DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL BUSINESS AND FINANCE

Major in Banking and Financial Institutions | Major in Finance | Major in General Business Administration | Course Descriptions

CHAIR: Joe F. James (936) 294-1278

FACULTY: Ashorn, Bexley, Brown, Chisholm, H. Griffin, M. Griffin, Hart, Hill, Hurry, Hynes, Jenkins, Leavell, Maniam, Stretcher, Stowe, Tucker-Findley

The mission of the Department of General Business and Finance is to assist in fulfilling the mission of the University and the College of Business Administration by providing students at the undergraduate and master’s levels with an academic foundation to become productive citizens, to develop successful careers, and to provide interested students with the background to pursue graduate or professional studies. The academic foundation leading to a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Banking and Financial Institutions, Finance, or General Business Administration is designed to arouse intellectual curiosity, develop analytical reason, and provide historical and current information relative to the global environment.

The Banking and Financial Institutions (BFI) degree program is designed to prepare students for officer-level positions in banks and other financial institutions. The Finance (FIN) degree program is designed to provide students with the knowledge of the problems and opportunities that confront entities in the specific field of finance. The General Business Administration (GBA) degree program provides an opportunity to customize student-selected electives for a broad base in business, to specialize within an industry, or to develop a minor either inside or outside the College of Business Administration.

Both the Finance and General Business Administration degree programs are designed to prepare students for careers in business, government, or not-for-profit entities; to include the core business courses required for admission to master’s or other professional program; or to be combined with a sequence of professional education courses and other requirements by the College of Education to earn a certificate to teach in secondary schools.

Curriculum: Major In Banking and Financial Institutions¹

BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

*Subject to action by the Board of Regents, The Texas State University System, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

CURRICULUM: MINOR IN BANKING

Minor in Banking: A minor in Banking (18 hours) is available to all bachelor degree programs in the College of Business Administration. The minor in Banking requires FIN 334, 468, 432, 472; 6 additional semester hours selected from FIN 499 - Bank Internship (no more than 3 semester hours per semester with a maximum of 6 hours),

FIN 465, FIN 471, or FIN 486. The minor in Banking is also available to Ag Business majors. In addition to the courses listed here for COBA majors, the following additional courses will be required for Ag Business majors to obtain the banking minor: ACC 231, ACC 232, and FIN 367.

Curriculum: Major In Finance¹

BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

*Subject to action by the Board of Regents, The Texas State University System, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

CURRICULUM: MINOR IN FINANCE

Minor in Finance: A minor in Finance (24 hours) is available to all bachelor degree programs that permit a minor. The minor in Finance requires ACC 231, 232; FIN 334, 367, 486; 6 additional advanced hours in FIN courses; and 3 additional hours of FIN courses at any level.

Curriculum: Major In General Business Administration¹

BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

*Subject to action by the Board of Regents, The Texas State University System, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

CURRICULUM: MINOR IN GENERAL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

A minor in General Business Administration (21 hours) is available to all non-business bachelor degree programs that permit a minor. The minor in General Business Administration requires ACC 231, 232; ECO 230 or 233 or 234; MKT 371; MGT 380; FIN 334 or 367; and 3 additional hours of business electives at any level.

CURRICULUM: MINOR IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Minor in Entrepreneurship: A minor in Entrepreneurship (18 hours) is available to all bachelor degree programs that permit a minor. The minor in Entrepreneurship requires: FIN 334; GBA 362, 366, and 464; and two courses from FIN 465, MGT 334, or MKT 371.

CURRICULUM: MINOR IN BUSINESS EDUCATION

The required minor for someone wishing to use business as a second teaching field in Texas high schools requires ACC 231, 232; ECO 233, 234; GBA 260, 362, and 389; FIN 171; and MGT 380.

¹ Transfer students must take at least 50% of the required business curriculum for the B.B.A. degree in residence at Sam Houston State University.

² Two four-hour laboratory science courses must be taken from any of the following: Biology (including ESC 147), Chemistry, Geography/Geology (the only geography course that satisfies a laboratory science requirement is GEO 131/111), or Physics.

