MBA PROGRAM 2013-2014
ABOUT UBIS The University of Business and International Studies (UBIS) features English-language-based programs that meet both the US standards and the Bologna accord standards thus maximizing to meet the needs of the international aspiring adult. We offer to international students and professionals: Associate Degree Bachelor Degrees (DUAL degree SWISS/US in 4 years, available ONLINE or in GENEVA) BBA - Bachelor in Business Administration BA-IR - Bachelor of Arts in International Relations Master degrees (1 ½year, available ONLINE or in GENEVA) MBA - Master in Business Administration MA-IR - Master of Arts in International Relations EMBA Executive Master in Business Administration Certificate Programs (2 months courses in Geneva + Internship). International Organizations Banking and Financial Services Cleantech OUR MISSION At UBIS, we focus on the individuality of our students. This is why our approach is to offer students personalized programs adapted to each student s particular needs. Our philosophy is that students today are more adaptable and open to experiential learning than the traditional theoretical/ lecture learning. Therefore, we help students to develop their full potential and function effectively as a team member to produce a scholarly product now and deliver outstanding professional contributions in the future. We encourage students to invest in their future and think who they want to become, but also invest in other people around them: fellow students, teachers, guest lecturers and the staff. We invite students to share the culture and values that are the foundations of UBIS and become a true global citizen that recognizes and appreciates contributions of diverse cultures. We work hard every day to give more value to our programs and forge closer partnership with the corporate world and international organizations. The goal is, of course, to provide students more opportunities than ever. The future of people management is key in our strategy. It is the basis to prepare our Clients to world challenges, world environment of tomorrow and real needs of corporate. Thanks to our global partnership in the US, in Europe, in Africa and in Asia, we provide our students with a lot of learning and development activities, namely linked to the growth of emerging countries. Study in a dynamic and international environment, take off with UBIS! ACCREDITATION AND MEMBERSHIP 2
WHAT S SO SPECIAL ABOUT UBIS? UBIS IS PROFESSIONAL At UBIS, you will learn from personal experiences from the industry s most influential and competent leaders. Here are some faculty examples: - Former Director International Human Resources at Serono - Former Vice President - Middle East & Africa at PepsiCola International - Former Head of Credit Department, EFP Private Bank, Geneva - Former Head of WWF News Service/Communications Manager UBIS IS FLEXIBLE UBIS gives you the choice of - studying physically at our GENEVA campus or ONLINE or a COMBINATION of online and in Geneva. - starting whenever you want thanks to 6 ENTRY DATES per year - your study itinerary UBIS IS CARING UBIS offers a friendly environment in which you have a direct and personalized contact with the professors. We strive to offer you personalized tailored curricula to fit your specific needs, whether you study in Geneva or online. UBIS IS INTERNATIONAL At UBIS, we believe you are an important part of a family whose members come from about 40 different countries. Whether it is the international environment of Geneva (200 international organizations and 160 diplomatic missions) or the lifelong friendships you can develop with our staff, professors or fellow students. 3
DESCRIPTION The business world is becoming more global, with increasing demand for experienced professional with the skills to become tomorrow s leaders. Do you have the know-how to be that leader? Why not bring your unique exposure and vision to a student body from over 40 countries by enrolling in UBIS - University of Business and International Studies, Master in Business Administration (MBA) program? The future of business starts today! 4
At UBIS, we focus on the individuality of our students. This is why our approach is to offer students personalized programs adapted to each student s particular needs. Our philosophy is that students today are more adaptable and open to experiential learning than the traditional theoretical/ lecture learning. Therefore, we help students to develop their full potential and function effectively as a team member to produce a scholarly product now and deliver outstanding professional contributions in the future. Program Description UBIS MBA program is based on current educational trends in business education. This program has been developed to meet the demand of the job market, advance careers of our graduates, and contribute to professional knowledge and competence in the business field. By going to UBIS, you will also be able to network with many others with business administration careers. In receiving your MBA from an international university, you will meet many people from different countries. This allows you to cast your networking net much further and wider than most students getting a Master s in Business Administration from a local school. Thousands of jobs await the right applicant from an international business school. A global education shows that you adapt well