STEM Designation
The MBA/MSM is a dual degree program with a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) designation. Due to the demand of graduates with expertise in STEM fields, the Department of Homeland Security permits international students graduating from STEM programs to apply for a 24 month extension of their initial year of Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more detailed information, please visit the ISSO webpage.
Curriculum
19-25 Courses
51-67.5 Credits
Program Length:
Full-time in as few as 16 months
Part-time in as few as 24 months
Contextualize: From Boston to the World (5 credits)
Must be taken in the first semester.
| SBS-700 | Unlocking Your Professional Potential | 1 |
| MBA-701 | Values Based Decision Making | 1 |
| MBA-710 | Understanding World Class Clusters | 3 |
MBA Core Courses (13.5 credits)
May be waived.
| MBA-605 | Think Like a Leader | 1.5 |
| MBA-635 | Operations Management: Design and Analysis | 3 |
| MBA-640 | Corporate Financial Reporting and Control | 3 |
| MBA-650 | Value Based Financial Management | 3 |
| MBA-660 | Marketing: the Challenge of Managing Value | 3 |
Understand Business Fundamentals (9 credits)
MSM Core Courses (12 credits)
MKT-810 may be waived with substitution from approved MKT/MKIB elective list.
| ISOM-631 | Data Analytics with SAS Base | 3 |
| MKT-810 | Marketing Research for Managers | 3 |
| MKT-814 | Strategic Marketing | 3 |
| MKIB-819 | Global Perspectives in Consumer Marketing | 3 |
Marketing Internship (3 credits)
May be waived. Required for students with no prior relevant work experience, may possibly be used as an elective for all other students.
Advanced Marketing Core Courses (6 credits)
| MKT-860 | Qualitative Methods and Customer Insights | 3 |
| MKT-870 | Advanced Marketing Analytics With R | 3 |
Construct the Big Picture (7 credits)
| MBA-745 | Contextualizing Values Based Decision Making | 1 |
| MBA-750 | Building Global Connections | 3 |
| MBA-760 | World Class Strategies | 3 |
Capstone Courses (6 credits)
Should be taken as late in the program as possible.
MSM Capstone: Take one from the following two courses:
MBA Capstone
| MBA-770 | Leading and Implementing Change | 3 |
Marketing Elective Courses (6 credits)
Select two (2) courses from the approved MSM electives list. If MKT-810 is waived, this course must be substituted with an approved MKT/MKIB elective.
Approved Electives by Discipline
Marketing
| MKIB-812 | Global Branding and Communication Strategies | 3 |
| MKIB-816 | Managing Relationships in the Global Supply Chain | 3 |
| MKIB-817 | International Marketing | 3 |
| MKT-818 | Global Product Innovation | 3 |
| MKT-820 | Sales Management | 3 |
| MKT-845 | Advanced Digital Analytics | 3 |
| MKT-846 | Marketing in the Age of Exponential Technology | 3 |
| MKT-854 | Biotech Industry & Marketing Application | 3 |
| MKT-855 | Digital Marketing Challenges | 3 |
| MKT-877 | Customer Experience: a Neuromarketing Perspective | 3 |
| MKT-920 | Marketing Internship | 3 |
Accounting
Information Systems and Operations Management
| ISOM-801 | Solving Business Problems Using Advanced Excel | 3 |
| ISOM-821 | Data Management and Modeling | 3 |
| ISOM-835 | Predictive Analytics | 3 |
| ISOM-839 | Prescriptive Analytics: Modeling & Optimization | 3 |
| ISOM-840 | Security and Privacy | 3 |
| ISOM-845 | Business Intelligence, Data Visualization, and Storytelling | 3 |
| ISOM-851 | Supply Chain Management | 3 |
| ISOM-861 | Project Management: Gaining Competitive Advantage | 3 |
International Business
Management & Entrepreneurship
| MBA-920 | MBA Student Business Clinic | 3 |
| MGES-842 | Global Innovation & New Product Development in Virtual Team | 3 |
Organizational Behavior
Strategy
Concentrations
Concentrations may be an option for students who waive MKT-810. If waived, MKT-810 must be substituted with an MKT/MKIB elective. This elective, combined with the 2 other MSM electives required in the dual degree, could be used towards a concentration in Global Marketing, Product Management, or Market Research and Customer Insights. Students may declare a concentration with three (3) electives from the same functional area. The schedule of when courses within a concentration are offered vary by semester.
Students who declare a concentration must submit an SBS Graduate Program Concentration Request Form. Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor before they declare a concentration.
The concentration appears on the transcript, not the diploma.
Global Marketing Concentration
Learn how to assess foreign market attractiveness, formulate marketing plans for global market entry and expansion, and devise marketing strategies in multiple areas of the world. Experience global marketing first-hand through an international travel course to cap off your MSM program.
