Defense Comptrollership Program

Program Overview

The Defense Comptrollership Program at Syracuse University's Whitman School of Management is a specialized graduate program designed for future comptrollers and resource managers in the Department of Defense. The program provides students with the conceptual framework, analytical tools, and management skills necessary for effective financial management and decision-making in the complex and ever-changing resource management environment. Graduates are highly sought-after by organizations in the DoD, federal government, healthcare industry, and consulting.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Defense Comptrollership Program (DCP) at Syracuse University's Whitman School of Management is a specialized graduate program designed for future comptrollers and resource managers in the Department of Defense (DoD). The program provides students with the conceptual framework, analytical tools, and management skills necessary for effective financial management and decision-making in the complex and ever-changing resource management environment.

Objectives:

• To provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of resource management in the DoD.
• To develop students' analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• To equip students with the management and leadership capabilities required for success in the field of resource management.

Program Structure:

The DCP is a full-time, 14-month program that typically begins mid-May. The curriculum consists of a core of management courses and a limited selection of concentration areas, including healthcare management, cost analysis, and auditing and accounting.

Core Courses:

• Financial Management
• Cost Accounting and Analysis
• Auditing and Control
• Resource Management
• Managerial Economics
• Management Information Systems
• Quantitative Analysis for Decision Making
• Organizational Behavior and Leadership
• Strategic Management

Concentration Areas:

• Healthcare Management: Students in this concentration will develop a deep understanding of the principles and practices of financial management in the healthcare industry, including healthcare budgeting and reimbursement, cost analysis, and performance improvement.
• Cost Analysis: Students in this concentration will gain expertise in cost analysis techniques and their application in the DoD, including cost estimation, cost-benefit analysis, and life cycle costing.
• Auditing and Accounting: Students in this concentration will develop advanced skills in auditing and accounting principles and their application in the DoD, including financial statement analysis, internal and external auditing, and fraud detection and prevention.

Assessment:

Students' progress is assessed through a variety of methods, including:

• Class participation
• Quizzes and exams
• Case studies and simulations
• Research projects
• Presentations

Teaching:

• The DCP faculty is comprised of experienced professionals and scholars with expertise in resource management, finance, accounting, and management.
• The teaching approach emphasizes active learning and student engagement, with a focus on case studies, simulations, and hands-on projects.
• The program also includes a 24-hour class community service project, which instills in students a commitment to lifelong service and community engagement.

Careers:

Graduates of the DCP are highly sought-after by organizations in the DoD, federal government, healthcare industry, and consulting. Career opportunities include:

• Comptroller
• Resource Manager
• Budget Analyst
• Cost Analyst
• Financial Analyst
• Healthcare Financial Manager
• Auditor
• Consultant