The Business Administration program at Trinity Washington University offers students in the School of Professional Studies an undergraduate major leading to the Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.) in Business Administration.
A wide range of skills are essential for success in our increasingly complex and global business environment. Our business administration program equips students with a solid understanding of the various functional areas of business and the analytical and communication skills that are essential to develop and implement effective strategies in a competitive environment. Our graduates contribute effectively to the achievement of target outcomes in business as well as in government organizations.
The business administration curriculum immerses students in an intellectually challenging field of study that develops the conceptual, analytical, functional, interpersonal, and communication skills that are essential for success in an increasingly complex and global business environment. Students develop the ability to assess and analyze complex situations, determine the relative importance of internal and external variables affecting organizational objectives, make effective and ethical decisions, and confidently implement ensuing strategies. A variety of teaching methods are employed – including case studies, lectures, class discussions, group projects, and experiential exercises – to assist students in developing a comprehensive, holistic understanding of the issues and challenges involved in organizations and their management.
The following tracks of study are available:
General Business
Entrepreneurship
Major Requirements
Course work in the Business Administration major is divided into seven categories: core curriculum requirements, co-requisite, professional skills, functional core, concentration tracks, electives and senior seminar courses.
Core Curriculum Courses
26 credits
Co-Requisite Courses (completed as part of the Core Curriculum)
General Business Track
BADM 227 Team Dynamics and DevelopmentStudents of Team Dynamics and Development explore the psychological dynamics inherent in small groups working as teams and the processes they might use to be more effective in developing cooperation and communication, while achieving their mission. Students assess a team's ability to inclusively engage in conflict, share power, express creativity to solve problems and make decisions.
3 Credits
BADM 101 prior is recommended but not required.BADM 236 Theories of LeadershipThis course will survey significant leadership theories, discuss current leadership issues (ethics, motivation, conflict) and relate theory to practice through case discussion.
3 credits
Prerequisites: BADM 101 or BADM 110, or EXSC 321 (exercise science students only) or by Permission of InstructorBADM 335 Consumer BehaviorRefers to the behavior that consumers display in searching for, using, evaluating and disposing of products and services to satisfy their needs. The study of consumer behavior is the study of how individuals make decisions to spend their available resources (time, money, effort) on consumption-related items. Relying heavily on case studies, the course requires students to understand and predict consumer behavior. Formerly MKT 322 Consumer Behavior.
3 credits
Prerequisite: BADM 231BADM 355 Business Plan DevelopmentFocuses on methods for entrepreneurs and small businesses to find and develop new business opportunities, including initial capitalization through partners and other investors. Includes a detailed study of the management of business personnel and associates, the analysis of competition in the marketplace, and the forecasting of business growth. Students learn how to define objectives, strategies, and action plans, forecast sales and expenses, prepare profit and loss statements, predict and manage cash flow, and determine sales and marketing strategies, among other key topics. Students are required to identify and define new business opportunities and to prepare related business plans.
3 creditsBADM 363 Human Resources Law and Employee SafetyStudents in this course will survey employment law, and HR's role in compliance, including the National Labor Relations Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, Occupational Safety and Health Act, COBRA, HIPAA, Title VII each of which have dramatically changed the relationship between employer and employee. Additionally, students will analyze the impact of employment law in issues, such as: Harassment, discrimination, and the role of the human resources administrator in implementing and enforcing policies and practices.
3 credits
Prerequisites: BADM 371 is required and BADM 101 is recommended.BADM 375 Introduction to Organizational DevelopmentApplies behavioral science theories and techniques to assess the current health of an organization and its ability to adapt to environmental changes, improve internal relationships, and increase its problem-solving capabilities thereby increasing effectiveness. The course studies the essential steps for achieving change at the individual, group, and organizational level necessary to adapt to the dynamic external environment. The course also examines processes and outcomes of planned change efforts in organizations. Fomerly MGT 357 Introduction to Organizational Development.
3 credits
Prerequisites: BADM 251 or BADM 373BADM 451 Project ManagementPresents an introduction to the principles and concepts of project management, an essential tool for the business professional in both the federal and commercial sectors. The course addresses all aspects of the project cycle. Topics include project initiation, project planning, team selection, project monitoring and control, risk management, and project closeout. Emphasis is placed on how to identify and meet schedule, cost, and technical constraints while focusing on customer needs. Formerly BUA 401 Project Management.
3 credits
Prerequisites: BADM 101 or BADM 251
Entrepreneurship Track
BADM 252 EntrepreneurshipDevelops entrepreneurial skills through analysis and examination of the strategies employed by today's most successful entrepreneurs. The case study approach is utilized. Students learn about the entrepreneurial process, and about the opportunities and challenges facing entrepreneurs starting new business ventures. Identifying promising new opportunities, developing business concepts and marketing plans, and managing a new venture are integral components of this course.
Prerequisite: BADM 101
3 creditsBADM 335 Consumer BehaviorRefers to the behavior that consumers display in searching for, using, evaluating and disposing of products and services to satisfy their needs. The study of consumer behavior is the study of how individuals make decisions to spend their available resources (time, money, effort) on consumption-related items. Relying heavily on case studies, the course requires students to understand and predict consumer behavior. Formerly MKT 322 Consumer Behavior.
3 credits
Prerequisite: BADM 231BADM 337 Advertising and PromotionStudies promotional activity and marketing communication as they relate to the theory of exchange and the existence of an informational gap between procedures or products (goods, services and ideas) and the potential consumer. The tools of promotion include advertising, personal selling, reseller support, publicity and sales promotion. Decisions about the promotional mix, message, media and their selection and execution are discussed. Formerly MKT 343 Advertising and Promotion.
3 credits
Prerequisite: BADM 231BADM 351 Entrepreneurial Finance and Resource DevelopmentFocuses on principles of corporate and financial management, financial statement analysis and interpretation, effective planning, budgeting and financial control, financial risk assessments, and fundamentals of basic financial planning for new and small businesses. Includes in-depth discussion and analysis of entrepreneurial resource development and human resource management and development. Incorporates the study of ethical business decisions in the small business environment.
3 creditsBADM 355 Business Plan DevelopmentFocuses on methods for entrepreneurs and small businesses to find and develop new business opportunities, including initial capitalization through partners and other investors. Includes a detailed study of the management of business personnel and associates, the analysis of competition in the marketplace, and the forecasting of business growth. Students learn how to define objectives, strategies, and action plans, forecast sales and expenses, prepare profit and loss statements, predict and manage cash flow, and determine sales and marketing strategies, among other key topics. Students are required to identify and define new business opportunities and to prepare related business plans.
3 creditsBADM 375 Introduction to Organizational DevelopmentApplies behavioral science theories and techniques to assess the current health of an organization and its ability to adapt to environmental changes, improve internal relationships, and increase its problem-solving capabilities thereby increasing effectiveness. The course studies the essential steps for achieving change at the individual, group, and organizational level necessary to adapt to the dynamic external environment. The course also examines processes and outcomes of planned change efforts in organizations. Fomerly MGT 357 Introduction to Organizational Development.
3 credits
Prerequisites: BADM 251 or BADM 373BADM 451 Project ManagementPresents an introduction to the principles and concepts of project management, an essential tool for the business professional in both the federal and commercial sectors. The course addresses all aspects of the project cycle. Topics include project initiation, project planning, team selection, project monitoring and control, risk management, and project closeout. Emphasis is placed on how to identify and meet schedule, cost, and technical constraints while focusing on customer needs. Formerly BUA 401 Project Management.
3 credits
Prerequisites: BADM 101 or BADM 251
