School of Professional Studies
Welcome to the Division of Business
Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s (NWOSU) Division of Business (DOB) is part of NWOSU’s School of Professional Studies. The DOB provides four undergraduate degrees: Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Administration (BBA), Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting (BBA-Accounting), Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Technical Management (B.A.A.S), and a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership (B.S. Organizational Leadership). NWOSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and the DOB is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
Mission Statement:
The Division of Business prepares students to be adept, ethical, and fiscally responsible business professionals and leaders.
Vision Statement:
Northwestern Oklahoma State University Division of Business will continue to be a regional leader and recognized as a premier business program. This will be accomplished by continuous improvement in curricula; recruiting, retaining, and developing high-quality faculty and staff.
Contact Information:
Dr. Garret Lahr
Division of Business Chair
Assistant Professor of Business
Jesse Dunn 222
Northwestern-Alva
(580) 327-8510
galahr@nwosu.edu
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's in Business Administration
The Business Administration program at NWOSU is designed to prepare students for a career in the field of business. This program provides background training in accounting, economics, finance, management, marketing, and management information systems. Through study in these areas, students will gain the thorough background desired in the business industry.
It takes 45 hours in general education credit hours, 46 hours in Foundation and Business Core credit hours, 21 credit hours in any business minor, plus nine (9) hours of general electives totaling 120 credit hours to get a Business Administration degree.
The Accounting program at NWOSU is designed to provide students with the requisite skills to be competitive for entry-level accounting positions and the background needed for growth into upper-level accounting positions.
It takes 45 hours in general education credit hours, 43 hours in Foundation and Business Core credit hours, and 30 credit hours in upper-level accounting courses totaling 121 credit hours to get an Accounting major/minor degree.
A business degree is a major/minor degree program. All students must declare a major plus one of the five minor programs. The minor programs are as follows:
- Accounting
- Entrepreneurship
- Management
- Marketing
- General Business
Both Business Administration and Accounting programs are designed to prepare students to successfully enter the workforce or to continue their education in graduate or professional schools. See the Undergraduate Catalog for more information on these degree options.
The Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (B.A.A.S.) with a major in Technical Management is designed for students who have already earned an Associate of Applied Arts, an Associate of Applied Science degree from a community college, or students who have achieved certain national certifications. The associate degree classes or the certification will count for 10-30 credit hours.
Students have to complete 124 credit hours including 40-42 hours of general education coursework, 10-30 hours of career specialty (associate coursework or certification) and 41 hours of Technical Management Core coursework.
The Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership is a degree completion program for non-traditional students. The program is a joint effort of nine Oklahoma universities coordinated by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. To be eligible for this degree program a student must:
1. Be at least 21 years of age;
2. Have completed at least 72 hours of college credit;
3. Have a minimum of 2.0 graduation/retention GPA in past college course work;
4. Have completed general education requirements as defined by the home institution admitting the student. A provisional admission status may be used for students who do not yet meet this requirement;
5. Satisfy all institutional requirements for completion of remedial coursework.
Students take some courses from their “home” campus and other courses are taught by one member of the consortium open to students regardless of home institution. Classes are taught in eight-week sessions with five sessions offered each year.
See the Undergraduate Catalog for more details regarding either of these non-traditional programs.
Master's in Business Administration
The online Master of Business Administration program at NWOSU, is where you can achieve career advancement with flexibility and convenience. NWOSU MBA offers a 33-hour curriculum designed to fit your schedule. Whether pursuing full-time completion in just 12 months or opting for a more flexible 24-month part-time option, this program empowers you to achieve your academic and professional goals at your own pace. Choose from specializations either in Management or Health Care Administration and join a community dedicated to preparing leaders for today's dynamic business environment.
1. Resume
2. Bachelor degree from regionally
3. GMAT not required
4. Peregrine Inbound CPC Exam is required for students who do not have a bachelor’s degree in business or accounting from an accredited university (ACBSP or AACSB). The Peregrine CPC Exam cost is $40. Students must score 70% or higher on the common professional component subject areas to pass. Students who do not score satisfactorily in each of the CPC subject areas will complete the appropriate leveling modules. The total cost of the modules can cost up to $375.
5. Leveling modules must be completed by January 1st if you are admitted in the summer or fall and May 1st if you are admitted in the spring semester. Some modules serve as prerequisites to specific courses and must be completed prior to enrollment.
Departmental Program Highlights
- Nationally accredited - Fewer than 1 in 4 business programs worldwide hold this accreditation
- 100% of full-time accounting faculty hold CPA or CMA credentials
- Most full-time faculty are engaged in personal business ventures such as: farming, ranching, manufacturing, accounting services, and more
- Business internships available in management, marketing, accounting and general business
- Learn from, and network with, successful regional business owners at the annual Entrepreneur Seminar
- Opportunities to participate in competition events, such as the Love’s Cup, and the Oklahoma Statewide Student Ethics Challenge
Career Opportunities
What Can I Do with this Major?
