The Executive MBA in Information and Communication Technology (MBAICT) combines an understanding of converged information and communication technologies with the ability to develop and analyze appropriate business strategies and public policies for this sector. Two key principles underlie the curriculum. First, convergence has blurred the historic boundaries that once separated telecommunications, information, and entertainment. Second, globalization has impacted these industries so that production of hardware and software, network design and operation, customer delivery and service, and business planning have become global activities. Deep and profound influences are captured by globalization, and these involve diversity of thinking, innovation, and unique modes of collaboration. This program has been designed to incorporate significant global exposure and to encompass the full array of information and communication industries.

The following are the degree objectives for the MBAICT program:

• A basic understanding of the major technologies currently in use in the telecommunications and information industries, including emerging developments. Included are circuit switched technologies, packet switched technologies, both wireless and wireline analog and digital services, LANs, WANs, WiFi, WiMax, 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, cable television, cable modems, radio technologies, satellite, broadcast, internet, etc.
• An appreciation of the benefits and costs of using various technologies to meet the needs of a variety of end- users
• An understanding of the major regulatory regimes that govern each type of telecommunications service, including the rationale for such regulations and a critical view of regulatory issues. This includes an overview of how regulatory practice has evolved in other countries
• A broad range of managerial skills including the importance and practice of accounting, finance, marketing, management, and law. Students will appreciate the importance of these functions to the operation of telecommunications firms, as well as be able to integrate these areas in the context of particular business models
• Exposure to, and analysis of, a variety of strategic options, including financial, technical, value chain, marketing, and organizational dimensions
• An appreciation for the importance of, and boundaries for, ethical management decisions
• An understanding of how globalization provides both opportunities and constraints on stakeholders in the industry
• Students will also be effective communicators, quantitatively literate, and effective team members and leaders

Admissions

The general requirements for admission to graduate studies at APU are found at the beginning of the section describing graduate programs. In addition, there are several specific requirements for the MBAICT program as follows:

1. Resume. Submit a current resume.
2. Letters of Recommendation. Submit two current letters of recommendation, using the Recommendation Forms in the Admissions packet.
3. Work Experience. A minimum of 2 years appropriate managerial experience required; 5 years preferred; or concurrent enrollment in another APU MBA program.
4. Undergraduate work. Undergraduate degree or equivalent. *
5. Application Deadline. August 1 for Fall semester, December 1 for Spring semester, and April 1 for Summer semester.

For international students either a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score or screening by one of our international partners would be required to ensure sufficient ability to study in courses that will be delivered in English.

Enrollment will be limited. This is to ensure the quality of the small class/personal experience and a reasonable parity with the numbers of Asian and European students in the classes.

* For applicants lacking an appropriate undergraduate degree, at least 60 credits of completed undergraduate work, 5 years of progressively responsible administrative experience, GMAT test with a score of at least at the 50th percentile, essay describing the applicants goals in pursuing the degree, plus a successful interview with a departmental admissions committee will be required. Admission of applicants lacking an undergraduate degree will be reported to the Graduate Studies Committee.

Prerequisites

Students are adequately prepared for MBAICT entry if they have a bachelor’s degree in business or a related technical discipline, along with managerial work experience in the telecommunications/information technology sector. Coursework or work experience in accounting, finance, economics, and management, with math competency through algebra and statistics is expected. Students with non-business majors are welcome, and the faculty encourages students with a wide variety of undergraduate experience to apply for admission. If, however, a student’s undergraduate transcript does not indicate adequate preparation in mathematics and business, the student may be admitted and required to take some prerequisite courses. Students may also demonstrate that they have acquired prerequisite knowledge through work experience or self-study.

MBA Course Format

The trimesters are structured as follows:

 The format for courses (except Summer MBA Core courses – see below for details) is

• 6 weeks of one 2.5-hour class/week: option for in-class, webcast, or archived recording
• Asynchronous readings, discussions, exercises
• Followed by 3 full days in class (one course will run Saturday-Monday, the second Tuesday-Thursday, with the final course Friday-Sunday)
• Followed by 2 weeks to complete course projects asynchronously.

The Summer trimester MBA core courses are structured differently:

• MBA 664 starts on a Thursday evening, continues for the following full weekend, and finishes on the Sunday following.
• MBA 618 meets Monday-Wednesday
• MBA 624 meets Thursday-Saturday.

The days for MBA 618 and 624 will alternate from one year to the next (to accommodate students who have difficulty scheduling 3 days off from work). These courses will then meet for 6 class meetings after the in-class days (over the following 6 weeks).

MBAICT Degree Requirements

Satisfactory completion of 36 semester hours to include 27 credits of required MBA courses as follows: