Business Administration
Associate of Science (AS)
Online Degree Program

Introduction to Accounting reviews the basic approach to accounting with an emphasis on recording, measuring and communicating the accounting data of business. Basic accounting concepts will be explored, including the effects of transactions on financial statements, payroll accounting, accounting for professional and merchandising operations and state and federal income tax deductions.

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Identify and define commonly used accounting terms and key principles, and examine the role of accounting in business.
• Demonstrate an understanding of accounting practices, systems, and processes in a variety of organizational settings.
• Demonstrate an understanding of best practices in cost analysis, pricing, and financial statements.
• Examine accounting processes including budgeting, establishing standard costs, and accounting for fixed assets.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to accounting.

Public Relations is the values-driven management of relationships with groups of people that can influence an organization’s success. This course will examine how organizations can ethically and systematically build productive, mutually beneficial relationships with such groups, especially with the exponential growth of social media and emerging technologies. This course also discusses the dynamic growth of global communications and its challenge for the PR profession.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe the theoretical foundations, key terms, and history of public relations.
• Describe the types of ethical and social responsibility issues that public relations must address.
• Examine best practices for social media and emerging technologies in public relations.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the globalization of public relations.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to public relations.

Human Resource Management explores the fundamentals of human resource management and its significance to a company’s success. Examined, in detail, are HR functions such as recruitment, retention, appraisal, compensation, labor relations, development, and current trends in the field. Practical skills-oriented concepts and techniques are highlighted throughout the course, as is the emphasis on building and maintaining an engaged and productive workforce.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Identify and define human resource management, and describe major trends and best practices related to the field.
• Demonstrate an understanding of staffing and training issues related to human resource management.
• Develop an understanding of compensation plans and total rewards.
• Recognize the importance of employee and labor relations, social responsibility, ethics, and risk management as they relate to the field.
• Identify the issues of managing human resources on a global scale.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to human resource management.

Introduction to Criminal Justice aims to provide students with a general understanding of the criminal justice system’s response to crime in society. It is important to note that the general theme of this course involves the delicate balance between community interests and individual rights that criminal justice decision-making requires. This theme will be explored by examining the criminal justice process in some detail, focusing on how the system is structured to respond to crime.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Identify and define the study of criminal justice and examine the history of crime in America.
• Demonstrate an understanding of policing, its history, purpose, legal aspects, and challenges.
• Describe the process of adjudication including court systems, criminal trial and sentencing.
• Discuss the practice of corrections including probation, parole, prisons and jails, and examine future trends.
• Examine special issues in criminal justice related to globalization, juvenile justice, drugs and crime, terrorism, and multinational crime.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to criminal justice.

Criminal Investigation aims to provide students with an overview of the criminal investigation field. Course topics include the fundamentals of criminal investigation, follow-up investigative processes, methods for obtaining information, and how to approach the investigation of different types of crimes.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Identify and define the study of criminal investigation and discuss the foundations of criminal investigation.
• Demonstrate an understanding of follow-up investigative processes and analyze the legal issues involved.
• Discuss best practices for obtaining information through interviews, interrogations, criminal intelligence and surveillance operations.
• Examine the various types of crimes related to people, property and national security.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to criminal investigation.

Procedures in the Justice System covers the fundamental principles and procedures employed in the investigation of crimes. The course connects criminal procedure cases to the real world through innovative instruction and encourages critical thinking. This course is designed to help students develop a working knowledge of the steps of investigation, beginning with the initial security of the crime scene and concluding with the presentation of evidence and proper testimony in court in such a way as to make the concepts easy to apply to any state’s specific procedural laws.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe the foundations of criminal procedure and define the exclusionary rule.
• Examine the various components of search and seizure.
• Demonstrate an understanding of criminal procedures including interrogations, confessions, and identification procedures.
• Describe the different elements of formal proceedings.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to procedures in the justice system.

Forensic Science explores the forensic investigation process and procedures. Students will learn how to identify, gather, and analyze multiple types of evidence through contemporary case studies. This course is designed to make the subject of forensic science comprehensible to a wide variety of students who are, or plan to be, aligned with the forensic science profession.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define forensic science and criminalistics including commonly used terms and key concepts.
• Examine factors related to the various types of evidence related to forensics.
• Describe and examine best practices of collection and preservation of evidence.
• Assess the role of forensic science in terrorism including aspects of cybercrime, computer forensics, cyberterrorism, classification of explosives, and detecting weapons of mass destruction.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to forensic science.

