Purdue Online MBA Courses

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Advance Into Leadership Roles

Our rigorous curriculum delivers the top-quality instruction and practical learning you need to strengthen your talents and advance into the next level of high-profile management and leadership careers. Courses include case studies, experiential projects, remote collaboration and team-based learning.

Go at your own pace and choose the course load each term that best supports your needs.

Program Credits

Total Program Credits¹: 48

Foundational Course Credits: 9
Core Course Credits: 22
Specialization Option Course Credits: 9
Capstone Course Credits: 2
Elective Course Credits: 6

Program Requirements

Courses Credits

Foundational Courses

Develop a solid background in several relevant subject areas. Use the skills and knowledge you gain as building blocks for advanced academic study in the future.
9 Credits

Core Courses

Gain a solid foundation for decision-making in essential areas of management and leadership. The core curriculum of the Purdue Online MBA covers general concepts and traditional management disciplines.
22 Credits

Specialization

Add a specialization to focus your elective choices to gain greater knowledge in high-demand areas of business, such as Innovation and Technology Commercialization, Business Analytics, Global Supply Chain Management, or Leadership, Negotiation and Change Management. Not only does a specialization expand your professional skills, but it also helps increase your career marketability.

You can also look to leverage earning a graduate certificate through your specialization course work! A graduate certificate is an additional earned credential that can be completed within the Online MBA’s 48 credits if specialization elective credits are planned strategically by working with your academic advisor to plan, apply for, and obtain this credential.
9 Credits

Capstone Simulation

Work with a team to assume cross-functional roles to broaden your leadership skills and make strategic business decisions under pressure in a simulated real-life scenario. You’ll use data analytics to assess risk management from qualitative and quantitative perspectives.
2 Credits

Electives

Tailor your degree to help you achieve your career goals with a variety of electives. Course offerings are subject to change.
6 Credits

Total Credits

48

Featured Course: Frontiers in the C-Suite

Daniels School of Business is expanding our cutting-edge curriculum with a new elective, designed to give you an in-depth view into the unique set of decisions C-suite executives face while running an organization, both nationally and globally.

Led by a lineup of C-level interviews, you’ll gain insight into a CEO’s challenges and point of view, improve your communication with C-suite executives, and build skills that propel your readiness to take on higher leadership roles.

 We created this course by bringing in leaders from many different industries and walks of life and having each contribute to one topic. This makes the course much richer and helps reflect more diversity of opinion rather than the voice of a single expert. 

Dilip Chhajed
Associate Dean for Online Programs

As an engineer with business experience, I had a desire to gain a more formal knowledge of business, decision-making and leadership. Purdue was one of the first to offer a formal program that fit my criteria.

Brian Birdsall

Division Manager
Purdue University Online MBA Graduate, 2021

Gain an Edge in STEM, Analytics and Data

Get invaluable business analytics experience when you earn an online MBA from one of the top STEM universities in the world.

Curriculum Differentiators in Technology and STEM

Learn from leading business faculty while also gaining exposure to top professors in engineering and computer science.

Online MBA Curriculum

Foundational Courses — Prepare for Further Study (9 Credits)

  • ECON 51400 — Microeconomics

    Get an introduction to microeconomic theory. Analyze consumer demand, output and input decisions of firms, price determination, economic efficiency, market structures, and market failure.

    This course examines how the U.S. economy functions and develops a theoretical framework permitting an analysis of the forces affecting national income, employment, unemployment, interest rates and the rate of inflation.

    Emphasis is placed upon the role of government fiscal and monetary policy in promoting economic growth and stable prices. Topics covered include employment and unemployment, the monetary system, business cycles and macroeconomic stabilization techniques.

    Total Credits: 2

  • MGMT 59000 — Strategic Design Project

    The strategic design process helps individuals and organizations find new products and business opportunities by analyzing external and internal trends of the existing companies and industries.

    It is an effective way to discover and deliver innovative business models by comparing and adopting innovations from cross-industry sectors, bridging the gap in the innovation pipeline.

    Total Credits: 1

  • MGMT 60000 — Accounting for Managers

    The two-course accounting sequence employs a user’s perspective on the firm’s database. First, the standard accounting model is developed into a working tool, as no prior study of accounting is assumed. Then illustrative business cases are discussed to show how external reports conform to financial contracts and public regulation.

    Public reports primarily directed to investors and creditors are analyzed to reconstruct the economic events and managerial decisions underlying generally accepted accounting standards.

    Total Credits: 3

  • MGMT 62000 — Marketing Management

    This course features an integrated analysis of major marketing decisions, including product pricing, advertising, distribution and sales force policies.

