Business Management Degree Curriculum

All degree applicants are required to complete two Basic Skills Assessments, one in reading and one in math, to determine the level of readiness for beginning their selected program. Additional studies may be required.

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Succeed by learning how to use your Penn Foster program, and learn how to effectively manage your time, talents, and resources in your personal life, academics, and in your career.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Understand how to use your Student Portal.
• Access the Penn Foster Community and use it to find answers.
• Connect with Penn Foster on various social media sites.
• Examine your individual life goals and the steps needed to fulfill them.
• Recognize how your personal financial goals mirror that of most businesses.
• Use time management skills to make the most of your day.
• Determine personal financial goals.
• Set up a typical budget.
• Explain why creative thinking, research, planning, gathering resources, and production and marketing are vital for the start-up and maintenance of a business.

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Information literacy is a fundamental skill of writing and recording research. In this course, you’ll learn what it means to formulate correct and effective research questions. You’ll also learn how to go about conducting and refining that research for any given project.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Identify how to formulate focused and specific research questions and the need for information
• Explain the different types of research tools, how they’re used to conduct different searches, and how to evalu­ate the quality and usefulness of the information found
• Explain how to cite sources properly using various citation styles in consideration of academic integrity, plagia­rism, and ethical use of resources

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This course outlines the elements of business and the challenges businesses face in a global environment, such as competition and economic factors. You’ll learn why accounting, technology and information systems, marketing, and management are essential to starting and growing a business. You’ll also learn the basics of managing financial and human resources and the ethical and social responsibilities required of a successful manager.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Identify different elements that distinguish capitalism, socialism, communism, and mixed economies
• Define the role of small business in the free enterprise system
• Assess elements of the global economy, such as labor, capital, trade, and natural resources, and how they influence business
• Analyze the functions of business, such as management, organization, human relations, marketing, financing, and ethics
• Identify the purpose of business policy and strategy

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This course familiarizes the student with both the business environment and the manager’s role within it. It covers decision making, planning, organizing, leading, and controlling, as well as developing an ethical perspective. 

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Summarize the functions of management and the basic steps in various planning processes.
 
• Explain how to make effective decisions as a manager and a leader.
 
• Describe the fundamental elements of an organization’s structure and the components of an organization’s competitive environment.
 
• Explain principles for setting goals that motivate employees, why companies develop control systems, and why teamwork is beneficial.
 
• Analyze why diversity is a critical organizational and managerial issue, and describe the criteria for technology decisions and managing change.

Textbook: M: Management, 6th edition

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In this course, you'll practice the skill of active listening. Learning to listen differently will allow you to experience all kinds of music in a new way. Most listeners are familiar with how music makes them feel, and we often say we like a particular piece of music because it has a "good beat" or a beautiful melody. This course will allow you to go deeper. You'll identify what the composer might have been trying to convey and listen for the way elements of musical composition and performance make each piece unique.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Identify the building blocks of music a composer can use to create a piece, such as rhythm, melody, harmony, texture, form, and timbre
• Differentiate between the music of the baroque era and the musical styles of previous time periods
• List the major characteristics of classical music, including form, melody, and instrumentation
• Describe the musical trends and innovations that occurred during the romantic era
• Relate musical styles of the early twentieth century to comparable movements in art and literature
• Explain the evolution of American popular music in the twentieth century
• Describe the influence of world music on modern western composition
• Synthesize research comparing composers' influence in their respective genres

Textbook: Experience Music

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This course will provide you with a foundation in basic mathematical operations, including percentages, discounts, interest, present worth, sinking funds, installment buying, pricing, depreciation, investments, insurance, symbols, and statistics.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Analyze functions of whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percents.
• Show calculations involved in simple interest, compound interest, and time value of money.
• Prepare various business math applications involving financial reports, installment buying, and depreciation.
• Analyze various financial concepts related to taxes, insurance, financial investments, and basic business statistics.

You will be required to complete a proctored exam on selected courses each semester. These assessments will evaluate the knowledge and skills that you learned during the semester. You choose the time, the location, and the qualified exam supervisor.

