Management and Leadership

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

FACULTY Professors O'Brien (interim chair), Fink, Robin, Weinzimmer; Associate Professor Brown; Assistant Professor Esken; Instructor Walker

The Management and Leadership Department curricula provide students with the educational experiences of reasoning, problem solving, teamwork, and decision making so that they 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 major management disciplines, including human resource management, operations management, 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; and (7) To develop the ability to think clearly, analyze carefully, and express thoughts and conclusions logically.

Students majoring in Management and Leadership may elect a concentration in human resource management or business law. The department also offers a minor in management and leadership.

Management And Leadership Major

The Management and Leadership major provides a solid foundation 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 various resources to promote organizational effectiveness.

Students in the Management and Leadership major are prepared for management positions in both industry and not-for-profit settings. In larger organizations, graduates typically 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. They may also find roles in consulting, or other advisory capacities. 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.

Major Requirements

Required Courses - 15 hours

  • M L 353: Operations Management in Organizations - 3 hrs.*
  • M L 356: Human Capital in Organizations - 3 hrs.
  • M L 357: Leading Organizations - 3 hrs.
  • M L 358: Managerial Decision Making - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 101: Principles of Psychology - 3 hrs.

*Course fulfills the FCB core quantitative skill building course.

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 business law.

Elective courses - 12 hrs.

At least 9 of 12 hours must be M L prefix. Remaining hours can be selected from the following:

  • ATG 268 - Business Ethics - 3 hrs.
  • BLW 345 - Law of Business - 3 hrs.
  • BLW 355 - Labor Management Relations - 3 hrs.
  • BLW 446 - Employment Law - 3 hrs.
  • ENT 280 - Entrepreneurial Creativity - 3 hrs.
  • ENT 382 - Entrepreneurship Startups - 3 hrs.
  • ENT 383 - Managing Entrepreneurial Growth - 3 hrs.
  • ENT 385 - Technology Entrepreneurship - 3 hrs.
  • ENT 386 - Social Entrepreneurship - 3 hrs.
  • MIS 272 - Business Analytics and Software Applications I - 3 hrs.
  • MIS 375 - Business Systems Analysis and Design - 3 hrs.
  • Other M L courses

Students must also complete Foster College's business core.

Typical Course Sequence

For a four-year course plan for each major in the Foster College of Business, go to: http://www.bradley.edu/academic/colleges/fcba/.

Concentration in Human Resource Management

  • M L 356 Human Capital in Organizations
  • M L 357 Leading Organizations
  • M L 358 Managerial Decision Making
  • BLW 446 Employment Law
  • M L 456 Compensation Management
  • M L 457 Advanced Human Capital Management

Two of the following:

  • ECO 310 Labor Problems
  • PSY 321 Industrial and Organizational Psychology
  • BLW 355 Labor-Management Relations
  • PSY 411 Tests and Measurement
  • M L 415 Diversity in the Workplace
  • M L 420 Performance Management

Students must also complete Foster College's business core.

Typical Course Sequence

For a four-year course plan for each major in the Foster College of Business, go to: http://www.bradley.edu/academic/colleges/fcba/.

Concentration in Business Law

  • PSY 101 Principles of Psychology
  • BLW 342 Legal Environment of Business
  • BLW 345 Law of Business
  • BLW 446 Employment Law
  • M L 300 Organizational Environments
  • M L 353 Operations Management
  • M L 356 Human Resource Management
  • M L 357 Leading Organizations
  • M L 358 Managerial Decision Making

    Two of the following:
  • BLW 347 Law and the Entrepreneur
  • BLW 355 Labor Management Relations OR CON 394 Construction Labor and Unions
  • BLW 395 Real Estate Law
  • BLW 360 Business and Intellectual Property or COM 330 Communication Law and Ethics
  • ECO 310 Labor Economics OR ECO 362 Economics and Law
  • PLS 317 International Law OR PLS 459 Constitutional Law OR PLS Constitutional Law
  • 3 hours of M L, BLW, ENT or MIS approved elective courses

Typical Course Sequence

For a four-year course plan for each major in the Foster College of Business, go to: http://www.bradley.edu/academic/colleges/fcba/.

Management and leadership majors must satisfactorily complete at least 15 hours of BLW, ENT, MIS, or M L-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.

Management And Leadership Minor

The minor in Management and Leadership provides students with essential background, understanding, knowledge, and skill in the practice of management. The minor in management aims 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.

Required Management Foundations

  • M L 350: Managing for Results in Organizations - 3 hrs.
  • M L 356: Human Capital in Organizations - 3 hrs.
  • M L 357: Leading Organizations - 2 hrs.

6 hours of M L Elective courses:

Courses must be selected from M L prefix courses.

Students who desire to minor in Management and Leadership must be approved by the chair of the Management and Leadership Department 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 majors. Prior approval of transfer credit must be secured from the chair of the Management and Leadership Department.

This is the official catalog for the 2023-2024 academic year. This catalog serves as a contract between a student and Bradley University. Should changes in a program of study become necessary prior to the next academic year every effort will be made to keep students advised of any such changes via the Dean of the College or Chair of the Department concerned, the Registrar's Office, u.Achieve degree audit system, and the Schedule of Classes. It is the responsibility of each student to be aware of the current program and graduation requirements for particular degree programs.