CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SAN BERNARDINO
ADMN 995: PORTFOLIO COURSE FOR MBAs
Course Information & Syllabus
Course Purpose
The Portfolio Course has two main purposes: (1) Program evaluation for continuous improvement and
(2) Professional development for you as you near graduation from the MBA program. There are two
portfolio information sessions given each quarter by Dr. Pamela Abell; students’ only need to attend
one. When we request enrollment for the next quarter’s Portfolio course, you’ll be asked to RSVP to
attend one of the information sessions for that quarter by signing up through CBPA CONNECT.
This zero-unit course contains your insights, which allow the MBA faculty to evaluate the effectiveness
of its program. It also requires you to reflect on and write about the way in which your selection of
courses achieves the goals of the MBA program.
As the MBA program collects and assesses student portfolios produced over a period of years, the
faculty will be able to adjust the mix of electives and requirements that make up each major to more
fully meet program goals. Other matters, such as grading standards or individual course requirements
may also come up for discussion during the review of student portfolios. Thus, your particular portfolio
will help shape the future of the MBA program as well as help you review your own education.
This course will also develop your career and professional aspirations via a career workshop and
advisement session to prepare you for the next step in your professional life, which varies from student
to student.
ADMIN 995 Course Overview
There are four components to the course which you must complete:
1. Portfolio of Academic Work
2. Reflective Essay
3. Career Development Activities
4. Exit Survey
NOTE: You must pass all 4 parts of the course in order to graduate.
Course Criteria
 Prerequisite: Completion of 32 units in the MBA program.
 Grading: Credit / No Credit
Important Contact Information
Name
Dr. Vipin Gupta
Email / Web Address
vgupta@csusb.edu
Phone number
909-537-7380
1
Office
JB 278 and 417
Dr. Pamela Abell
pabell@csusb.edu
909-537-3393
JB 134
1. Portfolio of Academic Work
You will prepare and submit a portfolio containing assignments representing your successful work in the
MBA program. Compiling the portfolio should be a valuable activity for you. It will help you see that
your MBA is not just a random selection of courses but a coherent and manageable field of study.
Additionally, it will help you see the relationship between the way you have structured your program,
guided by the requirements of options and electives, and the overall learning goals any MBA degree
should achieve.
How to Choose Items for Your Portfolio – do this section before writing your Reflective Essay
Step
1
Action
Review the complete list of
Learning Goals.
Notes
A complete list of the Learning Goals is included at the end of
this document.
2
Review your papers, exams,
case studies, assignments,
and other written materials
you have produced for your
MBA courses.
Look for projects and papers that clearly illustrate how you
learned and/or used one or more of the Learning Goals. Strive
for a variety of Learning Goals.
3
Choose 3 papers that
illustrate your use of the
Learning Goals.
Guidelines for choosing:
 You may write about one or more of the Learning Goals
in one paper.
 At least two of the 3 papers must be individual projects.
 If you include one group project, you must specify how
you contributed to the group project, not what the other
people did.
 Papers must be original and not be rewritten or revised
and include the instructor’s grades and comments on
them. If the professor used Blackboard or email to
comment on or grade your paper, please print that out
and attach to paper.
 Each paper must come from a different class.
4
Make a Checklist
Make a Checklist indicating which Learning Goals were
covered for each project. See end of doc for check list sample.
2
2. Reflective Essay
Your Reflective Essay will contain 2 sections:
 Section 1 - how you used the learning goals in your selected papers
 Section 2 - your growth and development as a person and a professional in the MBA program
We encourage you to visit our Graduate Writing Center to have them look at your Reflective Essay for
any suggestions or corrections. They serve only graduate students and are an outstanding resource for
domestic and international students.
Graduate Writing Center
College of Ed Building, Room 311
909-537-3127
Register first to make an appointment: http://csusb.mywconline.com/
Please follow this format for your Reflective Essay:
 2 pages long minimum, and can be longer if you want
 Single spaced with 1” margins
 12 point scale in Times New Roman font type
3. Career Development Activities
The three required career development activities consist of advisement and maturing of those skills
necessary to obtain and secure employment as you graduate from you professional graduate degree
program.
To fulfill the mandatory requirements of this portion of the program, you must:
1. Attend one Resume Recharge workshop offered by the CBPA from the schedule below and then
revise your resume based on what you learned.
2. Attend a one-on-one hour long meeting with the graduate career advisor, Dr. Abell, any time
during this quarter.
3. Include 2 resumes in your Portfolio; one is your original resume and the second one is your
revised resume, after you have attended the workshop/career advisement.
