Department of Business

Mission

The mission of Northwest Nazarene University's College of Business is the transformation of the whole person. Centered in Jesus Christ, the NNU education instills habits of heart, soul, mind and strength to enable each student to become God's creative and redemptive agent in the world.

Vision

Northwest Nazarene University's College of Business strives to deliver an exceptional, Christ-centered educational experience that equips students to live out their calling in service to business and community for the advancement of God's Kingdom.

Faculty

Joshua Jensen (Dean), Konya Weber (Associate Dean), Peter Crabb, Jeffrey Lineman, Kevin Mokhtarian, Fred Sutton, Mollie Sweet     

Student Learning Outcomes

The program is designed with the following student learning outcomes related to the University's Values:

  1. Students will pursue Truth and demonstrate their knowledge across a range of contemporary business subjects including accounting, economics, finance, management, information systems, international business environment, law, ethics, marketing, and communication.
  2. Students will engage in activities that foster Transformation and facilitate the development of relevant skills in the contemporary business environment. These skills will include teamwork, qualitative and quantitative analysis, written and oral communication, use of technology, and decision making.
  3. Students will be involved in activities within the Community as modeled by Jesus Christ through Service to others by applying concepts from business ethics, social responsibility, workplace respect, and biblical principles.

Accreditation

The College of Business is accredited through the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). ACBSP's accreditation process follows the Baldrige model. The accreditation focuses on recognizing teaching excellence, determining student learning outcomes, and a continuous improvement model.

Admission to the College of Business

Majors in the College of Business are required to complete a minimum of 30 prescribed upper-division credits (ACCT/ECON/BSNS) at Northwest Nazarene University. Exceptions must be approved by the Associate Dean.

Admission to Advanced Standing

Majors in the College of Business are required to participate in an application and interview process as a graduation requirement.  Application to Advanced Standing is a process focusing on the transformation of the whole person by monitoring the student's spiritual, academic, and community progress.  This process encourages students to reflect on their spiritual growth, academic preparedness, community engagement, and career development.  

To earn Advanced Standing, the following requirements must be met:

  1. A student must be officially admitted to Northwest Nazarene University and declare a major or majors in Accounting, Business Administration, Management, or Marketing.
  2. A student must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or receive approval from the Associate Dean.
  3. A student must adhere to Biblical Standards, the College of Business Mission, and University Values.
  4. A student must complete the application for Advanced Standing.
  5. A student must interview with a business faculty committee, receive a recommendation, and be accepted by vote of the College of Business faculty.
  6. This application process is a pre-requisite for an Internship in the College of Business.  Advanced Standing will be withdrawn if a student fails to enroll at Northwest Nazarene University for three consecutive semesters and does not maintain a 2.5 GPA or does not uphold to Biblical Standards, the College of Business Mission, and University Values.  A student must reapply for Advanced Standing upon re-admittance to NNU.

Students may complete a maximum of two majors within the College of Business.

The Politics, Philosophy, and Economics, Bachelor of Arts program is an interdisciplinary major (not accredited by ACBSP).

Degrees and Certificates

Courses

ACCT2060: Financial Accounting

Credits 3
An introduction to financial accounting in business. Topics include basic terminology, mechanics, theoretical framework of double-entry bookkeeping and preparing financial statements for external reporting. Emphasis is placed on creating the financial statements and includes topics related to inventory, receivables, long term assets, stocks and bonds.

ACCT2070: Managerial Accounting

Credits 3
An introduction to managerial accounting in the business world. Course will explore decision-making models in factory and service organization settings. Topics include cost flows in a factory environment, cost-behavior patterns, break-even analysis, lease or buy, make or buy, and business contraction and expansion of product lines. Considers the time value of money and covers financial statements for internal use and the statement of cash flows. Computer applications will be used throughout the course.
Prerequisites
ACCT2060, or instructor's approval.

ACCT2950: Field Experience in Accounting

Credits 1 3
This course is designed to provide academic credit for a complementary or introductory experience in accounting or academics related to the student’s major. Academic credit is awarded for work hours at a rate of one credit hour for each 40 hours of work and/or the achievement of agreed-upon learning outcomes. This course awards a maximum of three credit hours and will have a pass/fail grade. May be repeated for credit.

ACCT3010: Income Taxation

Credits 3
Course will include study of the theory and application of the Federal Internal Revenue Code, regulations, revenue rulings, revenue procedures and cases to individuals and sole proprietorships. Property transactions are covered together with the topics of gross income, deductions from gross income and losses, itemized deductions, losses and bad debts, employee expenses and deferred compensation, depreciation, cost recovery (ACRS and MACRS), depletion, amortization and inventory costs, non-taxable exchanges, section 1231 gains and losses, tax credits, and special tax computation methods.
Prerequisites
ACCT2070, or instructor's approval.

