Quarter 1

Writing for the Professions (6 q.h.)

This course introduces the vocabulary and philosophy of business communications. Students practice planning, writing, and analyzing effective business letters and memoranda. Students learn the methods and principles of research and documentation of semi-technical analyses and business reports. The course allows practice in organizing and writing complex forms of business communications.

Managerial Accounting (3 q.h.)

By understanding how to interpret the information contained in financial statements and other accounting records, managers can make better informed decisions around cost- and revenue-related issues. In this course, students learn how to perform a cost benefit analysis, how to analyze cost-volume relationships, and how to apply ratio analysis to financial statements such as the statement of cash flows.

Professional Speaking (3 q.h.)

Most organizational women and men are, at least periodically, in positions when they must make a presentation to colleagues or customers. This course examines methods for overcoming presentation anxiety, approaches to structuring presentations, and techniques related to presentation delivery. Students will be required to prepare, deliver, and evaluate professional presentations during the course.

Quarter 2

Financial Reporting and Analysis (6 q.h.) 

The first half of the course examines the development of financial statements including the underlying concepts and measurement theories. It emphasizes the analysis and use of these statements to make decisions. The second half emphasizes issues in financial reporting, valuation, and income measurement. It includes inventories, plant and equipment, bonds, present value, and stockholders' equity.

Strategic Cost Analysis (6 q.h.)

This course examines cost determination, cost behavior, costing systems, and introduces the budgeting process. Emphasis will be placed on management decision-making techniques. Topics include job and process costing, activity-based costing (ABC), just-in-time inventory techniques, variance analysis, and budgeting. The second half of the course focuses on the critical role of cost measurement in business decisions and in managing the firm’s profitability. It examines the use of cost analysis as a control tool to help management meet short- and long-term profit objectives.

Principles of Macroeconomics (4 q.h.)

Macroeconomics, the study of the economy as a whole, applies the basic principles of economics to whole economic systems and the relationships among sectors of the economy. Students explore unemployment, inflation, national income and employment theory, government expenditures and taxation, the role of the banking system, the Federal Reserve System, and supply-side policies.

Quarter 3

Financial Management (6 q.h.)

This course introduces basic financial frameworks, concepts, principles, tools, and techniques from both domestic and perspectives. Topics include financial analysis, financial planning, working capital management, the time value of money, an introduction to domestic and international financial markets, and traditional sources of debt and equity financing, valuation, capital budgeting, capital structure and financial leverage, long-term financing decisions, cost of capital, mergers and acquisitions, international finance, and risk management. Spreadsheets and financial calculators are used. 

Financial Reporting and Analysis 3 (3 q.h.)

Students continue the study of accounting concepts and procedures, with emphasis given to conceptual aspects of measurement of liabilities and alternative accounting treatments and procedures.

Principles of Macroeconomics (4 q.h.)

The study of microeconomics centers on individual areas of activity such as a firm, product, or consumer. Students apply basic principles of economics to current economic problems and explore such topics as the role of a market pricing system, supply and demand, the costs of production, profits and the supply decision, competitive markets, monopoly, oligopoly, factor markets, and income distribution. Economic principles are also applied to selected problem areas including poverty, pollution, and international trade.

Quarter 4

Principles of Statistics (6 q.h.)

The first half of the course introduces the collection and organization of data, including the measurement, presentation, and uses of elementary set theory; measures of central tendency and variability; basic probability; and probability distributions. The course continues with sampling and basic estimation techniques, “t” distribution, testing of statistical hypotheses, and analysis of variances.

Concepts in Taxation (6 q.h.)

The first part of the course emphasizes basic concepts in taxation and how these concepts relate to individuals. Issues of tax planning and research related to various entities are addressed. In the second half, property transactions, including on-taxable transactions, fundamental tax law relating to corporate formation and operation, partnerships, and S corporations are covered.

Accounting Information Systems (3 q.h.)

Information is crucial for the effective and efficient management of any organization. This course provides an understanding of accounting information systems with an emphasis on the role of technology and risk analysis. Specifically, the course will address concepts and applications related to the design, effectiveness, and risk exposures related to accounting information systems. Most importantly, the role of e-commerce and Internet-based technologies will be examined throughout the course. 

Quarter 5

Financial Strategy (3 q.h.)

This capstone course for Finance majors explores financial strategies, policies, and methods to create shareholder value. Key aspects of investment and financing decisions are studied throughout life cycles of organizations in both domestic and international settings. Innovations in financial management are explored. The course utilizes the case method.

Investment Management (3 q.h.)

Studies the relationship between the economy and stock prices. Topics covered include corporate analysis, earnings, dividends, cash flow, and an introduction to portfolio analysis. Offers students an opportunity to gain knowledge in technical analysis vs. fundamental factors.

International Business Management (3 q.h.)

This course focuses on the principles and practices of international business, comparing domestic and international business activities, responsibilities, and influences. Economic, social, political, and legal contexts of conducting business in a multinational environment are highlighted. Students will examine this “foreign factor” and its impact on decision making for U.S. companies.

Intercultural Communications (3 q.h.)

Those who develop intercultural awareness and patterns of perception and thinking will be able to communicate effectively across cultural boundaries. Topics include cultural differences in communication styles and assumptions, differing views of conflict and negotiation, language and nonverbal behavior, and cross-cultural communication, including valuing and managing diversity in various settings. 

Quarter 6

Business Strategy (6 q.h.)

Building on a solid foundation of business and liberal arts courses, this course examines the total management process – from planning to implementation – for executing competitive business strategy. The course covers the development of corporate objectives, plans, and policies, emphasizing the interaction between the enterprise and its environment. Students are challenged to develop the capacity to think strategically about a company, examining issues including current business position and strategy, long-term directions, and opportunities for gaining sustainable competitive advantage. In the second half, students will gain knowledge of the organizational and administrative methods for converting plans into achievements. Using case studies from profit and nonprofit enterprises of various types, the course explores concepts of strategic planning and implementation from the perspective of the general manager, with attention to top management functions, responsibilities, styles, values, and organizational relationships.

Business Ethics and Decision Making (6 q.h.)

The fact that there is not one universal set of behaviors one considers ethical and no guidelines to follow to determine ethical behavior poses unique challenges to managers today. Yet, as managers we are daily faced with situations where individual values may conflict with those of our teams or organizations. This course focuses on basic ethical viewpoints as a foundation and begins to examine specific characteristics of business life through cases and examples. Participants will apply a decision-making model using real-world ethical dilemmas; participants will analyze behaviors and consequences and make recommendations for actions ethical managers can make.