427 Elliott Hall
(248) 370-2957
Fax: (248) 370-4974
Website
Dean: Michael A. Mazzeo
Associate Dean: Nivedita Mukherji
Office of the Dean: Roberta Badgley, assistant dean; Kristen Cometto, director of development
Department chairs: Rajeev Singhal, accounting and finance; Vijayan Sugumaran, decision and information sciences; Ronald Tracy, economics; Janell Townsend, management and marketing
Distinguished professor emeritus: Karl D. Gregory
Professors emeriti: Elefterios Botsas, Daniel N. Braunstein, Gadis J. Dillon, David Doane, Edward Farraghaer, Sherman Folland, Ronald Horwitz, Sid Mittra, John W. Henke, Oded Izraeli, Howard Schwartz, Miron Stano
Professors: Lizabeth A. Barclay, Joseph H. Callaghan, Addington Coppin, Mohammad Dadashzadeh, Xiaodong Deng, Eugene B. Fliedner, John Kim, Thomas W. Lauer, Paul Licker, Karl Majeske, Michael Mazzeo, Cynthia Miree-Coppin, J. Austin Murphy, Kevin J. Murphy, Robert Nehmer, Ram Orzach, Mohinder Parkash, Anandi P. Sahu, Jonathan Silberman, Rajeev Singhal, Vijayan Sugumaran, Janell Townsend, Kenneth M. York
Associate professors: Henry Aigbedo, Venugopal Balijepally, Ronadeb Chaudhuri, Seong-Yeon Cho, Liang Fu, Timothy Hodge, Mark W. Isken, Joy Ruihua Jiang, Jae Kang, Kieran Mathieson, Nivedita Mukherji, R. Mohan Pisharodi, Hong Qian, Yazan Roumani, Steve Stanton, Jennifer Thor, Kasaundra Tomlin, Ronald L. Tracy, T.J. Wharton, Yin Yu-Thomson, Sha Zhao, Ellen Zhu, Xie Zhu
Assistant professors: Zeina AlSalman, Osman Aydas, Eralda Caushaj, Malika Chaudhuri, Caitlin Demsky, Michael Greiner, Brandon Gustafon, Michelle Hammond, Man Jin, Hanna Kalmanovich-Cohen, Jaemin Kim, Qunfeng Liao, Yan Ling, Yaman Roumani, Ahmed Sobhani, Greg Thrasher, Shunan Zhao
Special instructors: Donna Free, Molly Gagnon, Tammy Grace, Roz Nowosielski, Amy Rutledge Kathryn Schaefer, Robert Uptegraff
Graduate Program Adviser: Paul Trumbull
Professional and Community Education: Eugene Fliedner, PMP Director
Undergraduate Program Advisers: Meaghan Cole, Experiential Programs Manager; Destin Eddington, academic adviser; Denica Holzworth, academic adviser and events coordinator, Jaclyn Keith, academic adviser; Tiffany LeDonne-Smith, academic adviser; Lauren Leve, academic adviser; Debbie Lengyel, director of advising services; Adam McChesney, senior academic adviser
ACHIEVE Program: Andrea Mill, ACHIEVE program manager; Michelle English, ACHIEVE program coordinator; Jaclyn Fortier, ACHIEVE internship coordinator; Laurie Lawless, Office Assistant
Career Services: Ian Caullay, director of employer relations; Emily Cutlip, career program consultant
Board of Visitors
The Board of Visitors provides a direct link between the business community and the School of Business Administration. The Board is composed of outstanding alumni and corporate and professional leaders. Board members assist the dean with supporting its mission in the external community as well as provide consultation on goals and objectives.
The Board members are:
Craig Stinson, Executive Advisor - Wind Point Partners
George Corona, President and Chief Executive Officer - Kelly Services, Retired
Brian Edgar, Senior Vice President - UBS Investment Banking
R. Hugh Elliott, President and CEO - Elliott Group International
Kevin Gleeson, Attorney - Sullivan, Ward, Asher & Patton, PC
Raymond Gunn, - Chief Executive Officer - Blake Farms
Kenneth Janke, Senior Advisor - Aflac Incorporated
Stephanie Kimball, Chief Lending Officer and Executive Vice President - Independent Bank Corp.
Jeff Klei, President - North American Automotive Division, Continental AG
Robert Manilla, Vice President and Chief Investment Officer - The Kresge Foundation
Michael A. Mazzeo, Dean - School of Business Administration (Ex-Officio to the Board)
Mark J. Mendola, Vice Chairman - U.S. Tax Leader, PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP (NY)
Mike Novak, Vice President, Jeep & Ram Brand Organization, FCA
Donald Pietrowski, President - Research Data Analysis, Retired
William H. Sandy, Chairman and Founder (retired) - Sandy Corporation
Craig Tonti, Vice President and General Manager - Eagle Ottawa, Retired
Linda Voss, CFO and COO - Ally Commercial Finance, Ally Financial, Inc., Retired
Mission
The mission of the School of Business Administration is to provide high-quality education with experiential learning and global understanding opportunities for students to become successful business professionals and leaders. It fosters an environment for impactful research and active community engagement.
General Information
The School of Business Administration (SBA) undergraduate programs enable students to combine the intensive study of a functional area of business (i.e., accounting, actuarial science, finance, human resources management, management information systems, marketing or operations management) or business economics with a broad background in management. Alternatively, students can focus on economics, the fundamental discipline behind business processes. In these programs, a strong foundation in liberal arts is combined with a rigorous education in written and oral communications and in problem definition, analysis and resolution. This combination produces graduates who can think analytically, communicate effectively and work cooperatively with others of similar or diverse backgrounds in both domestic and international environments. Graduates of these programs are prepared to handle the increasingly complex and changing problems faced by managers in profit-oriented enterprises and not-for-profit organizations, both public and private.
