School of Business Administration

Return to: Departments

Click here to view department information.

427 Elliott Hall  (248) 370-2957
Fax: (248) 370-4974

School Website: sba.oakland.edu

Dean: Mohan Tanniru

Associate Dean: Balaji Rajagopalan

Office of the Dean: Roberta Badgley, budget manager

Department chairs: Mohinder Parkash, accounting and finance; Mohammad Dadashzadeh, decision and information sciences; Anandi P. Sahu, economics; Ravi Parameswaran, management and marketing

Distinguished professor emeritus: Karl D. Gregory

Professors emeriti: Elefterios Botsas, Daniel N. Braunstein, Ronald Horwitz, Sid Mittra, John Tower

Professors: Lizabeth A. Barclay, Mohammed S. Bazaz, Joseph H. Callaghan, Addington Coppin, Mohammad Dadashzadeh, Gadis J. Dillon, David P. Doane, Sherman R. Folland, John W. Henke, Oded Izraeli, Thomas W. Lauer, Paul Licker, J. Austin Murphy, Kevin J. Murphy, Ravi Parameswaran, Mohinder Parkash, Balaji Rajagopalan, Anandi P. Sahu, Howard S. Schwartz, Jonathan Silberman, Miron Stano, Vijayan Sugumaran, Kenneth M. York

Associate professors: Henry Aigbedo, Mukesh Bhargava, Xiaodong Deng, Eugene B. Fliedner, Mark W. Isken, Karl Majeske, Karen S. Markel, John Kim, Kieran Mathieson, Cynthia Miree-Coppin, Nivedita Mukherji, Robert Nehmer, Ram Orzach, Sandra H. Pelfrey, R. Mohan Pisharodi, James Serocki, Mark Simon, Joseph Schiele, Rajeev Singhal, Kasaundra Tomlin, Ronald L. Tracy, T.J. Wharton, Xie Zhu

Assistant professors: Ranadeb Chaudhuri, Tianxu Chen, Yu Vivienne Chen, Seong-Yeon Cho, Liang Fu, Joy Ruihua Jiang, Hong Qian, Jennifer Thor, Janell Townsend, Yin Yu, Jennifer E. Yugo, Ellen Zhu

Special instructors: Lori Dorko, Donna Free, Frederick Hoffman, Sukanya Rangarajan

Graduate Program Advisers: Paul Trumbull, coordinator, graduate business programs, Donna Free, faculty coordinator, masters of accounting program (MAcc)

Professional and Community Education: Anandi P. Sahu, PFP Director

Undergraduate Program Advisers: Julie Dermidoff, academic adviser; Theowianna English, extension site administrator/academic adviser, Debbie Lengyel, coordinator, undergraduate business programs

ACHIEVE Program:  Judy Martin, coordinator

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 on supporting its mission in the external community as well as provide consultation on goals and objectives.

The board members are:
Craig Stinson, Norman Group GmBH.,Chairman, Board of Visitors
John R. Crary, Chief Information Officer, American Red Cross
Kevin Gleeson, Attorney-at-Law, Sullivan, Ward, Asher & Patton, PC
Raymond Gunn, Chairman and CEO, MexAmerica
Timothy F. Healy, Executive Vice President, Takata-TK Holdings, Inc.
Mark J. Mendola, Vice Chairman - U.S. Tax Leader, PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP (NY)
Victor Naidu, President and CEO, Ramsoft Systems
Gary Pilibosian, CJI Process Systems, Inc.
William H. Sandy, Founder and former Chairman, retired, Sandy Corporation
John M. Savio, Vice President, Branch Operations, Oakland University Branch, Michigan State University Federal Credit Union
Douglas Smith, Senior Vice President Strategic Partnerships, MEDC
Mohan Tanniru, Dean, School of Business Administration, Oakland University, ex-officio

Mission

The mission of the School of Business Administration is to advance knowledge and enhance students’ abilities to manage in a global business environment. The mission is achieved through a synergistic combination of teaching, scholarship and professional service, with emphasis on the linkage of theory and practice, and the application and management of technology. Toward the achievement of these ends, the SBA promotes collaborative relationships among students, faculty, administrators and employers.

