Master of Business Administration - Finance

Program Overview

The MBA with a Finance emphasis at Southern Utah University is offered online, providing significant flexibility for working professionals and those seeking to complete their degree efficiently. The program utilizes a 7-week class structure, allowing students to progress quickly, potentially completing the 33-credit hour degree in as few as 12 months. It focuses on enriching students' expertise in real-world investment practices across various settings, including traditional firms, early-stage companies, mergers and acquisitions, and more. The program aims to hone students' abilities in financial analysis, forecasting, and other key aspects of financial management.

AACSB Accredited: The Dixie L. Leavitt School of Business at Southern Utah University, which houses the MBA program with all its emphases, holds the prestigious accreditation from AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. This accreditation represents the highest standard of achievement for business schools worldwide, attained by only a small percentage of business programs globally. AACSB accreditation signifies that SUU's business programs, including the MBA with a Finance emphasis, meet rigorous standards for quality in curriculum, faculty qualifications, research, and student outcomes. This ensures that graduates receive a globally recognized and highly respected degree, enhancing their credibility and competitiveness in the finance and broader business sectors.

Curriculum: The 33-credit hour MBA curriculum for the Finance emphasis includes 24 credit hours of core MBA courses and 9 credit hours of specialized finance emphasis courses. Core MBA courses cover essential business principles such as Managing People & Organizations, Operations & Supply Chain Management, Leadership, Advanced Managerial Accounting, Managerial Economics, Marketing, and Strategy. The Finance emphasis courses delve into critical areas such as "Managerial Finance" (as a core MBA course), "Investments," and "Entrepreneurial Finance." This blended curriculum ensures students develop a solid foundation in general business management while gaining specialized knowledge in valuation approaches, financial statement analysis, economic forecasting, and the cost of capital.

Research Focus: While the MBA in Finance is a professional master's degree aimed at practical application, Southern Utah University's curriculum is informed by scholarly theory and quantitative analysis. The program emphasizes the use of mathematical analysis in areas such as mergers and acquisitions, investment banking, risk, and credit. Students learn to gain an in-depth understanding of financial statements to better evaluate and forecast economic performance and improve their skill in developing estimates of future growth and the required cost of capital. Faculty members, who often possess both academic credentials and practical industry experience, integrate current research and best practices into their teaching, preparing students to be critical and ethical decision-makers in complex financial scenarios. The program also involves applied projects, demonstrating the application of theoretical concepts to real-world financial challenges.

Industry Engagement: Southern Utah University's School of Business, including the MBA with a Finance emphasis, is dedicated to ensuring its programs are highly relevant to industry needs. The curriculum is designed to provide "experiential projects and practical curriculum" that focuses on real-world investment practices. The program aims to prepare students for diverse professional roles in financial management and analysis, whether working independently as consultants or for organizations of any size and type. The dedicated Career Coach for business students and employer outreach efforts by the university further facilitate internships and employment opportunities, highlighting the program's strong connection to industry demands and professional development.

Global Perspective: Southern Utah University's MBA program, including the Finance emphasis, inherently fosters a global perspective through its core business curriculum, which aims for graduates to "understand the global, ethical and sociopolitical context of business." Finance is an inherently global field, influenced by international markets, economic policies, and cross-border transactions. While specific "global finance" courses are not explicitly detailed, the curriculum's broad focus on investments, valuation, and economic forecasting implicitly incorporates an understanding of international financial dynamics. The university's commitment to supporting international students and offering a diverse learning environment further contributes to a globally aware classroom experience, preparing graduates to navigate and contribute to the interconnected global financial landscape.