Modern business curricula looks very much like the business curricula from 50 years ago. College level business programs have simply not kept up with the contemporary business world. The complex and specialized business world of today has made the practice of strictly focusing on business theory obsolete, and hence made the curricula of many schools obsolete. The contemporary business student needs to be “trained” to function in today’s business world in addition to being given the basics of business theory. The complex nature of computer systems, communication methods, and global economies has created a world for which most graduates are not prepared.
The Sterling College Business Department is dedicated to producing constantly evolving programs that will focus on the skills and traits most desired by the contemporary business community. Employers are currently interested in new employees with established communication and interpersonal skills, software and technological proficiency, and analytical and problems solving abilities. Employers are also looking for the character-based traits of loyalty, honesty, and integrity in their employees. Modern business programs often address these skills and traits to some degree, but one would be hard pressed to find a program where the skills and traits currently in demand by the business world are the focus of the curricula. Sterling offers such programs.
In the not-too-distant future, it is the intention of the Sterling College Business Department to have Sterling considered one of the top schools for the study of business. This will be accomplished by creating a highly-academic application bases curriculum, which is outlined below.
| General Electives | 40-41 |
| Business Core | 43 |
| Business Concentration | 17-18 |
| Free Electives | 22-24 |
| Total | 124 |
Core
Core Curriculum (All business majors must complete all of the core curriculum courses) The Business Department’s core course requirements were derived from a survey sent out to over 1000 business professionals all over the world. Their responses confirmed what our secondary research had indicated; businesses need people who can communicate, write, think critically, act ethically, listen, follow directions, as well as have foundational business knowledge. The Sterling College business curriculum will meet these needs.
| Core Courses | Credit Hours |
| Business Communication | 2 |
| Strategies for Success | 2 |
| Economics | 3 |
| Financial Management - Personal Emphasis | 3 |
| Business Writing | 2 |
| Teamwork | 2 |
| HR/Business Law | 3 |
| Financial Accounting | 3 |
| Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| E-Commerce | 3 |
| Statistics (Part of GE requirement | 0 |
| Critical Thinking & Problem Solving | 2 |
| Ethics in Business | 3 |
| Business Computing | 3 |
| Management/Leadership | 3 |
| Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| Marketing | 3 |
| Total | 43 |
Concentrations
Concentrations (All business majors must choose and complete one concentration) The concentrations have been carefully chosen based on the needs of students and the business world. It is through the concentrations that many of the new and exciting real world application projects are taking place. The franchise project outlined above is part of the Externship Concentration while the local real estate opportunities are a part of the Real Estate Concentration.
| Concentrations Courses | Credit Hours |
| | |
| International Business | |
| Principles of Physical and Cultural Geography | 3 |
| Language Culture and Society | 3 |
| International Economics and Finance | 3 |
| International Business | 3 |
| Finance | 3 |
| Internship | 2-3 |
| Total | 17-18 |
| Entrepreneurship | |
| Entrepreneurship 1 | 3 |
| International Business | 3 |
| Advanced Marketing (Prerequisite Marketing) | 3 |
| Entrepreneurship 2 (Prerequisite Entrepreneurship 1) | 3 |
| Finance | 3 |
| Internship | 2-3 |
Total | 17-18 |
| Marketing | |
| Principles of Sociology | 3 |
| Behavioral Science Research Methods | 3 |
| International Business | 3 |
| Advanced Marketing (Prerequisite Marketing) | 3 |
| Sales and Customer Service | 3 |
| Internship | 2-3 |
| Total | 17-18 |
| Social Entrepreneurship | |
| Non-profit development and fundraising | 3 |
| Entrepreneurship 1 | 3 |
| Social Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| Finance | 3 |
| Non-profit management | 3 |
| Internship | 2-3 |
| Total | 17-18 |
| Externship Program (University Business Projects) | |
| Practicum (Marketing) | 3 |
| Practicum (HR/Law) | 3 |
| Practicum (Information Technology) | 3 |
| Practicum (Project Feasibility) | 3 |
| Practicum (Business Plan) | 3 |
| Practicum (Operations) | 3 |
| Total | 18 |
| Economics | |
| Macroeconomics | 3 |
| Microeconomics | 3 |
| International Economics and Finance | 3 |
| International Business | 3 |
| Finance | 3 |
| Internship | 2-3 |
| Total | 17-18 |
| Leadership/Management | |
| Organizational Change | 3 |
| Organizational Leadership | 3 |
| Finance | 3 |
| Operations | 3 |
| Internship | 2-3 |
| Business Policy | 3 |
| Total | 17-18 |
| Real Estate | |
| Real Estate Investment/Finance | 3 |
| Real Estate Principles | 3 |
| Real Estate Appraisal | 3 |
| Real Estate Development | 3 |
| Real Estate Market Analysis | 3 |
| Internship | 2-3 |
| Real Estate Practicum 1 (elective) | 3 |
| Real Estate Practicum 2 (elective) | 3 |
| Real Estate Practicum 3 (elective) | 3 |
| Real Estate Practicum 4 (elective) | 3 |
| Total | 17-18 |
Minors
Minors (Minors are open to all non-business majors) The Sterling College business minors have been designed to supplement the major curriculum of non-business majors. All of the principles applied to the development of the core curriculum have been applied to the minors.