The programs include:
- Bachelor of Science with majors in accounting, actuarial science, business economics, economics, finance, general management, human resources management, management information systems, and marketing and operations management;
- Bachelor of Arts with a major in economics (offered in conjunction with the College of Arts and Sciences (see the Department of Economics section in the Arts and Sciences portion of the catalog for a description of this program);
- Bachelor of Science with a major in actuarial science (offered in conjunction with the College of Arts and Sciences (see the Department of Economics and the Department of Mathematics and Statistics section in the Arts and Sciences portion of the catalog for a description of this program);
- Minors in accounting, business, business analytics, economics, entrepreneurship, finance, human resources management, information security management, international management, management information systems, marketing, and operations management.
High-school students who intend to pursue a major offered by the SBA should consult the Admissions section of the catalog for specific preparation requirements. Students transferring from other institutions, both international and domestic, may be requested to provide documentation of the content and scope of the courses they have taken at their previous institutions.
The SBA offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree for students in any major, including business and management. The MBA is a professional program in business designed to prepare students for careers involving problem identification, problem-solving, decision-making and leadership in any type of organization. MBA students may elect concentrations in accounting, business economics, entrepreneurship, finance, human resources management, international business, management information systems, marketing, operations management, or supply chain management. It is preferred that students with an undergraduate degree in business or one of the functional areas of management have two years of work experience before entering the MBA program. Students interested in pursuing this degree should contact the Office of Graduate Business Programs, 238 Elliott Hall, (248) 370-3287 for more information.
The SBA offers a Master of Accounting degree that prepares graduates for a variety of professional accounting positions in public accounting, corporations and other organizations. It provides appropriate technical accounting coursework and results in the 150 credits required to become a Certified Public Accountant. Interested students should see the section on the Requirements for the accounting major for more information and contact the Office of Graduate Business Programs, 238 Elliott Hall, (248) 370-3287 for detailed information on admissibility into the program.
The SBA offers a Master of Science in Information Technology Management (MSITM) degree. The goal of the program is to provide a strong technical and managerial background to those who are interested in using information technology for competitive advantage. It is intended to provide business professionals with the knowledge they need to manage information technology effectively in support of their decisionmaking. It is also intended to provide information systems professionals with knowledge of the latest technologies and their use in application development. Students interested in pursuing this degree should contact the Office of Graduate Business Programs, 238 Elliott Hall, (248) 370-3287 for more information.
The SBA offers an Executive MBA (EMBA) that is designed for professionals who are already engaged in successful careers and want to build a strong business foundation while enhancing their leadership and management skills. The program offers the schedule flexibility required for a full-time executive. Students interested in pursuing this degree should contact the Office of Graduate Business Program, 238 Elliott Hall, (248) 370-3287 for more information.
Oakland University undergraduates working on majors other than those in business administration may complete their prerequisites and some core courses for the MBA program while completing their undergraduate degree. For detailed information contact the Office of Graduate Business Programs.
The SBA is accredited, on both the undergraduate and the graduate levels, by AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), the premier business school accreditation agency. In addition, the accounting program has achieved the separate AACSB accounting accreditation.
For more information on the SBA undergraduate programs, the MBA, the Master of Accounting program, the Master of Science in Information Technology Management program, accreditation, SBA courses and SBA faculty, visit the school’s website.
Degree Requirements
The curriculum described shall be followed by students entering the School of Business Administration beginning in the fall 2021 semester. Students enrolled prior to fall 2021 may choose to satisfy either the degree requirements listed in this catalog or those in the catalog of the academic year in which they were initially admitted to pre-business or undecided business in the SBA (or any catalog during the interim), provided that catalog is not more than six years old at the time of graduation. Students who transfer to the SBA after admission to the university or who are readmitted to the university are required to follow the requirements of the catalog in effect at the time they transfer or are readmitted. As described below, students may choose to meet the general education requirements of a different catalog.
To ensure they have met all requirements, students should seek a final program audit from one of the school’s academic advisers no later than the semester before the semester in which they plan to graduate. The responsibility for meeting graduation requirements rests with the student.
The business administration programs consist of the following parts: general education (including U.S. diversity and writing foundations), the pre-core, core, major and free electives (if needed to reach 124 credits). Students in these programs must satisfy the specific requirements of each of these parts and must earn a minimum of 124 credits. (See Bachelor of Science with a major in economics for the specific requirements of that degree program.)
Each student must:
- complete at least 124 credits, including any free electives needed to reach this total;
- complete the university general education requirement as detailed in the general education section below, also under Undergraduate degree requirements;
- complete the pre-core requirements as listed below and be admitted to major standing in business administration as detailed in the Admission to major standing in business administration section below;
- complete the core program and the requirements of one of the business majors in the SBA with a minimum grade of (C) in each of the pre-core, core and major courses. Once admitted to the business program as a pre-business or undecided business student or major, a student must complete all of the remaining business core, major and business minor coursework for the degree at Oakland University;
- complete at least 32 credits at the 3000 level or above;
- complete at least 45 credits at Oakland University, of which at least 31 credits must be in courses offered by the School of Business Administration, excluding ECN 1500, ECN 2000 or ECN 2020, ECN 2010, ECN 2100 and QMM 2400 and QMM 2410. Of these 31 credits, at least 12 credits must be in the student’s major;
- earn a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.00 in courses taken at Oakland University and in courses taken in the SBA.
Academic Advising, Mentoring and Major Standing
Students who have questions about schedule planning, degree requirements, admission to the SBA, major standing, transfer credit, petitions of exception or graduation audits should meet with the school’s assigned advisers. Academic advising can be found in 232 Elliott Hall, (248) 370-3285. To avoid delays, students are encouraged to meet with their assigned adviser prior to early registration periods. Once major standing has been achieved (see Admission to major standing in Business Administration), students are encouraged to consult with faculty within their major area to discuss schedule planning within the major, career tracking and other issues relevant to making academic decisions that will enhance opportunities for success within a chosen career field.
The school offers advising and mentoring to students who plan to pursue one of its degree programs. Faculty members are available to provide support, curricular guidance and career information as students make the transition from high school or a previous college to Oakland University’s business administration or economics programs. Incoming freshmen and transfer students are encouraged to seek information from these experienced faculty members.