³ Select from AGR 299*, ART 160, 161, 163, 260, DNC 131, 176, MUS 161, 264, 265, THR 160, 164, 166, 230, 231. Satisfies the Visual and Performing Arts requirement of Component Area 4 of the Core Curriculum (see pages 52-53 of this catalog).

⁴ Select from BSL 236, Foreign Languages 263, 264, GEO 265, 266, HIS 265, 266, or SOC 168. Satisfies the Cultural Studies requirement of Component Area 4 of the Core Curriculum (see pages 52-53 of this catalog).

⁵ FIN 439, 471, and 472 are typically offered only in the fall semester and FIN 377, 465, and 487 are typically offered only in the spring semester.

⁶ GBA 363 is typically offered only in the fall semester and GBA 466 is typically offered only in the spring semester.

MINIMUM GRADES IN FINANCE COURSES

A minimum grade of “C” in finance courses taken (prefix FIN) is required for students to graduate with a BBA in Finance.

GENERAL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

*GBA 180 ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS TECHNIQUES. A course designed to provide the student with a background in electronic communications skills. These skills include producing properly formatted business documents concentrating on developing computer literacy and communication of business information in text and numerical formats both in print and online. Credit 3.

GBA 181 BUSINESS PRINCIPLES IN AN INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT. [BUSI 1301] A survey course of all the major business disciplines with an emphasis on helping define career objectives and supporting academic interest areas. An overview of what is involved in accounting, marketing, management, legal aspects of business, economics and finance. An ideal choice for non-business majors wanting to learn of opportunities in business and how to pursue them. Credit 3.

GBA 260 WORD PROCESSING. A study of the design and implementation of word processing as a management support system. The course includes theory and practical exercises to develop proficiency-level skills through hands-on application. Prerequisite: GBA 164 or equivalent. Credit 3.

GBA 281 BUSINESS LEGAL ENVIRONMENT. [BUSI 2301] This course covers legal environment from a “preventive law”, practical perspective. Specific subjects include: Litigation, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Torts, Business Organizations, Real and Personal Property Law including Asset Protection-Estate Planning, and Administrative Law. The course provides an introduction to Environmental Law, Consumer Law, Securities Law, Human Resources Management Law (Labor Law), and Marketing Law (Anti-Trust). Credit 3.

GBA 361 OFFICE APPLICATION SYSTEM. A study of the design and implementation of desktop publishing as a part of the management information system, with an emphasis on hands-on applications at the computer to develop proficiency level skills. Prerequisite: GBA 260 or equivalent. Credit 3.

GBA 362 BUSINESS LAW. The focus of this course is on areas of modern commercial law as needed by business professionals in conducting business transactions in buying and selling goods and services. Common Law Contracts and negotiation strategies are presented. An examination of the Uniform Commercial Code includes Sales Law, Leasing, Commercial Paper - Negotiable Instruments, Commercial Storage and Distribution of Goods, and Transfer of Securities. Creditor’s rights and U.S. Federal Bankruptcy Code are also covered. Credit 3.

GBA 363 HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT LAW. Designed for those seeking management positions and human resource management specialists, this course covers employment law with particular emphasis on Federal Laws on discrimination, compensation and promotion issues, worker safety, and employment benefits. Taught from a “preventive law” perspective, students acquire skills needed to keep abreast of the changing legal environment for employers and employees. Sexual harassment, affirmative action, workers compensation, worker safety and practical overview of employment manuals and procedures provide valuable information for future employees, managers or business owners. Credit 3. Typically offered only during fall semesters.

GBA 366 GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION. Provides an overview of theories of entrepreneurship, the process of creating wealth an public policies that encourage new venture formation and economic growth. Credit 3.

GBA 385 REAL ESTATE LAW. This course covers the legal aspects of real estate including the legal principles and legal instruments used in real estate transactions. Credit 3.

GBA 389 BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS. Communication as a management tool in business and a personal skill with emphasis on the logical and psychological development of routine messages and reports. Prerequisite: Ability to use a word processing package. Credit 3.

GBA 411 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. A course to prepare students for the professional job search and for professional conduct on the job so individuals can advance in their chosen careers. Credit 1.