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| OVERVIEW
Dick Durand, dean, Art King, senior associate dean, Therese A. Maskulka, associate dean, director of undergraduate programs; Kathleen A. Trexler, associate dean, director of MBA program; James A. Greenleaf, chairperson, department of finance and law; Thomas J. Hyclak, chairperson, department of economics, Kenneth P. Sinclair, chairperson, department of accounting; Michael G. Kolchin, chairperson, department of management and marketing; Susan A. Sherer, director of the business information systems program; James A. Dearden, director of the Ph.D. program. The College of Business and Economics offers the bachelor of science degree in business and economics, which couples a liberal educational background with an understanding of the complexities and processes of management. It can serve as the basis for a career in business or for professional studies in fields such as law, business, or related fields. The undergraduate business program, undergraduate accounting program, and MBA program are accredited by the AACSB International-The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, of which the College of Business and Economics is a member. The college offers a program of undergraduate study designed to provide an understanding of the complexities of the managerial process in society, both within and outside the business firm. The College of Business and Economics consists of four departments: accounting, economics, finanace & law and management & marketing. The College of Business and Economics offers undergraduate majors in accounting, finance, management, marketing, economics, supply chain management, business economics and business information systems. Many of the most difficult societal problems today involve decision-making, conflict resolution, and the efficient and effective management of human, financial and physical resources. The study of business and economics provides a basis for understanding and developing solutions to these problems. Thus the college's undergraduate business program stresses analytical and communication skills, and problem-solving techniques. Educational breadth equivalent to many liberal arts programs is accompanied by in-depth study of business processes such as accounting information systems, financial flows and markets, management processes, and the impact of economic forces upon business and social issues. The mission of Lehigh University's College of Business and Economics is to provide a diverse intellectual and professional learning environment that advances knowledge through research and scholarship and that develops future leaders through experiential learning, rigorous analysis, and the discipline of a strong work ethic -- the hallmarks of a Lehigh University business education. This environment will be characterized by rapid and continuous changes in both technology and in the structures of organizations that employ our graduates. These graduates may find themselves repeatedly changing employers and even careers; they will work and live with colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds. Hence our educational programs must provide them not only basic entry-level technical knowledge and professional skills, but also broader intellectual capacities that will enable them to thrive during a lifetime of dramatic change. The integrated undergraduate programs in the College of Business and Economics are designed to provide--through outstanding teaching, innovative curriculum, and opportunities for all students to have personal interaction with practitioners--educational experiences that clearly demonstrate the comparative advantage of Lehigh’s academic programs for students majoring in accounting, business information systems, economics, finance, supply chain management, business economics, management and marketing. This education in fundamental principles, and problem-solving techniques provides graduates with various options. Some of the students choosing this curriculum have already settled upon business careers. Others will use it as a base for further professional studies in law, graduate business schools, or specialized graduate training in economics, operations research, or other related fields. Still others go into administrative careers in government or nonprofit institutions such as hospitals and universities. Others apply their talents to professional accounting, financial investment, or management consulting careers. Business today cannot be approached with narrow superficial vocational training. Everywhere, organizations are affected by local, national and international economic trends as evidenced by the complex cultural, social and ethical issues today’s global marketplace presents. Thus a strong basis in the social sciences is essential to understanding the nature of business organizations. Students must also be familiar with physical sciences and technology and with the ways in which mathematics and computer systems are essential elements of modern decision-making processes. The undergraduate program in business and economics provides an introduction to all of these academic areas. Students preparing for careers in the 21st century must be provided with options to sample the insights and wisdom of a wide variety of academic disciplines outside of business. At Lehigh, this important exposure to science, language, and the arts and humanities is accomplished by distribution requirements, within each of which the student has wide choice. In addition, students have 43 credits of free electives, 28 of which must be taken outside the College of Business and Economics. The degree of bachelor of science in business and economics may also lead to achievement of the master of business administration degree at Lehigh or another institution. In addition to the master of business administration, the college also offers a graduate degree in doctor of philosophy in business and economics and master of science in economics. Joint degrees are offered in master of business and administration and engineering, master of business and administration and educational leadership and master of science and accounting. The college also oversees research and scholarship in a number of centers and institutes, where graduate and undergraduate students work closely with faculty members. These include: Iacocca Institute, Martindale Center for the Study of Private Enterprise, Murray H. Goodman Center for Real Estate Studies, Musser Center for Entrepreneurship, Philip Rauch Center for Business Communications, and Small Business Development Center. Bachelor of Science in Business and Economics To obtain the bachelor of science degree in business and economics, 124 credit hours are required. College Core Requirements English and mathematics (10 credits)
Major Program
(15-19 credits)
Distribution
Requirements (15 credits)
Electives
(43 credits)
Planning
Courses of Study
Freshman Year
The pass-fail option is available for students in the college for elective courses only. Students desiring to obtain Lehigh credit for courses taken at other institutions must obtain a petition form from the registrar's office and obtain the approval of appropriate Lehigh academic departments in advance. |
Goals of the College
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