The ACHIEVE Program
The goal of the ACHIEVE Program is to help students in the School of Business (SBA) make the transition from high school graduates to “day one professional workers” in their chosen field of study. The SBA accomplishes this goal by integrating professional and career development into its undergraduate curriculum. All undergraduate business students participate in required activities to help students prepare and perform on career and personal development skills. The co-curricular professional development courses are structured to align with students’ academic and professional timeline. The ACHIEVE program works closely with faculty, career services, undergraduate advising and professional volunteers to support students in the career exploration and academic preparation process.
SBA Career Services
The SBA Career Services team is focused on business students. The team provides engagement opportunities with employers throughout the academic year. They also assist students seeking noncredit paid work experience related to their major that will enhance their classroom learning, increase their motivation to graduate, augment their career knowledge, and improve their job seeking skills and employability. Opportunities are available for career related jobs, internships (corporate and grant-funded), and cooperative education. Students in the School of Business Administration who want to combine relevant work experience with their education are encouraged to participate in such programs and meet with staff. Students are coached and empowered to find jobs in business, non-profit or governmental organizations similar to those held by recent Oakland University graduates. All students are encouraged to explore these programs and other job/career-related information using Handshake and by contacting the SBA Career Services Office at 232 Elliott Hall, 248-370-4192. Students can self-select individualized appointments with a Career Consultant as needed in Handshake or by calling the office.
First-time visitors to Career Services are encouraged to contact the central office at 154 North Foundation Hall, 248-370-3250. The Career Studio in the central office also welcomes any students of the University to come in without appointment for peer-level assistance. Please visit the website for information on the central office, including the Career Studio schedule, signature events and more.
Requirements for Business Administration Majors
General education requirement
Students in the School of Business Administration must satisfy the General Education Requirements . Students may use one catalog for the general education requirements and another for the specific degree requirements. Students enrolled prior to fall 2021 may choose to satisfy either the general education requirements listed in this catalog or those in the catalog of the academic year in which they were initially admitted to Oakland University (or any catalog during the interim), provided that catalog is not more than six years old at the time of graduation. The general education requirements may be summarized as one course from the approved lists in each of the following categories:
- Writing: This category includes:
- WRT 1060 and its prerequisites;
- an intensive writing course in other general education requirements. This category is normally covered for business majors by WRT 3082 - Business Writing or ECN 3260 ; and
- an intensive writing course in the major. This category is normally covered for business majors by MGT 4350 - Management Strategies and Policies , STA 4002 or ECN 4050 .
- Formal Reasoning: This category is normally covered for SBA majors by the required MTH 1221 or MTH 1222 or MTH 1554 .
- Knowledge Explorations: The social science requirement in this category is normally covered for SBA majors by (ECN 2000 or ECN 2020 ) or ECN 2010 . The global perspective requirement in this category is normally covered for SBA majors by ECN 2020 or ECN 3260 . The rest of this category is covered by one course each in the arts, foreign language and culture, literature, natural science and technology, and Western civilization.
- Knowledge Application: This category is normally covered for business majors by QMM 2400 or QMM 2410 .
- Capstone course: This category is normally covered for business majors by MGT 4350 , ECN 4500 , or ACS 4550 .
- U.S. diversity: Select a course that meets one of the other knowledge exploration general education requirements and has the required diversity section.
SBA students are encouraged to increase their background in ethics by taking PHL 1300 - Introduction to Ethics , to satisfy the University’s Western Civilization general education knowledge exploration requirement.
Pre-core requirements
As preparation for the various majors of the business administration program, students must complete the following courses in writing, speech communication, mathematics, business modeling with computers, economics, accounting and statistics with minimum grade of (C) in each course.
The required writing and pre-core courses are:
In addition, students admitted to the SBA as pre-business or undecided business majors are required to meet the 0 credit ACHIEVE courses required for major standing (SBC 1990 , SBC 2990 ).
*If a student places into and completes MTH 1222 or MTH 1554 with the required minimum grade, MTH 1221 or MTH 1441 is not required (students who meet this criterion under a previous catalog will be able to waive MTH 1221 or MTH 1441 ).
*If a student receives transfer credit for MTH 1222 or MTH 1554 , MTH 1221 or MTH 1441 is not required (students who meet this criterion under a previous catalog will be able to waive MTH 1221 or MTH 1441 ).
** MTH 1331 and MTH 1332 can substitute for MTH 1441 . Students who have taken MTH 1331 and MTH 1332 under a previous catalog may use these courses as substitute for MTH 1441 . Even though the math department will allow MTH 1331 to serve as the prerequisite for MTH 1222 , this does not satisfy the SBA prerequisite requirement for MTH 1221 or MTH 1441 .
***If a student does not place into MTH 1222 or MTH 1554 , MTH 1221 and MTH 1222 or MTH 1441 and MTH 1554 or MTH 1441 and MTH 1222 must be completed with the required minimum grade.
****Students who have taken STA 2220 or STA 2226 under a previous catalog may also use these courses as a substitute for QMM 2400 .
The freshman and sophomore years of study for students pursuing the business administration program will be devoted to the writing, general education and pre-core course requirements. Special emphasis should be given during the freshman year to the completion of the university writing requirement and steady progress in the mathematics sequence. Once sophomore status has been achieved (28 credits), students will begin work on the accounting and statistics requirements. The student’s specific mathematics and statistics sequence will depend on the student’s math placement results but can include MTH 0661 , MTH 0662 , MTH 1221 , MTH 1222 , QMM 2400 and QMM 2410 ). Steady progress in the mathematics and statistics sequence is defined as one course in the sequence in each fall and winter semester until the sequence is completed.
Admission to Major Standing in Business Administration
Students are strongly recommended to apply for major standing during the semester they are completing their pre-core classes and have the minimum grade-point average. Major Standing is required to complete MGT 4350 , may be required for some 3000 and 4000 level courses within a student’s major, and in order to be awarded an undergraduate business degree. Applications are available on line and can be filed with the Undergraduate Advising Office, 232 Elliott Hall.