How to schedule an office appointment:
1.
2.
3.
4.
http://www.myinterfase.com/cbpa-studentservices/student/secure
Click “I want to make an appointment” on left side of screen
Click drop down menu to “MBA,MPA, MSA Graduate appointment”
Schedule will appear, choose your day and time, then click “Done”
How to schedule a workshop:
3
1. Click on “Workshops and Career Events” located on top horizontal navigation bar
2. Click on the workshop you wish to attend
3. Click on “Register for Event” above green and blue logo
NOTE: If you work full time and cannot attend any events, please make a phone appointment with Dr.
Abell immediately to discuss other options.
April 7, 2014
April 24, 2014
May 5, 2014
May 20, 2014
Monday
Thursday
Wednesday
Tuesday
9:00 - 10:30 AM
3:00 - 4:30 PM
10:00 - 11:30 PM
12:00 – 1:30AM
Résumé Recharge Workshop
Résumé Recharge Workshop
Résumé Recharge Workshop
Résumé Recharge Workshop
JB 137
JB 280
JB 137
JB 137
4. Exit Survey
The fourth and final component to the course is a survey in which the MBA will receive your feedback
to improve the program for future terms. This survey is anonymous. You will be required to submit the
confirmation page (do NOT include your detailed survey answers). The link will be emailed to you later.
How to Present Your Complete Portfolio of Work
The work you submit should be done carefully and be of high quality. Follow the order below
 Place your submissions in file folder, all documents stapled together as one, and 3-hole punched
 Section 1 – Cover Page (name, student ID, e-mail, & phone)
 Section 2 – Reflective Essay
 Section 3 – Checklist Chart of Learning goals
 Section 4 – Portfolio of Academic work
 Section 5 – Original resume and revised, updated resume
 Section 6 – Signed Confirmation Sheet
 Section 7 - Survey confirmation page, it is a small block of text at the end of the survey
Portfolio Class Meetings – you have 2 choices of dates, attend only ONE of these


Tuesday
April 15, 2014 from 5-6 pm in JB 280
Wednesday April 16, 2014 from 5-6 pm in JB 280
You must attend one of these meetings. This class will only meet once. In the meeting, you may present
to the class a description of the papers you have selected. Beyond the one required class meeting, you
are welcome to come in and talk to Dr. Abell about the project at any time during office hours.
Portfolio Due Date and Scoring
The completed portfolios will be due on Friday, May 23, 2014 and submitted to MBA office (JB283) by 5 pm. Submit them early! This is the final date Portfolios will be accepted. In order to receive a
“CR” grade for the course, you must receive, at minimum, a ‘Credit” grade for each of the 7 components
of the course requirements.
4
In case which you receive ‘No Credit” grades from any portion of the requirements or did not attend
the required workshops, you are required to reattempt those portions if time permits and/or reenroll in
this class in the subsequent quarter ( zero unit fees apply). Notify us immediately.
Admin 995 Portfolio Course
Signed Confirmation Sheet
Name:_____________________________________________________________
Student ID:_________________________________________________________
Resume Recharge Workshop date attended:______________________________
Signature of workshop presenter:_______________________________________
Career Advisement Meeting date attended:_______________________________
Signature of career advisor:____________________________________________
5
Learning Goals Checklist Sample
Learning goals
Information Technology
SCM 607 Paper:
Eleven Cases
Mgmt 641 Paper:
Case 7- Relations



Ethical Reasoning

Oral Presentation
Problem Solving
Mgmt 642 Paper:
Self-Evaluation


Written
Communication
6
Problem-Solving Rubric (All Programs)
Student Name: ____________________________________ Assignment: _________________________________________
Performance Criteria
Identification of central
problems in a complex
situation
Recognition of multiple
causal factors involved in a
problem situation
Correct usage of theories
and principles to address the
problem
Generation of plausible
alternative solutions to solve
the problem
Provision of persuasive
reasons and evidence in
support of proposed
solutions
Unacceptable (1)
Failure to identify major problems
involved in a complex business situation
Usage of incorrect or irrelevant theories
and principles to address the problem
Acceptable (2)
Identification of the main problems but
not all relevant issues and other problems
that may be related
Identified the main causal factor but not
other relevant factors important for
problem solving
Correct Identification of major theories
and principles to address the problem
Failure to generate plausible alternative
solutions to solve a problem
Generation of plausible alternative
solutions to the problem
Failure to provide sufficient reasons or
evidence to support proposed solutions
Provision of reasonable arguments and
evidence to support proposed solutions
Failure to identify any causal factors
involved in a problem situation
Superior (3)
Identification of all major problems and
relevant issues involved in the situation
Identified all relevant causal factors
involved in a problem situation
Effective application of all relevant
theories and principles to address the
problem
Generation of highly efficient and
effective solutions to the problem
Provision of strongly persuasive reasons
and evidence to support proposed
solutions
Quarter: ____________
MBA:
Superior _____ (14-15 points) Acceptable _____ (13-11 points) Unacceptable _____ (4-10 points)
Undergraduate: Superior _____ (13-15 points) Acceptable _____ (10-12 points) Unacceptable _____ (4-9 points)
Information Technology Rubric (All Programs)
Undergraduate
Superior _______ (14-16 points)
Acceptable _______ (10-13 points)
Unacceptable ______ (4-9 Points)
CATEGORY
Organization of
information
Analysis of
Information
Unacceptable (1)
The information appears to be
disorganized.
