Business Administration, Management Emphasis, B.S.

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Business Administration

The Business Administration program provides an academic environment which prepares students for graduate school and for professional roles in a global economic system. It provides a broad background in basic business principles and is supported by a strong liberal arts education. Emphasis is placed on helping the student understand

the operation of a business enterprise;
the economic and legal environments in which businesses operate;
the importance of the business management profession and its responsibilities and
essential problem solving or critical thinking abilities.

The program incorporates extensive experiential learning opportunities for students including setting up and running a small business and mentoring local businesses. Furthermore, the program offers e-business and e-commerce applications.

To be effective in a managerial role, one must be prepared to handle demanding and changing situations. The students who major in Business Administration have opportunities to develop the administrative skills and the background knowledge necessary for dealing with these situations. Business majors develop strengths in oral and written communications, and quantitative decision-making skills.

During the freshman and sophomore years, the student concentrates in the liberal arts and receives an introduction to the basic functions and tools of business. In the junior and senior years, the student has flexibility in determining the area of professional concentration that will meet particular academic and career plans.

Students are urged to get involved in student organizations and clubs such as ENACTUS-Entrepreneurial Action Us. Such award-winning organizations enhance the students’ understanding of theoretical concepts, provide a service to the community, and help build their resume. The globalization of the U.S. enterprise system necessitates exposure to other cultures, languages and customs, and a better understanding of political and historical events. Business students are urged to take courses in languages, political science, and history, and to prepare for graduate school.

The five emphasis areas (Business Analytics, Financial Management, Management, Marketing and Sports Management) offer the business student an opportunity to emphasize an area of special interest and prepare for a specialized business career. The recommended off-campus internship gives students a real work experience prior to completion of their bachelor’s degree requirements.

Students are strongly urged to explore career opportunities and to establish mentors through an internship. A minimum of 2.0 grade point average is a prerequisite for the internship.

Experiential Component (Complete 1 of the Following Courses:)

ACC 290, 390, or 490 - Accounting Practicum Credit Hour(s): 1
BUS 190, 290 or 390 - Free Enterprise Strategies and Implementation Credit Hour(s): 1
BUS 291, 292 to 491 - Service Learning Experiences in Business Administration Credit Hour(s): 1
BUS 395 - Directed Study Credit Hour(s): 1-3 (this may include presenting a paper at an undergraduate conference)
BUS 492 - Global Competitiveness Practicum I Credit Hour(s): 3
BUS 493 - Global Competitiveness Practicum II Credit Hour(s): 3
BUS 499 - Internship Credit Hour(s): 3
Students are strongly urged to explore career opportunities and to establish mentors through an internship. A minimum of 2.0 grade point average is a prerequisite for the internship.

Liberal Arts and Program Specific Requirements (12 Credit Hours)

ACC 201 - Principles of Accounting I Credit Hour(s): 3
ACC 202 - Principles of Accounting II Credit Hour(s): 3
ECO 201 - Principles of Macroeconomics Credit Hour(s): 3
ECO 202 - Principles of Microeconomics Credit Hour(s): 3
MTH 111 - Pre-Calculus I Credit Hour(s): 3
MTH 208 - Introductory Statistics Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
ANA 271 - Business Statistics with Statistical Software Credit Hour(s): 3 (ANA 271 is required for the Business Analytics Emphasis)

Common Required Courses (24 Credit Hours)

BUS 230 - Computer Applications Credit Hour(s): 3
BUS 303 - Principles of Management Credit Hour(s): 3
BUS 308 - Business Communications Credit Hour(s): 3
BUS 311 - Marketing Credit Hour(s): 3
BUS 313 - Business Finance Credit Hour(s): 3
BUS 315 - Business Law Credit Hour(s): 3
BUS 330 - Quantitative Methods: Management Credit Hour(s): 3
BUS 498 - Senior Seminar: Business Policy Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
ANA 498 - Capstone Analytics Research Credit Hour(s): 3 for the Analytics Emphasis

Management Emphasis (24 Credit Hours)

Management involves achieving results by the combination and use of all available resources in an organization. Because this task is complex, all managers must possess technical and conceptual skills as well as interpersonal and communications skills. Ferrum College’s program is designed to help students develop these skills. It is an appropriate program for those students planning to enter general management and for those whose career goal is to own their own businesses.

BUS 320 - Entrepreneurship Credit Hour(s): 3
BUS 325 - Advanced Computer Applications Credit Hour(s): 3
BUS 331 - Production/Operations Management Credit Hour(s): 3
BUS 403 - Human Resources Management Credit Hour(s): 3
Approved Electives (See below) Credit Hour(s): 12

Approved Electives (6-12 Credit Hours)

Students choose 6-12 credits (depending on Emphasis) from Accounting, Business, or Economics. Courses from other disciplines may be selected but must be approved by a Business Program Advisor. At least 9 (6 for the Analytics Emphasis) credits must be at the 300-400 level. Students may choose to select these approved electives in such a way as to complete additional emphasis areas in business administration or to work toward a minor in another discipline. Students should work with a Business program advisor to determine the course that will be designated as approved electives.