Business, School of | Catalog 2016-17

253.535.7244

www.plu.edu/busa/

Mission

The PLU School of Business is a community of compassionate faculty, staff and administrators who provide an excellent liberal arts-based education and student-centered learning environment that inspires students to: LEARN for life; LIVE purposefully; LEAD responsibly; and CARE for others.

Bachelor of Business Administration Degree Overall Requirements

A minimum of 128 semester hours
An overall minimum grade point average of 2.50
A minimum 2.50 grade point average separately in business courses
C- minimum grade in all business courses
At least 55 semester hours business, including 16 semester hours of business electives
A minimum of 28 semester hours in business must be taken in residence at PLU
Business degree and concentration requirements are established at time of major declaration

Students with a declared major in business who have not attended the University for a period of three years or more will be held to the business degree requirements in affect at the time of re-entry to the University. Transfer and continuing students should see the catalog under which they entered the program and consult with the undergraduate coordinator regarding degree requirements.

Upper-division business course access is limited to students who have been admitted to the School of Business.

Admission Criteria

The professional Bachelor of Business Administration degree program is composed of an upper-division business curriculum with a strong base in the liberal arts.

To be admitted to the School of Business, a student must:

be officially admitted to the University and
indicate intentions of studying business.

Academic Policies

Pass/Fail of Foundation Classes

Pass/Fail is allowed for no more than one supplemental class from MATH 128, CSCE 120, ECON 101 or STAT 231 only, and as defined in the Pass/Fail section of this catalog. Other supplemental and business courses may not be taken Pass/Fail, except for BUSA 495: Internship which is only offered Pass/Fail.

Upper-Division Prerequisites

All upper-division business courses have the following prerequisites: BUSA 201, 202, and 203; CSCE 120; ECON 101; MATH 128 or 151; STAT 231; or permission of School of Business dean or his/her designate. Declared business majors may apply to co-enroll in BUSA 203 and one or more of the following: BUSA 302 (junior standing required), 303 or 304, 305, 308.

Bachelor of Business Administration Degree

Major in Business Administration

B.B.A. Core
40 semester hours

BUSA 201: Introduction to Business in the Global Environment (May be offered as BUSA 190)
BUSA 202: Financial Accounting (4)
BUSA 203: Managerial Accounting (4)
BUSA 302: Business Finance (4)
BUSA 303: Business Law and Ethics (4)
BUSA 305: Behavior in Organizations (4)
BUSA 308: Principles of Marketing (4)
BUSA 309: Creating Value in Operations (4)
BUSA 310: Information Systems and Database Management (4)
BUSA 499: Capstone: Strategic Management (4)
B.B.A. Elective Requirement: Any 16 semester hours of upper-division business electives or any non-business elective courses approved by a student’s faculty advisor. Minimum of 12 semester hours elective in business required.

Supplemental Course Requirements

Supplemental courses may also satisfy the General Education Program (GenEd). See the General Education Program section of this catalog.

Supplemental Courses
ECON 101: Principles of Microeconomics (4)
MATH 128: Linear Models and Calculus, An Introduction (4) or MATH 151: Introduction to Calculus (4) (Math 151 recommended for finance concentration)
STAT 231: Introductory Statistics (4)
PHIL 225: Business Ethics (4)
Strongly recommended: CSCI 120: Computerized Information Systems

Concentrations

16 to 24 semester hours

This requirement is filled if a concentration is completed. Concentration designations are available in the following: accounting, finance, management and human resources, marketing, and individualized.

Concentration Requirements

3.00 GPA required in the concentration area courses
C- is the minimum acceptable grade in any concentration course
A minimum of 12 semester hours of the total concentration requirements must be taken in residency at PLU
Internship highly recommended but does not apply toward concentrations’ requirements

Accounting

24 semester hours

BUSA 320: Accounting Information Systems (4)
BUSA 321: Intermediate Accounting I (4)
BUSA 322: Intermediate Accounting II (4)
BUSA 422: Consolidations and SEC Reporting (4)
BUSA 424: Auditing (4)
BUSA 427: Tax Accounting (4)
Recommended:
- BUSA 323: Cost Accounting and Control Systems (4)
- BUSA 423: Accounting for Nonprofits and Government Entities (4)

Finance

20 semester hours

BUSA 335: Investments and Portfolio Management (4)
BUSA 437: Financial Analysis and Strategy (4)
And, either Option A or B below
- Option A
  - BUSA 438: Empirical Finance or ECON 344: Econometrics (4)
  - ECON 322: Money and Banking (4)
  - And 4 semester hours from the following:
    - BUSA 321: Intermediate Accounting I (4)
    - BUSA 337: International Finance and Risk Management (4)
    - BUSA 430: Finance for Entrepreneurial and Privately-Held Firms (4)
- Option B
  - ECON 344: Econometrics (4)
  - And, 8 semester hours from the following:
    - BUSA 321: Intermediate Accounting I (4)
    - BUSA 337: International Finance (4)
    - BUSA 430: Finance for Entrepreneurial and Privately-Held Firms (4)

NOTE: ECON 102 is a prerequisite for most upper-division economics classes. Either ECON 322 or 344 may apply to the concentration, but not both.

