Business Management: Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management - Certificate

Certificate

General Business Advising and Information

Business Department: 503-491-7515 | Room AC2555 | Business.Advising@mhcc.edu

Faculty Adviser

Stephen Konrad: 503-491-7342 | Room AC2664 | Stephen.Konrad@mhcc.edu 

entrepreneurs

This program prepares students to start their own small business. Students will learn to: evaluate an opportunity; form the structure of a business; and manage daily operations. This program also teaches students about:

  • Risks of starting a business.
  • Finding the value of an existing business.
  • Basics of franchise models.
  • How to operate a company.
  • Cash flow analysis.

Program Outcomes

At the completion of this program, students should be able to:

  • Construct a feasibility study
  • Demonstrate working knowledge of a balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement
  • Describe organizational structures of small businesses

All of the courses in the certificate program may be applied to the AAS degree program. Please note: All core (BA) courses must be completed within 5 years of starting the program.

General education courses (such as math, writing, health, etc.) can be taken during any term, or before starting the program. 

Plan of Study Grid
First Quarter
FallCredits
BA101Z Introduction to Business (Course offered online) 4
BA218 Personal Finance (Course offered online) (or any BA course not already included in the curriculum) 3
BA131 Introduction to Business Computing (Course offered online) (required for the ASOT-Business degree) 4
WR121Z Composition I (Course offered online) 4
 Credits15
Second Quarter
Winter
BA150 Developing a Small Business (Course offered online) 3
BA205 Business Communications (Course offered online) 4
BA111 Introduction to Accounting (Course offered online) 4
BA285
Leadership and Human Relations
or Ethics in the Workplace (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)
3
 Credits14
Third Quarter
Spring
BA213Z Principles of Managerial Accounting (Course offered online) 4
BA223 Principles of Marketing (Course offered online) 4
BA226 Introduction to Business Law (Course offered online) 4
BUS219 Entrepreneurial Funding 4
 Credits16
 Total Credits45

BA101Z Introduction to Business (Course offered online)

Credits 4Summer/Fall/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W, each with a grade of "C" or better; and MTH020; or placement above stated course levels.

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.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Explain the role of business in society
  2. Identify the different forms of business.
  3. Describe the importance of entrepreneurship in the economy.
  4. Explain the main functional areas of business, including accounting, finance, human resources, management and leadership, and marketing.
  5. Explain the importance of ethics and social responsibility in business concerns.
  6. Describe how economics and globalization impact business decisions and operations.

BA111 Introduction to Accounting (Course offered online)

Credits 4Summer/Fall/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W, each with a grade of "C" or better; and MTH020; or placement above stated course levels.

This is an introductory course covering basic small business accounting systems. The course is intended to provide the student with practical knowledge of basic accounting including transaction recording, journalizing and posting. Basic financial statement preparation is also covered. The course assumes no previous accounting courses or experience.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Demonstrate each step of the accounting cycle.
  2. Explain the foundational concept of double-entry accounting, and differentiate between the cash and accrual basis of accounting.
  3. Perform basic payroll accounting functions such as preparing payroll journal entries, preparing a payroll register and computing payroll taxes.
  4. Demonstrate accounting for cash by completing bank reconciliations and petty cash analysis.

BA131 Introduction to Business Computing (Course offered online)

Credits 4Summer/Fall/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W, and MTH020 with a grade of "C" or better; or placement above stated course level. Recommended requisite: Experience using computers with the Windows or Mac operating system and the internet, and keyboarding skills of 20 words per minute or more.

Students learn introductory skills in computer software applications (level one of Microsoft Word, levels one and two of Excel, and level one of PowerPoint) for business documentation and data analysis and presentation. This course utilizes an online learning and assessment system to achieve proficiencies relevant to future coursework and employment.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Construct and manipulate documents using Word, spreadsheets using Excel, and presentations using PowerPoint
  2. Demonstrate ability to create and use folders and functions
  3. Describe the basics of documents, worksheets, and presentations
  4. Discuss the MS Office Suite and examine the uses and functions available within each application
  5. Interpret data and determine the most appropriate format for presentation using the Word, Excel or lnternet programs available

BA150 Developing a Small Business (Course offered online)

Credits 3Fall/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W, each with a grade of "C" or better; and MTH020; or placement above stated course levels. Recommended requisite: BA101Z and BA131.