| International Business | |
| Business Communication | 2 |
| Critical Thinking & Problem Solving | 2 |
| Strategies for Success | 2 |
| Teamwork | 2 |
| Ethics in Business | 3 |
| International Business | 3 |
| International Economics and Finance | 3 |
| Language Culture and Society | 3 |
| Total | 20 |
| Entrepreneurship | |
| Business Communication | 2 |
| Critical Thinking & Problem Solving | 2 |
| Financial Accounting | 3 |
| Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| Ethics in Business | 3 |
| Entrepreneurship 1 | 3 |
| Financial Management (Personal Emphasis) | 3 |
| Marketing | 3 |
| Total | 22 |
| Marketing | |
| Business Communication | 2 |
| Critical Thinking & Problem Solving | 2 |
| Strategies for Success | 2 |
| Teamwork | 2 |
| Ethics in Business | 3 |
| Sales and Customer Service | 3 |
| Marketing | 3 |
| Advanced Marketing (Prerequisite Marketing) | 3 |
| Total | 20 |
| Social Entrepreneurship | |
| Business Communication | 2 |
| Critical Thinking & Problem Solving | 2 |
| Financial Management for Social Entrepreneurs | 3 |
| Ethics in Business | 3 |
| Social Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| Non-profit development and fundraising | 3 |
| Non-profit management | 3 |
| Practicum | 1-3 |
| Total | 20-22 |
| Economics | |
| Business Communication | 2 |
| Critical Thinking & Problem Solving | 2 |
| Strategies for Success | 2 |
| Economics | 3 |
| Ethics in Business | 3 |
| Macroeconomics | 3 |
| Microeconomics | 3 |
| International Economics and Finance | 3 |
| Total | 21 |
| Leadership/Management | |
| Business Communication | 2 |
| Critical Thinking & Problem Solving | 2 |
| Strategies for Success | 2 |
| Teamwork | 2 |
| Ethics in Business | 3 |
| Management/Leadership | 3 |
| Organizational Leadership | 3 |
| Organizational Change | 3 |
| Total | 20 |
| Real Estate | |
| Business Communication | 2 |
| Critical Thinking & Problem Solving | 2 |
| Strategies for Success | 2 |
| Teamwork | 2 |
| Ethics in Business | 3 |
| Real Estate Investment/Finance | 3 |
| Real Estate Principles | 3 |
| Real Estate Appraisal | 3 |
| Total | 20 |
| General Business | |
| Business Communication | 2 |
| Critical Thinking & Problem Solving | 2 |
| Strategies for Success | 2 |
| Teamwork | 2 |
| Ethics in Business | 3 |
| Financial Management (Personal Emphasis) | 3 |
| Financial Accounting | 3 |
| Economics | 3 |
| Total | 20 |
Course Descriptions
| BU101 | Business, Society, and The Global Economy | 3 credits |
Examines the origins and development of American business, its place in the global economy, and its legal and ethical roles in modern society. Designed for business majors as well as for those wanting to gain a general understanding of business. |
| BU102 | Strategies for Success | 2 credits |
| Introduction of foundation business concepts along with a study of successful academic, professional, and life strategies. |
| BU103 | Economics | 3 credits |
| Survey of foundational economic theory focusing and introductory microeconomic and macroeconomic concepts. Focus will be put on the application of the theory to business situations. |
| BU105 | Basic Accounting | 3 credits |
| Designed for those with no or weak accounting knowledge to acquire the tools to understand and use basic financial information. Helpful background especially for BU209 Accounting I. |
| BU140 | Business Communication | 2 credits |
| Study and practice of professional communication situations. Students will practice and analyze common business etiquette scenarios, as well as oral communication skills needed in the workplace. |
| BU190 | Personal Finance | 3 credits |
| Looks at the principles and practices involved in successful personal finance, and how to organize and manage one’s finances. It takes an in-depth look at consumer spending vs. investing decisions, developing budgets, estate planning, and typical consumer problems. |
| BU200 | Economics I | 3 credits |
| Looks at the principles and practices involved in successful personal finance, and how to organize and manage one’s finances. It takes an in-depth look at consumer spending vs. investing decisions, developing budgets, estate planning, and typical consumer problems. |
| BU201 | Economics II | 3 credits |
| This course emphasizes the development of skills needed to successfully speak in public situations. These skills include audience analysis, listening, research, organization and the performance of original speeches. Students study and present speeches to inform and persuade. They also have an opportunity to experience and analyze group function and oral presentation as a group member. Meets general education requirement with a grade of C- or higher. |
| BU209 | Accounting I | 3 credits |
