Houston Christian University Catalog

Business Administration (BUSA) Course Descriptions

  • BUSA 1305 The World of Business

    Prerequisite(s): None

    A foundations course that emphasizes decision making in an ever-changing world economy. The focus is on building a foundation for key success factors and life skills, including professionalism, communications, global and cultural awareness, team-based decision making, critical thinking, technological competence, and business language. Some emphasis is placed on career guidance, including an appreciation for the functional areas of business. BUSA 1305 is required by all BBA majors and BA-Managerial Studies majors. The course may be taken by non-Business majors who have earned less than 90 credit hours. The course is to be taken by Business majors in their first semester, or within the first 12 hours of matriculating into the Archie W. Dunham College of Business.

  • BUSA 2301 Business Math

    Prerequisite(s): MATH 1313 or higher

    This course covers selected topics of one- and multi-variable calculus with applications in business and economics. It will provide business students with the appropriate conceptual and computational mathematical background for future business study and economic analysis.

  • BUSA 2315 Business Statistics

    Prerequisite(s): MATH 1313 or higher

    This course covers descriptive and inferential statistics and their application to business data. Topics include data visualization, measures of central tendency and dispersion, discrete and continuous probability distributions, sampling distributions, hypothesis testing, regression analysis and forecasting.

  • BUSA 2320 Legal Environment of Business

    Prerequisite(s): None

    A study of the legal environment of business, the role of law in society, the judicial process, and government regulation. Emphases are given to the law of contracts, torts, intellectual property, as well as employment law dealing with discrimination and its relation to human resources.

  • BUSA 2330 Biblical Financial Management

    Prerequisite(s): None

    This course is to encourage an understanding of personal financial planning and the acquisition of sound money management skills based on biblical principles.

  • BUSA 3315 Spreadsheet Modeling with Business applications

    Prerequisites: BUSA 2301 and (BUSA 2315 or concurrent enrollment)

    This course is designed to introduce students to the environment of spreadsheets and its utilization for storage, presentation, visualization, and analysis of business data. Topics include, but are not limited to, pivot tables, spreadsheet modeling of business problems, optimization, risk management, and project management. All new concepts will be introduced using real business problems related to accounting, finance, economics, management, and marketing. The course will utilize Microsoft Excel-the most commonly used spreadsheet application.

  • BUSA 3320 Business Ethics

    Prerequisite(s): None

    The goal of the Business Ethics class is to prepare students for success in global business. This will be achieved by helping students develop and apply a framework for identifying the ethical implications (personal, corporate, and social) of the various business practices they will encounter in an international market. A balance will be given to universal issues raised when adopting an ethical system and the particular issues involved in applying the ethical system to business issues. Main topics include: philosophical and cultural foundations of Business Ethics, applying ethical principles in the market place, and how to set up and carry out an effective Business Ethics program in an organization. The particular human resources issues of diversity, whistle blowing, recruiting and hiring, and compensation will be discussed as part of the application of ethical principles.

  • BUSA 4301 International Business

    Prerequisite(s): None

    This course focuses on challenges that US managers face when operating in foreign countries. The class covers basic principles of global business and cross-cultural interaction. It will particularly emphasize cultural and historical differences among various countries and how those differences produce different managerial styles and contrasting business practices. In addition, students will do thorough research, preparation, and presentations on specific companies and countries.

  • BUSA 4320 Business Law

    Prerequisite(s): BUSA 2320

    Study of the uniform commercial code applied to commercial documents. Introduction to creditors’ rights and bankruptcy, agency and employment, business organizations, and property law.

  • BUSA 4340 Internship

    Prerequisite(s): See the Archie W. Dunham College of Business Internship Coordinator for current prerequisite information

    The course is an integrating field experience by which students learn actual business practices by undertaking responsible roles in an organization. The students develop interpersonal skills while acquiring practical knowledge in their disciplines. The students are exposed to various work roles and career choices. Open to junior and senior H-campus (residential) students only

  • BUSA 4360 Data Analytics

    Prerequisite(s): MIS 4350

    This is a capstone course for the Data Analytics minor or certificate. The course involves practical application in several areas. Topics will include, but not be limited to, data visualization and presentation; marketing, sports, and healthcare analytics; and social media applications. Both individual and team projects will be involved. Students will acquire skills related to data information extraction, how to interpret extracted information, and how to apply that information for decision-making. The course includes practical experience using MS Excel and IBM SPSS.

  • BUSA 4399 Global Business Strategy

    Prerequisite(s): FINA 3320 and MGMT 3302 and MKTG 3301 and completion of 90 credit hours

    Global Business Strategy is a capstone course in business designed to integrate concepts and knowledge from a broad range of core business courses. The course considers the increasingly global context in which firms operate and develops a strategic view of the firm through a variety of management tools, models, and current debates. The capstone experience encourages significant group-based work through use of case studies and a computer simulation with global participants.

  • BUSA 6315 Fundamentals of Data Analytics

    Prerequisite(s): None

    This course introduces students to fundamental concepts, techniques, and applications of data analytics. It presents applied approach to data analytics and data mining with clear explanations, hands-on exercises, and real-life case studies. Students will learn various data visualization and presentation methods, as well as most commonly used data mining techniques to develop descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive models from various areas of business and real-life and learn how to extract useful information from Big Data. Graduate Business programs only

  • BUSA 6320 Practical Data Analytics

    Prerequisite(s): BUSA 6315

    This course introduces students to practical aspects of fundamental methods and techniques of data analytics. It presents applied approach to data analytics and data mining with clear explanations, hands-on exercises, and real-life examples. Special attention will be given to methods of predictive and prescriptive analytics and their application in various areas of business. The course will be computer-based and data analytics software such as Analytic Solver and SPSS will be utilized.

  • BUSA 6321 Data Analytics: Cases and Insights

    Prerequisite(s): BUSA 6315

    This course provides comprehensive up-to-date coverage of modern Business Analytics technologies and demonstrates how they can be used to improve business processes and decision-making, specifically for the Web and enterprise decision support. The course is case-based and presentation oriented. Students will learn the applications of Data Analytics to various business processes. In addition to traditional decision support, students will examine modern tools of data analytics by discussing examples, products, services, and exercises and using Web-based case studies throughout the course. Finally, the course examines the processes and technologies involved in protecting information and privacy at the organization. Graduate Business Programs only

  • BUSA 6340 Leadership Theory and Managerial Practices

    Prerequisite(s): None
    Fee(s): Peregrine Fee

    This course (a) provides an overview of various leadership theories and models that helps students develop a solid theoretical foundation for understanding leadership dynamics; (b) surveys the body of leadership literature with heavy emphasis on the major practical theories, as well as evaluation of these theories in the light of biblical reasoning; (c) examines managerial functions and processes in organizations; and (d) explores organizational leadership/followership issues with a special emphasis on the biblical principles related to organizational leadership.

  • BUSA 6341 Leadership Ethics and Values

    Prerequisite(s): None

    This course (a) explores the ethical and moral dimensions of leadership and helps students develop a strong ethical foundation for leadership roles and make ethical decisions, handle moral dilemmas, and lead with integrity; (b) looks at theoretical and practical approaches to leading ethically within the context of a Christian worldview; and (c) addresses business stewardship.

  • BUSA 6342 Effective Executive Communication

    Prerequisite(s): None

    This course (a) emphasizes effective communication strategies for leaders; (b) integrates the pervasive impact of information systems with time-honored communication principles to enable students to maximize their effectiveness in diverse and technologically dynamic business environments; (c) provides an opportunity for students to use interpersonal, technology-mediated, and intercultural communication competencies and techniques; and (d) explores managing organizational conflict, which includes a conceptual understanding of the psychological and behavioral forces of interpersonal and group conflict, as well as techniques and skills necessary to prevent, manage, and resolve workplace conflict.