Recommended:
- MATH 151/152 as substitute for MATH 128
- ECON 302
- Minor in economics and/or mathematics

Management and Human Resources

16 semester hours

BUSA 342: Managing Human Resources (4)
And 12 semester hours from the following (at least 8 semester hours from BUSA):
- BUSA 340: Nonprofit Management (4)
- BUSA 352: Global Management (4)
- BUSA 358: Entrepreneurship (4)
- BUSA 442: Leading Organizational Improvement (4)
- BUSA 449: Strategic Human Resource Management (4)
- ECON 321: Labor Economics (4)
- Note: Recommended track for human resource professional includes: BUSA 342, 440, 442, 449, and ECON 321.

Marketing

16 semester hours

BUSA 363: Consumer Behavior (4)
BUSA 467: Marketing Research (4)
BUSA 468: Marketing Management (4)
And 4 semester hours from the following:
- BUSA 361: e-Marketing (4)
- BUSA 362: Sustainable Marketing (4)
- BUSA 364: Services Marketing (4)
- BUSA 460: International Marketing (4)

Individualized

16 semester hours

Hours must be upper-division electives in purposeful selection. Proposal must be made in advance and not later than second semester of the junior year. Proposal to include statement of objectives, rationale, program of study, and endorsement of a business faculty sponsor. Requires approval of the dean or his/her designate. Only 4 semester hours of independent study, if approved, may apply to the concentration. Variations on existing concentrations are not acceptable.

Minors

20 semester hours minimum

All courses in a minor must be completed with a grade of C- or higher. A cumulative grade point average of 2.50 for all courses in a minor is required; and at least 12 semester hours must be completed in residence. Internships and independent study do not apply to the business administration minor.

Business Administration Minor

A minimum of 20 semester hours, including:

BUSA 201: Introduction to Business in the Global Environment (4)
BUSA 202: Financial Accounting (4)
BUSA 305: Behavior in Organizations (4)
BUSA 308: Principles of Marketing (4)
And any 4 semester hours from accounting courses or upper-division business courses in addition to those listed above. See Business Minor rules above.

Nonprofit Leadership Minor

A minimum of 20 semester hours, including:

BUSA 308: Principles of Marketing (4)
BUSA 340: Nonprofit Management (4)
BUSA 341: Nonprofit Financial Literacy (4)
Elective: 4 semester hours
Internship: 4 semester hours

Students in the nonprofit leadership minor (NPLM) are required to take BUSA 340 before BUSA 308 unless they are declared business majors or general business minors.

Students must choose an elective, outside of the School of Business, in consultation with both their major advisor and the NPLM advisor. Final approval is made by a representative of the School of Business. The elective connects nonprofit study to the student’s major, minor or other area of interest by enhancing the student’s ability to understand nonprofit organizations or apply discipline specific learning in a nonprofit setting. Other courses within the School of Business, even if the student is a business major, may not be used to fulfill the elective hours. Courses used for General Education Program Elements may not be used to fulfill the elective hours.

The internship may be from any department or school but must be in a nonprofit setting. Up to two courses (8 semester hours) may be counted toward both a nonprofit leadership minor and another minor or major.

Specialized Minor in Business Administration

A minimum of 20 semester hours in business courses, including: BUSA 201

Specific business courses shall be designated by the School of Business faculty in consultation with the chair or dean of the discipline in which the student is majoring. See business minor rules above.

Specialized Business Minor in Marketing
A minimum of 20 semester hours in business including:

BUSA 201: Introduction to Business in the Global Environment
BUSA 308: Principles of Marketing
BUSA 363: Consumer Behavior
And, any 8 semester hours from the following:

Fast Track Admission to Graduate Programs

PLU undergraduate students from any major, wishing to attend a PLU School of Business graduate program, may do so through Fast Track Admission. Students may apply at any time during their PLU undergraduate experience. Candidates, who meet the Fast Track criteria, remain admitted to a master’s program in the School of Business as they complete their PLU undergraduate degree with at least minimum qualifications. Please contact the appropriate graduate program director for details.

