MBA Program Student Guide

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The SIUE MBA Program

Congratulations on your admission, and welcome to the SIUE MBA program! The faculty of the MBA program developed this guide to assist you in achieving your goal: completing your MBA. We hope that your time in the program will be productive and that you will accrue many benefits from the program, including knowledge, skills and networking opportunities with peers, faculty, corporate partners and staff in the School of Business. Recent changes in the format of the SIUE MBA program led to the development of this guide, which will help you make the most of your learning experience while you are enrolled in the program. As you progress through your program courses, please don’t hesitate to ask questions of your faculty, program director and advisor; we are here to assist you in your studies.

Starting in Fall 2014, all MBA courses will be available in either hybrid/blended or online formats. Hybrid/blended courses typically run from 6-9:30 p.m., one evening per week for eight weeks. Online courses will also conform to the eight-week schedule, and may include some scheduled meetings either in person or in online synchronous scheduled time periods.

We recognize that you lead active lives and, at the same time, you need access to a quality AACSB-accredited MBA curriculum while balancing work and personal life commitments. In our consultations with students, faculty, advisory board members and deans at many AACSB-accredited schools of

business, we concluded that offering our students flexibility and the ability to move back and forth between hybrid/blended and/or online formats would constitute the best strategy for our students. This means that depending on your work, travel and personal schedules for any given term, you may take courses in either or both formats as best fits your schedule. This added flexibility should benefit you as you pursue the completion of an AACSB-accredited MBA degree. See Appendix A for a listing of the anticipated course offerings by semester starting in Fall 2014.

General Expectations of MBA StudentsLearning Goals

The objective of the MBA program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is to produce graduates with the ability to:1. Identify and define business problems2. Generate and evaluate alternative courses of action3. Implement a chosen course of action and evaluate its

outcome in the context of a dynamic organization4. Discern and appreciate the ethical implications of

decisions5. Discern and appreciate the impact of the global

environment on the management of people and processes

6. Integrate current and emerging functional knowledge into the decision-making process

7. Communicate effectively

Assessment

Assessment of student learning is used to evaluate the achievement of the MBA program learning goals. Each of the core courses in the MBA program has one or two of the program learning goals as a primary focus. Student achievement of these goals is assessed through regular course assignments, case analyses, simulations and exam questions. All MBA students will complete a comprehensive assessment of their disciplinary knowledge through a simulation-based assessment in the program’s capstone course, MBA 534. The objective of these assessments is not to evaluate individual student achievement, but rather to evaluate the overall performance of our students in mastering each objective. The results from the assessment activities are used to continuously improve the curriculum, course content and course pedagogies.

SIUE MBA Student Guide

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Professionalism

The faculty of the School of Business has adopted a Code of Professionalism, which applies to all students, staff and faculty who teach in the School’s programs, including the MBA program. The code addresses behavioral expectations for time management and interactions with faculty and peers:“Faculty, staff and students in the School of Business at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville shall contribute to a culture of integrity and professionalism. Our School’s culture encourages behaviors expected of educated and self-disciplined individuals. These behaviors include:• being honest;• being reliable and

prepared;• being responsible for

one’s own actions anddecisions; and

• being respectful of allindividuals.”

As this code indicates, professionalism and academic integrity are central values of the School of Business. We expect students to be honest to themselves about their preparation for each class session and engage fully in all activities designed for this purpose. Additionally, we expect students to contribute to an atmosphere that is respectful of your goals and those of your fellow students. The expectations are that students in the program exhibit professionalism in their interactions with their peers and instructors. Such interactions include discussions during the class meetings, and face-to-face and electronic communication with your peers and instructors. Finally, we believe that class sessions should be treated as one would treat a regular business meeting. Thus, your focus

during class sessions should be on the materials being discussed; the use of electronic devices (laptops, tablets, etc.) should be restricted to class activities such as note taking.

As our Code of Professionalism includes a statement on honesty, academic misconduct in the MBA program will not be tolerated. Academic misconduct includes cheating, plagiarism, falsification of records, unauthorized possession of examinations, intimidation and any other actions that may improperly affect the evaluation of your performance. Assisting others in such activities also constitutes academic misconduct. Penalties for such actions may range from grade penalties to official disciplinary action. University policies on academic misconduct are discussed in the Student Academic Code.

