The Tracks allow students to organize electives around a common theme. The M.B.A. program at Penn State Harrisburg offers tracks in seven areas:

  • Accounting
  • Business Analytics
  • Finance
  • Information Systems
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Strategic Leadership and Innovation
  • General Business

Accounting

The objective of this Track is to provide the student, when combined with an undergraduate degree in accounting or comparable additional coursework, with the stipulated number of academic credits to satisfy the educational requirements for CPA licensure in Pennsylvania and most other states. Emphasis is placed on advanced level accounting skills including auditing, financial reporting, and taxation.

In consultation with an adviser, select 9 credits of the following:

  • ACCT 504 Auditing Theory and Practice (3)
  • ACCT 510 Business Tax Planning: Theory and Practice (3)
  • ACCT 532 Accounting Information and Decision Systems (3)
  • ACCT 545 Strategic Cost Management (3)
  • ACCT 561 Financial Statement Analysis II (3)
  • ACCT 572 Financial Reporting I (3)
  • ACCT 573 Financial Reporting II (3)
  • ACCT 590 or ACCT 890 Colloquium (1-3)
  • ACCT 596 or ACCT 896 Individual Studies (1-9)
  • ACCT 597 or ACCT 897 Special Topics (1-9)
  • BUS 554 Master's Project (3)*
  • Other courses by program approval

Business Analytics

The objective of this Track is to provide the student with data analytical skills that enable them to gain data insights and transform data into strategic decisions.

In consultation with an adviser, select 9 credits of the following:

  • BUS554 Master's Project (3)*
  • INFSY 535 Object-Oriented Design and Program Development in Business (3)
  • INFSY 555 Data Management Systems (3)
  • INFSY 565 Intelligent Systems in Business (3)
  • INFSY 566 Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery (3)
  • INFSY 896 Individual Studies (1-9)*
  • MRKT 572 Marketing Research (3)
  • SC&IS 570 Supply Chain Engineering (3)
  • Other courses by program approval

Finance

The objective of this Track is to examine and apply complex economic and financial models and techniques in decision making. Electives for the Finance Track cover four areas: corporate finance, investment, financial institution, and international finance. This Track also assists the student in preparation for the Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) exam.

In consultation with an adviser, select 9 credits of the following:

  • ACCT 572 Financial Reporting I or ACCT 573 Financial Reporting II (3)
  • BUS 554 Master's Project (3)*
  • FINAN 518 Financial Markets and the Economy (3)
  • FINAN 522 Investment and Portfolio Management (3)
  • FINAN 523 Risk Management of Modern Financial Institutions (3)
  • FINAN 526 International Finance (3)
  • FINAN 527 Derivative Securities (3)
  • FINAN 530 Advanced Corporate Finance (3)**
  • FINAN 531 Managing Financial Operations (3)
  • FINAN 590 or FINAN 890 Colloquium (1-3)
  • FINAN 596 or FINAN 896 Individual Studies (1-9)
  • FINAN 597 or FINAN 897 Special Topics (1-9)
  • Other courses by program approval

Information Systems

The objective of this Track is to develop a comprehensive understanding of information technology management and the software development competencies and tools that facilitate better business decisions. The required course for this track provides knowledge of object-oriented software development. Electives cover both information technology areas such as database management, web development and data mining, and management of information technology areas such as e-commerce, software engineering and global information technology.

Required Course (3 credits):

  • INFSY 535 Object-Oriented Design and Program Development in Business (3)

Note that a student should take the required course before taking other electives.

Electives (6 credits): In consultation with an adviser, select 6 credits of the following:

  • BUS 554 Master's Project (3)*
  • INFSY 547 WEB Enabled Technologies (3)
  • INFSY 555 Data Management Systems (3)
  • INFSY 560 Data Communications Systems and Networks (3)
  • INFSY 565 Intelligent Systems in Business (3)
  • INFSY 566 Data Mining and knowledge Discovery (3)
  • INFSY 570 Software Engineering in the Analysis and Design of Information Systems (3)
  • INFSY 590 or INFSY 890 Colloquium (1-3)
  • INFSY 596 or INFSY 896 Individual Studies (1-9)
  • INFSY 597 or INFSY 897 Special Topics (1-9)
  • Other courses by program approval

Strategic Leadership and Innovation

The objective of this Track is to provide students with the knowledge necessary for understanding the process of innovation and the organizational characteristics that facilitate the process. Upon completing the track, students will have the competencies necessary for leading the formulation and implementation of an entrepreneurial strategy.

In consultation with an adviser, select 9 credits of the following:

  • BUS 554 Master's Project (3)*
  • BUS 580 Sustainable Business Theory Functions & Strategy (3)
  • MRKT 570 Marketing Strategy and Planning (3)
  • MNGMT 505 Managing Human Resources (3)
  • MNGMT 514 Organizational Innovation and New Venture Development (3)
  • MNGMT 515 Labor Management Relations (3)
  • MNGMT 570 Leadership Development (3)
  • MNGMT 590 Colloquium (1-3)
  • MNGMT 596 or MNGMT 896 Individual Studies (1-9)
  • MNGMT 597 or MNGMT 897 Special Topics (1-9)
  • Other courses by program approval

Supply Chain Management

The objective of this Track is to provide the competencies and tools for developing the effective and efficient physical flow of goods as well as the information and financial flows necessary to effect them. Emphasis is both on organizations needing to design, maintain, and optimize their supply chains, and those that provide the requisite enabling services such as those engaged in transportation, warehousing, information intermediaries, and third-party combinations.

In consultation with an adviser, select 9 credits of the following:

  • BUS 554 Master’s Project (3)*
  • MNGMT 523 Service Operations Management (3)**
  • SC&IS 540 Transportation and Distribution Management (3)
  • SC&IS 546 Procurement and Supply Management (3)
  • SC&IS 565 Supply Chain Strategy (3)
  • SC&IS 570 Supply Chain Engineering (3)
  • SC&IS 590 Colloquium (1-3)
  • SC&IS 596 Individual Studies (1-9)
  • SC&IS 597 Special Topics (1-9)
  • Other courses by program approval

General Business

The objective of this Track is to provide for students who wish to develop a broad generalist program, or who have a particular personal or professional goals not met by one of the other tracks. Select 9 graduate credits, in consultation with an adviser.

Individual Studies (1-9) and BUS 554 Master's Project (3) can be used to satisfy elective credits. With the program approval, a maximum of 6 graduate credits may be selected in courses outside of the School of Business Administration.

*Providing that the project or the study is relevant to the Track.

**Cannot be used to satisfy elective credits if taken as part of Foundation or Prescribed Courses.