Students who do not apply for major standing during the semester that they are completing the pre-core requirements run a high risk of registration and major completion difficulties. To be eligible to take 3000 and 4000 level business courses for which major standing is a pre-requisite, business majors must be admitted to major standing in the School of Business Administration. Admission to major standing is selective. The minimum requirements for consideration are:
- Student’s admissibility to and retention in the University;
- Completion of the writing requirement;
- A minimum grade-point average of 2.6 in all courses taken at Oakland University (with a minimum of six credits completed at Oakland University);
- A minimum grade of (C) in each of the following pre-core courses or their equivalents: ACC 2000 , ACC 2100 ; COM 2000 or COM 2403 or COM 3401 or COM 3402 or COM 3403 ,((ECN 2010 and (ECN 2000 or ECN 2020 )*; MIS 1000 ; (MTH 0661 , MTH 0662 if required by the math placement); MTH 1221 , MTH 1222 ; QMM 2400 and QMM 2410 ;
*Students cannot receive credit for both ECN 2100 and (ECN 2000 or ECN 2020 ) or ECN 2010 .
- Submission of an “Application for Major Standing” for the desired major;
- Completion of SBC 1990 and SBC 2990 for all SBA students admitted to Oakland University after 2008-2009 for First Time in Any College (FTIAC) students and after 2009-2010 for transfer students. Students who entered under a previous catalog should follow these requirements.
A student is classified as pre-business upon admission to Oakland University if they have a cumulative GPA of 2.80 or above and four years of college preparatory math. Transfer students are classified as pre-business if they have a cumulative transfer GPA of 2.80 or above and math through intermediate algebra. All other students are classified as undecided business and these students cannot register for most 3000- and 4000-level courses until they obtain pre-business or major standing status within the SBA. Undecided business students may register for all SBA pre-core courses and general education requirements.
To maintain pre-business status before obtaining major standing within the SBA, an OU student must maintain a cumulative GPA set by the SBA. Any pre-business student (SBA students not yet having major standing) who does not maintain an OU cumulative GPA (as set by the SBA) at the end of any term is classified as an undecided business student. During the 2021-2022 academic year, the GPA set by the SBA for pre-business status is 2.6.
Core Program
Each of the business major programs require the completion of a common core of courses introducing students to the functional areas of business. Most of the 3000-4000 level business courses in the core program (i.e., MKT 3020 , ORG 3300 , MIS 3000 , POM 3430 , FIN 3220 , ORG 3310 , and MGT 3500 ) require a student to be coded as pre-business or be in major standing (see Admission to Major Standing in Business Administration for requirements to be coded as pre-business). All core courses require a minimum grade of (C).
*Students who have taken this course under a previous catalog will be able to use this course to satisfy WRT 3082 .
**MGT 4350 requires major standing and only business majors may take this course.
Major Programs
Students take 15-24 additional credits specified in their major area. The junior and senior years will be devoted to the successful completion of the requirements of the core and major. Majors from which business administration students may choose are detailed below. Certificates of additional majors are permitted in all areas except general management. No more than four credits of independent study (4996) courses may be used to meet the major elective requirement. Courses numbered 3800 and 4900 may be repeated for up to eight credits provided the topics are different. Students will be required to complete ACC 3990 or ACS 3990 or ECN 3990 or FIN 3990 or MGT 3990 or MIS 3990 or MKT 3990 or ORG 3990 or POM 3990 as part of their major program. (These courses require major standing.) All major courses require a 2.6 GPA or better or major standing to take these courses (excludes Economics and non-SBA major courses).
Free Electives
Students complete their program by taking a course or courses of their choice to yield a total of 124 credits. While the General Education Requirements of the degree program provides students with the range of knowledge that is the essence of an educated person, the free elective portion of the program allows students to make choices concerning coursework that responds to their individual interests and/or needs.
Business Honors Direct Admit Program (BHP)
The SBA offers a Business Honors Direct Admit Program (BHP) for high-achieving high school and transfer students. Students begin taking honors classes their first year at Oakland University. The program is cohort-based, offering students a close-knit community inside the business school. Each cohort takes customized classes in special sections open only to them and students engage in a host of unique experiences. The program includes 16 honors courses that fulfill the business pre-core and core requirements for all business majors. BHP students take the Freshman Seminar course (SBC 1990H) instead of SBC 1990. The Senior Experience course, (SBC 3990H) replaces SBC 1990 for most but not all majors. Students in the program are required to complete at least one Experiential Learning activity and one international experience approved by the program. The benefits of the BHP include: immersion in a highly interactive and stimulating program; access to enhanced student support services; international experience; opportunity to build strong leadership skills through required experiential learning activities; opportunity to represent Oakland in national and international competitions; and a chance to form a strong network with peers and members of the professional community. Admission to Oakland’s Business Honors Direct Admit Program is limited to exceptional students who are chosen on a competitive basis. Prospective students must apply by completing a separate application. Students interested in pursuing this program should contact the Business School Undergraduate Advising office, 232 Elliott Hall, Room, (248) 370-3285 for more information.
Minors
The School of Business Administration offers 11 minors for students who want to combine their majors with an introduction to the skills, analytical techniques and institutional material of economics or an area of business.
Business majors may earn any of the following minors, except in the area in which they are majoring, and the business minor. Once admitted to the business program as a pre-business or undecided business student or as a major, business majors must take all the remaining courses in their minors at Oakland University.
To earn any of these minors (except business), and to take 3000- and 4000-level business classes, non-business students must meet with the minor coordinator and have an approved minor authorization form detailing the courses and the prerequisites required for the given minor. Once approved for the minor, students must take all the remaining courses in the minor at Oakland University. Students must complete the prescribed courses for the minor with a grade of (C) or better in each course and the prerequisites for each course. Transfer students planning to earn a minor must earn at least nine credits toward the minor at Oakland University; at least six of these nine credits must be in courses at the 3000 level or above.
Limit for non-business majors to less than 25 percent of credits in business: All students who are not majors in the SBA and economics majors in either the SBA or the College of Arts and Sciences, whether they have applied for a minor or not, are limited to no more than 25 percent of the total degree credits in business courses. (Students majoring in business economics are not subject to this limitation.) The maximum of 25 percent of total degree credits (usually 32 credits) includes business courses taken at Oakland University and all previous colleges. Economics (ECN) courses, QMM 2400 , QMM 2410 , QMM 4400 and QMM 4520 are excluded from this requirement. Therefore, students from majors outside the business administration program may not earn more than 25 percent of total degree credits in transfer plus Oakland credits in ACC, ENT, FIN, MGT, MIS, MKT, ORG, POM or QMM courses (excluding those noted above). All student minors are subject to the 25 percent of total degree credits maximum discussed above.