General Information

The School of Business Administration (SBA) 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:

1. Bachelor of Science with majors in accounting, business economics, economics, finance, general management, human resources management, management information systems, marketing and operations management;
2. 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);
3. 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 Department of Mathematics and Statistics section in the Arts and Sciences portion of the catalog for a description of this program);
4. Minors in accounting, applied technology in business (ATIB), business, economics, entrepreneurship, finance, human resources management, international management, management information systems, marketing, operations management, and quantitative methods.

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, which prepares graduates for a variety of professional accounting positions in public accounting, corporations, and other organizations. It provides appropriate technical accounting course work 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 decision-making. 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.

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 Web site at: sba.oakland.edu.

Degree Requirements

The curriculum described shall be followed by students entering the School of Business Administration beginning with the fall 2011 semester. Students enrolled prior to fall 2011 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 precore, the core, the major and free electives (if needed to reach 128 credits). Students in these programs must satisfy the specific requirements of each of these parts and must earn a minimum of 128 credits. (See Bachelor of Science with a major in economics for the specific requirements of that degree program.)
Each student must:

1. complete at least 128 credits, including any free electives needed to reach this total;
2. complete the university general education requirement as detailed in the general education section below, also under Undergraduate degree requirements;
3. complete the precore 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;
4. complete the core program and the requirements of one of the business majors in the SBA with a minimum grade of a 2.0 in each of the precore, 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;
5. complete at least 32 credits at the 300 level or above;
6. complete at least 32 credits at Oakland University, of which at least 31 credits must be in courses offered by the School of Business Administration, excluding
   ECN 150
     ,
   ECN 200
     or ECN 202  ),
   ECN 201
    ,
   ECN 210
     and
   QMM 240
    ,
   QMM 241
     and
   QMM 250
    . Of these 31 credits, at least 12 credits must be in the student’s major;
7. take the last 8 credits needed to complete baccalaureate requirements at Oakland University;
8. 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 one of the school’s advisers. Academic advising can be located in 232 Elliott Hall, (248) 370-3285. To avoid delays, students are encouraged to seek advising 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. Business students participate in mandatory prescribed activities that enhance their career and professional skills. This professional development series is structured so that students learn about the different business careers and the leadership and professional skills they will need to land a job and succeed in their chosen profession.  SBC Scholar Courses 

Requirements for Business Administration Majors

General education requirement

Students in the School of Business Administration must satisfy the university general education requirement (see Undergraduate degree requirements). Students may use one catalog for the general education requirements and another for the specific degree requirements. Students enrolled prior to fall 2011 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:
  1. WRT 160  and its prerequisites;
  2. an intensive writing course in other general education requirements. This category is normally covered for business majors by WRT 382 - Business Writing  or ECN 326 ; and
  3. an intensive writing course in the major. This category is normally covered for business majors by MGT 435 - Management Strategies and Policies , STA 402 , or ECN 405 .
• Formal Reasoning: This category is normally covered for SBA majors by the required MTH 121  or MTH 122  or MTH 154 .
• Knowledge Explorations: The social science requirement in this category is normally covered for SBA majors by (ECN 200  or ECN 202 ) or ECN 201  or ECN 210 . The global perspective requirement in this category is normally covered for SBA majors by MGT 110  or ECN 202  or ECN 326  . The rest of this category is covered by one course each in 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 240 , QMM 241  or QMM 250 .
• Capstone course: This category is normally covered for business majors by  MGT 435 , ECN 450 , or APM 450  .
• 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 103 - Introduction to Ethics , to satisfy the university’s Western civilization general education knowledge exploration requirement.

Precore 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 2.0 in each course.  Students who have taken ECN200 under a previous catalog will be able to count this course toward the ECN202 requirement.

The required writing and precore 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 199 , SBC 299 ).

* If a student places into and completes MTH 154  with the required minimum grade, MTH 141  is not required. If a student does not place into calculus, MTH 121  and MTH 122  or MTH 141  and MTH 154  must be completed with the required minimum grade.

