Overview
The MSBA/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 website.
Curriculum
16 Courses
46 Credits
Program Length:
Full-time in as few as 16 months
Part-time in as few as 28 months
Required Introductory Course (1 credit)
Must be taken on campus in first semester of program.
| SBS-700 | Unlocking Your Professional Potential | 1 |
Required Prerequisite Course (3 credits)
May be waived with substitution of approved MSM elective course.
| MBA-660 | Marketing: the Challenge of Managing Value | 3 |
Business Analytics Core Courses (18 credits)
| ISOM-631 | Data Analytics with SAS Base | 3 |
| ISOM-801 | Solving Business Problems Using Advanced Excel | 3 |
| ISOM-821 | Data Management and Modeling | 3 |
| ISOM-825 | Enterprise Data Management | 3 |
| ISOM-827 | Data Warehouse and Business Intelligence | 3 |
| ISOM-835 | Predictive Analytics | 3 |
Marketing Core Courses (15 credits)
MKT-810 may be waived with substitution of approved MKT/MKIB course.
| MKIB-819 | Global Perspectives in Consumer Marketing | 3 |
| MKT-810 | Marketing Research for Managers | 3 |
| MKT-814 | Strategic Marketing | 3 |
| MKT-860 | Qualitative Methods and Customer Insights | 3 |
| MKT-870 | Advanced Marketing Analytics With R | 3 |
Marketing Internship (3 credits)
May be waived with prior relevant work experience. If waived, must substitute with an approved MSM elective course.
Capstone Courses (6 credits)
Should be taken as late in the program as possible.
MSBA Capstone:
| ISOM-837 | From Data Mining to Business Insights | 3 |
Choose one of the following:
Elective Courses
Elective courses are only taken if a student has courses waived. If waived, MBA-660 and MKT-920 must be substituted with any MSM elective below. If waived, MKT-810 must be substituted with a MKT/MKIB elective below.
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-920 | Marketing Internship | 3 |
Accounting
Entrepreneurship
| MGES-842 | Global Innovation & New Product Development in Virtual Team | 3 |
Information Systems and Operations Management
| 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
Organizational Behavior
Strategy
Concentrations
Students that waive a combined 3 courses under the Marketing Internship, Required Prerequisite, or Marketing Core courses may be able to use substituted courses 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 varies 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.
Choose three (3) from the following:
| 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.
Choose three (3) from the following:
| 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 |
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.
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 |
Course Substitution Policy
To substitute an approved elective for an ISOM course, a student must successfully complete equivalent academic coursework at the graduate level in the seven (7) years prior to MSBA/MSM matriculation, with a grade of "B" or better, and provide official transcripts (with English translations, if applicable).
To substitute an approved MSM elective for MBA-660 and MKT-920, or approved MKT/MKIB elective for MKT-810, a student must successfully complete equivalent academic coursework at the undergraduate/graduate level in the seven (7) years prior to the MSBA/MSM matriculation, with a grade of "B" or better, and students must provide official transcripts (with English translation, if applicable).
All substitutions are evaluated upon a student's acceptance into the MSBA/MSM program.
All MSBA/MSM students must complete a minimum of 46 graduate credits (15 courses and SBS-700) 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 and must be substituted with an approved elective.
Transfer credits must have an earned grade of "B" or better and be taken within seven (7) years prior to entering the Suffolk MSBA/MSM program.
Students Who Leave Boston Before Their Degree is Complete
Occasionally, Suffolk MSBA/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 MSBA/MSM. You may be able to transfer in six (6) credits of elective courses from an AACSB-accredited 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 MSBA (all or a portion) of their Suffolk MSBA/MSM on a part-time basis online. The MSM degree is not available online.