Program Experiences

Focus Firm

Rather than simply analyzing case studies and running through simulations, the Focus Firm class gives students experience working on a real project. At the start of the semester, executives from the partner company launch the project and then students work to collect data, research trends, and develop recommendations. Toward the end of the semester, students present their findings to company executives.

Most recently, students worked on an research project about compensation for SAP Success Factors. In previous semesters, students worked on business models for non-profit organization One Heart Project; supply chain project for Lockheed Martin; and marketing research strategies for small businesses for Dell Technologies.

Leadership Summit - New York City

MBA students participate in an off-campus educational experience, as part of their Career Development courses. Faculty from various disciplines travel with students, challenging them to seek the most out of the experience. The interaction between students and faculty outside the classroom strengthens the educational journey at Baylor. During the one-week trip to New York City in the fall semester, students meet with corporate leaders from companies such as Trenchant Capital, Xylem, Deloitte, AMEX, Hudson Executive Capital, Bessemer Trust, Fleishman Hillard and the Federal Reserve. They also participate in a case study and a community service event, where they apply classroom learning to real world problems.

Case Study

Students spend a day working in small groups with a specific company to work on a case study. The companies identify specific issues they are facing and ask the students to analyze the situation and to provide ideas on how to resolve the issue. Previous partnering companies included Adecco, Aviva Investors, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, and Goldman Sachs.

Venture Capital Associates

As part of the Venture Capital Practicum class (ENT 5331), MBA students travel weekly to G-51 Capital Management, LLC. in Austin. At G-51, students scour new investment plans in order to evaluate the legitimacy of the opportunities clarify issues ranging from market size to the protection of intellectual property. Monthly, students participate in a "deal review" that entails each student pitching the various plans under his purview and giving his recommendations to the G-51 managers. Students are exposed to various types of business plans, ranging from software to manufacturing.

Portfolio Management Practicum

MBA students enrolled in the Practicum in Portfolio Management class manage an investment portfolio valued at $5 million. The class meets in the Southwest Securities Financial Markets Center to learn the tools and techniques used by investment professionals to analyze and select individual stocks.