Business Management and Administration
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.
FACULTY Professors Buchko, Fink, Goitein, Perry, Stoner, Weinzimmer; Associate Professors Brown, McGowan (chair), Schmidt, Stephens; Assistant Professors Blair, Marcum, Nagy, Robin; Temporary Instructors Michel, Pape; Executive-in-Residence West.
The Department of Business Management and Administration curricula provide students with the educational experiences of reasoning, problem solving, and decision making so that they, through balanced programs, will be qualified to accept responsible positions in business and the public sector.
Specific departmental objectives include the following: (1) To give students the historical perspective necessary to understand the evolution of business in a global, social, political, economic, and technological environment; (2) To excite students about new ideas and knowledge; (3) To help students develop understanding and skill in the practice of management; (4) To provide students with a basic understanding of management, information technology, operations management, the legal environment of business, and strategic management; (5) To develop well-informed individuals who understand their ethical and social responsibilities in business situations; (6) To enable students to understand the operation of our business and economic systems; (7) To develop the ability to think clearly, analyze carefully, and express thoughts and conclusions logically; and (8) To help students develop competence in a major field of study.
Students enrolling in the Department of Business Management and Administration must select and complete the requirements for one of the following majors: (1) entrepreneurship, (2) management and administration or (3) management information systems. Students majoring in management and administration may elect a concentration in human resource management or legal studies in business.
Entrepreneurship Major
The entrepreneurship major prepares students to own, manage, or work successfully in small and emerging businesses or to enhance their value in large organizations. Students learn how to research new product or service ideas, determine their feasibility, and develop business plans necessary to launch a business, a new product, or a new service. They develop the skills to operate a business once it is started, grow the business, and eventually sell it or pass it on to next generation. The major helps students understand the functional areas of business and apply the theory to the unique situations found in small or growing ventures. Students with an entrepreneurship major are also prepared for careers in consulting or working within a family business setting. The objectives of the entrepreneurship major are to:
- Introduce students to the nature of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship.
- Expose students to the excitement and challenges of owning one’s own business.
- Develop the ability to analyze ideas for new products or services and determine their feasibility and commercialization potential.
- Develop the ability to produce a well-designed and credible business plan to use in soliciting external funding.
- Create an awareness of venture capital, public offerings, and other methods of financing high-growth ventures.
- Develop the knowledge and skills needed to operate a business on a day-to-day basis.
- Understand the uniqueness of the functional areas of business as they relate specifically to small and emerging businesses.
- Provide opportunities for hands-on learning from emerging businesses through an optional entrepreneurship internship.
Requirements
Requirements for the entrepreneurship major are as follows:
- BMA 382 Entrepreneurship
- BMA 383 Small Business Management
- BMA/FIN 384 Entrepreneurial Finance, or ATG 204 Cost Accounting
- BMA 356 Human Resource Management
- MTG 381 Integrated Marketing Communications, MTG 393 Retailing, or MTG 410 Services Marketing
- Two of the following:
- BMA 385 Technology Entrepreneurship
- BMA 357 Leadership and Interpersonal Behavior
- BMA 488 Internship in Entrepreneurship
- BMA 489 Topics in Entrepreneurship
- One of the following:
- ECO 335 Managerial Economics
- ECO 310 Labor Problems
Entrepreneurship majors must satisfactorily complete at least 15 hours of BMA-prefixed courses at Bradley University. Students should note that some courses are offered only once each year. Students should consult with their advisor to ensure that the correct courses are taken.
Typical Course Sequence
Freshman Year
- BUS 100 Contemporary Business 3
- ENG 101 English Composition 3
- COM 103 The Oral Communication Process 3
- MTH 115 Brief Calculus with Applications I 4
- ATG 157 Accounting Principles - Financial 3
- PSY 104 Principles of Psychology 3
- BMA 172/Competency Exam 1 (Hour does not count toward 124 needed for graduation.)
- General Education courses 12
- Total 32 hours
Sophomore Year
- ATG 158 Accounting Principles - Managerial 3
- BUS 210 Team Dynamics 1
- BUS 220 Career Planning Strategies 1
- ECO 221, 222 Principles of Economics 6
- QM 262, 263 Quantitative Analysis I and II 6
- General Education, behavioral science, or elective courses outside FCBA 15
- Total 32 hours
Junior Year
- BMA 352 Managing in Organizations 3
- BMA 342 Legal Environment of Business 3
- MTG 315 Principles of Marketing 3
- BMA 372 Management Information Systems 3
- FIN 322 Business Finance 3
- BMA 382 Entrepreneurship 3
- BMA 383 Small Business Management 3
- BMA 385 Technology Entrepreneurship 3
- ENG 300, 301, 304, 305, or 306 Advanced Writing 3
- General Education courses 3
- Total 30 hours
Senior Year
- BMA 356 Human Resource Management 3
- MTG 381 Integrated Marketing Communications or MTG 393 Retailing, or MTG 410 Services Marketing 3
- BMA/FIN 384 Entrepreneurial Finance or ATG 204 Cost Accounting 3
- BMA 353 Operations Management 3
- BMA 357 Leadership and Interpersonal Behavior 3
- ECO 310 Labor Economics or ECO 335 Managerial Economics 3
- IB 306 International Business 2
- BMA 452 Strategic Management and Business Policy 4
- Behavioral science or free electives outside FCBA 7
- Total 31 hours
Management and Administration Major
The management and administration major provides a solid grounding in the skills and concepts necessary to meet the complex and challenging tasks of management. The program concentrates on developing the decision-making, problem identification, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills essential for combining the organization’s resources to promote organizational effectiveness.
