Business Administration Major
This popular program offers the bachelor of science degree in business administration.
This major is designed to prepare students for a variety of entry-level and middle-management
positions in industry, government, and service organizations.
The business curriculum conforms closely to the national common body of knowledge
recommended by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
and provides a solid background in the fundamentals of business. Majors complete
a general business curriculum that prepares them for a variety of positions. Students
desiring more in-depth study in a specific area of business may select a focus area
composed of optional courses. Such focus areas include human resource/labor relations,
international relations, marketing/public relations, and organizational psychology.
If a student works diligently with their faculty advisor, the free electives available
will allow them to stretch their intellectual development beyond business. A significant
portion of our majors complete minors or second majors from other fields because
the combination supports their specific career goals. In some cases, students create self-designed majors with the guidance of their academic advisor.
Business Administration Course Selection Recommendations Packet
This is a four-page "Getting Started" packet that includes program degree requirements, general education requirements, suggested courses for first semester freshmen, and suggested course sequencing.
A valuable tool to assist those interested in majoring in business administration.
Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Science with a major in business administration.
Foundation courses:
ACT 161 Financial Accounting| Basic concepts of accounting including: accounting for business transactions, preparation and use of financial statements, and measurement of owners' equity. 3 credits. |
| Cost-volume-profit relationships, cost analysis, business segment contribution, profit planning and budgeting as a basis for managerial decision making. Prerequisite: ACT 161 with a minimum grade of C- or better. 3 credits. |
| The course focuses on understanding the composition of modern business organizations with respect to the value chain they are a part of, relationships with other organizations in the value chain, and the functions and processes organizations use to create and deliver value to customers, stakeholders, and society. The course includes an introduction to key business communication software. Prerequisites: freshman or sophomore standing only or by permission. 3 credits. |
| An extensive introduction to spreadsheet, database, and Internet applications software as used in business. Through hands-on classroom instruction, computer-aided learning, and course project assignments, students learn the use of the major analytical software packages that are commonly used in business. The class teaches the basic principles of using this software to solve problems and to enhance critical thinking skills. 3 credits. |
| The course examines how individuals and firms make choices within the institution of free-market capitalism. Individuals decide how much of their time to spend working and what to buy with the earnings of their labor. Firms decide how much to produce and in some cases what price to charge for their goods. Together these choices determine what is produced, how it is produced, and for whom it is produced in our economic system. Fulfills general education requirement: Liberal Studies Area 2 (Social Science). 3 credits. |
| This course extends the study of consumer and producer choices to discover how they affect the nation's economy. Macroeconomics deals with the economy as a whole as measured by the key variables of inflation, unemployment, and economic growth. Emphasis is on both Keynesian and classical theories and how they predict what monetary and fiscal policies can be used to affect these variables and reach national economic goals. Fulfills general education requirement: Liberal Studies Area 2 (Social Science). 3 credits. |
One of:
MAS 111 Analysis I| A calculus sequence for department majors and other students desiring a rigorous introduction to elementary calculus. Fulfills general education requirement: Liberal Studies Area 4 (Mathematics). 4 credits. |
| Introduction to mathematical techniques used in quantitative analysis in business and economics. Topics include sets, linear relations, matrices, linear programming, probability and interest. Fulfills general education requirement: Liberal Studies Area 4 (Mathematics). 3 credits. |
| A calculus sequence covering functions, limits, differentiation, integration and applications. Fulfills general education requirement: Liberal Studies Area 4 (Mathematics). 3 credits. |
One of:
MAS 170 Elementary Statistics| An introduction to elementary descriptive and inferential statistics with emphasis on conceptual understanding. Fulfills general education requirement: Liberal Studies Area 4 (Mathematics). A student may not receive credit for MAS 170 after completing MAS 372. A student may not receive credit for both MAS 170 and MAS 270. 3 credits. |
| A more advanced version of MAS 170 intended for students with some calculus background. Fulfills general education requirement: Liberal Studies Area 4 (Mathematics). A student may not receive credit for both MAS 170 and MAS 270. 3 credits. |
| An introduction to the mathematical foundations of statistics including sampling distributions, estimation, hypothesis testing, linear models and multivariate distributions. Prerequisite: MAS 371. 3 credits. |
Core Courses:
BUS 230 Principles of Management| A study of the principles of management and leadership as they apply to the effective and efficient operation of for-profit and not-for-profit organizations regardless of their size. Emphasizes the organization's structure, leadership, interpersonal relationships, managerial functions, and methods for assessment and control. Prerequisite: BUS 130 or MBS 371 (or concurrent registration in MBS 371), or, for returning adult, degree completion students, and health care management students, significant work experience. Accounting, business administration, and health care management majors need a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or greater in all foundation courses completed to date. 3 credits. |
| The development of writing, speaking, and listening skills for business management. Fulfills general education requirement: Writing Process. Prerequisite: ENG 111 and 112. Majors in accounting, business administration, and health care management need a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or greater in all foundation courses completed to date. 3 credits. |
| An overview of marketing from the management perspective. Topics include marketing strategies, marketing research, consumer behavior, selecting target markets, developing, pricing, distributing and promoting products and services and non-profit marketing. Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission. 3 credits. |
| A detailed study of the theories and models of organizational behavior and development, with emphasis on the practical application of these models in the workplace to improve individual, group and organizational performance. Prerequisites: Junior standing and BUS 130, or permission. 3 credits. |
| A study of financial management covering analysis of asset, liability and capital relationships and operations; management of current assets and working capital; capital planning and budgeting; capital structure and dividend policy; short and intermediate term financing; internal and external long term financing; and other financial topics. Prerequisites: ACT 162; ECN 101,102. 3 credits. |
| Elementary principles of law relating to the field of business. The course covers contracts, government regulation of business, consumer protection, bankruptcy, personal property, real estate, bailments, insurance and estates. 3 credits. |
| Studies management techniques and procedures in international and multinational organizations. Prerequisite: BUS 130, 340. 3 credits. |
| An introduction to the techniques and models used in management science. Topics include forecasting, inventory control models, linear programming, product scheduling, and simulation. Prerequisites: MAS 150 and MAS 170 with a minimum grade of C- or better; BUS 130, ACT 161, 162. 3 credits. |
| This course examines the major ethical issues, social responsibilities, and ethical dilemmas facing business and business managers in today's global environment. Students develop an understanding of the difference between what is legal and what is ethical and clarify their approach to ethical issues. Prerequisites: BUS 130, BUS 230 or permission. 3 credits. |
| Examines data sources and the role of information in management planning, operations and control in various types of business environments. Treats information as a key organization resource parallel to people, money, materials and technology. Prerequisite: BUS 130, ACT 162 3 credits. |
| A capstone course to study administrative processes under conditions of uncertainty, integrating prior studies in management, accounting and economics. Uses case method and computer simulation. Fulfills general education requirement: Writing Process. Prerequisite: BUS 130, 340, 361 and senior standing. Designed for last semester seniors. Course requires business casual or business professional dress at all class sessions. Underclassmen admitted with permission of instructor and Chair. 3 credits. |