Department of Business, Management and Accounting

 

Mission

 

To provide clear, rigorous and relevant pathways in a caring environment for students with diverse backgrounds and experiences to transform their lives and achieve their goals in business careers that will shape the future of global enterprise.    

 

Values

•   Our faculty, who possess a depth of knowledge and experience in their disciplines, are committed to providing a student focused educational experience that graduates can build upon for lifelong learning. 

 

•   Our programs provide opportunities for students to expand their horizons and become professionals in a nurturing environment of small classes and large expectations.

 

Vision

 

To transform future business leaders by providing a high quality, analytical, values based and student centered education.

 

Objectives

 

The objectives of the programs offered in the Department of Business, Management and Accounting are to:

 

1. Stimulate the intellectual curiosity of students and faculty as they discover new knowledge;

2. Enhance the students’ problem solving and critical thinking skills;

3. Sponsor activities that enhance students’ professional and social development;

4. Promote an understanding of the economic, ethical, and legal environment in which we live and businesses operate;

5. Provide practical management learning experiences through internship and/or cooperative programs;

6. Foster an awareness of ethical and global issues facing decision makers;

7. Prepare students for careers in professional accounting and managerial positions;

8. Prepare secondary school teachers in the area of business education;

9. Meet the standards of such external bodies as the AACSB, AICPA, The Maryland State Board of Accountancy, and The Maryland State Department of Education, NCATE, and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education;

10. Prepare students for graduate study.

 

Description of Programs

 

The programs offered in the Department of Business, Management and Accounting are grounded in the liberal arts. Nearly 50 percent of the curricula comprise general education and other liberal arts courses necessary for the development of each student’s cognitive skills. These programs prepare students for professional careers in accounting and managerial positions. Accounting students are encouraged to meet the 150 credit-hour and residency requirements to sit for the Uniform Certified Public Accountants’ Examination in their respective states.

The Department is committed to program enhancement and has been accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business - International (AACSB).      

General Program Requirements Overall Objectives

The overall objectives of the Departmental admission standards are to promote high quality management education while maintaining high retention and graduation rates for students admitted to the programs offered in the Department of Business, Management and Accounting.

 

Criteria

High school graduates/first-time freshman      admitted to the University who choose to major in business will be admitted unconditionally to the Department of Business, Management, and Accounting if they have a minimum SAT score of 950 or a G.P.A. of 3.0. or higher.    

 

Students from other programs in the University can apply to change their major to those in the Department of Business, Management and Accounting if:

1. They have earned 28 semester credit hours with a GPA of 2.5 or higher.

2. They have earned grades of “C” or higher in MATH 109, ENGL 101, and ENGL 102; and

3. They have passed the English Proficiency Examination.

 

All students must earn a grade of “C” or better in ENGL 101, ENGL 102, MATH 109, and all foundation knowledge and major course requirements.

Transfer Students

 

To major in the Department of Business, Management, and Accounting, students transferring to UMES must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and be in good standing at their former institution(s). Transfer students with a GPA less than 2.5 will be considered for admission into the Department of Business, Management, and Accounting after earning 28 credits with a 2.5 GPA during the first year of study at UMES. Grades of “C” or better must be earned in MATH 109, ENGL 101, and ENGL 102, if not completed prior to transferring. Also, the English Proficiency Examination must be passed prior to admission to the Department.

 

General Restrictions

1. Junior and senior level course requirements for a degree in the Department of Business, Management and Accounting cannot be satisfied through credit by examination, or other non-traditional methods.

2. At least 50 percent of the business credit hours required for degrees in the Department of Business, Management and Accounting must be earned at UMES.

3. There is no business concentration in the General Studies Program.

4. Repeat courses should be taken at UMES.

 

General Information Professional Development

Professional development is an integral part of preparing to establish viable management/accounting careers in business, government, and nonprofit organizations. During their sophomore and junior years, students majoring in the Department must enroll in the 0.5 credit Professional Development courses. In addition, participation in departmentally sponsored activities and student organizations is required. Appropriate business attire is required for various functions. During the first semester of the freshman year, all students must acquire appropriate business attire. Guidance is provided by the Department.

 

Student Organizations

The following are departmentally sponsored Student Organizations: UMES Student Chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA), Business Student Advisory Board (BSAB), the Student Investment Club (SIC), and the Student Chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA).

Honor Society

Beta Gamma Sigma is the international honor society serving business programs accredited by AACSB International-The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Membership in Beta Gamma Sigma is the highest recognition a business student anywhere in the world can receive in a business program accredited by AACSB International. Candidates for baccalaureate degrees whose academic rank is in the upper 10 percent of their class may be inducted as follows: (1) Students in the next to last year of study (or its equivalent in coursework) ranked among the upper 10 percent of their class may be inducted in the last term or semester (or its equivalent in coursework) of that year. (2) Students in their final year who were not previously inducted may be inducted at any time during their final year (or its equivalent in coursework) if their academic rank is in the upper 10 percent of their class.

Communication Skills

Written and oral communication skills are extremely important. Standard English is required for all formal settings and submissions, such as classroom interactions, presentations, written assignments, etc.

Practical Experience

All students majoring in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, and Marketing are encouraged to acquire meaningful, practical experience in a business, government, or non-profit organization. This requirement can be met in a variety of ways, such as approved work experience, voluntary services, on-campus externship, and/or faculty directed consulting/research projects. No credit is earned for these experiences.

 

Departmental Requirements

 

Accounting – Accounting majors complete 120 hours of course work, of which 41 hours are general education, 6 are supporting liberal arts, and the remaining 73 are foundation knowledge and major requirement courses. A minimum grade of “C” must be earned in ENGL 101, ENGL 102, MATH 109, and all foundation knowledge and major requirement courses.

Business Administration – Business Administration majors complete 120 hours of course work, of which 41 hours are general education courses, 6 credits are supporting liberal arts, and 73 credits are foundation knowledge and major subject requirements. A minimum grade of “C” must be earned in ENGL 101, ENGL 102, MATH 109, and all foundation knowledge and major requirement courses.

Finance - Finance majors complete 120 hours of course work, of which 41 hours are general education courses, 6 credits are supporting liberal arts, and 73 credits are foundation knowledge and major subject requirements. A minimum grade of “C” must be earned in ENGL 101, ENGL 102, MATH 109, and all foundation knowledge and major requirement courses.

Marketing - Marketing majors complete 120 hours of course work, of which 41 hours are general education courses, 6 credits are supporting liberal arts, and 73 credits are foundation knowledge and major subject requirements. A minimum grade of “C” must be earned in ENGL 101, ENGL 102, MATH 109, and all foundation knowledge and major requirement courses.

Minor Programs

The Department of Business, Management and Accounting offers minors in Accounting and Business Administration and these are available to students in major programs of study outside the Department of Business, Management and Accounting. The minor in Entrepreneurship will be offered to individuals that want to turn their passion into a business. Unlike the Accounting and Business Administration minors, the minor in Entrepreneurship will be available for current business students. Accounting students may use the credits toward their 150 credits needed to take the CPA exam. Each minor program consists of 18 semester hours of program courses with a grade of “C” or better. Courses may not be used to fulfill graduation requirements in another major.

 

Directory of Faculty

 

Abaidoo, Rexford, Associate Professor

B.S., Business Administration & Law, University of Ghana; M.S., Kennesaw State University; Ph.D., Jackson State University Alade, Ayodele, Professor

B.S. Cuttington University College; Ph. D., University of Utah

 

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