Students in the management and administration major are prepared for management positions in both industry and not-for-profit settings. In larger organizations, graduates typically expect to obtain entry-level management positions. Further, the major provides the background necessary to later advance to middle and upper-level management positions. In smaller firms, graduates may expect to enter middle or upper-level management positions. Students who are uncertain as to their career goals will find that the management and administration major provides excellent preparation in business for a wide range of job opportunities. Additionally, students are well prepared for graduate-level business (MBA, DBA, PhD) or public administration (MPA) programs, law school, and other graduate school programs.
Departmental requirements for the management and administration major are as follows:
- BMA 356 Human Resource Management
- BMA 357 Leadership and Interpersonal Behavior
- BMA 358 Managerial Decision Making
- Twelve hours of BMA elective courses
Students may choose from a broad array of courses to satisfy their elective requirements, or they may choose one of the following concentrations: human resource management or legal studies in business. The concentrations, each requiring fifteen to eighteen hours, can be completed with no more than one additional course beyond the required BMA elective credits. Courses marked with an asterisk (*) fulfill requirements elsewhere in either the major or the Foster College of Business Administration core curriculum. Department requirements have been included for clarity.
Human Resource Management
- BMA 355 Labor-Management Relations
- BMA 356 Human Resource Management*
- BMA 357 Leadership and Interpersonal Behavior*
- BMA 358 Managerial Decision Making*
- BMA 446 Employment Law
- BMA 456 Compensation Management
- BMA 457 Human Resource Theory & Program Design
- ECO 310 Labor Problems*
- PSY 310 Industrial & Organizational Psychology* or PSY 411 Tests & Measurements*
Legal Studies in Business
- BMA 342 Legal Environment of Business*
- BMA 345 Law of Business
- BMA 356 Human Resource Management*
- BMA 357 Leadership and Interpersonal Behavior*
- BMA 358 Managerial Decision Making*
- BMA 395 Real Estate Principles
- BMA 446 Employment Law
and one of the following:
- ECO 352 Industrial Organization*
- ECO 362 Economics and Law*
- PLS 317 International Law
- PLS 459 Constitutional Law
- PLS 460 Constitutional Law
Management and administration majors must satisfactorily complete at least 15 hours of BMA-prefixed courses at Bradley University. Students desiring concentrations should declare their intentions as early as possible and should consult with their advisor to ensure that the correct courses are taken. Students should also note that some courses are offered only once each year.
The following sequences of courses are recommended for students majoring in management and administration. Course sequences for freshman and sophomore years are similar regardless of any concentration selected.
Freshman Year
- BUS 100 Contemporary Business 3
- ENG 101 English Composition 3
- MTH 115 Brief Calculus with Applications I 4
- ATG 157 Accounting Principles – Financial 3
- COM 103 The Oral Communication Process 3
- PSY 104 Principles of Psychology 3
- General Education Courses 12
- 1BMA 172/Competency Exam 1
- 32 hours
Sophomore Year
- ATG 158 Accounting Principles – Managerial 3
- BUS 210 Team Dynamics 1
- ECO 221, 222 Principles of Economics 6
- QM 262, 263 Quantitative Analysis I and II 6
- General Education, behavioral science, or elective course outside FCBA 15
- 31 hours
The remaining semesters will vary depending upon the concentration selected. Courses marked with * are required for the particular concentration listed.
