Touro University International MBA program-

I will probably enter TUI's MSITM program and I was comparing it to the MBA program. If my MBA concentration was e-commerce or IT, I would only need 3 or 4 additional classes after completing the MSITM. Has anyone esle tried this or looked into it?

Also, the MBA program does not require Accounting, Economics, or Finance classes. I have never seen an MBA program without these core classes. Any ideas why these classes would be missing from an MBA program? If an employer sees a transcript without the core classes, how would it be viewed?

 

This is a real good question ! I am looking forward to answers !!

 

Randell - I haven't seen an MBA without these courses either. Typically, MBA programs provide a broad education in all the management disciplines - org behavior, economics, finance, accounting, marketing, operations, international, MIS, and strategy.

TUI could face some challenges on this should they go for AACSB accreditation. Also, if they employ a standard outcome assessment - such as the Major Field test from ETS, their students will be way short.

This points out that the label "MBA" means lots of different things at different schools.

Regards

 

In response to the Touro MBA not having any accounting, Economics, or finance courses, this is not quite correct. All students are required to take BUS 509, which is essentially a course in decision making from a managerial accounting perspective. Also, for students that did not have accounting in their undergrad program, there is ACC 501, 502, and 504. In finance, there is Fin 501. It is my understanding that these courses are not required, however.

Being an economics major myself, I entered the doctoral program at Touro with some concern. It does indeed seem that there are not a lot of options in Economics at the graduate level, although using economic reasoning is expected and encouraged in the other courses. One of the great things at Touro is that each student is encouraged to write his or her papers based on his own individual expertise. Most of my papers had strong economic overtones even though the courses were not actual economics course as such.

-- Glen

 

All MBA students are required to take BUS509 (4 credits). This course is a combination of ACC501 and FIN501. Back in 1999 it was compulsory for MBA students to enroll in the above-mentioned courses until TUI decided to combine the two together and named it BUS509. Check the course description below:

"This course surveys the use of financial statements and financial instruments as managerial tools in the contemporary organization. Financial statements are examined to identify their strengths and weaknesses as tools for decision making. Contribution margin is introduced as an effective tool to assist managers. Additionally, students study the identification and utilization of relevant costs for decision making. The management of the financial resources of the firm is carefully examined, as are the various instruments for provision of temporary and permanent capital investment. "

PS: Students can still enroll in ACC501/2/3 and FIN501 separately.

Eli
ABD, Touro University International

 

When I was in Touro's MBA program, Accounting 501 and Finance 501 were both required classes. Shortly before I graduated, they offered BUS 509 (which is a combination of accounting and finance). This allowed students to take BUS 509 and the ethics course instead of accounting and finance, to satisfy their core requirements.

Touro offers graduate accounting and finance classes and you can get one of these as your MBA specialization, if you feel it's important to your future employment. It would make sense if you were going to work as a Chief Financial Officer, that's for sure. I think most managers don't need to know how to calculate the value of good will and in which column to indicate that on tax forms. Instead, I think managers need to know how to read financial reports and make good decisions based on financial theories, which is what Touro focuses on.

With regard to your question about an employer and your transcript, I don't think anyone is hired or promoted based on their transcript. I think someone's past performance, the school's reputation (Harvard vs. Turnpike Tech.), the degree (MBA vs. MA in Basket Weaving) and your GPA are far more important factors. I doubt the person actually making the hiring decision will even look at the specific classes you took.

 

This is not true in our case. We scrutinize transcripts very closely, and are much more concerned with the specific courses taken (and how well a candidate did in organic chemistry, for example) than in the overall GPA. We will even hire someone with a GPA as low as 3.0, provided they cut no corners and did well in all the key courses (and at a good school). But these are not MBAs -- we hire chemists and biologists for biotechnology research.

 

I did get a response from TUI.
The MBA not having certain courses - I was told that their MBA focuses on Management rather than finance

The classes from the MSITM carrying over to the MBA; it wil not work. I would need to earn 40 NEW credits for the MBA.

 

I'm glad you didn't review anyone's MBA transcript from University of Florida, which is AACBS. <smile>

http://www.floridamba.ufl.edu/prosp_stu/i1mba/curric.asp

Accounting courses are not part of their program. Instead you take a Personal Finance and Corporate Finance course.

Additionally, ranked in the top 10 business schools, University of Michigan offers no accounting courses as part of their program. They only require Financial Management I and II.

http://www.webmba.umd.umich.edu/ie/program.html

Third Top Ranked US business school, Northwestern University, requires only one course that uses the term Accounting --"Accounting Information for Management Planning and Control." Course Description:

"Covers the use of financial information in management decision making. Topics include profitability and performance measurement issues, and activitybased management."

This is interesting because the description is very close to TUI's BUS509 (Executive Tools for Decision Making). Course Description:

"This course surveys the use of financial statements and financial instruments as managerial tools in the contemporary organization. Financial statements are examined to identify their strengths and weaknesses as tools for decision making. Contribution margin is introduced as an effective tool to assist managers. Additionally, students study the identification and utilization of relevant costs for decision making. The management of the financial resources of the firm is carefully examined, as are the various instruments for provision of temporary and permanent capital investment."