This course is designed for students to be introduced to important elements and steps involved in starting a small business. Students evaluate and quantify risk versus reward analysis, as well as appropriately test and protect business ideas. Students practice how to formulate a cash flow projection and determine cash needs. Additionally, students are introduced to business legal structure, building a company image, human resource needs and creating a feasibility study.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Construct a cash flow statement
  2. Construct a feasibility study
  3. Describe and analyze a competitive advantage target market and market niche
  4. Describe the basic Human Resources functions for a small business
  5. Distinguish among the different legal structures
  6. Explain the characteristics and role of an entrepreneur
  7. Illustrate and define branding and imaging
  8. Recognize intellectual property rights

BA177 Payroll Accounting (Course offered online)

Credits 3Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: BA111 or BA211, each with a grade of "C" or better; and BA131. Recommended MTH058 or MTH060.

This course is designed to enable students to process payroll and meet the needs of the employer and legal requirements. Students learn basic payroll laws and regulations. Students compute gross pay and all employee payroll deductions, compute employer payroll taxes, and prepare all necessary payroll journal entries and employee earnings records. Students also prepare quarterly and annual Federal payroll tax forms. Students demonstrate in-depth understanding of payroll by completing a payroll project for a three-month cycle.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Apply rules of Federal and State payroll regulation to business example
  2. Prepare payroll journals, employee earning records and payroll reports

BA202 Customer Service Management

Credits 3Winter

Registration Requirement: Recommended RD090 and WR090 or IECC201R and IECC201W.

This course provides a historical perspective of the customer service function in the business environment. The course will focus on developing excellent customer service skills, dealing with customer problems through service recovery actions, and differentiating between technical job performance skills and service skills to complete tasks. A Total Quality Management (TQM) approach with a global perspective to customer service is employed. The importance of customer service as it influences profitability is examined.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Design methods to build a “service attitude” among staff that leads to customer retention.
  2. Explain how customer service is an intangible product and how it differs from tangible products.
  3. Explore the impact of the internet via a service perspective on customer service recovery issues, business marketing, and profits.
  4. Identify the various technical steps and skills involved for proper customer service in the different areas of business.
  5. Illustrate the various customer expectations, discuss how they are developed, and how those expectations influence customer perceptions of service.
  6. Demonstrate understanding of the value of world-class guest service in the context of the history of customer service.
  7. Discover the effects of positive long-term customer service and how it grows future business.

BA203 Introduction to International Business

Credits 4Fall

Registration Requirement: BA101Z. Recommended BA223.

This course introduces students to a rapidly changing world environment where the success of a business depends on its ability to respond appropriately to these changes. The course design examines how businesses effectively compete in the world market by learning what individual firms have done to succeed through a comparison of their business strategies, structures and operations. Special emphasis is made on how sociocultural forces both help and hinder a company's ability to conduct its business activities. This course is not equivalent to BA203 offered from fall 1986 through spring 1999.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Analyze the interrelationship between individuals, firms and governments
  2. Demonstrate an integrated view of culture, politics, economics, ethics and social responsibility
  3. Demonstrate specific skills that will enhance their ability to manage a global firm
  4. Describe how firms manage their marketing, information systems, human resources and supply chain around the world
  5. Differentiate factors that lead to international business success, especially for small- and medium-sized firms
  6. Examine those controllable and uncontrollable forces that impact the international business environment and how a firm should respond
  7. Explain the theoretical models of global trade and investment, global monetary systems and cross-national business arrangements
  8. Identify current global trends and issues that affect the ability of a firm to conduct business activities internationally
  9. Use basic international business vocabulary

BA205 Business Communications (Course offered online)

Credits 4Summer/Fall/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: WR121Z; or instructor consent.

