American University of Beirut

The MBA program was launched in the mid-1940s and is continuously committed to the highest standards of quality in graduate management education. The MBA is a general management program that covers the various areas of business and offers students a robust knowledge platform comprised of a set of functional, cross-functional and skill-based courses. Indeed, a set of core courses as well as a variety of electives courses are available for students to choose from to tailor their learning experience to suit their individual needs.

Starting Fall 2020, OSB delivers the MBA program in two modalities: in residence on campus and online. When applying to the MBA program, the applicant must specify whether the application is for the on-campus MBA or the online MBA program (OMBA). Applicants to either mode of delivery, i.e., MBA or OMBA, are subjected to the same admission criteria.

All MBA courses provide students with opportunities to learn, practice and lead in a number of industries including Management Consulting, Entrepreneurship, Banking, Marketing, Media and others.

Program Highlights

• Flexible, innovative curriculum which fosters collaboration, community, teamwork and an entrepreneurial spirit.
• World-class faculty research and a focus on experiential, participatory and analytical learning.
• Rigorous academic training applied to real-world settings practice while developing effective leadership and management skills. 
• Ongoing assessment of learning outcomes geared towards continuous improvement.
• A global community of alumni worldwide embodying a powerful network that lasts a lifetime.

Impactful learning, executive connections and partnership opportunities are some of the benefits of the MBA experience at OSB. All our courses provide students with opportunities to learn, practice and lead. The program provides knowledge and recognition from the business world on industries of topics of interest such as consulting, strategy, innovation and other topics from a variety of industries.

Program Outline​

The MBA curriculum is composed of eight (8) core courses and a choice of 4 elective courses from a list of courses offering important areas of interest to the students. The program is offered on a full-time and part-time basis to suit the needs of students. Completion period ranges between 10 and 20 months depending on student preferences. It is the only graduate program at OSB which starts every fall and spring of the academic year.

Part-time MBA-OMBA students have up to three years to complete the program as follows: 

Academic Rules and Regulations

University Academic Rules and Regulations on courses, grades, probation and dismissal apply. The minimum passing grade in a course is C+. Students in the MBA program are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 in all courses taken for graduate credit.

Academic Advisors

The MBA-OMBA programs are offered according to the degree plans presented earlier, and therefore there is no need for advisor’s approval of the student’s schedule each term. Otherwise, the student can consult with the MBA-OMBA Director for further advice. The General University Academic Information section of this catalogue provides further information on academic advisors.

MBA Courses and Course Descriptions

Our MBA courses are taught by professionals in the field who bring forth their dynamic experiences and diverse backgrounds. Through the program, students will further their understanding of core management and business knowledge and practice while simultaneously enriching their perspective and practical knowledge on how to be innovative and entrepreneurial, and a responsible business professional with a global perspective and strong strategic foundation for success. Through class discussions, team learning and hands-on work, students will experience professional growth as well as personal development. In addition to the core and elective courses, professional leadership workshops will be offered to students. Each student must complete two prior to graduation.

MBA courses all have a prefix indicating the discipline: ACCT (Accounting), DCSN (Business Decision Systems), ENTM (Entrepreneurship), FINA (Finance), INFO (Business Information Systems), MKTG (Marketing) and MNGT (Management). Integrative and multi-disciplinary courses that do not belong to a particular discipline are labeled by the prefix BUSS. It is important to note that the successful completion of the pre-MBA integrative foundation module is a prerequisite for enrollment in all core and elective courses listed below. To deepen the learning of the student and to allow for program’s customizing, student can also select courses offered by other graduate programs within OSB and AUB, subject to the approval of the director.​

Remedial Courses

The integrative pre-MBA foundation module is an intensive, level-setting, 0-credit suite of three short courses offering basics in Accounting, Finance and Statistics. It normally takes place over a period of one month prior to the start of each of the fall and spring terms. It is offered online in an adaptive format and should be completed prior to the start of the program. The modules are followed by an assessment test. The MBA-OMBA director can allow in exceptional cases the student to start the accounting foundation module prior to joining the program and complete the basic of finance and statistics during the first term. 

Core Courses

MD-MBA Dual Degree

Philosophy

The MD/MBA Dual Degree program is tailored for AUB MD students, providing them with a comprehensive MBA curriculum to complement their medical expertise with business acumen and leadership proficiency. This program emphasizes academic rigor, nurturing critical thinking, and enhancing communication skills through an array of faculty expertise and innovative teaching methods such as experiential learning, case studies, group work, and projects.