The freshman and sophomore years of study for students pursuing the business administration program will be devoted to the writing, general education and precore 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 061 , MTH 062 , MTH 121 , MTH 122 , QMM 240  and QMM 241  (or QMM 250 ). 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 435 , may be required for some 300 and 400 level courses within a student’s major, and to be awarded an undergraduate business degree. Applications are filed with the Center for Student Advising and Development, 232 Elliott Hall. Students who do not apply for major standing during the semester that they are completing the precore requirements run a high risk of registration and major completion difficulties. To be eligible to take 300- and 400-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:

1. Student’s admissibility to and retention in the university;
2. Completion of the writing requirement;
3. A minimum grade point average of 2.6 in all courses taken at Oakland University (with a minimum of 6 credits completed at Oakland University);
4. A minimum grade of 2.0 in each of the following precore courses or their equivalents: ACC 200 , ACC 210 ; COM 201  or COM 202 ; (ECN 202  or ECN 200 ) and ECN 201 ) (or ECN 210 ); MIS 100 ; (MTH 061 , MTH 062  if required by the math placement); MTH 121 , MTH 122 ; QMM 240  (or QMM 250 )
5. Submission of an “Application for Major Standing” for the desired major.
6. Completion of SBC 199  and SBC 299  for students admitted to the SBA in 2010/2011 or after.

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 prep 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 300- and 400-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, the 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 2011/2012 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 300-400 level business courses in the core program (i.e., MKT 302 , ORG 330 , MIS 300 , POM 343 , FIN 322 , ORG 331 , and MGT 350 ) 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 grade of 2.0.

 *MGT 435  requires major standing and only business majors may take these courses.

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. Double majors are permitted in all areas except general management. No more than 4 credits of independent study (490) courses may be used to meet the major elective requirement. Courses numbered 380 and 480 may be repeated for up to 8 credits provided the topics are different. Students will be required to complete ACC 399 or ECN 399 or FIN 399 or ORG 399 or MGT 399 or MIS 399 or MKT 399 or POM 399 as part of their major program.

Free Electives

Students complete their program by taking a course or courses of their choice to yield a total of 128 credits. While the general education portion 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 course work that responds to their individual interests and/or needs.

Bachelor of Science with a Major in Actuarial Sciences

Major adviser: Ronald L. Tracy

Because an actuary needs a blend of mathematics, economics, statistics, and finance, this major is offered jointly by the Department of Economics and the Department of Mathematics and Statistics through the College of Arts and Sciences. See the Economics, Actuarial Science, B.S.  section in the College of Arts and Sciences portion of the catalog.

Minors

The School of Business Administration offers 12 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 and entrepreneurship minors. The minor in applied technology in business (ATiB) is open only to business and economics majors, and admission to the minor is competitive. See the description of the minor in applied technology in business below for the grade requirements and other features of this 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 entrepreneurship), and to take 300- and 400- level business classes, non-business students must meet with the minor coordinator and have an approved university concentration/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 2.0 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 6 of these 9 credits must be in courses at the 300 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,

Policies and Procedures

High school admissions

For entering freshmen, admission to pre-business is restricted to those presenting a 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 a 2.80 cumulative grade point average and mathematics through intermediate algebra (equal to

Internal transfer

Oakland University students seeking admission to pre-business from other programs will be considered for admission after they have completed

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.

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 160.  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 150, 200, 201, 202, 210, and QMM240, 241, and 250.  Of these 31 credits, at least 12 credits must be in the student’s major.  Second degree students are exempt from ACHIEVE-SBC 199, SBC 299, and SBC 399, 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 precore or core course in which a 2.0 grade 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. 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: Numerical grades less than 2.0 and U grades are considered substandard. A course in which a grade below 2.0 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 either

Mandatory Advising: Undecided Business Students whose cumulative GPA is between a 2.0 and 2.59 may be required to meet with an academic adviser in the SBA following the semester when their cumulative GPA dropped below the required 2.6 and every semester until their GPA returns to at least a 2.6 cumulative. 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 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 corequisite 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 Undergraduate Advising, 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 canceled.

