Undergraduate Catalog 2024-2025

Management, Bachelor of Science (723)


Program Coordinator

Whitney O. Peake, whitney.peake@wku.edu, (270) 745-2913

Students pursuing a major in Management may choose one of the following concentrations: Business Administration, Human Resource Management, Entrepreneurship, Global Business, or Supply Chain Management

The Business Administration concentration of the Management major provides a broad business perspective for students who eventually wish to be involved in profit or goal management responsibilities. This program of study is not intended to prepare students for a career in any one type of industry or profession. Rather, it provides the graduate with a knowledge of basic managerial skills required by managers from small business owners to corporate presidents. 

The Human Resource Management concentration of the Management major is designed to develop skills for managing an essential resource of any organization--its employees. Because of the importance of increasing human productivity, human resource management is viewed as a key contributor to organizational effectiveness. Human resource managers are frequently involved in top-level decision making.

The Entrepreneurship concentration allows students to develop the skills needed to start and own a business, to develop or grow an existing company, or to create an entrepreneurial environment within an organization.  Entrepreneurial students are not only prepared to operate a business, they are trained to innovate within existing organizations to increase productivity and performance. Students are encouraged to develop creative and impactful solutions by thinking critically about problems relevant to a variety of organizations, and continually practice and hone these skills through hands-on engagement in real-world exercises and projects.

The Global Business concentration is designed to increase students’ knowledge and develop the necessary skills in order to function effectively in today’s dynamic global environment. Students learn business practices around the world, international economics and trade regulations, geopolitical impacts on organizations, and cross-cultural management. Students are encouraged to take on an internship in a firm engaged in international business or participate in study abroad.

The Supply Chain Management concentration prepares students to work in the fast-paced and growing environment of supply chain, transportation and logistics. Students learn about operations, and how supply chains are created, defined, operated, maximized and examined across multiple industries. With the exciting supply chain environment in the Southern Kentucky region, students have opportunities to see examples from and work with supply chain professionals. 

Concentrations

  • Human Resource Management (MGHP)
  • Business Administration (MBUS)
  • Entrepreneurship (MENT)
  • Global Business (MGBU)
  • Supply Chain Management (MSCM)

Program Requirements (78 hours)

The undergraduate major in management requires 78 hours of professional and elective courses and leads to a Bachelor of Science degree. No minor is required, although approved minors inside or outside the Gordon Ford College of Business are encouraged.

The undergraduate management program offers four areas of concentration within the major:

  1. Business Administration 
  2. Human Resource Management
  3. Entrepreneurship
  4. Global Business
  5. Supply Chain Management

A baccalaureate degree requires a minimum of 120 unduplicated semester hours. More information can be found at www.wku.edu/registrar/degree_certification.php.

Students who began WKU in the Fall 2014 and thereafter should review the Colonnade requirements located at: https://www.wku.edu/colonnade/colonnaderequirements.php.

Business Administration Concentration

The Business Administration concentration develops student’s abilities to analyze and to manage a wide range of business situations. This development occurs by building on fundamental business functions studied in the core courses. The program is for students who intend to manage an independent business or a unit of a larger organization and who want a broad curriculum. 

Business Foundations Courses
MATH 123Mathematical Applications for Business *3
ACCT 110Accounting for Decision Makers3
BDAN 250Introduction to Analytics3
ECON 202Principles of Economics (Micro)3
ECON 206Statistics3
MGT 210Organization and Management3
MKT 220Basic Marketing Concepts3
FIN 330Principles of Finance3
MGT 498Strategy and Policy3
or ENT 496 Hilltopper Student Consulting Experience
Career Preparation Courses
BA 170Business Student Basics 11
or BA 175 University Experience-Business
or BA 220 Special Topics in Business Administration (Lower Division)
MGT 261Business Communication Fundamentals3
MGT 399Career Readiness in Management1
MGT 499Senior Assessment in Management1
Management Required Courses
MGT 200Legal Environment of Business3
MGT 305Ethics and Critical Thinking3
MGT 311Human Resource Management3
MGT 313Decision Modeling3
MGT 314Operations Management3
MGT 417Organizational Behavior3
Management - Business Administration Concentration Required Courses
ECON 414Managerial Economics3
Select one of the following BDAN courses or other Professional Elective: 23
Business Data Analytics
Web Analytics
Structured Data Analysis
DSS Analysis and Design
Predictive Modeling
Data Visualization
Professional Elective 26
Select a MGT or ENT Elective 39
Select a MKT Elective 43
Select a FIN Elective 53
Total Hours78
*