to change and will have no trouble dealing with new business paradigms. You will: have a more diverse education experience other cultures and interact with them in a business environment learn how to build confidence be directly involved in research activities Who s the degree for? Our program is for professionals or managers who have some business background, looking to expand their knowledge and build certain competencies in key areas. The current business environment puts a lot of pressure on managers, making it difficult for them to gain certain skills on the job. The UBIS dual MBA program reflects business knowledge built on an international foundation, and all program participants will be taught through assessment and case studies. By joining the UBIS community, participants from all over the world can meet and share ideas with their peers, building an international network-a competitive advantage over students earning an MBA from a local school. GMAT or GRE accepted, but not required. Program Format To receive a Master of Business Administration, students must earn 48 semester credit hours that are equal to 16 courses, including a thesis, over 18 months. This MBA is available online, on ground or Online & Campus Combined. In reality, UBIS s MBA program gives you 24 hour access to courses from your home or office via the internet; promoting flexibility and accessibility to both professors and classmates via chat rooms and threaded discussions for all course topics. Format: On-line or Blended Attendance: Part time or Full time Duration: 16-18 months Full time Or 24 months Part time Credit hours: 48 U.S. credit hours 5
Study online with UBIS The UBIS Online Education Center (our Virtual Classroom) is designed to provide students, working adults, and careeroriented individuals in professional development, an interactive, worldwide academic community for learning, training, and skills development. By delivering coursework directly to your computer, learning becomes flexible and fits with your personal time and location constraints. UBIS s online faculty is ready to communicate with you concerning any inquiries you may have, and is motivated to make your educational experience as stimulating and rewarding as possible. The UBIS virtual campus was developed in response to the growing need for classroom flexibility and distance education. This course of study allows the student to take classes when he or she has the time and from any international location with internet access. It is highlighted by the following features: Flexible& Adaptable Scenario- Based Learning Eight-Week Terms With 24-7 online access to courses and technical support Faculty All faculty have vast experience in international business and will share their professional broad knowledge and experience through their sessions. They will enhance the discussions between the participants. Some examples: Former Vice-President Human Resources and Total Quality Europe at GTE Former Director - Executive Compensation Services at MCE-AMA Head of External Relations at International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC). Former Vice President - Middle East & Africa at PepsiCola International Former Chief Executive Officer at Saatchi & Saatchi - Middle East & North Africa at Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising Former Head of WWF News Service/Communications Manager, WWF International; Former DG at Pommery, LVMH Switzerland Former Head of Credit Department, EFG Private Bank, Geneva 6
PROGRAM INTAKES AND PROGRAM FEE Program intakes: We have rolling admissions with programs starting every alternate 8 12 weeks, in total of 6 intakes per year, which would start in January / March / May / July / September / October Program tuition fee: MBAonground: CHF 27.500 (Program Tuition Fees) MBA online: CHF 23.500 (Program Tuition Fees) For special scholarship offers, and/or tuition plans (applicable to selected countries only), please contact one of our local oversea-study consultancy partner in your country. Requirements and Application Applicants must submit the following material to register for admission: A completed and signed Application Form Two Passport Size Photographs A copy of the Applicant s Passport Certified copy in English of undergraduate degree Certified copy in English of the official transcripts from the undergraduate program completed Official score of the TOEFL or IELTS examination or Certified copy of the CAE (Certificate in Advanced English) (unless of English mother tongue) Visit http://www.toeflgoanywhere.org/ to find a TOEFL test location. Minimum Requirements: TOEFL (PBT 500 / IBT 70) / IELTS 5.5 / TOEIC 630 / Cambridge certificate certified by ministry of education Official score of the GMAT examination for MBA program GRE examination for MA, MAS programs Curriculum Vitae stating relevant professional experience General management exams (GMAT/GRE) accepted but not required. A non-refundable application fee of CHF 100 All applicants will be interviewed in person or by phone -if out of the country- with the Director of Admissions (waived for applicants with relevant professional credentials (e.g., CPA or CFA for the MBA program). How to apply at UBIS? 1. Contact your local oversea-study consultancy partner for information regarding special tuition plans, delivery methods and course regulations. 2. Or contact the UBIS Geneva admission department: Office of University Admissions University of Business and International Studies (UBIS) av. Blanc, 46 CH-1202 Geneva Switzerland Email: admissions@ubis-geneva.ch Phone : 0041 (0)22 732 62 82 7