The United States Health Care System course is designed to introduce students to the organization, structure, and operation of the nation’s health care system. This course aims to help students effectively identify their present and future roles as consumer, provider, manager, decision- maker, and analyst. The class examines an overview of the health care system, causes and characteristics of health service utilization, the nature of wellness and disease, individual provider settings, financial and nonfinancial resources used and needed, and measurement of quality of care.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define health and healthcare, key terminology, and analyze the role and process of healthcare in America.
• Describe aspects of employment in healthcare delivery including key personnel and required education and training.
• Examine the various delivery systems in healthcare and discuss related legal, ethical, and political issues.
• Analyze issues in the healthcare industry regarding research, cultural competency, and international applications.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to the United States healthcare system.

Essentials of Managed Health Care focuses on health insurance as it impacts the management of healthcare organizations. This course provides a systematic overview of the history of managed healthcare and health insurance in the United States, types of health plans and available payers, the provider network, utilization management, quality management, accreditation, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid managed care, and laws and regulations in health insurance and managed care.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Discuss the major forces shaping health insurance and managed care today.
• Examine the basic elements of health benefits coverage and provider payment options.
• Describe the basic components of utilization management for medical services.
• Explain the Medicare and Medicaid benefit structures.
• Identify key state and federal laws and regulations governing managed care.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to the essentials of managed care.

Cultural Diversity in Health and Illness promotes an awareness of the dimensions and complexities involved in interactions between health professionals and patients from diverse socio-cultural backgrounds. It examines different cultural perspectives regarding health, illness and health care that exists within American society by demonstrating traditional health beliefs and practices among selected populations. Emphasis is placed on the importance of having culturally competent health care professionals to better serve an increasingly diverse population.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define and describe the importance of cultural and linguistic competence in healthcare.
• Examine the various health domains including health, healing, and familial traditions.
• Analyze trends in healthcare and describe current issues and barriers to healthcare.
• Discuss health care problems in various demographic groups.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to cultural diversity in health and illness.

Medical Law and Ethics explores the study of medical ethics, or applied ethics, for healthcare professionals who often face dilemmas that are not experienced by the general population. The fast-paced growth of medical technology has made the study of ethics even more relevant. The study of bioethics, or biomedical ethics, refers to moral dilemmas due to advances in medicine and medical research. Since medical law and ethics are often interrelated, students need to have a clear understanding of both in order to protect themselves, their employer, and the patient. The study of ethics includes many questions for which there is no one answer.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define medical law, ethics, and bioethics and examine why it is important to study them.
• Examine the legal environment of healthcare including the legal and court systems and essential laws for healthcare professionals.
• Describe issues related to the healthcare environment regarding liability, confidentiality, and the physician-patient relationship.
• Demonstrate an understanding of medical ethics and describe future trends in healthcare.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to medical law and ethics.

Consumer Behavior explores not only the act of buying, but it also investigates how having—or not having—a product, service, idea, or experience affects our lives, how we view ourselves, and how we view others. This course examines consumer behavior as an ongoing process and includes discussions about current marketing trends—how consumers and technology have affected marketing, and how new marketing has affected consumers and their social environment.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe the foundations and process of consumer behavior, and discuss the main perspectives on research in consumer behavior.
• Examine the internal influences on consumer behavior.
• Analyze the factors that lead to consumers choosing and using products.
• Evaluate consumers in their social and cultural settings.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to consumer behavior.

Advertising and Promotions will allow students to see a collective picture of integrated marketing communications. Focus is placed on business-to-business marketing concepts, international marketing discussions, brand management, and various advertising and promotional tactics. This is an integrated approach with a solid advertising core.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe and examine the foundations and role of advertising, promotion, and marketing.
• Analyze the communications process and examine the role of consumers, ad agencies, and other marketing communication organizations.
• Evaluate objectives and budgeting for integrated marketing communications programs and describe the process of development.
• Demonstrate an understanding of monitoring, evaluation, and control in measuring program effectiveness.
• Examine regulations, global applications, social, ethical and economic issues related to advertising and promotions.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to advertising and promotions.