This course develops required skills to communicate effectively in a business environment. Technology is viewed and used as an efficient and effective tool for processing and presenting information in a business setting. Students learn and practice effective strategies for writing persuasive, good and bad news letters and memos. They learn interpersonal and organizational communication skills for working in groups as well as with individuals. Students collaborate to research, write and present business reports. Email, word processing, spreadsheets, online research and presentation software is used to enhance the communication process.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Analyze, plan, write, and present clear, concise effective business communications using technology as an information processing and presentation tool
  2. Apply an understanding of adaptation to diversity in intercultural environments
  3. Apply specific strategies for delivering positive news, negative news and persuasive business information
  4. Demonstrate effective team communication and participation
  5. Design and produce a business presentation
  6. Plan and produce a collaborative written formal analytical report using on-line computer and library research

BA206 Management Fundamentals (Course offered online)

Credits 4Fall/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: BA101Z; or instructor consent.

This course encompasses the study, analysis and application of management and supervision functions, structure and roles. Major management processes of planning, decision making, organizing, leading and controlling are covered. There is an emphasis on application of effective management techniques. Additional focus includes current management and supervision issues such as motivation, communication, teamwork, diversity, ethics and global business.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Analyze and evaluate how business ethics relates to organizations and the work of business professionals
  2. Describe basic organizational designs and determine an effective design based on an organization's purpose and strategy
  3. Describe the processes of and use tools of planning and decision-making
  4. Describe the value of change management and how this affects an organization's success
  5. Describe, emulate, and use communication skills necessary for successful managers, supervisors, and team leaders
  6. Discuss and analyze the changing roles and environment of managers, supervisors and team leaders in contemporary business
  7. Discuss the use and importance of effective control processes and practices
  8. Explain and analyze contemporary global management and diversity issues
  9. Explain historic and contemporary issues in motivation and how these can be effectively applied in organizations
  10. Explain the issues and tools of contemporary human resource management

BA211Z Principles of Financial Accounting (Course offered online)

Credits 4Summer/Fall/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: BA111 with a grade of "C" or better. Co-requisites: BA101Z and BA131.

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.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Describe the purpose of accounting and its role in business and society.
  2. Explain common balance sheet and income statement items and how they fit in the accounting equation.
  3. Analyze and record the impact of basic business events on account balances within the accounting cycle in accordance with US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
  4. Create the income statement and balance sheet using account balances in accordance with US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
  5. Describe the purpose and principles of internal controls.
  6. Conduct basic analysis and interpretation of the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement to aid in stakeholder decision making.

BA212 Financial Accounting II (Course offered online)

Credits 4Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: BA211 with a grade of "C" or better, and instructor signature required. Co-requisites: BA131 or BT210ZEB.

This course is designed to serve students who plan to pursue an associate degree in a business area and/or transfer to an undergraduate degree program in any area of business. This course emphasizes external financial reporting. Topics covered include long-term assets, current and long-term liabilities, stockholder's equity, corporate financing with stocks and bonds, the statement of cash flow, financial statement analysis, and time value of money.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding essential accounting principles, including the accounting equation, debits and credits, and the accounting cycle.
  2. Account for property, plant, and equipment to include acquisition, depreciation and disposal.
  3. Account for stockholder's equity and contributed capital.
  4. Apply Time Value of Money (TVM) concepts to long-term liability calculations and analysis.
  5. Perform financial statement analysis.
  6. Prepare and interpret a statement of cash flows.
  7. Use spreadsheet tools to display and calculate financial accounting related transactions.

BA213Z Principles of Managerial Accounting (Course offered online)

Credits 4Summer/Fall/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: BA111 or BA211, each with a grade of "C" or better.

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.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Explain the role of managerial accounting in an organization with respect to planning and control decisions.
  2. Apply absorption and variable costing methods to determine product costs.
  3. Develop and use relevant operational information to determine cost behavior patterns and conduct cost-volume-profit analyses.
  4. Use commonly accepted tools, including budgets, standard costs, and variance analysis to evaluate operational performance.
  5. Apply commonly accepted methods to evaluate capital and operational decisions.