MASTER IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Preliminary courses (30 credit hours) Credit hours 001 ENG- 501 Academic Structure Writing 3.0 002 ENG-502 Academic style Editing and Revision Techniques 3.0 Preliminary courses* 003 ENG-503 Academic Library Research Writing 3.0 004 MGT-519 Principles of Marketing and Advertising 3.0 005 STT- 523 Research and Statistical Analysis 3.0 006 MGT-518 International Economics 3.0 007 MGT-511 Performance Measurement and Evaluation 3.0 Prerequisite courses 008 FIN-501 Using Financial Information 3.0 009 TEC-501 Quantitative Methods & Modeling 3.0 010 TEC-502 Information Techniques 3.0 Graduate Courses (48 credit hours) Credit hours 101 RES-601 Research Methodology 3.0 1 102 MGT-602 Organizational Culture 3.0 103 MGT-601 Corporate Information Strategy 3.0 104 MCO-607 Web Strategies 3.0 105 MKT-601 Marketing in a Global Environment 3.0 2 106 ECO-601 International Economics 3.0 107 FIN-601 Corporate Finance 3.0 108 FIN-602 Financial Markets and Institutions 3.0 109 ACC-601 Accounting for Decision Making 3.0 3 110 MGT-605 Project Management 3.0 111 MGT-603 Entrepreneurship 3.0 112 FIN-603 Investment Management 3.0 113 MGT-604 Strategic Management 3.0 4 114 MGT-606 Corporate Social Responsibility 3.0 115 FIN-604 Finance for International Business 3.0 116 RES-602 Research Thesis 3.0 8
GRADUATE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS 9
ACADEMIC WRITING ENG 501 Academic Structure Writing This course improves student understanding and application of the writing process. Included are selecting and restricting topics; understanding audience and purpose; devising a plan of development; identifying appropriate supporting details and evidence; proper grammar usage and subordination; coordination, unity; coherence; consistency in format and style; and conciseness. Skills used to develop writing a research paper are emphasized. ENG 502 Academic Style Editing and Revision Techniques This course facilitates a better understanding of writing as a tool of critical analysis. The course focuses on the analysis of selected readings and the application of the research process from selecting/restricting a topic to using library resources (e.g. abstracts, periodicals, book reviews, newspaper indices, electronic, and primary/secondary sources). In addition to gathering, absorbing, and analyzing information and data, the course focuses on documenting, formatting, composing, revising, and editing a final paper. Prerequisite ENG 501 or equivalent or consent of instructor. ENG 503 Academic Library Research Writing This course prepares students for research and report writing required at a professional business level. It is divided into three parts: report development, report research, report writing and presentation. Prerequisite ENG 502. ACCOUNTING ACC 601 Accounting for Decision Making Managers need to understand the ways in which accounting information can be used to guide decision-making. Attention is given to operating leverage decisions, and their impact upon breakeven activity levels. This in turn leads to decisions about pricing and production volumes, about make-or-buy decisions and about outsourcing. A final module considers the role of accounting data in risk management and in the formulation of corporate strategy. ECONOMICS ECO 601 International Economics A review of the development of trade theory from Ricardo to the present leads to discussion of the extent to which the theory describes the realities of international trade. Various national trade and development models autarchy, import substitution and local content requirement policies are critiqued. The widespread use of tariffs and of non-tariff trade barriers is explored, and this in turn leads to analysis of the relative lack of success of GATT and of the World Trade Organization, particularly in the area of agricultural restrictions and price support. The course has a strong research focus, and students are required to prepare a paper and presentation on a current issue in world trade. 10
FINANCE FIN 501 Using Financial information This course enables the student to use and analyze the information provided in financial statements to make reasoned decisions in a variety of important business contexts. The financial standards relevant to the intelligent interpretation of the statements by product, labor, and capital market participants are studied along with traditional analytical techniques such as ratio analysis, trend analysis, and vertical and horizontal analysis. FIN 601 Corporate Finance This course looks at the realities of finance within a corporate entity. Capital investment decisions are reviewed in more detail, with an emphasis upon risk analysis. Additional topics include the management of cash and working capital, and the valuation of companies. The course makes extensive use of case study analysis to link classroom teaching with corporate realities, and also to provide students with additional experience of making presentations. FIN 602 Financial Markets and Institutions An examination of the flow of funds in the economy and of the role of financial intermediary s leads on to discussion of the principal types of