BUSG Course Descriptions

BUSG 501 Leading & Developing Organizations

3 credit hours

This course explores both theory and application of competencies that contribute to effectiveness in an organizational setting at the individual, team and organizational level. This is the introductory course to the George Fox University MBA Program. It is intended to demonstrate the unique and distinctive ethos of the university.  The approach features readings, case studies, class discussion and interaction, and written material and oral presentations.

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BUSG 502 Organizational Agility, Change, and Innovation

3 credit hours

This course explores how organizations are formed, managed and led in an environment that is increasingly global, diverse, and unpredictable. We probe the nature of organizations, their behavior, their culture, how they change, and the human impact of those changes. Students will conduct a criteria-based examination of a specific organization, exploring the question, "What is a world-class organization?" We will also investigate proven approaches for managing change and transition in organizations.

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BUSG 504 Accounting & Financial Reporting

3 credit hours

This course examines the fundamental accounting principles underlying the balance sheet, income statement, statement of stockholders' equity and statement of cash flows. An emphasis is placed on financial analysis as a basis for operational and financial decision-making within various companies and industries. Key internal accounting and operating controls are identified as a basis for the processing of critical business and transactional information through the accounting and operating systems of an organization.

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BUSG 508 Economics

3 credit hours

This course focuses on the economic operating environment and examines the underlying assumptions, concepts and methods of microeconomics and macroeconomics, with emphasis placed on the application of economics to managerial decision-making. Competing economic theories and the role of economic institutions will be investigated. This course is also intended to raise economic awareness in business leaders to enhance responsible and ethical engagement with the economy. Prerequisite: This course is for part-time MBA students.

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BUSG 511 Leadership & Design Amidst Disruption

3 credit hours

This course examines leadership philosophy, organizational design, and executive decision-making in environments shaped by rapid technological and market disruption. Students evaluate how emerging technologies and human-machine collaboration reshape organizational structures, authority systems, and competitive positioning. Emphasis is placed on ethical leadership, adaptive strategy, and the development of resilient, people-centered organizations capable of sustaining performance amid uncertainty.

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BUSG 512 Strategic Talent & Future of Work

3 credit hours

This course explores workforce transformation in an era of automation and technological acceleration. Students examine labor market evolution, reskilling strategy, organizational agility, and the psychological and cultural implications of technological change. Emphasis is placed on ethical workforce design, talent retention, and responsible leadership in managing human capital transitions.

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BUSG 513 AI Governance, Law & Ethics

3 credit hours

This course investigates legal, regulatory, and ethical frameworks governing automation, data usage, intellectual property, and digital competition. Students analyze compliance structures, algorithmic bias, and governance strategy within emerging technological landscapes, including AI. Emphasis is placed on ethical reasoning, accountability, and principled leadership.

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BUSG 514 Managerial Negotiation

3 credit hours

This course develops advanced negotiation, communication, and conflict resolution capabilities in digitally mediated environments. Students examine how automated systems and decision-support tools influence high-stakes negotiation dynamics. Emphasis is placed on ethical persuasion, collaborative problem-solving, and responsible leadership communication.

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BUSG 524 Strategic Marketing

3 credit hours

In this course, you will examine marketing strategy from idea generation and existing product/service development to positioning the product/service in the consumer or business market and communicating the value offering. Identify marketing research and analysis tools and techniques to inform marketing decision-making. Learn how to successfully guide a digital-first marketing operation and manage decisions that include ethical considerations, privacy, emerging tech, social responsibility and sustainability, segmentation, targeting, pricing, delivery/distribution, and promotional strategies.

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BUSG 527 Managerial Finance

3 credit hours

This course covers the fundamental concepts, techniques, and practices necessary for financial leadership within a broad variety of organizational settings. It is designed to help students develop the critical thinking and quantitative skills they need to make effective financial management decisions, mitigate risk, and maximize returns in the face of uncertainty and complexity. Topics will include the interpretation of financial statements, ratio analysis, cash flow, and financial forecasting. Students will emerge from the course with the financial leadership skills necessary to make sound investments related to talent, technology, and risk within organizations.

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BUSG 533 Building Ethical Organizations

3 credit hours

This course introduces practical ethical issues that arise in the work environment and the ethical tools to understand and inform day-to-day activities in the workplace. This course focuses on building understanding of ethical issues inherent in dealing with the structure of legal systems, business litigation, contracts, employment issues, intellectual property, competition and sales, and international law. The course will help students develop the ability to anticipate and recognize key legal issues for ethical decision making. Christian values run throughout the course and are covered specifically in several topics. Prerequisite: This course is for students in MBA Part-time program.

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BUSG 536 Managing People, Processes, & Projects

3 credit hours

This course will prepare students to take the lead on key initiatives in a broad array of fields within the private, public, and non-profit sectors by developing skills in project management and process improvement. Students will be introduced to the Project Management Institute (PMI) approach to assembling and leading teams for effective initiation, planning, execution, monitoring/control, and closure of projects, including Agile and Lean methods. Students will work in collaborative teams to define and propose solutions to address strategic opportunities and solve critical problems.

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BUSG 541 Business Research & Analytics

3 credit hours

This course prepares students to be more effective users of quantitative data and better researchers focused on business decisions. Coursework emphasizes problem identification, the need for information to support decision making, business research techniques, data analysis, and interpretation. Specific attention will be given to separating information from noise, exploratory data analysis, predictive analytics, and optimization to support business decision-making.

