Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics
Grad: Overview
(Catalog page 291)

The mission of the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics is to foster scholarship and to offer distinctive, innovative educational opportunities related to the successful management and leadership of organizations operating in an environment of scarce resources, rapid change, global competition, and advances in technology.

The Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics offers graduate degrees in these disciplines: Accounting, Management Information Systems, Business Administration (MBA), Organizational Effectiveness, Finance, Economics, and Hospitality Information Management. The following dual master’s degree programs are offered: MBA/MA: Economics; MBA/MS: Information Systems and Technology Management; MBA/MS: Organizational Effectiveness, Development and Change. MBA/MAS: Civil Engineering, MBA/Master of Civil Engineering; MBA/Master of Chemical Engineering; MBA/Maser of Engineering: Mechanical; MBA/Master of Materials Science & Engineering; MBA/MS: Mechanical Engineering; MBA/MS: Electrical and Computer Engineering. PhD Biological Sciences/MBA students must be actively and successfully pursuing the PhD Biological Sciences before applying to the MBA. The MBA/MIB is offered in conjunction with Groupe ESC Grenoble, France. Students may earn either a Masters in International Business (MIB) or a Masters in Management (MM) in Grenoble and combine that with a University of Delaware MBA An Executive MBA is offered at the University’s Pennsylvania Avenue campus in Wilmington for experienced professionals. The Lerner College also offers a PhD in Economics.

The MBA program provides a highly select group of students with a relevant, advanced business management education. Coursework integrates the functional areas of business, while preparing graduates for positions of greater responsibility in corporations, small businesses, consulting firms, government, or nonprofit organizations. All students are exposed to EDGE - Experiential Learning Data-based Approach based on facts and academic research, global perspective, and issues of ethical leadership. Students have the option of choosing areas of concentration. Small class sizes and intense interaction among students of diverse backgrounds and experience are hallmarks of the program. The Executive MBA program provides an intensive and accelerated format for individuals with a record of successful professional experience.

The objective of the MS in Accounting program is to extend the education of qualified students into advanced study in each of the major areas of the field of accounting (financial, managerial, information systems, auditing, and taxation), as well as in the supporting fields of finance and quantitative methods. In taking students beyond the level of study offered by an undergraduate program in accounting, the MS provides additional preparation for careers in public accounting, industry, and government and establishes a foundation for further study at the PhD level in preparation for an academic career.

The objective of the MS in Information Systems & Technology Management (IS&TM) is to produce students who possess the combination of management and technical skills needed to bring about the effective deployment and administration of information technology to achieve business success in today’s highly competitive global environment. The Lerner College also offers a dual degree MBA/MS in IS&TM.

The objective of the MS in Organizational Effectiveness, Development and Change (OEDC) is to develop the necessary skills for our graduates to be effective agents of change in business and corporate organizations. The student will learn the theory, methods, techniques and skills to influence change and develop businesses to maximize effectiveness. The program is grounded in theory and empirical evidence, focused on critical and analytical thinking and methods of planning and implementing strategies in today’s complex, dynamic and global business environment. The Lerner College also offers a dual degree MBA/MS in OEDC combining the specific focus of the MS in OEDC with the MBA degree. This allows students to prepare themselves to better understand the breadth of business disciplines with the focus in organizational development and change. The purpose of the Master of Science (MS) in Finance program is to provide students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to be innovative, well-informed, and experienced finance professionals. The curriculum is based on the financial theory and empirical methods employed by professionals practicing corporate finance, financial security valuation, financial modeling, portfolio management, financial services management, financial risk management, and corporate governance. In addition, students are expected to leverage the educational opportunities afforded by the Exelon Trading Center and the Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance. As a result, students will obtain training and experience valued by corporations, financial service firms, consulting firms, and government agencies. Additionally, if desired, students may tailor their program to enhance progress through a subsequent doctoral degree program.

The MS in Economics is focused on the growing application of analytical techniques and economic research in government and private industry. It is primarily oriented toward students pursuing a career in applied economics as well as providing an excellent foundation for further work in a PhD program. An MA option in economics is also available. The PhD in Economics builds upon the MS degree. This program develops quantitative skills required to conduct applied economic research. This program prepares graduates for careers in the public and private sectors as well as academics. The objective of the MS in Hospitality Information Management is to develop students for successful careers as corporate hospitality information managers, consultants, and hospitality systems implementation professionals, and to offer high-quality, professionallevel instruction for current hospitality managers seeking to further their education by applying technology solutions in operational settings. It is also designed to provide students interested in future doctoral work in hospitality and tourism management a sound foundation toward that goal.