Business Administration

A survey of activities involved in the marketing of products to consumer and industrial markets. Topics include pricing, product development, promotion, distribution, and environmental forces that affect marketing.

Preparation of students for career success. Students will evaluate appropriate career direction, create relevant goals, identify transferable skills and experience, and effectively market themselves in resumes, cover letters, portfolios, networking environments, and employment interviews.

A survey of effective management techniques for achieving organizational objectives in business, non- profit institutions, and government agencies with emphasis the four basic functions of management: planning, organizing, leading, and controlling.  The course introduces Social Entrepreneurship with a focus on the triple bottom line.

The course involves analyses of the intersection of government, business, law, and society. Policies, ethics, and the maintenance and regulation of competition at the local, national, and global levels are explored in relation to how organizations are governed – internally and externally.

A systematic analysis of the legal concepts applicable to business organizations, legal rights and remedies, secured transactions, commercial paper, property, and bankruptcy.

An introduction to consumer behavior as it affects an organization’s marketing strategy and policy decisions. The course offers various perspectives on marketing activities with emphasis on basic psychological, social, cultural, and situational influences.

Examination of techniques and procedures relating to the design of operations, including planning and control, quality control, inventory management, maintenance management, and product planning systems. Not repeatable for credit.

An introduction to the management of individuals and small groups in the work place. This course studies the basic theory of behavior within organizations, including topics such as the dynamics of small groups, informal structures within an organization, and the significance of the social environment.

Students will learn how companies and brands promote and build their businesses through digital platforms – websites, email, content marketing, video, and online ads. The class will also focus on the digital analytics needed to assess effectiveness – SEO, keywords, and Google Analytics.

Exploration of the background necessary to run a statistical project from data collection through to analysis and interpretation of results with emphasis on probability distributions, statistical inference, and regression analysis.

This course introduces concepts and tools for analyzing and improving existing processes or designing new ones. The main focus is on Lean Six Sigma concepts but includes other tools and concepts. The course also introduces the strategic application of quality management concepts and quality systems with an emphasis on value creation. Upon completion of the course, the student should understand and be able to apply the ASQ Six Sigma Yellow Belt Body of Knowledge.

The management of diversity and inclusion has evolved from a focus on compliance to a strategic-level effort with a demonstrated positive impact on an organization's performance. In the current business climate, companies that strive for both diversity and inclusion are achieving intended business results. They provide the proof that diversity and inclusion are much more than a legal or moral requirement; they're also a competitive advantage. This course provides an overview of the evolution of the management of diversity and inclusion and presents targeted and high-involvement diversity practices. It examines diversity in the contexts of teams and leaders, and it frames diversity in terms of current business and cultural challenges.

The Business to Business (B2B) Marketing course will explore the principles and practices of marketing in a business-to-business context. The course will cover organizations' strategies and tactics to market their products and services to other businesses, including customer relationship management, segmentation, targeting, and more.

In the Practical Applications in Marketing class, students will join the Highland Road Marketing student-run agency. As team members, students will help external small business clients with website development, social media, event management, branding, and new business development. 
Students can take the class for credit for two semesters (6 total credit hours).

Study of the process of managing human resources to achieve organizational objectives. Students will build a foundation for the process of personnel selection, development, and maintenance, as well as consider the activities of unions and other employee organizations.

Study of selected topics in business administration. Prerequisites will vary.

Study of varying topics in business administration. Includes a two-week Nichols trip. Prerequisites will vary.

Study of how management uses marketing information systems and marketing research as decision- making tools with emphasis on research design, questionnaire construction, sampling, data processing, quantitative analysis, and research applications.

A marketing class structured around an in-house student-run marketing services firm that involves designing a practical and academically rigorous course. This approach provides students with hands-on experience in applying marketing concepts and strategies in real-world scenarios, thus enhancing their learning and readiness for future professional roles. Cross-listed: ECON 101/PSY 101

The New Product Development (NPD) course will explore how new products are brought to market – from concept development to commercialization. In this course, students will learn the fundamentals of product management and modern project management used to bring new products to market.