Policies and Procedures
High school admissions
For entering freshmen, admission to pre-business is restricted to those presenting a minimum 2.80 cumulative grade-point average in high school academic courses and at least four years of college preparatory mathematics courses.
Transfer policy
Transfer students must have at least a 2.80 cumulative grade-point average and mathematics through intermediate algebra (equal to MTH 0662 ) for admission to pre-business. Evaluation of transfer courses is a two-part process. General education and composition courses are evaluated by the Academic Records Office. Business courses, including any required computer science courses, are evaluated by the School of Business Administration. Credit for specific SBA courses is authorized for courses of similar content taken prior to attending Oakland University at other colleges and universities accredited by a regional accrediting agency. Students transferring from other institutions may be required to submit course descriptions and related materials to aid in these transfer evaluations. Once admitted to the business program as a pre-business or undecided business student or a business major, students must complete all the remaining core, major and business minor coursework for the degree at Oakland University unless the coursework is part of an approved study abroad/away program or approved articulation agreement. Students who have transfer courses that are more than seven years old may be required to retake the course at Oakland University. All transfer courses from another institution need to be a minimum of three credits for the SBA to evaluate them for transfer credit for pre-core, core, and major courses and must have a minimum grade of (C) to meet the requirement. See Transfer student information for additional information.
Second majors
Students who return to the SBA to complete a second major after graduating with a business major from OU must complete all courses remaining for that second major at Oakland University. Additionally, students must fulfill the stated major requirements in effect at the time they are admitted as a second major. General management majors are not eligible.
Second degrees
Students who currently hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, including Oakland University, may pursue a second undergraduate degree at Oakland University in the School of Business Administration with the exclusion of those applicants holding a bachelor’s of science degree in Business Administration from Oakland University with a major in General Management.
Second degree students from regionally accredited institutions are exempt from Oakland University’s general education requirements, including the undergraduate requirement for the writing foundations course at the level of WRT 1060 . Credits applied toward the first degree will be accepted as transfer credit toward the second degree. At least 32 additional credits must be taken at Oakland University, of which 31 credits must be in courses offered by the School of Business Administration, excluding ECN 1500 , ECN 2000 , ECN 2010 and QMM 2400 and QMM 2410 . Of these 31 credits, at least 12 credits must be in the student’s major. Second degree students are exempt from ACHIEVE-SBC 1990 and SBC 2990 , however, they are encouraged to take these non-credit courses as part of their program.
Students considering admission for a second degree are advised and highly encouraged to investigate opportunities in the Graduate Business Programs such as a Master of Business Administration, Master of Accounting programs or Master of Science in Information Technology Management prior to meeting with an Undergraduate Adviser.
Repeats
Repeats of a course: a student can repeat, either at Oakland University or at another approved institution, any business pre-core or core course in which a (C) grade or better is required. The student is limited to the university maximum of three attempts for any one course requirement, including attempts at Oakland and for the equivalent course at another institution, and must have a petition of exception approved for a fourth attempt. Students must get prior approval from an SBA Adviser in order to repeat a course at another institution. If a student repeats a course at another institution, the original grade attained in the course at OU will be included in the student’s GPA. See “Repeating courses” in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of the catalog for more specific information on University rules governing course repeats.
Unsatisfactory performance
Unsatisfactory performance includes the following items:
Grades: Grades less than (C) and (U) grades are considered substandard. A course in which a grade below (C) has been earned may not be subsequently passed by competency examination or independent study.
Mathematics and Statistics Sequence: The SBA major is expected to take a math or statistics course each fall and winter semester until the student has completed QMM 2410 with a minimum grade of (C). Failure to take a course in the mathematics and statistics sequence (MTH 0661 , MTH 0662 , MTH 1221 , MTH 1222 , QMM 2400 and QMM 2410 depending on the student’s math placement) each fall and winter term or its equivalent will be considered to be unsatisfactory performance and the student may be removed from the SBA business program.
Mandatory Advising: Undecided business students whose cumulative GPA is between a 2.0 and 2.59 will be required to meet with an academic adviser in the SBA following the semester when their cumulative GPA drops below the required 2.6 and every semester thereafter until their cumulative GPA returns to at least a 2.6. First semester transfer students are also required to meet with an academic adviser each semester. In some cases, a registration hold will be placed on a student’s account until they complete the requirements of mandatory advising
Grade appeals
If a student wishes to dispute a final grade in a course, he or she must submit a written appeal to the appropriate department chair no later than the following deadlines: 1. If the course was taken in winter or summer terms, the written grade appeal must be submitted no later than the end of the subsequent fall semester. 2. If the course was taken in the fall semester, the written grade appeal must be submitted no later than the end of the subsequent winter semester.
Prerequisites
In planning their schedules, students should ensure that they satisfy prerequisite and co-requisite conditions for courses. The prerequisites for SBA programs and courses will be strictly enforced. Students approved to fulfill prerequisites at another institution will need to solicit registration assistance from the Undergraduate Advising Office, 232 Elliott Hall, 248-370-3285. Students who have registered for courses for which they do not meet the prerequisites and other conditions may be administratively dropped from courses or have their registration cancelled.
Zero-Credit Courses
Zero-Credit courses are Graded as Pass/Fail (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory). Students must complete ALL course materials in order to earn an (S) grade. The course: will appear on the student’s transcript; will not affect the GPA; can affect Financial Aid Awards and Dean’s List eligibility; can affect graduation when required as a degree requirement; and cannot be waived. Zero credit courses cannot to be taken alone, students must register for a zero-credit course along with a credit bearing course.
Independent study
The purpose of an Independent Study is to provide highly motivated students the opportunity to construct a unique educational experience that goes beyond the courses contained in the existing course catalog. The basic rules for Independent Study are:
- Student must have at least a 3.00 cumulative overall GPA.
- Students must have achieved major standing.
- Independent Study cannot be used in lieu of a required course.