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Microsoft® Office allows people to create documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and databases. This course will teach you how to use three popular tools from the Microsoft® Office Suite — Word™, Excel®, and PowerPoint®. In this course, you'll learn how to use Word™ to create and edit text documents, insert figures and tables, and format pages for a variety of uses. You'll then learn how to use Excel® to organize and format data, including charts, formulas, and more complex tables. Next, you'll learn how to use PowerPoint® to create and deliver slide shows. Finally, you'll complete a graded project, which will test the skills acquired in Word™, Excel®, and PowerPoint®.

By the end of this course, you'll be able to:

• Create various Microsoft® Word™ documents.
• Produce a thorough Microsoft® Excel® spreadsheet.
• Identify the basic skills needed to use Microsoft® PowerPoint®.
• Synthesize what you’ve learned by integrating Word™, Excel®, and PowerPoint®.

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This course teaches the skills and techniques of effectively developing, drafting, and revising college-level essays toward a specific purpose and audience: active reading, prewriting strategies, sentence and paragraph structure, thesis statements, varied patterns of development (e.g., illustration, comparison and contrast, classification), critical reading toward revision of structure and organization, editing for standard written conventions, use and documentation of outside sources. Students submit two prewriting assignments, and three essays (process analysis, classification and division, argumentation).

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Use writing skills to construct well-written sentences and active reading skills to understand and analyze text
• Develop paragraphs using topic sentences, adequate detail, supporting evidence, and transitions
• Describe the revision, editing, and proofreading steps of the writing process
• Distinguish between different patterns of development
• Use prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing to write a formal, college-level essay
• Recognize how to determine the reliability of secondary sources and to give proper credit to sources referenced in an essay
• Use prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing to write a formal, college-level essay
• Use techniques of drafting, evaluating, and creating a sound written argument
• Write college-level journal entries

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Algebra is the mathematical language used to interpret and represent patterns in numbers by using variables, expressions, and equations. Algebra is an essential tool used in business, science, and computer technology. Throughout this course, you’ll be introduced to algebraic concepts, along with real-world application problems from a variety of fields. In addition to providing a springboard to the discovery of underlying mathematical properties, these applications illustrate the importance of mathematics in your world.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Demonstrate effective quantitative skills
• Solve algebraic equations, linear equations, inequalities, and absolute value equations
• Solve and graph linear equations and inequalities
• Solve polynomials
• Apply algebraic operations to rational expressions and rational equations
• Solve problems involving radicals and complex numbers
• Solve quadratic equations, rational inequalities, nonlinear equations, and nonlinear inequalities
• Calculate exponential and logarithmic functions
• Solve binomial expansions, sequences, and arithmetic and geometric series
• Prepare for the final exam

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This course will provide students with a basic understanding of the principles of Financial Accounting. Topics covered include analyzing transactions; completing the accounting cycle; merchandising businesses; inventories, assets, and liabilities; and corporations, stocks, bonds, and cash flow.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Solve important accounting principles and concepts by creating four types of financial statements: balance sheet, income statement, statement of retained earnings, and statement of cash flows
• Explain inventory systems, the inventory process, and the role of ethics in accounting
• Explain cash and receivables, assets, current liabilities, and debt
• Analyze stocks and the statement of cash flows and financial statements that are used to assess the value of a business
• Solve accounting problems using knowledge of accounting forms and functions

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Nutrition is the science that investigates how the body takes in, breaks down, and uses foods. The course will provide you with basic information on how these processes take place, including information about nutrients and how they contribute to the way the body functions. This will help you to have a better understanding of your decisions about food and diet. You’ll also learn about physical activities that can contribute to a healthier lifestyle. Because a central focus of nutrition studies is on health promotion, suggestions for individual nutrition choice will be discussed, as well as tactics for maintaining a healthy weight and keeping food supplies safe. 

