Business Administration
Department of Business Administration and Economics
The Business Administration program enables students to acquire competencies necessary to manage the business, human, financial, and technological resources of organizations. The major in Business Administration offers six concentrations: Management, Accounting, Finance, Marketing, International Business, and Entrepreneurial Studies and Small Business Management.
Admission Requirements
Application to the department after completion of the following prerequisite courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EC-110 | Introduction to Microeconomics | 3 |
| EC-120 | Introduction to Macroeconomics | 3 |
| EN-253 | Business Communications | 3 |
| MA-150 | Statistics I | 3 |
| or EC-150 | Statistics | |
| MA-202 | Business Calculus | 3-4 |
| or EC-202 | Introduction to Mathematical Economics | |
| Total Credits | 15-16 | |
To be accepted to the major, a student must complete all prerequisite courses with a C (2.0) or better average. Prerequisite courses may be completed after acceptance with department approval.
- 4+1 Program
- Business Administration Major
- Business Administration Major, Concentration in Accounting
- Business Administration Major, Concentration in Entrepreneurial Studies and Small Business Management
- Business Administration Major, Concentration in Finance
- Business Administration Major, Concentration in International Business
- Business Administration Major, Concentration in Management
- Business Administration Major, Concentration in Marketing
- Business Administration Minor
Faculty
Abir A. Bukhatwa, Assistant Professor (2019), B.A., M.A., University of Benghazi; M.A., Ph.D., Clark University
Mary E. Clay, Department Chair, Professor (2012), B.S., Fitchburg State University; M.B.A., Anna Maria College; D.B.A., Argosy University; C.P.A., Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Laurie A. Dahlin, Professor (2001), B.S., Nichols College; M.B.A., Assumption College; D.B.A., Nova Southeastern University; C.M.A., Institute of Management Accountants
Paul A. Dubrey, Jr, Associate Professor (2016), B.S., Assumption College; M.B.A., Nichols College; C.P.A., Commonwealth of Massachusetts; D.B.A., Walden University
Bo Fan, Assistant Professor (2019), B.B.A., B.CST., Shenyang Institute of Technology; M.S., Ph.D., Southern New Hampshire University
Mark L. Love, Associate Professor (2006), B.S., M.B.A., Nichols College; C.P.A., Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Kaushik Mukherjee, Assistant Professor (2022), B.S., Jadavpur University; M.B.A., Xavier School of Management, India; Ph.D., University of Mississipi
Rodney Oudan, Professor (2005), PgCert., University of the West Indies, UWI; M.M., Cambridge College ; D.B.A., Nova Southeastern University
Miriam L. Plavin-Masterman, Professor (2013), B.S., Cornell University; M.B.A., Dartmouth College; M.A., Ph.D., Brown University
Elizabeth A. Siler, Professor (2008), B.A., Boston University; M.B.A., Simmons College; Ph.D., University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Lingling Wang, Associate Professor (2016), B.A., Xi'an International University; M.B.A., Ecuador Military School of Technology; M.S., D.B.A., Southern New Hampshire University
Elizabeth J. Wark, Professor (2007), B.A., Mount Holyoke College; M.B.A., University of Massachusetts; M.A., Ph.D., Clark University
Courses
BA-100 Introduction to Business
Introduction to basic concepts related to business practices; includes examination of local, regional and national organizations in the business world.
3 Credits
BA-193 Special Topics in Business First -Year Students
LASC Categories: FYS
Introductory level course covering topics of special interest to first-year students or offered only as a First-Year Seminar.
3 Credits
BA-200 Principles of Management
Study of management practices and behavior in organizational settings; emphasis on introduction to managerial principles, concepts and fundamentals.
3 Credits
BA-210 Financial Accounting I
Principles, concepts, procedures, and techniques of financial accounting necessary for preparation, understanding, and interpretation of accounting information.
3 Credits
BA-220 Financial Accounting II
Prerequisites: BA-210
Continuation of the topics covered in BA 210.
