Management Concentration
Students in the management program of study develop a number of skills in evaluating and understanding the activities of an organization.
What is management?
Management involves the broad understanding of a variety of systematic business practices, techniques and philosophies. The management program stresses the mastery of key managerial concepts from the perspective of how they affect the behavior, performance and satisfaction of individuals and how individual performance and satisfaction contribute to organizational efficiency and effectiveness. Special attention is devoted to the necessity of adapting to environmental conditions. Due to the designed flexibility of the program, students have the opportunity to tailor a general management program of study that best fits their individual career interests.
Where is management used?
Management is required in all organizations. Additionally, it is utilized in all organizational activities and at all levels of an organization’s structure. Management brings it all together.
In an entrepreneurial organization, one person may be the manager and wear several hats. The small organization manager may be responsible for determining employee wage levels, for setting product prices, and for answering customer questions. In a large organization, the duties of a manager tend to be more focused than in a small organization. In any event, the manager accepts responsibility for organizational activities.
What kinds of career choices can I expect?
Whether you choose to start your own organization or choose to work in an already established organization, you will be prepared to work with others as a member of a team. Your understanding of the activities of others prepares you to work with people in a wide range of functional areas.
Graduates of the program are prepared to work in both private and public sector organizations. Students are not limited by a narrow functional perspective. They have a considerable degree of flexibility, due to the broad sweep of their studies. While the typical graduate is seeking an entry-level position, those with prior work experience may expect a starting job and salary at a level commensurate with their experience.
How should I prepare for the management major?
Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills, along with a sound analytical foundation, establish a very good beginning. An understanding of culture and history is a plus. Work experience provides a perspective against which classroom discussion may be evaluated. If you enjoy competition, or the process of expanding the limits of your understanding, you are well prepared for the management educational process.
What kinds of courses will I take?
Students in the management program of study take the core curriculum required of all College of Business students. The core is designed to prepare students for a rapidly changing world, without narrowly focusing their perspective. The required major courses focus on international business, human resource management, leadership and decision-making, corporate entrepreneurship, and strategy implementation, while introducing students to the demands of a global business environment. The management electives provide an opportunity to develop a perspective suited to either a management specialty or the demands of graduate school.
Students in the management program have a unique opportunity to focus on specialized areas of management study, including entrepreneurship, human resource management and international management. Additionally, they may develop complementary competency areas of study in numerous functional areas including: marketing, finance, management information systems, and supply chain management.
For those who decide to pursue a graduate degree, it is good to know that the professional accreditation of the College of Business, by the AACSB International, is a plus. Our graduates have gone on to further studies at a number of major universities throughout the United States. Many schools are willing to offer attractive scholarships to well-prepared management graduates.
May students who are not majoring in management take management courses?
Given the necessity for management in all areas of both private and public sector organizations, management courses represent an outstanding option for students of any major. For those who may one day run their own organizations, management courses present the opportunity to save valuable time by avoiding mistakes in working with others.
Where can I get more information?
For specific program information, contact:
Dr. William Oberman, Chair
Department of Management and Marketing
224 Grove Hall
Shippensburg University
1871 Old Main Drive
Shippensburg, PA 17257-2299
717-477-1439
Fax: 717-477-4068
E-mail: wdober@ship.edu
John L. Grove College of Business
717-477-1435
E-mail: business@ship.edu
Website: http://www.ship.edu/business/
The John L. Grove College of Business is accredited by the AACSB International.