BSMS (Bachelor of Science in Management Studies), Adult Accelerated Degree Program
College of Social Sciences, Commerce, and Education
Faculty
Donna Harvey, Director
Emily Horst, Assistant Director
Prof. Henry Espensen
Prof. Robert Evans
Prof. Jeffrey Fahrenwald
Dr. Ina-Ann Freeman
Dr. Clarence Harper
Prof. Brian Huels
Dr. Roxana Idu
Prof. Stanley Klatka
Dr. Caleb Lewis
Prof. William Lewis, Jr.
Dr. Masoud Moallem
The Bachelor of Science in Management Studies (BSMS) is an accelerated degree completion program designed to meet the needs of adult learners. The BSMS is a cohort program consisting of approximately 15 non-traditional age students studying together who have at least five years of work-related experience and who are seeking a quality educational experience. The BSMS provides the opportunity for students to fulfill a lifelong personal dream of attaining a bachelor’s degree while also providing the degree necessary for professional advancement.
Grounded in the mission and vision of Rockford University, the BSMS program provides the student with a strong liberal arts education to develop effective, engaged citizen-practitioners. BSMS students develop the ability to think critically and analytically, to communicate clearly and forcefully with the written and spoken word, and to understand the process and role of ethical decision-making in society. As a fundamental aspect of today’s global work world, students learn how to interact effectively in diverse team environments, and how to enhance their leadership abilities and effectiveness by applying leadership theory in a practical manner. As another key aspect of today’s work world, decisions about managing organizations must be informed by data in order to permit those decisions to improve performance. Students, therefore, will be provided the skills necessary to conduct a research project, as well as the skills necessary to analyze and communicate data.
Students generally enroll in one course at a time. Courses within the program are taught in sequential five-week sections. Rather than relying on lecture, faculty members facilitate courses in a manner such that student interaction and participation are at the crux of student learning. Experiential learning methods such as in-class exercises, assignments, presentations, cases, role-plays, and discussions comprise the heart of each class period. Methods such as these, which aim to enhance liberal arts learning, are intrinsically bedded within the mission of the University.
The BSMS program offers the following track options of study that lead to the BSMS degree:
- The General Management track allows students to take a broad variety of course work and prepares them for general management responsibilities.
- The Human Resources track prepares graduates to work as generalists or as functional area specialists within an organization’s human resource management department.
Admission Requirements
For admission into the Rockford University BSMS program, students must meet the following criteria:
- The previous college cumulative grade point average of all institutions combined must be 2.0 or above with a minimum grade of C for each course being accepted for transfer credit
- Be 25 years of age or older*
- Have five years of full-time work experience*
- Demonstrate competency in writing skills by submitting a writing sample for verification
- Submit two “Personal Reference Forms”
- Submit official transcripts from accredited institutions of higher learning for evaluation.
*Applicants to the BSMS may petition for admission if they do not meet all the admission requirements. Petitions will be given consideration on a case by case basis.
Career Opportunities
Students in business often choose to concentrate in one of the functional areas of finance, marketing or management. Careers in administration, banking, government, sales, public administration and international agencies are among additional student options.
BSMS Degree Requirements (minimum of 124 credits)
The 124 hours must include all university degree specific general education requirements, all degree specific requirements, and all major requirements.
| General education |
24–25 |
| Electives, including supporting requirements |
39–40 |
| Major requirements* |
51 |
| Upper-level liberal arts courses** |
9 |
*Students may transfer in no more than 15 credits within the major. Senior seminar must be taken at Rockford University.
** Students will be required to complete nine credits of upper-level liberal arts requirements as part of the major. These courses will be offered on a regular basis within the cohort format.
Note: The minimum GPA for the BSMS program is 2.0, and students are required to receive a passing grade in all major courses.
Required Core Courses (51 credits)
One of the following three options (1-3 credits)
Upper-Level Liberal Arts Courses (9 credits)
Supporting Requirements** (15 credits)
Required Core Courses, Human Resources Track, B.S.M.S. (57 credits)
Three of the following five courses (9 credits)
Upper-Level Liberal Arts Courses (9 credits)
Supporting Requirements** (15 credits)