Graduate Programmatic Learning Outcomes
On this page you will find the learning goals and outcomes for all of Bentley's Master's degree programs.
Goal One
Students will have the ability to apply functional and cross-functional business knowledge and tools to solve business problems in a dynamic environment.
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
1.1 Demonstrate an understanding and application of business fundamentals and functions, including economics, finance, marketing, accounting, and operations.
Goal Two
Students will have an understanding of globalism in a business context.
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
2.1 Demonstrate an ability to work within a cross-cultural team.
2.2 Identify and explain the cultural factors that influence business decisions.
Goal Three
Students will be critical thinkers and problem solvers.
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
3.1 Identify demographic and social trends affecting a business decision.
3.2 Describe the economic and legal issues that influence potential solutions.
3.3 Devise alternative solutions.
3.4 Recommend appropriate management solutions to business problems.
Goal Four
Students will be innovative leaders.
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
4.1 Describe how corporate culture can influence innovation.
4.2 Generate, evaluate, and select innovative ideas that address and balance stakeholder expectations.
Goal Five
Students will be ethical and socially responsible leaders.
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
5.1 Identify the ethical issues associated with a business problem.
5.2 Devise appropriate responses to ethical dilemmas that consider the perspective of all stakeholders.
5.3 Explain the importance of being socially responsible.
5.4 Evaluate the benefits and costs of socially responsible alternatives.
Goal One
Our students will have an understanding of the accounting profession, and of the role of the accounting professional in the business environment.
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
1.1 Identify the elements of professionalism and the application of those elements to accounting as a profession.
1.2 Give examples of the roles played by various accounting professionals in the business environment.
1.3 Cogently discuss contemporary issues related to the profession and to the role of accounting information
Goal Two
Our students will have an understanding of the ethical dimensions of accounting.
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
2.1 Identify an ethical dilemma in an accounting context.
2.2 Apply an appropriate framework to analyze and evaluate an ethical issue.
Goal Three
Our students will demonstrate the research and analytical skills needed to solve problems in an accounting context.
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
3.1 Identify, locate, and use the research tools that are appropriate to address a problem in an accounting area (e.g., financial accounting, auditing, tax, etc.)
3.2 Identify the issues in a given accounting problem.
3.3 List and evaluate the relevant alternatives, and arrive at an appropriate solution.
Goal Four
Our students will communicate effectively and professionally in business situations.
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
4.1 Produce professional quality written documents, e.g., audit reports, case analyses, systems analysis documentation, research papers, etc.
4.2 Make an effective presentation.
Goal One
Students will be prepared for careers in accounting and auditing wherein they apply advanced analytical techniques to assemble, understand and assess large data sets.
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
1.1 Explain the purposes of data analytics in a variety of business contexts, and describe the value that can be obtained from their use.
1.2 Become proficient in advanced auditing and accounting knowledge.
1.3 Use and explain current technologies that enable the collection or analysis of large sets of data.
Goal Two
Students will learn to analyze large data sets using a variety of techniques.
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
2.1 Identify data sources and perform data cleaning using multiple formats
2.2 Identify anomalies in data
2.3 Use relational databases
2.4 Use non-relational databases
Goal Three
Students will learn to analyze large data sets using a variety of techniques.
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
3.1 Demonstrate statistics knowledge by conducting analyses using statistical packages
3.2 Use data visualization techniques
3.3 Utilize machine learning, data mining and predictive analysis
3.4 Implement analytical optimization methods
3.5 Utilize general programming languages to accomplish analytics tasks
Goal Four
Our students will communicate effectively.
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
4.1 Incorporate the results of data analysis into written reports
4.2 Develop presentation skills that incorporate analysis techniques
4.3 Use general collaboration tools to complete group tasks.
4.4 Develop collaboration and group work skills
Goal One
Students will gain an in-depth understanding of fundamental statistical techniques that are in demand in business practice.
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
1.1 Choose and apply appropriate statistical modeling methodologies including linear regression and logistic regression to solve problems.
1.2 Apply decision trees, cluster analysis and factor analysis to solve problems.
1.3 Choose an appropriate time series model and use it to solve a business problem.
1.4 Apply essential concepts of simulation and optimization to solve business problems.
Goal Two
Students will gain an in-depth understanding of state of the art data mining techniques.
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
2.1 Use market basket analysis, neural networks, genetic algorithms, extensions of regression models, text mining and web mining in problem solving.
Goal Three
Students will become proficient with using leading statistical packages and database management tools.
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
3.1 Use leading statistical packages such as SPSS, SAS or R to solve business problems.
3.2 Define and discuss essential database concepts database concepts and be able to use database tools, for example SQL - Structured Query Language.
Goal Four
Students will be prepared to be well-rounded business professionals with a specialty in business analytics.
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
4.1 Demonstrate the ability to present analytics results, both in writing and orally, to a variety of audiences.
Goal One
Students will apply basic portfolio theory including equity and fixed income asset pricing models and implications of the efficient market hypothesis.
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
1.1 Describe the assumptions behind the capital market theory and the development of the CAPM.
1.2 Apply CAPM to security valuation.
1.3 Value equities using different models and the assumptions behind them.
1.4 Value fixed income instruments and valuation methods.
1.5 Describe basic option terminology and factors that affect option valuation.
1.6 Calculate the risk and return of both individual securities and portfolios.
1.7 Describe market efficiency, including the differences between the different types.
Goal Two
Students will be effective at applying corporate financial management tools and techniques.