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BUSG 551 Executive Data Science

3 credit hours

This course develops the diagnostic and interpretive skills required of executive leaders to guide data-informed decision-making. Students evaluate quantitative models, predictive frameworks, and data governance considerations without requiring coding proficiency. Emphasis is placed on translating complex analytical outputs into strategic insight and responsible action.

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BUSG 552 AI-Empowered Marketing Strategies

3 credit hours

This course applies behavioral science and digital analytics to contemporary marketing strategy. Students examine segmentation, targeting, pricing, and promotional decision-making in digitally mediated markets. Emphasis is placed on ethical data use, AI tools, consumer privacy considerations, and technology-enabled customer engagement.

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BUSG 553 Global Digital Economics

3 credit hours

This course analyzes the economic and geopolitical impact of digital transformation on global markets. Students apply microeconomic and macroeconomic principles to firm-level strategy within evolving international trade and competitive systems. Emphasis is placed on responsible economic engagement and long-term strategic positioning.

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BUSG 554 Smart Logistics & Ops Excellence

3 credit hours

This course focuses on optimizing operational systems and supply chains using technology-enabled modeling and real-time decision frameworks. Students examine process design, efficiency strategy, and operational resilience in complex organizational environments. Emphasis is placed on disciplined execution and systems-level thinking.

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BUSG 556 Developing World-Class Leaders

3 credit hours

This course will explore the key elements of self, team, and organizational leadership. Students will examine both the beliefs and behaviors required of effective leadership and how to align them for maximum impact. Through the use of presentations, small group discussion, personal assessments, and assignments, students will gain a deeper understanding of their current leadership abilities and what is required of them to become world-class leaders.

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BUSG 560 Design Thinking for Strategy Development

3 credit hours

The focus is on the use of design thinking processes and the application of design thinking tools appropriate to situational context necessary for problem-solving and strategy formulation. The course contrasts the traditional, linear approach to problem-solving and strategy formulation with a more holistic, systems thinking approach. The objective, therefore, is to not only increase awareness and understanding of design thinking, but importantly enable learners to apply design thinking tools relative to business strategy to better navigate the challenges of complexity and change faced by leaders in any organization, in any industry today.

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BUSG 561 AI-Driven Financial Decision-Making

3 credit hours

This course examines advanced financial leadership in technology-intensive environments. Students apply capital budgeting, valuation, forecasting, and risk assessment frameworks enhanced by AI, predictive, and computational tools. Emphasis is placed on disciplined financial stewardship and investment decision-making under uncertainty.

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BUSG 562 Predictive Accounting & Assurance

3 credit hours

This course advances financial reporting beyond historical accounting into predictive assurance and proactive risk detection. Students evaluate internal controls, anomaly detection systems, and financial oversight mechanisms within technology-enabled environments. Emphasis is placed on forward-looking financial integrity and executive accountability.

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BUSG 563 Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Growth

3 credit hours

This course examines innovation strategy, venture dynamics, and scalable growth models in rapidly evolving markets. Students analyze product-market fit, funding ecosystems, competitive positioning, and systems-level strategy. Emphasis is placed on developing sustainable, growth-oriented business models within complex and technology-enabled environments.

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BUSG 564 Integrative Strategic Simulations

3 credit hours

This immersive course synthesizes cross-functional business disciplines through competitive strategic simulations. Students apply analytics, finance, marketing, operations, and leadership principles to high-stakes business scenarios. Emphasis is placed on executive judgment, agility under pressure, and integrated strategic decision-making.

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BUSG 585 MBA Special Topics

1 credit hour

Elective courses explore various topics each semester that are complementary to the core curriculum of the MBA program.

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BUSG 595 Special Study

1-3 credit hour

Individual research and plans of study completed under the supervision of a School of Business faculty member. Permission required from the professor and program director.

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BUSG 598 Client/Capstone Project I

1 credit hour

The Client/Capstone project is an opportunity for MBA students to apply what they have learned in their program to a project in a client environment. The course serves as an integrative, hands-on learning experience using analysis, management, and planning tools gained during the MBA, resulting in a major project that is implemented in a client environment. Students (individually or in teams) will work with a faculty mentor and a representative from the client organization to detail the specific requirements for the capstone. Work on the project will begin in BUSG 598 and be completed in BUSG 599.

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BUSG 599 Client/Capstone Project II

1 credit hour

The Client/Capstone project is an opportunity for MBA students to apply what they have learned in their program to a project in a client environment. The course serves as an integrative, hands-on learning experience using analysis, management, and planning tools gained during the MBA, resulting in a major project that is implemented in a client environment. Students will work with a faculty mentor and a representative from the client organization to detail the specific requirements for the capstone. This course will continue the work begun in BUSG 598.

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BUSG 600 Business Analytics: Descriptive Analytics and Forecasting

3 credit hours

This course focuses on descriptive analytics and what that can tell us about our data frame. How we can best understand and forecast future events based on analytics. Particular attention will also be given to data visualization and how to present descriptive statistics and forecasting information.

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BUSG 603 Business Analytics: Applied Analytics and Predictions

3 credit hours

This course centers around methods of data collection, organization and analysis. Topics include predictive analytics, probability and predictions using regression. Special emphasis will be placed on data collection specification, common measurement error, bias and moderating violations of regression assumptions.

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BUSG 606 Business Analytics: Prescriptive Analytics and Modeling

3 credit hours

Under various contexts, this course allows students to focus on prescriptive methods in process optimization and modeling. Special emphasis is given on optimization in supply chain and other modalities. Data complexity and methods of data collection are considered during this course. Using analytics, we will prescribe activities within a business context for optimizing impact, market, efficiency, etc.

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