College of Business:
The “Business Ready” Pre-Core and
Core Curriculum
Ronald Johnson,
dean, College of Business
October 27, 2008
MAKING AN IMPACT
The College of Business focuses its mission on being a leading educator
of high-performance, innovative, leadership talent that meets tomorrow’s
business and the region’s evolving growth and development needs.
Our efforts are directed at students seeking an education in business and
is centered on developing the judgment skills, tools and experiences
required for them to “make a difference in their world”.
BUSINESS EDUCATION AT WCU: CRITICAL
CHALLENGES
• Relevance
– Critical thinking
– Citizenship, culture and national
values
– Diversity
– Ethics and morality
– Judgment, reasoning and knowledge
– Leadership
– Readiness for work and managing
uncertainty
• Impact
–
–
–
–
QEP/ Assurance of Learning goals
Boyer Model of Scholarship
Teaching effectiveness
Engagement in support of regional
economic transformation and
community development
• Standards and Quality Improvement
– AACSB International accreditation
– University Administration and
faculty senate requirements
– The Market
• Employers
• Non-generic post
undergraduate programs
• Parents, students and guidance
counselors
MEETING THE CHALLENGES: THE COB “BUSINESS
READY” SOLUTION
The men and women of the College of Business at Western Carolina University
have committed themselves to providing a learning experience characterized by
faculty working together with students in an inspiring collaboration focused on
helping students synthesize their curricular and co-curricular (outside of
courses) college experiences and, thus, helping students to become intentional
participants in their own educational journey. We call this approach our
“Business Ready” solution.
“Business Ready” is about much more than College of Business graduates
having expertise in a specific business discipline (e.g. accounting,
management, marketing, etc.). It is a matter of our graduates being equipped
with the ability and support to make decisions that allow them to “make a
difference in their world” in an effective, sustainable and balanced way. It is
also a matter of providing non-business majors with the best of both worlds –
developing their subject matter expertise in their chosen non-business
discipline while having the opportunity to follow a course of study focusing on
the development of management and/ or entrepreneurial know how.
4
WHAT IS A “BUSINESS READY” GRADUATE?
“Business Ready”
Graduate
Communication
HIGH IMPACT,
INNOVATIVE
LEADERSHIP
=
Action
Delivering
Execution
Leadership
Knowledge
5
Articulating
Options
Taking Risks
Organizing
Finding Opportunities
THE “BUSINESS READY” SOLUTION: KEY TENETS
The cornerstone of the College of Business’s educational programs is a
commitment to a “Business Ready” learning environment that
combines:
– Career-focused academic studies and co-curricular activities
– Learning by doing skills obtained from developing solutions to real-world
problems confronting local and global businesses and institutions
– A broadening of intellectual knowledge and a strong foundation for
ethical and moral decision making
– A network of successful and active alumni and engaged business,
government and nonprofit organizations
“BUSINESS READY” DRIVES CAREER SUCCESS
Although disciplinary tools, learning and experience play a
central role in an individual’s career success. It is critical to
note, that the pillars of being “Business Ready” ─ portable
skills (e.g., strategic skills, operating skills, courage, energy
and drive, organizational positioning skills personal and
interpersonal skills) which are essential to all fields and
conscientious thinking (purpose driven, community service
oriented and commitment to being a well-rounded active
citizen) ─ are also essential to career longevity and success .
Managing
Projects
Managing
People
Managing
Policy
Leading
the
Business
(C-Suite)
PROPOSED “BUSINESS READY” BSBA CURRICULUM
Liberal Studies >>
Pre-Core* >>
Liberal studies is an integral part of the University’s student holistic learning and
development perspective. The College of Business Pre-Core and Core also play an
essential role in broadening our students’ perspective and deepening their understanding
of themselves and the learning journey that they have embarked on.
Students seeking admission to the College of Business Core and upper division majors
are required to complete the Proposed College of Business Pre-Core requirements.
The Proposed College of Business Pre-Core Requirements are: Math 130;
Microeconomics; Strategy First; Small Group Communication & Sales Skills; Financial
Accounting; and Analytical Tools for Managers.
