For more information, please contact Dr. Margareta Knopik | 406/683-7205 | m_knopik@umwestern.edu.
The primary objective of the Associate of Applied Science: Business degree is to provide a variety of program options to suit the student’s career plans. The broadly based program provides the opportunity to develop, improve, and/or update knowledge and skills, as well as specialize in a selected area. Available options include Business Management, Human Resource Management, Information Processing, and Office Systems Technology.
Discipline-specific knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Can define and create a business plan, define the concept of entrepreneurship, identify basic types of start-up ventures, understand the process of filing for legal protection of ideas, and understand the legal issues surrounding starting or expanding businesses. (BUS 201)
Understands and applies fundamental accounting principles, skills, and processes. (BUS 241)
Understands the basic legal processes and concepts associated with business. (BUS 281)
Possesses at least a basic working knowledge of computer hardware and software tools including: word processing, spreadsheets, and databases. (COMS 101, 102, 108, 109)
Understands market price determination, production theory, elements of value, and distribution theory. (ECON 252)
Communication skills (especially oral and written):
Exhibits effective oral communication skills for successful interaction in the business setting. (BUS 217)
Exhibits effective written communication skills for successful interaction in the business setting. (BUS 217)
Problem-solving skills:
Utilizes computer software and hardware tools for problem solving and decision-making. (COMS 101, 102, 108, 109)
Can apply microeconomic theory to personal and business decision-making. (ECON 252)
Discipline-specific knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Business students' are assessed for discipline-specific knowledge, skills, and abilities by at least one or more of the following ways in each of the courses listed below: exams, oral presentations, research papers, simulations, case studies, portfolios, group projects, and reports.
Specific courses and assessment activities:
BUS 201 - Entrepreneurship: assignments, papers, presentations, portfolio, research papers, case studies
BUS 241 - Financial Accounting: exams, presentations, group projects
BUS 281 - Business Law I: exams, case studies
ECON 252 - Principles of Microeconomics: research papers, case studies, group projects, exams
COMS 101 - Introduction to Computers: projects, portfolio, assignments, exams. COMS 102 - Beginning Word Processing: SAM trainings, exams, portfolio
COMS 108 - Beginning Spreadsheets: SAM trainings, tutorials, cases, exams, portfolio
COMS 109 - Beginning Database: SAM trainings, labs, exams, portfolio
Communication skills (especially oral and written):
Business students' communication skills are assessed in one or more of the following ways in each of the courses listed below: projects, article reviews, presentations, exam. Internship supervisors also provide feedback on the students' communication skills via evaluations.
Specific courses and assessment activities:
BUS 217 - Business & Electronic Communications: research papers, presentation, portfolio, group work, exams
Problem-solving skills:
Business students' problem-solving skills, including critical thinking and decision making, are assessed within the following courses by one or more of the following ways in each course: research papers, case studies, and on-the-job tasks.
Specific courses and assessment activities:
COMS 101 - Introduction to Computers: projects, assignments, exams, portfolios
COMS 102 - Beginning Word Processing: SAM trainings, exams, portfolio
COMS 108 - Beginning Spreadsheets: SAM trainings, exams, portfolios
COMS 109 ~ Beginning Database: SAM trainings, exams, portfolios
ECON 252 - Principles of Microeconomics: research papers, case studies, group projects, exams
Feedback from current students:
UMW graduate/exit survey
Capstone assessment: portfolio and presentation in BUS 217, Business and Electronic Communication
Feedback from outside constituencies:
Survey feedback from graduates one year after graduation (implement 2007-08, feedback from 2005-06 graduates)
Survey feedback from employers of graduates after one year of employment (implement AY 2007-08, feedback from employers of 2005-06 graduates)
Evaluation of teaching:
During fall semester, the VCAA chooses the faculty member's course to be evaluated. Each Business/Technology faculty member chooses a course during spring semester that s/he wants evaluated by students. Feedback is compiled and shared with the faculty member and VCAA. In addition, each faculty member also has at least one peer evaluation per year.
Curriculum Review:
The curriculum for the AAS: Business was reviewed and revised for the implementation of block scheduling. Business & Technology faculty continue to review curriculum both formally and informally in preparation for the program's self-study.
Once the Business/Technology faculty begin receiving the results of current graduate, employer and alumni surveys from the Career Services Office, they will review the information and make adjustments to the AAS: Business degree program as necessary.
Criteria & Procedures for admission and retention of students:
Currently, criteria and procedures for admission and retention of AAS: Business degree students parallels the criteria and procedures for admission to UMW.
Appraisal of annual program goals and assessment of their success:
The AAS in Business degree program is assessed based on graduate outcomes using the following methods: compiled results from the graduate/exit survey, alumni survey, and employer survey; collected/compared exhibits/artifacts; and retention of students in the program. Once the Business/Technology faculty begin receiving the results of employer and alumni surveys from the Career Services Office, they will review the information and make adjustments to the AAS: Business degree program as necessary.
Self-study or reports from program reviews:
As part of UMW's systematic academic program review cycle, a self-study of the BS: Business degree will be prepared and completed during AY 2006-07. The AAS: Business will be part of this program review as well.
Description of program-specific curriculum development bodies & advisory groups:
All faculty teaching in the BS and AAS: Business degree programs assist with program-specific curriculum development. No other program-specific curriculum development bodies exist at this time.