Business Administration

The curricula in business administration strive to emphasize three primary competencies - interpersonal, technological, and problem-solving skills. Interpersonal skills are critical to the interaction with and accomplishment of tasks through other people. Technology is ubiquitous in business, and familiarity with aspects of its capability is necessary to utilize it fully. Technology will be utilized in many aspects of course delivery (for example submitting homework as email attachments) as well as studied in a more formal setting (such as e-commerce). Managers and business owners must be able to solve problems. In order to do that more competently, potential frameworks for problem solving are presented and analysis is emphasized.

Throughout the curricula, the small business perspective is primary. Ethical decision-making and the application of ethics to the business world are also woven through the coursework as a manifestation of the development of character in business graduates. An important component of the program is the integration of theory and real world provided through case studies, participation in S.I.F.E. (Students Involved in Free Enterprise) activities, and cooperative work-education opportunities. A student choosing a major in business administration may opt for a concentration in management in order to deepen their appreciation of this fascinating and practical major.

 

Competency Objectives

Students who earn a major in Business Administration will

• Demonstrate critical thinking skills by
  • Applying accounting and finance to management decisions.
  • Applying appropriate data analysis techniques.
  • Creating a business plan.
  • Applying theory to guided experience.
• Demonstrate problem-solving skills by
  • Analyzing an organization utilizing managerial accounting.
  • Choosing appropriate financial analytical tool and apply it.
  • Evaluating a business experience and applying recommendations.
• Demonstrate interpersonal skills and strategies for motivation and leadership by
  • Practicing small group communication.
  • Employing communication skills in non-academic setting.
  • Creating effective written and oral communications.
• Integrate technology into their academic lives by
  • Utilizing a statistical software package.
  • Utilizing spreadsheet financial formulas.
  • Creating a presentation using PowerPoint.
• Develop an ethical, values-base approach to business by
  • Assessing their own value system.
  • Constructing a personal platform from which to make decisions.
  • Contrasting their perspectives with those of others.

Course-name and number	CR
ACC 201 - Principles of Financial Accounting	3
ACC 202 - Principles of Managerial Accounting	3
BUS 201 - The Art of Thinking I	3
BUS 202 - The Art of Thinking II	3
BUS 240 - Management and Leadership	3
BUS 335 - Commercial Law	3
BUS 400 - Financial Analysis	3
BUS 401 - The Art of Leadership I	3
BUS 402 - The Art of Leadership II	3
BUS 496 - Commerce Integration	3
COM 301 - The Art of Communication I	3
COM 302 - The Art of Communication II	3
CPS 205 - Spreadsheets	3
ECN 205 - The Economic Environment	3
ENG 312 - Writing for Business and Professions	3
BUS 345 - SIFE
OR	3
BUS 497 - Career Related Field Experience
Total credits for major	48

 

Download Your Business Degree Planning Sheet

 

Competency Objectives

Students who earn a minor in Business Administration will

• Demonstrate critical thinking skills.
• Demonstrate problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrate interpersonal skills and strategies for motivation and leadership.
• Integrate technology into their academic lives.
• Develop an ethical, values-base approach to business.

Course-name and number	CR
ACC 201 - Principles of Financial Accounting	3
BUS 201 - The Art of Thinking I	3
BUS 240 - Leadership and Management	3
BUS 335 - Commercial Law	3
COM 301 - The Art of Communication I	3
CPS 205 - Spreadsheets	3
ECN 205 - The Economic Environment	3
Total credits for minor	21

 

Download Your Business Minor Planning Sheet

 

Available only with a major in Business Administration.

The management concentration is designed to enhance and complement the business administration major. The program is based on recognition that future business leaders must function in an environment that places more emphasis on technology, faces more globalization in markets and organizations, and places increased importance on societal factors. The goal of the management program at the University of Great Falls is to graduate students who are well-versed in the principles and practices of modern business.

There will always be a need for trained business people, and the career possibilities for management graduates are excellent. Graduates commonly begin careers in entry level positions in areas such as corporate management training, banking, public administration, and small business operation. University of Great Falls graduates are trained to recognize and take advantage of challenging opportunities throughout their careers. The professional business leader in our complex society requires the solid background in the liberal arts provided to University of Great Falls students.