BA215 Data Analytics for Accounting

Credits 3Spring

Registration Requirement: BA211, with a grade of "C" or better; and BA212; or BA211Z; or instructor consent.

Data Analytics for Accounting is designed to serve students who plan to pursue and associate degree in Accounting, or any other area of business. This course provides students the opportunity to apply their knowledge of the Accounting Cycle and Financial Reporting in a spreadsheet environment, by using Excel or other spreadsheet applications to record transactions, execute complicated calculations, and prepare Financial Statements. Spreadsheet techniques are taught sequentially, while simultaneously reinforcing accounting concepts and processes. With the use of comprehensive examples and scenarios, students will be able to apply the skills learned in this class to professional accounting for businesses.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Utilize spreadsheets to accurately apply data analytics techniques to make data-driven decisions about accounting and finance scenarios
  2. Utilize spreadsheets to accurately calculate inventory cost under LIFO, FIFO, and weighted average cost flow assumptions
  3. Utilize spreadsheets to accurately create a depreciation schedule and calculate depreciation using different methods
  4. Utilize spreadsheets to accurately analyze loan and lease scenarios including loan amortization tables and time value of money formulas
  5. Utilize spreadsheets to accurately create a payroll register
  6. Utilize spreadsheets to accurately create budgets and perform cost-volume-profit analysis
  7. Utilize spreadsheets to accurately perform vertical, horizontal, and ratio analysis
  8. Utilize spreadsheets to accurately reconcile bank accounts
  9. Utilize spreadsheets to accurately record journal entries and create financial statements
  10. Utilize spreadsheets to accurately apply data audits and internal controls to datasets in the context of investigating fraud

BA218 Personal Finance (Course offered online)

Credits 3Fall/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W, each with a grade of "C" or better; and MTH020; or placement above stated course levels.

This course provides students with practical decision-making skills for managing their personal financial resources. Topics covered include setting personal goals, budgeting, use of credit, consumer spending and saving and personal investment options.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Describe methods for achieving personal financial goals through a variety of investment options
  2. Develop alternative budgets to achieve personal goals
  3. Explain different types of credit identifying advantages and disadvantages
  4. Identify positive and negative patterns of consumer saving and spending
  5. Set personal financial goals for different life stages

BA220 Tax Accounting (Course offered online)

Credits 3Fall

Registration Requirement: BA111 or BA211, each with a grade of "C" or better.

In this course, students learn how to apply the fundamentals of individual income taxation. Students will apply the concepts of income, deductions, exemptions, gains and losses and tax credits in the preparation of basic federal income tax returns. Students will also learn the general rules of taxation for different forms of business entities.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Differentiate between the most commonly taxed entities in the US
  2. Explain the basic individual income tax formula
  3. Identify and differentiate between gross income inclusions and exclusions, tax deductions, and tax credits
  4. Explain capital gain / loss rules and taxation of property
  5. Apply the concepts of gross income inclusion, income exclusion, deductions, credits, capital gains and losses in the preparation of a basic individual income tax return
  6. Describe the general tax considerations of different types of business entities, including sole proprietorships, partnerships, and S- and C-corporations
  7. Apply the concepts of non-individual taxation in the preparation of basic tax returns for a partnership and a corporation.

BA222 Finance

Credits 3Fall

Registration Requirement: BA111 or BA211, each with a grade of "C" or better; or instructor consent.

An introductory study of financial management. The course covers sources of capital, financial statement analysis, the time value of money, capital budgeting, working capital management, financial structures and other factors that influence financial management decisions.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Apply the time value of money concept and show how it is used to manage finances
  2. Compare long-term sources of funds: bonds, debt, leasing, preferred stock and common stock - and be able to choose among them
  3. Compare the short-term sources of funds and how short-term assets are managed
  4. Describe the differences in forms of business ownership
  5. Discuss what capital structure is and calculate the effects of leverage
  6. Examine the financial system and assess the roles of interest and risk
  7. Illustrate what working capital is and what affects working capital

BA223 Principles of Marketing (Course offered online)

Credits 4Fall/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W, each with a grade of "C" or better; and MTH020; or placement above stated course levels. Recommended BA101Z.

