Business Administration - Production Management Concentration, A.S.

About the Program

The program leading to the Bachelor of Science in business administration is based upon a philosophy of total student development. Students choosing this degree program are provided with an education that stresses an interdisciplinary approach. They are exposed to all aspects of the complex and changing business environment with a specific emphasis upon social, cultural and political factors.

The total development objective creates a program blending a business education with that of the liberal arts. All students choosing a degree in business administration take a common core of 10 courses such as Principles of Management, Marketing, Human Resources Management and a capstone course called Business Policy and Strategic Planning. Additional courses are required in economics, accounting, math, computer information systems, English, social sciences and humanities.

The program includes sufficient electives to allow students the option of a dual concentration if they plan their program of study carefully. In addition, the liberal arts component provides a sound foundation for both behavioral and quantitative business majors through the broadening of the students’ social and cultural backgrounds.

Students in the business administration program gain an in-depth study of all facets of the business world. Students will study accounting, business law, human resource management and management problems and policies.

Classroom discussions are designed to help the student grasp fundamental principles and to motivate utilization of these principles in solving typical management problems.

Students graduating in business administration are qualified to assume positions as management trainees, working toward middle and upper-level management positions in a variety of businesses. Credits earned in the associate program are fully applicable toward the Bachelor of Science in business administration.

Core Student Learning Outcomes

1.  Communications and Leadership Skills: Students will be able to give and exchange information within meaningful context and with appropriate delivery and interpersonal skills.
2. Strategic and Critical Thinking Skills: Students will be able to link data, knowledge, and insight together to provide quality advice for strategic decision-making.
3. Focus on the Customer, Client and Market: Students will be able to anticipate and meet the changing needs of clients, employers, customers and markets better than competitors.
4. Interpretation of Converging Information: Students will be able to interpret and provide a broader context using financial and non-financial information.
5. Technological Aptitude: Students will be able to utilize and leverage technology in ways that add value to clients, customers and employers. Students will be able to use information technology as a tool to do essential business tasks.
6. Ethics: Students will be able to apply effective ethical decision-making. Students will be able to apply business-related legal and ethical principles in business and apply them to organizational decision-making. 

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will be experienced in business software common to business administration functions.
2. Students will be able to conduct a SWOT analysis to evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats facing an organization.
3. Students will formulate, evaluate and communicate ideas and solutions using multiple sources of quantitative and qualitative business and industry information.
4. Students will develop an understanding of the economic, legal, and social factors in providing a safe and healthful working environment.
5. Students will be able to describe an overview of project management concepts, the project life cycle, and the steps in the project management process.

The Associate of Science in Business Administration with a production management concentration prepares students for production support positions in any manufacturing firm. Students also are prepared to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.