3 Credits
BA-230 Managerial Accounting
Prerequisites: BA-220
Analysis, interpretation and use of accounting data for effective managerial planning, control and decision-making.
3 Credits
BA-250 Analytical Techniques in Business
Prerequisites: BA-200 and BA-210.
Identification and analysis of common business problems using proper quantitative techniques and standard business software.
Fall and Spring and every year. 3 Credits
BA-300 Organization Theory
Prerequisites: BA-200
A macro examination of organizations utilizing current research findings based largely upon a systems/contingency framework, designed to improve organizational effectiveness.
3 Credits
BA-302 Introduction to Entrepreneurship
Students learn and explore the nature and challenges of entrepreneurship; explore the life cyle of opportunity-launch-growth-fruitage of the venture.
3 Credits
BA-303 Small Business Management
This course focuses on essential management skills relating to starting and managing a small business where one or few individuals provide initial financing.
3 Credits
BA-304 Women Entrepreneurs and Leaders
Students will focus on the research of women business leaders and the roles they have played in the global economy.
3 Credits
BA-305 Organizational Behavior
Prerequisites: BA-200
Study of organizational effectiveness and quality of working life, through individual, organizational, and contextual level theories and practices.
3 Credits
BA-306 Human Resource Management
Prerequisites: BA-305
An examination of human resource management including employment laws, recruiting/selection, training/development, and benefits/compensation administration.
3 Credits
BA-312 Operations Management I
Prerequisites: BA-200, and MA-150 or EC-207 or EC-150
Applied analysis of operations in service and production systems using quantitative models and calculus, inventory, work measurement, scheduling, quality control.
Fall and Spring and every year. 3 Credits
BA-316 Financial Management
LASC Categories: QAC
Prerequisites: BA-220
Financial analysis, working capital management, and basics of capital budgeting.
3 Credits
BA-318 Principles of Marketing
Prerequisites: BA-200, EC-110 and EC-120.
Overview of the full range of activities involved in marketing; develops an understanding of marketing strategy and processes.
3 Credits
BA-320 Business Law I
Prerequisites: BA-200
Introduction to legal concepts as applied to the study of contracts, personal property, sales, and the Uniform Commercial Code.
3 Credits
BA-321 Business Law II
Prerequisites: BA-320
Continuation of topics covered in BA320. Study of laws of partnerships and corporations.
3 Credits
BA-327 Ethical Decision Making in Business
Prerequisites: BA-200, BA-210, and BA-318
This course will identify, discuss, and analyze ethical issues faced by business professionals and discuss approaches for resolving ethical dilemmas.
3 Credits
BA-350 Business Information Systems and Applications
Prerequisites: BA-250.
Survey of automated business information systems and microcomputer applications with emphasis on business oriented software.
Fall and Spring and every year. 3 Credits
BA-351 Managing Ebusiness
Digitizing new forms of business organizations to create business-to-business partnerships, business-to-consumer relationships, pathways-to- profitability; legal,ethical, social, political and global issues.
3 Credits
BA-355 Insurance and Risk Management
Prerequisites: BA-200
This survey course covers the identification and evaluation of risk and techniques for the management of risk. Commercial and personal risks are studied from the points of view of the corporation, the individual, and the insurer. Areas of emphasis include commercial property, business liability, workers compensation, automobile, life, health, disability, and income insurance.
3 Credits
BA-362 Accounting for Non-Profit Organizations
Prerequisites: BA-371
Specialized area of accounting for unique requirements for non-profit organizations; includes analysis of budgeting, financial statements and other unique accounting requirements needed by management to assess the controls of a non-profit entity.
3 Credits
BA-370 Intermediate Accounting I
Prerequisites: BA-210 and BA-220
Accounting theory, principles, concepts, and procedures applied to balance sheet, and income statement accounts. Presentation and interpretation of financial reports.