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Describe how nutrition supports a body's wellness
• Recognize the body's use of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins 
• Identify the body's use of water, minerals, and micronutrients
• Discuss what nutritional needs are for a healthy weight and for an athletic lifestyle 
• Define food safety and the nutritional needs of humans over a lifetime
• Prepare a research paper on a nutritional topic 

You will be required to complete a proctored exam on selected courses each semester. These assessments will evaluate the knowledge and skills that you learned during the semester. You choose the time, the location, and the qualified exam supervisor.

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This course serves as an introduction to many of the major events of the fifteenth through twenty-first centuries. It also examines the causal relationships between events and trends all across the globe.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Identify the causes and consequences of global trade and its conflicting worldwide impact
• Describe the impact of social and industrial revolutions, fifteenth century onward, on various nations
• Recognize the conditions that led to the World Wars, decolonization, and the Cold War
• Summarize post–World War II effects on the economic and political structures around the world
• Discuss an event that occurred after the fifteenth century and had an impact on a world civilization
• Explain the effects of World War II on the world population

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This course provides an introduction to the various methods of organizing material for a professional setting. Students will compose business documents using the ABC method. These include: memos, emails, outlines, reports and proposals, descriptions, and organizing materials. Students also work on honing their grammar skills.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Recognize how to use words correctly and effectively
• Produce a well-constructed interoffice memo, workplace email, and business letter
• Produce a brief business report based on findings obtained using research techniques and methods of documentation
• Produce an informal report that lists findings of an investigation and provides recommendation for issues raised in the findings
• Describe procedures for creating proposals, descriptions, instructions, and manuals for the workplace
• Create a detailed proposal designed to solve an internal human resource issue

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This course provides an introduction to managerial accounting; analysis: C-V-P and management; budgeting and performance evaluation; decentralized operations; differential analysis and product pricing; capital investment analysis, and cost activities.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Analyze the various concepts related to managerial accounting and cost accounting
• Explain the different tools of management used for the decision-making process
• Identify the various budget analysis processes and the performance measurements for decision making
• Analyze the various components of capital budgeting, cash flow statements, and ratio analysis
• Solve examples of real-world accounting problems using knowledge of accounting forms and equations

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This course provides students with a foundation in the basic concepts of public speaking. Students will learn how to research, organize, and write effective speeches; incorporate presentation aids; and rehearse and deliver speeches effectively. Students will prepare, rehearse, record, and submit speeches in a number of rhetorical styles to be graded.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Analyze the different methods and principles required for effective public speaking
• Point out the principles, methods, and skills required to rehearse and deliver effective public speaking
• Prepare and record a narrative or speech on personal experience
• Prepare and record an informative podcast for a website
• Create and record an infomercial by using one of the mentioned methods
• Prepare and present a motivational or reasoning speech to persuade your audience
• Develop a speech by using key information delivery of a speech

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This course will provide an overview of macroeconomics and the modern market economy. Law of supply and demand, cost of living, monetary systems, international factors, and short run economic fluctuations will be examined and discussed.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Explain economic systems and the economic perspective
• Identify the key factors in macroeconomics and how economists use them to study the economy as a whole
• Explain the macroeconomic models and fiscal policies
• Explain money, banking, and financial policy
• Explain the extending analysis of aggregate supply, current issues in theory and policy, and international economics
• Analyze foreign exchange and investment and the effects each nation’s economy has on another nation’s economy

You will be required to complete a proctored exam on selected courses each semester. These assessments will evaluate the knowledge and skills that you learned during the semester. You choose the time, the location, and the qualified exam supervisor.