Human Resource Management
Junior Year
- Fall
- BMA 342 Legal Environment of Business 3
- BMA 352 Managing in Organizations 3
- FIN 322 Business Finance 3
- MTG 315 Principles of Marketing 3
- PSY 310 Industrial & Organization Psychology* or PSY 411 Tests & Measurements 3
- 15 hours
- Spring
- BMA 356 Human Resource Management* 3
- BMA 357 Leadership and Interpersonal Behavior 3
- BMA 372 Management Information Systems 3
- BUS 220 Career Planning Strategies 1
- IB 306 Intro. to International Business 2
- ENG 300, 301, 304, 305, or 306 Advanced Writing 3
- 15 hours
Senior Year
- Fall
- BMA 353 Operations Management 3
- BMA 355 Labor-Management Relations* 3
- BMA 358 Managerial Decision Making 3
- ECO 310 Labor Problems* 3
- BMA 457 Human Resource Theory & Program Design 3
- 15 hours
- Spring
- BMA 446 Employment Law* 3
- BMA 452 Strategic Management & Business Policy 4
- BMA 456 Compensation Management* 3
- Free Electives (3 hours must be outside the college) 6
- 16 hours
Legal Studies in Business
Junior Year
- Fall
- BMA 342 Legal Environment of Business 3
- BMA 352 Managing in Organizations 3
- FIN 322 Business Finance 3
- MTG 315 Principles of Marketing 3
- Behavioral Science or free elective course 3
- 15 hours
Spring - BMA 345 Law of Business* 3
- BMA 356 Human Resource Management 3
- BMA 357 Leadership & Interpersonal Behavior 3
- BMA 372 Management Information Systems 3
- BUS 220 Career Planning Strategies 1
- ENG 300, 301, 304, 305, or 306 Advanced Writing 3
- 16 hours
Senior Year
- Fall
- BMA 353 Operations Management 3
- BMA 358 Managerial Decision Making 3
- BMA 395 Real Estate Principles* 3
- BMA Elective 3
- Free Elective outside FCBA 3
- 15 hours
- Spring
- BMA 446 Employment Law* 3
- BMA 452 Strategic Management & Business Policy 4
- IB 306 Intro. to International Business 2
- *Choice of ECO 352, ECO 362, PLS 317, PLS 459, PLS 460 3
- ECO Jr.-Sr. elective or free elective outside FCBA 3
- 15 hours
Those not choosing a concentration may choose from a broad array of courses to satisfy the twelve hours of BMA electives and the economics junior-senior elective.
Junior Year
- Fall
- BMA 342 Legal Environment of Business 3
- BMA 352 Managing in Organizations 3
- BMA 358 Managerial Decision Making 3
- FIN 322 Business Finance 3
- MTG 315 Principles of Marketing 3
- 15 hours
- Spring
- BMA 356 Human Resource Management 3
- BMA 357 Leadership & Interpersonal Behavior 3
- BMA Elective 3
- BUS 220 Career Planning Strategies 1
- ENG 300, 301, 304, 305, or 306 Advanced Writing 3
- Economics Junior-Senior Elective 3
- 16 hours
Senior Year
- Fall
- BMA 353 Operations Management 3
- BMA 358 Managerial Decision Making 3
- BMA electives 6
- Behavioral science or free elective outside FCBA 3
- 15 hours
- Spring
- BMA 452 Strategic Management & Business Policy 4
- BMA 372 Management Information Systems 3
- BMA electives 6
- IB 306 International Business 2
- Free elective outside the FCBA 1
- 16 hours
Management Information Systems Major
Management information systems (MIS) is an exciting field that combines people skills with technical skills. The MIS major blends the fields of business and information technology. It enables students to be successful in developing appropriate business applications. Information is seen by business as an increasingly important resource. The MIS major teaches students how to manage this vital resource.
Graduates of the program can expect interesting and challenging job opportunities in a dynamic field. The MIS major can be a fast track to management positions or the basis for advanced graduate work. Typical graduates’ first jobs are in technical and information related fields or as consultants. After gaining experience, graduates develop new business applications as analysts and then assume management positions. This major prepares students for some of the nation’s fastest growing career opportunities such as systems analysis, computer networking, and business intelligence.
The MIS major differs from other “computer” majors in its emphasis on human aspects and business applications. While knowledge of computer systems is a large part of the program, a larger portion is devoted to getting the right job done.
The major develops competence in a number of areas:
- the use of personal computers, large computers, and other technological resources,
- managing information technology to achieve the goals of the organization,
- programming in a variety of languages used in business, and
- the quantitative skills needed for problem solving and decision making.
Departmental requirements for the management information systems major are as follows:
- Three programming courses:
BMA 276 Developing Info. Systems for E-commerce
One of the following sequences: BMA 175 & BMA/CIS 275 or & CS 101 & CS 102
- BMA 272 Management Applications of Personal Computers
- BMA 375 Business Systems Analysis and Design
- BMA 478 Implementing Business Computer Systems
- BMA 373 Business Data Communications or BMA 374 Database Management and Administration
- Two of the following:
- BMA 357 Leadership and Interpersonal Behavior
- BMA 373 Business Data Communications
- BMA 374 Database Management and Administration
- BMA 378 HCI & Usability Testing
- BMA 379 Information Security
A recommended course sequence for management information systems, Foster College of Business Administration, and general education courses follows. Management information systems majors must satisfactorily complete at least 15 hours of BMA-prefixed courses at Bradley University. Elective courses should be chosen with care to ensure that University general education and Foster College of Business Administration requirements are met. Management information systems majors should consult with their advisor when preparing their academic schedules.
