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Business Administration

Bachelor of Science

The Wheeling University Mission Statement has provided a primary foundation for the development of the Mission for the Department of Business. Students will be motivated to learn for life, to be proficient leaders in their fields, and to be competent, knowledgeable and ethical. The purpose of business education is to contribute to the development of individuals prepared for productive and socially responsible lives and for leadership in the world of business and non-profit organizations.

The Business curriculum consists of a broad exposure to the arts and sciences and a comprehensive education in business to include coursework in Accounting, Economics, Entrepreneurialism, Finance, International Business, Management, Marketing, and Personal Financial Planning.

The Business program is designed to meet two objectives: provide a basic understanding of the nature and purpose of business and its role in society; and create a comprehensive understanding of the structure and processes of business. It focuses on analytical skills, managerial practices, and the growing infusion of information technology/data analytics /artificial intelligence into the operation and decision making of businesses. Because businesses do not make decisions in a vacuum surrounded solely by market forces, the curriculum also addresses the dynamic global, social, political, economic and technical environments in which business operates and evolves. Communication, leadership and analytical skills, and experience in working effectively in teams, all qualities required for success in business, are fundamental elements of the program. Instruction is provided by faculty with extensive experience in business and related fields. Instruction is enhanced by applicable technologies, internships, and other experiential opportunities that are integral to the Business curriculum.

The Business degree will assist graduates in:

Pursuing career opportunities in business and non-profit organizations.
Contributing in all major functional areas of a business.
Recognizing and dealing with issues of ethical and social responsibility in business.
Effectively communicating orally and in writing.
Applying computers and standard software.
Pursuing graduate study in business, law and other fields.

The undergraduate and graduate business programs of Wheeling University are accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). This distinction means that, in addition to University-wide accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission, the Business department programs have met the high standards of this international business-specific, professional accreditation association. We have sought and achieved this accreditation in order to ensure that our curricula, faculty, facilities and internal evaluation processes meet or exceed recognized national standards.

Requirements

Core Curriculum

33-35 cr

The Wheeling University core curriculum provides all students, regardless of their major, with the skills that will allow them to pursue their own integral development and to contribute to the common good. All Wheeling University students must complete this Core Curriculum in addition to the requirements of their major. View Core Curriculum »

Major

42 cr

SOCI 121*

World Community

3 cr

An introduction to the global environment. Topics include world geography, comparative cultures, international conflict and economic interdependence.

Course Offered: Every Fall, Every Spring

MATH 115*

Introduction to Statistics

3 cr

Descriptive statistics including measures of central tendency and variability, graphic representation, probability, the binomial, normal and T distributions, hypothesis testing and linear regression.

Course Offered: Every Fall, Every Spring

ACCT 201

Principles of Accounting I

3 cr

This course introduces students to basic financial accounting theory and practice. Areas covered include: the accounting cycle, measuring business income, cash, receivables, inventory, investments, long-term assets, liabilities, and stockholders’ equity.

Course Offered: Every Fall, Every Spring

ACCT 202

Principles of Accounting II

3 cr

This course introduces students to management accounting concepts for decision making. The course is concerned with examining and applying methods for analyzing and accumulating data to provide information to managers. The emphasis is on identifying what information is needed, designing systems to get the required information, and using the information to make decisions.

Prerequisite: ACCT 201 Course Offered: Every Fall, Every Spring

BUSN 201

Quantitative Business Analysis

3 cr

This course addresses the vital tools of business management such as statistical applications, sampling, data collecting, simple linear regression, ANOVA, Chi Square.

Prerequisite: MATH 115 Course Offered: Every Fall, Every Spring

ECON 211

Macroeconomics

3 cr

A presentation of basic macroeconomic relationships. Topics emphasized are: the determination of income and employment, monetary and fiscal policies, inflation, interest rates and economic growth.

Course Offered: Every Fall, Every Spring

ECON 212

Microeconomics

3 cr

A presentation of basic theories of consumer behavior and of the firm. Other topics include: study of elasticity, firm and industry equilibrium under various market structures and international trade.

Prerequisite: ECON 211 Course Offered: Every Fall, Every Spring

BUSN 211

Principles of Management

3 cr

Management is the process of working with and through people to obtain organizational objectives. The introductory level survey course examines the management functions of organization, controlling, leading and planning. General Systems Theory will be emphasized as an analytical tool. Supervisory behavior and skills will be key topics.

Course Offered: Every Fall, Every Spring

BUSN 212

Principles of Marketing

3 cr

An examination of the fundamental concepts of marketing activities. Takes a managerial perspective to introduce product, price, place and promotion elements of the marketing mix.

Course Offered: Every Fall, Every Spring

BUSN 213

Principles of Finance

3 cr

A basic study of organizational and financial practices and problems which arise in connection with business organizations, especially the corporation. Topics include: the time value of money, basic capital budgeting, basic long-term financing decisions and working capital policy.

Prerequisites: ECON 211, ACCT 201 Course Offered: Every Fall, Every Spring

BUSN 331

Information Systems

3 cr

This course addresses systems in an operations environment, including computer hardware, software, communications, data bases, data warehousing, data mining, enterprise systems, e-commerce, IS acquisition, product/service development, process analysis, forecasting, capacity and aggregate planning, scheduling, MRP, JIT, inventory management.

