Northern Michigan University...Michigan's ThinkPad University


 

Walker L. Cisler College of Business Office

324 Magers Hall

Phone: 906-227-2947

Fax: 906-227-2930

 

Web page

www.nmu.edu/business

 

College Dean

James H. Scheiner

scheiner@nmu.edu

 

Director of Business

Affairs

Gary J. Brunswick

gbrunswi@nmu.edu

 

Director of

Academic Affairs

Margaret M. Sklar

msklar@nmu.edu

 

Accounting Faculty

Robert J. Fleming

Steven M. Foulks

Samuel P. Graci

Kenneth R. Janson

Rodney Michael

Joel E. Thompson

 

Computer Information

Systems Faculty

Dennis H. Caldwell

Tyler G. Frank

George C. Heaton

David Helton

Claudia L. Orr

Sandra E. Poindexter

Margaret M. Sklar

Stephen J. Specker

 

Finance Faculty

Charles H. Rayhorn

David L. Rayome

 

Management Faculty

David E. Allen

James W. Drosen

Carol A. Johnson

Robert J. Miller

Bruce C. Sherony

Carol S. Steinhaus

 

Marketing Faculty

Gary J. Brunswick

James W. Camerius

Brian G. Gnauck

Irvin A. Zaenglein

 

Business Education Faculty

Larry G. Pagel

 

Two-Year Programs Faculty

Carol W. Johnson

Marie A. Moisio

Christine M. Ostwald

Karin M. Stulz

 

Student

Organizations

• Accounting and Finance Club

• Alpha Kappa Psi

• Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP)

• Business Professionals of America

• Collegiate Chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA)

• Institute for Managerial Accountants (IMA)/Accounting Club

• Pi Omega Pi honorary society

• Student Michigan Education Association

 

Accreditation

The College of Business is an accredited member of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

 

Special Learning

Opportunities

• co-op/internship program

• study abroad programs

• Institute for Managerial Accountants (IMA)

• executive-in-residence program

 

College Facilities

• Financial Markets Lab

• Bureau of Business and Economic Research

 
 2002-2003
Undergraduate Bulletin

 
Horizontal Line
 

Walker L. Cisler College of Business

   
 

 College of Business at NMU

The goal of the College of Business is to offer degree programs which foster intellectual curiosity, leadership, ethical behavior, and global awareness as well as to provide quality program content knowledge and develop problem solving, decision making, and communication skills. Students are encouraged to work together on class projects, to pursue internship opportunities, and to participate in college and university study abroad experiences.

 

College of Business Programs

Programs of study offered include nine baccalaureate majors, eight minors, five associate degrees, and one certificate program. Each provides the student with a concentration of knowledge and skills in one of the many aspects of the business world.

 

Baccalaureate Programs

Accounting

This program provides students with basic competency in the functional areas of accounting and provides students with the minimum requirements to sit for professional examinations such as the CPA and CMA examinations. Individuals trained in accounting with strong communication and computer skills will find a wide range of career opportunities. Positions include job titles such as certified public accountant (CPA), cost analyst, controller, financial analyst, senior accountant, vice president for finance and accounting. Entry level salaries, dependent upon geographic location, work experience and industry, may range from $28,000 to $40,000. Partners in large CPA firms can have salaries over $300,000.

 

Accounting/Computer Information Systems

This major provides students with basic competency in the functional areas of accounting and computer information systems and provides students with the minimum requirements to obtain employment and to sit for professional examinations.  Students with expertise in both accounting and computer information systems are in high demand. An ability to tackle the many and varied accounting and information needs of business will lead to positions such as controller, cost analyst, director of information systems, computer programmer, and systems analyst, to name but a few. Entry level salaries, dependent upon geographic location and industry, range from $30,000 to $44,000.

 

Business Secondary Education

This program provides the student with the educational experiences which lead to becoming a certified business education teacher. Career opportunities are available in business education in public and private schools as well as in business and industry. Entry level salaries, dependent upon geographic location and relevant work experience, will range from $23,000 to $28,000. Two years of relevant and recent work experience in an office environment qualifies graduates for vocational certification which is required by many school districts.

 

Computer Information Systems

This program's objectives are to apply computer theory to business applications and to provide a strong dual knowledge foundation in technical and problem-solving skills. Students select an area of emphasis from end user support/help desk, marketing, networking, systems analysis or software development. People-oriented career paths lead to positions as computer consultants, analysts, trainers, and high tech marketers. Alternate careers as software programmers, database managers, and network administrators tie the technical skills to the support and use of computer systems. The combined technical/business degree, favored by employers, prepares a student for their career advancement. Forecasts to the year 2005 show the occupations with the highest growth rate are in the computing fields. Entry level salaries, dependent upon geographic location, relevant work experience, and industry range from $30,000 to $45,000.