Accounting: /uploads//academics/business/what-can-i-do-with-this-degree-accounting.pdf
Business: /uploads//academics/business/what-can-i-do-with-this-degree-business.pdf
Management: /uploads//academics/business/what-can-i-do-with-this-degree-management.pdf
Marketing: /uploads//academics/business/what-can-i-do-with-this-degree-marketing.pdf
Human Resource Management: /uploads//academics/business/what-can-i-do-with-this-degree-human-resource-management.pdf
Occupational Handbook: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/
NWOSU Career Services: http://www.nwosu.edu/student-services/office-of-career-services
Master's of Business Administration:
From 2018 to 2022, the number of students hired from MBA programs has increased nationally. The average 2023 salary for MBA graduates nationally is $125,000. The average pay for MBA graduates in Oklahoma is $102,000. Additionally, 86% of MBA students are employed by graduation. Over the last two years, 75% of employers from the industries listed below hired people with an MBA degree:
- Consulting
- Energy/Utilities
- Technology
- Government/Nonprofit
- Finance/Accounting
- Products/Services
- Manufacturing
- Health Care/Pharmaceutical
Degree Planning Resources
Course Rotations
Degree Plans
- Accounting Major / Accounting Minor
- Business Administration / General Business Minor
- Business Administration / Accounting Minor
- Business Administration / Entrepreneurship Minor
- Business Administration / Management Minor
- Business Administration / Marketing Minor
Plans of Study
Scholarships
Division of Business Scholarship Qualifications
The Division of Business will award scholarships to extraordinary students for the upcoming academic year. The Division of Business will assess each student's application based on the information presented on the form.
General Candidate Qualifications
1. Student must enroll in 12 hours at NWOSU each semester.
2. Student must have completed 12 hours at NWOSU within the last semester.
3. Student must have a GPA of 2.5 or above and must be in good standing with the Scholarship office.
4. Fill out the Division of Business Scholarship Application with the transcript attached before March 3rd (Temporarily Closed).
Completed applications submitted before March 3rd will receive full consideration.
Departmental scholarships available in this area and more can be found at https://ournorthwestern.org/make-an-investment/scholarships, including numerous miscellaneous unspecified scholarships.
OSCPA Scholarships are for High School Seniors, Community College, Undergraduate, and Graduate students, and CPA Exam prep scholarships for ethnic minorities. The application deadline is March 15
All current students have until March 15 for NWOSU academic scholarships using the Continuing Student Scholarship Application.
All incoming freshmen or transfers are encouraged to fill out their respective scholarship forms: Freshman Scholarship or Transfer Scholarship, which should be submitted along with the Application for Admission to the University. The incoming freshman deadline is May 15, while the transfer student deadline is July 15.
Students also should complete the FAFSA form at www.studentaid.gov.
For more information, please visit Scholarships.
Admission to Major
Northwestern Oklahoma State University offers a Bachelor of Business Administration with majors in Accounting or Business Administration. Students majoring in Business Administration may minor in Accounting, Entrepreneurship, General Business, Management or Marketing. Accounting students complete a major-minor in Accounting.
BUSINESS MAJOR PREREQUISITES
In order to properly prepare students to be successful in their Business education and careers, the Business curriculum is divided into four categories: General Education, Foundation Core, Business Core and Major/Minor Requirements. (See Section X of the Undergraduate Catalog for details.) Students should apply to the major only after they have meet the General Education and Foundation Core requirements. Students who do not meet the division admission requirements may repeat course work until they meet the requirement.
APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION TO DIVISION OF BUSINESS
Students who are planning to graduate under the 2009-2010 or earlier undergraduate catalog are grandfathered into the program and do not have to complete the Admission to the Major form. By submitting this form, the sender acknowledges that he/she has read and understands the Business Program Admission and Graduation Requirements (See Section X of the Undergraduate Catalog for details) and has read, understands and agrees to abide by the Business Student Code of Ethics. (A link to an Acknowledgement form is located on this page. Students must sign and return this form.)
APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION TO THE MAJOR
All information must be provided. Students who are planning to graduate under the 2009-2010 or earlier undergraduate catalog are grandfathered into the program and do not have to complete this form. By submitting this form, the sender acknowledges that he/she has read and understands the Business Programs Admission and Graduation Requirements above. The student also has read, understands and agrees to abide by the Business Student Code of Ethics. (A link to an Acknowledgement form is located on this page. Students must sign and return this form.)
Certificates
The certificate program is designed to allow students the opportunity to achieve additional credentials while pursuing their bachelor’s degree. In addition, individuals who have their bachelor’s degree may obtain a specialty certificate to enhance their career goals.
NOTE: The Certificate in Accounting is designed to help students reach their goal of sitting for the CPA exam if they were not an accounting baccalaureate major.
CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS Students must complete all certificate requirements as listed under certificate program options. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure all requirements are met satisfactorily. Advisors, department chairs and administration are available to assist students.
Certificates include the following:
- Accounting (for non-accounting majors seeking to qualify to sit for the Oklahoma CPA exam)
- Accounting (for non-business majors who do not want to sit for the CPA Exam)
- Accounting (for business majors)
- Business (for Business majors and non-business majors)
- Entrepreneurial Studies (for business and non-business majors)
- Human Resources Management
- Management (for Business majors)
- Marketing (for Business majors)
- Personal Finance Planning
For more information, see the Undergraduate Catalog, Section XII Certificates.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Program Student Learning Outcomes
SLOs for the Division of Business (All programs):
- Graduating students should have basic knowledge of the 13 disciplines of the ACBSP Undergraduate Common Professional Component.
