Business Management
Stephanie Elie-Martin (Director)
Business Management Major, B.A.
The Whitworth Business Management Program blends current organizational theory with practice, providing a one-of-a-kind educational experience for the adult who seeks to complete a bachelor’s degree while working. This major is included in one of the three divisions of Whitworth’s AACSB-accredited School of Business; it meets all requirements for a business degree granted by Whitworth University.
Business Management Optional Concentrations
The Whitworth Business Management program offers six additional, optional concentrations: AI, Business Analytics, Digital Marketing, Human Resources, Supply Chain and Six Sigma. Other Continuing Studies students may take these courses as electives.
Business Management Program Admission Requirements
Admission to the School of Continuing Studies does not guarantee admission to the Whitworth Business Management Degree Program. In addition to being admitted to the School of Continuing Studies, prior to beginning the business management major, students must:
- Complete a minimum of 60 semester credits, either by transfer or at Whitworth, with a grade-point average of 2.0 or above
- Provide a current résumé
- Complete an admission interview with the director of the business management program
Admission Evaluation for Business Management Program
The final determination of admission into the business management program is made by the director of the program in consultation with continuing studies advisors and staff. This decision may be based on prior coursework, recommendations from prior instructors, a personal interview, business aptitude, ability to work well in a cohort-based program, and grade-point average. Applicants will receive notification of their admission status from the School of Continuing Studies.
Business Management Curriculum
Each course is a prerequisite for the course that follows. A passing grade must be achieved in each course in order for a student to continue on to the next. A failing grade (F) may necessitate withdrawal from the program.
The learning outcomes for the business management degree are consistent with those articulated by the Whitworth School of Business for all business degrees. Learning outcomes of this major include:
Communication: Our students will be professionally competent in written and oral communication skills.
Ethics: Our students will be exposed to and navigate through ethical dilemmas and situations.
Management Principles: Our students will be proficient in applied management and leadership concepts.
Teamwork: Our students will be effective team members in global/multi-cultural environments.
Requirements for Business Management, B.A. (36) | ||
|---|---|---|
| COM 351 | Communication and Leadership | 3 |
| BU 425 | Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| BU 354 | Management of Human Resources | 3 |
| BU 240 | Business Law | 3 |
| BU 318 | Applied Marketing | 3 |
| EC 356 | Applied Economic Principles | 3 |
| BU 355 | Managerial Accounting and Finance | 3 |
| BU 385 | Applied Leadership Theory | 3 |
| COM 461 | Applied Cross-Cultural Communication | 3 |
| BU 461 | Ethics in Management | 3 |
| BU 458 | Strategic Management | 3 |
| BU 353W | Organizational Development and Change | 3 |
This program emphasizes practical applications of AI, rather than mathematics, theory, and coding. AI Literacy equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to leverage AI tools and solutions in real-world contexts, preparing students for a multitude of roles. Each course is designed to offer hands-on, project-based learning opportunities, enabling students to develop applications that demonstrate their understanding and capabilities of AI. This approach ensures that graduates are not only theoretically knowledgeable but are also adept at applying AI solutions in a variety of settings.
Requirements for a Business Management B.A. with a Concentration in AI Literacy (48) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Requirements for a B.A. in Business Management | 36 | |
| BUS 121 | AI for Everyone | 3 |
| BUS 221 | AI for Decision Making | 3 |
| BUS 222 | AI for Creativity and Design | 3 |
| BUS 223 | AI Ethics | 3 |
The Business Analytics concentration equips students with essential data analysis skills, including proficiency in SQL and Tableau. Through the use of low-code business analytics tools like spreadsheets and dashboards, students can tackle a wide range of business challenges.
Requirements for a Business Management B.A. with a Concentration in Business Analytics (48) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Requirements for a B.A. in Business Management | 36 | |
| BUS 146 | Foundations in Data Analytics I | 3 |
| BUS 147 | Foundations of Data Analytics II | 3 |
| BUS 346 | Business Analytics I | 3 |
| BUS 347 | Business Analytics II | 3 |
Students learn about essential digital platforms for marketing including social media platforms, email, SMS, and search engines. Through hands-on projects designed with feedback from industry experts, students practice using the backend tools used for each platform, develop data analytics skills to interpret results for informed decision-making, and gain experience presenting their findings clearly and effectively.
Requirements for a Business Management B.A. with a Concentration in Digital Marketing (48) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Requirements for a B.A. in Business Management | 36 | |
| BUS 115 | Introduction to Digital Marketing | 3 |
| BUS 315 | Social Media Marketing, Brand Awareness, and Engagement | 3 |
| BUS 316 | Lifecycle and Email Marketing | 3 |
| BUS 317 | Digital Marketing Analytics and Experimentation | 3 |
Our Human Resource Management concentration is designed to first and foremost provide students with a strong and well-rounded knowledge base of business and business concepts. Once this foundation is built, students will then move onto courses strictly focused on delivering tangible and sought after skills in Human Resource Management.
Requirements for a Business Management B.A. with a Concentration in Human Resource Management (48) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Requirements for a B.A. in Business Management | 36 | |
| BUS 312 | Total Compensation Management | 3 |
| BUS 412 | Training and Development | 3 |
| BUS 413 | Employment and Labor Law | 3 |
| BUS 414 | Human Resource Risk Management | 3 |
Requirements for a Business Management B.A. with a Concentration in Six Sigma (48) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Requirements for a B.A. in Business Management | 36 | |
| BU 314 | Introduction to Operations Management and Six Sigma Green Belt | 3 |
| MA 256 | Elementary Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| BU 361 | Lean Management and Six Sigma Yellow Belt | 3 |
| BU 331 | Project Management and Six Sigma Black Belt | 3 |
This concentration provides students with an understanding of lean processes as well as the leadership skills to adeptly manage change. Add value to current or future employers by understanding how to maximize operational efficiency and how to manage the change to get there.
Our Supply Chain Management concentration is designed to provide students with a comprehensive skill set in Supply Chain Management. The ultimate goal of this concentration is to help students learn the skills necessary to secure an entry-level position in SCM, while also providing them with the educational background necessary for them to grow in their careers in the years to come.
Requirements for a Business Management B.A. with a Concentration in Supply Chain Management (48) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Requirements for a B.A. in Business Management | 36 | |
| BUS 228 | Forecasting and Logistics | 3 |
| BUS 229 | Sourcing and Operations | 3 |
| BUS 428 | Supply Chain Management Capstone | 3 |
| One of the following electives: | 3 | |
| Supply Chain Management Technologies | ||
| Supply Chain in Action | ||