 

Entrepreneurship

The entrepreneurship program is designed for individuals who have a desire to develop their own businesses. Students will gain a comprehensive knowledge of accounting, finance, management, marketing, and computer information systems as these areas relate to entrepreneurial business. This will include an understanding of how to develop a business plan, to conduct marketing research to determine the feasibility of a new business, to obtain capital resources for a new business enterprise, to manage the case flow of a new business, and to understand the legal issues related to entrepreneurial endeavors. The market potential of the entrepreneurship graduate is almost infinite. As corporate America downsizes, entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial type firms are replacing it. One's success depends on ingenuity, creativity, hard work, drive, and the acceptance of risk. Income is based on the success of the entrepreneurial venture.

 

Financial Management

The financial management major provides students with basic competency in the functional areas of finance and provides students with the education foundation that is needed to prepare them for professional exams such as the Series 7, CFP and CFA. Students select one of two areas: financial management or personal financial planning. Both areas combine the applications of analytical skills to the problems facing financial managers, financial institutions and individual investors while developing an understanding of today’s financial markets. The program leads to careers in business financial management, banking, securities and commodity brokerage, consulting, insurance, financial planning and small business entrepreneurship. Entry level salaries, dependent upon geographical location, work experience, and industry range from $28,000 to $35,000. Students who have completed the personal financial management track have the option of private consulting. Becoming a Certified Financial Planner (CFP)* is another option by electing to take a national exam.

 

*CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® are federally registered marks of the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFB Board).

 

Management Program

This program's objectives are to (1) provide students with the theoretical bases as well as the working applications of  management, (2) provide students with the ability to critically evaluate managerial actions, and (3) provide students with the ability to apply managerial decision-making skills to future situations. All across business, industry, and institutions, there is a constant and growing need for those trained in the skills of management.  Leaders having an appreciation for the forces active in complex organization, worker effectiveness, and operating efficiencies are a foundation to any successful enterprise. Positions include job titles such as management consultant, quality control manager, director of planning, and employee relations manager.  Entry salary levels, dependent upon geographic location and industry, range from $28,000 to $40,000.

 

Marketing Program

The marketing major provides students with the theoretical bases as well as working applications of marketing. Growing domestic and global populations, ever-increasing demands for a wide range of products and services in modern society, and advancements in technology and media stress the need for marketing professionals who understand the operations and problems associated with getting goods and services from the producer to the user. Career paths are diverse and include product consultant, sales representative, marketing manager, retail store buyer, research analyst, advertising professional. Entry salary levels, dependent upon geographic location and industry, range from $28,000 to $42,000.

 

Ski Area Business Management

This bachelors degree program is a joint program between NMU and Gogebic Community College in Ironwood, Michigan.  At Gogebic Community College, students learn the technical skills necessary to manage ski areas or functional areas in ski area operations.  At NMU, students gain comprehensive business knowledge of accounting, finance, management, marketing, and computer information systems.  Graduates of the ski area business management program are placed at resorts nationwide.

 

Due to course sequencing and pre-requisite course work for admission to the NMU College of Business, this program can take four to five academic years to complete.  To finish the program in a timely manner, students should select one of two options:  (1) Attend Gogebic Community College for two years, complete an associate's degree in Ski Area Management, and transfer to NMU to complete the bachelor's degree; or (2) Attend NMU for one year, transfer to Gogebic Community College for two years, complete an associate's degree in Ski Area Management, and transfer to NMU to complete the bachelor's degree.

 

Associate Degree Programs

Computer Information Systems

This program provides students with a basic foundation of knowledge in the computing area and the ability to apply computer theory to business applications. Graduates find employment in organizations ranging from small firms to large corporations as computing technicians, providers of help desk services, and software trainers. Forecasts to the year 2005 show the occupations with the highest growth rate are in the computing fields. Entry level salaries, dependent upon geographic location, relevant work experience, and industry range from $22,000 to $30,000.

 

General Business

The General Business degree has two goals--to provide educational experiences enabling graduates to enter a variety of entry-level positions, and to provide students skills and experiences which will assist them in functioning as a consumer in today’s modern society. This program prepares students for employment in a variety of situations in retail stores, insurance companies/agencies, banks, and many types of small businesses. Job titles include sales associate, assistant manager, insurance clerk, and teller. The salary range for a graduate of this program depends to a great extent on experience and geographic location. Starting salaries in the local area range from $8-$10 per hour with no experience to $10 per hour for those with 3-4 years of experience. These salary rates often change quickly after the initial probationary period.  In the larger cities and companies, the salary range for a person with experience may range up to $23,000.