| A study of financial accounting including: balance sheet, income statement, principles of double entry accounting, year-end closing process, depreciation methods, together with the analysis and interpretation of financial statements. Prerequisite: high school accounting or BU105 with a minimum grade of C-. |
| BU210 | Accounting II | 3 credits |
| Managerial accounting provides useful financial data for management decisions and has a variety of applications. Some of these are: planning, controlling, and product/ service costing. Prerequisite: BU209. |
| BU222 | Integration Model: Faith and Business | 2 credits |
| This course emphasizes the development of skills needed to successfully speak in public situations. These skills include audience analysis, listening, research, organization and the performance of original speeches. Students study and present speeches to inform and persuade. They also have an opportunity to experience and analyze group function and oral presentation as a group member. Meets general education requirement with a grade of C- or higher. |
| BU239/339/439 | Special Topic | 1-3 credits |
| For business related topics not offered in the curriculum. Prerequisite: permission of Department Chair. |
| BU240 | Business Law | 3 credits |
| Begins with a survey of the basic institutions and general principles of law and then moves on to topics such as agency contracts, sales, and secured transactions as governed by the UCC, litigation, the judicial process, dispute resolution, and preventative law. |
| BU241 | HR/Business Law | 3 credits |
| Study of human resource law and its’ application to business situations. Examination of foundational business law concepts and how they are applied to workplace scenarios. |
| BU256 | Business Writing | 2 credits |
| Analysis and practice of the various forms of written business communications. |
| BU272 | Financial Management for Social Entrepreneurs | 3 credits |
| Study and practice of fundamental financial concepts pertaining to social entrepreneurship. |
| BU286 | Teamwork | 2 credits |
| Study and application of teamwork concepts and practices with focus on the application of the concepts to workplace situations. |
| BU302 | Business Computing | 3 credits |
| Students will study and practice advanced computing techniques using software common to the workplace. |
| BU320 | Management | 3 credits |
| Begins with a survey of the basic institutions and general principles of law and then moves on to topics such as agency contracts, sales, and secured transactions as governed by the UCC, litigation, the judicial process, dispute resolution, and preventative law. |
| BU326 | Marketing | 3 credits |
| Studies the four classic functions of the marketing mix process and their application – including an analysis of the marketing mix, target market, segmentation, market research, product/service development, packaging, pricing, advertising, media and promotion. |
| BU329 | Critical Thinking & Problem Solving | 2 credits |
| Students will learn to the skills needed to critically analyze situations and address scenarios requiring problem solving skills. |
| BU331 | Entrepreneurship | 3 credits |
| An introduction to the essential knowledge and skills of entrepreneurship, while focusing on the planning, management, marketing, financing, and operating entrepreneurial enterprises. (Spring–even year) |
| BU334 | Social Entrepreneurship | 3 credits |
| Focuses on the role social entrepreneurs play in contemporary society, economy and community as change agents while exercising accountability. Particular attention is given to mission as it relates to continuous innovation, adaptation, and learning. |
| BU338 | Management/Leadership | 3 credits |
| Study and analysis of management and leadership techniques. Christian concepts will be integrated throughout the course. |
| BU350 | Practicum (Marketing) | 3 credits |
| Students will design and present a complete marketing plan for a prospective new business. |
| BU351 | Practicum (HR/Law) | 3 credits |
| Students will analyze a prospective new business from an HR/law perspective, and provide implementation and action plans based on the analysis. |
| BU352 | Practicum (Information Technology) | 3 credits |
| Students will design and present a comprehensive IT plan for a prospective new business. |
| BU356 | International Business | 3 credits |
| Explores the global marketplace and how international and multinational business is conducted. It approaches the subject from an environmental perspective by studying the extrinsic uncontrollable forces (competitive, distributive, economic, socioeconomic, financial, legal, physical, political, socio-cultural, and labor), and how they affect domestic, foreign, and global business practices. |
| BU362 | Ethics in Business | 3 credits |
