School of Business Administration

Dean: Douglas W. Lyon

Associate Dean: Suzanne L. Wilhelm

Professors: William B. Dodds, Kenneth A. Hunt, Frederick H. Mull, Stephanie J. Owings, Deborah L. Walker and Suzanne L. Wilhelm
Associate Professors: Richard A. Gore, Eric L. Huggins, Robert J. Sonora and Simon G. Walls
Assistant Professors: Mika T. Kusar, Elaine J. Labach, Kaori Takano, Michael E. Valdez and Perry W. Solheim
Visiting Professors: Charles J. Yoos, II
Visiting Instructors: John J. Gadbois, Lorraine M. Lobascio, Chris S. Lyon, and Stephen Stovall

School of Business Administration Mission:

The School of Business Administration prepares students for positions in our complex and dynamic economy by creating diverse learning experiences in a student-centered environment.

Values and Learning Outcomes:

The School of Business Administration (SOBA) provides high quality undergraduate programs with a commitment to developing a liberally educated and professionally competent student. SOBA’s success depends upon maintaining a quality faculty dedicated to teaching with and a broad spectrum of discipline based scholarship, contributions to practice, learning and pedagogical research, and current professional experience.

To support the SOBA’s mission, faculty members are committed to developing and maintaining a curriculum that is responsive to society’s needs and to increasing learning inside and outside the classroom. The School of Business Administration degree programs are designed to provide a balanced combination of the arts and sciences and professional business education. The learning outcomes of the Bachelor of Arts degree programs offered by the School of Business Administration are designed so that students will:

A general understanding of the economy, the principles of modern business, and organizational practices (Learning as Inquiry);
Competence in the use of quantitative and analytical techniques for decision making (Critical Thinking and Problem Solving);
Effective communication skills (Communication);
The ability to work effectively in teams (Interpersonal Skills);
Skills necessary for career success (Real World Application); and
Proficiency in the use of appropriate technological tools (Technology).

Visibility and Reputation:

The School of Business Administration degree programs in Accounting, Business Administration, Economics (Business Economics option), and Marketing are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB). Due to the nature of the program, the Economics-Economics Option is excluded from AACSB accreditation. AACSB International accreditation represents the highest standard of achievement for business schools worldwide. Institutions that earn accreditation confirm their commitment to quality and continuous improvement through a rigorous and comprehensive peer review process that ensures faculty scholarship to advance or apply management knowledge, sufficient resources to support a vibrant and relevant mission, high-caliber teaching and current curricula, graduates that have achieved specified learning outcomes, and meaningful interaction between students and faculty. The Business Club, American Indian Business Leaders, Beta Alpha Psi Financial Information Student Honorary Society, Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Student Honorary Society, Junior Trimester Abroad, Innovative Month, community-based learning and research internships, and class projects are examples of clubs and programs that promote such interactions.

Acceptance of Transfer Credits:

It is recommended that students planning to transfer into the Fort Lewis College School of Business Administration do so by the end of their sophomore year. Students must complete their final 30 credits in residence at Fort Lewis College.

Students taking their first two years of work at a junior or community college or at another four-year institution are recommended to take at their institution only those business courses that are taught at the freshman or sophomore (100/200) level at Fort Lewis College. Business courses with an upper division level (300/400) at Fort Lewis College must be taken at Fort Lewis College or an an accredited institution that also offers the courses at the upper division level.

Study Abroad Opportunities:

The Junior Trimester Abroad (JTA) program offers courses taught by a Fort Lewis College Business School faculty member outside the United States during the spring term. Generally, the course offerings include core business courses, and business electives. The dates of the trimester vary, but are scheduled to allow about three weeks of independent travel for those who wish to take advantage of that opportunity.

Costs of this program are kept low through the use of Fort Lewis College faculty and the minimal cost of facilities at partner institutions. Details for any given year regarding location, cost, climate, travel arrangements, etc., may be obtained from the JTA program faculty. Currently the JTA program alternates between La Rochelle, France and Regensburg, Germany.

In addition to the Junior Trimester Abroad program, SOBA faculty provide a number of Innovative Month courses during the summer terms in various international locations. These courses are advertised on the Foreign Studies information board in the Education and Business Hall. In recent years, Innovative Months were held in China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ireland, Peru, and Southeast Asia.

The Curricula:

The curricula offered by SOBA lead to the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in:

Accounting:
Accounting Major

Business Administration:
Business Administration Major - Business Administration Option
Business Administration Major - Engineering Management Option
Business Administration Major - Finance Option
Business Administration Major - International Business Option
Business Administration Major - Management Option
Business Administration Major - Tourism and Hospitality Management Option

Economics:
Economics Major - Business Economics Option
Economics Major - Economics Option

Marketing:
Marketing Major

Students may select only ONE option within the Business Administration, and Economics majors. Students may elect to double or triple major by completing all requirements of two or more of these four majors with a minimum of 27 discrete hours in each major.

These majors provide excellent education in business within the broad context of a liberal arts curriculum. The degree programs offer a cross section of a “Common Requirement” of courses, and at least 15 credits within an option. The degree programs are designed to meet the needs of students wishing to continue their education in graduate school or to work in their chosen professional area.

Specific requirements are listed on the appropriate pages under each major or option.

The School of Business Administration degree program and options are very structured. Certain courses in the Liberal Arts Core are prerequisites for SOBA required 200-level courses. Many of the 200-level courses are prerequisites for the 300 and 400-level courses in the majors and options. Failure to take the courses in the proper sequence may result in substantial delay in graduation.

It is the responsibility of the student to know and complete all graduation requirements.