Or any calculus class, or math ACT score of at least 26, or math SAT score of at least 610.

1

BA 175 is only for Business LLC students. BA 220 is only for WKU students and transfer students who choose a business major as a sophomore or higher.

2

The professional electives may be chosen from any 300- or 400- level course within the Gordon Ford College of Business not already required for the major.

3

The management or entrepreneurship electives may be chosen from any 300- or 400- level course within the Management Department not already required for the major.

4

The marketing elective may be chosen from any 300 or 400 level course beyond MKT 220.

5

The finance elective may be chosen from any 300 or 400 level course beyond FIN 330.

Human Resource Management Concentration

The Human Resource Management concentration is designed to develop skills for managing an essential resource of any organization—its employees. Because of the importance of increasing human productivity, human resource management is viewed as a key contributor to organizational effectiveness and achievement of strategic goals. Human resources managers are frequently involved in top-level decision making. The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) acknowledges that our HR curriculum aligns with its guidelines. We are one of only a few dozen U.S. universities with this recognition.

The HRM concentration is designed to prepare students for a rewarding career as a specialist in an area such as recruitment and selection, training and development, compensation and benefits administration, or labor relations.  

Business Foundations Courses
MATH 123Mathematical Applications for Business *3
ACCT 110Accounting for Decision Makers3
BDAN 250Introduction to Analytics3
ECON 202Principles of Economics (Micro)3
ECON 206Statistics3
MGT 210Organization and Management3
MKT 220Basic Marketing Concepts3
FIN 330Principles of Finance3
MGT 498Strategy and Policy3
or ENT 496 Hilltopper Student Consulting Experience
Career Preparation Courses
BA 170Business Student Basics 11
or BA 175 University Experience-Business
or BA 220 Special Topics in Business Administration (Lower Division)
MGT 261Business Communication Fundamentals3
MGT 399Career Readiness in Management1
MGT 499Senior Assessment in Management1
Management - Human Resource Concentration Required Courses
MGT 200Legal Environment of Business3
MGT 305Ethics and Critical Thinking3
MGT 311Human Resource Management3
MGT 314Operations Management3
MGT 417Organizational Behavior3
MGT 383Human Resource Information Systems3
MGT 400Employment Law3
MGT 411Effective Staffing Practices3
MGT 413International Human Resource Management3
MGT 414Compensation Administration3
MGT 473Training in Business and Industry3
MGT 495Strategic Human Resources Management3
Choose 3 of the following courses:9
Practicum in Management
Labor Economics
Business Negotiation
Management of Labor Relations
Management of Organizational Conflict
Project Management
Introduction to Occupational Safety and Health
Emergency Management Policy and Practices
Advanced Disaster Planning, Management, and Preparedness
Trends in Disaster Preparedness and Management
Any MGT 400 level course
Total Hours78
*

Or any calculus class, or math ACT score of at least 26, or math SAT score of at least 610.

1
BA 175 is only for Business LLC students. BA 220 is only for WKU students and transfer students who choose a business major as a sophomore or higher.

Entrepreneurship Concentration

The Entrepreneurship concentration allows students to develop the skills needed to start and own a business, to develop or grow an existing company, or to create an entrepreneurial environment within an organization.  Entrepreneurial students are not only prepared to operate a business, they are trained to innovate within existing organizations to increase productivity and performance. Students are encouraged to develop creative and impactful solutions by thinking critically about problems relevant to a variety of organizations, and continually practice and hone these skills through hands-on engagement in real-world exercises and projects.