Competency Objectives

Students who earn a major in Business will

• Demonstrate critical thinking skills.
• Demonstrate problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrate interpersonal skills and strategies for motivation and leadership.
• Integrate technology into their academic lives.
• Develop an ethical, values-based approach to business.

Course-name and number	CR
BUS 306 - Management Science	3
BUS 341 - Human Resource Management	3
CPS 440 - Information Management	3
SCS 312 - Social Research Methods & Statistics	4
Approved Electives	9
ACC 380 - Principles of Cost Management
ACC 481 - Advanced Cost Accounting
ACC 442 - Federal Taxation - Business Entities
BUS 342 - Labor Relations and Employment Law
CPS 234 - Social and Legal Issues in Computing
CPS 346 - Web Programming
GOV 250 - State and Local Government
PLG 403 - Negotiation and Mediation (proposed)
SOC 330 - Social Psychology
Total credits for concentration	22

 

Download your Management Concentration planning sheet.

 

Competency Objectives

Students who earn an accounting concentration will

• Comprehend accounting principles, concepts and technical skills as promulgated by many professional organizations, including the American Institute of Certified Accountants, (AICPA), Securities and Exchange Commission, (SEC), Financial Accounting Standards Board and others.
• Communicate skills demonstrating the exchange information in meaningful context, proper delivery and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrate through the evaluation of information, financial and non-financial, the skills to provide information for decision making. (Critical and creative thinking)
• Analyze, compare, evaluate information to provide analysis for long term planning. (Strategic Thinking)
• Use, compare, evaluate and leverage technology for future use with future employers, employees, and clients.
• Realize that business is evolutionary and change is inevitable, students need the ability to evaluate current situations and formulate plans for the future. (Focus on change)
• Demonstrate leadership skills by the ability to persuade and motivate others to achieve results. (Leadership skills)
• Demonstrate knowledge of professional standards of ethics necessary for decision-making.

Course-name and number	CR
ACC 423 - Advanced Attestation and Auditing	3
ACC 426 - Advanced Financial Accounting II	3
ACC 442 - Principles of Federal Taxation-Business Entities	3
ACC 481 - Advanced Cost Management	3
ACC 485 - Seminar on Accounting Issues I	3
ACC 486 - Seminar on Accounting Issues II	3
BUS 400 - Financial Management	3
CPS 205 - Spreadsheets	3
PLG 361 - Commercial Transactions	3
SCS 313 - Applied Statistics in the Social Sciences	3
Approved electives	9
ACC 415 - Government and Not-for-Profit Accounting
ACC 443 - Principles of Federal Taxation--Estates
ACC 450 - Accounting Information Systems
ACC 480 - International Accounting for Multinational Enterprises
Total for concentration	39

 

Download Your Accounting Concentration Planning Sheet

 

 

BUS 101 Introduction to Investing. Investing is the way to have your assets work for you to become financially independent. This course focuses on understanding the resources available to provide information to make good investment decisions. Students will analyze the stock of a publicly traded utilizing a computer program. The students in the course will also make recommendations for the management of an investment portfolio containing $50,000 real dollars. Expected to be offered: Fall semesters; Distance Learning: Spring semesters 1 credit

BUS 201 The Art of Thinking I. This course introduces students to the process of thinking logically. The first step of solving any problem is to identify it. Analyzing situations, including ethical aspects, is a critical component of the art of thinking. Expected to be offered: Fall semesters 3 credits

BUS 202 The Art of Thinking II. The collection of data is a critical step to understanding any situation. But data is useless until it is transformed into information. That transformation process is the focus of this course. Expected to be offered: Spring semesters Prerequisite: BUS 201, MTH 205 3 credits

BUS 240 Leadership and Management. A major area of focus will be the basic principles and functions of management involved in planning, organizing, and controlling a business organization. Attention will also be paid to the relationship of management and leadership. This will include an examination of classical sources for the meaning and implications of leadership as well as an extensive look at modern leadership ideas and team building tools. The importance of ethics in determining the role and function of leadership will be a central feature of this course. Expected to be offered: Fall semesters; Distance Learning: Spring semesters 3 credits