    Total Credits: 3

Core Courses (22 Credits)

  • ECON 51500 — Macroeconomics

    Investigate the causes of macroeconomic fluctuations in the economy. Examine changes in inflation, unemployment, real output, interest rates and exchange rates, and explore why they occur, what their effects are and what (if any) role government should play in dealing with these problems.

    The course includes a mixture of theory and case studies with reference to historical case studies. Current macroeconomic problems will be discussed, with a focus on the international aspects of macroeconomic problems.

    Total Credits: 1

  • MGMT 59000 — Managerial Economics

    The course studies optimal decision-making processes by managers and policymakers within firms and other organizations. Topics covered include optimal price strategies; optimal production and capacity decisions; strategic decision-making of firms; strategic interactions between firms in markets; first- and second-mover advantages; optimal number of products and branches introduced into markets; and entry-deterrence strategies. 

    In order to determine the manager’s optimal decisions, the course makes use of modern tools related to Game Theory. We explicitly consider strategic interactions between individual economic decision-makers (consumers, workers, firms and managers) as well as groups of these individuals (firms, households, industries, markets, unions and associations).

    The main goal of this course is to provide a good understanding of logical mechanics and to provide a solid foundation in managerial economics and business decision-making processes that facilitate the understanding of daily business problems.

    Total Credits: 1

  • MGMT 61000 — Financial Management

    Analyze short-term working capital needs, cash-budgeting procedures, pro forma statements, major types of short-term loan arrangements and short-term asset management.

    Total Credits: 3

  • MGMT 63000 — Legal and Social Foundations of Management

    Examine the nature of the legal environment from the viewpoint of the social and moral bases of law. Emphasis is given to the operation of our legal system and its significance in managerial decisions.

    Total Credits: 2

  • MGMT 65000 — Strategic Management I

    Study concepts and methods that integrate previous training in functional areas of management. The perspective is that of the general manager charged with directing the total enterprise. Emphasis is given to formulation and implementation of strategy.

    Total Credits: 3

  • MGMT 66000 — Operations Management

    As goods and services are produced and distributed; they move through a set of interrelated operations or processes in order to match supply with demand. The design of these operations for strategic advantage, investment in improving their efficiency and effectiveness, and controlling these operations to meet performance objectives is the domain of operations management.

    The primary objective of the course is to provide an overview of this important functional area of business.

    Total Credits: 3

  • MGMT 67000 — Business Analytics

    This is an introduction to quantitative decision procedures in times of uncertainty. You’ll study applications of descriptive statistics, probability models, simulation models, interval estimates and hypothesis testing to management problems. Managerial-oriented cases are used in instruction.

    Total Credits: 3

  • MGMT 68300 — IT Innovation and Competitive Advantage

    The internet and other information technologies have reshaped the economic, organizational, cultural and personal landscape. Managers, consultants and entrepreneurs are all expected to effectively utilize technology to achieve organizational goals.

    Organizations are now expected to not just adapt to technology changes but also innovate, taking advantage of the benefits of technology and thrive using their new capabilities. Accordingly, the objective of the course is from the perspective of information technology executive leadership interested in enhancing the organization’s competitive advantage.

    Specifically, in the course, we will study in detail what the different types of technologies are, how they can be taken advantage of and what the critical success factors are for successful implementation of each type. The course material will be delivered using case discussions, lectures and examples.

    Total Credits: 2

  • MGMT 69000 — Story Telling with Business Data

    This course enhances student professionalism in managerial contexts by improving oral communication skills and developing strong oral presentation techniques.

    Total Credits: 2

  • OBHR 68100 — Managing Behavior in Organizations

    Individual and group behavior are the central components of the study of behavior in organizations. Focus is on the managerial application of knowledge to issues such as motivation, group processes, leadership, organizational design structure and others. The course employs cases, exercises, discussions and lectures.

    Total Credits: 2

Specialization (9 Credits)

Business Analytics Specialization

  • MGMT 57000 — Spreadsheet Modeling and Simulation

    This course covers up-to-date and practical spreadsheet modeling and simulation tools that can be applied to a wide variety of business problems in finance, marketing and operations to model and analyze quantitative problems.

    The course has four modules: (1) deterministic and stochastic optimization techniques to determine the best managerial actions under internally and/or externally imposed constraints; (2) probability distribution fitting techniques to find the most likely description of the uncertainty in future business; (3) simulation modeling techniques to discover and analyze the risk and uncertainty in business environment and processes; (4) application of spreadsheet modeling and simulation techniques in forecasting asset dynamics (stock price), pricing options and real investment opportunities.

    Total Credits: 2

  • MGMT 57100 — Data Mining

    Simon (1977) stated that managerial decision-making is synonymous with the entire process of management. In order to make intelligent decisions, one must have access to data and information. Today’s electronically networked world provides a nearly infinite number of opportunities for data collection. The issue thus becomes: How does one approach these large quantities of data with the purpose of intelligent decision-making?