Business Foundations Courses
MATH 123Mathematical Applications for Business *3
ACCT 110Accounting for Decision Makers3
BDAN 250Introduction to Analytics3
ECON 202Principles of Economics (Micro)3
ECON 206Statistics3
MGT 210Organization and Management3
MKT 220Basic Marketing Concepts3
FIN 330Principles of Finance3
ENT 496Hilltopper Student Consulting Experience3
Career Preparation Courses
BA 170Business Student Basics 11
or BA 175 University Experience-Business
or BA 220 Special Topics in Business Administration (Lower Division)
MGT 261Business Communication Fundamentals3
MGT 399Career Readiness in Management1
MGT 499Senior Assessment in Management1
Management - Entrepreneurship Concentration Required Courses
MGT 200Legal Environment of Business3
MGT 305Ethics and Critical Thinking3
MGT 311Human Resource Management3
MGT 313Decision Modeling3
MGT 314Operations Management3
MGT 417Organizational Behavior3
ENT 312Entrepreneurship3
ENT 380New Venture Business Planning3
ENT 363Family Business Management3
ENT 463Small Business Management3
MKT 427Entrepreneurial Marketing3
FIN 441Entrepreneurial Finance3
ENT Elective (Choose any unduplicated course with the ENT prefix)3
Professional Elective (Any 300- or 400-level course within GFCB not already required for the major.6
Total Hours78
*

Or any calculus class, or math ACT score of at least 26, or math SAT score of at least 610.

1
BA 175 is only for Business LLC students. BA 220 is only for WKU students and transfer students who choose a business major as a sophomore or higher.

Global Business Concentration

The Global Business concentration is designed to increase students’ knowledge and develop the necessary skills in to function effectively in today’s dynamic global environment. Students learn business practices around the world, international economics and trade regulations, geopolitical impacts on organizations, and cross-cultural management. Students are required to do an internship in a firm engaged in international business or participate in study abroad.

Business Foundations Courses
MATH 123Mathematical Applications for Business *3
ACCT 110Accounting for Decision Makers3
BDAN 250Introduction to Analytics3
ECON 202Principles of Economics (Micro)3
ECON 206Statistics3
MGT 210Organization and Management3
MKT 220Basic Marketing Concepts3
FIN 330Principles of Finance3
MGT 498Strategy and Policy3
or ENT 496 Hilltopper Student Consulting Experience
Career Preparation Courses
BA 170Business Student Basics 11
or BA 175 University Experience-Business
or BA 220 Special Topics in Business Administration (Lower Division)
MGT 261Business Communication Fundamentals3
MGT 399Career Readiness in Management1
MGT 499Senior Assessment in Management1
Global Business Concentration Required Courses
MGT 200Legal Environment of Business3
MGT 305Ethics and Critical Thinking3
MGT 311Human Resource Management3
MGT 313Decision Modeling3
MGT 314Operations Management3
MGT 417Organizational Behavior3
MGT 303International Business3
MGT 316International Management3
Choose 6 hours (from the same prefix) in a world language6
Choose one of the following courses to fulfill the Cultural Component: 3
Chinese Culture and Civilization
Intercultural Communication
Communication in Multinational Organizations
Our Future: Local and Global
French Civilization and Culture
Geography of East Asia
Germanic Civilization and Culture
Population, Society, and Development
Sociology of Globalization
Latin American Civilization and Culture
Spanish Civilization and Culture
Intermediate Arabic I
Intermediate Chinese I
Intermediate French I
Intermediate German I
Intermediate Japanese I
Intermediate Russian I
Intermediate Spanish I
Choose 4 of the following courses:12
International Marketing
Supply Chain Management
Business Negotiation
International Human Resource Management
Practicum in Management
Logistics and Transportation Management
Sourcing and Procurement Management
International Entrepreneurship
Strategic Human Resources Management
International Financial Management
Entrepreneurship
International Economics
Economic Development
Environmental and Resource Economics
Total Hours78
*

Or any calculus class, or math ACT score of at least 26, or math SAT score of at least 610.

