Areas of Emphasis

Mission: To foster excellence in accountancy by: 1) providing a rigorous educational experience as a framework for lifelong learning to individuals of diverse academic backgrounds; 2) creating, expanding and disseminating knowledge through scholarly activities; 3) serving the academic, professional and business communities.

Since November 1995, the accounting degree programs at UM-St. Louis are separately accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). This unique accreditation is not currently shared by any other St. Louis college or university.

1. Required Core Courses:

BA 2400 Financial Accounting
BA 2410 Managerial Accounting

2. A student must complete at least 5 BA courses (15 credit hours) to include the following:

A) Four courses:
BA 3401 Financial Accounting & Reporting I
BA 3402 Financial Accounting & Reporting II
BA 3411 Cost Accounting
BA 3441 Income Taxes

B) One from:
BA 3421 Accounting Information Systems and Spreadsheet Applications
BA 3810 Information Systems Analysis

3. Non-Business Courses:

Two courses required:
A)One from:
Comm 1030 Interpersonal Communication
Comm 1040 Introduction to Public Speaking
BA 3100 Contemporary Business Communication

B) One from:
Phil. 1130 Approaches to Ethics
Phil. 2254 Business Ethics

Eligibility to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination requires completion of 150 credit hours, to include minimum hours in business and accounting, and a course in auditing.

Additional undergraduate accounting courses not required in the Bachelor of Science in Accounting program:
BA 3451 Accounting for Governmental and Not-For-Profit Entities
BA 3490 Internship in Accounting
BA 3495 Business Administration Problems - Accounting
BA 3498 Business Administration Seminar - Accounting
BA 4401 Financial Accounting and Reporting III
BA 4402 Financial Accounting and Reporting IV
BA 4405 Professional Accounting Research
BA 4435 Auditing
BA 4441 Business Income Taxation

See the Accounting Area website for additional information.

International Business
National markets are becoming increasingly integrated. The study of international business focuses on understanding the forces behind this globalization of markets and production.

In addition to all College of Business Administration and campus degree requirements, an emphasis in International Business requires completion of 12 credit hours of international business coursework (see 1 & 2, below) and completion of 13 credit hours of a foreign language of international commerce. (A list of international foreign languages of commerce is available from the College of Business Administration Office of Undergraduate Academic Advising). An international internship experience is also recommended for all persons in the program; it is required for students pursuing the emphasis through the Pierre Laclede Honors College.

1. The 12 credit hours in international business must include a minimum of two of the following three courses:
• BA 3580 International Corporate FinanceBA 3682 Managing the Global Workforce
• BA 3780 International Marketing
  
2. In addition, select two courses in international business from the list below (or one if all three courses in 1, above, are taken).

BA 3289 Internship in International Business
BA 3581 Business in China
BA 3582 International Investments
BA 3680 International Management
BA 3684 The Japanese Management System
BA 3685 Role of the Global Corporation
BA 4288 Internship in International Business
BA 4381 International Logistics and Operations Management
BA 4689 International Strategic Management

See the International Business website for additional information.

Finance
Finance is a multi-disciplinary field that combines various concepts from management, economics and accounting with financial techniques to make sound business decisions and solve problems. There are many business situations in both large and small companies that require knowledge of the latest financial practices and tools. Generally, these applications involve investing (using funds) or financing (raising funds). As a result, the field is comprised of a number of areas including corporate finance, investments, financial institutions and services (banking, insurance, real estate) and personal financial planning.

Undergraduate Program Philosophy
Over the last two decades, the field of finance has become increasingly technical and specialized. Employers recruiting for financial positions not only require candidates to have an undergraduate or graduate degree in finance, but they also want new employees to exhibit skills and experience beyond those typically found in a traditional academic environment. As a result, professional licensing or certification has become one of the most widely recognized means of demonstrating core competency. Consequently, the finance program at UM - St. Louis carefully integrates finance tracks into the curriculum to enable students to complete their academic degrees while at the same time providing the in-depth knowledge necessary for taking professional certification exams. Our program is designed to accelerate professional development and provide students with superior credentials to qualify them for skilled positions in a highly competitive job market. Details for each of the tracks are discussed below.

General Finance Emphasis
For students who desire to obtain a general knowledge of finance or custom tailor their own individual program, this option allows students to take any of the finance course electives in any sequence. By affording maximum flexibility, students can explore the many different areas within finance before deciding which career path they may want to embark on. As stated above, for a B.S.B.A. degree with an emphasis in finance, recipients must take a minimum of fifteen credit hours of the following courses:
 
BA 3525 Practicum in Investments
BA 3561 Principles of Insurance
BA 3562 Life Insurance
BA 3520 Investments
BA 3521 Financial Risk Management
BA 3502 Treasury Management
BA 3542 Principles of Real Estate
BA 3501 Financial Policies
BA 3503 Computer Applications in Finance
BA 3540 Financial Services Industry and Services
BA 3541 Commercial Bank Management
BA 3580 International Finance
BA 3195 Business Administration Problems/ Seminars
BA 3199 Independent Studies
BA 3563 Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits
BA 3564 Estate Planning and Trust
BA 3560 Practice of Personal Financial Planning
BA 3590 Practicum in Finance

Track Certification
All students completing one of the specialized tracks at UM-St. Louis discussed below will receive a "Certificate of Completion" for that track. This document will be in addition to any degree the student may receive and is intended to provide additional evidence of attaining a specific body of knowledge. To receive the certificate, students must fill out an application for certification in their last semester. The application can be obtained from the Undergraduate Advisors in the College of Business Administration, 487 Social Science Building.