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In this course, the student will gain an understanding of artistic media, historical periods and artistic movements, the roles of the artist and the viewer, and the principles of art criticism.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Define the language, visual elements, and principles of design of art
• Identify two-dimensional media
• Identify three-dimensional media
• Explain the evolution of art from ancient Mediterranean cultures through eighteenth century Europe
• Identify features and popular examples of art throughout the history of African, Asian, Pacific, and American cultures
• Compare the genres of the Modern and Postmodern eras of art from around the world

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Presentation of data; frequency distribution; averages; dispersion and skewness; index numbers; time series analysis; correlation and forecasting; the theory of probability and statistical inference.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Show the methods of collecting data and visualizing of qualitative data in statistics
• Analyze the methods of computing probability for discrete and random variables
• Apply sampling distribution methods, estimation, and hypothesis testing in business applications
• Point out the process of computing inferences, linear regression, and least square

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Database applications; integrating word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software applications.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Explain the components of Microsoft Access 2016
• Construct an inventory database using Microsoft Access
• Add to PowerPoint using Word, Excel, and other data
• Create a PowerPoint presentation including an outline, video file presentation, table of statistics, and spreadsheet
• Combine Word, Access, and Excel to integrate documents and information
• Develop a one-table database with client information, a letter that integrates an Excel spreadsheet and Access merge fields, and final merge documents
• Produce a database, spreadsheet, mail merge letter, and presentation for a promotional event

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This course will provide an overview of microeconomics and the modern market economy. Supply and demand; the role of government; public sector; tax system design; firm behavior; organization of industry; and labor markets will be examined and discussed.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Point out the basic concepts of economic perspective
• Analyze how price and efficiency affects consumer behavior
• Distinguish between pure competition market, pure monopoly, monopolistic competition, and oligopoly market structure
• Analyze the factors affecting allocation of resources and wages with the impact of government policies
• Point out the modern issues related to resource pricing, trade, immigration, and poverty on the economy

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This course covers biology and behavior, consciousness, memory, thought and language, intelligence, personality and gender, stress, and community influences.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Explain various states of consciousness, learning theories, and thought processes and development
• Summarize the nature of human motivation and development, the human development cycle, and approaches to understanding and assessing personality
• Prepare an essay on the topic of conditioning, memory, or motivation and emotion
• Recognize psychological disorders and available treatments
• Explain social psychology as it relates to attitudes, influences, behaviors, and stress
• Use critical thinking skills to determine the likely causes of behaviors of individuals and groups discussed in case studies

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This course covers the principles of marketing. Topics covered include assessing, analyzing, understanding, and targeting the marketplace, as well as the creation, capture, delivery, and communication of value. Students will learn how to develop a marketing plan, use social and mobile marketing effectively, integrate ethics into marketing strategies, influence the consumer decision process, perform market research, perform SWOT and STP analyses, make decisions concerning branding, packaging, and developing new products, price products and services fairly, set advertising objectives, and more.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Analyze marketing plans, strategies and the aids needed to catalyze it
• Analyze the foundation of the marketing model and its emergence
• Point out the targeted strategies and plans in marketing and globalization
• Formulate a plan of valuing production, innovation, and product marketing
• Develop the valuing strategies for products and services in marketing
• Categorize the strategies for supply chain management and retailing
• Distinguish between the various domains under IMC strategies
• Design a marketing plan for an existing business

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In this course, you’ll practice research and writing skills by developing papers that require you to use sources and correctly cite them using APA formatting. You’ll learn to look at writing with a critical eye—a skill you can apply to your work, as well as to the reading you do for research or in your daily activities. You’ll apply these skills to your writing through editing and revising.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Analyze the fundamentals of the writing process
• Categorize the planning and evaluating methods of a research project and the sources
• Point out the sources of research and the methods of working with them
• Differentiate between the organizing, drafting, revising, and documenting processes related to a research project
• Point out the necessity of describing, illustrating, classifying, dividing, and defining your writing
• Prepare illustrative essay based on a specified topic
• Analyze the process of comparison and contrasting in developing literary content
• Prepare an essay using comparison and contrast
• Prepare a cause and effect essay on a specified topic
• Categorize the steps, elements, and strategies of writing and evaluating arguments