1
BA 175 is only for Business LLC students. BA 220 is only for WKU students and transfer students who choose a business major as a sophomore or higher.

Supply Chain Management Concentration

The Supply Chain Management concentration prepares students to work in the fast-paced and growing environment of supply chain, transportation and logistics. Students learn about operations, and how supply chains are created, defined, operated, maximized and examined across multiple industries. With the exciting supply chain environment in the Southern Kentucky region, students have opportunities to see examples from and work with supply chain professionals. 

Business Foundations Courses
MATH 123Mathematical Applications for Business *3
ACCT 110Accounting for Decision Makers3
BDAN 250Introduction to Analytics3
ECON 202Principles of Economics (Micro)3
ECON 206Statistics3
MGT 210Organization and Management3
MKT 220Basic Marketing Concepts3
FIN 330Principles of Finance3
MGT 498Strategy and Policy3
or ENT 496 Hilltopper Student Consulting Experience
Career Preparation Courses
BA 170Business Student Basics 11
or BA 175 University Experience-Business
or BA 220 Special Topics in Business Administration (Lower Division)
MGT 261Business Communication Fundamentals3
MGT 399Career Readiness in Management1
MGT 499Senior Assessment in Management1
Supply Chain Concentration Required Courses
MGT 200Legal Environment of Business3
MGT 305Ethics and Critical Thinking3
MGT 311Human Resource Management3
MGT 313Decision Modeling3
MGT 314Operations Management3
MGT 417Organizational Behavior3
MKT 423Supply Chain Management3
MGT 415Logistics and Transportation Management3
MGT 423Sourcing and Procurement Management3
BDAN 310Business Data Analytics3
MGT 405Business Negotiation3
Choose 4 of the following courses:12
Senior Seminar-Management
Practicum in Management
Structured Data Analysis
DSS Analysis and Design
Predictive Modeling
Data Visualization
Games and Strategy
Regression and Econometric Analysis
Corporate Asset Management
Business-To-Business Marketing
Safety in Industry
Manufacturing Operations
Quality Assurance
Project Management
Lean Systems
Total Hours78
*

Or any calculus class, or math ACT score of at least 26, or math SAT score of at least 610.

1

BA 175 is only for Business LLC students. BA 220 is only for WKU students and transfer students who choose a business major as a sophomore or higher.

Finish in Four Plans 

Management, Business Administration Concentration (723P, 723) 

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Colonnade: Natural & Physical Sciences3Colonnade: Arts and Humanities3
BA 1701ACCT 1103
ECON 2023General University Elective3
ENG 1003COMM 1453
MATH 1233HIST 101 or HIST 1023
General University Elective2 
 15 15
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
MGT 2103MGT 2003
BDAN 2503MGT 2613
Colonnade: Literary Studies3MKT 2203
Colonnade: Natural & Physical Sciences with lab3Colonnade: Connections13
ECON 2063Colonnade: Connections23
 15 15
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
FIN 3303MGT 3991
MGT 3053MGT 3113
MGT 3143MGT 4173
Business Data Analytics Upper-Division or Professional Elective3Marketing Upper-Division Elective3
Colonnade: Connections33Colonnade: Writing in the Disciplines3
 General University Elective2
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
ECON 4143MGT 4991
MGT 3133MGT 498 or ENT 4963
Finance Upper-Division Elective3Professional Upper-Division Electiv3
MGT or ENT Upper Division Elective3MGT or ENT Upper-Division Elective3
MGT or ENT Upper Division Elective3Professional Upper-Division Elective3
 General University Elective2
 15 15
Total Hours 120

Management, Human Resource Management Concentration (723P, 723)  

