School of Business Undergraduate Competency Goals

Ethics

Primary Focus of Competency Goal

Become ethical decision-makers.

Learning Objectives

Our graduating seniors should:

1. Recognize basic ethical dilemmas
2. Distinguish between ethical and legal considerations in a business environment

Identify and explain the pros and cons of alternative decisions using various ethical frameworks

Global/Multicultural Perspective

Primary Focus of Competency Goal

Acquire a global and multicultural perspective.

Learning Objectives

Our graduating seniors should:

1. Recognize important international and multicultural business issues
2. Explain the implications of global issues related to specific business scenarios
3. Explain the implications of multicultural issues related to specific business scenarios
4. Propose solutions that consider the global or multicultural dimensions

Communication Skills

Primary Focus of Competency Goal

Excel in oral and written communication skills.

Learning Objectives

Our graduating seniors should:

1. Effectively communicate when writing, speaking and giving oral presentations
2. Correctly utilize grammar, syntax, and punctuation
3. Properly document sources of information
4. Clearly organize the content of written documents and oral presentations
5. Convey ideas and information in a coherent and professional manner, utilizing technology, as appropriate

Critical Thinking Skills

Primary Focus of Competency Goal

Cogently analyze quantitative and qualitative data and information.

Learning Objectives

Our graduating seniors should:

1. Be able to identify assumptions, reasons and claims, and to examine how they interact in the formation of arguments. Students will be able to gather and interpret information from charts, graphs, diagrams, spoken language and documents and by utilizing their analysis skills form be able to articulate well-reasoned arguments. Students will identify the elements of a situation and determine how they interact.
2. Be able to draw logically valid conclusions from reasoning and evidence. Students will be able to use inference skills to evaluate hypotheses and make recommendations.
3. Be able to assess the credibility of sources of information and the claims they make. They also will be able to determine the strengths and/or weaknesses of arguments.
4. Be able to make logical decisions in precisely defined contexts where rules, operating conditions, policies, principles, procedures and terminology completely determine the outcome. Students will be aware that their conclusions depend on assumptions and that assumptions might be incorrect.
5. Be able to draw inferences from observations, case studies or statistical analyses, or from judgments or analogies or hypotheticals. Students will be aware that conclusions reached might not apply in other situations.
6. Be comfortable with mathematics up to the level of calculus and be able to apply their knowledge to situations that require the interpretation or evaluation of numerical information.

Leadership

Primary Focus of Competency Goal

Demonstrate a strong understanding of leader behaviors and characteristics.

Learning Objectives

Our graduating seniors should:

1. Recognize leader traits, behaviors, and styles
2. Identify and describe challenges and issues leaders face
3. Evaluate and analyze how leadership behaviors and characteristics affect employees, businesses, situations and outcomes

Discipline-Specific Knowledge

Learning Objectives

Accounting

• Demonstrate competence and skills in financial accounting, federal income taxes, managerial and cost accounting, auditing and related business areas for entry-level accounting positions, and professional certification.

Finance

• Understand the concept of time value of money and the related tools of present value and internal rate of return, and how these tools are used for capital budgeting and investment analysis.

Marketing

• Understand marketing terminology and concepts.
• Understand how marketing creates value and contributes to organizational objectives.
• Understand the role of cultural, ethical, economic, legal, social and technological factors on marketing strategy.

Management

• Understand core business knowledge and be able to apply this knowledge to business problems.