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An overview of Human Resources Management (HRM), as it’s understood today. This course illustrates the dynamic interaction of the personnel functions with each other and with the objectives of an organization.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Describe the elements of human resource management, including labor considerations, regulation, and management of workflow
• Explain how companies should prepare for and implement HRM to hire new employees and create training programs
• Identify the aspects of employee, career, and turnover management
• Summarize how employees are paid, including legal requirements, performance-based pay, commissions, salaries, and benefits
• Describe other HRM functions including collective bargaining, labor relations, global HRM, and building a high-performance organization
• Explain key aspects of the field of human resource management

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The nature and sources of law, the U.S. court systems, litigation and alternative methods of dispute resolution, constitutional and administrative law; tort law and product liability; contract law; agency law; business organizations; business ethics and social responsibility; and property rights for both personal and real property.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Analyze the sources and structure of the U.S. legal system, and the business laws and organizations
• Point out the purpose, requirements, and criteria needed for contracts
• Distinguish between real and personal property and the relationship between principal and agent
• Analyze the principles of sales, goods, and services and laws by UCC that governs them
• Distinguish between the role of insurance, transactions, and bankruptcy in business law
• Create a case brief by following the instructions and procedure
• Prepare a written memorandum by applying your knowledge and following the instructions
• Prepare written essay responses by applying your knowledge on the legal environments of business

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This course addresses one of the most important components of every business operation—financial decision making. All business decisions have some financial implications, either directly or indirectly. Many of the financial concepts addressed in this course arise and may be applied to personal financial and economic decisions. It is very important, therefore, to develop a broad, basic understanding of the study of finance and corporate finance.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Analyze the intricacies of corporate finance and the related financial statements
• Categorize the methods of evaluating various types of cash flows
• Point out the valuation procedures related to capital budgeting and the considered decisions
• Distinguish between the various types market risks and returns
• Differentiate between the utility of WACC, equity, and debt financing in computing investments
• Apply your knowledge and skills acquired from this course to perform an organization analysis

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An introductory course that explains the origin of life and the relationships between all living things. It describes how a significant number of organisms are structured and how they work, in order to enable students to discuss intelligently the various forms of life and their processes.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Analyze the structure and function of a cell and the chemical metabolism required for its survival
• Point out the features of cellular reproduction and involvement of genetics in the process
• Explain Darwin’s theory of natural selection and Wallace’s ideas on evolution adapted by various living organisms
• Write responses to fundamental biology essay prompts
• Summarize anatomy and physiology of plants, animals, and humans
• Report the development of living communities and its impact on the ecosystem
• Write responses to fundamental ecological essay questions

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This course covers management approaches; human decision making; conflict management; communication in groups; power and influence; organizational environment, structure and design; and fundamental forces of change.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Analyze the fundamentals of organizational behavior, culture, and individuality
• Differentiate between the stages of perception, attribution, stress management, motivation, and engagement
• Point out the methods of fostering creativity, innovation, and decision making
• Distinguish between the concepts of effective communication, group making, and team development
• Categorize the elements of conflict, negotiation, and leadership
• Analyze the structure of organizational working and its associated elements
• Prepare a report on emotional labor perspectives at various workplaces by utilizing your findings

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This course will provide you with a foundational understanding of the scientific method and approach to a variety of research projects likely to be useful to businesses. This course focuses on human subjects and experimental design research, which has grown in use and application in business. The skills you’ll develop in this course are highly valued in today’s business environment. Focus most of your time and effort on learning new terms and the presented research structures and formats. Finally, you’ll review research reports and their design.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Explain the research process
• Summarize the ethical considerations of research
• Categorize the process of conducting qualitative research, observation studies, experiments, and surveys
• Discuss measurement scales and the process of conducting questionnaires and sampling
• Identify the process of analyzing and presenting research data
• Prepare a case analysis report

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This course explores the ethical and moral responsibilities of businesses in a capitalist system. It examines different approaches to ethics and morality, including the principles of egoism, utilitarianism, Kant’s categorical imperative, and Rawls’s theory of justice. The course also focuses on how different moral philosophies might best be applied to business organizations and their activities. Many examples and case studies are used to explain how the ethical issues facing businesses ultimately affect all of us.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Categorize ethics and perspectives pertaining to business and decision making
• Distinguish between the norms of corporate culture and the corporate social responsibilities
• Analyze the various employer and employee responsibilities, the issues of technological capabilities, and ethical marketing
• Point out the impact of ethical corporate governance on corporate sustainability and conflicts of interest
• Prepare a report on business ethical decision in veterinary practice by utilizing your findings