It is likely that University of Florida, University of Michigan, and Northwestern, like other top ranked AACBS schools, and even R/A TUI, expects that accounting requirements be satisfied during a student's undergraduate program. Accordingly, instead of revisiting accounting courses, they focus on building managerial skills and how to use financial tools and data for making financial and strategic decisions.

Although, my MBA program required I take accounting, it is from the financial management and strategy courses that I gained the most benefit.

So for everyone out there, when reviewing resumes and transcripts, be kind to those poor folks that did not take accounting courses as part of their MBA. It is a good chance it was not offered as part of their MBA curriculum, even in a Top Ten Business School program.

Tom

 

You forgot to include the stats and math that also not part of the program. Why? Simple, these are the type of courses that scare students. An MBA without these courses is highly marketable. However, I don't think that a Touro MBA would qualify for any financial or statistic analyst position.

 

So I guess those top MBA schools also don't require GMAT, working experience, accounting, stats, quantitative models, and management science.

 

Isn't ACC 555 Cost Management an accounting couse that is part of the MBA?

 

Randell, I would look for a better Master's of MIS. A good Master's of MIS should have at least some courses in Database Management, Systems Analysis and Design, Telecommunications Management, Project Management and Programming skills. Touro Master's degree in MIS seems to me too general.

 

RFValve posted:

"You forgot to include the stats and math that also not part of the program. Why? Simple, these are the type of courses that scare students. An MBA without these courses is highly marketable. However, I don't think that a Touro MBA would qualify for any financial or statistic analyst position."

Hi RFValve (neat nickname btw)

Can we save you some time and let you just state
that you don't like * ANYTHING * about Touro? OK?

Thank you!

I am not sure that ONLY having ANY MBA would qualify
a person for any financial or statistic analyst position,
so your point here seems to be a bit weak too ... B-)

Touro's a new school. One that is constantly improving
and raising it's bar. Let's swap notes again in another
5 to 10 years and see how/who is setting the norm ...

Disclaimer: I am a TUI Ph.D. learner, one who in several
recent job interviews has yet to have 'defend' my TUI MBA.

BTW, Touro does require prior undergraduate work in basic
business areas ... but that's not the real issue here.

You just don't like the school ... period. For others tho,
it's an option worthy of consideration. So be it ...

Billy

AA/BA - TESC
MBA -Touro
Ph.D. student - CBA Touro

 

I agree, I should have said "An MBA from Touro would not help to get a financial analyst position".

I have nothing against the school. But the program is weak is some areas. If Randell is looking for a program that can "help" him to land a good job in MIS, he must look for the best his money and effort can get. I honestly think that the Master's of MIS program from Touro is not precisely the strongest one in the market.

 

Perhaps it is more a matter of whether you are looking for an MBA targeted at business management and executive leadership, or if you are looking to work in some other capacity as a financial analyst or planner. If you are looking to be a financial analyst, I would look for a program that is focused on accounting, finance, economics and statistics. Perhaps a masters in accounting, economics or finance would be even more appropriate.

Having served as a senior VP of one of the largest telecommunications providers in the U.S. (one that is "not" in trouble) and more currently at the helm of national technology consulting firm with 425 employees, I can comfortably say that business management, leadership and strategic thinking and planning are the most relevant aspects of my job, and that of my executive management team as well.

Accordingly, I would have no issue with the substance of a Touro University MBA or one that is similar when deciding to hire or promote managers and executives for my team. I am more interested in a solid management foundation, decision-making skills and good common sense. This may not be the case for Wall Street, but with 20 years of service working in a senior consulting and executive level capacity, I have found my position and rationale to be common in most organizations today.

 

I agree, but perhaps Touro should change the name for the MBA and use one like a Master of Management and Leadership program. In any case, if a Touro MBA would decide to go for a PhD in BA at another accredited university, he would normally be asked to take extra courses to make up for the lack of accounting, finance and stats.

 

RFValve stated:

"In any case, if a Touro MBA would decide to go for
a PhD in BA at another accredited university, he would
normally be asked to take extra courses to make up
for the lack of accounting, finance and stats."

"In *** ANY *** case" ??????????

So is this fact or just one more way of saying you
simply don't like the school? Which PhD in BA schools
have required TUI MBA graduates to enroll is such
additional course work?

Would such conditions not also apply to other MBA
programs? Or are you just taking another 'shot' at
a university you personally dislike ...

BTW, TUI does offer additional course work options ...
so a TUI MBA might actually have MORE emphasis in
those areas due to the electives selected than other
MBA programs ...

RFValve, you continue to make blanket statements without
substance, why is that?

Billy

Disclaimer: Current TUI Ph.D. learner

 

OK, I give up!. I guess I must accept the fact that new PhDs in Business Administration won't have background in Finance, accounting, economics and stats. You win!

In a way is better for us that took those course since we will eliminate the competition when it comes to teach those courses.

Disclaimer: Current Business Professor