Electives for Global Marketing (9 credits)
Choose three (3) from the following:
| MBA-740 | Immerse- Travel Seminar | 3 |
| MGES-842 | Global Innovation & New Product Development in Virtual Team | 3 |
| MKIB-812 | Global Branding and Communication Strategies | 3 |
| MKIB-817 | International Marketing | 3 |
| MKT-818 | Global Product Innovation | 3 |
| MKT-845 | Advanced Digital Analytics | 3 |
| MKT-846 | Marketing in the Age of Exponential Technology | 3 |
| MKT-854 | Biotech Industry & Marketing Application | 3 |
| MKT-920 | Marketing Internship | 3 |
| ISOM-840 | Security and Privacy | 3 |
| MGOB-835 | Managing Difficult People at Work | 3 |
Market Research and Customer Insights Concentration
Demand for market research and analytic skills is high in most industries today. You will develop knowledge and skills to design and implement qualitative and/or quantitative research studies, analyze data, and extract insights to inform high-quality strategic marketing decision-making.
Electives for Market Research and Customer Insights (9 credits)
Choose three (3) from the following:
| ISOM-801 | Solving Business Problems Using Advanced Excel | 3 |
| ISOM-821 | Data Management and Modeling | 3 |
| ISOM-835 | Predictive Analytics | 3 |
| ISOM-839 | Prescriptive Analytics: Modeling & Optimization | 3 |
| ISOM-840 | Security and Privacy | 3 |
| ISOM-845 | Business Intelligence, Data Visualization, and Storytelling | 3 |
| ISOM-851 | Supply Chain Management | 3 |
| ISOM-861 | Project Management: Gaining Competitive Advantage | 3 |
| MGOB-835 | Managing Difficult People at Work | 3 |
| MKT-818 | Global Product Innovation | 3 |
| MKT-820 | Sales Management | 3 |
| MKT-845 | Advanced Digital Analytics | 3 |
| MKT-846 | Marketing in the Age of Exponential Technology | 3 |
| MKT-855 | Digital Marketing Challenges | 3 |
| MKT-877 | Customer Experience: a Neuromarketing Perspective | 3 |
Product Management Concentration
Gain broad understanding about marketing management in terms of product/service development and delivery, brand strategy, pricing decisions, sales forecasting, and innovative ways in which to communicate and engage with customers.
Electives for Product Management (9 credits)
Choose three (3) from the following:
| ACCT-804 | Cost and Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| ISOM-840 | Security and Privacy | 3 |
| MGES-842 | Global Innovation & New Product Development in Virtual Team | 3 |
| MGOB-835 | Managing Difficult People at Work | 3 |
| MGOB-855 | Conflict & Negotiation | 3 |
| MGSM-833 | Corporate Innovation | 3 |
| MKIB-812 | Global Branding and Communication Strategies | 3 |
| MKT-818 | Global Product Innovation | 3 |
| MKT-820 | Sales Management | 3 |
| MKT-845 | Advanced Digital Analytics | 3 |
| MKT-846 | Marketing in the Age of Exponential Technology | 3 |
| MKT-854 | Biotech Industry & Marketing Application | 3 |
| MKT-855 | Digital Marketing Challenges | 3 |
Waiver Policy
MBA core courses may be waived. Among MSM courses, MKT-810 and MKT-920 may be waived. If waived, MKT-810 must be substituted with an MKT/MKIB elective.
To waive MBA 605, a student must have a minimum of one year post graduate relevant business experience. To waive all other MBA core courses, a student must successfully complete equivalent academic coursework at the undergraduate/graduate level in the seven (7) years prior to MBA/MSM matriculation, with a grade of “B” or better, and provide official transcripts (with English translations, if applicable).
To waive MKT-810 a student must successfully complete equivalent coursework at the undergraduate/graduate level in the seven (7) years prior to the MBA/MSM matriculation, earning a grade of "B" or better, and provide official transcripts (with English translations, if applicable). To waive MKT-920, a student must have prior relevant work experience.
All waiver requests are evaluated upon a student’s acceptance into the MBA/MSM Program and are waived during the student’s first semester. A student may also elect to take a proficiency exam, for a fee, to gain a waiver for an MBA core course. Proficiency exams must be taken in the first semester and are administered on the Boston campus with prior arrangements.
All MBA/MSM students must complete a minimum of 51 credits in the Sawyer Business School.
Transfer Policy
Any candidate seeking transfer credits, taken at the graduate level from an AACSB-accredited graduate program in business, will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. These credits may be considered for transfer if the credits do not apply to a previously completed degree.
Transfer credits must have an earned grade of "B" or better and have been taken within seven (7) years prior to entering the Suffolk MBA/MSM program. However, at the discretion of the MSM program director, marketing core courses may not be transferred if the subject material has changed significantly since completion. A maximum of six (6) credits may be considered for transfer.
Students Who Leave Boston Before Their Degree is Complete
Occasionally, Suffolk MBA/MSM students must leave the Boston area having not yet completed their degree. The Business School has several options available to ensure completion of the Suffolk MBA/MSM. You may be able to transfer in six (6) credits of elective courses from an AACSB-accredited MBA or MSM Program close to your new place of residence. Courses must be pre-approved by Suffolk’s assistant dean of graduate programs and have a grade of “B” or better.
Students who leave the area may also be able to complete the MBA (all or a portion) of their Suffolk MBA/MSM on a part-time basis online. The MSM degree is not available online.