MBA Course Exemption Criteria

Refer to policies and procedures for an overview of exempting from a required course.

Mini 1 

45-700 Financial Accounting: Carolyn Levine, instructor

The exemption criterion for 45-700 is CPA certification, or passing the exemption exam.

 45-730 Probability & Decision Making: R. Ravi, instructor

An exemption exam will be required. The exam tests whether or not you have sufficient understanding of probability theory and its use in analytical decision making. The exam will consist of 25 multiple choice questions covering the topics listed below, which are roughly the same as those that will be covered in the course. You will however not need to use any of the software that the course covers.

Topics:
1. Probability theory: definitions, simple metrics like expectation and variance, independence, conditional probability, Bayes’ Theorem.
2. Discrete probability distributions: Bernoulli and Poisson.
3. Decision theory: Decision trees, expected monetary value of decisions, value of information.
4. Continuous probability distributions: normal, exponential, uniform, triangular.
5. Simulations: elementary concepts, central limit theorem, confidence intervals.

You will have one hour and half to complete the exam. It is an open-note, open-book exam. You may use any written personal notes that you have prepared. You are also permitted to use any textbook you may have learned this material from. You may also use your notebook computer, but without connecting it to any network.

You must contact the instructor by email by Wednesday, August 27, 6:00 PM if you wish to take the exemption exam. The exemption exam will be conducted tentatively the first Friday of the Mini. You will be informed by Monday, September 1 whether or not you have been granted an exemption.

45-760 Optimization & Decision Making:  Michael Trick, instructor

To exempt from 45-760, you must take a test offered between the second and third lectures and score satisfactorily. This test will require knowledge of linear, integer, and nonlinear programming as outlined in the course packet. The test might be waived if you provide sufficient evidence of command of these subjects (e.g., transcripts of relevant coursework). No exemption requests will be considered after the third lecture.

45-770 Managing Organizations: David Krackardt, instructor

We will exempt anyone who has had a prior course that covers the majority of material we cover in this core class. To determine whether you are eligible for such an exemption, you should send an email to Professor Krackhardt providing the relevant information on any past courses in organizational behavior you have taken that might fulfill this exemption requirement. It helps if you have a copy of the syllabus.  At a minimum, we would need to know the name of the course, the year you took the course, a brief description of its content, and the textbook (if any) used. We do not exempt people on the basis of work experience.    Indeed, our experience is that the more work experience you have had, the more you will get out of this course.

Mini 2 

45-701 Accounting for Decision Making & Control:  John O'Brien, instructor

The exemption criterion for 45-701 is a B or better in a comparable course or course sequence, as judged by the instructor.

University/College
Instructor
Syllabus
Textbook Used
Grade
Year

Please try to be as complete as possible in describing your past course work. In addition, please list any finance electives you plan to take while at the Tepper School. Exemptions are not granted on the basis of work experience. The knowledge acquired from work is generally much more specialized and limited in scope than is the coverage of this course.

45-731 Statistics & Decision Making: Dennis Epple, instructor

Exemption of 45-731 may be granted on the basis of prior work. To be considered for exemption based on prior work, the student must either have obtained an A- or better in 45-730 (Probability and Decision Making) or have obtained an exemption from 45-730. In addition, students requesting an exemption from 45-731 based on prior work should provide evidence of equivalent prior course work including a copy of the course syllabus, sample assignments, and a transcript documenting the grade received in the course. To receive an exemption, a student must also have statistics software on his/her computer and be able to demonstrate ability to use that software. Students may also exempt by taking an exemption examination.

45-750 Managerial Economics: Limor Golan, instructor

Students may exempt Managerial Economics, *45-750*, by passing an exemption exam. In addition, the professor may exempt a student based on previous work in Economics, if the topics and methodology are commensurate with the Tepper School's course. In either case, the student should contact the professor.