Major analysis techniques are
misused or missing.
Acceptable (2)
Information is organized, but
paragraphs are not well-constructed.
Analysis techniques are not applied
appropriately.
Key Findings
None of the key findings were
analyzed.
Many grammatical, spelling,
or punctuation errors.
Only one finding was identified and
analyzed.
A few grammatical, spelling, or
punctuation errors.
Mechanics
Proficient (3)
Information is organized with
well-constructed paragraphs.
Some analysis techniques are
applied but minor items are
missing.
Most of the major findings
were identified and analyzed.
Almost no grammatical,
spelling or punctuation errors
Superior (4)
Written report information is very organized
with well-constructed paragraphs.
All proper analysis techniques are applied
such as data cleansing, primary keys, good
summary functions.
All the major findings were identified and
analyzed.
No grammatical, spelling or punctuation
errors.
Graduate
Objectives
Analysis of an IT Case Study:
Conduct an analysis of an IT Case
Study
Making a Business Case for IT
Investments: Demonstrate
understanding of the process used
to justify requests in support of
new IT investments
Use of Productivity Software
Demonstrate proficiency in the use
of information technology
Unacceptable (1)
Lack of understanding of the
business theories, symptoms
and problems in the IT Case
Study and inability to develop
viable alternative solutions
and a possible course of action
Lack of understanding of how
to justify requests for new IT
investments
Acceptable (2)
Developing understanding the
business theories, symptoms
and problems in the IT Case
Study and ability to develop
viable alternative solutions and
a possible course of action
Developing ability to
understand the process and
templates used to justify
requests for new IT investments
Inability to demonstrate
Developing ability to
proficient use of productivity
demonstrate proficient use of
software ( MS Word, MS
productivity software ( MS
Excel, Ppt, MS Access)
Word, Excel, Ppt, Access)
Inability to demonstrate
Demonstration of a developing
Identification and Management
of IT Risk: Demonstrate
understanding of the process
understanding of the process
understanding of the process used
used to identify the sources of used to identify the sources of
to identify the sources of IT risk
IT risk & how to manage IT
IT risk & how to manage IT
and how to manage IT risk.
risk.
risk.
Inability to apply theories &
Developing ability to apply
Analysis of IT’s Impact on
Business Models: Apply theories
frameworks to analyze how
theories & frameworks to
and frameworks to analyze IT’s
organizations use IT to
analyze how organizations use
impact on an organization’s
improve business
IT to improve business
business model.
performance.
performance.
MBA: Superior _______ (14-16 points) Acceptable _______ (10-13 points) Unacceptable ______
Proficient (3)
Effective understanding of the
business theories, symptoms
and problems in the IT Case
Study and ability to develop
viable alternative solutions
and a possible course of action
Competent ability to justify
requests for new IT
investments
Superior (4)
Superior understanding of the
business theories, symptoms
and problems in the IT Case
Study and ability to develop
viable alternative solutions
and a possible course of action
Advanced ability to justify
requests for new IT
investments
Effectively demonstrates
proficient use of productivity
software (MS Word, Excel,
PowerPoint, Access)
Demonstration of a an
effective understanding of the
process used to identify the
sources of IT risk & how to
manage IT risk.
Competent ability to apply
theories & frameworks to
analyze how organizations use
IT to improve business
performance.
(4-9 Points)
Ability to demonstrate
advanced use proficient use of
productivity software (MS
Word, Excel, Ppt, Access)
Demonstration of superb
understanding of the process
used to identify the sources of
IT risk & how to manage IT
risk.
