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.

Principles of Macro-Economics (4 q.h.)

Macro-economics, 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 2

Assessing and Developing Leadership Capacity (6 q.h.)

Organizations are only as effective as the individuals who work in them. This course focuses on enhancing students’ individual awareness, reflection, and effectiveness as leaders. Through a self-assessment, students will learn to appreciate the differences between themselves and others and deepen their understanding of what motivates people in the work environment. The nature of leadership is explored through various perspectives to deepen and enrich the appreciation of its complexity. The activity-rich experience of this course will provide students with ongoing feedback from peers and opportunities for growth and development.

Principles of Micro-Economics (4 q.h.)

The study of micro-economics 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.

Principles of Finance (3 q.h.)

Introduces basic financial frameworks, concepts, principles, tools, and techniques. 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. Uses spreadsheets and financial calculators

Quarter 3

Organizational and Group Communication (6 q.h.)

Why is communication important for organizations and how do individuals within organizations become effective communicators? This course provides the foundation in the study of organizational communication and introduces students to other relevant topics, such as meeting dynamics, crisis communication, and measurement and assessment of the quality of organizational communications.

Statistics (6 q.h.)

The first half of this 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.

Quarter 4

Project Management (6 q.h.)

This highly interactive, skill oriented course offers a balance of the critical and technical skills needed to be a successful project leader. The entire process of implementing a project is examined. Students will utilize various tools and techniques to achieve the following: identify project stakeholders, develop the project scope definition, scheduling, financial, and budgetary factors. Quality criteria and successful project closeout is examined in detail. Contemporary management techniques, based on Project Management Institute (PMI) current practices, are used in case analyses to deepen student understanding. Current software options are discussed.

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. As managers we are faced daily 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.

International Business nd Management (3 q.h.)

Focuses on the principles and practices of international business, comparing domestic and international business activities, responsibilities, and influences. Highlights economic, social, political, and legal contexts of conducting business in a multinational environment. Examines this “foreign factor” and its impact on decision making for U.S. companies

Quarter 5

Gender and Work Roles in Society (3 q.h.)

The roles of men and women are changing, especially in the workplace. This course considers the impact of this evolution in a relational institutional context, including a combined focus on gender role performance in the workplace and traditional gender demands imposed by family structure. Students examine how workplace organization contributes to social inequalities. Topics include women’s voice, the men’s movement, gender and historical analyses, education and professionalism, comparable worth, and leadership and management styles.

Persuasion, Argumentation, and Negotiation (6 q.h.)

This course introduces students to the techniques of persuasion, dispute resolution, and negotiation. The curriculum pays particular attention to the processes of mediation, facilitation, and negotiation. Through readings, lectures, and activities, students will have the opportunity to explore methods of applying these skills to analyze situations in politics, advertising, social interaction, sales, and business.

Information Systems for Management (3 q.h.)

Students learn how information technology (IT) supports corporate goals. Emphasis is on the management of IT rather than on computer technology or programming. Readings and case studies will illustrate how IT may be employed to support general management functions. Issues such as the types of information systems, the impact of information systems on individuals and organization, outsourcing, and the use of IT as a weapon of competitive strategy will be discussed along with technological issues such as database management systems, electronic data interchange, decision support systems, and expert systems.

Quarter 6

Employment Law-Employee Rights (6 q.h.)

This course focuses on fundamental concepts of the employment relationship and legal rights/duties of employer and employee. Risk management of various prevalent statutory claims of sex, age, or racial discrimination as well as sexual harassment will be covered. Wrongful termination, EEO, ADA, Family Medical Leave Act, and other emerging case law doctrines will be analyzed. National Labor Relations Act, wage and benefit legislation, and the Occupational Safety Act will be discussed. Current court rulings, case studies, and analysis will focus students on critical issues and challenges facing individuals, businesses, and society entering the 21st century.

Business Strategy Intensive (6 q.h.)

This advanced course, combining the content of MGT 4450 and 4451 Business Strategy 1 and 2, is designed to be the capstone course in the BS/BA degree program. 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.

Leadership Practicum (3 q.h.)

This capstone practicum is an opportunity for students to integrate theory and practice in a real world setting. Through experience, students will demonstrate competence in the areas of leadership knowledge and skills. With the guidance of faculty, students will define an appropriate project and undertake their own action research.