financial institutions. The functions and responsibilities of central banks are discussed, together with the mechanism through which commercial banking is reviewed, with emphasis on the role of international commercial banks in the Euromarkets. The role of investment banks and their services to their corporate clients are studied, together with a look at the functions of private banks. The course ends with a description of derivative instruments and their uses. FIN 603 Investment Management The course adopts a structured top-down approach to portfolio design: selection of the most attractive region, followed by country, industry, sector, and lastly the individual company. The various forms of market index and their use as investment benchmarks are explained. The course then goes on to look at management techniques for both equity and fixed-interest portfolios, looking at both performance and value approaches to equity selection. The final evaluation is based on the construction and presentation of detailed portfolios for a variety of clients, personal and institutional. FIN 604 Finance for International Business A key factor in international business is the need to operate in a multi-currency environment. The course looks at the way in which the foreign exchange markets have developed, and how they operate. The determination of spot and forward rates is explained, and students are taught to calculate interest-parity forward prices and to look for arbitrage opportunities. The different concepts of foreign exchange exposure are discussed, which then leads to a detailed study of hedging operations, using both traditional methods and the derivative instruments introduced in Financial Markets and Institutions. 11
MANAGEMENT MGT 519 Principles of Marketing and Advertising This course provides an overview of the field of marketing to give students an awareness of the institutions and methods employed in the marketing of goods and services. Discussions cover such topics as marketing strategies, opportunity and environmental analysis, new product development, and pricing. Different types of advertising media and their adaptation to various types of business activities are reviewed. MGT 518 International Economics This course prepares students to understand the basics of international trade and finance and the effects of various international economic policies on domestic and world welfare. The course will highlight sources of comparative advantage, gains and losses from trade, the impact of trade on economic growth, and effects of trade policy interventions such as tariffs, quotas, voluntary export restraints, and export subsidies. International agreements on regional trade liberalization (such as ECU and NAFTA) and on multilateral trade liberalization will be discussed. Topics on international finance will include balance of payments, determination of foreign exchange rates, and international monetary system. MGT 511 Performance Measurement and Evaluation This course presents quality measurement and performance issues. The course emphasizes process control concepts, metrics, and strategies for improvement. Current techniques such as total quality management, six sigma, balanced scorecard, and others are covered MGT 601 Corporate Information Strategy Case studies to examine how Information Systems support business strategies in the current networked economy. Provide a framework for managerial understanding of IT challenges and opportunities. Highlight the importance of interactions between specialists and end-users for Information Systems to successfully perform according to expectations. MGT 602 Organizational Culture This course examines the dynamics of corporate culture that develop within an organization. Methods of organizational development used in promoting organizational and large system change, the managerial role in such change, communication with the different organizational constituencies (employees, shareholders, public), and the leader s role in promoting change through strategic planning are examined. MGT 603 Entrepreneurship This course examines the factors leading to the creation of new ventures, characteristics of the successful entrepreneur. Organizing and financing a new venture. Strategic Planning and writing a business plan. MGT 604 Strategic Management This course examines the way in which organizations formulate and implement their strategic plans. The key topics include systematic analysis of trends in the operating environment, analysis of the industry and/or sector in which the organization operates, the identification of critical success factors and the recognition of competences. Possible strategies are then identified before continuing to strategic choice and the problems of implementation. Full recognition is given to the fact that although strategic planning is a rational and logical process, it is conducted on the basis of imperfect and volatile information. The course therefore pays considerable attention to risk management, and introduces the development and use of multiple-scenario planning models. The course is largely case-based. Strategic planning at this level has significant research content. There is no final examination. Instead, students are required to undertake a research project on a topic of strategic interest. (A typical project would be to analyze, compare and contrast the strategies of two companies in the same industry). The project results in a paper and in a presentation to the class. MGT 605 Project Management This course examines project initiation and life cycle. Project estimation: resources, cost, time and risks, work and product breakdown structures, tendering and contracting processes, planning, building and leading the team and execution. 12
