Materials linked from the May 19 Graduate Council agenda.
From: "Coakley, James - COB" <[email protected]>
Date: April 27, 2011 2:53:56 PM PDT
To: "Filtz, Theresa" <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: New Areas of Concentration within the MBA Degree Program
Theresa,
The MBA_AOCs_Commercialization and MBA_AOCs_Thesis attachments are our proposals for
adding new Areas of Concentrations to the exiting MBA program. We have defined the MBA core
curriculum, based on the discipline-based learning outcomes that we use for our AACSB
accreditation. Our existing MBA becomes the “Commercialization” AOC. We propose adding a
“Clean Technology” AOC which will focus on commercialization projects related to clean technology
(very similar curriculum), and a “Research Thesis” track designed for those students who intend to
continue beyond the MBA into a PhD program or a research position. This AOC uses the same core
coursework and replaces the “project” with a thesis.
The MBA_AOC_Supplement attachment provides justification and implementation considerations for
the new initiatives. We will continue to use our current faculty to support all three
AOCs. Commercialization and Clean Technology will continue to use a three-person business-faculty
committee to conduct the project defense and individual oral exam. The Research Thesis will follow
the current Graduate Council guidelines regarding the structure of the committee, liaison with the
Library, etc.
We currently have 28 tenure/tenure-track faculty and 14 professionally-qualified faculty who
participate in delivery and advising of the MBA program. This year, we have hired 11 additional
tenure-track faculty. Six are filling existing tenure/tenure-track lines that were vacant and five are
growth positions funded through Provost initiatives.
Thanks,
Jim
From: Filtz, Theresa Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2011 12:21 PM
To: Coakley, James - COB
Cc: Rettig, Bruce; McComb, Brenda; Fisk, Martin; Naguib, Nagwa
Subject: Re: New Areas of Concentration within the MBA Degree Program
Hi Jim,
I will read over the document. I think that we can get this AOC request on the Grad Council agenda
this term, probably for May 19. In the meantime, can you revise the document to either remove the
Research track--if you aren't going to pursue this concentration at the moment--or create two separate
documents, one with the commercialization and clean technology tracks and the other with the
research track. I think that it would be easier for Council to handle them separately.
In regards to making AOCs transcript visible, I had very brief conversations with Walt and Brenda
about this (separately). This is partially a matter for the Registar whose input I'd like to have before or
during a Grad Council discussion on the topic. Of course, if the faculty feels strongly that AOCs on
transcripts are very important, then difficulties with programming at the Registrar's level shouldn't
drive the decision. But I'd like to know how much a burden would be imposed by such a decision. As
this is the time of year when the Registrar's office starts to go crazy in preparation for graduation, it
might be prudent to start conversations this summer and punt full consideration of the issue to next
year's Council.
Just my thinking on the topic.
Thanks,
Theresa
On Apr 27, 2011, at 10:54 AM, Coakley, James - COB wrote:
Bruce,
We had originally submitted this as a Cat II – so our original intention was to have it reviewed by the
Council. We were advised by Gary to withdraw the Cat II and submit as Areas of Concentrations
using the guidelines outlined at
URL http://oregonstate.edu/ap/curriculum/policies/G_gradconc.html. This does all fit under the
broader issue of having transcript-visible Areas of Concentration at the graduate level, which we
started to discuss at the Council and then deferred.
Theresa,
We could probably offer the Clean Technology track under the existing MBA program. We would like
to advertise and recruit for this as a specialization within the MBA, so would request that it be
approved as an Area of Concentration. We would be willing to defer discussion and approval of the
Research Track since that does involve a different focus.
Jim
From: Rettig, Bruce Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2011 10:10 AM
To: Coakley, James - COB
Subject: New Areas of Concentration within the MBA Degree Program
Jim, after reviewing the request with Brenda and Marty, we conclude that your request for
modifying areas of concentration could be interpreted as a major shift in the thrust of the
program. The Graduate School was charged with reviewing and approving areas of
concentration on behalf of the Graduate Council, but only for small changes. I am copying
Theresa so that she can include your request as an item for Graduate Council review and
decision.
I know that you are concerned about the heavy workload faced by the Graduate Council and
hoped to avoid delays in getting in the queue for Council review and decision. My response
should not be viewed as a critical response to the proposal. It is simply an attempt by the
Graduate School to operate with full respect for the Faculty Senate processes and to stay
within the limit of our delegated authorities.
R. Bruce Rettig
Associate Dean, Graduate School
300 Kerr Administration Building
Oregon State University
(541) 737-1478
From: Coakley, James - COB Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2011 4:43 PM
To: Rettig, Bruce
Subject: New Areas of Concentration within the MBA Degree Program
Bruce,
The MBA_AOCs.doc attachment is our proposal for adding new Areas of Concentrations to the exiting
MBA program. We have defined the MBA core curriculum, based on the discipline-based learning
outcomes that we use for our AACSB accreditation. Our existing MBA becomes the
“Commercialization” AOC. We propose adding a “Clean Technology” AOC which will focus on
commercialization projects related to clean technology (very similar curriculum), and a “Research
Thesis” track designed for those students who intend to continue beyond the MBA into a PhD
program or a research position. This uses the same core coursework and replaces the “project” with
a thesis.
We will continue to use the current faculty to support all three AOCs. Commercialization and Clean
Technology will continue to use a faculty committee to conduct the project defense and individual
oral exam. The Research Thesis will follow the current Graduate Council guidelines regarding the
structure of the committee, liaison with the Library, etc.
We currently have 28 tenure/tenure-track faculty and 14 professionally-qualified faculty who
participate in delivery and advising of the MBA program. This year, we have hired 11 additional
tenure-track faculty, five of which are growth positions funded by the Provost initiative.
I have submitted Cat II requests for two of the new courses – BA 566 and ACTG 429/529. The other
new course is currently under development – we are looking a multiple programs on campus that
offer similar courses focused on the economic impact of environmental change. The most promising
at this point is a partnership with Oceanography on the “Business of Climate Change”, which would
be team-taught by the two colleges. I expect to submit that “BA 534” course for approval over the
summer.
Please let me know if you need any additional information.
Thanks,
Jim
James R. Coakley, PhD
Director, Graduate Business Programs
College of Business
Oregon State University
Bexell Hall 200
Corvallis, OR 97331
<MBA_AOC_Supplement.doc><MBA_AOCs.doc>