Business Administration

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Admissions: 1-877-UMA-1234 ext. 3465 or (207) 621-3465
Advising Center: 1-877-UMA-1234 ext. 3149 or (207) 621-3149
Coordinators: Gwen Bedell Gadbois (207) 621-3541 gwen.bedell@maine.edu
Website: www.uma.edu/academics/programs/business-administration/

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Intro/Overview

Students who graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration will have developed the ability to assume responsibility in a mid-level managerial position in an organization. This program provides students with a broad knowledge of modern business and management theories through a carefully structured core curriculum consisting of courses in finance, accounting, economics, strategic management, legal and social issues, management, operations research, marketing, and computer information systems. Students must elect a major in either management or accounting; students in the management major may also elect a concentration in public administration, computer information systems, financial services, or small business. The students majoring in accounting will select a concentration in either financial, management or governmental accounting. In addition, students acquire a broad cultural background by taking courses in the arts, English, humanities, and social and natural sciences.

Learning Outcomes

At the time of graduation, the student should have:

• A well-rounded understanding of the major functional areas of business including:
  • The ability to prepare, read, analyze and communicate financial information
  • The ability to use financial information in managerial decisions
  • An understanding of the duties of a manager: planning, organizing, directing, and controlling
  • The ability to use the marketing mix to successfully perform in the environment of marketing
  • An understanding of the fundamental legal concepts and their application to the business community
  • A basic knowledge of the use of information technology in managing organizations
  • The ability to apply modern scientific and mathematical methods to management problems
  • The ability to coordinate the knowledge learning in program core courses in the formulation and administration of sound business policy using case analysis and discussion
• Well-developed written and oral communication skills
• The ability to utilize current technology
• Strong analytic and critical thinking skills
• And the ability to:
  • Understand ethical decision models
  • Conduct both quantitative and qualitative analysis of business problems
  • Form opinions based on analysis
  • Support conclusions with evidence

Capstone Course

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration includes BUA 459 - Seminar in Strategy and Policy Planning  as its capstone course. Students must have senior standing to enroll in the course. This challenging course focuses on how firms formulate, implement, and evaluate strategies. Strategic management concepts and techniques are studied. Students use all the knowledge acquired from prior business courses, coupled with new strategic management techniques learned, to chart the future direction of different organizations. The major responsibility of students in this course is to make objective strategic decisions and to justify them through oral and written communication.

Admissions Requirements (see UMA general requirements)  

Graduation Requirements

Upon completion of the following, the student will be awarded the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree.

• Completion of 121 semester hours of credit
• Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of 2.00
• Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 in all business and economics courses considered as a group
• Completion of program course requirements listed in the following section

Associate of Science in Business Administration

Learning Outcomes

Students who graduate with an Associate of Science in Business Administration will have developed the ability to assume responsibility for an entry or mid-level managerial position in an organization. This program provides students with a broad knowledge of modern business and management theories through a carefully structured core curriculum consisting of courses in accounting, economics, management, and computer information systems. Students have the flexibility to elect a concentration in management, accounting, financial services, management information systems, or small business. While the program emphasizes business, it also provides a solid foundation in English and communications, fine arts, humanities, and natural and social science. At the time of graduation, the students should have:

• a well-rounded understanding of the major functional areas of business including:
  • the ability to prepare, read, analyze and communicate financial information
  • the ability to use financial information in managerial decisions
  • an understanding of the duties of a manager: planning, organizing, directing, and controlling
  • the ability to use the marketing mix to successfully perform in the environment of marketing
  • an understanding of the fundamental legal concepts and their application to the business community
  • the ability to integrate course work into the writing of a business plan
• well-developed written and oral communication skills
• the ability to utilize current technology
• strong analytical and critical thinking skills

Capstone Course

The Associate of Science in Business Administration includes BUA 259W - Strategic Management for the Small Business  as its capstone course. This course is designed to integrate the course work in the business administration associate’s degree management option. Special emphasis is placed on small business management principles. Students will research and write a business plan tailored to their interests.

Career Opportunities

The Associate of Science and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree programs provide students with a broad knowledge of modern business and management theories through a carefully structured core curriculum. Also emphasized is group dynamics, which encompasses an understanding of teams, mobility, empowerment, total quality management (TQM), cross training, re-engineering, delayering, outsourcing, and contingency employees. This combination is vital for the success of UMA’s graduates.

Students who complete the Associate’s and/or Bachelor’s programs are engaged in a variety of accounting and management positions in public and private organizations of all sizes. Graduates of our baccalaureate degree program successfully pursue advanced degrees in business administration, public administration and law.

Transferable Skills & Competencies

Students in UMA’s Business programs develop a wide array of marketable skills including self-confidence, cultural awareness, written and oral communication expertise, critical thinking, technical accounting, and analytical and managerial abilities. In addition, a working knowledge of computers, spreadsheets, small business practices and accounting principles have contributed to the success of Business program graduates in such fields as marketing, management, tax accounting, and auditing. Some examples of skills and career opportunities for the business student follow:

Communication

• Speaking publicly
• Supervising others
• Hiring and training others
• Persuading others
• Writing reports
• Explaining information to others

Quantitative

• Applying statistical procedures
• Developing budgets
• Interpreting numerical data
• Projecting/forecasting results
• Utilizing accounting systems

Technical

• Using spreadsheets
• Managing information systems
• Understanding legal concepts
• Preparing financial statements
• Computing tax informationQuantitative
• Applying statistical procedures
• Developing budgets
• Interpreting numerical data
• Projecting/forecasting results
• Utilizing accounting systems

Analysis

• Evaluating policies
• Determining cost/benefit ratios
• Making investments
• Evaluating and interpreting data
• Organizational planning
• Understanding market dynamics

Careers

Business students are prepared to succeed in a wide range of positions. The following list of occupations offers a glimpse of opportunities pursued by business majors. Faculty members stress that while many positions may not formally require a bachelor’s degree, the reality is that the bachelor’s degree is essential for professional level business positions.

Financial Services

• Bank Loan Officer
• Comptroller*
• Tax Preparer
• Financial Planner
• Commodities Trader
• Certified Public Accountant

Public Sector

• City Clerk
• Internal Revenue Service Agent
• City Accounting Assistant
• Medicare Office Manager
• Hospital Administrator*
• Financial Aid AdvisorBusiness

Business

• Retail Buyer
• Cost Accountant
• Accounts Payable Office Manager
• Benefits Specialist
• Executive Secretary
• Credit Manager
• Human Resources Manager

Marketing/Sales

• Auto Dealership Sales Manager
• Franchise Sales Director
• Insurance Agent
• Real Estate Sales/Broker
• Marketing Research Assistant
• Telemarketing Sales Director

*Baccalaureate or graduate level study is generally required for these occupations.

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