Business
Historical Note
In September, 1926, a two-year program of courses in business was offered to qualified students who had completed two years in Arts and Sciences. The success of this program prompted the establishment of Business in the spring of 1927. Degrees of Bachelor of Science in Business were awarded to the first graduates of the program in June, 1928. During the next two years the program of professional subjects was again revised and extended to a four year curriculum of business and cultural courses. The first class to complete this curriculum conducted totally within Business was graduated in 1932. In 1933 the degree designation was changed to Bachelor of Business Administration. In 1970, as a result of an extensive curriculum revision which emphasizes a balance of humanities, mathematics, science, social sciences, and professional business courses, the degree was changed to the Bachelor of Science (Business Administration). At the same time, the baccalaureate degree program in the Evening Session was merged into Business.
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Mission Statement
In the Lasallian tradition and consistent with the mission of Manhattan College, the mission of the School of Business is to prepare young men and women from diverse backgrounds to become effective and socially responsible business and community leaders. The School’s primary emphasis is providing superior management education to qualified students, mostly from the Northeast, who will have employment opportunities at world class organizations.
Curriculum and Programs
In order to accomplish the mission of Business, the curriculum is structured to achieve a balance of liberal arts courses, and professional business courses thus bringing together liberal education and professional business preparation. The program in liberal arts is divided among the areas of humanities, mathematics, sciences, and social sciences. The professional business program, which includes core courses required of all students and the study of a major field, offers the student a balanced approach to the two aspects of the various business disciplines—theory and application to practical problems. This practical/theoretical approach heightens the ability of the student to reason and analyze a situation in the context of a given environment thus developing in him or her a practical outlook that reflects business reality. In addition, the School provides its students with an exposure to the world of business. The societal considerations of the firm and the behavioral aspects of the managerial function are interwoven throughout the business curriculum. The focus in the professional area is on executive action in business and non-business organizations.
The program of liberal arts courses, which comprises over one-half of the total curriculum, blends humanistic knowledge with professional career preparation. The sequence of general business related courses examines the fundamentals which underlie the practice of business. The sequence includes courses in accounting and mathematics relating to the use of quantitative data in decision-making and control. Other courses in this sequence are economics, law, management, marketing and behavioral sciences. In each of these courses emphasis is placed on essential analytical tools and their use in business problems of a specific area and prepares the student to enter a career in a functional field or undertake graduate study. The major fields are accounting, computer information systems, economics, finance, management, and marketing. Global Business Studies may be taken as a second or co-major.
Major Fields
Accounting. The concentration in accounting centers around financial and operational communications for business and governmental units. The program prepares students for careers in public accounting, industrial or private accounting, governmental and institutional accounting, or for a general business career. Accounting education provides a sound basis for advancement to managerial positions and is a desirable background for other non-business professions, such as law.
Computer Information Systems. This area of concentration enables a student to determine the informational needs of an organization and identify the patterns of information flow which satisfy those needs. The program includes studies in computer hardware and software, programming, computer decision systems, file and communication systems, operations analysis and simulation, management information systems, and the analysis and design of information systems. The CIS major will find excellent career opportunities in systems analysis and management information systems. By combining CIS with such functional areas as accounting, finance, marketing, or management, the CIS graduate will be able to participate more effectively in system development.
Economics. A concentration in business economics is designed for those students whose primary interest is oriented towards an examination of economic relationships. Students seeking a broad global economic background for government, industry, or law would benefit from this program.
Finance. The concentration in finance enables the student to examine the tasks and techniques of financial management within business and government units and to study the elaborate structure of financial institutions and the broad range of financial instruments which are utilized in the global economic system. The program stresses financial analysis and decision-making.
Global Business Studies. This program develops in the student a thorough and rigorous global perspective and understanding of the international environment and markets. Such understanding is essential for any American business person who competes domestically and in the international arena. This field is interdisciplinary in nature and includes studies in economics, finance, marketing, management and government. Students who are interested in pursuing careers in the international phase of business or government may pursue it only as a second major. Proficiency in a foreign language is strongly recommended.
