2002-2003 Academic Catalog

44 Business Administration School of Social Sciences and Professional Studies Purpose Statement The purpose of the Department of Business Administration is to facilitate the development of business leaders who are person- ally discerning, professionally competent, and who will influence their organizations, professions, and culture from a biblical world view. Given our vision as a department, our broader mission is to provide students with an education in business theory and practice from a distinctly Christian paradigm. To effectively foster academic achievement and personal character, we purpose to create an environment characterized by excellence in teaching, service, intellectual contribution, and collegiality. Essential to our mission is the creation of a learning environ- ment that encourages, stimulates, and challenges students and faculty to maximize their personal potential in their chosen field of academic endeavor. To facilitate this learning environment, we will use a value-centered curriculum enhanced by an extensive information technology system and a series of personal and professional development seminars. In addition, across the curriculum, we have integrated ethical considerations, global awareness, and an emphasis on oral and written communication skills. The distinctive competency of our program is the integra- tion of biblical truth within each of the business disciplines. In light of our mission, the department has established the following goals: 1. We will create a learning environment that encourages, stimulates, and challenges students to maximize their per- sonal potential in the chosen field of academic endeavor. 2. We will create a value-centered curriculum enhanced by an emphasis on topics critical to the student’s competency in the world of work. 3. We will provide faculty with professional and academic opportunities to enhance both teaching competencies and intellectual contributions. 4. We will encourage the relationship between the depart- ment and significant constituencies that impact our mission and its implementation. Personal Requirements A college preparatory curriculum in high school provides the best preparation for the bachelor degree programs in the Department of Business Administration. Three or four years of high school mathematics, including calculus, are recommended for students anticipating graduate study in business. No previous coursework in business is necessary. Because of extensive computer utilization in the business curriculum, electives in computer programming or software packages may prove to be helpful. Department Requirements Although students in the Department of Business Administration are not required to apply for admission to the department, continuation is based upon performance in the core business requirements and satisfactory completion of course prerequi- sites. Students entering their junior year will be reviewed for continuation by the department chairman. Students majoring in business must earn at least a 2.0 grade point average in all sophomore level business courses required for their major in order to graduate with a degree in a business major. Students majoring in business must earn a “C-” in any prerequi- site business course before being allowed to enter the subse- quent course for which that course is a prerequisite. Waivers to this requirement are made only in exceptional circumstances, and such waivers require the approval of the chairman of the department in consultation with the teacher responsible for the subsequent course. In general, business majors should complete all 2000-level business core courses before beginning a 3000-level business course. Before taking a 4000-level Department of Business Administration course, students must have satisfactorily com- pleted all 2000-level Department of Business Administration core courses required for their major. Waivers to this requirement are made only in exceptional circumstances, and such waivers require the approval of the department chairman. To graduate with a major from the Department of Business Administration, students must earn at least a 2.0 cumulative average in all courses required for their major and at least a “C-” in all courses taken to meet a specific requirement in their major (cognate courses not included). Every major and minor offered by the Department of Business Administration requires that a minimum of 50% of the business courses in the business administration core and 50% of the specific business courses required for each major or minor be earned at Cedarville University. Any CLEP or advanced placement credits earned are not considered to be earned at Cedarville University. Programs of Study The Department of Business Administration offers the following programs: Majors • Accounting • End-User Information Systems • Finance • International Studies: Global Economics and International Business • Management • Management Information Systems • Marketing Minors • Business Administration • Christian Ministries Management • Economics • International Business • Management Information Systems Co-Curricular Opportunities The Department of Business Administration provides several co-curricular opportunities for students to enhance their class- room experience as they prepare for their professional careers. Sigma Beta Delta, an international honor society in business, management, and administration, recognizes junior and senior business majors who maintain excellent scholastic achievement. Students develop leadership abilities in Kappa Epsilon Alpha by planning and leading regularly scheduled meetings in which topics of personal and professional interest are addressed. Cedarville participates in the Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE ) program with a number of other universities across the country. Students plan community events and enter a regional competition, developing leadership and teamwork skills. The Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP) provides management information systems and computer science majors with opportunities to network with business professionals while attending meetings, seminars, and activities. Students interested in human resources and labor relations attend the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) chapter meetings and interact with working professionals.