BUS 306 Management Science. Spreadsheet programs are used to build models of decision problems faced by managers in their daily work activities. Examples of decisions utilizing linear programming, forecasting techniques, project management, inventory control, waiting line analysis, and simulation are created and evaluated. Students will apply one or more of these techniques to a project of their own choosing. Prerequisite: CPS 205 strongly recommended Expected to be offered: Spring semesters, even years 3 credits

BUS 335 Commercial Law. Law regarding contracts, torts, property, with business applications. Business ethics and governmental regulation. Expected to be offered: Fall semesters; Distance Learning: Fall semesters, odd years 3 credits BUS 341 Human Resource Management. Personnel function as it relates to the management of the human resources of the organization. Prerequisite: BUS 240 Expected to be offered: Fall semesters, even years 3 credits

BUS 342 Labor Relations and Employment Law. Designed to acquaint students with the modern American labor scene and employment law. Consideration given to: history of the union movement; the structure and function of unions; unions in relation to wages; income, employment, and numerous types of labor problems; and evolutionary process of labor legislation with focus on trends in modern labor legislation. Prerequisite: BUS 240 recommended Expected to be offered: Spring semesters, odd years 3 credits

BUS 345 Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) A team of students designs and implements projects to meet unmet needs - but with a "business twist." SIFE projects require that students apply the principles of free enterprise while bringing about social good. The team documents its projects and enters them into a regional competition each April. SIFE may be taken up to four times. It is highly recommended that students plan to take SIFE both fall and spring semesters so they can participate in the project from start to competition. Expected to be offered: Fall and Spring semesters 1 credit

BUS 370 Real Estate. Topics considered include home ownership; mortgage lending and finance; appraisal and evaluation of property; purchase and sale of property; legal framework of selling, subdivision, zoning, and planning. Prepares student for Montana Real Estate Exam. Expected to be offered: Summer semesters 4 credits BUS 390 Special Topics in Management. Designed according to the needs of the student in management. Expected to be offered: Sufficient demand 3 credits

BUS 392 Special Topics in Business. Expected to be offered: Sufficient demand 3 credits

BUS 400 Financial Analysis. A study of the financial problems associated with the operation of an organization. Includes estimating the financial needs of an enterprise, break-even point, time value of money, capital structure, budgeting, and working capital management. Prerequisite: ACC 201, CPS 205, ECN 205, senior standing or instructor permission Expected to be offered: Fall semester 2005; Distance Learning: Fall semester 2006 3 credits

BUS 401 The Art of Leadership I. Working with others is an essential skill for today's leaders. Effective team formation, participation, and leadership is examined in this course. Change is certain, no matter what organizational setting in which you are located. Dealing effectively with change and helping those you lead deal well is important. Prerequisite: BUS 201, BUS 301 Expected to be offered: Fall semesters (beginning Fall 2005) 3 credits

BUS 402 The Art of Leadership II. A critical skill to successful leadership is the ability to give and receive feedback appropriately. Students will receive experience in this area as well as in negotiation and coaching/mentoring skills. Taking care of yourself and techniques to reenergize will also be discussed. Prerequisite: BUS 401 Expected to be offered: Spring semesters 3 credits

BUS 495 Internship. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor Expected to be offered: Sufficient demand 1-15 credits

BUS 496 Commerce Integration. The focus of this course will be on integrating the various tools that the 21 st century businessperson needs in order to run a successful enterprise. Particular attention will be paid to the development of business plans. Accordingly, understanding marketing and its central role in business planning will be a significant part of this course. Furthermore, this course will focus on understanding the integration of web and other new market economic tools into the traditional "bricks and mortar" methods of doing business. Some of the methods examined will include new approaches to advertising, new distribution channels, and business-to-business exchanges over the web. The role of the manager as "chief integrator" of the business will also be examined. This includes the manager's role as the organization's first team leader, visionary, and prime communicator. Expected to be offered: Spring semesters 3 credits

BUS 497 Career Related Field Experience. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor Expected to be offered: Fall and Spring semesters 3 credits