 

Health Information Processing

This program provides graduates with advanced skills required for employment in an office environment and with specialized skills necessary for employment in the medical field. The health care industry is supported by many “behind the scenes” individuals who are employed in a variety of administrative/support areas. General clerical/support positions include insurance clerk, billing clerk, and medical records clerk with pay ranging from $18,000 to $25,000 per year. Administrative/technical positions include medical transcriptionist, medical coder, health unit coordinator, office manager, and administrative assistant and the pay ranges from $28,000 to $38,000 per year.

 

Office Information Assistant

This program provides graduates with advanced skills required for employment in an office environment. Career opportunities in the office support field are available in public and private institutions and companies for positions such as office clerks, secretaries, information processors, and administrative assistants. Opportunities are available in both small and large organizations locally, regionally, and nationally. The office support career field is projected to have one of the highest potentials for job growth through 2005. The salary range for a person employed in the office support field depends on experience and geographic location. Starting salaries in the local area range from $8-$10 per hour for the beginning clerk with no experience to $11 plus per hour for the secretary or administrative assistant with 3-4 years of experience. These salary rates increase in the larger cities and larger companies. Experienced administrative assistants in metropolitan areas may average up to $30,000-$35,000 per year.

 

Certificate Program

Office Services

This certificate program provides a focused educational experience for office support personnel, and provides graduates with introductory skills for employment in an office environment. Career opportunities in the office support field are available in public and private companies for positions such as office clerk, transcriptionist, keyboarding specialists, and secretaries. Both large and small organizations provide opportunities for graduates of the certificate program. The office support career field is projected to have one of the highest potentials for job growth through 2005. The salary range for a person with this certificate will vary depending on geographic location and experience. Starting salaries in the local area begin at $6-$7 an hour for the beginning clerk with no experience to $10-$12 per hour for the person with 3-4 years of experience. These salary rates increase in the larger cities and larger companies. The experienced secretary in metropolitan areas may average up to $22,000 per year.

 

College/Program Policies

Admission to the College of Business

Admission to the university does not guarantee admission to the College of Business.  All baccalaureate majors with the exception of business education must apply for admission.

 

To be eligible for admission, applicants must:

  1. Successfully complete the following pre-admission courses: EN 111 and 211; MA 103 and 171; ACT 230 and 240; EC 201 and 202; 4 credits of IS courses (except CIS majors); eight semester credits in liberal studies courses; and other credits to total 48 semester credit hours.

  2. Complete the 48 semester credits listed above with a minimum grade point average of 2.25. Current enrollment can count toward meeting the minimum requirements. However, formal admission will not be granted until after successful completion of the minimum credits.

  3. Successfully complete the NMU Writing Proficiency Examination.

Note: Petition for exception to the above requirements must be made in writing and submitted to the Re-entry and Evaluation Office, 305 Cohodas Administrative Building. It must include reasons why an exception should be made, and documentation of the reasons, if applicable.

 

Other Policies

  1. College of Business majors cannot enroll in NMU business courses at the 300 level or above until they have been admitted to the college and have attained junior status (56 hours).

  2. In order to receive a degree from the Walker L. Cisler College of Business, students must complete at least 32 credit hours (24 within the College of Business) after admission to the college.

  3. Students seeking a second bachelor's degree must be admitted to the College of Business.

  4. Students who drop enrollment from NMU and subsequently re-enroll as a business major at a later date (re-entry students) must reapply for admission to the College of Business.

  5. Baccalaureate degree students must take a minimum of 62 credit hours in courses outside the College of Business.

  6. CIS majors or minors must earn a minimum grade of C- in each CIS/IS course applying to their CIS major or minor.

  7. All CIS courses numbered 120 and above are invalid after 7 years.

Application Deadlines

Applications must be submitted by the following dates: For fall semester, March 1; winter semester October 1; summer session March 1. Applications received after these dates will not be acted upon until the following semester.

 

Application forms are obtained at the College of Business office.

 

GPA Requirements

Baccalaureate degree students must obtain a 2.0 GPA in all business core and major courses as well as a 2.0 cumulative and NMU GPA.  Students majoring in secondary education business must maintain a GPA of 2.7 or greater with no grade below a "C" in the professional education sequence, the major and/or minor and required cognates combined.

 

College of Business Programs

   


2002-2003
Northern Michigan University
Undergraduate Bulletin

 

Registrar's Links

1401 Presque Isle Ave | Marquette, MI 49855 | 1-800-682-9797
Technical questions? E-mail webhelp@nmu.edu
Admissions questions? E-mail admiss@nmu.edu

©2002 by the Board of Trustees of Northern Michigan University
Page created by: Kimber Olli of Northern Michigan University
Northern Michigan University is an AA/EO Institution.

Northern is Michigan's only participant in IBM's ThinkPad University Program. ThinkPad is a registered trademark of IBM Corporation.

Last Updated: Monday, November 25, 2002