The Master of Business Administration is offered by NCU is 21 areas of specialization. These specializations were
developed so our Learners could elect to focus in depth on a particular aspect of the Business discipline. Learners who complete
18 semester credit hours in an area of specialization may have that specialization recorded on their diplomas. The specializations are:
Accounting is both the language and the geography of business. The Advanced Accounting curriculum is designed
to equip accountants with the foundation in comparative accounting practices, applied accounting research and
systematic inquiry enabling careers as Certified Public Accountant, Certified Fraud Examiner, forensic accountant, auditor,
controller, financial anylyst, Chief Financial Officer, professor of accounting, or other role in this expanding field.
Applied Computer Science
The Applied Computer Science Specialization is the discipline of designing methods for solving
problems by means of computers. The curriculum is designed to provide preparation for professional
careers in the areas of Software and Network Administration. Admission is open to holders of any
Bachelor's degree or the equivalent who have computer and industrial or business experience.
With a rise in the asymmetric threat posed by terrorist organizations, along with increased commercial espionage and the
unpredictable threat of violent, deranged individuals, the need is greater than ever for a disciplined approach to
corporate infrastructure security and facility protection. The Business, Corporate, and Campus Security curriculum
explores the unique vulnerabilities that can be exploited against corporate installations and commercial and college
campuses, in the context of prevention, response and incident management.
Business Quantitative Methods
This specialization provides learners skills to work as a research and development specialist in a
variety of industries including banking and finance, technology, and marketing; depending upon
employment experience and prior undergraduate and graduate study. It is also an excellent credential
for persons who want to teach quantitative and research courses in business, economics, and management
programs at the collegiate level. The specialization is a unique blend of “research traditions” and
methodologies from economics, finance, history, marketing, operations science, and statistics.
Computer and Information Security
This specialization is designed to meet the demand in business and industry for computer security
professionals who are trained in cyber-terrorism, computer forensics and computer security. Learners
will study current techniques in data preservation, identification, and extraction and will perform
forensic analysis of systems using popular examination toolkits. Learners will also be exposed to
common practices involved in forensic investigations and evidence handling, and will become informed
in federal and state privacy, intellectual property, search and seizure, and cyber-crime laws. In
conjunction the topic of cyber-terrorism will be explored in depth including material on terrorism
in general and the specific targets vulnerable to hackers and terrorists. Courses will also cover
appropriate computer security programs and the appropriate management of them from a law enforcement,
private security, management and government perspective.
Criminal Justice
The criminal justice system is one of the largest and fastest growing "industries" in society. The
justice system requires the attention of trained managers, business thinkers, and planners who can
bring managerial understanding and skills to the problems of operating institutions within this industry.
Electronic Commerce
The electronic commerce specialization is designed for Learners who want to become proficient in
conducting business on the Internet and/or the World Wide Web. Online marketing, Web-based applications,
enabling methodologies and tools for online payment and transactions are included in the curriculum.
Financial Management
The lifeblood of every organization - private, public, religious or corporate - is its financial
resources. Managers must know how to manage and allocate resources in order to ensure long-term
profitability and organizational health. This specialization concentrates on developing these
essential skills.
Health Care Administration
With the growing concern over health care and the economical delivery of health care services,
there is an increasing requirement to bring managerial expertise to the health care industry.
Health care administrators are in demand at entry and for advanced managerial positions in hospitals,
in health maintenance organizations, in health insurance companies, and in governmental, public health, voluntary, and
social service agencies. This specialization develops the essential managerial perspective and skills for this industry.
Homeland Security
The Homeland Security program is designed to prepare senior management of law enforcement, public safety, and emergency medical care and
disaster preparedness agencies for positions of executive leadership in the general field of homeland security. Courses will span the
spectrum of management, budgetary rules, personnel and critical issues relating to crisis management and terrorism.
Homeland Security: Leadership & Policy
Homeland Security comprises a complex of public and private programs, agencies, companies and
industries, all serving in turn an interconnected web of international, national, state, local and corporate
policy. This vast and growing edifice relies upon managers and leaders who are current in topics ranging
from terrorism, strategy, and intelligence to emergency management and critical infrastructure security issues.
