The College of Business
Dr. Elaine Labach, Dean
McD 300, (406) 657-2326
Vision Statement
The College of Business’ vision is to accelerate student success through applied business knowledge and to contribute to a better and brighter future for our students, businesses, community, and world.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to graduate business students who will succeed in business and entrepreneurial endeavors and contribute to making our world a better place. Our student education bridges theory and practice, both online and onsite, by
- partnering with the community
- teaching applied business skills
- providing experiential learning
- maintaining close faculty, student and community engagement.
Our research focuses on
- application of business theory and concepts to help organizations apply business principles
- educational practices to aid teaching methodologies
- contributions derived from community engagement.
AACSB Accreditation
The College of Business is now one of less than 700 universities worldwide that are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). This means that Montana State University Billings offers an undergraduate degree in the same league as institutions such as the University of Colorado, Michigan State University, the University of Montana, and Montana State University. This accomplishment is even more impressive since MSUB is one of fewer than 8% of accredited undergraduate only business schools.
Career Preparation
The development of management and administrative personnel for business, government, and other organizations is the primary goal of the business administration degree. Business programs at MSU Billings provide a foundation of study in the arts and sciences combined with professional business training preparing graduates for numerous career paths and leadership roles in business.
Development of the student’s knowledge of the traditional functional areas of business, the behavioral and social sciences, the management sciences, and the systems approach to problem solving, is of key importance to these programs. Integrated throughout this part of the program is an emphasis on developing the ability to make effective operational and administrative decisions.
Additionally, intensive study in a chosen area of concentration provides the student with the in-depth experience necessary for an understanding of the global economic and social systems and their relationships to the individual and the organization.
Each program is designed to provide the undergraduate student with the background to effectively participate in business, industry, government, education, and other organizations and institutions which require a high degree of management and administrative competence. The programs also provide the basic undergraduate education required for admission to graduate study in professional fields such as management, law, urban planning, health administration, etc. An advisor will assist students with information about business degrees and degree planning.
Advising Information
All new, transfer, and readmitted students are encouraged to visit Advising & Career Services on McMullen Hall first floor west to meet with an academic advisor. New students will receive information regarding General Education requirements and advising worksheets related to their major and minor programs. Transfer and readmitted students will work with an advisor to complete a transcript evaluation and select courses for the upcoming semester.
Beginning at the sophomore level, students who have declared business as their major are assigned a COB faculty advisor, based on their option. The faculty advisor is available to assist with the selection of courses, clarify course and degree requirements, monitor student progress toward degree completion, and provide other general academic assistance, including information about career opportunities.
Students are ultimately responsible for meeting regularly with an advisor and for successfully completing degree requirements.
Student Services Office
Business majors and other students taking business courses utilize the Administrative Office (McD 305, 657-2812) to obtain information and assistance on College of Business courses, programs, registration, and support services.
Coordination of Internships
Internships provide COB students with the opportunity to gain valuable business work experience as it relates to their option. The COB Internship coordinator, together with the Advising & Career Specialist, work with students to ensure a quality educational experience. Specific information about applying for an internship is available at the Career Services web site.
Student Help Lab
A student help lab is available to assist students in lower level accounting courses, BGEN 235, as well as BGEN 315. The lab is open approximately 20 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters and is located in the College of Business in McD 213. The lab is coordinated by the Academic Support Center and is staffed by upper-level business students and graduates. Solution manuals are available for students to check their homework. Students receive one-on-one help with homework and course topics.
Support Services
Campus-wide academic support services are available at the Academic Support Center in the Student Union Building. These services include a learning lab, English, math and tutoring services. More information is available at their web site www.msubillings.edu/asc.
College of Business Committees
Students are actively involved in the policy making and governance of the College of Business. Many College committees have a combined student and faculty membership, and there are numerous opportunities for student involvement.
Business Advisory Board
The College of Business has a Business Advisory Board that meets periodically to provide counsel and guidance to faculty and administration of the College.
Specific functions of the Board include assisting the College to: prepare and update strategic plans, participate in the selection of the Montana Business Hall of Fame inductees, provide professional development activities for faculty, increase the effectiveness of student placement activities, and keep COB programs attuned to the needs of the business community.
Student Advisory Board
The Student Advisory Board works directly with the Department Chair and the Dean on student and college matters. Students are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to participate in and contribute to the College.