- It is the student’s responsibility to develop an appropriate area of Independent Study and to arrange for a full-time faculty member to direct the Independent Study.
- Part-time SBA faculty members cannot supervise an Independent Study.
- The Independent Study contract must be completed by the student and signed by the faculty-adviser, department chair and the Director of Advising Services prior to registering for the course.
- It is expected that the student will perform an amount of work equivalent to a regular course with the same amount of credits and that a substantive tangible output (exam, written paper, computer program, etc.) will be developed.
- Interdisciplinary cooperation is permitted and a non-SBA faculty member may co-supervise the Independent Study. An SBA faculty member must be a supervisor and is responsible for assigning a final grade.
- The student must be made aware of the basis for grading prior to registering for an Independent Study.
- Undergraduate students cannot register for Independent Study if they already have or are taking more than eight cumulative credits of Independent Study unless an exception is agreed to by the SBA’s Committee on Exceptions.
Assurance of learning
To assist in the continuous improvement of its programs, the SBA engages in two different Assurance of Learning processes. The first type of Assurance of Learning is within each business major. This process involves evaluating student performance in a variety of discipline specific objectives. The evaluation is carried out each semester in different courses required for the major.
In evaluating the entire undergraduate business program, student assignments in core or pre-core courses are scored on whether each student exceeds, meets, or does not meet the SBA’s expectations for a specific learning objective. This process occurs in different core and pre-core courses every semester. Although this score is not used in calculating a student’s course grade, the assignment also receives a traditional grade from the instructor just as does other course assignments. The Learning Goals for the undergraduate business program and their corresponding Learning Objectives are:
Learning Goal 1: Critical Thinking
- SBA students should be able to identify relevant problems and analyze solutions from various perspectives.
- SBA students should be able to evaluate alternative solutions to a problem.
- SBA students should be able to propose a well-reasoned solution.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the assumptions needed to analyze the assigned case or problem.
- Identify the relevant and irrelevant data or information presented in the case or problem.
- Identify the different questions or approaches that could be considered in order to answer the problem or case.
- Derive or describe the solution to the problem or case.
Learning Goal 2: Communications Skills
- SBA students should be able to write a clear, concise, and grammatically correct memo or report.
- SBA students should be able to give a clear, concise and interesting presentation using technology.
2A: Written Communication Skills Learning Objectives
- Be able to articulate main concept(s) in writing.
- Be able to write logically.
- Be able to write clearly and concisely.
- Be able to write using correct grammar and spelling.
2B: Oral Communication Skills Learning Objectives
- Be able to articulate main concept(s) orally.
- Be able to speak coherently.
- Be able to keep audience’s attention.
- Be able to use time effectively.
Learning Goal 3: Ethics
- Students can recognize ethical dilemmas as they relate to business organizations.
Learning Objectives:
- Recognize basic concepts related to business ethics.
- Apply an ethical decision-making process to an ethical dilemma presented to them.
Learning Goal 4: Foundation in Business Disciplines
- Students will be able to demonstrate that they have foundation knowledge of all business disciplines.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand key concepts in accounting.
- Understand key concepts in economics.
- Understand key concepts in information technology and management.
- Understand key concepts in finance.
- Understand key concepts in marketing,
- Understand key concepts in organizational behavior and human resource management.
- Understand key concepts in international trade and finance.
- Understand key concepts in operations management.
- Understand key quantitative methods concepts.
Learning Goal 5: Real World Business Applications
- SBA students should be able to understand and apply theory to practical business situations in a changing business environment.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the underlying issue(s) for the given business situation or case.
- Identify the appropriate theory(ies) or theoretical construct(s) that apply to the given business situation or case.
- Apply theory(ies) or theoretical construct(s) to the given business situation or case to generate alternatives.
- Choose appropriate solution(s) to address the issue(s) identified for the given business situation or case.
Policy regarding non-business majors
All students who are not business majors in the School of Business Administration, whether they have applied for a minor or not, are limited to no more than 25 percent of their total degree credits required for their degree in business courses (usually 32 credits). The maximum of 25 percent of total degree credits includes courses taken at Oakland University and all previous colleges. Economics (ECN) courses and QMM2400, QMM2410, QMM4400 and QMM4520 are excluded from this requirement. Therefore, students from majors outside the business administration program, including economics majors in either the School of Business Administration or the College of Arts and Sciences, may not earn more than 25 percent of their required total degree credits in transfer plus Oakland credits in ACC, FIN, MGT, MIS, MKT, ORG, POM or QMM courses (excluding those noted above). Economics majors and students from other majors at Oakland University may take 1000-and-2000 level SBA courses as long as they have all the prerequisite courses with the required grades. Economics majors and students from non-business majors at Oakland University must have an approved university concentration/minor authorization form to take 3000-and-4000 level SBA courses which have the prerequisite of major standing.
Honors, awards and scholarships
School honors are awarded by the SBA to graduating students who have completed a minimum of 32 credits in SBA courses with a minimum GPA of 3.33 in courses offered in the school. In addition to being eligible for honors available to all Oakland University undergraduates, students in the School of Business Administration are eligible for the following:
American Marketing Award: The Detroit chapter of the American Marketing Association awards certificates of achievement for scholarship and service to marketing majors.
Beta Gamma Sigma: Beta Gamma Sigma is the national honor society for business schools accredited by AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). Membership in Beta Gamma Sigma is one of the highest scholastic honors that a student in business administration can achieve. It is based on outstanding scholastic achievement as measured by overall grade-point average. Invitation for membership to Beta Gamma Sigma is extended to graduating seniors in the top 10 percent of their class and juniors in the top five percent of their class.
Financial Executives Institute Award: This award is presented annually to the undergraduate accounting or finance student who has demonstrated the highest standard of academic excellence. The student is honored at a meeting of the Detroit chapter of the Financial Executives Institute. Selection is made by the accounting and finance faculty of the SBA.
Omicron Delta Epsilon: Omicron Delta Epsilon is a national honor society for promising economics students. Selection for membership is made by the economics faculty.
School of Business Administration Awards / Scholarships
Accounting and Finance Advisory Board Endowed Accounting Scholarship: This $1,000 scholarship (applied to OU tuition) is awarded annually to an undergraduate accounting major who exhibits a strong interest in pursuing a career in accounting and demonstrates leadership. The scholarship winner is selected by the AFAB scholarship committee.
