BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

This major focuses on business, management, marketing and related support services.

Students will take some general courses in the fields of business, management and marketing, and a number of highly specialized courses in the specific subject area. Graduate-level programs usually assume that you already have a background in business, management, and marketing, and provide specialized courses in the topic of your choice.

You may manage an office, work in sales or supervise operations with this level of education. A bachelor's degree provides a broad background for many jobs in all areas of business, management and marketing such as banking, health care, sales, advertising, manufacturing or as an individual business owner. A Masters of Business Administration (MBA) is required for many management positions. Taking time to work between the bachelor's and master's degrees may help you to learn more from the MBA program. A doctoral degree is usually required for college teaching.

Characteristics associated with success in this major include the desire to be a part of the business world, leadership, the ability to work successfully with others, attention to detail and logical thinking, good decision-making strategies, and clear and persuasive communication.

An internship may increase your chances of finding a job in this field.

Further training may be required throughout your career.

Students considering this major should have the following characteristics:

• be a leader
• have the ability to work successfully with others
• be a logical thinker who likes to solve problems
• have good decision-making strategies
• be able to communicate clearly and persuasively
• have good computer skills
  
  

Coursework:

Students pursuing a major within the Gordon Ford College of Business must earn a minimum of 60 credit hours with an overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.50. In addition, they must complete the admission courses listed below with a separate GPA of 2.50.

  WKU Courses                                                                                 KCTCS Equivalent                                        

 Core Courses

  Management Courses

* The electives may be chosen from any 300 or 400 level course within the Gordon Ford College of Business not already required for the major.

* Students that take all above listed KCTCS equivalents may need additional upper-division electives.

Sequencing:

Because of transferring credits and WKU-O course offerings, the length of time to finish this program differs for each student. It is important to meet with a WKU-O advisor as soon as possible. Bring an unofficial copy of transcripts from all previously attended colleges and/or universities. It is also important to determine your availability to take courses: part-time, full-time, summer term.

WKU-O Academic Requirements:

• 120 college-level undergraduate semester hours including the following:

- 44 semester hours of General Education

- 42 semester hours of upper-division credit (300-400 level courses)

- 30 hours must be earned in residence (at WKU), at least 16 of which must be completed after the semester in which the student earned a cumulative total of at least 90 hours.

• Students must earn a minimum of 54 semester hours with WKU to graduate with honors.
• Students must apply for graduation upon the completion of 90 semester hours.
• Students are to meet with an advisor each semester.