Superb ability to apply
theories & frameworks to
analyze how organizations use
IT to improve business
performance.
Oral Presentation Rubric (All Programs)
Student Name: _____________________________
Performance Criteria Unacceptable (1)
Information presented in a
Organization
disorganized manner. Abrupt
transition from one point to
another. Does not appear
prepared.
Clarity of Key Points Main points were neither clear nor
supported with appropriate
reasoning or examples. Little or
no summary of key points
Eye Contact with
Audience
Virtually reads speech from notes.
Avoids eye contact with audience.
Vocal Presentation
and Tone
Speaks too fast or too slow.
Volume inappropriate. Giggling or
other inappropriate vocal behaviors
interfere with the message.
Extremely monotone with a
complete lack of enthusiasm.
Appears nervous. Paces, fidgets,
or sways. Poor use of hands (e.g.,
jiggles, taps or plays with
something). Body language
distracts from the presentation.
Body Language
Presentation: ___________________________________
Acceptable (2)
Proficient (3)
Information organized and
Information organized and
presented adequately. Some
presented adequately. Minor
problems with topic transition and problems with topic
information flow.
transition and information
flow.
Main points were clear. Support
Main points were clear.
for contentions with reason and/or Support for contentions with
well -chosen examples could have reason and/or well-chosen
been more compelling. Summary examples was good.
of main points could have been
Adequate summary of main
stronger.
points at the conclusion.
Conspicuous use of speaker notes. Unobtrusive use of speaker
Occasional makes eye contact
notes. Sometimes fails to
with the audience.
make eye contact with the
audience.
Articulation, volume and pace are Articulation, volume and
acceptable. Tone is somewhat
pace are acceptable. Tone is
casual for a professional business appropriate for a business
presentation. Slightly monotone
presentation. A degree of
and somewhat lacking in
enthusiasm and assertiveness
enthusiasm and assertiveness.
is evident.
Appears slightly nervous.
Appears relaxed, confident
Occasional use of meaningful
and comfortable. Body
hand gestures. Body language
language does not distract
needs some improvement, but
from the presentation.
does not distract from the
presentation.
Quarter: _____________________
MBA:
Superior _____ (18-20 points) Acceptable _____ (10-17 points) Unacceptable _____ (4-9 points)
Undergraduate: Superior _____ (16-20 points) Acceptable _____ (10-15 points) Unacceptable _____ (4-9 points)
Superior (4)
Information is presented in an
organized and logical fashion. It
has been well prepared and
practiced.
Main points were clear and fully
supported with reason and/or
well-chosen examples. Main
points were clearly summarized
at the conclusion.
Never or rarely glances at notes.
Consistently makes eye contact
with the audience.
Articulation, volume and pace
are excellent. Vocal tone is
excellent and professional. The
presentation is enthusiastic and
assertive.
Appears confident, poised and
comfortable. Is relaxed and in
control. Body language (e.g.,
posture, facial expressions,
gestures) enhances the
presentation.
Ethical Reasoning Rubric (Graduate)
Student Name: ____________________________________ Assignment: _________________________________________
Performance Criteria
Articulation of ethical
dilemmas in an ill-defined
business situation
Identification of key
stakeholders in the situations
and their responsibilities to
the public
Familiarity with the
professional ethical
standards applicable to the
situation
Application of value-based
framework to analyze the
situation
Provision of fair, equitable,
and responsible solutions to
the ethical dilemma
Unacceptable (1)
Failure to identify or misidentify ethical
dilemmas in an ill-defined business
situation
Failure to identify major stakeholders
and/or their responsibilities to the public in
the situation involved
Acceptable (2)
Correct identification and description of
the ethical dilemmas in an ill- defined
business situation
Identification of major (but not all)
stakeholders and their responsibilities to
the public
Superior (3)
Clearly articulation of the ethical
dilemmas and identification of all issues
involved in the situation
Identification of all stakeholders and
their responsibilities to the public in the
situation involved
Unawareness of important professional
ethical standards applicable to the situation
Familiarity with important professional
ethical standards applicable to the
situation
Thorough understanding of all
professional ethical standards applicable
to the situation
Analysis or reasoning is incoherent or
inconsistent with value based framework
Analysis or reasoning is coherent and
generally consistent with value based
framework
Solutions generated are feasible and
defensible on ethical ground.
Analysis or reasoning is very
convincing and highly consistent with
value based framework
Solutions generated exhibit high moral
standards and are fair and equitable to
all parties involved.
Solutions generated are either unfeasible or
cannot be defended on ethical ground.