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This course is an introduction to the opportunities and risk of doing business outside the U.S. Students will learn about country-market differences, trade and investment patterns, the international- financial environment; issues in business-government relations and strategies for international business are also covered.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Categorize the theories that influences on international trade
• Analyze how cultural forces, political, environmental, and socioeconomic factors are related to business
• Compare how various strategic plans, organizational design, and market researches affect businesses
• Show how implementation of various strategies helps in standardizing global operations
• Solve the questions after reviewing the article “Reinflating Real Property Values”

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This course establishes the foundation necessary to understand strategic business management in today’s economy. Students will integrate knowledge from this course with skills acquired in previous courses to make sound management decisions.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Analyze the importance of strategy in crafting directions for companies
• Identify the analytical tools, strategies, and evaluation processes associated with company competition
• Categorize the methods of crafting ideal strategies for companies and the related responsibilities
• Distinguish between the methods of executing strategies and managing companies
• Prepare a report on your findings on the Tesla case

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Students use real fact patterns, real data and the expertise they acquired from courses completed throughout their business curriculum to complete two business case projects. Students will estimate the market size and market share required to break even, and in a separate case they will execute the quantitative analysis of financial data. This course also includes a lab experience designed to expose students to real-world business activities in their community.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Analyze the assignments and case studies to complete the senior capstone business project
• Recognize the PPMC projections and the data associated with it in the presented case
• Summarize your findings in the motomart case

(3 CREDITS)

This course will provide students with the knowledge to apply accounting theory, concepts, and procedures to financial problems. Topics covered include: computing earnings per share; lease transactions; income tax accounting; cash flow information; pension and benefit information; financial statement analysis.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Point out the process of creating journal entries and balance sheet for disclosing financial information
• Analyze the fundamentals of income statement, cash flows, revenue recognition, and value of money concepts
• Compare the different ways to properly account for cash, receivables and inventory
• Analyze value and account for changes to long-term assets as well as intangible assets

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This course will provide students with an expansion on materials presented in Intermediate Accounting 1. Topics examined and discussed include: inventories; investments; intangible assets; current, contingent, and estimated liabilities; premium and discount on long-term debt; stockholder’s equity.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Evaluate how companies deals with investments, current liabilities, and the contingencies they present
• Differentiate between leases, bonds, and long-term notes
• Analyze and account for other types of liabilities including income taxes, pensions, and post-retirement benefits
• Categorize the fundamentals of share-based compensation, accounting changes, and the statement of cash flows

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Students will be able to use cost data in budgeting and capital planning for various types of manufacturing operations and use a personal computer to perform various accounting functions. Topics covered include timekeeping and payroll procedures; setting overhead rates; accounting for spoiled and defective goods; development of cost analysis; process cost accounting; job-order cost accounting.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Analyze the fundamentals and processes of cost decision making
• Categorize the various costing processes related to cost accounting
• Identify the methods of analyzing cost performance and the importance of management control systems
• Apply your accounting skills on cost accounting computation and analysis
• Prepare a balance sheet, an income statement, and post-closing trial balance for Ice Cream Systems

(3 CREDITS)

Builds on concepts learned in Financial and Managerial Accounting and covers Sage 50 Accounting. Combines real-world accounting systems and examples with computer-based solutions. The course is a blend of problem solving, reading, case projects, and computer applications to problems encountered in today’s accounting environment.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Explain the processes involved in the Sage 50 accounting software program
• Demonstrate accounting functions in the Sage 50 software
• Show various procedures in the Sage 50 accounting software program for setting up merchandising businesses
• Demonstrate how to complete the accounting cycle for a merchandising business