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
2.1 Demonstrate the interplay of the various elements of financial statements.
2.2 Reinforce and extend examples of time value of money calculations.
2.3 Use capital budgeting techniques, including NPV, IRR, and profitability index. Conduct analysis on capital budgeting projects, such as sensitivity and scenario analysis.
2.4 Calculate bond and stock valuation and the financial conventions used to express risk and return.
2.5 Evaluate a firm's capital structure and how a firm's choice in the way it itself affects firm value.
Goal Three
Students will be knowledgeable about how international markets and exchange rates affect corporate and investment decisions.
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
3.1 Demonstrate theoretical and analytical grasp of exchange rate determination and parity relationships.
3.2 Demonstrate the impact of currency exposure on investment risk and return.
3.3 Demonstrate knowledge of and critical thinking with respect to FX risk exposure management strategies based on market information and corporate risk appetite.
3.4 Evaluate the use and valuation of currency derivative instruments.
3.5 Evaluate the use and valuation of structured instruments such as swaps.
3.6 Evaluate the use and valuation of a covered interest arbitrage.
Goal Four
Students will be intellectually disciplined and skillful in conceptualizing, applying, and evaluating information for financial statements analysis and modeling.
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
4.1 Analyze financial statements and demonstrate the inter-relationship among different component parts
4.2 Use Excel financial functions to solve practical finance problems
4.3 Organize and analyze data using financial modeling techniques
Goal One
Students will understand a diverse range of human behaviors relevant to users and systems designers.
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
1.1 Identify relevant behaviors within a given system design.
1.2 Demonstrate appropriate design accommodations.
1.3 Communicate a solution which addresses stakeholders' goals.
Goal Two
Students will employ research and evaluation methods that will optimize human performance, the quality of the user experience, and the return on investment for the development organization.
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
2.1 Design a proper usability test protocol.
2.2 Apply a range of research methods.
Goal Three
Students will be able to see the implications of usable system design for improving human performance, quality of life, and the competitive advantage of a business organization, locally and globally.
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
3.1 Define accessibility requirements.
3.2 Identify cultural variables informing system design.
Goal Four
Students will develop an understanding of interface, interaction, and information design.
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
4.1 Design a user-centered interface.
4.2 Perform a user-task/requirement analysis.
Goal Five
To prepare students to create and manage a competitive strategy for a business or development organization driven by the total customer experience.
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
5.1 Frame a design problem.
5.2 Allocate appropriate human and technological resources to a design solution.
Goal One
Solution Provision: MSIT graduates should have a working knowledge of the theory and current practices in distributed systems, communications networks, object-oriented analysis and development, and database technologies and how to implement them in state-of-the-art business solutions.
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
1.1 Model business processes
1.2 Assess appropriate IT solutions
1.3 Identify and choose from appropriate technological options
1.4 Provide plans of action for implementation
Goal Two
Globalization: MSIT graduates should understand the cultural and international perspective of information technology
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
2.1 Architect solutions appropriate for geographically disperse processes and organizations
2.2 Identify and manage issues related to systems and organizations that cross borders
Goal Three
Analysis, Critical Thinking, and Problem Solving: MSIT graduates should be able to think critically and apply analytic skills to solve problems.
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
3.1 Identify issues, analyze complex issues, and offer sound solutions
3.2 Identify, extract and/or elicit relevant data and/or information
3.3 Evaluate the logic, validity, and relevance of data and/or information
3.4 Apply appropriate models and frameworks
3.5 Consider higher order effects of proposed solutions
Goal Four
Communication: Graduates should be able to communicate complex technical concepts and business issues clearly and efficiently to technical and non-technical audiences.
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
4.1 Use formal modeling tools and techniques effectively
4.2 Write clearly and concisely for technical and non-technical audiences
Goal Five
Professional and Social Responsibility: MSIT students should develop a spirit of cooperation, ethical behavior and acceptance of social and professional responsibility as members of the IT profession
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
5.1 Assess the impact of their actions on all stakeholders
Goal One
Students will understand the legal principles of Taxation, which includes an understanding of the rationale and logic behind our system of Taxation including the political and judicial processes that shape the tax law.
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
1.1 Read, understand and demonstrate a working knowledge of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) and state income and sales/use tax codifications.
1.2 Identify and apply sections of the tax law that are relevant to a particular tax situation.
1.3 Describe the political process and motivations behind tax laws.
Goal Two
Students will demonstrate critical skills for use in the Tax profession.
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
2.1 Acquire the facts relevant to a Tax case and use that information to identify the issues.
2.2 Locate authority to address the Tax issue, using technology tools when appropriate and apply the rules to the situation.
Goal Three
Students will develop communication skills for use in the Tax profession.
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
3.1 Write professional documents that will serve as an effective means of communication with clients and regulatory agencies.
3.2 Advocate a client's position clearly and effectively.
Goal Four
Students will be cognizant of the ethical responsibility associated with the Tax profession
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
4.1 Identify situations that provide ethical challenges
4.2 Explain the appropriate actions based on the ethical standards of the Tax profession.