This course introduces students to traditional and internet marketing principles and policies. Major topics are marketing concepts relating to price policies and controls; trade channels and merchandising; market research; promotion; and integration of marketing with other activities of the business enterprise.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Analyze and discuss forecasts of marketing needs concerning changing socioeconomic conditions
  2. Create a marketing plan utilizing the four "P's" of marketing for a chosen product or service
  3. Demonstrate proper usage of marketing language, principles and applications
  4. Develop an argument relating to the importance of marketing in the modern global business world using critical thinking
  5. Develop an Internet Web site promotion using current technology and Web marketing techniques

BA224 Human Resource Management (Course offered online)

Credits 3Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: BA101Z; or instructor consent.

This course provides perspectives on important current and emerging practices to help the student develop a practical, realistic and modern view of human resource management (HRM). Students study the HRM functions of an executive or supervisor as well as the functions of the HRM director in today's business environment.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Define and discuss the staffing function of human resource management and its components
  2. Define health and safety and explain their importance in an organization. Identify, federal and state laws affecting health and safety standards
  3. Define, analyze, and compare the three main types of compensation. Discuss the basic federal and state laws affecting compensation policy
  4. Describe current and future trends in unionism. Discuss differences between non-union organizations and unionized organizations
  5. Discuss human resource management as a career field
  6. Explain the training and development function of human resource management. Discuss learning principles and ways to determine training needs
  7. Identify and discuss the current and emerging trends in human resource management
  8. Identify and discuss the implications of leading legislative and judicial acts that define requirements of human resource activities

BA226 Introduction to Business Law (Course offered online)

Credits 4Summer/Fall/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: BA101Z; or instructor consent.

Emphasis is placed on the student's ability to understand and apply rules of law applicable to business operations. Business topics include constitutional basis, ethics and social responsibility, courts and procedures, torts, intellectual property, business crimes, contracts, warranties, formation of LLC, antitrust and e-contracts and international law.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Compare types of business organizations and identify benefits of an LLC
  2. Discuss intellectual property and Internet law issues
  3. Discuss the complaint procedure and court system
  4. Discuss the implications of different types of warranties and product liability
  5. Explain and discuss the concept of negligence and torts
  6. Explain the origin of legal concepts
  7. Identify and discuss basic business crimes
  8. Identify and discuss issues in international online commercial contracts
  9. Identify and explain concepts regarding contracts, such as: contract formation
  10. duties and rights under contracts
  11. void, voidable and unenforceable contracts
  12. capacity
  13. mistakes
  14. fraud
  15. and breach of contract
  16. Think analytically and critically in the examination of case law
  17. Trace the history and development of the current antitrust law

BA228 Computer Accounting Applications (Course offered online)

Credits 3Spring

Registration Requirement: BA111 or BA211, each with a grade of "C" or better.

This course simulates business operations using an online computerized accounting system. Operations include business set up, vendor and customer maintenance, inventory management, bank reconciliations, financial reporting, and financial analysis.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Set up and customize a new company within a computerized accounting system.
  2. Process transactions properly within the system.
  3. Troubleshoot and resolve transaction entry and reporting errors.
  4. Generate relevant reports to address different facets of a business.
  5. Understand how a computerized accounting system processes data, in order to report on the financial status of a business.

BA231 Introduction to Management Information Systems (Course offered online)

Credits 4Fall

Registration Requirement: BA131 or instructor permission.