- Graduating students should have well-developed communication skills.
- Graduating students are expected to think critically.
- Graduating students are expected to possess knowledge of leadership principles and demonstrate teamwork skills.
- Graduating students should have the ability to utilize an ethical decision-making process.
- Graduating students should be able to recognize, analyze, evaluate, diagnose, and solve business problems.
Accounting SLOs:
- Graduating students should have appropriate accounting software skills.
- Graduating students should know the accounting standards (i.e. GAAP, and GASB).
- Graduating students should recognize ethical conduct in Accounting.
- Graduating students should have the skills and knowledge to prepare and interpret financial statements and documents.
Business Administration SLOs:
- Graduating students should be able to integrate prior work experience with complementary knowledge of business principles gained in an academic environment.
- Graduating students should have appropriate software skills.
- Graduating students should recognize ethical conduct in Business.
Organizational Leadership SLOs:
- Graduating students should be able to integrate prior work experience with complementary knowledge of business principles gained in an academic environment.
- Graduating students should recognize ethical conduct in Business.
- Graduating students are should possess advanced knowledge of leadership and organization principles.
Technical Management SLOs:
- Graduating students should have added complementary knowledge of business principles to the skills gained from their career specialty.
- Graduating students should recognize ethical conduct in Business.
Master's of Business Administration SLOs:
- Students will apply analytical and critical thinking skills to make informed decisions that will lead to a sustainable competitive advantage in the field of business administration
- Students will analyze the shifting balance of global economic power and how it impacts the business environment
- Students will integrate and apply learned business models to manage the business environment and to solve complex organizational problems successfully
- Students will develop leadership skills to offer effective and ethical solutions to problems.
- Students will develop communication and collaboration skills to work with diverse team members effectively
Assessment/ Public Disclosures
ACBSP QUALITY ASSURANCE REPORT 2020 (Update on Business Unit Performance Results) – February, 2020
ACBSP QUALITY ASSURANCE REPORT 2018
ACBSP QUALITY ASSURANCE REPORT 2016
NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATIONAL STATISTICS: Online Statistics
FACULTY QUALIFICATIONS:
Full-Time Faculty 2024-2025:
Academically Qualified: 8
Professionally Qualified: 2
Adjunct Faculty 2024-2025:
Academically Qualified: 7
Professionally Qualified: 2
Accreditation 2012
The following business programs at Northwestern Oklahoma State University are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs:
- Accounting (B.B.A.)
- Business Administration (B.B.A.)
DIVISION OF BUSINESS SELF STUDY 2012
- Appendix 1 - Organizational Chart
- Appendix 2 - DOB Organizational Chart
- Appendix 3 - Organizational Profile
- Appendix 4 - DOB Mission, Vision, Values
- Appendix 5 - DOB Faculty Manual
- Appendix 6 - Faculty Review Process
- Appendix 7 - NWOSU Faculty Code of Ethics
- Appendix 8 - NWOSU Student Code of Conduct
- Appendix 9 - DOB Faculty Code of Ethics
- Appendix 10 - DOB Student Code of Ethics
- Appendix 11 - GBUS3953 Service Learning Project
- Appendix 12 - DOB Strategic Plan
- Appendix 13 - Goal Report
- Appendix 14 - Ethics Survey Summary
- Appendix 15 - 2010-2011 Program Assessment
- Appendix 16 - Vitas
- Appendix 17 - 2011 Faculty Handbook
- Appendix 18 - AY 2009-2010 Program Modification
- Appendix 19 - AY 2010-2011 Program Modification
- Appendix 20 - Request for New Electronically Delivered Programs
- Appendix 21 - Abbreviated Syllabi
- Appendix 22 - General Education Requirements
- Appendix 23 - BAAS General Education Requirements
- Appendix 24 - General Education Organizational Leadership
- Appendix 25 - General Education Learning Outcomes
- Appendix 26 - Student Handbook
- Appendix 27 - NOC Agreement
Accreditation 2022
The following business programs at Northwestern Oklahoma State University are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs:
- Accounting (B.B.A.)
- Business Administration (B.B.A.)
Division Of Business Self-Study
- Appendix 1- DOB Program Modifications
- Appendix 1- NOC Articulation Agreement
- Appendix 1- NWOSU Catalog
- Appendix 2- DOB Strategic Plan
- Appendix 2- Course Adjustments
- Appendix 2- Employer Survey-Graduates
- Appendix 2- EmployerSurvey-No Graduates
- Appendix 3- DOB Code of Ethics Acknowledgement
- Appendix 3- Student Code of Ethics
- Appendix 3- DOB Manual
- Appendix 3- NWOSU Faculty Handbook
- Appendix 3- Student Handbook
- Appendix 4- Portfolio Rubric
- Appendix 5- Abbreviated Syllabi