Marketing Management offers a streamlined approach to current marketing management practices and theory, with a focus on helping companies, groups, and individuals adapt their marketing strategies and management practices to the marketplace of the twenty-first century. Outside cases and simulations are presented to help students utilize their marketing knowledge for successful marketing practices and to effectively solve marketing problems with the latest tools and techniques.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define marketing and marketing management and discuss the core marketing concepts.
• Understand the importance of connecting with customers and creating long-term loyalty relationships.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the key elements used to build a strong brand.
• Examine best practices for creating, delivering, and communicating value.
• Evaluate the issues related to managing marketing for long-term success.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to marketing management.

Introduction to Psychology introduces the methods and findings of contemporary psychology. Emphasizing the need for scientific and critical thinking, topics include a survey of biology and behavior, sensory process, human development, perception, learning and motivation. Emotion, personality, psychological disorders, therapy and social interaction are also examined to provide students with a solid understanding of the facts, principles, and theories which make up the field of psychology.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define psychology including the history and evolution of the field.
• Describe the major theories, aspects, and perspectives of psychology includng research, physiological, developmental, learning theories, sensation and perception.
• Demonstrate an understanding of processes related to thinking, intelligence, emotion, personality, and psychological disorders.
• Discuss the various psychological approaches to treatment and therapy.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to the field of psychology.

Psychology of Gender examines the biological, cultural, and historical factors that influence the development of gender roles and identities. Stereotypes of masculinity and femininity are examined, and the impact that these ideas have on our lives at the personal, social, and institutional levels are explored.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define sex, gender and gender identity, and discuss how gender movements have shaped history.
• Examine biological, social, cognitive, emotional, and communicative factors related to gender development.
• Evaluate issues related to gender stereotyping, discrimination, and power.
• Describe the factors related to gender that affect health and wellbeing.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to the psychology of gender.

Health Psychology examines the correlation between health, illness, and optimal health care from a behavioral science approach. The relationship between health and behavior is explored through an integration of foundational theories, relevant research, and “real-world profiles.”

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe and discuss the meaning and foundations of health psychology including the psychological and ethical aspects related to the field.
• Analyze issues in behavioral health including the affects and impact of drugs and alcohol, eating, and exercise.
• Describe the relationship between behavioral factors and strategies related to chronic disease, stress, pain, and illness.
• Examine future trends and challenges in health psychology.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to health psychology.

Developmental Psychology introduces students to the scientific study of patterns of change and stability that occur as we move through the process of human development from conception to death. Various theories of development will be presented and an emphasis on physical, emotional, cognitive, and psychosocial changes throughout the lifespan will be discussed.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define human development, discuss how it is studied, and examine the major theories and stages of development from infancy to late adulthood.
• Examine the genetic, environmental, and physical factors related to the varying developmental stages.
• Evaluate the factors of sensation, perception, cognition, memory, learning, intelligence, creativity, and language related to the varying developmental stages.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the self, personality, social and moral development, gender roles, sexuality, emotions, attachment, and relationships related to the varying developmental stages.
• Demonstrate an understanding of unique factors related to developmental psychology, psychopathology, death, and bereavement.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to developmental psychology.

Personality Theories presents an in-depth look at a number of classical and current personality theories, providing an explanation and interpretation of personality development from several different theoretical approaches. Classic theory is integrated with the latest research and current topics, preparing students to apply theoretical approaches to better understand the particular individuals and personalities they may encounter in their professional and personal lives.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define personality and examine perspectives in theories of personality.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the major psychodynamic personality theories.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the major humanistic/existential personality theories.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the major biological/evolutionary, and learning-cognitive personality theories.
• Describe and examine the research methods used in personality research.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to theories of personality.

Abnormal Psychology offers students an integrative approach to the study of psychopathology, drawing on contributions from various disciplines and theoretical stances. Through clinical case studies, the psychosocial and psychophysiological factors of abnormal behavior are examined, along with the exploration of prevention efforts and research-based advancements in the field.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define abnormal behavior and describe the historical conceptions of abnormal behavior.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the various types of psychological disorders, their causes, and types of treatment.
• Examine the processes of clinical assessment, diagnosis, and research in psychopathology.
• Evaluate the legal and ethical issues that pertain to mental health services.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to abnormal psychology.