3 Credits
BA-372 Advanced Accounting I
Prerequisites: BA-370
Examines specialized topics in accounting including business combinations, partnerships, foreign currency transactions and translation, IFRS, nonprofit and governmental accounting.
3 Credits
BA-374 Cost Accounting
Prerequisites: BA-200, BA-210 and BA-220
Accounting for costs in business enterprises. Emphasis placed on fundamental principles including job order, process, and standard costs.
3 Credits
BA-375 Federal Income Taxes I
Prerequisites: BA-370
A study of federal income taxation as applied to individuals.
3 Credits
BA-376 Auditing
Prerequisites: BA-370
Basic auditing concepts and developments and their application to the examination, evaluation, and reporting of financial data.
3 Credits
BA-377 Federal Income Taxes II
Prerequisites: BA-375
Federal income taxes for corporations and partnerships.
3 Credits
BA-380 Negotiations
Prerequisites: BA-200, BA-210, BA-220, BA-305, EC-110, and EC-120
This course focuses on effective negotiations, conflict management, and power and influence in organizational and other settings.
3 Credits
BA-385 Leadership
Prerequisites: BA-200 and BA-305
This course focuses on leadership theories, skills and applications. Self-assessment and reflection are important learning components of this course.
3 Credits
BA-390 Business and Social Research Methods
LASC Categories: WAC
Prerequisites: BA-200 and EN-102
An overview of research design approaches and the basic techniques of data collection employed by social scientists conducting empirical research.
3 Credits
BA-400 Management and Organizational Behavior I
Prerequisites: BA-305
Study of concepts, theory, research and operational problems of organizational behavior; work groups and intergroup behavior models.
3 Credits
BA-401 Management and Organizational Behavior II
Prerequisites: BA-400
Continuation of topics covered in BA 400 with additional theory and case studies; behavioral science/systems approach is taken.
3 Credits
BA-402 Designing the Business Plan
Prerequisites: BA-302 or consent of instructor.
Develop a complete business plan, including value propositions, market and product feasibility analyses, and projected financial statements.
Fall only and every year. 3 Credits
BA-404 Corporate Finance
Prerequisites: BA-316
Advanced capital budgeting, capital structure, long-term financing decisions, dividend policy, computer modeling, comprehensive financial strategy cases.
3 Credits
BA-406 Trends in Marketing
Prerequisites: BA-318
Integrates all aspects of marketing theory through readings, case studies, class projects, individual projects and computer simulation of marketing decisions.
3 Credits
BA-408 Directed Study: Business Administration
Directed study offers students, who because of unusual circumstances may be unable to register for a course when offered, the opportunity to complete an existing course with an established syllabus under the direction and with agreement from a faculty member.
3 Credits
BA-414 Real Estate Investment
Prerequisites: BA-316
This course covers the fundamental concepts, principles, analytical methods, and tools used in making residential and commercial real estate investment decisions.
3 Credits
BA-415 Investment Analysis
Prerequisites: BA-316
Survey of investment vehicles, including stocks, bonds, real estate, commodities, mutual funds, and collectibles. Modern portfolio and valuation theories.
3 Credits
BA-416 Financial Markets and Institutions
Prerequisites: BA-316
Study of banks, investment banking, money markets, and the financial service industry as they affect long and short-term financing decisions.
3 Credits
BA-420 Marketing Research
Prerequisites: BA-318
Nature and scope of marketing research. Application of scientific methods, sources, and collection of data, reporting and evaluation.
3 Credits
BA-422 Retailing
Prerequisites: BA-318
Demand analysis, consumer behavior, planning, and control of the merchandising functions; retailing as a career.
3 Credits
BA-424 Advertising Management
Prerequisites: BA-318
Advertising from a planning perspective. Advertising and professional promotion strategies with execution and control activities.
3 Credits
BA-426 Consumer Behavior
Prerequisites: BA-318
The analysis of the consumer decision process as it affects marketing management decisions. Major factors of influence in this process will be studied including culture, social class, family, and reference groups.
