The general business management major at BGSU Firelands is a challenging two-year degree program designed for students who have an interest in managing a small business, beginning or advancing in a business career, updating skills, or learning new management techniques.
Through class discussions, case studies, and special projects, students will learn how to successfully manage a small business. Management theory, learning how to motivate employees, keeping accurate financial records, hiring employees, and promoting a business are just a few of the major topics emphasized in the degree. In addition students may earn college credit for working in a business environment for one semester.
The flexibility of the degree allows full- or part-time students to complete the degree during the day or evening. Full-time students can usually complete the degree in two years.
Graduates will have the skills and knowledge to manage and operate their own businesses. Those students not interested in business ownership may be employed in mid-management positions as supervisors, managers, or department managers in businesses such as department stores, restaurants, grocery stores, banks, and factories.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates from this degree program are expected to achieve the following:
- The ability to identify business issues and to formulate and frame these in ways functional for problem solving and the resolution of critical issues;
- The ability to translate business theory into real work settings and situations;
- An understanding of the nature of decision making in business;
- The ability to use disciplinary modes of inquiry to integrate knowledge from business, humanities, and social science disciplines.
Lean Systems Certificates
A student can obtain a Lean Systems Bronze, Silver, and Gold certificate while pursuing the Associate of Applied Business (AAB) in General Business and the Bachelor of Technical and Applied Studies (BTAS).
A Lean System describes a business that holistically applies Lean principles to the way it prioritizes, plans, measures, and manages work. The core idea of a Lean System is to maximize customer value while minimizing waste. Businesses in all industries and services, including health care and governments, are using Lean principles to create more value for customers using fewer resources. Thus, a Lean System will identify and eliminate waste and non-value-added activities all along the value chain to make products and services at less cost with fewer defects through employee empowerment and continuous improvement.
Lean Systems Bronze Certificate
The Lean Systems Bronze Certificate is designed with a service business or small business focus. These are three (3) classes required to earn the certificate. A grade of B or better is required in each class. The required classes are as follows:
Lean Systems Silver Certificate
The Lean Systems Silver Certificate is designed to add to the Bronze Certificate with a service or small business focus. In addition to the three (3) classes required for the Bronze Certificate, there are three (3) classes required with a B or better for the Silver Certificate. The classes are as follows:
Lean Systems Gold Certificate
The Lean Systems Gold Certificate is designed to add to the Silver Certificate with a service or small business focus. In addition to the six (6) classes required for the Bronze and Silver Certificates, there are two (2) classes required with a B or better for the Gold Certificate. The required classes are as follows:
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