Throughout the program, MD-MBA students engage deeply with managerial challenges, including those within the healthcare sector, culminating in a dedicated project. Furthermore, participants benefit from extensive exposure to the business realm and valuable networking opportunities. In essence, this dual degree fosters holistic personal and professional growth, equipping graduates with enhanced competitiveness upon completion.

Criteria for Admission

Matriculated MD students interested in the MD-MBA dual degree, will apply during their year in the MD program. To be considered for admission, the MD student must be in good standing academically (no failed courses or clerkships) and professionally (no disciplinary action on record). The admission criteria for the MD-MBA dual degree program will differ from the requirements of regular MBA students:

• The GMAT requirement and the work experience requirement are waived. The MCAT will replace the GMAT, and MD student’s rotations during their MED III will be deemed equivalent to the requisite MBA work experience.
• The admission committee retains the prerogative to invite applicants for interviews to evaluate their leadership potential and ensure their compatibility with the program.

The decision of the committee shall be communicated to the student by the middle of the 3rd year in the MD program.

Degree Format

MD students accepted into the MD-MBA dual degree program will integrate into the MBA cohort, commencing their studies after completing their third year in the MD program. They will be enrolled as full-time students in the business school and are anticipated to undertake a full academic workload each semester, including the summer term.

What sets MD-MBA students apart from their counterparts in the regular MBA program is the required healthcare management project, which begins during the January term of the MBA program. These students are expected to finalize their MBA requirements by August and then seamlessly transition back to the medical school, except for the final presentation of the project.

The MBA program encompasses a total of 36 credits, while the medical program’s Med IV spans 44 working weeks, divided into 11 rotations of 4 weeks each. Students pursuing the dual degree will be categorized by the FM as engaging in the scholarly concentration track (SCT) within the MD program, where their MBA constitutes their scholarly concentration.

Aligned with all SCT students, those pursuing the dual degree will allocate three elective rotations in Med IV (totaling 12 weeks) to their scholarly project. For the dual degree, these 12 weeks will fulfill requirements for both the MD and MBA programs, equivalently contributing 9 credits toward the MBA’s total credit count.

Below are the courses and requirements for the MBA with their credits:​

​Master’s in Finance (MFIN) Program​

Philosophy

The MFIN program is aimed at developing highly qualified individuals wishing to become technical experts in the finance field. Our program provides the region with professionals who are well equipped with knowledge of relevant, cutting-edge financial theories and tools.

Admission to the Program

Normally, there is one admission deadline a year, in March, for enrollment in the fall term. For more details, please refer to the Admissions section of the AUB graduate catalogue under Application Procedures.​

Criteria for Admission

To be eligible for admission to the MFIN program, a student must hold a bachelor’s degree and must satisfy the requirements of the university for admission to graduate study.

The MFIN program is looking to attract and admit candidates with the following qualifications:

• The applicant must possess an undergraduate degree from an accredited university with an average GPA in the last 60 credits of at least 3.3 or equivalent. For universities that do not follow the credit system, the cumulative average of the applicant will be taken into consideration.
• Students with a non-quantitative background may be asked to take the GMAT or GRE exam. Students with a quantitative background, specifically those coming from the fields of finance, accounting, mathematics, physics, engineering and economics, are exempted from the GMAT or GRE requirement.
• Students not having an undergraduate degree in Business will be required to take at least two prerequisite (i.e. remedial) courses in accounting and finance prior to enrolling in the program. 
• Interviews may be conducted with the MFIN applicants whenever deemed necessary.

The Application Process

 To apply for admission to the MFIN program, an applicant must submit the following: 

• An application form
• Two letters of recommendation
• An official transcript for all undergraduate and/or graduate coursework
• Proof of English proficiency (please refer to Readiness for University Studies in English - RUSE)
• A GMAT or GRE score for students coming from a non-quantitative non-business background
• A curriculum vitae
• A statement of purpose
• A personal interview
  
• An application Fee​
  

Program Components

Students can complete the MFIN program in 12 months starting the fall term provided they pass all core and elective courses, and maintain a cumulative average (GPA) of at least 3.3 in all courses taken for graduate credit. Students coming from non-business backgrounds must also complete all their remedial courses. Failing to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3 upon completion of the courses for the program’s academic year or obtaining a grade less than C+ in any course will cause a delay in graduation until the program requirements are met. Students can also satisfy all the above requirements if registered part-time over two calendar years.