Course Preparation

Fulfilling the three-credit hour requirement for each course requires about 5.5 hours of instructional time per week (exclusive of individual course preparation time).

Hybrid courses use both in-class “seat time” and online lectures to fulfill this requirement. Each week, a hybrid class will meet from 6-9:30 p.m. The remaining instructional time (about two hours per week) will be provided via online lectures, assignments, discussions or exercises. SIUE defines a hybrid/blended course as one that “blends online and face-to-face teaching …” with 30-74 percent of the content “… provided online with some course meetings replaced by online sessions (usually in Blackboard)” (Source: http://www.siue.edu/its/idlt/learning/index.shtml).

School of Business faculty have many options to use technology to assist your learning. Bottom line: the amount of time and effort required to successfully complete a hybrid/blended course equals at least the requirements for a traditional, face-to-face course — or more. The major difference is in the method of content delivery and method of achieving your work.

An online course will contain more than 75+ percent of its content online. The delivery method may include one or more of the following: fully synchronous online delivery; partially synchronous online delivery; fully asynchronous online delivery; and up to 25 percent face-to-face delivery. Instructional time each week will be delivered on Blackboard, Collaborate, WebEx or a similar platform. Every effort will be made to include meeting times and dates (including synchronous online times) in CougarNet. Students may also contact the faculty member to verify course meeting times.

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Students will enter into a contract with their instructors via acceptance of the syllabus. Instructors may formalize this with a signature page for the students. Participation in online discussion is generally required. Students are expected to follow participation policies specified by each instructor.

Netiquette Standards

Proper netiquette (or email etiquette) helps to minimize misinterpretation of your message. For example, typing in all capital letters is the equivalent of YELLING at your recipient! Boise State University provides a Netiquette Top 10 List for electronic communications: • Spelling and grammar• The YOU attitude• Get to the point• Proofread• Use good tone• Double check the address• Attach in PDF format• Remember messages are permanent• Respond promptly• Be professional at all times

We strongly recommend keeping these points in mind when communicating by email and in discussion lists and blogs.

Participation Expectations

SIUE’s Guidelines for Class Scheduling and Publications- (Policy) 1C1 includes provisions and expectations for determining credit hours per course. In alignment with requirements of the U.S. Department of Education, the Higher Learning Commission and the Illinois Board of Higher Education, each credit hour on average requires three or more hours of work per week. For a “traditional” three-credit hour course over 16 weeks, that usually consists of three hours of face-to-face instruction plus six or more hours spent outside of class for a total of at least nine hours. Bottom line: for an eight-week, three-credit hour course, you need to budget at least 18 hours per week of your time and effort!

SIUE’s Student Rights and Conduct, Student Academic Code – 3C2 outlines expectations of students as good citizens of the University (e.g., knowing and following

instructions in course syllabi, balancing responsibilities and obligations to family and work with responsibilities for the quality of education), defines academic misconduct (including, but not limited to, plagiarism and cheating), and details procedures to address academic misconduct.

In conjunction with committing the necessary time and abiding by SIUE’s academic code, your faculty expect you to:

• Read the entire course syllabus• Ask questions directly and immediately if you do not

understand the instructions or due dates for an assignment• Organize your time in a way that allows you to

thoughtfully and thoroughly complete assignments• Be responsible for keeping up with assignment due dates

and submitting them on time or before they are due.• Understand that technical problems related to computer

connections or equipment cannot be used as an excuse for failure to complete assignments or participate online

- Locate the computer hardware, software or Internet connections necessary to stay connected and current with your course work online

- Be aware of alternate Internet connections available through SIUE’s computer labs, SIUE’s library, the public library and any friends, relatives or neighbors and utilize them if your personal computer equipment is not working

• Understand that technical problems with courseware will require you to contact SIUE’s helpdesk (email: help@siue.edu, website: siue.edu/its/bb ) for technical support.