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:

1. Student must have at least a 3.00 cumulative overall GPA.
2. Students must have achieved major standing.
3. Independent Study cannot be used in lieu of a required course.
4. 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.
5. Part-time SBA faculty members cannot supervise an Independent Study.
6. The Independent Study contract must be completed by the student and signed by the faculty  adviser, department chair and the Coordinator of Undergraduate Advising prior to registering for the course.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. The student must be made aware of the basis for grading prior to registering for an Independent Study.
10. Undergraduate students cannot register for Independent Study if they already have or are taking more than 8 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 a 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 the 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 (ECN 303 , FIN 322 , POM 343 )
Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the assumptions needed to analyze the assigned case or problem.
2. Identify the relevant and irrelevant data or information presented in the case or problem.
3. Identify the different questions or approaches that could be considered in order to answer the problem or case.
4. Derive or describe the solution to the problem or case.

Learning Goal 2: Global Business Environment (ECN 201 , MKT 302 )
Learning Objectives:

1. Show awareness of a global issue relevant to business or the economy.
2. Demonstrate understanding of factors and/or forces associated with this issue.
3. Explain the impact of this issue on the business environment.

Learning Goal 3: Information Technology and Management (MIS 100 )
IT Learning Objectives:

1. Create a professional document using a word processor.
2. Conduct research using the Internet.
3. Create an effective presentation using a presentation package.
4. Collect and analyze data using a spreadsheet.
5. Use a database software.

IM Learning Objectives:

1. Identify alignment/misalignment of identified information (IS strategy) with organizational goals/objectives (Organizational strategy).
2. Identify types of systems appropriate to the decision-making level within the organization.
3. Organize information properly for efficient storage and retrieval.
4. Identify the issues involved in creating information for decision making from data sources.
5. Identify the use of IS to support decision making in functional areas.

Learning Goal 4: Communications Skills (MGT 350 , MGT 435 , QMM 241 )
Written Communication Learning Objectives:

1. Be able to articulate main concept(s) in writing.
2. Be able to write logically.
3. Be able to write clearly and concisely.
4. Be able to write using correct grammar and spelling.

Oral Communication Learning Objectives:

1. Be able to articulate main concept(s) orally.
2. Be able to speak coherently.
3. Be able to keep audience’s attention.
4. Be able to use time effectively.

Learning Goal 5: Real World Business Applications (MGT 435 , ORG 331 )
Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the underlying issue(s) for the given business situation or case.
2. Identify the appropriate theory (ies) or theoretical construct(s) that apply to the given business situation or case.
3. Apply theory (ies) or theoretical construct(s) to the given business situation or case to generate alternatives.

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,

Additional Information

Career experience

The Career Experience unit of Career Services assists students in gaining non-credit 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 offered in the following programs: 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. Students are placed in 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 on the Career Services web site at oakland.edu/career services or by contacting the Career Services office at 154 North Foundation Hall, 248-370-3250.

Honors, awards and scholarships

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: 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.

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 5 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 Accounting Scholarship: This $1,000 scholarship 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. The award can be applied against Oakland University tuition.

Accounting and Finance Advisory Board Finance Scholarship: This $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to an undergraduate finance major who exhibits a strong interest in pursuing a career in finance and demonstrates leadership. The scholarship winner is selected by the AFAB scholarship committee. The award can be applied against Oakland University tuition.

Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship Fund: This $3,000 award is available to junior or senior business majors with at least 3.00 GPA in their major. See applications for other criteria.

Benedettini-Pearson Endowed Scholarship: This 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.

Bud Kulezsa Family Endowed Scholarship Fund: This $1,000 scholarship is awarded to the undergraduate accounting major who has completed at least two accounting courses beyond ACC 210, has at least a 3.00 overall GPA, and has at least a 3.00 GPA in accounting courses. Foreign language ability and evidence of an entrepreneurial spirit will enhance the application.

Derderian Kann Seyferth & Salucci: This $1,000 tuition award is open to undergraduate accounting majors with a minimum GPA of 3.00 or above.

