School of Business

Undergraduate Learning Goals

Consistent with the University, the primary focus of the School of Business long-term goals is student learning.  Achieving the following goals will help students become lifelong learners and effective leaders in their professions and communities:

Content

Functional Knowledge

All undergraduate students in the School of Business should demonstrate breadth and depth of knowledge in the core business disciplines.  Additionally, each student in a specialized degree program (Accountancy) should demonstrate depth of knowledge in her/his chosen discipline.  Each of these degree programs has specific curricular objectives in addition to those presented in this document.

External Perspective

Undergraduate students should be prepared to manage in a dynamic and diverse business environment through awareness of

• Global, political, technological, social, economic and regulatory business contexts
• Social responsibility of organizations
• Individual responsibility and ethical behavior
• Diversity and the value that individual differences can bring to a team and organization

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Undergraduate students should demonstrate the ability to interact effectively in a professional environment through

• Creating and delivering information using effective written and oral presentation skills
• Working effectively in a group to accomplish stated goals

Systematic Problem Solving

Undergraduate students should demonstrate the ability to apply analytical thinking to systematically solve business problems through

• Acquisition and evaluation of information
• Application of appropriate quantitative models, qualitative analyses, and information technologies
• Synthesis and analysis of key issues in an uncertain environment

Integration of Knowledge

Undergraduate students should demonstrate the ability to develop a holistic view of the business environment through the integration of their business and liberal education as well as boundary-spanning thinking that incorporates the links among business disciplines.

Approved April 18, 2013. 

Business Transitions Program

The required Business Transitions program (GBA 301 and GBA 402) provides students with opportunities to complement their formal education with co-curricular educational experiences wherein they gather additional knowledge, skills and integrative experiences. GBA 301 and GBA 402 are required individualized learning courses designed to assist students with the transition into the School of Business and for developing knowledge and skills related to career planning including resume development and initial job search strategies. Students will be introduced to the concepts of individual responsibility and ethical behavior, social responsibility of organizations and global perspectives on business. Students will use the School and University resources dedicated to assisting them with the transition to a professional business environment and development of professional skills related to job search, professional networking, and interviewing as well as social etiquette. Students also learn how to research educational opportunities beyond college. Business students will also choose from a variety of seminars, events, and activities each semester which develop their business knowledge, perspective and interpersonal skills as well as assist in recognizing and experiencing integration of business knowledge and skills.

School of Business Student Services

The School of Business Student Services Office provides professional academic advisors who help students develop academic plans to meet their program requirements and provide guidance to students with academic problems. This office also assists students who seek career advice by suggesting the names of faculty and career development professionals who provide such assistance. Students should contact this office to obtain more information about the School’s programs and completing degree requirements.

Cougar Business Resource Center
The Cougar Business Resource Center (CBRC), is located in Founders Hall and serves as a focal point for resources, programs, and co-curricular activities designed to support the development of cross-disciplinary skills for all undergraduate students. The facility provides students an engaging and exciting environment in which they can generate ideas, share knowledge and practice critical skills. The CBRC offers small group meeting rooms where student teams can work on assignments and practice presentations, a permanent home for School of Business student organizations, a state-of-the-art conference room, a convenient place to access online resources, and an executive-in-residence office space where experienced business executives can provide guidance and mentoring for students. The CBRC was made possible through the generosity of alumni and corporate sponsorship.

International Exchange Programs
The School of Business offers student and faculty exchange programs with business schools and universities in France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, and Japan. These exchange programs permit students to pay tuition and register for course work at SIUE while completing the requirements for credit at one of these international institutions. Participation in an exchange program will meet the international study requirement for the International Business specialization in the Business Administration program. Students interested in studying abroad may contact their academic advisor in Business Student Services for information.  

Experiential Education - Internships and Cooperative Education Program

The School of Business encourages students to include Experiential Education while completing their academic program by participating in an Internship or the Cooperative Education Program.  Students may earn academic credit for internships or have the participation noted on their academic transcripts through a non-credit bearing course (see GBA 398).  The Internship Coordinator in Business Student Services coordinates credit bearing internships associated with academic programs and business courses. The Career Development Center coordinates non-credit bearing business internships associated with GBA 398.  For the Cooperative Education Program, registration and enrollment in a University-sponsored cooperative education course through the Career Development Center (see GBA 399) is required.