year baccalaureate (40 semester course) degree in Management, Commerce, or Business Administration or its equivalent is required, with a minimum grade point average of 3.00 (on a 4.00 point scale) on the last 20 graded university-level semester courses. A baccalaureate degree or its equivalent in disciplines other than Business or Management will be considered on a case by case basis. Applicants select the major where they have the strongest foundational knowledge to enable them to conduct research in that area. II. Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE) Although the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is preferred, the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) will be considered where circumstances merit the substitution. A minimum test score of 550 and 4.0 in the Analytical Writing section on the GMAT is required. III. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Applicants whose first language is not English and who are graduates of universities where English is not the language of instruction must submit their most recent TOEFL scores. The minimum requirement is a paper-based score of 580, a computer-based score of 237, or a computer based ibt TOEFL of at least 93. APPLICATION DEADLINE Students are admitted once a year in the Fall (September) semester, on a cohort basis. Applications and all supporting documentation must be received before a candidate will be considered for acceptance. Application deadline is February 1 st. After the deadline, applicants will be notified regarding their admission status within one month the deadline, or as soon as all supporting documentation has been received. Because the capacity of the Program is limited, not all students meeting the general admission requirements can be admitted.

6 APPLICATION DOCUMENTATION AND PROCEDURES Students must apply online at our website: To be considered for acceptance into the Master of Science in Management Program, the following documents must be uploaded to the online application system. Academic Transcripts Upload a scanned copy of your transcript for each post-secondary institution previously or currently attending. For degrees in progress, please provide a list of courses currently registered in and/or any courses not listed on the transcript provided. If admitted to the program, applicants must arrange for the submission of official transcripts from the issuing institution directly to the Admissions Office. International students are encouraged to make arrangements at the time of application to avoid delays. Through ApplyAlberta, the Admissions Office will obtain these transcripts on your behalf where the institution(s) attended is a member. Curriculum Vitae Current curriculum vitae (a resume of qualifications and experience) must be included. Letters of Reference Within the online application supply three names and professional of referees who will articulate your background preparation and suitability for graduate work. The referees chosen should be able to speak to your ability and aptitude for graduate studies. Letter of Intent A 500-word Letter of Intent, outlining your interest in pursuing graduate studies, career goals, and research interest within the selected management major. GMAT Results Make arrangements for the testing centre to send official results to the University of Lethbridge, code: MT6-XZ-64. You may upload a copy of your GMAT results for the review process and official results may follow. TOEFL or IELTS Results (if required) Your copy may be uploaded for review, and official results must be sent to the University of Lethbridge from the testing centre. Application Fee A (non-refundable) application fee of $ (Canadian) must be paid by credit card to submit your online application Faculty of Management, The University of Lethbridge 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1K 3M4 Telephone: , Website:

7 Master of Science in Management Faculty of Management, University of Lethbridge FINANCIAL SUPPORT Note: Students enrolled in the Part time program are not eligible for funding through scholarships, assistantships or awards. Part time students do qualify for the Thesis Fund described below. The School of Graduate Studies offers competitive funding in a variety of forms (assistantships, awards, scholarships etc). Please visit our website for details on available funding for MSc(Mgt) students. Thesis Fund A Thesis Fund is available to each MSc (Management) (full-time and part-time) candidate to offset expenses related to completion of the Master s Thesis. This fund is available to each student through reimbursement to the Faculty of Management to a maximum of $ Travel Funding The University of Lethbridge Graduate Student Association also offers a Graduate Students Association Travel Award. The Award provides $500 towards registration, travel and accommodation expenses for full-time graduate students who are presenting their research at an internationally recognized conference. Please visit for further information. Management Student Professional Development Fund The purpose of this fund is to provide financial support to enable Management students to participate in professional development opportunities that will add value to their graduate education. Up to $2000 is available based upon the number of applicants selected. Application dates: November 15 th / March 15th / September 15 th. Further details and an application form are available by contacting the Management Graduate Office at msc.management@uleth.ca.

8 Scholarships available to MSc(Mgt) students Derrick and Lytta Pereira Prize: This scholarship valued at $1000 is awarded once per academic year pending availability of funds. All full-time applicants (International and Domestic) offered admission and who accept their offer into the MSc (Management) Program are automatically considered for this award. Queen Elizabeth Graduate Scholarship (Province of Alberta Scholarship Programs): This scholarship is valued at $10,800.00, and is/may be divided and awarded to Canadian citizens or permanent residents entering the full-time MSc (Management) Program. Eligible students must have superior academic achievement and must be in good standing with Alberta Students Finance. Eligible students are automatically considered. Ingrid & Ray Speaker Graduate Scholarship in Management: This scholarship is valued at $ and is awarded to Canadian citizens admitted to the full-time program in their second year of studies. Criteria are based on academic achievement/gpa in the MSc (Mgt) Program. Master of Science (Management) Bursary Peter and Helen Kelley: This bursary is valued at $500 is awarded once per academic year. Eligible full-time students must be enrolled in the MSc (Mgt) Program (entering or continuing). Those who demonstrate financial need will be considered for this award. Application to Scholarships and Student Finance is required. Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Canada Graduate Scholarships Master s Program: If you are a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, have completed or are about to complete a bachelor's degree, or are already pursuing a master's degree in the humanities or social sciences, you may be eligible to apply for a $17, master's scholarship! Please visit the SSHRC website for more information The Alberta Scholarship Program recently announced a $10,000 award available to students pursuing studies in human rights, cultural diversity or multiculturalism. For application information on the Alberta Award for the Study of Canadian Human Rights and Multiculturalism and other awards visit: Employment Full-time students enrolled in the MSc (Management) Program are permitted to find employment for up to 10 hours per week. Students interested in finding employment as teaching/research assistants must contact faculty members directly. For contact information about Faculty and Faculty Research Areas, please visit: Financial Assistance Students are encouraged to explore external sources of funding for which they may be eligible for in their home countries and in Canada. We do not offer full scholarships nor do we waive tuition fees. Some Scholarship and Financial Aid Websites that may assist applicants are as follows: Financial Aid Free Canadian Scholarship Search Government of Canada:

9 FEE INFORMATION The Master of Science in Management Faculty of Management, University of Lethbridge 1. Program Fees Tuition for the Master of Science (Management) Program is assessed as a program fee. The total program fee may be paid in three equal installments per year in the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters (see reverse for Fee Payment Schedule). 2. Miscellaneous Fees There will be a small assessment made with each registration in addition to the basic program fee to cover compulsory university fees such as students union, athletics, and graduate students association (see reverse for Fee Schedule). 3. Continuation Fees A Continuation fee is assessed for each subsequent semester after the first three semesters of study. 4. Outstanding Fees The University of Lethbridge currently allows outstanding fees for only one prior semester before continuation privileges are withdrawn. However, the policy that will be applied for the Program following approval by the University of Lethbridge Board of Governors is that students may not: a. Continue in Spring semester if fees are owing for the previous Fall semester. b. Continue in Summer semester if fees are owing for the previous Spring semester. c. Schedule the project defense if fees are owing for the previous Summer semester. 5. Deposit Students are required to pay a deposit of $ with an Offer of Admission. This deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable (i.e. once the deposit has been submitted to the Cash Office, there is no recourse for having the deposit refunded, even if the student has not yet been registered in the Master of Science (Management) Program courses). After deposits have been paid, students may register into the Program. 6. Interest Charges for Late Payments A simple interest charge of Bank prime plus five percent per annum will be added to the outstanding principle amount at the close of the first working day of each successive month that the account remains unpaid. 7. Fee Payments Fees can be paid by cash, cheque, or Interac Direct Payment banking cards. Students may also make payments in person at any Bank of Montreal branch. Students paying at the Bank of Montreal must fill out a First bank Payment Service form (available at the bank) and present it to any bank of Montreal across Canada. The bank charges a service fee of $1.25 for all transactions made trough their branches. Students paying at the Bank of Montreal must allow a minimum of two working days for payments to be processed and received by the University of Lethbridge. Customers of the following institutions can make payments on their University of Lethbridge student account using their bank s telephone or on-line payment systems: Bank of Montreal, TD Canada Trust, C.I.B.C., Hong Kong Bank of Canada, Royal Bank, or Scotia Bank. Students should inquire directly at the branch to obtain information regarding these bill payment services. Students paying through their financial institutions must allow one additional working day for their payments to be processed. If you have any questions specific to your account, please contact the Cash Office (403)

10 UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE Master of Science in Management Program The Board of Governors reserves the right to change fees and deposits as deemed necessary without prior notice. 2014/2015 Fee Payment Schedule Term Fees Due Fall (September December) October 1 Spring (January April) February 1 Summer (May August) May 2 For detailed information regarding fees please visit the website below and click on Part 3 Fees Faculty of Management, The University of Lethbridge 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1K 3M4 Telephone: , Website:

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12 GMAT Information The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized assessment delivered in English that helps business schools assess the qualifications of applicants for advanced study in business and management. Schools use the test as one predictor of academic performance in graduate management programs such as the MSc (Management) Program offered at the University of Lethbridge. The GMAT consists of three main parts, the Analytical Writing Assessment, the Quantitative section, and the Verbal section. 1. You begin the GMAT with the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA). The AWA consists of two separate writing tasks Analysis of an Issue and Analysis of an Argument. You are allowed 30 minutes to complete each one. 2. Following an optional five-minute break, you begin the Quantitative section of the GMAT. This section contains 37 multiple-choice questions of two question types Data Sufficiency and Problem Solving. You will be allowed a maximum of 75 minutes to complete the entire section. 3. After a second optional five-minute break, you begin the Verbal section of the GMAT. This section contains 41 multiple choice questions of three question types Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, and Sentence Correction. You are allowed a maximum of 75 minutes to complete the entire section. The fee to take the GMAT is U.S. $250 worldwide. For more information about the GMAT or to register for an exam sitting, please visit and go to Take the GMAT. You must register with before you can take the exam.

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15 English Language Proficiency for Graduate Students Applicants whose first language is not English, regardless of citizenship of country of origin, must meet the English Language Proficiency (ELP) Requirement. Evidence of English Language Proficiency must be provided before admission will be offered. In all cases, the decision of the School of Graduate Studies shall be final. Acceptable evidence of English Language Proficiency for graduate studies may be any one of the following: 1. Successful completion of a baccalaureate or master s degree at a recognized institution where the language of instruction is English and the student s work is in English (Note: The School of Graduate Studies reserves the right to determine whether a particular institution is recognized as an institution in which the language of instruction is English); 2. Successful completion of the Advanced Level, English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program at the University of Lethbridge. 3. Most recent official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score (UofL code is 0855), taken within the last two years; any of the following: a. a paper-based TOEFL of at least 580 and a TWE (Test of Written English) of 5.0; b. a computer-based TOEFL of at least 237 with an Essay score of at least 5.0; or c. a computer-based ibt TOEFL of at least Most recent Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of at least 6.5 with no band less than 5.5, taken within the last two years.