This course presents business professionals with the basic concepts and skills for the strategic use of information systems in the organization. This course describes how information systems can be applied to business processes by supporting communications, improving decision making and increasing organizational performance. The components and development of the appropriate personal, workgroup and enterprise systems are examined.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Demonstrate the proper usage of business computer vocabulary
  2. Demonstrate the use of information technology to communicate information and make decisions
  3. Describe and give examples of the Software Development Life Cycle
  4. Describe how to use information technology for strategic advantage in today's business world
  5. Describe the application of the development process for information systems
  6. Describe the benefits from major applications of information systems in an organization
  7. Identify and articulate the various components of personal, workgroup and enterprise information systems.

BA238 Professional Sales

Credits 4Winter

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W, each with a grade of "C" or better; and MTH058 or MTH060; or placement above stated course levels. Recommended BA101Z.

This course examines the salesperson's role in modern marketing. It places emphasis on buyer behavior, the sales communication process, prospecting for customers, planning the sales call, developing and giving the sales presentation, handling objections, the importance of customer service and closing the sale. Presentations provide the students with opportunities to apply sales concepts.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Demonstrate all the major steps required in a professional sales call
  2. Demonstrate how to handle a dissatisfied customer
  3. Explain the function of sales relative to the overall marketing strategy
  4. List the major personal characteristics needed for professional selling
  5. Recognize customer service systems that will assist in seeking out dissatisfied customers
  6. Utilize a variety of techniques to convert to satisfied customers

BA239 Advertising and Promotion

Credits 4Spring

Registration Requirement: MTH020 with a grade of "C" or better; or placement above stated course levels. Recommended BA101Z and BA223.

This course is a detailed examination of the purpose, preparation, placement and analysis of the various types of advertisements within each of the media, such as television, web, radio and print. The relative merits of the most popular media are examined. The course involves practice in the planning and analysis of complete advertising campaigns and their coordination with other marketing strategies. Relevant social media and social networking are researched and analyzed as a part of the overall promotional and advertising strategy.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Define advertising concepts in terms that could be executed by an advertising media specialist (graphic artist, television advertising producer, etc.)
  2. Describe advertising design, layout, and production by analysis of existing advertising
  3. Describe the social and economic benefits of advertising in a free market economy
  4. Explain the psychological and social aspects of advertising as they relate to human behavior
  5. Explain the use of relevant social media and social networking (such as Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, YouTube) in the overall promotional and advertising strategy
  6. Identify the major groups of advertising media and some of the strengths and weaknesses of each

BA240 Nonprofit Financial Management Accounting (Course offered online)

Credits 4Winter

Registration Requirement: BA101Z; and BA111 or BA211; and BA131, CIS120L, or BT210ZEC; each with a grade of "C" or better.

This course develops conceptual foundation underlying the financial management and accounting procedures, records and statements for nonprofit organizations.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Apply basic concepts of budgeting and fund accounting as they relate to nonprofit entities.
  2. Apply key concepts of fiscal management, policies, and internal control appropriate for entry-level accounting position with a nonprofit entity.
  3. Communicate effectively through preparation and interpretation of nonprofit financial reporting.

BA249 Retail Management

Credits 3Fall

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W, each with a grade of "C" or better; and MTH020; or placement above stated course levels; and BA101Z.

This course studies the total management efforts needed to operate retail and online commerce point effectively. It addresses the manager's strategy of operation as well as the requirements of daily operation and does so from the standpoint of the specific decisions a manager must make to achieve success. The retail management course addresses buying, marketing, merchandising, operations, inventory control, personnel and finance. The scope of this course includes ECommerce, and technology trends disrupting retail commerce space.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Analyze how retail establishments and online sites are categorized.
  2. Develop retail management strategies as they pertain to locations, finances, organization, and information systems, etc.
  3. Discuss current retail strategies and future trends.
  4. Evaluate the role strategic management plays in retailing/ecommerce.
  5. Examine the importance of store design and layout, including online websites and cell phone apps.
  6. Review management practices such as buying and inventory.

BA250 Small Business Management (Course offered online)

Credits 4Spring

Registration Requirement: BA206; or instructor consent. Recommended WR121 and MTH065 or MTH058.