Prerequisites: ACCT 202, BUSN 201 Course Offered: Every Fall, Every Spring

BUSN 355

Business Law

3 cr

Study of the bases of the law and the Uniform Commercial Code, which is most likely to be encountered in a business environment. Topics include contracts, personal property, bailments, sales, torts, government regulation, administrative agencies, corporations, partnerships, commercial paper, insurance, bankruptcy, real property, estates and trusts.

Course Offered: Every Fall, Every Spring

BUSN 410**

Strategic Business Planning

3 cr

This capstone course is concerned with the development of approaches for defining, analyzing and resolving complex strategic problems of profit and not-for-profit organizations. The course should be taken in the last year of the student’s program.

Prerequisite: senior standing Course Offered: Every Fall, Every Spring

Business Concentration (select one from below)

General Business Concentration | 15 cr

Select any five (5) business courses beyond the courses required in the major

15 cr

Management Concentration | 15 cr

BUSN 251

Organizational Behavior

3 cr

A survey course that examines individual and group behavior in an organizational context. The underlying thesis of this course is that an increased understanding of the human system can result in an organization that is more effective at meeting both the organization’s objectives and the goals of the individual employees. Major topics include: motivation, leadership, group processes and attitudes.

Course Offered: Every Spring

BUSN 301

Conceptual Foundations of Business

3 cr

This course embraces the major ideas and institutions that make up an important part of the environment within which business transactions take place. The ideas are those philosophical concepts which have helped to shape business and society. The institutions include not only business institutions but also those legal and political institutions which have a major bearing on business.

Prerequisite: junior standing

BUSN 325

Organizational Leadership

3 cr

After examining the evolution of leadership theory, this course focuses on a contemporary leadership model. The student’s leadership style will be determined and personal development opportunities will be provided.

Course Offered: Every Fall

BUSN 436

Human Resource Management

3 cr

This course examines the functions performed by human resource professionals in the dynamic environment of the 21st century. Major topics include human resource planning, job analysis, recruitment, selection, compensation, benefit administration, performance evaluation and training. Special emphasis will be given to the ethical considerations and legal issues impacting on employment decisions.

Prerequisite: BUSN 211 Course Offered: Every Spring

Plus one 300-400-level Business elective

3 cr

Marketing Concentration | 15 cr

BUSN 252

Consumer Behavior

3 cr

Designed to integrate theories of consumer behavior that impact upon an organization’s marketing activities. Explores individual and group behavior factors.

Prerequisites: BUSN 212 Course Offered: Every Spring

BUSN 310

Marketing Research

3 cr

The methods and techniques of securing, analyzing and interpreting data for effective managerial decision-making will be explored. Focuses on the conceptual design of marketing research studies and the interpretation of data.

Prerequisites: BUSN 212, BUSN 201 Course Offered: Every Fall

BUSN 317

Services Marketing

3 cr

Over half of the GDP in the U.S. comes from service related businesses. Nonprofit organizations (schools, hospitals, churches, etc.) view marketing as an increasingly important function. This course applies marketing principles and techniques to the unique needs of these organizations.

Prerequisite: BUSN 212 Course Offered: Every Fall

BUSN 420

Marketing Strategies

3 cr

The study of essential aspects of effective marketing strategy formulation and implementation. An appreciation of the complexity of managerial decision-making will be stressed. Emphasis will be on case studies to more fully demonstrate segmentation, targeting, positioning and other marketing mix strategies.

Prerequisite: BUSN 212 and senior standing Course Offered: Every Spring

Plus one 300-400-level Business elective

3 cr

Personal Financial Planning Concentration | 15 cr

BUSN 150

Personal Financial Planning

3 cr

This course is designed to examine budgeting and sound financial decisions when buying homes, investments, insurance, etc.

Course Offered: Fall of every odd year

BUSN 316

Investments and Portfolio Management

3 cr

Introduction to financial markets, security analysis and valuation, and portfolio management; primary focus from an individual investor viewpoint.

Prerequisite: BUSN 213 Course Offered: Fall of every odd year

BUSN 411

Tax, Estate, Trust, and Retirement Planning

3 cr

An examination of planning for and treatment of various estate avenues including wills and trusts, legal and taxation implications, laws of descent and distribution, etc.

Prerequisite: BUSN 213 On-line

BUSN 412

Risk Management & Insurance

3 cr

This course combines major risk management and insurance principles with consumer considerations. Students will study concepts of risk and insurance, basic topics in risk management, functional operations of insurers, legal principles, life and health insurance, auto insurance, property and liability insurance, employee benefits, and social insurance.

Prerequisite: BUSN 213 Course Offered: Spring of every odd year

Plus one 300-400-level Business elective

3 cr

Electives

28-30 cr

Total Credits

120 cr ***

* Business majors may double count SOCI 121 World Community and MATH 115 Statistics in the Core and the Major.
**Seniors are required to take the ETS Major Field Test for Business. The test will be administered within the BUS 410 class. There is a charge for the test.
*** Students who do not reach the 120 cr. minimum using all required course credits must take electives to reach the 120 cr. minimum.