Diane and Michael Grieves Endowed Diversity Scholarship: This estimated $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to economically disadvantaged full-time (minimum 12 credits) undergraduate 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 a 2.60 cumulative GPA at Oakland University, be a US citizen or legal permanent resident and applied for Financial Aid in the distribution year.

Dicron Tafralian Memorial Scholarship: This $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually, on a merit basis, to a continuing accounting major at Oakland University. 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.

Doeren Mayhew Award: This $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to an undergraduate accounting major. Candidates must have at least junior standing, a 3.00 or higher GPA in courses taken at Oakland University, and have an interest in pursuing a career in public accounting. The scholarship can be used only for tuition.

Francis C. Amos SBA Alumni 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.

Gale Blank Copple Endowed Economics Scholarship: This $1,000 scholarship is given annually in recognition of outstanding achievements in economics and overall academic accomplishments to a member of Oakland University’s Women’s Economic Society. Applicants must have senior standing and must maintain full-time status during the next academic year. They must have completed at least four courses in economics with a GPA of at least 3.00 and must have an overall GPA of at least 3.00.

Marvin L. Katke Scholarship: This scholarship awards a junior or senior business major with at least a 3.00 GPA who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement and extra-curricular and/or civic involvement.  This scholarship normally awards $2,500.

Lorenz Awards for Rising Seniors: These awards are to recognize academic excellence in SBA juniors who are moving into their senior year. A  $2,000 tuition scholarship for the senior year will be awarded to the junior student who has the highest overall GPA in the SBA; $750 goes to the student with the second highest GPA; $500 awards go to the students with the third highest GPA.

Meer Scholarship: This $2,500 scholarship award is open to an undergraduate student at the University and admitted to major standing in the School of Business Administration. Candidates must have a 2.80 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.

Paul F. Lorenz/Texas Instruments Excellence Awards: This award is based on undergraduate academic excellence. An ward of $1,000 will be made to the graduating senior with the highest overall GPAs.

Professor Ronald M. Horwitz Outstanding Finance Student Scholarship Award: This $1,000 award is given to the graduating undergraduate finance major with the best combination of academics and activities, as determined by the Department of Accounting and Finance faculty. Significantly greater emphasis is placed on academic performance in finance courses. Serving in a leadership role in student activities will also be an important factor.

SBA Tower Scholarship: This $2,000 scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in the School of Business Administration.

Stephan and Rita Sharf Scholarship: A scholarship awarded annually to an upper division student who will be enrolled full-time in the SBA. Selection is based upon academic achievement and demonstrated financial need. This scholarship normally awards $2,000.

TMBKS Family Scholarship Award – Accounting: The $1,500 tuition/book assistance award is available to qualified undergraduate accounting majors who has exhibited an outstanding combination of academic performance and extracurricular activities.

TMBKS Family  Scholarship Award – DIS: The $1,500 tuition/book assistance award is available to qualified junior or senior students who have achieved major standing in DIS.

Volkswagen of America Corporate Leadership Scholarship Award: These scholarship awards were established to assist talented students pursuing a career in business. Candidates must be full-time students, have achieved junior standing, have a GPA of 3.00 or above, and have demonstrated financial need. This scholarship normally awards $2,000.

Course Offerings

Required precore and core courses for students majoring in the business programs are generally offered each fall, winter and summer semesters.

Except as noted, the 300- and 400-level ACC, ENT, FIN, ATB, MGT, MIS, MKT, POM and QMM courses require that the student have major standing in business or an approved concentration/ minor authorization form that includes the course in order to register for the course. Economics courses at the 300-400 level require major standing only for business majors. The 300-level courses should be taken during the junior year (56-90 credits). Non-business majors are allowed to take ENT courses. Courses titled “Survey of” are only permitted for non-business majors pursuing a business minor. Except for courses that fulfill the business minor, 300- or 400-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 500-level accounting and management information systems courses are designed as advanced electives for undergraduate accounting and management information systems majors and as electives for students in the Masters of Accounting program. 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: sail.oakland.edu.

Return to: Departments