Accounting Certificate Program
24 semester hours

The Accounting Certificate program is available for students who hold a baccalaureate degree, or are pursuing a baccalaureate degree (any field) and wish to complete the accounting course educational requirements to sit for the Certified Public Account (CPA) examination.

Requirements for the certificate include: 24 semester hours from BUSA 202, 203, 320, 321, 322, 323, 422, 423, 424, and 427; a cumulative 3.00 GPA in accounting courses; and a minimum of C- in any course.

Please note that there are additional courses and experience requirements to sit for the CPA exam which are not met by this certificate program; completion of these other requirements is the student’s responsibility. Contact the School of Business at 253.535.7252 for further information.

Business (BUSA) - Undergraduate Courses

BUSA 190 : FYEP190: Inquiry Seminar

A four-credit seminar to introduce students to the methods and topics of study within a particular academic discipline or field. Students practice the academic skills that are at the center of the General Education Program. (4)

BUSA 201 : Introduction to Business in the Global Environment

Understanding business in the global marketplace and how functions and applications contribute to mission. Introduction to domestic and global economic, competitive, social, cultural, political, and legal environments of the business enterprise, and how to integrate ethical and socially responsible behavior in the business environment. Opportunity to reflect on professional goals and explore potential careers in business. (4)

BUSA 202 : Financial Accounting

Accounting for financial performance for the use of external decision-makers considering investment in a business organization. Origins and uses of financial information; accounting concepts and principles; logic, content, and format of financial statements; accounting issues in the U.S. and other nations. Prerequisite: MATH 128 or 151 or higher or co-enrollment in MATH 128 or 151 or higher. (4)

BUSA 203 : Managerial Accounting

Introduction to the use of accounting data for decision making, managerial planning, and operational control. Topics include cost-volume-profit relationships, operational budgeting, capital budgeting, and performance evaluation. Familiarity with Microsoft Excel or other spreadsheet software is required. Prerequisite: BUSA 202. (4)

BUSA 287 : Special Topics in Business

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

BUSA 288 : Special Topics in Business

Seminar on selected topic in business. (1 to 4)

BUSA 289 : Special Topics in Business

BUSA 291 : Directed Study

To provide individual undergraduate students with introductory study not available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as DS: followed by the specific title designated by the student. (1 to 4)

BUSA 302 : Business Finance

Foundations of finance (e.g., time-value, risk-return relationship, market efficiency, cost of capital), corporate finance (e.g., statement analysis, decision making, capital structure, firm financing), asset pricing (e.g., valuation, diversification), and an introduction to selected topics (e.g., behavioral finance, ethics, investments, international finance), with an emphasis on using spreadsheets to develop quantitative skills. Prerequisites: BUSA 202, ECON 101, and STAT 231. (4)

BUSA 303 : Business Law and Ethics

Surveys significant areas of business law essential to effective managerial decision making. Topics include contract, tort, agency, property, employment, and the legal structures of business organizations. Introduces the Uniform Commercial Code sections affecting financial transactions. Explores the interrelationship of law, ethics, and principles of sustainability. Prerequisite: BUSA 201. (4)

BUSA 305 : Behavior in Organizations

Exploration of how to organize and manage in today's context of changing internal and external demands and expectations, with emphasis on group and individual dynamics, teamwork, and related topics in managing human resources. Studies how tasks, processes, individuals, groups, and structure relate to one another and to effective organizational performance. Prerequisite: BUSA 201. (4)

BUSA 308 : Principles of Marketing

Introduces the role of sustainable marketing in a global society. Topics covered include marketing planning, consumer behavior, marketing research, and an emphasis on marketing mix decisions for firms and nonprofit organizations. Prerequisite: BUSA 201 or 340. (4)

BUSA 309 : Creating Value in Operations

The holistic study of the organization and management of value producing processes in services, manufacturing, and other economic activities. Prerequisites: BUSA 201, STAT 231 and MATH 128 or 151 or higher. (4)

BUSA 310 : Information Systems and Database Management

Introduction to information technology and systems from a management perspective. Strategic use of technology and systems, and impacts on industry competition, corporate strategy, organization structure, and the firm's value creation process. Basic concepts, strategies, and features of database design and management and how database applications support managerial decision-making and business operations. Prerequisite: BUSA 201. Recommended: CSCI 120. (4)

BUSA 320 : Accounting Information Systems

Study of the flow of accounting information through an enterprise, systems documentation, internal controls, and database applications in accounting. Familiarity with Microsoft Excel is expected. Prerequisite: BUSA 201 and 202. (4)

