Bachelor of Business Administration

This degree program is professionally focused degree and is designed to produce graduates who possess practical knowledge and associated critical thinking skills desired in today’s competitive business world. Students will be grounded in the study of business through a core curriculum of management, information systems, marketing, law, finance, accounting, economics, and business strategy. They are also given the opportunity to pursue interesting specializations in areas of their choice including business analysis, entrepreneurial/small business, international business management, information technology management, and marketing. This degree is applicable for any student interested in or working in any number of business, government, military, or other professions.

DEGREE AT A GLANCE:

    • Number of Credits
    • 121
    • Cost Per Credit
    • $ 250
    • Total Tuition*
    • $ 30,250
  • *(Before Transfer Credit)
 
 
 
 
 
Core Requirements
(39 Hours)
NAME
DESCRIPTION
CREDITS
ACCT300
Financial Accounting
3 hours

As study of financial accounting to expose the student to a wide range of accounting topics. Topics include generally accepted accounting principles, assets and liabilities, debits and credits, accrual and cash based accounting, merchandising and inventory, the accounting cycle, internal controls, capital stock, income reporting, liabilities, cash flow, budgeting, planning and control. Students must have access to Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel software.

Pre Reqs: College Algebra(MATH110)

BUSN310
Business Theory
3 hours

This course provides an understanding of the corporation, each of the business functions (to include accounting, finance, marketing, technology, management, and planning), and the relations between and among functions in the operation of the firm.

BUSN311
Law and Ethics in the Business Environment
3 hours

This course develops skills for inquiry into the business environment from a legal and ethical perspective. Students explore the relationships between modern business and the environment, in addition to the ethical issues that arise when diverse interests intersect. Relevant topics will include contracts, commercial law (sales, secured transactions and creditors remedies), forms of business entities (including limited liability companies and corporations), agency, employer-employee relationships, real property concepts, bankruptcy, and negligence and strict liability concepts. Students will examine corporate governance and business ethics, with emphasis on case studies.

BUSN312
Operations Research
3 hours

This course introduces Operations Research and includes the application of operations research and management science techniques to management decision problems. Operations research techniques and methods can be applied to problems in virtually all-functional areas of business including accounting, finance, marketing, production and human resources. Examples from each of these areas will be covered during the course. A feature of the course is that Microsoft Excel is used to implement some of the techniques covered. This means that you will become proficient in using Excel; the most widely used electronic spreadsheet in business today. (Prerequisite: MATH110, MATH225)

Pre Reqs: College Algebra(MATH110),College Trigonometry(MATH111),Calculus(MATH225)

BUSN313
Global and Competitive Strategy
3 hours

This course is concerned with the formulation and analysis of business strategy. Business strategy is the set of objectives and policies that collectively determine how a business positions itself to increase its returns and create economic value for its owners and stakeholders. Students will be introduced to analytical techniques for diagnosing the competitive position of a business, evaluating business strategies, and identifying and analyzing specific business options.

BUSN410
Critical Thinking Strategies for Business Decisions
3 hours

This course provides students opportunities for analysis, synthesis, and application of critical thinking applied to decision making at all levels in an organization. This course equips students with critical thinking skills to identify problems utilizing rational decision making. Students learn to solve organizational problems and provide strategic direction based on critical thinking.

BUSN412
Quality Management Systems
3 hours

This course examines quality management and views quality as a systematic process leading to customer satisfaction. The course covers methodologies that will aid managers in implementing and assuring an organization's quality system is effectively meeting the organization's business goals.

ECON101
Microeconomics
3 hours

Microeconomics is an overview course that covers how households (consumers), firms (producers), and governments interact in competitive and other markets to set prices, and determine what and how much is produced. Key concepts introduced include the role of scarcity and choice, incentives and competition, and the law of supply and demand.

ECON102
Macroeconomics
3 hours

Introduction to Macroeconomics is a survey course that builds on the topics covered and skills developed in ECON101 (Microeconomics) in order to present a complete picture of the economy. Macroeconomics shows how consumers and markets fit into the overall or aggregated economy and provides a framework to assess government policies. Key topics covered will include economic cycles (growth and recession), economic indicators and measures and interest rates and money supply.

FINC400
Principles of Financial Management
3 hours

This course is an overview study of the concepts and techniques in corporate finance. Topics include investments, financial environment, securities markets, financial markets, financial statements and analysis, working capital management, capital budgeting, cost of capital, dividend policy, asset valuation, and decision-making. Students must have access to Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel software.

MATH302
Statistics
3 hours

This is an interactive course designed to help students achieve a greater understanding of the statistical methods and models available to analyze and solve the wide variety of problems encountered in business, science, medicine, education, the social sciences, and other disciplines. Successful completion of this course will provide students with a working knowledge of the principles of both descriptive and inferential statistics, probability, averages and variations, normal probability distributions, sampling distributions, confidence intervals, statistical hypothesis tests, and correlation and regression analyses. The emphasis of the course will be on the proper use of statistical techniques and their application in real life -- not on mathematical proofs. This course will use Microsoft Excel for some of the work. Students should have a basic familiarity with Excel and have access to this software application. Prerequisite: MATH110 - College Algebra.