Testing

Your instructor will inform you of the date, time and testing environment requirements for your course. Faculty may require you to complete tests face-to-face, online, or at a testing center or other approved venue. In addition, you may face strict time restrictions for completing required tests and assessments. Please refer to SIUE’s Student Rights and Conduct, Student Academic Code – 3C2 for definitions of and recourse regarding academic misconduct.

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Technical Notes

A. Optimal Hardware and Software Requirements for Blackboard/Collaborate

Minimum Recommended

Operating SystemWindows 7 or 8Mac OSX – Snow Leopard

Windows 7 or 8Mac OSX – Mavericks

BrowsersInternet Explorer 11 (or later)*Firefox 27 (or later)Chrome

RAM Memory 1 GB 4 GB

Monitor Resolution 1024 X 768 1024 X 768

Sound/AudioSound cardSpeakers or headphones

Internet Connection Broadband (high-speed) Broadband or higher

Wireless Connection

Wifi – unsecure wifi may cause problems submitting tests. Adequate for posting discussion or reading assignments.

WPA – secure (requires password to log on)

Java Version 7 Latest version

JavaScript Enabled EnabledCookies Enabled Enabled

Pop-up Blocker Disabled (Allow Pop-up windows) Disabled (Allow Pop-up windows)

Trusted Sites Add bb.siue.edu Add bb.siue.edu * Not in Compatibility Mode. Compatibility Mode will cause issues with testing and Lockdown Browser and should be “turned off.”

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B. Additional Requirements

In order to access pre-recorded lectures via Collaborate as well as other audio/video resources, student PCs should have a sound card, and speakers or headphones available for playback.

C. Optional Requirements

Depending on the requirements of a particular course, and the interactive elements involved, students may also need to have a microphone and a webcam for sound and video capture in both synchronous and asynchronous settings.

D. Email Communications

All class related email communications should be made through the student’s SIUE email address. Faculty will use only SIUE email when communicating with students through Blackboard/Collaborate, Cougarnet, and other university systems. Students should consistently check their SIUE email at least once a day. During an online course, students are encouraged to check SIUE email seven days a week for the duration of the course.

E. Technical Support

Technical support is available to students in three primary ways. Details are available here.

1. Walk-in support at the ITS Helpdesk, Lovejoy Library Room 0005. Hours for walk-in support.

2. Email support via help@siue.edu3. Telephone support by calling 618-650-5500.

F. Additional information from ITS/IDLTC

ITS and the Instructional Design and Learning Technology Center (IDLTC) provide additional information to help students participate in online courses successfully.

1. Review the recommendations for being a successful online student

2. The current support for iPad and Android devices,

through the Blackboard app or via a browser in a mobile device, is limited with regard to full access to course activities. For example while students may be able to post on discussion forums and threads and participate in Collaborate synchronous sessions using the app to access recorded sessions may not be an available option. Refer to the following webpages for additional information: siue.edu/its/bb/collaborate/mobile.shtml blackboard.com/platforms/mobile/overview.aspx

Welcome to the SIUE MBA program!

As you progress through your program, please provide program feedback to the Director, Dr. Janice R. Joplin (jjoplin@siue.edu) or the Director of Academic Services for the School of Business, Norris Manning (nmannin@siue.edu).

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Appendix A

Tentative Schedule of MBA Offerings (Fall 2014 onward)

Fall 1 Hybrid/Blended Fall 1 Online

MBA 521 MBA 521

MKTG 525 MBA 534 (beginning 2015)

CMIS 526 Electives

PROD 529

Elective(s)

Fall 2 Hybrid/Blended Fall 2 Online

MBA 522 MBA 522

ACCT 524 MKTG 525

MBA 534

ECON 528

Elective(s)

Spring 1 Hybrid/Blended Spring 1 Online

MBA 523 MBA 523

FIN 527 FIN 527

MBA 521

MKTG 525

Elective(s)

Spring 2 Hybrid/Blended Spring 2 Online

CMIS 526 ECON 528

PROD 529 Elective(s)

MBA 522

ACCT 524

MBA 534

Elective(s)

Summer Hybrid/Blended Summer Online

ECON 528 ACCT 524

MBA 523 CMIS 526

FIN 527 PROD 529

Elective(s) Elective(s)

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siue.edu/mbamba@siue.edu618-650-3840