BUSA 321 : Intermediate Accounting I

Concentrated study of the conceptual framework of accounting, valuation theories, asset and income measurement, and financial statement disclosures in the U.S. and abroad. Familiarity with Microsoft Excel is expected. Prerequisite: BUSA 201 and 202. (4)

BUSA 322 : Intermediate Accounting II

Advanced study of, and research on measurement and valuation of assets, liabilities and income, and financial statement disclosure issues. Includes evaluation of U.S. framework relative to those of other international frameworks. Prerequisite: BUSA 321. (4)

BUSA 323 : Cost Accounting and Control Systems

A critical examination of systems for cost accounting and managerial control. Emphasis on development of skills to critique cost and control systems and to understand the dynamic relationship between systems, operations, strategy, and performance evaluation. Prerequisite: BUSA 203. (4)

BUSA 335 : Investments and Portfolio Management

Theory and practice of securities (e.g., stocks, bonds, derivatives, hybrids) valuation as well as portfolio construction and evaluation. Emphasis on applying classroom concepts in real-time to student-managed portfolios. Exposure to complicating factors including taxes, the risk-return relationship, pricing anomalies, and behavioral issues in investing. Prerequisite: BUSA 302. (4)

BUSA 337 : International Finance and Risk Management

Management of cross-border financial issues, including managing exchange rates, accessing global capital markets, conducting foreign investment, and financing foreign trade. Techniques (e.g., options, swaps, futures, insurance) and firm decisions (degrees of economic, operating, and financial leverage) are considered both generally (to firm risk) and specifically to international issues. Prerequisite: BUSA 302. (4)

BUSA 340 : Nonprofit Management

Overview of the nonprofit sector. Topics include: scope and context of the sector; operating strategies and organizing principles of nonprofit entities; management and leadership challenges unique to the sector such as HRM strategies and accountability mechanisms, working with volunteers, fundraising, ethics, and legal issues. Students will have the opportunity to engage with leaders of nonprofit organizations. No prerequisites and open to any major. (4)

BUSA 341 : Nonprofit Financial Literacy

Introduction to financial reporting, budgeting and control and financial development for the nonprofit sector. Topics will include goals of financial management in the nonprofit sector, differences from reporting in the profit sector, safeguarding financial resources, revenue and expense budgets, and tax and payroll requirements. Prerequisite: BUSA 340.

BUSA 342 : Managing Human Resources

HR's changing role in organizations, workforce planning, job analysis and design, staffing, talent and performance management, total rewards, retention, risk management, and employee and labor relations, with emphasis on employment law and managing diversity. Integration of globalization, ethics, HR metrics, and HR's use of technology. Prerequisite: BUSA 305. (4)

BUSA 352 : Global Management

Integrated study of challenges faced by managers in large and small organizations as they do business globally. Competencies involved in communicating, negotiating, strategizing, organizing, making decisions, leading people, and managing a multicultural workforce across borders and cultures. Prerequisite: BUSA 305. (4)

BUSA 358 : Entrepreneurship

Intensive study of issues and challenges associated with start-up, growth, and maturation of a new enterprise. Emphasizes reduction of risk through planning for and assessing possible future conditions. Prerequisite: BUSA 201. (4)

BUSA 361 : e-Marketing

Provides an overview of marketing issues associated with marketing by electronic means, including the Internet, by businesses and nonprofit organizations. Explores how e-marketing fits in the organization's overall marketing strategy. Prerequisite: BUSA 308. (4)

BUSA 362 : Sustainable Marketing

Investigates the environmental impact of marketing decisions of both product and service organizations as well as how marketing practices impact business sustainability. Addresses ethical concerns of overconsumption and materialism. For this class, sustainability refers to the organization accounting for its social, environmental, and economic impacts. Open to any major. (4)

BUSA 363 : Consumer Behavior

Processes involved as consumers gain awareness, establish purchasing criteria, screen information, make decisions and dispose of consumer goods, services, ideas, or experiences. Consumer behavior will be examined to identify how it affects marketing, strategy and how marketing affects behavior. Prerequisite: BUSA 308. (4)

BUSA 364 : Services Marketing

Addresses distinctive characteristics and principles associated with services enterprises. Model for identifying problems undermining service organization performance, and strategies to overcome, and enhance services marketing organization performance. Prerequisite: BUSA 308. (4)

BUSA 387 : Special Topics in Business Administration

BUSA 388 : Special Topics in Business Administration

Special Topics. (1 to 4)

BUSA 389 : Special Topics in Business Administration

BUSA 422 : Consolidations and SEC Reporting

Concentrated study of equity measurement including the accounting aspects of partnerships, corporations, and consolidations. Also includes accounting for multinational corporations. Prerequisite: BUSA 321. (4)

