Curriculum & Core Concepts
The McCombs Summer Institute is an intensive program that includes five required summer courses, student experiences, and guest speaker lectures. In addition to the summer coursework, students must also complete one course to successfully meet all the Business Foundations Minor or Elements of Business Certificate course requirements.
Required Summer Courses
Foundations of Accounting
This course provides an introduction to financial and managerial accounting, focusing on the content, interpretation, and practical uses of accounting reports. Students will explore how financial statements, budgets, and performance metrics are used to drive internal business planning and external investment decisions.
Foundations of Finance
This course covers principles of effective financial management, including financial intermediaries, securities markets, and the evaluation of alternative assets, debt, and capital structures. Students will explore how market-valuation frameworks and economic decision tools are applied to quantitative cost-benefit analyses
Foundations of Business Law & Ethics
This course provides an introduction to common legal issues, processes, and doctrines that impact everyday business transactions. Students will explore how legal principles and ethical frameworks are used to navigate complex organizational dilemmas in the workplace.
Foundations of Marketing
This course covers basic terminology and concepts in marketing, focusing on the process of developing marketing strategy, analytical tools, and external market influences. Students will explore how frameworks for customer centricity, segmenting, targeting, and brand positioning solve real world industry challenges.
Remaining Course
Management Information Systems
This course explores how modern organizations leverage information technology and information systems to optimize business processes, improve operational decision-making, and achieve a strategic competitive advantage. Students will examine the role of emerging tech platforms across various corporate functions while building essential hands-on skills in data analytics and strategy analysis.
MSI Badging Program
How to Earn a Badge
Each badge has course-specific earning requirements. Select a badge below to explore the skills it represents and review the criteria required to earn it.