Our Business Administration program is designed to provide you with a solid core of courses to help you develop the basic competencies essential for success in today’s business environment. The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration provides the business competencies that employers look for in their work force. Students prepare to meet the challenges of a changing marketplace in a wide var
iety of local and global industries while preparing for leadership roles within the business arena. The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration is focused on developing students to understand and support organizational missions. The program serves multiple purposes for traditional students moving through a 4-year program, or as a degree completion program for adults who desire a better position for themselves in their respective organizations consistent with industry expectations or to prepare them for venturing out on their own. This degree program is focused on realistic, accurate, and sound interpretations of the complexity and diversity found in today's global economy. The program strives to be consistent in scope with college standards, and consistent with industry outcomes. This program of study integrates analysis of theory, case studies, simulations and research so students may apply these to practical situations in the daily workplace. Students are further encouraged to develop thoughtful and creative approaches to understanding business models that are assessable, and observable. The associate degree program in Business Administration provides a foundation in business that will prepare students for direct entry into the workforce or to pursue a baccalaureate degree. The Business Administration curriculum helps students comprehend the underlying business principles and develop an ability to analyze and solve problems faced by managers of all kinds - in corporations, small businesses, government agencies and nonprofit organizations. It addresses business law and ethics, corporate social responsibility, business planning and development, effective leadership, and the fundamentals of accounting, budgeting, and marketing principles. Students also explore the basics of business communication, economic theories and effective forecasting. Each student builds a business plan relevant to their career aspirations that integrates the skills and knowledge learned in the various courses. The final culmination of the program is a 180-hour internship capstone, undertaken at the end of the student's program where classroom experiences will be applied in a real business environment. Wherever possible, the specific business chosen for the internship will reflect the student's desired career goal. Entrepreneurship Option
Entrepreneurs are people who would like to start and grow their own business. Their satisfaction comes from creating, advancing, and ultimately transforming an idea into a thriving business. Success demands knowledge of and experience in a number of factors, including initiating the start-up process, maintaining a competitive edge, gaining market share, making financial decisions, adapting to change, and developing products and services. In the United States, approximately 600,000 - 800,000 new businesses are started each year. These businesses form the basis of our economy. They allow their owners to work for themselves and to be self-sufficient. Many entrepreneurs build on their success by taking personal and financial risks to introduce new types of businesses based on current and projected needs. The purpose of the Entrepreneurship/Small Business Program is to provide students with the general knowledge to launch, operate, and grow their own business or operate and grow an existing business. This program focuses on innovative, hands-on business practice and small business management. Foundation and advanced courses expose students to the principles of business development, including strategic planning, marketing, advertising, business law, accounting, and information systems. The cornerstone of the program is the Portfolio, an organized folder that contains all of the documentation students need to start their own business. The Portfolio's primary document is the business plan, which is developed in class. As students progress, they gradually add to the Portfolio a marketing plan, funding proposals, financial projections, loan applications, and employer identification number; and, if applicable, a patent, trademark, and copyright filings. By graduation, the Portfolio has become the bridge to success. Human Resource Option
The management of human resources is a growing field. With increasing legal issues pertaining to employment and the need for organizations to carefully select, develop and maintain their workforce, this field will continue to present excellent opportunities for both employment and advancement. The Human Resource Management associate degree and related option prepares students to effectively deal with the complexities and challenges of managing today's workforce. Successful students will be prepared for positions as human resource assistants or specialists whose work contributes tot he growth and success of organizations and their employees. Graduates will be able to obtain human resource positions in business, government and non-profit organizations. Students will learn to identify staffing needs and develop skills for recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and developing employees. They will also learn the policies, procedures, and legal aspects of human resource management. They will round out their program with studies in business management, ethics, and cultural awareness. Students who complete this program will possess the skills necessary for a many career options at entry and mid-level positions in a wide variety of organizations. Medical Office Management Option
As part of a growing field of health related occupations in the United States, the medical office management profession offers positive economic opportunities and personal satisfaction. As our population rises and technology advances, the need for high quality healthcare services becomes increasingly great. The medical office administration field is an integral part of this expansion. Medical Office Management is a multi-skilled allied health profession. Managers work primarily in doctors' offices, hospitals, clinics, and government health organizations. Duties may include word processing, data entry, reception, database management, billing and coding, as well as interaction with vendors and patients. This associate degree and related certificate option provides the student with a unique blend of courses needed to obtain the skills and knowledge necessary to gain entry-level positions in medical office management. Students will learn Microsoft Office, as well as medical office management software. In addition to the computer skills, students will develop a solid medical background that includes medical terminology, human biology, medical billing and coding, and medical insurance. The program includes classroom instruction, lab, and an optional internship, giving students both a traditional academic education and "real world" hands-on experience. Non-profit Management Option
Students pursuing an Associate in Science in Business Administration may choose to concentrate their studies in the field of Non-profit Management. The range of nonprofit organizations includes those which provide basic human needs such as food and shelter and medical care; as well as treatment, educational and arts settings. Non-profit organizations account for approximately 10% of employment in the United States and are the primary mechanism by which the basic human needs of traditionally underserved and disempowered populations such as the poor, immigrants, and those with mental and physical disabilities are met. Non-profit managers must be well-versed in a range of areas, including financial and human resources management, grant writing, working effectively with client populations, working with nonprofit boards, and maintaining standards of ethical practice. The non-profit manager must also be able to work on the individual, group, and community level in order to be effective. Office Management Option
To maintain a competitive edge in today's global marketplace, many companies are becoming high performance organizations. As a result, companies are upgrading the skills required to perform entry-level administrative and supervisory responsibilities. This unique program, with a dual focus in business management and computer applications, is based on job qualifications identified by local area employers. The program provides students with an advanced level of skills in using Microsoft Office, planning and organizing, working as part of a team, communicating across cultures, and coordinating operational tasks. The program emphasizes the development of the students' problem solving, decision making and project management skills. Students who graduate from this program will be qualified to work in companies across all industry sectors. Property Management and Acquisition Option
The field of property management has a growing need for knowledgeable, skilled professionals. To the typical homeowner, a well-managed property looks good and preserves its intrinsic value. For the individual who owns property as an investment or to the business that specializes in managing other people's property, properly managed real estate results in greater income and profits. It also enhances the lives of the renters and adds to the value of the community in which it resides. Students who complete this associate degree option or the related certificate may find opportunities in property management companies, community associations, and corporate venues. Students will learn the operation of income-producing commercial and residential properties, the assessment and application of green technologies as they relate to income properties, develop the skills and knowledge requisite to real estate licensure and develop the skills for financing properties. Students may also chose to intern at a property management or real estate firm to complete this course of study.
