College of Business
Program
Overview
All of the Business Administration courses at the University of St. Francis
are designed to complement each other to produce well-rounded business professionals.
Core courses are designed to provide economic perspective; to develop an
ability in the use of analytical tools and techniques (including mathematical
models and computers); to create understanding of organizational structure
and human relations; and to ensure competencies in functional areas such
as accounting, economics, finance, management and marketing.
Courses that are part of the Business Administration core curriculum include Principles of Economics, Accounting, Business Law, Business Policy, Finance Mathematics, Computer Concepts and Applications, Management and Marketing. Successful completion of these courses gives students a solid background of business education, and readies them for a progressively successful career in the business specialty of their choosing.
USF offers five major areas of business study, along with seven minors. The five majors are Accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing, Applied Organizational Management. The seven minors are Accounting, Economics, Finance, Management, Marketing, Interdisciplinary Business and International Business.
By combining one of the business majors with a minor, students take their knowledge of the subject matter to a higher level broadening their understanding of the business environment.
Accreditation
The College is accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), the leading specialized accreditation association for business education supporting, celebrating, and rewarding teaching excellence. Accreditation is evidence of our commitment to teaching excellence, best practices, and continuous improvement of our programs. There are approximately 2,400 U.S. institutions of higher education that have business-related curricula. More than 400 are members of ACBSP of which 300 have successfully achieved accreditation.
For more information, go to www.acbsp.org .
Internships
At USF, faculty members regularly use Joliet or Will County companies as
learning opportunities for their students. Most internships result in job
offers for students, and special projects with these companies provide invaluable
experience. As another option, students may take an International Business
course plus study abroad or undertake an internship in another country.
Faculty members have led trips abroad to London, Italy and Switzerland, so students can compare foreign industries and business cultures with those in the US
Faculty
Faculty in the Business Administration Department know their students will
be entering a workplace that is changing rapidly. To give their students
every advantage in the workplace, USF Business Administration faculty keep
current with the latest philosophies and technologies.
USF faculty members are particularly creative in using software to enhance the learning process. In Business Policy, the professor sets up simulated business environments in which students make managerial decisions in a number of areas, then find out at the end of class how the company fared. In Economics, students can visit countries online and through software to learn about business operations abroad. Finance students will use spreadsheet modeling in most of their classes. Courses using the web can be assessed at home.
Career Outlook
Accounting prepares students for the CPA or CMA exam and can lead to success
with large CPA firms, small private sector firms, or with government agencies
like the FDIC.
Careers in banking, corporate finance, or investment planning are the focus of the Finance Program. The importance of fundamental techniques used in the field is stressed as is how theory relates to the actual practice of financial management.
The Management program prepares students to become tomorrow’s business leaders and develop interpersonal conflict management, leadership and team-based skills. USF graduates of this program have joined major companies such as Motorola, Inc., Caterpillar, Inc. and Ameritech.
In the Marketing program, students complete marketing research and promotional projects for local businesses and not-for-profit organizations that will prepare them for success in sales, advertising, financial services and banking. Graduates have joined Coca Cola Bottling Co. and R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co. Regardless of which major is chosen, USF’s Business Administration Department prepares students well for the business world. Ninety seven percent of the program’s graduates have found jobs in their area of study or entered graduate school.