Assessment Testing
All first-time students and transfer students who have not completed their general education requirements in English or Mathematics must take a placement test. Results of the placement tests along with ACT and/or SAT scores are used to place students into the most appropriate Math and English courses. The placement tests are administered during Student Orientation. For further information, contact Advising & Career Services (406-657-2240 or 406-247-3020).
All College of Business students are required to pass a comprehensive test in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Grade Requirements in Required Business Core, Pre-Admission, and Option Courses
All courses counting toward fulfillment of Required Business Core, Pre-Admission, and Option Requirements must be a grade of “C-” or better.
Transfer Credits Policy
In order to graduate with a degree from the MSUB College of Business, at least half of the required option courses and the BGEN 499 course must be completed from MSU Billings.
Credits from Two Year Institutions
Credits earned in business courses taught at junior colleges may not be used to satisfy upper division requirements, but some might count as electives toward graduation. Check with the College of Business Student Services Office.
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- Business Administration Accounting Option Bachelor of Science Degree
- Business Administration Finance Option Bachelor of Science Degree
- Business Administration Management Option Bachelor of Science Degree
- Business Administration Marketing Option Bachelor of Science Degree
- Business Administration Minor
- Business Administration Online General Business Option Bachelor of Science Degree
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General Requirements for Baccalaureate Degree Programs in Business Administration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements 1 | 31 | |
| Students should consult with an academic advisor before registering for General Education courses in order to maximize the number of elective credits allowed in the degree. | ||
| Required Business Core | ||
| ACTG 201 | Principles of Fin Acct | 3 |
| ACTG 202 | Principles of Managerial Acct | 3 |
| BFIN 322 | Business Finance | 3 |
| BGEN 235 | Business Law | 3 |
| BGEN 315 | Applied Business Decisions | 3 |
| BGEN 499 | Capstone | 3 |
| BMGT 322 | Operations Management | 3 |
| BMGT 335 | Management & Organization | 3 |
| BMIS 311 | Management Information Systems | 3 |
| BMKT 325 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| CAPP 131 | Basic MS Office | 3 |
| ECNS 201 | Principles of Microeconomics * | 3 |
| ECNS 202 | Principles of Macroeconomics * | 3 |
| M 143 | Finite Mathematics * | 4 |
| STAT 216 | Introduction to Statistics | 4 |
| WRIT 220 | Business & Prof Writing | 3 |
| Subtotal | 50 | |
| Option Requirements (see listing by area) | 30-33 | |
| Unrestricted Electives | 6-15 | |
| Total minimum credits | 120 | |
| 1 | The following General Education courses can also satisfy requirements in the major: ECNS 201 or ECNS 202 and M 143 or STAT 216. |
| * | May satisfy General Education requirements. |
Requirements for Admission to Upper Division Classes
Students admitted to most 300- and 400- level courses in Business Administration degree programs must complete the preparatory courses listed below. Course requirements and proper sequencing are outlined by each department as typical plans of study. Students must consult with their advisors when selecting electives. All courses listed must be completed before students are allowed to take upper-division courses.
Pre-Admission Requirements1
All Business Administration majors must pass each of the following courses with a grade of “C-” or better:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ACTG 201 | Principles of Fin Acct | 3 |
| ACTG 202 | Principles of Managerial Acct | 3 |
| ECNS 201 | Principles of Microeconomics * | 3 |
| ECNS 202 | Principles of Macroeconomics * | 3 |
| M 143 | Finite Mathematics * | 4 |
| STAT 216 | Introduction to Statistics * | 4 |
| WRIT 101 | College Writing I * | 3 |
| Total Minimum Credits | 23 | |
| 1 | Competency in the computer applications Word, Excel, and PowerPoint must be demonstrated. This may be done by:
|
| * | May satisfy General Education requirements. |
Accounting Option
The following accounting courses are exempt from the pre-admission requirements and may be taken in the second year of study, provided students have completed the necessary accounting prerequisites:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ACTG 301 | Intermediate Accounting I | 3 |
| ACTG 302 | Intermediate Accounting II | 3 |
| ACTG 303 | Intermediate Acct III & Theory | 3 |
| ACTG 410 | Cost/Mgmt Acct I | 3 |
| ACTG 415 | Gvnt & Not-for-Profit Acct I | 3 |