Management. Programs which include a concentration in management foster an understanding of the role of management in today’s global organizations. The program examines various theories of management; explains the skills and activities used by management in fulfilling managerial functions; explores the possibility of instituting new techniques in management and seeks to arouse interest in management as a growing field. The major emphasis is on behavioral aspects of organizations and administrative actions, in both business and non-commercial organizations. Special attention is given to the social responsibilities of the business executive and the role of the modern corporation in society.
Marketing. This field of study encompasses those functions involved in determining consumer needs and wants, developing products and services, and communicating with and delivering these goods to the consumer. The program emphasizes a managerial approach; is globally oriented; and is aimed at the development of marketing managers. The curriculum stresses analysis and decision-making in the marketing process.
Double Majors
The business curriculum provides seven major fields of study from which the student can elect one or more for in-depth study. A student who opts to major in two areas of concentration should utilize the business and free electives in such a way as to satisfy the requirements for the second major which consists of fifteen credits. Liberal arts electives cannot be used to satisfy the requirements of any business major or minor.
Minor Programs. In order to provide an opportunity for the student to broaden her or his educational experiences, students in Business are able to minor in a discipline other than their major field. Through special arrangements with Arts and Sciences, a student may take a minor program consisting of approximately 15 credits in the humanities, mathematics, sciences, or social sciences. A student may take a minor in any of the major fields offered by Business. This program consists of 9 credits. Details of these programs may be found under the heading “Minor Fields” in the pages to follow.
All major and minor credits must be taken at
Guidance Program
The guidance and advisory program for students in Business is conducted by an Academic Advisor in conjunction with the Department Chairs. The Academic Advisor counsels all first-year students, sophomores, and transfer students, as well as any juniors and seniors when necessary. All students select their major at the end of their sophomore year. Programs of study for first-year students, sophomores, and transfer students, as well as co-approval of athletes, are approved by the Academic Advisor. Programs of study for juniors and seniors are approved by the Department Chairs who act as advisors to the students in selecting a major. Each Department Chair is responsible for advising students majoring in her or his area. They are closely associated with professional business organizations and industrial groups carrying out related activities, thus assuring maximum service to the student in preparing to meet the requirements for the degree, for advanced professional study, and for placement.
Prelegal Advisory Committee.
Business students who plan to enter law should avail themselves of the services of this Faculty Committee, page 363.
Tutorial/Reading and Research
Under very special circumstances and with the approval of the Dean, students may register for a specific course on a tutorial basis or may submit a proposal and ask a faculty member in an appropriate department to supervise a well defined course of study that involves reading and research in a specific discipline. Topics, projects, methods of research and course requirements, e.g., term papers, quizzes, exams, etc., must be worked out with the supervising professor and approved by the department chair. Students wishing to pursue a course on a tutorial basis must register for a specific course while students pursuing reading and research must register for departmental course No. 470. No more than three credits may be completed on this basis.
Student Organizations
Organizations of special interest to the students in Business include: The Society of Accountants; American Marketing Association, Student Chapter (Marketing Club); Beta Alpha Psi, an honor organization for financial information professionals; Beta Gamma Sigma, National Honor Society in Business; Computer Information Systems (CIS) Club; Alpha Iota Delta, The National Honor Society for Computer Information Systems and Decision Sciences, Delta Chi Chapter; Economics-Finance Society; Omicron Delta Epsilon, the National Honor Society in Economics, Beta Chapter; The IDEA Investment Club; Mu Kappa Tau, the National Marketing Honor Society; and Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE).
Study Abroad
Students interested in studying abroad should discuss their interest
with the Academic Advisor by the beginning of sophomore year. It is best to
plan the semester of study abroad for the second semester of sophomore year or
the first semester of junior year. The