3 Credits
BA-428 Business to Business Marketing
Prerequisites: BA-318
Explores business markets that account for more than half the economic activity globally.
3 Credits
BA-429 Integrated Marketing Communications
Prerequisites: BA-318
This course is designed for students who have an interest in increasing their knowledge of the marketing promotional process.
3 Credits
BA-430 Administrative Practices and Management
Prerequisites: BA-305
Overview and analysis of human conduct in work-organization settings.
3 Credits
BA-434 Management and Corporate Responsibility
Prerequisites: BA-200
The theoretical and practical relationships of corporate conflicts of interest, self-regulation, product liability, employee rights, etc., to management decisions.
3 Credits
BA-440 International Business and Management
Prerequisites: BA-316 and BA-318
Study and analyze the nature, structures and strategies of international/global businesses. Examine international markets, economic systems, value-chains and core competencies of a firm.
3 Credits
BA-450 Health Systems in America
A course focusing on the administration of institutions in the health area.
3 Credits
BA-470 Current Issues in Finance and Business Administration
LASC Categories: WAC
Prerequisites: Complete Writing II and BA-305 and BA-316 and BA-318
This course provides a foundation in Information literacy related to the functional areas of Business Administration, with a particular focus in finance. The course examines current events in the business world and their applications to Accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing and/or Operations.
3 Credits
BA-474 Corporate Law
Prerequisites: BA-320
Corporate powers and corporate management. Designed for future corporate executives and accountants.
3 Credits
BA-480 The Legal Environment of Business
Prerequisites: BA-200
The impact of governmental regulation on business and its response will be evaluated by unique debate-type format.
3 Credits
BA-481 Independent Study in Business Administration
Prerequisites: BA-200
Independent study in business administration, usually involving field work which is not an internship.
1-6 Credits
BA-482 Selected Topics in Business Administration
Prerequisites: BA-305, BA-316, and BA-318
Selection of topics of mutual interest to the student and faculty.
1-6 Credits
BA-483 Internship in Health Administration
Practical experience in operations of health administration, internships within cooperative health facilities with on-site supervision and evaluation.
1-6 Credits
BA-486 Internship in Business Administration
Prerequisites: BA-305, BA-316, and BA-318
Practical experience in operations of business. Internships within co-operative business firms with on-site supervision and evaluation.
1-12 Credits
BA-490 Business Strategy and Policy
LASC Categories: CAP
Prerequisites: BA-316 and BA-318
Capstone course integrating information provided in the functional areas such as finance, marketing, general management, business legal environment.
3 Credits
BA-491 Independent Study in Health Administration
Independent study in health, usually involving field work which is not an internship.
1-6 Credits
BA-492 Selected Topics in Health Administration
Selected topics in health administration of mutual interest to the student and faculty.
1-6 Credits
Program Learning Outcomes
- Graduates have developed a basic foundation in the key functions of business – accounting, economics, finance, international business, management, management information systems, marketing, operations, and statistics.
- Graduates have demonstrated the leadership and business decision-making skills necessary to perform effectively in a professional context.
- Graduates have participated in experiential learning in at least one of the following ways: internships, class projects, simulations, interaction with members of the business community, and/or service leadership.
- Graduates will be able to analyze various problems and create realistic solutions, both individually and as part of teams and groups, using artifacts such as problem and case analysis, integrated modules, and consulting opportunities.
- Using appropriate technologies effectively, graduate will be able to communicate effectively their work orally and/or in written format to a diverse audience both internal and external to an organization.
- Graduates have been aware of globalization and its impacts on people, businesses, and the economy.
- Graduates have developed an understanding of team processes and dynamics and collaborative participation in group projects throughout the curriculum.
- Graduates have worked effectively in teams demonstrating leadership skills, social, collaborative, and interpersonal skills necessary for future professional growth and development.
- Graduates have developed an ethical perspective in legal business practices within domestic and global business environment and are exposed to values issues and application of values to business professions.