Learning Goals
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh's Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) Program has three categories of learning goals that prepare undergraduate business students for a successful professional career.
Business Knowledge
The College of Business (COB) graduate will be competent in a functional area (major field). The COB graduate will also understand the basic aspects of all other functional areas, and understand how those areas are integrated.
While it is essential that each graduate have a deep understanding of one main area of business, a solid understanding in all functional areas of business is also important. Effective managers must understand the basic operations of all areas, and understand how those areas can be optimally integrated.
Business Environment
Diversity and Global Business Issues
The COB graduate will know the impact of diversity on organizations, and will have an understanding of the main global issues affecting business.
Businesses operate in a variety of cultures and in a variety of nations. Managers need to have a fundamental understanding of how culture affects employees, investors, customers and suppliers. The rapid globalization process occurring in business demands that students have an understanding of such diverse topics as telecommunications, financial flows, exchange rates, consumer behavior and labor law. While no person can become fully adept at so many topics, it is important that each College of Business graduate begin the process of learning the major impacts of globalization on business.
Ethics
COB graduates will distinguish between ethical and unethical action in business and other professional situations.
While a firm understanding of business law provides some basics for ethical behavior, much that is legal is not also ethical. Given the many decisions managers make each day, it is essential that they have sufficient background in ethical theory so they can make informed judgments.
Business Skills
Communication Skills
The COB graduate will use oral, written, and computerized media to present information to effectively communicate.
Each College of Business graduate will be required to satisfactorily complete multiple papers, give oral presentations and use computerized media such as PowerPoint.
Project Management Skills
The COB graduate will be able to effectively plan and implement projects and activities. In addition, COB graduates will be able to coordinate tasks and monitor the progress of tasks.
Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills
COB graduates will analyze situations and make decisions, using problem solving techniques, as well as creative and advanced critical thinking skills.
COB graduates will satisfactorily conduct case analyzes and effectively participate in professional experiences. They should know how to gather data correctly, how to organize it for analysis and how to use common software tools to aid in the data analysis.
Interpersonal and Leadership Skills
COB graduates will work effectively in teams, using interpersonal, communication and leadership skills.
The COB graduate will satisfactorily complete multiple team projects, during which the graduate will learn team dynamics, small-group leadership and group problem solving skills.
Work Experience
COB graduates will have at least 100 hours of working in an internship.
Some aspects of professional preparation can only come from hands-on experience. Punctuality, on-the-job learning, proper appearance, networking and business courtesies are among the many business skills that can best be acquired by work experience.
