Business Management

The Business Management program is designed to provide students with a broad background in the areas of entrepreneurship, marketing, management, human resources, finance, international business, project management, and technology. A strong emphasis is placed on the development of analytical skills and problem solving. Additionally, students are encouraged to relate theoretical learning to practice and establish bridges between the classroom and work environment. Students are also encouraged to participate in the campus business club, seek internships to network, and further develop their skills.

Opportunities exist everywhere for students who study business, from business and industry to non-profit and service organizations, to owning and operating one’s own business. Virtually every business in existence relies on organizational and business skills to ensure that the business runs smoothly.

Upon completion of the Business Management program, students seek careers in many different areas of business and/or transfer to four-year institutions. For students interested in continuing with their college education, transfer agreements with four-year institutions may be available. Call or email the department chair for details.

Students who complete the program will:

  • apply reading, thinking, writing, and oral communication skills to convey ideas, information, and intentions effectively and in a manner that is appropriate to a professional organization or business.
  • apply appropriate analytical tools and critical thinking to identify core issues, evaluate alternatives, and make informed decisions to solve problems in complex business situations.
  • work effectively in a team environment by working cooperatively and collaboratively to help their team achieve a common objective by leveraging the strengths of others, and developing trusting and supportive relationships with teammates, managing conflicts within the team, and adapting to the needs of the team.
  • recognize ethical issues, apply ethical frameworks to analyze them, differentiate between ethical and unethical behavior and integrate ethical understanding and societal responsibility into decision-making.
  • demonstrate the effective use of the leadership skills of adaptability, influence, vision, organization, and motivation to make responsible decisions within an organization and achieve organizational objectives.
  • understand information technology as it affects the structure of and processes of organizations and economics, and how the use of technology manifests itself in the establishment and accomplishment of strategic goals of the organization.
  • understand and manage cultural differences, diversity issues, and participation in a global economy as they relate to business functions and processes in domestic and global settings.
  • professional competence of business subject matter knowledge of in the core business areas of accounting, management, economics, and law.

Degrees and Certificates

Courses

BUS101L: Introduction to Business

Introduction to Business offers a comprehensive overview of the principles, functions, and practices that define the modern business environment. Students will examine key areas such as management, marketing, operations, entrepreneurship, and business ethics, with a focus on how these functions interact within various business structures and ownership models.  Throughout the course, students will expand their business vocabulary and engage in diverse learning activities designed to strengthen critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills essential for success in academic and professional settings.

BUS150L: Principles of Customer Service

This course is designed to develop the critical skills necessary for success as a customer service provider. Students will examine current concepts and trends in the customer service industry and will take an active role in the development of their own exceptional customer service skills. Areas of study will include problem solving, communication, development of a customer service strategy, creating customer service systems, conflict resolution, coping with challenging customers, customer retention, and measuring satisfaction.

BUS160L: Principles of Marketing

This course studies product, pricing, promotion and channels of distribution. Marketing in retail, wholesale, service and manufacturing companies.

BUS175L: Cooperative Education/lnternship I

The initial experience in a program designed to combine classroom theory with practical application through job-related experiences. Students are actively working in an organization with a focus which relates to their academic training and career objectives.

BUS231L: Principles of Management

A comprehensive survey of the principles and practices of management as they are currently being applied in the United States and abroad. The two continuing themes throughout the course are; (1) the never-ending effort by managers and organizations to meet or exceed customer needs and (2) the need for effective leadership in organizations. Emphasis is placed on determining the role of a manager through the leadership process. Individual and group-work dynamics are explored through case studies, research, and experiential exercises

BUS232L: Operations Management

This course will cover how to manage activities involved in the process of transformation resources into products or services. Strategic decision-making using tools such as forecasting, basic inventory models, aggregate planning, master scheduling, materials requirements, and scheduling of operations will be covered. Also, procurement, movement, and storage of materials are covered. Inventory and production flows, line balancing, and lean principles will be discussed throughout the course.

BUS233L: Supervision

Studies techniques and responsibilities involved in the supervision of employees in business management. This course examines human behavior which encourages productive business relationships at all levels. Management of projects and customer service functions are studied. Students learn to work with minimal supervision and to effectively supervise the work of others.

BUS235L: Small Business Management: A Capstone Course

This is the Management capstone course, which studies management techniques as applied to small businesses. Topics involve the requirements necessary to launch a new venture and manage it as an ongoing business. Discussions will cover business plan development, computer applications, human resources, purchasing, marketing, taxation, risk management, and control procedures. The development of a comprehensive business plan allows students to plan for a new venture of their choosing, which is presented in both an oral and written proposal.

BUS238L: Business Law I

Origins of law, federal and state court systems, classification of criminal and tort law; a working knowledge of the law of contracts, and sales and consumer protection as applied to everyday usage.

BUS239L: Business Law II

A study of the law of personal property and bailment; real property, wills, intestacy, and trusts; commercial paper; insurance, secured transactions, and bankruptcy; agency and employment; business organization and regulation and emerging trends and issues. In addition, the course is designed to enable students to better comprehend the rules of conduct they can reasonably expect from others, as well as the conduct others may expect from them in various business situations.

BUS240L: Introduction to Project Management

This course will provide students with basic skills to define, analyze and manage projects. By using a variety of automated tools and working with a hands-on case study, students will become familiar with project feasibility, cost benefit analysis, and the development of a project plan. Students will also become familiar with a systems development methodology (SDM) and structured business systems analysis.

BUS252L: Introduction to International Business

Study of today'92s globalization process, international environment and management operations for a multilateral corporation. The course particularly focuses on the organizational, marketing and production strategies employed by companies in a world market.

BUS261L: Social Media Marketing

This course will examine the use of social media marketing today. Students will gain the knowledge and skills needed to effectively use social media to market a business, and/or themselves as business professionals. Attention will be focused on efforts used through the Internet to connect and network with customers and other businesses through digital channels. Areas to be covered include: customer service, building brand loyalty, expanding markets, and creating sales. Students will utilize a variety of social media, including blogs, wikis, Linkedln, Facebook, Twitter, and more.

BUS265L: Independent Study

Students in an independent study option will engage in learning about topics of special interest and/or need. Written reports on the topics of the independent study are required.

BUS275L: Special Topics in Business Management

Special Topics in Business is a flexible, rotating elective designed to address emerging trends, evolving industry needs, and student interests within the field of business management. This course provides faculty with the opportunity to introduce timely, relevant, and specialized content that reflects current developments across business disciplines.

Topics vary by semester and may include focused explorations in areas such as management, finance, entrepreneurship, marketing, operations, or other contemporary business issues. By engaging with specialized subject matter, students gain exposure to niche areas that enhance their understanding of the dynamic and rapidly changing business environment.

BUS280L: Cooperative Education/lnternship II

This course is designed to allow students to continue an existing cooperative education/internship. It will combine classroom theory with practical application through job-related experiences. Students are actively working in an organization with a focus which relates to their academic training and career objectives. This course may be taken as a second, non-related cooperative education experience only with Department Chair approval.

FIN200L: Principles of Finance

This course introduces the fundamental concepts, tools, and decision-making frameworks used in business finance. Students learn how organizations manage money, evaluate investments, measure risk, and make financial decisions that support long-term success.