Learning Goals & Objectives

The faculty identified the student competencies listed on this page as  the most important for our graduates’ success in the business administration and accounting degree programs.

1. Written Communications [see more]. To be effective leaders, students should be able to effectively communicate in their writing. Written communication skills are demonstrated by students’ ability to show proper use of language by demonstrating (as appropriate):

• Syntactic variety;
• Few problems with word choice;
• Few problems with grammar;
• Few problems with spelling or punctuation; and
• Acknowledgment the ideas of others.

2. Verbal Communications [see more].  To be effective leaders, students should be able to effectively communicate in their speaking.  Specifically, students’ oral communications should be:

• Clear;
• Cogent;
• Cohesive (flows well);
• Presented with confidence and presence; and
• Sound under questioning.

3. Discipline-Specific Business Skills [see more].

A.  Accounting (ACC). Students should be able to demonstrate proficiency in the technical skills of accounting.  Specifically, students should be able to:

• Apply authoritative guidelines to an accounting problem.
• Prepare and analyze financial statements.
• Identify and use relevant information for decision making.

ACC students should be able to analyze and use the technologies of accounting information systems(AIS).  Specifically, students should be able to:

• Identify basic business processes and major components of transaction cycles.
• Evaluate controls within AIS.
• Interpret documentation for AIS.
• Effectively utilize a computerized accounting system.

ACC students should be able to identify and apply accountants’ legal responsibilities in a variety of accounting related situations dealing with tax and audit issues.  Specifically, students should be able to:

• Describe the legal and regulatory environment for accountants
• Identify the role of accountants in fraud detection and prevention

B.  Business Administration. Students should be able to utilize the concepts, procedures, and regulations applicable to a range of business processes including accounting, economics, finance, marketing, information technology, supply chain management, and human resource management. Specifically, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of business and management processes from the area foundations.
• Utilize information from the business foundation areas to solve problems
• Effective articulate business principles and concepts in problem identification and resolution.

4. Critical Thinking [now combined “Discipline-Specific Business Skills“]. Students should be able to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to a problem.  Specifically, students should be able to:

• Define the problem by describing it (what is wrong in the present situation) and identifying its source;
• Establish criteria for a good solution to the problem;
• Propose possible solutions to the problem;
• Evaluate the possible solutions against the criteria;
• Determine the best solution; and
• Make a case for the proposed solution to the problem.

Also, students should be able to demonstrate basic computation skills to solve problems.  Specifically students should be able to:

• Define a problem by identifying what is known and what is unknown;
• Identify and collect data related to finding the unknown;
• Determine what data are relevant to solving the problem and what data are not;
• Apply appropriate computations to solving the problem; and
• Make a good case for a solution to the problem.

5. Professionalism [see more].Students should be able to demonstrate proper business acumen and decorum in professional interactions and respond appropriately to business situations.  Specifically, students should be able to:

• Manage impressions by way of interpersonal communication skills, demeanor, and dress;
• Engage in conversations on a wide variety of topics, including but not limited to business topics; and
• Demonstrate a high level of business acumen.

6. Ethics Awareness [see more]. Students should be able to recognize and respond thoughtfully to situations that present ethical dilemmas.  Specifically, students should be able to:

• Identify ethical dilemmas;
• Demonstrate a willingness to confront ethical dilemmas;
• Identify the social responsibilities of business organizations; and
• Apply ethical principles to business situations.

7. Information Technology [see more]. Students should be able to utilize and analyze computer information systems.  Specifically, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate the ability to use an information system;
• Manipulate data utilizing a software application;
• Utilize a software application package as a tool in solving business problems; and
• Identify infrastructure needs and information requirements for various business situations.

8. Global Awareness [see more]. Students should be able to respond effectively to the impacts of globalization on business.  Specifically, students should be able to:

• Identify differences between business cultures both here and abroad.
• Define globalization of logistics, competition, and markets.

9. Diversity Awareness [see more]. Students should be able to analyze the impacts of diversity in all its forms on business and business practices.  Specifically, students should be able to:

• Work effectively in diverse teams;
• Interpret and evaluate the historical, social, political, economic and cultural sources of diversity; and
• Define organizational diversity and its link to organizational strength.