| Application of ethical concepts to business situations. Foundational Christian concepts and beliefs will be incorporated into the business situations as well. |
| BU365 | Organizational Behavior | 3 credits |
| Examines the complex interaction between all parties in an organization. |
| BU366 | Organizational Change | 3 credits |
| Analysis and application of change concepts focusing on transition and transformation within organizations. |
| BU367 | Organizational Leadership | 3 credits |
| Study of the application of leadership techniques with focus on motivation, problem solving, conflict resolution, and teamwork. |
| BU372 | Non-profit development and fundraising | 3 credits |
| Analysis and study of concepts related to the financial advancement and development of non-profit organizations. |
| BU395 | Independent Study | 1-3 credits |
| Provides an opportunity to conduct an in-depth research in a business area of interest. Before embarking on this undertaking, a formal proposal needs to be submitted to the Dept. of Business and approved by the independent study overseer/mentor and department chair. Upon completing the independent study, a formal presentation as well as a comprehensive paper in MLA, APA, Turabian, or agreed upon style will be required. Prerequisite: junior or senior Business Administration standing and Department Chair approval. |
| BU402 | International Economics and Finance | 3 credits |
| Examines international trade, finance, and economic integration as it relates to international trade theory, banking, foreign exchange, as well as import-export and balance of trade. |
| BU410 | Practicum (Project Feasibility) | 3 credits |
| Students will conduct and present a feasibility analysis of a prospective new business. |
| BU417 | Finance | 3 credits |
| Study and practice of fundamental financial concepts including investment, portfolio management, financial institutions, and the role of finance in decision making processes. |
| BU420 | Advanced Marketing | 3 credits |
| Application of the principles from the Marketing course into a marketing plan. Students will also assess and analyze marketing situations from multiple perspectives. |
| BU421 | Human Resource Management | 3 credits |
| Looks at the role that HR plays in organizations – including staffing, training and development, benefits selection, motivation, and creating a productive work environment. Labor relations together with labor law and related issues are also discussed. |
| BU422 | Operations Management | 3 credits |
| A journey into the world of operations management and problem-solving while learning about the relevance and application of quality management tools. Focuses on the ongoing developments of analytical and strategic thinking. |
| BU425 | Non-Profit Management and Leadership | 3 credits |
| Financial management is treated as an act of stewardship where everyone in the organization is responsible for the way resources and funds are used. Appropriate ways to carry out these tasks coupled to reporting and how to bring about organizational growth is addressed. |
| BU427 | Advertising and Promotion | 3 credits |
| Explores the creative and strategic thinking, methods and applications involved in advertising media (TV, radio, print, internet, and consumer promotions), and the development of effective and efficient advertising media and promotion plans. |
| BU428 | Sales and Customer Service | 3 credits |
| `A practical course that looks into the theory and art (application) of professional sales and sales management, as well as why effective and efficient customer service practices are critical. |
| BU430 | Practicum (Business Plan) | 3 credits |
| Students will compose and present a comprehensive business plan for a prospective new business. |
| BU431 | Entrepreneurship 2 | 3 credits |
| Application of principles studied in Entrepreneurship 1 into a business plan and feasibility study. |
| BU435 | Practicum (Operations) | 3 credits |
| Students will design and present a comprehensive operational design and implementation plan for a prospective new business. |
| BU492 | Business Internship – Seminar | 1 credits |
| This course may be taken in the semester before or concurrently with Business Internship BU493. It is intended to prepare students for a successful work experience. In addition, students will learn interviewing, resume writing, and job search skills. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing and permission of the Department Chair. |
| BU493 | Business Internship - Work Experience | 1-3 credits |