Core** >>
The Proposed College of Business Core requirements are: Business Decision
Models; Business Forecasting; Corporate Finance; Foundation of Leadership and
Teamwork; Global Strategic Management (Capstone); IT Enterprise Solutions; Legal &
Ethical Environment of Business; Management of People at Work; Managerial
Accounting (Simulation); Marketing Program Design & Strategy; and Project
Management.
Majors >>
The College of Business BSBA programs are: Accounting; Business Administration
and Law; Computer Information Systems; Entrepreneurship; Finance (Banking);
Finance (Financial Planning); Management; and Marketing. The College of Business
Pre-Core and Core will also apply to the BS degree program in International Business.
* Limited substitutions will be allowed for Pre-Core courses that also meet Liberal Studies requirements, except for Microeconomics.
** Capstones in the major that are aligned with the Global Strategic Management course can substitute for the Program Capstone
requirement. Selected upper division courses in the major may be substituted for Project Management.
THE “BUSINESS READY” PRE-CORE: CORE BUSINESS
COMPETENCIES
Core Business Competencies
Relevant Pre-Core Courses
1. Managing Decision-Making
Processes
•
Strategy First, Math, Business Decision I
2. Managing Human Capital
•
Small Group Communications and Sales
Skills
3. Managing Strategy &
Innovation
•
Strategy First
4. Managing the Task
Environment
•
Strategy First, Small Group
Communications and Sales Skills
5. Managing Administration &
Control
•
Financial Accounting, Microeconomics
6. Managing Logistics &
Technology
THE “BUSINESS READY” PRE-CORE: AOL GOALS
Assurance of Learning (AOL) GOALS
Relevant Pre-Core Courses
1.
Capable of making business decisions
and solving business problems using
critical thinking skills.
•
Math, Business Decision I
2.
Effective business communicators
•
Business Decision I, Strategy First
3.
Knowledgeable about current business
theory, concepts, methodology,
terminology and practices
•
Strategy First, Small Group Communications and Sales
Skills, Microeconomics, Financial Accounting, Business
Decision I
4.
Prepared to be high impact, innovative
leaders
•
Strategy First, Small Group Communications and Sales
Skills
5.
Proficient in the use and schooled in the
management of business information
systems and technology
•
Strategy First, Small Group Communications and Sales
Skills, Microeconomics, Financial Accounting, Business
Decision I
6.
Capable of making sound ethical
judgments and decisions
•
Financial Accounting, Business Decision I, Strategy First
7.
Capable of managing diversity on a
global stage
•
Small Group Communications and Sales Skills
THE “BUSINESS READY” PRE-CORE: CORE BUSINESS
COMPETENCIES
Core Business Competencies
Relevant Core Courses
1.
Managing Decision-Making
Processes
•
Business Decisions II, Macroeconomics and
Market Forecasting
2.
Managing Human Capital
•
Management with OB Topics (HR),
Leadership
3.
Managing Strategy & Innovation
•
Leadership, Marketing Planning and Strategy
Tools, Enterprise IT Solutions, Global
Strategic Management (Capstone)
4.
Managing the Task Environment
•
Legal and Ethical Environment of Business,
Marketing Planning and Strategy Tools
5.
Managing Administration &
Control
•
Macroeconomics and Market Forecasting,
Financial Management, Legal and Ethical
Environment of Business
6.
Managing Logistics & Technology
•
Enterprise IT Solutions, Project Management
THE “BUSINESS READY” CORE: COB AOL GOALS
Assurance of Learning (AOL) Goals
Relevant Core Courses
1.
Capable of making business decisions and
solving business problems using critical thinking
skills.
•
Legal and Ethical Environment of Business, Marketing
Planning and Strategy Tools, Business Decisions II, Global
Strategic Management (Capstone)
2.
Effective business communicators
•
Management with OB Topics (HR), Leadership, Legal and
Ethical Environment of Business, Marketing Planning and
Strategy Tools, Enterprise IT Solutions, Project
Management, Global Strategic Management (Capstone)
3.
Knowledgeable about current business theory,
concepts, methodology, terminology and
practices
•
Management with OB Topics (HR), Leadership, Legal and
Ethical Environment of Business, Marketing Planning and
Macroeconomics and Market Forecasting, Financial
Management, Strategy Tools, Enterprise IT Solutions,
Project Management, Global Strategic Management
(Capstone)
4.