    The purpose of this course is to introduce the concepts, techniques, tools and applications of data mining. The material is approached from the perspective of a business analyst, with an emphasis on supporting tactical and strategic decisions.

    Total Credits: 2

  • MGMT 59000 — Visualization and Persuasion

    The course outlines the art and science of visually and persuasively illustrating data for users to interpret, understand and make decisions. You’ll use data to think critically and analyze business opportunities, inform decision-making, and communicate the story behind complex information. 

    Total Credits: 2

  • MGMT 69000 — Management Practicum

    This course provides students pursuing management careers an opportunity to apply the knowledge learned from their studies in an applicable area. The course is designed to polish and integrate the knowledge, skills and abilities students have developed from their coursework by successfully developing a solution with an industry partner in a structured fashion.

    Course time will be predominately spent with project teammates to provide the answers and deliverables specified by an industry partner over the semester.

    Total Credits: 3

Innovation and Technology Commercialization Specialization

  • MGMT 59000 — Collaborative Innovation

    Innovative management of the process from idea to impact requires the collaboration of multiple players. All participants in the innovation process have their own unique goals and priorities so achieving alignment around a common purpose is a complex task. Also, corporate innovation requires collaboration, not only within the organization, but with multiple external contributors and stakeholders.

    The course content is based on Strategic Doing, a proven discipline incubated at Purdue’s Agile Strategy Lab. The same tools and insights have been taught to industry, government, nonprofit and higher education leaders in over 46 states and eight different countries.

    Total Credits: 2

  • MGMT 59000 — Financing New Ventures

    This course covers the funding options available to technology entrepreneurs at all stages of the venture's lifecycle from startup to exit, and delves into issues such as deal structures, incentives, business models and valuation.

    As part of the course, you will perform due diligence on a real startup and provide a recommendation to the investment committee of a seed fund.

    Total Credits: 2

  • MGMT 59000 — Technology Strategy

    This course takes an in-depth look at how technological innovation affects the competitive dynamics of markets, how firms can strategically manage these dynamics, and how firms and entrepreneurs can create and implement strategies that maximize their likelihood of success.

    The course introduces tools, concepts and analytical frameworks that will enhance your ability to define and analyze strategic problems that stem from innovation and technological change, and to identify sources of competitive advantage from both an industry and firm-level perspective.

    Upon completing the course, you will be able to understand the foundations and implications of the dynamics of innovation, interpret the technological environment within which a firm operates and identify meaningful patterns, analyze and design strategies for high technology environments, and craft collaboration strategies and strategies for protecting innovation.

    Total Credits: 2

  • MGMT 69000 — Management Practicum

    This course provides students pursuing management careers an opportunity to apply the knowledge learned from their studies in an applicable area. The course is designed to polish and integrate the knowledge, skills and abilities students have developed from their coursework by successfully developing a solution with an industry partner in a structured fashion.

    Course time will be predominately spent with project teammates to provide the answers and deliverables specified by an industry partner over the semester.

    Total Credits: 3

Global Supply Chain Management Specialization

  • MGMT 66000 — Introduction to Operations Management

    The management of operations involves ensuring that the product or service is of high quality, choosing the appropriate design and technology for the production or service process, planning and controlling the flow of parts or customers so that lead times are reduced to minimal levels, and distributing the finished goods or services in a timely manner.

    Operations management requires decisions that include identifying which products and services to offer, determining how much capacity is needed, providing a good level of service, and evaluating which technology will best meet a company's needs.

    Total Credits: 3

  • MGMT 66400 — Supply Chain Management

    Continues the examination of the linkage between a firm’s product-market strategy and the role of the operations (i.e., production) function initiated in MGMT 66000. Topics include material requirements planning, production activity control, and just-in-time systems.

    Total Credits: 2

  • Additional Course Options (choose 2):

    MGMT 56000 — Advanced Manufacturing Management

    This course will emphasize both planning and control of dynamic supply chain systems. This requires the simulation of plans and required changes over time. Therefore, the course will revolve around active learning computer simulations in SAP. 

    Upon completion of this course, students will be able to execute end-to-end business scenarios, choose among several planning methods and develop initial parameters based on supply chain and production capabilities and market intelligence, modify system parameters as necessary, access and analyze operational data from the ERP system, and design a manufacturing planning and control strategy to maximize company value.

    Total Credits: 2

  • MGMT 56200 — Project Management

    This course introduces different phases of managing projects from conception to termination, with particular emphasis on quantitative tools for planning, scheduling, resource allocation, monitoring and control. 

    In addition, topics such as risk management, communication and conflict management will be covered. The course will use qualitative frameworks, analytical tools and real-world cases to achieve the learning goals.

