Business Administration

Presents an integrated view of both established and entrepreneurial businesses by studying their common characteristics and processes in a global context. Introduces theory and develops basic skills in the areas of accounting, finance, management, and marketing, with an emphasis on social responsibility and ethical practices. Explores how businesses can create value for themselves and society by addressing environmental and social challenges.

Presents double-entry accounting as related to service and merchandising business. Covers accounting cycle, including journalizing, posting to the general ledger, preparation of financial statements, petty cash, bank reconciliations, combined journal , special journals and payroll.

This is an introductory course targeted at students that have had no prior accounting. The emphasis is on the analytical skills and procedures needed by business and accounting students, as well as those with financial record-keeping responsibilities in their current job.

An understanding of accounting is necessary to examine the performance and financial health of business. For this reason, accounting is often referred to as the ‘language of business’. This course is the ideal way for students to acquire a valuable skill as well as begin to develop an appreciation of the role of accounting in the assessment and management of a business. Accordingly, it is recommended as a preliminary course both for students interested in business generally, and for those planning a career in accounting.

Covers Microsoft Excel software skills necessary for evidence-based problem-solving, including workbook editing, formula creation, charting, and pivot tables. Emphasizes hands-on learning using Excel functions to perform data analysis to enhance decision-making.

Introduces business management theory, including the basic functions of planning, organizing, directing, leading, and controlling as well as factors contributing to change in current management approaches.

Presents concepts and skills for the strategic use of e-commerce and related information technology from three perspectives: business to consumers, business-to-business, and intra-organizational. Examination of e-commerce in altering the structure of entire industries, and how it affects business processes including electronic transactions, supply chains, decision making and organizational performance.

The phenomenal growth in the last few years of the Internet and its related technologies has created new ways of communicating and trading. The most obvious effects of this change appear negligible; there are easier and less costly ways of doing the things we would do anyway. Overtime, however the cumulative effect of these changes has had a significant effect, such as the impact of e-commerce on business transactions. Entire supply chains are being re-engineered, as are the industries that participate in them.

Imparts an understanding of the purpose of accounting, common financial statement items, and the principles of internal controls. Focuses on recording the impact of economic events on account balances using U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, and the creation and analysis of financial statements to aid in external decision making.

Builds an understanding of the role of managerial accounting in a business, focusing on the development and use of information to evaluate production costs and operational performance in support of short- and long-term organizational decision-making.

Explores the role of the consumer in our economy, problems of financing family and individual needs, including budgeting, banking relationships, borrowing, insurance, risk management, real estate, investing, portfolio management, retirement and personal taxes.

Personal Finance is designed to expose the interested student to many functions of personal finance. The course provides the students with information that can be used to develop an overall financial plan and an understanding of critical areas where decisions should be made.

Topics such as the economy, budgeting, taxes, shopping, real estate, credit, retirement and estate planning are discussed in an introductory manner.

Covers basic financial concepts and practices and includes analysis of company resources, types and sources of financing, forecasting and planning methods, and the roles of the money and capital markets.

Provides a general knowledge of marketing emphasizing marketing mix elements and target markets for consumer and industrial products, marketing strategies, customer behavior, market planning and promotion.

Covers human behavior, employment, employee development, performance appraisal, wage and salary administration, employment and job rights, discipline and due process, and labor-management relations.

Provides a comprehensive overview of U.S. business law, including the legal system, contracts, torts, intellectual property, agency, employment, and business organization forms. Emphasizes practical legal knowledge and explores how laws impact business operations, with a focus on risk management, contract disputes, business formation, and compliance with government regulation. Introduces legal challenges in business through real cases and legal terminology.

Introduces basic tools of finance and applications of financial theory in use today. These tools include rates of return, the time value of money, those that can be applied to capital budgeting decisions, and the logic and fundamentals of financial statements. Designed to enhance a student’s approach to financial decision-making and emphasizes quantitative approaches to decision making. Introduces students to equity and debt markets and securities, and serves as a stepping stone to advanced courses in finance.

Designed for students and prospective small business owners and managers. It emphasizes the general functions, procedures, and specific subject areas related to initiating, organizing, and operating a successful small business. It specifically prepares the student to develop a business plan for opening a business.

Small Business Management provides the background concepts and practices necessary for a successful owner and/or manager. The student will be made aware of the importance and the functions of such things as: marketing surveys, marketing targets, financing, choosing a form of legal organization, managing the risk involved in operating a small business, and focusing on customers through products, price, promotion, and placement.

Focuses on the entrepreneurial phases associated with the start-up and management of small business. This course will teach future entrepreneurs and managers to recognize opportunities and to use effective entrepreneurial and small business management practices, including the evaluation of market conditions and new product feasibility, business plan creation and essentials, business implementation, and funding options.

Addendum to the Course Description: This course introduces the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, and exposes the student to the concepts, practice, and tools of the entrepreneurial world. Specifically, the course is designed to provide you with an understanding of the entrepreneurial process, that is, the process of taking an idea and finding a high-potential commercial opportunity, gathering resources such as talent and capital, and deciding how to sell and market the idea. A primary objective of this course is to encourage entrepreneurial thinking. Whether you simply want to learn more about entrepreneurship or whether you desire to launch an actual venture, this course will expose you to the tools you need to be more effective in the entrepreneurial process.

Introduces ethics as an ongoing conversation about human relationships in business. Integrates ethics across all parts of business, including finance, accounting, and organizational behavior. Explores understanding how choices and actions affect themselves and others in business settings. Provides a framework for identifying, analyzing, and resolving ethical dilemmas encountered throughout working life.

Offers relevant field experience in business environments in one of the following areas: bookkeeping, marketing, management, international business, advertising, banking, purchasing, investment, finance and customer services (sales or credit services). Allows exploration of career options. Course may be repeated for credit up to 12 credits.

Supplements on-the-job experience through feedback sessions, instruction in job-related areas, and linkages to the student's on-campus program.

Provides classroom, lecture and assignment activities coordinated with work experience activities.  The seminar supplements the on-the-job experience through feedback sessions, instruction in job-related areas and linkages to the student's on-campus program.

Seminar is in discussion format.  It coordinates the on-the-job training to provide insight into various issues related to the student's job
performance.

Explores interactions in organizations by examining human perceptions, communications, small group dynamics and leadership. Includes dynamics of change, cultural diversity, substance abuse, work stress, ethics and social responsibility, and the challenges of globalization.