Accounting and Finance Advisory Board Endowed Finance Scholarship: This $1,000 scholarship (applied to OU tuition) is awarded annually to an undergraduate finance major who exhibits a strong interest in AFAB scholarship committee.
Anonymous Endowed Accounting Scholarship: This $2,000 scholarship is for undergraduate or graduate accounting students with established records of exceptional scholarship in accounting. Preference will be given to students who are actively involved in student organizations.
Becky Kann First Generation Student Memorial Scholarship: Two $2,000 scholarships are awarded to first generation college students enrolled in the School of Business Administration with some interest in accounting. Students must submit a paragraph about their experience as a first-generation college student, and must demonstrate a combination of outstanding academic performance and extracurricular activities. Students must be enrolled in at least one accounting course, and have a GPA of 3.4 or higher.
Benedettini-Pearson Endowed Scholarship: This $2,500 scholarship is awarded to a freshman undergraduate student who has selected business or economics as their preferred program of study on their admissions application, has graduated from a public high school located in Detroit, Flint, Oak Park or Pontiac, and has demonstrated financial need.
Brian Meer Scholarship: Multiple $2,000 scholarships are awarded to undergraduate students with major standing in the School of Business Administration. Candidates must have a 2.8 or higher GPA and submit a one-page essay describing how receipt of an award will assist them, either directly or indirectly, in successfully completing their studies and obtaining the undergraduate degree.
Bud Kulezsa Family Endowed Scholarship: This $1,500 scholarship (applied to OU tuition) is awarded to an undergraduate with a declared major in accounting. The student must have completed at least two accounting courses beyond ACC 2100 at Oakland University, and must have at least a 3.0 overall GPA in accounting courses beyond ACC 2100. The student must attend the annual accounting banquet.
Catherine Tyler Memorial International Endowment Award: This award is for undergraduate students in good standing with a declared major in the SBA or graduate students in the SBA in good standing and may be used for participation in a University approved study abroad or international internship program.
Chiu Family SBA Education Endowed Scholarship: This $1,250 scholarship (applied to OU tuition) is awarded to an undergraduate student in the School of Business Administration with an earned grade point average of 2.7 to 3.2. The student must have earned at least 80 university credit hours.
Deloitte Scholarship: This $1,500 scholarship (applied to OU tuition) is given to an undergraduate or graduate accounting or finance major who has exhibited an outstanding combination of academic performance and extracurricular activities.
Derderian Kann Seyferth & Salucci Scholarship: This $1,000 scholarship (applied to OU tuition) is open to self-supporting undergraduate accounting majors with a minimum GPA of 3.0. The student must demonstrate financial need.
Diane and Michael Grieves Endowed Diversity Scholarship: This scholarship ($3,500-$4500) will be awarded to an economically disadvantaged full-time undergraduate student who will have junior status (56 credits with a minimum of 24 credits taken at Oakland). The student must be pursuing a degree in Management Information Systems and maintain at least a 2.60 cumulative GPA at Oakland University, be a US citizen or legal permanent resident, and have applied for financial aid in the distribution year.
Dicron Tafralian Memorial Endowed Scholarship: This $2,500 scholarship (applied to OU tuition) is awarded on a merit basis to a continuing accounting major at Oakland University who has also applied to the MAcc Program. Selection is made by the accounting faculty of the SBA. This scholarship was established in memory of Dicron Tafralian, who served in administrative capacities at Oakland University for many years.
Dillon Family Accounting Student Leadership Endowed Scholarship: This $1,500 scholarship (applied to OU tuition) is given to an undergraduate accounting major entering the OU MAcc Program who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and support of the OU Accounting student professional organizations (OASIS, NABA and Beta Alpha Psi). Grade-point average may be considered, but is clearly subordinate to leadership activities.
Ernst & Young Accounting Scholarship: This $1,500 scholarship (applied to OU tuition) is given to an undergraduate accounting major who has exhibited an outstanding combination of academic performance and extracurricular activities, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Francis C. Amos SBA Alumni Endowed Scholarship: In honor of Michigan State representative Frances Amos, active alumna and ardent supporter of Oakland University, this $5,000 scholarship was established to reward outstanding business students who exemplify her commitment to community service and the pursuit of personal academic excellence. This scholarship is open to junior and senior business students who have achieved major standing. See application for other criteria.
Frank Cardimen International Initiatives Endowed Scholarship: Student must be admitted to the School of Business Administration and participating in a university study abroad program.
Gale Blank Copple Endowed Economics Scholarship: Two $2,500 scholarships are given to declared (BS or BA)in Economics, Business Economics, Actuarial Sciences or Business Actuarial Sciences who are active members in good standing of Oakland University’s Women’s Economic Student Organization or the Society of Actuarial Science. . Applicants must be full-time and have junior standing. They must have a GPA of at least 3.3 in economics and must have an overall GPA of at least 3.0.
Gary and Elspeth Coats SBA Student Involvement Endowed Scholarship: This $1,000 scholarship is to encourage participation in a variety of university activities. Applicants must be enrolled full-time in the SBA taking a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester, be active in a variety of Oakland University activities, and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Gerald and Lisa Kearns Finish-Line Scholarship: This $1,000 scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate student majoring in decision & information sciences, in good academic standing. Student must have achieved 95 percent of coursework towards graduation, have a 3.0 to 3.5 OU GPA, and demonstrated financial need.
Gerald M. and Tracy C. Nanni Accounting and Finance Scholarship: This $1,250 scholarship (applied to OU tuition) is awarded to an undergraduate accounting or finance major or a Master of Accounting (MAcc) student who has exhibited a combination of outstanding academic performance and demonstrated financial need.
Grizzlies Get It Done Scholarship: This $1,500 scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate student in the School of Business Administration in good academic standing. The student must demonstrate financial need, must have achieved 95 percent of coursework towards graduation, and have a 3.0 to 3.5 OU GPA.
