Business Administration

Students may seek either an academic major or minor in business administration.

Major in Business Administration

The business administration curriculum provides the skills and knowledge necessary for a successful career in business and management. It includes studies in accounting, business law and public policy, business supply chain management, customer service and operations management, ethics and social responsibility, finance, human resource management and labor relations, international business, strategic and entrepreneurial management, organizational behavior, marketing and sales, and statistical analysis. A major in business administration prepares graduates for careers in for-profit and not-for-profit organizations and the public sector.

Intended Program Outcomes

The student who graduates with a major in business administration will be able to

  • Plan and communicate a shared vision for the organization that will drive strategy, assist with decision making, and position the organization in the business environment.
  • Employ critical thinking to evaluate qualitative and quantitative data and effectively communicate across all layers of the organization.
  • Develop, communicate, implement, and follow policies and procedures that inform and guide operations to reduce cost and organizational risk and promote ethical practices.
  • Manage people, time, and resources by utilizing effective employment practices, encouraging team building, and mentoring junior members of the staff.
  • Design and execute personal and employee development systems to enhance job performance and leadership skills.

Degree Requirements

A degree with a major in business administration requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework including 36 credits for the major (indicated by Required by major); 41 credits in general education requirements (GERs); and 43 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 18 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

Requirements for the Business Administration Major

Coursework for a major in business administration includes the following:

  • Required foundation courses (12 credits): BMGT 110 (or prior business experience and an additional course chosen from ACCT, BMGT, ENMT, FINC, HRMN, or MRKT courses), ACCT 220 and 221, and STAT 230 (or STAT 200)
  • Required core courses (21 credits): BMGT 364, 365, 380, 496, and FINC 330; HRMN 300; and MRKT 310
  • Required capstone course (3 credits): BMGT 495
  • Required related courses (9 credits), which may be applied anywhere in the degree, ECON 201 and 203, and ACCT 326 (or IFSM 300)

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all of the requirements for the BS in business administration. Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an academic advisor whenever taking advantage of other options.

Information on alternate courses (where allowable) to fulfill general education requirements (in communications, arts and humanities, behavioral and social sciences, biological and physical sciences, mathematics, and interdisciplinary issues) may be found in the General Education Requirements.

Minor in Business Administration

The business administration minor complements the skills the student gains in his or her major discipline by providing a study of principles and techniques used in organizing, planning, managing, and leading within various organizations.

Requirements for the Minor

A minor in business administration requires the completion of 15 credits in business administration, drawn from various disciplines as appropriate. Courses in ACCT, BMGT, FINC, HRMN, and MRKT apply.

Students are recommended to take BMGT 364 as the first course if not already applied elsewhere in the degree. Courses already applied toward other degree requirements (e.g., major or general education) may not be applied toward the minor. At least 9 credits must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above). Prerequisites apply for all courses.

For a listing of all the requirements for the bachelor's degree, students should refer to their major and the General Education Requirements.

Business Administration Major Courses

First Courses

(to be taken within the first 18 credits)

Note: Placement tests are required for math and writing courses.

LIBS 150 Introduction to Research (1)

WRTG 101 Introduction to Writing (3)

MATH 103 College Mathematics (3)

or MATH 107 College Algebra
or a higher-level math course

BMGT 110Required by major Introduction to Business and Management (3)
(students with business experience should substitute an additional business course in the last 60 credits of study)

Introductory Courses

(to be taken within the first 30 credits)

ECON 201 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
(related requirement for the major; also fulfills the first general education requirement in behavioral and social sciences)

NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3)

and NSCI 101 Physical Science Laboratory (1)
or other course(s) to fulfill the general education requirement in biological and physical sciences with related laboratory

WRTG 291 Research Writing (3)
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/ writing

IFSM 201 Concepts and Applications of Information Technology (3)

or CMST 303 Advanced Application Software

ACCT 220Required by major Principles of Accounting I (3)

PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3)
or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance, literature, or foreign language course to fulfill the first general education requirement in arts and humanities

Foundation Courses

(to be taken within the first 60 credits)

STAT 230Required by major Introductory Business Statistics (3)

or STAT 200 Introduction to Statistics

GVPT 170 American Government (3)
or other course to fulfill the second general education requirement in behavioral and social sciences
(discipline must differ from first)

ACCT 221Required by major Principles of Accounting II (3)

BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3)

or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in biological and physical sciences

ECON 203 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
(related requirement for major)

HIST 142 Western Civilization II (3)

or HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865
or other ARTH or HIST course to fulfill the general education requirement in arts and humanities for the historical perspective (discipline must differ from other humanities course)

IFSM 300 Information Systems in Organizations (3)

or ACCT 326 Accounting Information Systems
(fulfills the interdisciplinary issues/computing requirement; students should note prerequisites

SPCH 100 Foundations of Oral Communication (3)

or SPCH 101 Introduction to Public Speaking
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/ writing or speech

Additional Required Courses

(to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)

BMGT 364Required by major Management and Organization Theory (3)

WRTG 394 Advanced Business Writing (3)
or other course to fulfill the upper-level advanced writing requirement

BMGT 365Required by major Organizational Leadership (3)

MRKT 310Required by major Marketing Principles (3)

BMGT 380Required by major Business Law I (3)

HRMN 300Required by major Human Resource Management (3)

FINC 330Required by major Business Finance (3)

BMGT 496Required by major Business Ethics (3)

Capstone Course for Major

(to be taken in the last 15 credits)

BMGT 495Required by major Strategic Management (3)

Minor and/or Elective Courses

(to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses) (40)

Recommended minor:

Human resource management, marketing, finance, or other business-related minor

Recommended electives:

MATH 140 Calculus I

or MATH 130 and MATH 131 Calculus A, Calculus B
(for students who plan to go on to graduate school: note prerequisite is MATH 107, 108, or 115)

Total credits for BS in business administration 120


UMUC Europe Undergraduate Catalog


top

Last updated: 30 June 2011