| This course allows students to gain professional work experience in an area of business administration. The internship experience must create a new learning environment for the student–preferably in an area in which they intend to seek employment upon graduation. A formal internship proposal form (available in the Dept. of Business) needs to be filled out and submitted/approved by the Dept. of Business before embarking on the internship. The Pass/Fail grade will be determined by the supervising professor on the basis of one or more of the following: a journal, a portfolio, written and oral reports, and employer evaluation. Prerequisites: recommendation of department faculty and prior approval of sponsoring organization. |
| BU497 | Business Plan | 3 credits |
| The entrepreneurship concentration ends with preparing a business plan. All the courses in the module are required to develop this strategic tool. This undertaking will be instrumental in learning and experiencing what is involved in preparing a business plan as well as starting and maintaining a business. |
| BU498 | Social Entrepreneurship Practicum | 3 credits |
| This experience takes place in a non-profit social service organization. Depending on the experience hours accumulated (50 hours = 1cr), this course may be repeated with different social service organizations to gain a wider breadth of knowledge. Journalizing the experience and ultimately writing a definitive paper that analyzes and describes how social entrepreneurship knowledge and skills are applied to accomplish organization’s mission is required. The student, the internship organization, and professor will prepare a contract that outlines the goals and responsibilities of the internship. Prerequisite: Have completed/nearly completed the Social Entrepreneurship concentration and approval of the course professor of record. |
| BU499 | Business Policy | 3 credits |
| Marks the culmination of the Business Administration program. It presents business administration majors the opportunity to integrate the knowledge gained from the business and interdisciplinary liberal arts curriculum as pieces of a puzzle that come together to provide a gestalt business experience. Students grouped into cross-functional consultant teams implement knowledge and strategic management to analyze, troubleshoot, and make organizational recommendations. Prerequisites: senior standing or permission of Department Chair. |
| RE320 | Real Estate Investment/Finance | 3 credits |
| Study and application of real estate investment theory and practice integrated with applicable finance principles. |
| RE325 | Real Estate Principles | 3 credits |
| Introduction to foundational real estate concepts. Students will be exposed to basic real estate concepts and practices. |
| RE329 | Real Estate Appraisal | 3 credits |
| Introduces property valuation concepts with focus put upon common terminology, methods, and procedures. |
| RE350 | Real Estate Practicum 1 (elective) | 3 credits |
| Application of real estate course materials into an actual professional real estate project. Students will receive course credit for participation and contribution to the project. Students will be assessed using progress reports and an end of course summary paper. Students may take up to four real estate practicums if deemed appropriate by the department chair. |
| RE355 | Real Estate Practicum 2 (elective) | 3 credits |
| Application of real estate course materials into an actual professional real estate project. Students will receive course credit for participation and contribution to the project. Students will be assessed using progress reports and an end of course summary paper. Students may take up to four real estate practicums if deemed appropriate by the department chair. |
| RE360 | Real Estate Practicum 3 (elective) | 3 credits |
| Application of real estate course materials into an actual professional real estate project. Students will receive course credit for participation and contribution to the project. Students will be assessed using progress reports and an end of course summary paper. Students may take up to four real estate practicums if deemed appropriate by the department chair. |
| RE365 | Real Estate Practicum 4 (elective) | 3 credits |
| Application of real estate course materials into an actual professional real estate project. Students will receive course credit for participation and contribution to the project. Students will be assessed using progress reports and an end of course summary paper. Students may take up to four real estate practicums if deemed appropriate by the department chair. |
| RE420 | Real Estate Development | 3 credits |
| Examination of real estate development practices and procedures with focus on planning, design, feasibility, finance, and construction. |
| RE425 | Real Estate Market Analysis | 3 credits |
| Study and practice of real estate market analysis with focus put upon the supply and demand factors needed to properly assess any market. |