Prepared to be high impact, innovative leaders
•
Management with OB Topics (HR), Leadership, Project
Management, Global Strategic Management (Capstone)
5.
Proficient in the use and schooled in the
management of business information systems
and technology
•
Enterprise IT Solutions, Project Management, Business
Decision II, Global Strategic Management (Capstone)
6.
Capable of making sound ethical judgments and
decisions
•
Legal and Ethical Environment of Business, Global Strategic
Management (Capstone)
7.
Capable of managing diversity on a global stage
•
Enterprise IT Solutions, Project Management, Legal and
Ethical Environment of Business, Management with OB
Topics (HR), Leadership, Global Strategic Management
(Capstone)
PROPOSED “BUSINESS READY”PRE-CORE AND
CORE
Pre-Core and Core Courses
Assessment of Learning
Outcomes Catchment
Courses
Educational Briefcase
Catchment Courses
Leadership, Teamwork and Communications
•
Small Group Communication & Sales Skills (MKT 134)
•
Management of People at Work (MGT 300)
•
Legal & Ethical Environment of Business (LAW 230)
•
Foundation of Leadership and Teamwork (MGT 366)
X
X
X
Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving
•
Math (130)
•
Microeconomics (ECON 231)
•
Business Decisions I (QA 235)
•
Macroeconomics and Markets Forecasting (ECON 300)
X
•
Business Decisions II (QA 305)
X
X
Global Business Fundamentals
•
Strategy First (BA 133)
•
Financial Accounting (ACCT 251)
•
Financial Management (FIN 305)
•
Marketing Program Design & Strategy (MKT 301)
•
Managerial Accounting ~ Simulation (ACCT 252)
•
IT Enterprise Solutions (CIS 251)
•
Project Management. (MGT 367)
•
Global Strategic Management (MGT 404)
X
(Program Cornerstone)
X
( Program Capstone)
X
THE “BUSINESS READY” BSBA DEGREE CREDIT
HOUR REQUIREMENTS
Credit Hours
BSBA Degree Requirements
Proposed
Liberal Studies
}
•
Strategy First (BA 133)
3
•
Math (130)
3
•
Microeconomics (ECON 231)
3
•
Other
33
Non-Liberal Studies Pre-Core
Current
42
9
Small Group Communication & Sales Skills
(MKT 134)
3
•
Financial Accounting (ACCT 251)
3
•
Business Decisions I (QA 235)
3
6*
36
9
•
}
42
}
42**
Core
33
Major program of study in business
21
30
General electives
15
18
120
120
Minimum Requirement for the BSBA
Degree
* Consists of ECON 231 and Math 135
** Foundation of Knowledge for Business
***The BS degree program in international business requires 125 hours because of multiple college instructional agreements.
THE “BUSINESS READY” BSBA ~ A PORTFOLIO OF
VALUABLE LEARNING, RESEARCH AND ENGAGEMENT
OPPORTUNITIES
BSBA Core &
Pre-Core
Institute for the Economy
and the Future
Sales Center
The BSBA Practicum
COB
Undergraduate
Program in
Leadership
Study Abroad &
Undergraduate Research
Majors & Concentrations
15
Center for
Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Service Learning Projects,
CO-Ops, Internships, &
Student Organizations
THE “BUSINESS READY” BS PROGRAMS ~ APPLYING
BUSINESS CONCEPTS IN SPECIFIC INDUSTRIES AND
NON-BUSINESS DISCIPLINES
Entrepreneurship
Institute for the Economy
and the Future
Sport
Management
CO-OPs and Internships
COB
Bachelors of
Science Degree
Programs
Study Abroad &
Undergraduate Research
Hospitality and Tourism
16
Applied Business &
International Issues
Service Learning Projects,
CO-Ops, Internships, &
Student Organizations
“BUSINESS READY” UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS
• BSBA
– Accounting
– Business Computer Information
Systems
– Business Administration and Law
– Entrepreneurship
– Finance (Banking)
– Finance (Financial Services)
– Management
– Marketing
• BS Programs
–
–
–
–
Applied Management (proposed)
Entrepreneurship
Hospitality and Tourism
International Business (proposed to
be discontinued)
– Sport Management