Telecommunications Management (M.A.)

Locations

Telecommunications management courses are offered at the following locations:

Continental United States

• Denver Metropolitan Campus, CO

Program Description

The objective of the telecommunications management curriculum is to provide the student with exposure to the tools of management in the telecommunications profession and to provide experience in this area through simulations and decision-making situations. Students acquire familiarity with the management demands and characteristics of telecommunications, the techniques of decision making, and the application of these techniques in actual problem-solving cases.

Program Curriculum

The 36 credit hours required for the master of arts (M.A.) or the 48 credit hours required for the master of business administration (M.B.A.) must include the following courses for a major/emphasis in telecommunications management.

• TELE 5000 Telecommunications Management (Requisite Course)
• TELE 5020 Telecommunications Project Management
• TELE 5030 Legal Issues in Telecommunications Management
• TELE 5040 Digital Network Environment
• TELE 5050 Telecommunications Marketing
• FINC 5000 Finance or BUSN 5200 Basic Finance for Managers
• TELE 6000 Integrated Studies in Telecommunications Management

In addition, the student chooses elective courses offered in this major and/or from the program curricula of other School of Business and Technology majors.

If the requisite course is waived, the student must choose an elective course from this major or from the program curriculum of another School of Business and Technology major. Students pursuing dual majors who have the requisite course(s) waived will complete only the remaining required courses for the dual majors.

Course Descriptions

TELE 5000 Telecommunications Management (Requisite Course) (3)

This course is an overview of the various segments of the telecommunications networks and how these relate to the total system. The segments examined include analog and digital theory; cable systems; trunking; switching systems; microwave; satellite; customer premise; premise wiring; voice grade; special circuits; toll systems; computer telephony integration (CTI); IP telephony; Quality of Service (QOS) offerings; Voice Over Packet Protocols including IP (VOIP) and other new technology concepts.

FINC 5000 Finance (3)

The student examines the general nature of financial management, the American financial system, taxes, and the major financial decisions of corporations. Specific attention is given to present value and capital budgeting; risk and asset pricing; financial analysis and forecasting; financial decisions and market efficiency; and capital structure. Problem-solving methodology is used to illustrate the theories and tools in financial decision making. Prerequisites: BUSN 5600 and BUSN 5760. (BUSN 5200 cannot be substituted for FINC 5000.)

BUSN 5200 Basic Finance for Managers (3)

Managers and human resources management professionals must be able to understand financial information contained in financial statements and reports. Line managers must be able understand financial information contained in financial statements and reports in order to evaluate their unit's financial performance, to communicate clearly with other managers, and to apply financial information when making decisions. Human resources management professionals must understand financial statements and principles if they are to effectively assist line managers and be strategic partners with other business functions. This course will focus on the interpretation and use of basic financial information by non-financial managers, not on the production of financial statements and reports. (FINC 5000 cannot be substituted for BUSN 5200.)

TELE 5010 Telecommunications Economics (3)

This course combines topics from microeconomics, telephony, and engineering economy. Topics include inflation; incremental costs; incremental revenue; minimization; maximization; marginal costs and revenue; elasticity; owning versus leasing telephone and data network equipment; property; maximizing profits from alternative routing; the cost benefits of alternative carriers and facilities; economics of bypass; cost benefit analysis of wireless technologies including broadband wireless services; economics of local and wide area networks; economics of packet switching networks; economics of telecommuting and remote networking; cost benefits of extranet technology and virtual private networks (VPNs); economics of and benefits of thin client computing; economics of scale and scope; pure monopolies versus regulated monopolies; and economic feasibility study techniques and capacity planning.

TELE 5020 Telecommunications Project Management (3)

Students examine the management techniques used in the concept, design, provisioning, and follow-up for communications projects; quality assurance; budgeting control; research and development; organizational matrix; contract negotiations; systems compatibility; human resources planning; systems analysis; interdepartmental and vendor coordination; scheduling; facility layout; problem analysis; and inventory control.

TELE 5030 Legal Issues in Telecommunications Management (3)

This course introduces students to the readings and case studies that integrate ethical aspects of law and the effect on management decisions: 1984 consent decree; Federal Communications Commission regulations and jurisdiction; state utility commission rulings; criminal law as it affects management decisions in a regulated environment; contract administration; international law as it relates to telecommunications; the scope of white collar crime; and technology patent infringements.

TELE 5040 Digital Network Environment (3)

This course introduces the student to the basic terminology and facilities used in telecommunications. Focus is given to the following digital networks: digital transmission techniques and applications in voice and data services and the interface of circuits; packet switching; integrated services digital network (ISDN); Digital Subscriber Line (XDSL); packet switching technologies such as frame relay; extranets and Virtual Private Networking (VPNs); firewall security and data encryption; CCITT standards; open network architecture; fiber optics; bandwidth requirements; synchronization, framing, multiplexing and line coding; microwave satellite and wireless transmission technologies and theory; T-carrier; computer interconnection; and future architectures and design considerations.

TELE 5050 Telecommunications Marketing (3)

This course focuses on marketing products and services in the regulated and nonregulated subsidiaries of telecommunications companies, including pre- and post-divestiture marketing theories; forecasting; promotion and advertising; customer training and sales; international market opportunities; importance of technical support; pricing; competition; managing the marketing program; market introduction of new technology; customer feedback; and corporate image. Prerequisite: MRKT 5000.

TELE 5220 Issues in Telecommunications Management (3)

Students examine current and significant issues in telecommunications management. The course focuses on existing theories and practices, with emphasis given to new and emerging topics in the field. Course may be repeated for credit if content differs.

Capstone Course
TELE 6000 Integrated Studies in Telecommunications Management (3)

Students explore a specific topic that has significant impact on the telecommunications industry. Topics are selected individually and approved as appropriate for graduate study. The student is expected to integrate learning from previous courses to develop a comprehensive, multidimensional study of the subject. Prerequisite: completion of all other required courses in this major.