BUSA 423 : Accounting for Nonprofits and Governmental Entities

Study of fund accounting, including its conceptual basis, its institutional standard setting, framework, and current principles and practices. Prerequisite: BUSA 321. (4)

BUSA 424 : Auditing

Comprehensive study of auditing concepts and procedures. Recommended: BUSA 320 as prerequisite or co-requisite. (4)

BUSA 427 : Tax Accounting

Study of income tax concepts, regulation, and tax planning principles. Both individual income taxation and business taxation are discussed. Prerequisite: BUSA 202. (4)

BUSA 430 : Finance for Entrepreneurial and Privately-Held Firms

Methods of financing and managing privately-held firms. Topics include private firm valuation issues, financing sources and methods, venture and private equity markets, and exit and outcomes for entrepreneurial and privately-held firms. Prerequisite: BUSA 302. (4)

BUSA 437 : Financial Analysis and Strategy

Intermediate treatment of capital budgeting (and decision-making), valuation, forecasting, risk and return analysis, capital structure, and cost of capital. This course covers the essential tools of corporate finance, while illustrating corporate finance/corporate strategy interdependences through the use of cases. Prerequisite: BUSA 302. (4)

BUSA 438 : Empirical Finance

Covers selected seminal finance theories, as well as relevant empirical methods. Applying empirical methods to test key asset pricing and corporate finance topics using real data. Theories covered and empirical methods employed will depend on instructor. Prerequisites: BUSA 302 and four hours from BUSA 335, 337, 430, or 437; or BUSA 302 and co-enrollment in one of BUSA 335, 337, 430, or 437; or permission of instructor. (4)

BUSA 442 : Leading Organizational Improvement

Development of leader competencies and practices that promote organizational development and change, employee involvement and teamwork, culture change, and continuous organization learning and problem solving. Prerequisite: BUSA 305. (4)

BUSA 449 : Strategic Human Resource Management

Seminar course on topics of strategic transformation: HRM as a decision science to measure its impact and build competitive advantage and workforce engagement in alignment with organizational strategy, and internal/external environments. Advanced business students, in consultation with the instructor, select appropriate topics for research and discussion. Prerequisite: BUSA 342 or co-enrollment in BUSA 342. (4)

BUSA 460 : International Marketing

Introduction to marketing problems and opportunities in an international context. Investigation of economic, cultural, and business forces that require changes in marketing plans for international companies. Prerequisites: BUSA 308 or permission of instructor for non-business majors. (4)

BUSA 467 : Marketing Research

Investigation of techniques and uses of marketing research in the business decision-making process. Research design, survey methods, sampling plans, data analysis, and field projects. Prerequisites: BUSA 308, STAT 231. (4)

BUSA 468 : Marketing Management

Choosing target markets, acquiring and keeping customers by creating, delivering, and communicating customer value. The course may include a service-learning project. Prerequisites: BUSA 363, 467. (4)

BUSA 485 : Study Away in Business

PLU-sponsored academic or experiential study in other countries. (0 to 32)

BUSA 486 : Study Away in Business

PLU-sponsored academic or experiential study in other countries. (0 to 32)

BUSA 486A : SA: Business Culture in China - C

Study away in China, focusing on the changing business environment and business culture in leading urban centers. New policies, practices, and markets as China's economy evolves. Visits to enterprises and cultural-historical sites, meetings with managers and local experts on contemporary Chinese culture and business. (4)

BUSA 487 : Special Topics in Business Administration

BUSA 488 : Special Topics in Business Administration

Seminar on specifically selected topics in business. (1 to 4)

BUSA 489 : Special Topics in Business Administration

Seminar on specifically selected topics in business. (1 to 4)

BUSA 491 : Independent Study

Individualized studies in consultation with an instructor. Prerequisites: junior standing, instructor approval, and approval by dean or his/her designate. (1 to 4)

BUSA 495 : Internship

Application of business knowledge in field setting. Credit granted determined by hours spent in working environment and depth of project associated with the course of study. Internships do not apply to concentration requirements. Pass/Fail. (1 to 4)

BUSA 499 : Capstone: Strategic Management - SR

Capstone seminar for business majors. Strategic decision-making by integrating all business functions to formulate and implement business policies and strategies to achieve organizational objectives; apply appropriate methodologies, concepts, and tools pertinent to strategic analyses; and discuss implications of industry structure, organization resources and capabilities, business ethics and social responsibility, sustainability, and global competitive conditions in selecting courses of action. Prerequisites: BUSA 203, 302, 303 or 304, 305, 308, 309, 310, and senior standing. Last semester or permission of dean or his/her designate. (4)