Helander Social Impact and Completion Scholarship: This $1,000 scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate student pursuing a degree within the School of Business Administration, having achieved 95 percent of coursework towards graduation, and a minimum GPA of 3.0. Candidates must submit an essay highlighting activity participated in that work towards making an impact for others. Details about personal aspirations for future opportunities to help others are encouraged.
Independent Bank Completion Scholarship: This $2,500 scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate student in the School of Business Administration. The student must have achieved 95% of course work towards graduation. The student must reside in Oakland, Macomb, Livingston or Lapeer County. The student must also be eligible for the Pell Grant.
Independent Bank Economic Scholarship: This $2,500 scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate student in the School of Business Administration with a declared major in economics. The student must reside in Oakland, Macomb, Livingston or Lapeer County. The student must also be eligible for the Pell Grant.
John and Cindi Lesser Finance/Accounting Scholarships: Two $1,500 scholarships are awarded (applied to OU tuition), one to an undergraduate accounting major and one to an undergraduate finance major with the best combination of academics, extracurricular activities, and financial need. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.2.
KPMG Scholarship: This $1,000 scholarship (applied to OU tuition) is given to an undergraduate accounting major who has exhibited an outstanding combination of academic performance and extracurricular activities, including involvement in university or community activities. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.2 in accounting courses taken at OU, be on CPA track, and demonstrate financial need.
Marvin L. Katke Endowed Scholarship: Two $2,500 scholarships are awarded to business students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and extracurricular and/or civic involvement. Students must have at least 56 credit hours, a minimum of 24 which have been earned at OU, and a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Mukesh Bhargava Endowed Scholarship: This $1,500 scholarship was created in 2013 to honor Mukesh Bharghava, a distinguished marketing faculty member at Oakland for 18 years. This is a one-year scholarship for students with junior or senior standing pursuing a degree in marketing, with demonstrated financial need.
Patti Finnegan Sharf SBA Study Abroad Endowed Scholarship: This award is for undergraduates in the School of Business Administration, who will be traveling outside the United States through a university approved academic program. The students will be traveling to countries deemed safe by the University. Preference will be given to students who otherwise would not be able to participate in such a study abroad program due to financial needs.
PriceWaterhouseCoopers Scholarship: This $2,000 scholarship (applied to OU tuition) is given to an undergraduate accounting major who has exhibited an outstanding combination of academic performance and extracurricular activities, and is interested in pursuing a career in public accounting.
PriceWaterhouseCoopers Scholarship - MAcc: This $2,000 scholarship (applied to OU tuition) is given to a Master of Accounting (MAcc) student or an undergraduate accounting major who will be enrolled in the MAcc Program that has exhibited an outstanding combination of academic performance and extra-curricular activities.
R. Hugh and Nancy E. Elliott Endowed Scholarship: This award is granted to an undergraduate student athlete who has achieved junior or senior class standing and is enrolled in the School of Business Administration.
Ronald M. Horwitz Outstanding Finance Student Endowed Scholarship: This $1,500 scholarship is given to an undergraduate finance major with the best combination of academic success and involvement in student organizations. Preference is given to students involved with student organizations related to finance.
RSM Foundation Scholarship: This $2,500 scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate student with major standing in accounting or economics, and a minimum GPA of 3.0.
SBA Completion Scholarship: Two $1,500 scholarship are awarded to undergraduate business students in good academic standing. Students must have achieved 85 percent of coursework towards graduation, a GPA of 3.2 or higher, and demonstrated financial need.
Scott and Andrea Bittinger First Generation Scholarship: Two $1,500 scholarship are given to first generation undergraduate students with major standing in accounting, a minimum 3.0 GPA, and demonstrated financial need. Applicants must submit a short essay detailing the significance of being a first-generation student.
Sid and Bani Mittra Economics Merit Scholarship: This $2,000 scholarship is given to a student pursuing a degree in economics in the School of Business Administration. The student must have major standing in economics with 30 credits remaining to complete the degree, minimum overall 3.0 GPA, and a minimum GPA of 3.3 in economic courses
Stephan and Rita Sharf Endowed Scholarship: This $2,500 scholarship is awarded annually to a student who has achieved junior or senior class standing and is enrolled full-time in the School of Business Administration. Selection is based upon academic achievement and demonstrated financial need.
Tamara Tazzia Business Scholarship: Four $2,500 scholarships are awarded to undergraduate business students majoring in economics in good academic standing. Students must have earned a university GPA of 2.7 to 3.2, and have earned at least 80 university credit hours.
UHY Distinguished Accounting Leadership Scholarship: This $1,000 scholarship (applied to OU tuition) is given to a Master of Accounting (MAcc) student or an undergraduate accounting major who will be enrolled in the MAcc program who has exhibited a combination of outstanding academic performance and leadership skills.
UHY Future Financial Leader Scholarship: This $1,000 scholarship (applied to OU tuition) is given to an OU undergraduate accounting or finance major who has exhibited a combination of outstanding academic performance in the pursuit of an accounting or finance degree and leadership skills.
The Warren Tope Memorial Accounting Endowed Scholarship: This $1,500 scholarship (applied to OU tuition) is given to an undergraduate accounting major with a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average or above. This scholarship is renewable for up to two additional years.
Course Offerings
Course descriptions follow each of the programs offered by departments in the School of Business Administration. Required pre-core and core courses for students majoring in the business programs are generally offered each fall, winter and summer semesters.
Some 3000- and 4000-level ACC, ENT, FIN, MGT, MIS, MKT, ORG, POM and QMM courses require major standing in business or an approved concentration / minor authorization form in order to register for the course. The 3000-level courses should be taken during the junior year (56-90 credits). Courses titled “Survey of” are only permitted for non-business majors pursuing a business minor. Except for courses that fulfill the business minor, 3000- or 4000-level courses can only be taken by non-business students if they meet the prerequisites (except for major standing) and the course is listed on an approved university concentration/minor authorization form.
The 5000-level ACC and MIS courses are designed as advanced electives for undergraduate accounting or management information systems majors and as electives for students in the Master of Accounting and MSITM programs. The school offers selected courses from this catalog as warranted by student needs and availability of faculty. Specific offerings for each term may be found in the Schedule of Classes.