Program Highlights 

• Master’s in Finance program (MFIN) is aimed at developing highly qualified individuals with in-depth knowledge and expertise in the finance field.
• The program meets the needs of students who have passion for finance and who are seeking to advance their careers in this field. It equips students with the appropriate range of analytical and research proficiencies and helps them acquire specialized (hard and soft) skills needed to excel as finance professionals.
• Students will develop a knowledge base in all areas of finance, including structured finance, financial markets, commercial and investment banking, portfolio management, equity valuation, corporate finance, energy finance, risk management, private equity, real estate finance, fintech, digital transformation, decentralized finance, and Cryptocurrency drawing on case studies from Lebanon and the MENA region.
• MFIN prepares students to work in a wide range of financial roles including commercial and investment banking, risk management, asset and private wealth management, private equity and venture capital, consulting, auditing, CFO offices of national, regional and multinational institutions and family business among others.

In order to fulfill the MFIN graduation requirements, a student must complete the following on a full-time or part-time basis as tabulated below.

No project (thesis) will be required.

The graduate program consists of 6 core courses and 4 electives. The core courses span the various areas of corporate finance, risk analysis and management, banking, investments, portfolio theory, and quantitative finance. The program closely follows the CFA curriculum and covers the material of the three CFA levels and beyond.

The core courses are in the general areas of:​

• MFIN 301: Financial Statement Analysis
• MFIN 303: Structured Finance
• MFIN 304: Equity Valuation
• MFIN 305: Quantitative Methods of Finance
• MFIN 306: Portfolio Management and Security Analysis
• MFIN 307: Financial Strategy

Four elective courses may be chosen from the following list:

• MFIN 351: Fixed Income Securities
• MFIN 353: Financial Econometric to Empirical Finance
• MFIN 354: Risk Management in Financial Institutions
• MFIN 355: Private Equity
• MFIN 356: Financial Markets in the Middle East Region
• MFIN 357: Energy Finance
• MFIN 358: Real Estate Finance and Investment
• MFIN 359: Entrepreneurial Finance
• MFIN363: Strategy in Commercial Banking Management
• MFIN399 : Applied Investment Management
• MFIN 350B: Cryptocurrencies and the Blockchain
• MFIN 350C: Project Finance
  

Students not having an undergraduate degree in Business will be required to take, prior to enrolling in the MFIN program, one prerequisite/remedial course of 3 credits :

• Financial Accounting/Basics of Finance

The MFIN Program can be completed in three terms (one year) in accordance with the recommended time frame suggested below for students enrolled in the program on a full-time basis.

​​Students enrolled in the program on a part-time basis can complete the requirements in six terms (two years).​

​Academic Policies

University Academic Rules and Regulations on courses, grades, probation and dismissal apply. The minimum passing grade in a course is (C+). Students in the MFIN program are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 in all courses to meet graduation requirements.

Students should consult with the director of the MFIN program for academic advice. ​

MFIN Courses and Course Descriptions

MFIN 300A divided into two parts:

• ​Remedial Courses

Core C​ourses

• Core C​ou​rses​​​

Master’s in Human Resource Management (MHRM) Program​

Philosophy

The Master’s in Human Resource Management (MHRM) is a challenging and exciting 16 month program designed to prepare early career practitioners and ambitious graduates, to gain in-depth knowledge and skills in Human Resources Management and Organizational Behavior (OB), and to meet the challenges of HRM globally and in the MENA region. The MHRM program empowers students with professional, research- based skills and competencies necessary for succeeding in the ever-changing context of HRM.

Admission to the Program

Normally, there is one admission deadline a year in March for enrollment in the Fall term. For more details, please refer to the Admissions section of the AUB graduate catalogue under Application Procedures.

Criteria for Admission

To be eligible for admission to the MHRM program, an applicant must hold a university degree recognized by AUB, and must satisfy the requirements of the university for admission to graduate study (including meeting the Readiness for University Studies in English (RUSE) of the university).

Admitted applicants will normally have attained the following:

• An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.3 or equivalent in any major. The undergraduate degree must be obtained from a university recognized by AUB. An applicant is considered for admission on probation if s/he has attained a GPA between 3.0 and 3.3.
• A personal interview for applicants who don’t have work experience and/or when needed.