(3 CREDITS)

Public Relations 1 begins by introducing students to the role of public relations writers, including their ethical and legal responsibilities. Some of the general topics covered include persuasion, research skills, the public relations planning process, writing clearly and simply, and using proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Specifically, the course covers writing styles and processes for emails, memos, letters, reports, proposals, news releases, broadcasts, ad copy, material for the Internet, speeches, newsletters, brochures, magazines, and annual reports.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Analyze the principles, components, and strategies involved in strategic writing
• Categorize the principles, ethics, and methods of strategic writing in public relations
• Point out the fundamentals of strategic writing in advertising
• Distinguish between the principles and methods of strategic writing in sales and marketing
• Analyze the importance of strategic writing in business communication

(3 CREDITS)

This course will give you an overview of the process and purpose of public relations by connecting it to business, social, and environmental trends and values. You’ll learn about the importance of corporate social responsibility in strategic public relations, and the need for ethical, socially responsible communicators in the field to build trust and respect with diverse communities. With a focus on communication theory, history, and practice, you’ll learn how to create a believable and persuasive message.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Analyze the role of public relations
• Categorize the various processes involved in public relations
• Point out the various public relations strategies
• Distinguish between the tactics used by public relations for interaction
• Differentiate between the various applications of public relations in different fields

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This course will introduce students to the world of finance, including financial concepts, instruments, and financial decision making. Topics covered include financial assets; investing in long-term assets; capital structure and dividend policy; financial planning and working capital management.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Categorize financial management functions and organizational structure
• Analyze the time value of money, financial ratios, and risks and returns from investments
• Categorize the capital structure and the capital management of a firm
• Perform financial calculations and analysis related to basic financial concepts

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This course will introduce students to the fundamental concepts and importance of personal financial management, including analysis and management of personal assets and financial instruments.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Point out how money management skills are applied to personal financial goals and plans
• Develop a plan for saving, protecting, and managing financial assets and debt
• Prepare strategies for consumer and housing purchases
• Analyze various types of investing
• Categorize the different types of investments that suits your financial goals
• Formulate a will, a trust, and an estate plan

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The course covers the basic components of a total compensation package (salary, bonus, and benefits), the development, implementation, and maintenance of a program, the impact of internal and external equity, and additional factors which must be considered for the overall success of a program.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Explain the factors and methods included in compensation strategies
• Describe how to evaluate employee performance and motivate workers using compensation strategies
• Explain how unions, laws, and special groups affect compensation
• Discuss labor regulation locally and globally
• Compare job postings for different pay models

(3 CREDITS)

Provides an overview of multimedia on the Web and multimedia elements such as text and graphics, as well as sound, animation, and video; describes multimedia-authoring programs and the development and design of multimedia titles; covers the management and distribution of multi-media titles.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Point out the tools and best practices for text, images, and sound in creating multimedia projects
• Categorize the best use of animation, video, and software tools in creating multimedia projects
• Distinguish between the important steps of planning, costing, designing, and producing a multimedia project
• Analyze the various tools and consideration for adding multimedia to the web and mobile platform
• Plan the steps in designing and developing a Web site using multimedia

(3 CREDITS)

This course provides students with a framework for managing the effects of risk and a basic understanding of risk management and insurance. Topics include an introduction to the objective of risk management; general theory of insurance markets; personal insurance issues; employee-employer risk; business risk management; and contracts for risk management.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Point out the types and methods of risks, effects of minimizing risk, and risk identification
• Analyze the types of arrangements for reducing risks, operations of state insurance, and solvency regulation
• Point out the importance and types of loss control and the legal liabilities in risk management
• Categorize the concepts, products, and issues under personal insurance
• Analyze the employer-employee relationship including the benefits, compensations, and regulations
• Analyze the important theories under risk management used in businesses
• Point the types of contracts and provision that fall under business risk management
• Categorize the uses of different kinds of business risk management tools, liabilities, and strategies
• Research on social security insurance and retirement benefits and calculate the imposed social security taxes