Freshman Year
- ENG 101 English Composition 3
- BUS 100 Contemporary Business 3
- MTH 115 Brief Calculus with Applications I 4
- ATG 157 Accounting Principles – Financial 3
- COM 103 The Oral Communication Process 3
- BMA 172/Competency Exam 1 (Does not count toward 124 needed for graduation.)
- BMA/CIS 175 Intro. to Developing Business Applications 3
- BMA/CIS 275 Business Applications Using Visual Basic 3
- General Education Courses 9
- 32 hours
Sophomore Year
- ATG 158 Accounting Principles – Managerial 3
- ECO 221, 222 Principles of Economics 6
- QM 262, 263 Quantitative Analysis I and II 6
- BMA 272 Mgt. Applications of Personal Computers 3
- BMA 276 Developing Info. Systems for E-commerce 3
- BUS 210 Team Dynamics 1
- General Education and Behavioral Science Courses 12
- 34 hours
Junior Year
- ENG 300, 301, 304, 305, or 306 Advanced Writing 3
- FIN 322 Business Finance 3
- BMA 342 Legal Environment of Business 3
- BMA 352 Managing in Organizations 3
- BMA 372 Management Information Systems 3
- BMA 373 Business Data Communications or BMA 374 Database Management and Administration 3
- BMA 375 Business Systems Analysis and Design 3
- MTG 315 Principles of Marketing 3
- BUS 220 Career Planning Strategies 1
- General education, behavioral science, and free elective courses outside FCBA 6
- 31 hours
Senior Year
- BMA 353 Operations Management 3
- Two courses from: BMA 357, 373, 374, 378 or 379 6
- BMA 452 Strategic Management and Business Policy 4
- BMA 478 Implementing Business Computer Systems 3
- Economics Junior-Senior Elective 3
- IB 306 International Business 2
- Free Elective Courses 9
- 30 hours
Minors
Management Minor
The minor in management provides students with essential background, understanding, knowledge, and skill in the practice of management. The minor in management will provide students with foundations and skills to complement the focus area of their respective majors and, importantly, enhance personal career plans. The minor is comprised of 15 semester hours of study. The 15-hour minor includes required management foundations (9 hours) and selected management electives (6 hours). The requirements for the minor are outlined below. Students whose major is from the Foster College of Business Administration must have at least 12 hours in courses that are unique from those used to fulfill their major requirements.
Required Management Foundations
- BMA 352 Managing in Organizations 3
- BMA 356 Human Resource Management 3
- BMA 357 Leadership and Interpersonal Behavior 3
Elective Courses (Choose two from the following)
- BMA 272 Mgmt. Applications of Personal Computers 3
- BMA 276 E-Commerce 3
- BMA 315 Principles of Risk Management 3
- BMA 342 The Legal Environment of Business 3
- BMA 345 Law of Business 3
- BMA 353 Operations Management 3
- BMA 355 Labor-Management Relations 3
- BMA 358 Managerial Decision Making 3
- BMA 378 HCI & Usability Testing 3
- BMA 382 Entrepreneurship 3
- BMA 383 Small Business Management 3
- BMA 395 Real Estate Principles 3
- BMA 446 Employment Law 3
- BMA 456 Compensation Management 3
- BMA 457 HR Theory & Program Design 3
- BMA 459 Topics in Management 3
- BMA 489 Topics in Entrepreneurship 3
Students who desire to minor in management must be approved by the chair of the Department of Business Management and Administration prior to enrolling in the program. The chair must also approve recording the completion of the minor on the transcript. Transfer policies for minors are the same as those for Foster College of Business Administration majors. Prior approval of transfer credit must be secured from the chair of the Department of Business Management and Administration.
Management Information Systems Minor
A minor in management information systems will provide an opportunity for students to enhance their knowledge and credentials in the use and development of computer software and/or hardware. The minor will provide students with an opportunity to be employed in the IS field, give them the skills that will make them the ideal liaison between IS professionals and experts in other functional areas of an organization, and the technological base to become valuable “power users” of essential software applications, such as spreadsheets, databases, and e-commerce tools. The minor will allow the student to develop focused expertise in one of the distinct fields that comprise the breadth of the information systems professional. The minor is open to all majors across campus.
The minor requires 15 hours.
Required courses
- BMA 272 Management Applications of Personal Computers 3
- BMA 276 Developing Information Systems for E-Commerce 3
Elective Courses (choose three from the following)
- BMA 373 Business Data Communications 3
- BMA 374 Database Management and Administration 3
- BMA 375 Business Systems Analysis and Design 3
- BMA 378 HCI and Usability Testing 3
- BMA 379 Information Systems Security 3