    Total Credits: 2

  • MGMT 56500 — Strategic Sourcing and Procurement

    With the relentless trend of globalization, procurement has moved from fighting for organizational significance to playing pivotal roles in the success of global firms. In global firms’ profit and loss accounts, the share of material cost and the share of purchased services are growing continuously, underscoring the increasing strategic importance of sourcing and procurement management.

    This course will address the process of procurement including terminology, metrics, and decision-making. We will also explore the sourcing decision and the strategic ramifications of producing/providing goods and services internally or purchasing them from external organizations.

    Total Credits: 2

  • MGMT 56600 — Global Supply Chain

    This course seeks to both improve your understanding of global supply chain strategies and enhance your analytical skills. The course will present several analytical techniques that aid in making decisions in the real world. In addition, the course will introduce you to various aspects, issues and initiatives in current business operations. 

    By the end of this course, you should be able to: apply established frameworks to explain the importance and challenges of globalization in designing supply chain strategies, analyze problems and improvement opportunities in supply chain management and recommend improvements consistent with an organization’s mission and strategy, and develop solutions to real-world cases depicting major strategic issues and trade-offs in global supply chain management.

    Total Credits: 2

  • MGMT 56800 — Supply Chain Analytics

    Supply chain analytics (SCA) focuses on data-driven and rigorous decision-making in supply chain management. It is a complete problem-solving and decision-making process. Furthermore, it integrates a broad set of analytical methodologies that enable the creation of business value.

    This course will cover all three SCA categories (descriptive analytics, predictive analytics and prescriptive analytics) and you will gain understanding of the entire analytics process.

    Total Credits: 2

Leadership, Negotiation and Change Management Specialization

  • MGMT 65420 — Leadership

    This course focuses on leadership in organizations and invites you on a journey of personal exploration, understanding and development. Leadership develops over time through repetition, feedback and self-reflection.

    The overall goal of this course is to provide information and tools that will guide you toward becoming a more effective leader by increasing your conceptual understanding of key leadership principles and strategies utilized within formal organizations, deepening your knowledge of important interpersonal relationship skills and abilities, and helping discover important insights into oneself and others as a leader (including strengths and weaknesses/opportunities for personal growth).

    Total Credits: 2

  • MGMT 65430 — Negotiations in Organizations

    This course focuses on developing your negotiating skills and making you a more confident negotiator. By the conclusion of this course, you will have improved your ability to diagnose negotiation situations, strategize and plan upcoming negotiations, and engage in more fruitful negotiations, even in situations where you are dealing with difficult negotiation counterparts.

    Because negotiating agreements is as much art as science, learning in this course will take place mainly by doing experiential exercises and will draw on negotiations research to supplement this learning.

    Total Credits: 2

  • MGMT 69000 — Change Management

    The purpose of this course is to provide you with essential tools and concepts you need to help create and sustain needed change in your personal and/or professional life, your work teams and your organizations.

    The course is taught in an executive-style format intended for working future managers. Emphasis is placed on knowledge application and experiential learning.

    Total Credits: 2

  • MGMT 69000 — Management Practicum

    This course provides students pursuing management careers an opportunity to apply the knowledge learned from their studies in an applicable area. The course is designed to polish and integrate the knowledge, skills and abilities students have developed from their coursework by successfully developing a solution with an industry partner in a structured fashion.

    Course time will be predominately spent with project teammates to provide the answers and deliverables specified by an industry partner over the semester.

    Total Credits: 3

Capstone Course — Business Simulation (2 Credits)

  • MGMT 69000 — Capstone Simulation

    Make strategic business decisions under pressure in a simulated real-life scenario. Working with a team, you’ll assume cross-functional roles to broaden your leadership skills. You’ll use data analytics to assess risk management from qualitative and quantitative perspectives.

    Total Credits: 2

Electives (6 Credits)

  • Elective Course Options

    COM 65000 — Communications and Leadership

    MGMT 57000 — Spreadsheet Modeling and Simulation

    MGMT 57100 — Data Mining

    MGMT 59000 — Financing New Ventures

    MGMT 59000 — Frontiers in C-Suite

    MGMT 59000 — Science and Practice of Complex Collaboration

    MGMT 59000 — Technology Strategy

    MGMT 65420 — Leadership

    MGMT 65430 — Negotiations in Organizations

    MGMT 69000 — Change Management

    MGMT 69000 — Tech Commercialization


    This is a sampling of electives and not an exhaustive list; electives are subject to change.

Get Started Today

Make your career goals a reality with Purdue University's Online Master of Business Administration. Call 877-491-0224 to speak with an Enrollment Specialist or request more information.

NOTES AND CONDITIONS - PLEASE READ

1 Course offerings and plan of study subject to change.