This course introduces students to the practical and specific aspects of how to operate a small business. Students develop a comprehensive business plan. This includes operations and financial planning, raising capital, marketing and human resource planning together with leadership and time-management planning. Note: This is considered a capstone course; therefore, it should be taken in the last term of a business student's program.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Demonstrate primary management skills
  2. Describe operational management and organizational structure objectives
  3. Explain account receivables and the basic elements of a credit policy
  4. Explain the prime reasons for a business plan
  5. Prepare a comprehensive business plan
  6. Prepare and identify a balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement

BA265 Operations Management - Workflow Analysis

Credits 3Fall

Registration Requirement: BA131 and BA206.

This is a class for students interested in operations management. Working in small teams, students are trained to perform an operations workflow analysis for an area business or service organization, integrating current records and web-based information systems. Students develop team skills, consulting skills and work directly with business professionals in the organization where they perform the analysis.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Communicate effectively in a work group
  2. Conduct online business research
  3. Document a work flow for a business
  4. Identify steps to plan and manage a work flow analysis
  5. Prepare recommendations for integrating web based information into a business
  6. Use business management and technical skills
  7. Use problem-solving and decision-making skills to resolve management issues

BA267 Business Project Management

Credits 3Winter

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W, each with a grade of "C" or better; and MTH020; or placement above stated course levels. Co-requisite: BA131 or a combination of CIS120 and CIS120L.

This is a hands-on class for students in project management. Working in teams, students follow foundational project management standards to propose realistic and effective project plans for an area business and to anticipate common project management problems. This course is recommended to be taken after other communication and management courses required for degree.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Communicate effectively in a work group
  2. Conduct online business research
  3. Demonstrate business management and technical skills
  4. Demonstrate problem-solving and decision-making skills to resolve management issues
  5. Identify revenue and cost streams for a business
  6. Identify steps to plan and manage projects
  7. Prepare a project plan for a business

BA271 Financial Statement Analysis

Credits 3Spring

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W; and MTH058 or MTH065; each with a grade of "C" or better, or placement above stated course levels; and BA211, BA212 and BA213; or BA211Z and BA213Z. Note: This is considered a capstone course. Therefore, it should be taken in the last term of a business student's program.

This course is designed to enable students to interpret and analyze real world financial reports of various manufacturing, retailing and service firms from the perspective of investors, creditors and prospective employees. This analysis is used to assess a company's liquidity, profitability and solvency in order to judge whether there is a viable basis for relationship. Students also develop their ability to locate comparable industry data, rating services and credit reporting services and apply this information in their evaluation of a company's past performance and assessment of the company's future risks and rewards.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Locate comparable industry data and apply it in the analysis of a company's financial statements
  2. Prepare an analysis of a company's liquidity, profitability and solvency from the perspective of investors, creditors and prospective employees using the company's annual reports, industry information, and outside services in order to judge whether there is a viable basis for relationship
  3. Recognize when rating services, credit reporting services, and /or investor services can provide information beneficial to analysis
  4. Use annual reports to confirm the value and limitation of a company's report information

BA285 Leadership and Human Relations

Credits 3Fall/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: Recommended requisite: BA206.

This course prepares students to become effective leaders who drive organizational change. While the assumption is made that everybody can be a leader, people often miss the opportunity because they are not ready. Students examine their existing capabilities and develop a plan for building on these in preparation to lead the 21st century organization. Additional focus is made on nurturing the development of followers and recognizing situations that either impede or facilitate effective leadership. Non-business majors are welcome.

This course fulfills: Human Relations

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Identify key elements to effective leadership
  2. Describe various leadership styles and how they interact with each other
  3. Formulate the link between leadership and character
  4. Evaluate one's leadership strengths and limitations and create a plan for leadership development
  5. Show the importance of followers and the need for their growth and development
  6. Examine how a situation and/or environment affect a leader's ability to lead
  7. Demonstrate techniques for driving organizational change

Online option regularly offered

Cultural Literacy course