Corporate Finance Track
The Corporate Finance Track trains students to make business financial decisions to maximize the value of the firm. In addition to raising and investing capital, firm mangers must deal with a number of stakeholders including stockholders, lenders, customers, and regulators. While the major focus is on the financial problems of large corporations, many of the analytical tools and techniques also apply to small business enterprises. Students completing BA 3502, Treasury Management, are eligible under a special agreement with the Treasury Management Association to sit for the Certified Cash Manager (CCM) exam. After completion of two years of related experience, the CCM designation qualifies students to work in the Treasury Departments of many leading companies or service providers like banks. Recommended courses include:
 
BA 3520 Investments
BA 3521 Financial Risk Management
BA 3502 Treasury Management
BA 3401 Financial Accounting and Reporting I
BA 3402 Financial Accounting and Reporting II
BA 3501 Financial Policies
BA 3503 Computer Applications in Finance
BA 3541 Commercial Bank Management
BA 3580 International Finance

Financial Institutions and Services Track
Financial institutions design and deliver financial services to businesses, government and individuals. It is also one of the fastest growing segments of the economy. This track is intended for students with a desire to work in a bank, insurance company, real estate firm, or other service provider. Beginning career opportunities include becoming a loan officer for a bank, a securities broker, a mortgage broker, or property manager. Additionally, the Principles of Real Estate course (BA 3542) provides students with the educational foundation to sit for the Missouri Real Estate Salespersons’ Exam to become licensed to sell residential property under the direction of a broker. Recommended courses include:
 
BA 3561 Principles of Insurance
BA 3520 Investments
BA 3542 Principles of Real Estate
BA 3503 Computer Applications in Finance
BA 3540 Financial Services Industry and Services
BA 3541 Commercial Bank Management  

Investment and Portfolio Management Track
There are billions of dollars flowing into retirement plans and mutual funds each year. These monies are invested in security markets around the world to provide the owners with the best returns available for a given level of risk. Professional portfolio managers have the responsibility of meeting investor goals while subject to rapidly changing market conditions. This path of study is intended to prepare students for a challenging career in money management. The program provides students with the critical knowledge to sit for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exam. This professional designation is highly regarded by the investment industry and requires the passing of a series of three exams. Students must also gain three years of related work experience before being certified. Recommended courses include:
 
BA 3525 Practicum in Investments
BA 3520 Investments
BA 3521 Financial Risk Management
BA 3401 Financial Accounting and Reporting I
BA 3402 Financial Accounting and Reporting II
BA 3503 Computer Applications in Finance
BA 3540 Financial Services Industry and Services
BA 3580 International Finance
CFA Review Courses (One for each level) noncredit through Continuing Education

Financial Planning Track
The Financial Planning Track is designed to prepare students to counsel individuals on personal financial matters that impact the family. This curriculum is a registered program with Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc., enabling students who successfully complete it so sit for their certification examination. The registered curriculum includes:

Insurance Track
This track is intended for the development of professionals for all aspects of the insurance industry. Insurance plays a special role in risk management for individuals and businesses. Areas emphasized include life and property / casualty risk exposures and the administration of pension and employee benefit plans. Students are prepared for careers as analytical staff members of major insurance companies, consultants, insurance agents or brokers, employee benefit specialists, and risk managers. The program is a cooperative partnership with the insurance industry including the American College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania and the local chapter of the American Society. By special arrangement, students are entitled to apply three approved UM-St. Louis courses toward professional certification without further examination provided the courses are passed with a "c" grade or higher. The professional certifications include the widely recognized Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC). Transfer of these courses to the American College for certification does not require any additional tuition but only a one-time registration fee of $60. Further courses can be used to satisfy the knowledge content for certification but will necessitate the taking of a standard national exam required of all candidates on the material. Both the CLU and ChFC require the passing of 10 courses not all of which are offered by UM-St. Louis but are available through the American College. In the future, it may also be possible to take actuarial courses offered in the Math Department as part of this track. See Professor Edward Lawrence in the Finance Area for more information on these issues. Recommended courses include:
 
BA 3561 Principles of Insurance
BA 3562 Life Insurance
BA 3520 Investments
BA 3441 Income Taxes
BA 3560 Practice of Personal Financial Planning
BA 3563 Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits
BA 3564 Estate Planning and Trust

Management & Organizational Behavior
The study of management and organizational behavior focuses on the behavior of individuals and groups in an organizational setting. The business environment today demands graduates with skills who can effectively make decisions involving working with and leading people.

