Philosophy

Organizations today demand multitalented knowledgeable professionals who can contribute and succeed in a team/project management environment. The MBA Program has been carefully crafted to train professionals through the study of management theory and practical problems solving. It focuses on developing versatility through critical thinking, intellectual flexibility, analytical and applied research skills, creativity, and high standards for professional integrity and ethics. Globalization issues of management are instilled into many of the Program courses. Teamwork is an essential component of organizational dynamics, and it is stressed through team projects that encourage face-to-face meetings as well as synchronous and asynchronous on-line meetings. To implement our Philosophy and vision, the MBA Program has established the following goals:

· To help students transform themselves into knowledgeable managers that understand business dynamics at all levels.

· Present the interrelatedness of the functional areas of business, and be able to integrate them in the performance of business decisions and in solving complex business issues.

· Dispense relevant curriculum that combines academic theory with practical problem-solving skills.

· Provide the fundamental concepts and principles that underlie the operation of business enterprises as well as offer a comprehensive set of more specialized courses to allow students to tailor their education to their specific needs and career goals.

· Develop students with the ability and insight to apply cross-functional approaches.

Graduate Profile

Admission Requirements

The MBA program is subject to the general admission requirements of the Graduate School. The admission requirements specific to the MBA program are as follows:

· Possess a Bachelor‟s degree in any discipline from an accredited college or university.

· Have obtained a minimum of a 2.50/4.00 GPA in undergraduate course work.

Degree Offered

The MBA degree offers the following three specializations:

· International Enterprises

· General Management

· Computer Information Systems

Curricular Sequence

Core Courses in Management

There are 18 credit-hours in core management courses, which are common to all offered Management degrees. They provide a common body of knowledge in quantitative and qualitative areas, which are necessary prior to undertaking deeper exposure to other business issues.

Core Courses in Business Administration

Today’s business managers need to understand how overall economic conditions, marketing strategies, and business operations interact to influence the organization’s desired goals and objectives. To assure an adequate preparation on these subjects, all MBA students are required to take the Business Administration Core Courses.

The specialization in Management of International Enterprises teaches students to view organizational management in a global context, and to realize that marketing strategies must be designed while considering the different cultural perspectives. Business operations and legal ramifications must also be carefully analyzed when operating in a multinational environment. Finally, currency exchange rates and other financial considerations must be carefully managed to properly achieve the parent organization’s objectives.

The specialization in General Management allows the students to design their own program to match specific interests. The General Management student completes 12 credit-hours in general interdisciplinary courses. Students could choose courses in fields related to Engineering Management, International Enterprises or Environmental Management, among others. Instead of specializing in any one field, selecting courses from several areas will serve to broaden the student‟s perspective.

MBA students pursuing the General Management specialization must also complete six credit-hours in elective courses. In summary, the MBA General Management 48 credit-hours curriculum is composed of 18 credit-hours in Management core courses, 12 credit-hours in Business Administration core courses, 12 credit-hours in general interdisciplinary courses, and 6 credit-hours in electives.

MBA students pursuing the CIS specialization must also complete three credit-hours in an elective course oriented either to database or electronic commerce.

In summary, the MBA CIS 48 credit-hours curriculum is composed of 18 credits in Management core courses, 9 credit-hours in Business Administration core courses, 18 credit-hours in CIS courses, and 3 credit-hours in an elective course.

Faculty

· Ayala Cruz, Jorge – Professor – Ph.D., Management Engineering, Operation Research, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, 1993; MBA Production Management, Quantitative Methods, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, 1990; M.S. Operation Research Statistics, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, 1991; B.S.M., Mathematics, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus 1983.

· Dávila Aponte, Edwin – Assistant Professor – Ph.D., Entrepreneurship Development, Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, 2006; MBA Accounting, Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, 1999; BBA., Accounting, Caribbean University, Bayamón, Puerto Rico, 1986.

· Elias Rivera, Johnny– Professor – J.D., University of Puerto Rico, 1974; Accepted to practice Law at the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the United State District of Puerto Rico, U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuits, Registered Attorney at Law, 1974; Licensed in Real Estate, 1990; LLM, Economy, Catholic University of Puerto Rico, 1983; Ph.D., Civil Engineering, University of California, 1964; BSCE, Civil Engineering, 1959.

· Faría González, Rafael – Professor, Ph.D., Industrial Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, 1973; M.S., Industrial Engineering; The Pennsylvania State University, 1967; B.S., Industrial Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, 1964.

· González Miranda, Carlos J. – Professor, Ph.D., Industrial Engineering, North Carolina State University, 1995; M.M.S.E., North Carolina State University, 1990; B.S., Industrial Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus, 1987.

· Irizarry, Janet – Associate Professor, Ph.D., Organizational Psychology, California School of Professional Psychology, 1992; M.A., Organizational Psychology, California School of Professional Psychology, 1991; M.A., Education, Counseling and Guidance, University of Puerto Rico, 1983; B.A., Education, University of Puerto Rico, 1981; B.A., Philosophy and Arts, University of Puerto Rico, 1976.

· Mueses Pérez, Auristela – Professor, Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, University of Florida; M.S.C.E., University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus, 1992; B.S.C.E., Technological Institute of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, 1987; P.E.

· Pabón González, Miriam – Professor, Ph.D., Industrial Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst 2001; M.E.M., Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, 1995; B.S., Industrial Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, 1990.

· Pagan, Leticia – Associate Professor, Ph.D., Information Systems and Globalization, Lesley University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 2004; Certificate of Advanced Study, CAS, Business Teacher of Business Education in Higher Education, New York University, New York, New York, 1997; Master in Business Administration, M.B.A. Accounting, Inter-American University, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 1979; Baccalaureate in Business Administration, BBA Accounting, University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras Campus, 1976.

· Pons Fontana, Carlos A. – Assistant Professor, Ph.D., General Psychology, Carlos Albizu University, 2004; M.E.M., Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, 1994; B.S.I.E., Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, 1986; M.S. Psychology, Carlos Albizu University, 1975; B.A. Psychology, University of Puerto Rico, 1972.

· Villalta Calderón, Christian A. – Assistant Professor, Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus, 2009; M.S.C.E., University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus, 2004; B.S.C.E. University of Costa Rica, 2001.

Contact Information

Office of Graduate Affairs
Email: escuelagraduada@pupr.edu
Phone: 787-622-8000 x. 686

Assessment