(3 CREDITS)

In this course, you’ll gain an understanding of the steps in making investment decisions, the nature of securities and markets, how technical analysis is performed, and how to set up a portfolio.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Analyze the concepts of risk and return, the investment process, and the various types of investments
• Categorize the functions of stock market and how investors choose investments
• Point out the process of calculating interest rates, bond values, and yields
• Analyze how to form a diversified portfolio and how to evaluate the portfolio’s performance
• Distinguish between futures and options and the investment strategies built on each
• Show how investors use option valuation, financial statements, credit ratings, and economic indicators
• Develop the ability to perform investments calculations and analysis related to this course

(3 CREDITS)

This course will introduce the many different elements that comprise employee benefits. The course will not only help the career of the benefit specialist, but it will also cover the history and many of the governmental issues concerning benefit programs today. Employee Benefits covers the total employee benefit planning process.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Analyze the fundamentals of employee benefits
• Point out the types and purposes of group insurance
• Categorize the benefits and purposes of group medical expense
• Categorize the benefits and purposes of group medical expense
• Differentiate between the various types of plans associated with retirement
• Categorize the types and benefits of profit-sharing plans and other similar plans
• Apply your knowledge on employee benefits for evaluating the benefit packages of three similar companies

(3 CREDITS)

The study of labor relations examines the interactions between organized labor unions and company management. These interactions between unions and management include rights and responsibilities, negotiations, and collective bargaining.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Analyze the role played by labor unions and the impact of labor laws
• Explain the features of the American labor law, AFL-CIO, and unions
• Distinguish between the various steps related to collective bargaining
• Point out the economic benefits of collective bargaining and the other issues faced by them
• Prepare a research paper on the organizational structure of the Teamsters and the union benefits

(3 CREDITS)

Employee training takes place in every business. In some organizations, employee training is a formalized process that continues throughout an employee’s entire career. In other organizations, employee training is an informal event used to introduce new employees to the basic skills they’ll need to complete their tasks. Your current or future employer will approach training by some combination of the two methods. This course will help you make employee training a more efficient and effective process. After completing this course, you should be a valuable asset to any employer.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Show the various elements in the organizational training process
• Categorize the various training designs and methods
• Analyze the significance of development, implementation, and evaluation of training process
• Describe the concept of adult learning theory and discuss how it influences employee training
• List and describe the interrelationships among the five phases of the training process model

(3 CREDITS)

Students will learn about the global effect of advertising and integrated marketing communications (IMC), as well as how to use advertising and IMC strategies to create compelling marketing strategies and campaigns.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Analyze the impact that advertising and marketing have on society
• Compare the different factors that determines purchasing motives and incorporate that information in marketing mix
• Show the importance of a creative IMC plan
• Analyze ways that copy and print, electronic, and digital interactive media are used in marketing
• Point out the importance of social media, supplemental media, and relationship building in marketing strategy
• Develop an ad on a social media site to increase market share of RVs

(3 CREDITS)

This course will teach you the principles involved in how and why consumers make decisions. Topics covered include influencing consumer behavior, consumer decision-making, effects on research and marketing, factors that affect purchasing behavior, and consumer acceptance of products.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Define consumer behavior, segmentation, targeting, and positioning
• Explain how individual influences, such as perception, memory, attitudes, emotions, lifestyles, and decision-making processes, all influence consumer behavior
• Describe how different social and cultural groups, roles, and expectations impact consumer behavior
• Apply the knowledge of consumer behavior in determining the present marketing concepts and strategies

(3 CREDITS)

This course is designed to introduce students to retailing in a rapidly changing environment. Topics covered include organization of retail stores, basics of retailing, management of a successful retail business, and merchandising principles.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Analyze the fundamentals related to the world of retailing
• Identify the strategies and components necessary for successful retailing
• List the steps involved in the merchandise management process
• Distinguish between the processes and strategies involved in store management
• Prepare a report on a retailer’s strategies, layout, design, visual merchandising, and internet retailing