The management and organizational behavior emphasis stresses the qualitative approaches to business. The major areas of focus are: the theory and functions of management; the management of human resources; the development of strategic policies in an organization; organizational design and conflict resolution; entrepreneurship; and international management. In covering these topics, both classic and current perspectives are provided. 1. Required Core Course: BA 3600 Management & Organizational Behavior 2. A student must complete 4 courses (12

BA 3611 Advanced Management & Organizational Behavior * B) Three from: BA 3621 Human Resource Management
BA 3622 Industrial & Labor Relations
BA 3680 International Management
BA 3623/Psych 3318 Industrial & Organizational Psychology
BA 3624 Employee Training & Development
BA 4614 Entrepreneurship/Small Business Management

Marketing
Marketing is an important part of any business or organization and can enhance growth, increase profits, and help achieve the organization's goals. Furthermore, marketing plays an important role in our society by enhancing our quality of life. Equally important, marketing offers varied and interesting career opportunities.

Marketing involves the activities needed to facilitate an exchange. This covers selling products, services or ideas to both consumers and business buyers. Many non-profit institutions are now enthusiastic users of marketing concepts; thus marketing majors find such untraditional areas as hospitals, churches, museums, universities and retirement homes often offer excellent entry level opportunities, in addition to such traditional firms as manufacturing and retailing concerns.

1. Required Core Course:

BA 3700 Basic Marketing

*2. A student must complete at least 4 courses (12 hours) selected from the following:

BA 3720 Management of Promotion
BA 3740 Marketing Research
BA 3710 Consumer Behavior
BA 3741 Quantitative Marketing Methods
BA 3760 Business to Business Marketing
BA 3701 Marketing Management
BA 3780 International Marketing

Management Information Systems
Computer-based management information systems are of vital importance to modern organizations. Management Information Systems (MIS) professionals analyze, design, develop, implement and manage state-of-the-art telecommunications, multi-media and other computer-based information systems. In addition to maintaining traditional transaction processing systems, today's MIS professionals are involved in exciting developments in computing systems, such as decision support and expert systems, database development and enhancement, development and use of Graphical User Interfaces (GUI), and design and management of telecommunications systems. The MIS program provides students with a foundation in both the functional areas of business and in computing technologies that enables graduates to pursue both technical and managerial careers incorporating leading edge technologies in public and private organizations.

1. Required Core Course: BA 1800 Computers and Information Systems 2. A student must complete 7 courses (21 hours)

A) Programming/File Structure Requirement (6 hours) (Either Track 1 or Track 2)

TRACK 2
BA 3806 Mgrl. Appl. of Object Oriented Programming I
BA 3816 Mgrl. Appl.of Object-Oriented Programming II

B) Three courses (9 hours) BA 3810 Information Systems Analysis
BA 3845 Database Management Systems
BA 4850 Information Systems Design *C) A student must complete two courses from the following to include at least one Business Administration (BA) course at the 300-level (6 hours): +BA 3805 COBOL Programming
+BA 3815 File Management
+BA 3806 Mgrl. Appl. of Object-Oriented Programming I
+BA Mgrl. Appl. of Object-Oriented Programming II
BA 3841 The Management of Information Systems
BA 3842 Managmeent of Telecommunications
BA 3843 Decision Support & Expert Systems
BA 3844 End-User Computing for Business Applications
BA 3421 Accounting Information Systems & Spreadsheet Applications
CS 2700 Computer Systems: Architecture and Organization
CS 2710 Computer Systems: Programming
CS 4300 Artificial Intelligence
CS 4760 Operating Systems +If not used to fulfill requirements in 2A

Logistics & Operations Management
The mission of Logistics and Operations Management is to get the appropriate goods or services to the right place, at the right time, in the right quality and quantity, while making the greatest contribution to the organization. In a business environment, Logistics and Operations Management encompasses the design, implementation and management of systems for efficient deployment of personnel, physical facilities, raw-materials, in-process inventories, finished goods and related information or services. Logistics and Operations Management covers the whole supply chain, from the point or xorigin to the point of consumption. Logistics and Operations Management analysts must be proficient in the use of quantitative models and computers, and communicate effectively.

1. Required Core Courses:
BA 3300 Business Statistics
BA 3320 Intro to Operations Management

*2. A student must complete at least 4 courses (12 hours) selected from the following:
BA 3843 Decision Support & Expert Systems
BA 4320 Production & Operations Management
BA 4322 Lean Production in Manufacturing & Service Operations
BA 4324 Service Operations Management
BA 4330 Business Logistics Systems
BA 4312 Business Forecasting
BA 4326 Quality Assurance in Business
BA 4314 Multi variate Analysis
BA 4350 Operations Research
BA 4354 Operations Research II
xCS 1250 Introduction to Computing
xBA 3806 Managerial Applications of Object Oriented Programming I
xBA 3844 End-User Computing for Business Applications

x No more than one of these programming courses may be counted towards the emphasis area.

* BA 3395/3398, Business Administration Problems/Seminars and BA 3199, Independent Study, are restricted to those offered and approved by the area faculty and area coordinator