Pre Reqs: College Algebra(MATH110)

MGMT310
Principles and Theory of Management
3 hours

This course is a study of the management process including planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling. Topics include the classical and contemporary management theories that provide a foundation for the manager in today's business environment. (Note to Students: The course materials, assignments, learning outcomes, and expectations in this upper level undergraduate course assume that the student has completed all lower level general education and career planning coursework necessary to develop research, writing, and critical thinking skills. Students who have not fulfilled all general education requirements through courses or awarded transfer credit should strongly consider completing these requirements prior to registering for this course.

MKTG300
Principles and Theory of Marketing
3 hours

This course is a comprehensive survey of marketing activities and the function of marketing in our economic system. Course topics include the analysis of markets, competition, consumer behavior, and the assessment of product, price, distribution, and promotion strategies.


Concentration Requirements
(12 Hours)
NAME
DESCRIPTION
CREDITS
BUSN320
Principles of E Business
3 hours

This course is a study of the fundamental principles of e-business. Students will learn how to build a successful e-business operation with step-by-step guidance for writing an e-business plan and simplified guidance for the development and management of a start-up customer focused website. Students will select an e-business of their choice and, using worksheets from their textbooks, follow a step-by-step process to develop eight sections of the e-business plan: business description, product and services, marketplace analysis, marketing planning, management and organization, operations, business location and equipment, and financial plans. Students will integrate basic start-up web site design plans and concepts into their e-business plan. The major objective of this course is for every student to apply the principles of e-business, e-marketing and basic website design and develop an e-business plan for immediate application or for future reference.

MKTG307
Consumer Behavior
3 hours

This course explores consumer behavior from determining consumer needs and wants, the process by which they are satisfied, and the environment in which the behavior occurs. The objectives of the course are to introduce the student to concepts developed in psychology, economics, and sociology and their relationship to consumer behavior, to involve the student directly in the study and analysis of consumer behavior, and to develop in students the ability to translate what can be learned into marketing action implications.

MKTG400
Marketing Research
3 hours

This course is a study of the conduct of marketing research to provide information to be used in the decision making process. Course topics include problem definition and solution in a marketing context, data collection methods, sampling, research design, statistical techniques in the analysis of market research information, and survey planning.

MKTG401
Marketing Strategy
3 hours

This course presents the analytical and decision-making processes involved in formulating, implementing, and controlling a strategic marketing program for a given product-market entry. It includes discussions of customer, competitor, and environmental analysis; market segmentation and targeting; competitive positioning; implementation; and control. Because the course assumes that the student is already familiar with many of the concepts and analytical tools relevant to these topics, it goes beyond a simple review of definitions and procedures to examine strategic implications. The course also explores how marketing interacts with other levels of strategy and with other functional departments within an organization.


Institutional Requirements
(3 Hours)
NAME
DESCRIPTION
CREDITS
COLL100
Foundations of Online Learning
3 hours

This course is designed to provide a solid foundation for undergraduate study in the online environment. Students will be introduced to learning theory, the tools available in the online classroom and campus, and online research. Identification of personal learning style allows students to improve their study/learning techniques and prepares them to succeed in college level courses. Students will be introduced to formatting and citation styles. APUS policy and procedure is addressed. There is an emphasis on written communication to assist students in the transition to the online environment.


General Education
(34 Hours)
This program requires MATH302 which has specific math prerequisite requirements. Not all GEN ED Math courses satisfy that requirement
NAME
DESCRIPTION
CREDITS

Final Program Requirement
(3 Hours)
NAME
DESCRIPTION
CREDITS
BUSN499
Senior Seminar in Business Administration
3 hours

The Capstone course is a senior level course designed to allow the student to review, analyze and integrate the work the student has completed toward a degree in Business Administration. The student will complete an approved academic project or paper that demonstrates mastery of their program of study in a meaningful culmination of their learning and to assess their level of mastery of the stated outcomes of their degree requirements. Students should complete ALL Core and Major courses prior to this course. Student must have SENIOR standing to register.


General Electives
(30 Hours)
Electives are typically courses available at your degree level that are not currently required as a part of your degree program/academic plan. Please visit the catalog to view a complete listing of courses.

Program Completion Rates, Median Debt, and More

The following program details are intended to help you make an informed decision about the university that's right for you.

2010-2011 Program Completion Rate
Normal time to completion for full-time student4 years
Graduates who completed in this time72%1
1 Data may be “not available” if the program has no graduates during reporting period or if it has not been in existence the normal time for completion. If 0%, then graduates in the reporting period took longer than the average time, usually because they were part-time students. 91% of our students are employed full time and do not take a full-time course load.
Tuition & Fees as of October 1, 2011 Median Loan Debt of 2010-2011 Graduates
Tuition
(before any awarded transfer credit)
$30,250 Federal Loans3$0
Transfer Credit Evaluation fee
(if applicable)
$50 Private educational loans$0
Graduation fee$100 Institution financing plan$0
Books and supplies$02 
On-campus room and boardNot applicable 
2 The undergraduate book grant provides textbooks, e-books, and other course materials at no cost to students for courses being taken for academic credit. Students must obtain their own software when required for a course or program. 3 This figure does not include PLUS loans or TEACH grants converted to Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans.

For more information on jobs related to this program, please click on the below links to the O*NET website sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.

This program is designed to prepare graduates to pursue a job in this field or related fields. Although career and professional development services are available to students and graduates, finding a job is the individual responsibility of the student. We do not guarantee that any student will be placed in any particular job, or at all.


Total Credits (121 Hours)
 

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American Public University System (APUS) is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association and nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission, Distance Education and Training Council.

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