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:

CS-120Microcomputer Applications3
EC-110Introduction to Microeconomics3
EC-120Introduction to Macroeconomics3
EN-253Business Communications3
MA-150Statistics I3
or EC-150 Statistics
MA-202Business Calculus3-4
or EC-202 Introduction to Mathematical Economics
Total Credits18-19

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.

Faculty

Abir A. Bukhatwa, Assistant Professor (2019), B.A., M.A., University of Benghazi; M.A., Ph.D., Clark University

Lagnajita Chatterjee, Assistant Professor (2020), B.S., University of Calcutta; M.S., University of Allahabad; Ph.D., University of Illinois at Chicago

Mary E. Clay, 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

Tejendra N. Kalia, Professor (2004), B.E., Indian Institute of Technology; M.E., McGill University; M.B.A., Anna Maria College; D.B.A., Nova Southeastern University

Mark L. Love, Department Chair, Associate Professor (2006), B.S.B.A., 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, Associate Professor (2013), B.S., Cornell University; M.B.A., Dartmouth College; M.A., Ph.D., Brown University

Michael Shamgochian, Visiting Assistant Professor (2021), B.A., University of Massachusetts Amherst; J.D., Suffolk University Law School

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-371 Intermediate Accounting II

Prerequisites: BA-370

Continuation of BA-370.

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

BA-494 International Marketing

Prerequisites: EC-120 BA-318

With the rapid and continuous changes in global environment we will examine the complex issues in international marketing faced by today's manager.

3 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.