Holistic study of the organization, focusing on the major determinants of organizational effectiveness.

Social Entrepreneurship is Part one of the capstone experience required for completion of the Business Administration Major and Social Entrepreneurship Minor. An examination of the activities involved in the planning, establishing, and launching a social business enterprise. Students will explore the various start-up options for businesses and non-profits, then prepare a business plan for the proposed enterprise. 

Part Two of the Business Capstone Experience.  Students will complete the business plans started in BUS 415, prepare for and compete in the Arkansas Business Plan Competition.  Additional topics include, project implementation, career development, and career planning.

The Advanced Marketing Theories course will explore advanced marketing concepts, theories, strategies, and innovative new trends successfully used by marketers today. Students will learn advanced marketing strategies and techniques using research projects and case studies.

An overview of international business activities with emphasis on gaining an international perspective of cultural dynamics, business practices, political and legal environments, and global market strategies.

Special topics or projects in social entrepreneurship include participation in social business competitions as directed by the instructor. May be repeated for up to 4 credits if topics or projects are different. 

Practical experience exposing students to real business situations. Students will serve as consultants to small business owners in the region and prepare a case report at the end of the semester containing their findings and recommendations. 

Students will gain field experience through direct, supervised work in a selected, approved company. The internship will involve a minimum of 140 contact hours over the course of a semester, and interns will provide periodic reports to the faculty supervisor. Course can be taken two times for credit. 

Students will conduct independent research on a selected subject in the area of business administration. Faculty members will guide students through the research process to accomplish agreed upon objectives, and students will submit a research paper and make an oral presentation at the end of the semester. Prerequisite:

Students will gain field experience through direct, supervised work in a selected, approved company. The internship will involve a minimum of 140 contact hours over the course of a semester, and interns will provide periodic reports to the faculty supervisor.   The internship will primarily focus on Social Entrepreneurship or CSR (corporate social responsibility) topics and projects.  

Concentrated study of selected advanced topics in Management, Operations, Marketing, Human Resources, and Accounting. Prerequisites will vary.

Examination of the problems involved in the formulation and execution of business policies and maintenance and development of an effective organization. Includes the use of case studies as a basis for discussion.

An introduction to key concepts in economic development with a focus on social and environmental sustainability. Topics are presented mainly from a regional economics perspective. The role of social entrepreneurship in creating social capital and economic development is also examined. 

This course is an introduction to the US healthcare system and the practice of healthcare management. Students will learn how the healthcare industry functions and explore the roles and impacts of its various parts. Students will also have the opportunity to compare and contrast the US healthcare system with those of other nations.

This course covers how to apply concepts of finance and accounting to healthcare. Students will learn how to track and evaluate the financial status of a healthcare organization. Additionally, students will learn how healthcare systems finance growth, and other projects. By the end of this course, students will be able to analyze issues and trends in healthcare finance and use financial information to support healthcare decision-making.

This course is an overview of healthcare law in the United States. It covers the ethical and legal issues that healthcare providers and administrators are confronted within the modern workforce. By the end of this course, students will understand how the legal environment shapes the medical profession and how to analyze and respond to a range of ethical and legal issues

This course helps students understand the process of analyzing patient and other healthcare data to drive change and achieve greater efficiencies in healthcare systems. Students will acquire the programming and scripting skills (no prior experience needed) they need to analyze and explore data sets. By the end of this course, students will be able to perform statistical analyses of healthcare data and turn it into actionable information to improve healthcare systems.

This course is an introduction to healthcare operations. Students will learn about operations and systems management within the context of healthcare systems, how hospital supply chains work, and how to analyze operational processes to improve efficiencies. By the end of this course, students will know how to evaluate and optimize hospital processes.

This course is the culmination of the work students conduct in the Healthcare Administration Minor. Students will learn to apply strategic thinking to healthcare management and complete a major project in which they propose a systemic change to a hospital or hospital system. By the end of this course, student will have honed and improved your relevant skills and created a portfolio project to show future prospective employers.