Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are among the most significant strategic decisions an organization can undertake. Companies pursue acquisitions, mergers, divestitures, joint ventures, and strategic combinations to accelerate growth, expand into new markets, acquire technology, improve operational capabilities, achieve economies of scale, or strengthen competitive positioning. While successful transactions can create substantial long-term value, poorly planned or poorly executed deals often destroy shareholder value through overpayment, inadequate due diligence, cultural conflicts, or ineffective post-merger integration.
This course provides a practical, executive-focused study of mergers and acquisitions from strategy development through transaction execution and post-closing integration. Rather than emphasizing legal technicalities or investment banking mathematics, the course focuses on how corporate executives, boards of directors, corporate development teams, financial advisors, and investors evaluate acquisition opportunities, structure transactions, negotiate terms, manage due diligence, finance deals, obtain regulatory approvals, and integrate acquired businesses successfully.
Students will learn the complete M&A lifecycle while developing an understanding of strategic analysis, valuation, deal structuring, negotiation, financing, integration planning, governance, and value creation. The emphasis is on real-world corporate decision-making that prepares future managers to participate effectively in acquisition and merger transactions.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
• Understand the strategic purpose of mergers and acquisitions.
• Evaluate acquisition opportunities using strategic and financial analysis.
• Assess corporate value within an M&A context.
• Understand the stages of the M&A deal process.
• Conduct practical due diligence assessments.
• Evaluate transaction structures and financing alternatives.
• Understand negotiation strategies used during acquisitions.
• Assess regulatory, governance, and legal considerations affecting transactions.
• Develop effective post-merger integration strategies.
• Integrate M&A decisions into long-term corporate growth strategy.