Admitted participants with non-business undergraduate degrees are required to successfully complete two remedial business courses prior to the commencement of the MHRM program.

The Application Process

To apply for admission to the MHRM program, an applicant must submit the following:​​​​​​

• ​​​An application form
• Two letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts for all undergraduate and/or graduate coursework
• ​​​​​​​​Proof of English proficiency (please refer to Readiness for University Studies in English - RUSE).
• A curriculum vitae
• A statement of purpose indicating his/her interest in pursuing an HR specialization 
  
• A personal interview for MHRM applicants who do not have work experience and/or when deemed necessary.
• An application fee
  

Program Components

Students can complete the MHRM program in 16 months starting the fall term provided they pass all core and elective courses, and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 in all courses taken for graduate credit.

Program Highlights

Blend of practice and theory

The MHRM program at OSB offers a blend of practice and theory necessary for developing strategic thinking, evidence-based knowledge, and practical expertise in HRM and OB.

Experts

Our courses are taught by professionals and experts in the fields of HRM and OB who bring forth their renowned experiences and backgrounds to provide you with endless opportunities to learn, practice, and lead.

Faculty

Our faculty brings strong research, practical, and consulting experience in the MENA region and the global economy.

Experience

The program also offers extracurricular experiences that provide students with the opportunity to interact with key players and industry leaders in the HRM and OB field in the region.​

Participants are expected to complete the program in 16 months. Admitted students, not having an undergraduate degree in business, will be required to take, prior to enrolling in the MHRM program, two prerequisite courses of 0 credits each in August.

To fulfill the MHRM graduation requirements, a student must take 9 core courses (27 credits) and a field project or an elective course (3 credits).

The curriculum is constantly being revamped to make sure that we continue to offer relevant, contemporary, and critical HRM skills to our students. 

The graduate program consists of 9 core courses and a comprehensive field project that can be replaced by an elective course to be completed in a 16 month period. Courses are offered twice a week in the evening. The courses are as follows: 10 courses- 30 credits (9 courses required- 27 credits and one elective/field project or an elective - 3 credits):​

• MHRM 301: Managing the Recruitment Process (3 credits)
• MHRM 302: Human Capital Training and Development (3 credits)
• MHRM 303: Compensation and Performance Management Context (3 credits)
• MHRM 304: Ethics, inclusion and Labor Law (3 credits)
• MHRM 305: Leadership and Behavior in Organizations (3 credits)
• MHRM 306: Strategic Human Resource Management and Change Management (3 credits)
• MHRM 308: Human Resource Development (3 credits)
• MHRM 309: Evidence Based HRM Research Design and Methods (3 credits)
• MHRM 310: Final Field Project (3 credits)
• MHRM 311: HR Analytics (3 credits)
• MHRM312: HR Consulting Management (3 credits)

Students not having an undergraduate degree in business may be required to take, prior to enrolling in the MHRM program, at least two prerequisite (remedial) courses of 3 credits each:

• Overview of Accounting and Finance
• The Business Value Chain

Academic Rules and Regulations

University Academic Rules and Regulations on courses, grades, probation and dismissal apply. The minimum passing grade in a course is (C+). Students in the MHRM program are required to maintain a cumulative average of at least B + in all courses taken for graduate credit.​

Academic Advisors

Each student has an academic advisor who normally approves the student’s schedule each term. The General University Academic Information section of this catalogue provides further information on academic advisors.

MHRM Courses and Course Descriptions

MHRM 300A divided into two parts:

• Remedial Courses​
  

Core Courses

Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA)​

Program Philosophy

The Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) Program prepares the next generation of experts in business analytics. Participants in the program will acquire the necessary knowledge to frame business problems in analytical terms and undergo hands-on training in applying the trendiest, most relevant analytical tools to capture, process and analyze large data sets. The analytical findings will help organizations extract actionable insights to make better informed decisions, recommend strategies to improve performance of operations, create shared value for sustainable growth, gain competitive advantages, identify new opportunities and enable the digital transformation from basic to smart organization. Graduates of the program will develop advanced proficiency in executing and applying business analytics initiatives to challenging business problems in various industry domains including supply chain and operations, project management and marketing. The program aims to help meet the growing industry needs in the MENA region in particular and the world at large for business analytics professionals with the required new skills and expertise.

