Experiential Courses

Several MBA courses in the Whitman School have been designated as experiential courses. In addition to classroom learning, students work on real projects for real clients. These courses may also count toward the MBA concentration within a given department. More courses will be added over time.

MAR 754 Seminar in Marketing Research
During the 2008-09 academic year, students worked with syndicated data provided by Earthsense, LLC. The core focus of this research is on assessing consumers’ and citizens’ attitudes to the environment, sustainability and trends such as organic food consumption. Student teams analyzed data, presented their findings, and made actionable recommendations in four product areas. Each team developed a “pitch” for why companies within the category should buy Earthsense data to help formulate their business and marketing plans, and how the approach might change for different companies within the category. During the 2009-10 academic year, the class is working with the Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel to help them understand how to best reposition their restaurant, Rachel’s, to grow their dinner business.

SCM 600 Six Sigma Training
Students gain an understanding of how organizations can achieve “best-in-class” status by reducing costs, improving quality, reducing cycle times, eliminating defects, reducing variation, eliminating waste, and significantly increasing customer satisfaction. Students complete a Six Sigma project for a client. During the Fall 2008 semester, three student teams worked with Crouse Hospital on:

• PromptCare: streamlining the admitting process
• Medical Affairs: redesigning the application process for medical staff
• Employee Pharmacy: reduce the processing time for employee prescriptions

FIN 756 Investment Analysis
Students in this course piloted an experiential project, making investment recommendations for the Vera House Foundation endowment fund consistent with their investment policy and agency goals. A team of four students created a passively-managed and an actively-managed portfolio. Monthly reports were provided to the agency’s executive director and to the foundation chair. The Fall 2009 class is working on projects for M&T Bank, Armor Capital, and a local portfolio manager.

EEE 643 Emerging Enterprise Consulting
This course gives students an inside look at the consulting industry, the techniques and methods used to consult, and an opportunity to learn and practice consulting skills and business knowledge with a client company.

Students work in consulting teams to assist local small firms and entrepreneurs. Problems are isolated and solutions are developed and implemented. A team consultant’s report is then prepared and presented. Additionally, one to two cases each year are submitted for national judging to the Small Business Institute of Directors.