Bachelor of Science in Management Studies (BSMS)
Overview
Focused on aiding career promotion, the Bachelor of Science in Management Studies (BSMS) degree provides a broad-based business education with a focus on industry knowledge. The BSMS program consists of multiple sessions throughout the academic calendar with each course duration lasting 4-8 weeks. Additionally, this accelerated program also allows students seeking the BSMS degree to complete the degree quickly by utilizing previously completed vocational collegiate coursework from approved accredited institutions (Occupational Specialization). By utilizing vocational coursework, the BSMS degree serves the Rockford community by fostering partnerships between area institutions and industries.
The BSMS degree is composed of the Occupational Specialization credits along with general education courses and concentration specific coursework. Students may be able to transfer credits within any of these degree components, however 60 credit hours must be earned from a 4-year institution (at least 30 of which must be upper level coursework). Additionally, 30 of the last 36 hours of coursework must be completed at Rockford University, and no more than 15 transfer credit hours may be articulated into the major area component.
Degree Information
Regarding the Occupational Specialization component, the BSMS degree allows students to qualify with a minimum of 12, and up to a maximum of 25, credits. These credits can be earned from student coursework completed at a Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) approved community college, technical school, and/or university. The qualifying coursework must be in one concentrated area. Official transcripts from prior institutions will be reviewed and approved by committee prior to awarding credit. Many students who pursue the BSMS program have previously completed an Associate’s of Applied Science degree and/or a certificate. Vocational coursework may be from any vocation, as a business concentration vocation is not required.
For admission into the Rockford University BSMS program, students must meet the following criteria:
1) 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.
2) Submit official transcripts from CHEA accredited institutions of higher learning for evaluation.
Certificate Information
The Bachelor of Science in Management Studies program offers a certificate for the completion of one of the following five concentrations within the BSMS Accelerated Online Degree Completion Program:
• Leadership
• Operations Management
• Finance
• Human Resources
• Marketing
Each of the following concentrations include the two indicated courses, and four additional courses from the Concentration Completion Courses list that have not been previously completed.
The BSMS Certificate is recognition for the completion of a focused area of study within the Bachelor of Science in Management Studies program. While the Certificate does not in and of itself culminate in a college degree, students choosing to continue coursework to earn a bachelor’s degree may apply the hours accumulated through the certificate program towards completion of the Bachelor of Science in Management Studies program. Students must earn at least a ‘C’ grade in each course within the certificate program for successful completion.
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.
*Students may transfer in no more than 15 credits within the major.
BSMS 490 and
BSMS 495 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 earn a passing grade in all major courses.
Major Requirements (51 credits)
General Education (24-25 credits)
Composition (6 credits = 2 courses)
Social Sciences (6 credits = 2 courses)
Arts/Humanities (9 credits = 3 courses)
Science/Math (3/4 credits = 1 course)
Upper Level Liberal Arts Courses (9 credits)
BSMS 380 Topics in the Social Sciences
BSMS 381 Topics in the Sciences
BSMS 382 Topics in the Arts & Humanities
Supporting Requirements** (15 credits)
Occupational Specialization/Electives (24-25 credits)
Transfer Credit and/or general electives as approved by academic advisor.
BSMS Certificates
Each of the BSMS Certificate concentrations include two required courses for each concentration as indicated. In addition, four courses must be taken from the list of
Concentration Completion Courses.
Concentration Completion Courses
Finance
Human Resources
Leadership
Marketing
Operations Management