  • BUSA 6343 Leading Organizational Change

    Prerequisite(s): None

    This course (a) helps students understand how to lead and manage change effectively, address resistance, and foster innovation; (b) looks at the impact of change on an organization and stakeholders and the dynamics of change in order to lead organizational change efforts; (c) reviews the literature for the best practices relating to organizational change and organizational learning; and (d) examines the factors and theories of effective change leadership that enable students to understand strategies, structures, and techniques for facilitating organizational change.

  • BUSA 6344 Leading Diverse Teams

    Prerequisite(s): None

    This course (a) provides an overview of leading and conducting business in a variety of international business cultures; (b) offers tools and skills to understand and manage team dynamics, promote effective team processes, group cohesion, collaboration, conflict resolution, and problem-solving, and manage and lead across cultures; and (c) addresses the importance of inclusive leadership and how to lead diverse teams effectively.

  • BUSA 6345 Financial and Operational Stewardship for Leaders

    Prerequisite(s): None

    This course (a) provides an overview of accounting and finance that includes principles and techniques for making sound fiscal decisions through the budgeting and financial planning process; and (b) offers systematic techniques and processes designed to improve a manager’s ability to gather, organize, and evaluate information in the areas of problem-solving, decision-making, and plan implementation.

  • BUSA 6346 Strategic Global Leadership

    Prerequisite(s): None
    Fee(s): Peregrine Fee

    This course (a) focuses on the strategic aspects of leadership, including the development and implementation of organizational strategies; (b) helps students understand how leadership aligns with organizational goals; (c) addresses how to become a strategic leader that can plan, develop, and execute organizational initiatives; and (d) provides opportunity to conduct a global organizational analysis on the key elements of an organization, assessing its strengths and weaknesses, and preparing an improvement strategy that enables students to apply their leadership skills in a real-world setting.

  • BUSA 6347 Servant Leadership

    Prerequisite(s): None

    This course (a) examines the concept of servant leadership from the perspective of leadership theory and applied biblical integration; and (b) imparts the philosophy of servant leadership and how a servant leader is different from other leaders and can create interdependency rather than dependency in organizations through focusing on the needs of others.

  • BUSA 6348 Leadership Coaching, Mentoring, and Development

    Prerequisite(s): None

    This course (a) provides a comprehensive overview of coaching theory and methods necessary for effective leadership coaching, mentorship, development and succession planning; and (b) examines coaching methodology and techniques, coaching theories and frameworks, and coaching skills and techniques.

  • BUSA 6349 Non-Profit Leadership and Board Governance

    Prerequisite(s): None

    This course (a) provides an understanding of how to lead a non-profit organization and volunteers, and addresses governance, key concepts, and stakeholders involved in non-profit management; (b) examines the board and leadership’s relationship, how to effectively manage those relationships, and the roles and responsibilities of directors; and (c) offers a foundation of a non-profit organization’s fundraising perspectives, donor cultivation, capital campaigns, grant process, and stewardship that impact fundraising and development strategies.

  • BUSA 6350 Governmental and Public Sector Leadership

    Prerequisite(s): None

    This course (a) provides an understanding of how to lead a government or public sector organization, and address governance, key concepts, and stakeholders involved in government and public sector management; (b) examines the structure, functions, and challenges of government and public sector organizations; (c) explore strategic thinking and planning within the public sector and how to align organizational goals with public policy objectives and effectively communicate and implement strategic initiatives.

  • BUSA 6395 International Business

    Prerequisite(s): ACCT 5362 and ECON 5363 and FINA 5260 and MGMT 5260 and MGMT 5261

    This course combines classroom work with international travel and provides the student with direct contact with managers operating in another country. A weeklong international trip (scheduled at the end of the term) is a part of the course. Topical coverage in class sessions emphasizes cultural and historical differences in countries that produce different managerial styles and contrasting business practices. Graduate Business programs only