Quarter: ____________
Superior _______ (13-15 points)
Acceptable _______ (8-12 points)
Unacceptable ______ (5-7 Points)
Scoring Rubric – Ethical Reasoning Rubric (Undergraduate)
Student Name: ____________________________________ Assignment: _________________________________________
Performance Criteria
Identification of key
stakeholders in the situation
involved
Unacceptable (1)
Failure to identify key stakeholders in the
situation involved
Acceptable (2)
Identification of some key stakeholders in
the situation involved
Superior (3)
Identification of most key stakeholders in
the situation involved
Comprehension of the
ethical dilemma presented in
the case
Little or no understanding of the general
ethical dilemma and the major tradeoff of
competing values
Some understanding of the general ethical
dilemma and the major tradeoff of
competing values
Thorough understanding of the general
ethical dilemma and the major tradeoff of
competing values
Quality of the solution(s)
presented to resolve the
ethical problem
Student attitude about
resolving the ethical
problem presented in the
case
Recommending a course of action that
would not resolve the ethical problem
Recommending a course of action that is
workable, but less effective than other
options/solutions
Words and manner suggesting a view that
does not significantly fall short or deviate
from general social expectations of
business professionals
Recommending a course of action that
would resolve the ethical problem in an
effective manner under the circumstances
Words and manner suggesting a view that
meets (or exceeds) general social
expectations of business professionals
Words and manner suggesting a view that
significantly falls short or deviates from
general social expectations of business
professionals
Quarter: ____________; Course______________________ section ____; Professor: __________________________
Superior _______ (10-12 points)
Acceptable _______ (7-9 points)
Unacceptable ______ (4-6 Points)
Written Communication Assessment Rubric (All Programs)
Student Name: ____________________________________ Assignment: _________________________________________
Performance Criteria
Unacceptable (1)
Acceptable (2)
Proficient (3)
Superior (4)
Meaning &
Development:
ideas, examples,
reasons & evidence,
point of view
Inappropriate
No viable point of view; little or no
evidence; weak critical thinking,
providing inappropriate or
insufficient examples, reasons, or
other evidence of support
Appropriate
Develops a point of view,
demonstrating some critical
thinking; may have inconsistent
or inadequate examples,
reasons, & other evidence of
support; support tends towards
general statements or lists
Effective
Develops a point of view &
demonstrates competent
critical thinking; enough
supporting detail to
accomplish the purpose of
the paper
Insightful
Ideas are fresh, mature & extensively
developed; insightfully develops a
point of view & demonstrates
outstanding critical thinking
Organization:
focus, coherence,
progression of ideas,
thesis developed
Lacking Structure
Disorganized & unfocused; serious
problems with coherence and
progression of ideas; weak or nonexistent thesis
Mostly Structured
Limited organization & focus;
may demonstrate some lapses
in coherence or progression of
ideas; generally, neither
sufficient nor clear enough to
be convincing
Perceptively Structured
Thesis presented or implied with
noticeable coherence; provides
specific & accurate support
Language:
word choice, &
sentence variety
Inadequate
Displays frequent & fundamental
errors in vocabulary; sentences
may be simplistic and disjointed
Conventions:
grammar, punctuation,
spelling, paragraphing,
format
Distracting
Errors interfere with writer’s
ability to consistently
communicate purpose; pervasive
mechanical errors obscure
meaning; inappropriate format
Adequate
Developing facility in language
use, sometimes uses weak
vocabulary or inappropriate
usage or word choice; sentence
structure tends to be pedestrian
& often repetitious
Fundamental
Errors interfere with the
writer’s ability to communicate
purpose; contains an
accumulation of errors; some
weakness in format
Structured
Generally organized &
focused, demonstrating
coherence & progression of
ideas; presents a thesis and
suggests a plan of
development which is mostly
carried out
Proficient
Competent use of language
and sometimes varies
sentence structure; generally
focused
Controlled
Occasional errors do not
interfere with writer’s ability
to communicate purpose;
generally appropriate format
Polished
Control of conventions contribute to
the writer’s ability to communicate
purpose; free of most mechanical
errors; appropriate format
Quarter: ____________
MBA: Superior _______ (14-16 points)
Acceptable _______ (10-13 points)
Undergraduate: Superior ___________(12-16 points)
Unacceptable ______ (4-9 Points)
Acceptable _______ (8-11points)
Unacceptable ______ (4-7 Points)
Sophisticated
Choice of language & sentence
structure; precise & purposeful,
demonstrating a command of
language and variety of sentence
structures