This specialization provides a unique opportunity for practitioners and academic specialists to research and
explore new concepts and methods of providing security for governments and the public, and provides senior
level homeland security professionals the opportunity to apply theory and emerging concepts to realworld issues
through innovative approaches to complex problems.
Human Resources Management
Throughout history the challenge to managers has been to manage the organization's human resources to achieve peaceful, productive
and profitable organizational outcomes. This specialization studies the interrelationships between human resources and the business
organization, equipping the manager to function as a HRM specialist in business, industry, and service organizations.
Industrial/Organizational Psychology
The Industrial/Organizational Psychology program trains Learners to work in a variety of settings. This program prepares Learners
for research and field experience. Within the industrial and organizational program, the Learner is expected to become competent
in theory, research, and applications of psychology as they relate to human behavior in organizations. The program emphasizes the
contributions of both industrial and organizational psychology to the understanding of people in their world of work. Training is
received in conducting basic and applied research, and in the applications of theory and research to organizational and human
resource management problems in organizations.
International Business
The global economy requires that domestic and foreign business managers have the knowledge of cultural, economic, political and legal
environments of business and the necessary managerial skills for making management decisions in an international context. This
specialization focuses on the essential elements required to understand and manage international organizations.
Management
This specialization is for the manager-generalist who must understand how the key parts of an organization function and interrelate.
Effective enterprise results when the manager-generalist organizes the efforts of specialists in order to accomplish organizational
outcomes. Learners gain the conceptual overview of modern theory and practice in each of the key areas of management.
Management Information Systems
The Management Information Systems (MIS) specialization is a user-friendly graduate specialization designed for administrators and
managers. It is for managers who recognize that success in today's competitive environment requires an understanding of management and
how managers use computer information systems to enhance the management process and business outcomes. The MIS specialization combines
and applies the best from both disciplines: computer systems and management. Admission is open to holders of any Bachelor's degree or the
equivalent who have industrial and/or business experience and who recognize that managers need expertise in both management and information
systems. Knowledge of computer programming is not a requirement.
Management of Engineering and Technology
Technology drives productivity, lowers cost, and drives competitiveness. Conventional managerial styles do not adapt well to
managing the highly skilled technology driven professional in a technology based environment. Engineers and scientists moving
toward technical management responsibilities while maintaining identity in their technology need to establish the skill set and
managerial style that will enable them to generate and transfer knowledge for making and implementing decisions which provide
leadership in the management of engineering and technology. This specialization focuses on integrating practical technical
experience with management theory and practice.
Marketing
The Marketing Specialization (graduate level) moves beyond fundamentals by focusing upon marketing management and marketing research.
The courses provide learners the opportunity to enhance existing skills and knowledge and to gain new skills and knowledge germane to
effectively managing the entire scope of the product life cycle in a strategically-sound, systematic, ethical, and legal manner.
Organizational Leadership
Organizational Leadership (OL) appeals to Learners who are focused on developing the competencies required of organizational
leaders. The strategically crafted courses serve to enhance Learner’s commitment to the understanding and practice of leadership.
Grounded in research, facilitated by leadership practitioner faculty and customized for maximum professional impact, the NCU Leadership
course of study is designed for those who aspire to become collaborative change agents.
Public Administration
Managers possessing the wide range of skills in public administration are meeting the challenges in government management at the local,
state and federal levels. For practicing public administrators as well as those seeking entry into public administration, this
specialization focuses on acquiring the administrative knowledge and skills in such diverse areas as budgeting, government relations,
personnel policies, politics, and urban planning.
Sports Management and Leadership
The Sports Management & Leadership specialization was created to meet the needs of a rapidly expanding and changing multi-billion dollar
sports industry, providing Learners an opportunity to expand their knowledge. NCU's programs are delivered completely online to meet
today's hectic schedules of educators and administrators.
Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, President and Founder of Sports Management Worldwide (SMWW) serves as a faculty mentor. Sports leaders are invited
by Dr.Lashbrook, throughout the year to participate in audio chats, giving the students the opportunity to learn firsthand about the
real world of sports. For information regarding Sports Management Worldwide: www.smww.com
This link will take you to the SMWW Landing page where you will find more information on the program and the application
process: www.ncu.edu/smww