2009-2010 Undergraduate Catalog

All programs offered by the Foster College of Business Administration, Bradley University, are accredited by the AACSB International: The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

• Mission and Objectives
• Courses and Curricula
• Admission and Transfer Requirements
• Graduation Requirements
• Minor in Business Administration
• Minor in Business Studies
• Undecided Business Students
• LAS MBA
• Cooperative Education/Internship Program
• Global Scholars Program
• BUS courses
• Turner Center for Entrepreneurship

Mission and Objectives

The Foster College of Business Administration is dedicated to teaching and learning. We prepare undergraduate and graduate students to meet the demands of a competitive business world and help executives and professionals to be outstanding leaders. Our commitment to excellence is demonstrated by:

• Business and Accounting programs that are accredited by AACSB International;
• Superior teaching and a dedication to scholarly research.
• Highly motivated students actively engaged in the learning process and prepared to meet the ethical challenges of the modern workplace;
• Rigorous academic programs enabled by technology and enriched by a set of global opportunities;
• Collaboration, teamwork, and a broad range of learning experiences that transform students’ talents into the qualities needed for success;
• Business outreach that contributes to economic and social well being and that supports the learning and development needs of the business community.

Our mission derives from the faculty’s sense of shared values and expectations, and is manifested in our objectives:

• To develop students who communicate effectively;
• To develop students who understand the business functions of organizations;
• To develop students who appreciate the theoretical bases of knowledge and apply their knowledge in diverse situations;
• To develop students who understand the behaviors of individuals, groups, and organizations;
• To develop students who understand the impact of ethnic and cultural diversity in the workplace;
• To develop students who have an appreciation for environmental and technological issues;
• To develop students who understand the influence of political, social, legal and regulatory issues;
• To develop students who are aware of their need for life-long learning;
• To develop students who understand the dynamic, global economic forces affecting all organizations;
• To provide students with opportunities for career-oriented experiences that will be valuable to them as they seek employment;
• To provide students with a high-quality general education program which forms the basis for all professional education;
• To stimulate and maintain an active program of scholarly activities including basic scholarship and instructional development, but primarily focused on applied scholarship among faculty and selected students in the functional disciplines of business and economics and to share the findings from this research with business, government, not-for-profit, and academic communities in a mutually reinforcing exchange;
• To maintain an interactive and cooperative relationship with other units of the University by:
  

  (a) serving on University-wide committees;
  (b) participating in interdisciplinary undergraduate and graduate programs where appropriate; and
  (c) providing and utilizing service courses and programs within resource constraints;

• To provide an environment of continuous, meaningful interaction with business, government, and not-for-profit organizations through training and professional development programs, consulting services, research, and general participation in community affairs and professional organizations; and
• To maintain and continue to develop an environment of meaningful interactions for College alumni through organized alumni associations and meetings.

Courses and Curricula

The courses and curricula of the Foster College of Business Administration are derived from the mission and objectives of the College. There are three categories of courses that enable the College to fulfill its mission: general education courses, College core courses, and courses in the major areas offered by the College.

We believe that a general education is critical for preparing students for business careers, and so business majors must participate in general education requirements. These requirements serve a number of purposes, among which are:

• To explore fundamental issues of human existence, and to help develop personal values.
• To provide an insight into the nature of intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships.
• To enhance the students’ creative and analytical capabilities.
• To develop the ability to communicate effectively.
• To develop an appreciation for diverse cultures and peoples.
• To ensure that students appreciate the importance of science and technology.
• To elucidate the development, role, and nature of business, government, and other societal institutions.

Fifty percent of the hours required for graduation must be taken outside the Foster College of Business Administration.

The second part of the curriculum is the common core of business courses required of all Foster College of Business Administration graduates. This core provides an understanding of the dynamics of the firm, introduces students to the business functions of organizations, develops an understanding of how business and society interact, and gives a view of policy-making in firms. The core curriculum strives to be integrative and stresses the dynamic interaction of the areas and functions of firms. The core curriculum, along with general education courses, helps to develop the analytical skills business professionals must have.

The third category of courses is derived from the College’s mission and objectives and consists of courses in the student’s major. Majors are offered in accounting, actuarial science-business, economics, finance, international business, management, management information systems, and marketing. Courses in the major help develop the abilities and skills necessary in entry-level jobs. These courses strive to provide a background that allows for maximum professional growth in whatever profession the student chooses.

Students who choose to double major in the Foster College of Business Administration must complete requirements for both majors and must have at least 18 unique hours in courses not used to fulfill the requirements of their first major. Students should consult their academic advisor.

Because knowledge, organizations, and societies are dynamic, the College stresses adaptability and flexibility. Students should anticipate that courses in the core curriculum and in the major will change and evolve as circumstances warrant.

There are a number of areas that are so important they are interwoven throughout the curriculum of the College. These areas include computer use, business ethics, international business, and an appreciation of the importance of diversity in the workplace. These areas are covered in a number of courses in the core curriculum and in courses in the various major areas.

Study in business, although highly structured, does allow for elective courses. All students in the College are assigned a faculty advisor. The advisor should be consulted regularly so that a coherent course of study may be developed.

The College also offers graduate study leading to the Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.); M.S. in accounting; and M.S in quantitative finance.