Admission to the Program

Normally, there is one admission deadline in March a year for enrollment in the Fall term. For more details, please refer to the Admissions section of the AUB graduate catalogue under Application Procedures.

Criteria for Admission

To be eligible for admission to the MSBA program, a student must hold an undergraduate degree from a recognized university and must meet the Readiness for University Studies in English (RUSE) of the University. The program is open to students from other educational backgrounds including Business, Computer Science, Engineering, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics and so forth.

To be accepted into the MSBA program, the applicant must possess an undergraduate university degree with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.3 or above. An applicant is considered for admission on probation if s/he has attained an average between 3.0 and 3.3.

A personal interview may be conducted with an MSBA applicant when deemed necessary. As per AUB’s bylaws, the OSB Graduate Studies Committee shall make the final decision on the admission of applicants to the MSBA program.

The Application Process

To apply for admission to the MSBA program, an applicant must submit the following documents:

• An application form
• Two letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts for all undergraduate and/or graduate coursework
  
• Proof of English proficiency (please refer to Readiness for University Studies in English - RUSE) 
• A curriculum vitae
  
• A statement of purpose
  
• A personal interview 
• An application Fee
  

Application form, online submission and frequently asked questions are available at the online graduate application system: https://graduateadmissions.aub.edu.lb.

Program Components

Overview

The MSBA program requires a minimum of 30 credit hours consisting of 6 required core courses (18 credits) and 4 elective specialized courses (12 credits). The 12 credits can be taken in one of two options:

Option 1 includes two core specialized elective courses (6 credits) and a thesis project (6 credits).

Option 2 includes two core specialized elective courses (6 credits); one general elective (3 credits); and a capstone project with experiential learning in industry (3 credits).

Please note if the two core specialized elective courses and thesis or project are taken in a given area, the student is entitled to an MSBA with a concentration title in that area (e.g., supply chain, project management, etc.)

Program Highlights

The program aims at achieving the following objectives:

• Frame business problems in analytical terms: Identify the business requirements, relevant data, needed information technology, competitive edge, value added proposition to the business and performance metrics for success.
• Analytical modeling and solving: Develop advanced analytical modeling and solving skills to best address business problems in various industries; further expose students to new techniques more applicable to the unstructured and streaming nature of big data.
• Analytics communication and management: Learn how to effectively communicate analytical and sometimes complex results to a mixed audience; develop core managing skills more applicable to a business analytics project including planning, team leadership, project management, conflict resolution, negotiation and convincing techniques; create shared value for sustainable performance growth.

Program Outline

Participants will complete the program in a period of 12 months on a full-time basis. The program can also be completed on a part-time basis over a period of 24 months. The program starts with a 2-week boot camp and orientation (prerequisite) in August and continues for 12 months starting in September. In order to fulfill the MSBA program requirements, a student must complete the following on a full time or part time basis as tabulated below.​

The Curriculum​

The graduate program consists of 6 core courses , 2 electives and a thesis that could be replaced by an elective and a capstone​​ project.

The core courses areas follows:

• ​​​MSBA300 : Business Understanding in Analytics
• MSBA305 : Data Processing Frameworks
• MSBA310: Applied Statistical Analysis
• MSBA320: Optimization & Simulation
• MSBA315: Predictive Analytics and Machine Learning
• MSBA325: Data Visualization & Communication

Elective courses may be chosen from the following list:

• MSBA316: Text Analytics and Natural Language Processing
• MSBA318: Forecasting Analytics
• MSBA319: Big Data Processing and Blockchain Technology
• MSBA335: Supply Chain Management
• MSBA360: Social Media Analytics
• MSBA370A: Data Driven Digital Marketing
• MSBA370B: Consumer Behavior Analytic in MENA
• MSBA375: Strategic Performance Management

Special Topics

• MSBA350A: Health Care Analytics
• MSBA350B: Pricing Analytics

Academic Policies

Academic Rules and Regulations

University Academic Rules and Regulations on courses, grades, probation and dismissal apply. The minimum passing grade in a course is C+. Students in the MSBA program are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3 in all courses taken for graduate credit.​

Academic Advisors

Each student has an academic advisor who normally approves the student’s schedule each term. The General University Ac​ademic Information section of this catalogue provides further information on academic advisors.

MSBA Courses and Course Descriptions

Prerequisite Courses

• Prerequisite Courses​
  

Core Courses

• Core Courses

Elective Courses

• ​Elective C​ourses​
  

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