Program Structure

The Master of Science in Management Program consists of four modules running over a 12-16 month period.  The first module serves as a four-day orientation for students entering the program. The second module is a twelve-week integrative module in which students are exposed to research methodology and management theory, data management and statistics, and other research issues.  During this module, students begin the process of integrating research methodologies and different theories used across the various management fields of specialization. In the third module, students specialize in their area of interest, and develop their initial research proposals in more depth.   In the final module, from May to August/December, each student conducts his/her primary research and analyses, writes up the thesis, and schedules a thesis defense with his or her research thesis committee. Students are required to defend their master’s thesis proposal early in the module, and must be successful to continue with their thesis work.  Normally, thesis defenses will be scheduled throughout the month of August/December.

Faculty of Management Teaching and Research Areas

ORIENTATION MODULE (0 credit hours)

Management 5100            Orientation (0 credit hours)

Introduction to Master of Science (Management) program philosophy, structure, and participants. This four-day orientation is a comprehensive review of selected topics, including statistics, information systems, library facilities and resources, and career development; this module is designed to orient students and faculty into the program.

INTEGRATIVE MANAGEMENT STUDIES MODULE (12 credit hours)

The Integrative Module exposes students to a comprehensive and rigorous cross-disciplinary analysis of the field of Management. The module is composed of:

Management 5150            Research Methodology in Management (3 credit hours, 12 weeks)

A comprehensive introduction to and application of research methods in the field of Management. Topics include, for example, research methods paradigms, research designs; data gathering, analysis and interpretation; research and the issue of relevance, ethical issues in research.

Management 5110            Management Field Overviews (1.5 credit hours, 6 weeks)

A comprehensive and rigorous cross0deisciplinary analysis of fundamental management issues. Students are introduced to research programs in a variety of functional areas.

Management 5130            Ways of Knowing (1.5 credit hours, 6 weeks)

This course will examine the nature of scientific research. Students will gain an understanding of the philosophy behind the positivist approach to social science, as well as criticisms of the approach. The course will address induction, confirmation, the importance of falsification, the role of theory, paradigm assessment, paradigm shifts, conceptualization, and limitations of the scientific method.

Management 5115            Research Workshops I (0 credit hours)

Workshops will be held to assist students in completing their degree requirements and in developing their thesis.

Management 5120            Lateral Thinking (1.5 credit hours, 6 weeks)

This course aims to generate conceptual frameworks and perspective useful for the extension, identification, and summation of research programs and the presentation of “new knowledge”. Harnessing the insight and creativity embodied in the mind, it strives to develop thinking skills through the practice of Lateral Thinking.

Management 5170            Data Management and Statistical Techniques I (1.5 credit hours, 6 weeks)

A comprehensive introduction and application of univariate and bivariate statistical techniques. From a Social Scientist perspective, the following statistical topics, for example, may be examined: data management, descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, non-parametric statistics, univariate statistics, and correlation.

Management 5200            Major Seminar I (3 credit hours, 12 weeks)

A selection from a list of topics will be offered in this twelve-week seminar. The topics vary according to the major of the student.

MAJOR STUDIES MODULE (9 credit hours)

In the Major Module, students undertake in-depth studies in their approved major and develop their initial research proposals in more detail. The module is composed of:

Management 5160            Qualitative Methods and Analysis (3 credit hours, 12 weeks)

A comprehensive introduction and application of qualitative research methods in the field of Management. Provide an in-depth analysis of the conceptual and practical issues to be considered when engaging in qualitative research. Topics include, for examples, the general categories of ethnography, interviews, focus groups, documentary analysis, content analysis, and discourse analysis.

Management 5125            Schematic Summation in Management (1.5 credit hours, 6 weeks)

This course aims to generate conceptual frameworks and perspectives useful for the extension, identification, and summation of research problems. Communication to oneself and others of an expanded universe of knowledge obtained through information rearrangement and concept restructuring can be facilitated by acquisition of schematic representation skills.

Management 5175            Data Management and Statistical Techniques II (1.5 credit hours, 6 weeks)

A comprehensive introduction and application of measurement assessment and multivariate statistical techniques. From a Social Scientist perspective, the following statistical topics, for example, may be examined: factor analysis, reliability, validity, MANOVA, regression, path analysis, and structured equation modeling.

Management 5300            Major Seminar II (3 credit hours, 12 weeks)

This seminar develops students' understanding by examining multiple perspectives in the specific area of the major.

Economics 3950            Econometrics (3 credit hours, 12 weeks) Finance Majors Only

This course is required by all Finance majors, and focuses on multiple regression analysis; problems in regression analysis including multicollinearity, specific error, and systems or equations.

MASTER'S THESIS MODULE (15.0 credit hours)

Management 6100            Master's Thesis

Selected under the supervision of a Faculty member, the master’s thesis will address valid research questions related to real market, industry or organization issues in the student’s major. Students will defend their master’s thesis proposal early in the module, and must be successful to continue with their thesis work. The master’s thesis should yield output, of publishable quality, that reflects the student’s substantive contribution to knowledge.

Students must submit a final version of the thesis to their Thesis Exam Committee, a four-person committee consisting of their supervisor, one Faculty member of the Faculty of Management and one Faculty member who may be external to the Faculty of Management, and one Faculty member who is external to the University of Lethbridge.

The master’s thesis must be defended in an oral examination. The master’s thesis is graded Pass/Fail. The examining committee may assess a qualified pass to the master’s thesis in those instances where it is evaluated as a largely successful project, but which nevertheless requires significant revisions. Once the master's project is final (i.e., assessed and corrected, if necessary), it must be submitted in both print and electronic formats.

Visit the current academic timetable for complete course listings.

For additional information, see the current Academic Calendar