MANAGEMENT MGT 606 Corporate Social Responsibility The course examines the increasingly important role of corporate social responsibility, recognizing the basic principles of ethical and responsible treatment for stakeholders, within the organization, the community and the environment. The rapid development of CSR as a concept i.e., a better quality of life for everyone -- has made it an essential element of today s curriculum as it cuts across academic disciplines. Students will look at decision making processes in industry with regard to the need to balance business profits and returns on investment with the growing awareness in favor of more sustainable practices. The impact of businesses on communities in both the developed and less-developed countries will be examined, as will the responsibility and governance of issues affecting the stakeholders. In addition, the importance of companies in developing socially responsible strategies will be examined. This will include case studies involving specific industries (e.g., oil & gas) and their ethical role in the integrated, globalized market. MARKETING MKT 601 Marketing in a Global Environment Global marketing operation within the international environment in which firms operate. Recent developments of international business activities. The basic forces driving international business and marketing operations. Market entry strategies and global marketing mix policies, as well as export operations. Organizational issues related to the globalization of the firm. MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS MCO 607 Web Strategies Social and operational aspects of communication through a web site. Developing the web site according to the strategy of the organization. The specific tools of Internet marketing: traffic building, online advertising, search engine marketing, email marketing, and affiliation programs. Development of an Internet marketing plan. 13
RESEARCH RES 601 Research Methodology This course provides an overview and motivation for the use of qualitative and quantitative research methods, including observation, interviewing, questionnaires and surveys, and the use of case studies. This course will provide students with the necessary background on research methodology in which to pursue their graduate research project. RES 602 Research Thesis At the beginning of their MA studies, students will choose or be assigned to a research topic for their MA thesis or research project. Each student will work closely with a research advisor. During the duration of their studies at UBIS, they will work on their Research Project and are encouraged to apply assignments and information from their classes to the development of their research plan. They will meet with their advisor on an as-needed basis to ensure that they are progressing in their project. The research work may be either internal or external (e.g., in the framework of an internship or at the student s workplace). The final result will be a major case study or a written thesis to be presented and defended prior to graduation. Copyright Statement The content of this catalog, including but not limited to all text, graphics, drawings, diagrams, photographs and compilation of data or other materials are protected by copyright. The University of Business and International Studies is the owner of all copyright works contained in this website. Any reproduction, adaptation, distribution, dissemination translation or making available of such copyright works to the public is strictly prohibited unless prior written authorization is obtained from the University of Business and International Studies. STATISTICS STT 523 Research and Statistical Analysis This course is an introduction to the methods and tools of general research. It includes the application of the research process to problem solving and the types of research undertaken and appropriate means of conducting them. Attention to secondary source research through bibliographic methods and on-line resources via the Internet is included. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, including frequency distribution, variability, regression, and correlation will be discussed. A computerized statistical tool is used in the course. TECHNOLOGY TEC 501 Quantitative Methods & Modeling Quantitative techniques for managers decision-making with case studies and exercises using spreadsheet and data analysis tools and computerized research. Conceptual application of statistical methods and reasoning. Topics include Decision Analysis, Simulation, Linear Programming, Transportation and Assignment Models, Forecasting, Network Models, and Waiting Lines and Queuing Theory Models. TEC 502 Information Techniques Foundation course presenting the fundamentals of hardware, software and networks and computer skills in the use of standard personal productivity applications as prerequisites for the Corporate Information Systems course and courses in digital productions. 14
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