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Colonnade: Natural & Physical Sciences3Colonnade: Arts and Humanities3
BA 1701ACCT 1103
ECON 2023COMM 1453
ENG 1003HIST 101 or HIST 1023
MATH 1233General University Elective3
General University Elective2 
 15 15
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
ECON 2063Colonnade: Connections13
BDAN 2503MGT 2613
Colonnade: Literary Studies3MGT 2003
MGT 2103MKT 2203
Colonnade: Natural & Physical Sciences with lab3Colonnade: Connections23
 15 15
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Colonnade: Connections33General University Elective2
FIN 3303MGT 4173
MGT 3053MGT 383 or MGT 3133
MGT 3113Human Resources Management Upper-Division Elective3
MGT 3143MGT 3991
 Colonnade: Writing in the Disciplines3
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
MGT 4113MGT 4143
MGT 4133MGT 498 or ENT 4963
MGT 4003MGT 4953
MGT 4733MGT 4991
Human Resource Management Upper-Division Elective3General University Elective2
 Human Resources Management Upper-Division Elective3
 15 15
Total Hours 120

Management, Entrepreneurship Concentration (723P, 723)  

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Colonnade: Natural & Physical Sciences3Colonnade - Arts and Humanities 3
BA 1701COMM 1453
ECON 2023ACCT 1103
ENG 1003HIST 101 or HIST 1023
MATH 1233General University Elective3
General University Elective2 
 15 15
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
ECON 2063ENT 312 (K-SY)13
BDAN 2503MGT 2613
Colonnade: Literary Studies3MGT 2003
MGT 2103MKT 2203
Colonnade: Natural & Physical Sciences with lab3Colonnade Connections23
 15 15
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
ENT 4633MKT 4273
Colonnade Connections33MGT 3133
FIN 3303Professional Upper-Division Elective3
MGT 3053Colonnade - Writing in the Disciplines3
MGT 3143Colonnade: Connections33
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
ENT 3633General University Elective2
MGT 3113Professional Upper-Division Elective3
ENT 3803ENT Upper Division Elective3
FIN 4413Professional Upper Division Elective3
MGT 4173ENT 4963
 MGT 4991
 15 15
Total Hours 120

Management, Global Business Concentration (723P, 723)  

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Colonnade: Natural & Physical Sciences3Colonnade: Arts & Humanities3
BA 1701ACCT 1103
ECON 2023COMM 1453
ENG 1003General University Elective3
MATH 1233HIST 101 or HIST 1023
General University Elective2 
 15 15
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
ECON 2063Colonnade - Connections13
BDAN 2503MGT 2613
Colonnade: Literary Studies3MGT 2003
MGT 2103MKT 2203
Colonnade: Natural & Physical Sciences with lab3Colonnade: Connections23
 15 15
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Foreign Language (Same Prefix)3Foreign Language (same prefix)3
FIN 3303MGT 3133
MGT 3053Colonnade - Connections33
MGT 3163Colonnade - Writing in the Disciplines3
MGT 3143MGT 3991
 General University Elective2
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Cultural Component3General University Elective2
MGT 3113Professional Upper-Division Elective3
MGT 3033Professional Upper-Division Elective3
Professional Upper-Division Elective3Professional Upper Division Elective3
MGT 4173MGT 498 or ENT 4963
 MGT 4991
 15 15
Total Hours 120

Management, Supply Chain Management Concentration (723P, 723)

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Colonnade: Natural & Physical Sciences3Colonnade: Arts & Humanities3
BA 1701ACCT 1103
ECON 2023COMM 1453
ENG 1003General University Elective3
MATH 1233HIST 101 or HIST 1023
General University Elective2 
 15 15
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
ECON 2063Colonnade - Connections13
BDAN 2503MGT 2613
Colonnade: Literary Studies3MGT 2003
MGT 2103MKT 2203
Colonnade: Natural & Physical Sciences with lab3Colonnade: Connections23
 15 15
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
MGT 3143MGT 4153
FIN 3303MGT 3133
Colonnade - Connections33Colonnade: Writing in the Disciplines3
MGT 3053MGT 3113
MKT 4233General University Elective2
 MGT 3991
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
BDAN 3103General University Elective2
MGT 4233MGT 4173
SCM Elective3SCM Elective3
SCM Elective3SCM Elective3
MGT 4053MGT 498 or ENT 4963
 MGT 4991
 15 15
Total Hours 120