ACCT3040: Cost Accounting

Credits 3
Course includes an in-depth study of cost accounting with a managerial emphasis. Topics include a review of ACCT2070 Managerial Accounting and job-order costing systems, process costing systems, standard costs, cost behavior, direct (variable) costing, joint-product costing systems, cost of by-products, cost allocation methods, and accounting for waste and spoilage.
Prerequisites
ACCT2070, or instructor's approval.

ACCT3094: Special Topics in Accounting

Credits 1 3
This course is designed to address specific accounting topics as designated by the instructor of record and approved by the College of Business Chair/Associate Dean.

ACCT3510: Intermediate Accounting I

Credits 3
Course includes a detailed study of the conceptual (theoretical) framework of external financial reporting and the financial statements utilized in external reporting (except the statement of cash flows) and an in-depth study of certain current and non-current assets and liabilities. Topics include basic theory, the income statement and statement of changes in retained earnings, the balance sheet, time value of money, cash and accounts receivable, inventories, fixed assets and depreciation, intangible assets, and current liabilities.
Prerequisites
ACCT2070, or instructor's approval.

ACCT3520: Intermediate Accounting II

Credits 3
A continuation of the study of certain current and long-term assets and liabilities begun in ACCT3510. Topics include long-term liabilities, stockholders' equity, dilutive securities and earnings per share calculations, temporary and long-term investments, and computer spreadsheet applications. Accounting for pensions and post-retirement benefits, leases, statement of cash flows, and full disclosure will also be covered.
Prerequisites
ACCT3510, or instructor's approval.

ACCT3950: Field Experience in Accounting

Credits 1 3
This course is designed to provide academic credit for a complementary experience in accounting or academics related to the student’s major. Academic credit is awarded for work hours at a rate of one credit hour for each 40 hours of work and/or the achievement of agreed-upon learning outcomes. This course awards a maximum of three credit hours and will have a pass/fail grade. May be repeated for credit.

ACCT3960: Internship in Accounting

Credits 2 3

Accounting students may enhance their academic experience through participation in an internship. Internships are a unique form of education, integrating classroom study with planned and supervised work experience. Learning objectives will be established prior to the start of an internship and one credit hour is awarded for every 40 hours of work. This course will be graded and may be repeated for credit.

Prerequisite Courses
BSNS2990
Prerequisites

BSNS2990, or instructor's approval

ACCT4020: Auditing

Credits 3
A study of professional ethics, accountants' legal liability, internal control, evidence, reporting, and an introduction to statistical sampling and EDP auditing. Topics include general, field work and reporting standards, as well as selected statements on auditing standards. An audit case is required.
Prerequisites
ACCT3520, or instructor's approval.

ACCT4510: Advanced Financial Accounting

Credits 3
An in-depth study of business combinations and consolidated financial statements from a financial reporting perspective. Topics include theory of business combinations (APBs 16, 17 and 18) and accounting for business combinations under the pooling or purchase method. Course will explore statutory mergers, statutory consolidation, acquisition of assets, acquisition of stock, consolidated financial statements at date of acquisition or subsequent to date of acquisition, and special inter-company transaction eliminations in consolidations.
Prerequisites
ACCT3520, or instructor's approval.

BSNS1110: Introduction to Business

Credits 1
This course is a survey of the field of business including organizing and managing businesses, managing human resources and marketing. Introduces financial issues such as accounting, money and banking, securities markets, business issues, business ethics and international business.

BSNS2170: Computer Applications in Business

Credits 3
Introduction to computers as a tool for business. Includes fundamental concepts of information technology and the use of business application software such as word processing, spreadsheets, database, graphics, electronic communications, and the web.
Prerequisites
Computer Proficiency, or instructor's approval.

BSNS2220: Business Communication

Credits 3
Study of the process and objectives of effective business writing and presentations. The course includes a review of English composition in basic business correspondence and e-systems.

BSNS2330: Business Statistics

Credits 3

An introductory course to statistical theory and applications for decision-making purposes in business. Topics include the role and use of statistics, tables and graphs, data analysis, probability distributions, descriptive measures, and statistical inference, including sampling, hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, analysis of variance, quality control, and regression analysis. Fulfills the General Education Mathematics Competency requirement.

Prerequisites

Minimum ACT Math score of 18, SAT Math score of 480, QRAS Accuplacer score of 250, or passed MATH0950 Intermediate Algebra, or instructor's approval.

BSNS2950: Field Experience in Business

Credits 1 3
This course is designed to provide academic credit for an introductory experience in business or academics related to the student’s major. Academic credit is awarded for work hours at a rate of one credit hour for each 40 hours of work and/or the achievement of agreed upon learning outcomes. This course awards a maximum of three credit hours and will have a pass/fail grade. May be repeated for credit.

BSNS2990: Advanced Standing

Credits 0

Students in the College of Business are required to participate in an application and interview process as a graduation requirement and in preparation for their Internship. Application to Advanced Standing is a process focusing on the transformation of the whole person by monitoring the student’s spiritual, academic, and community progress. This process encourages students to reflect on their spiritual growth, academic preparedness, community engagement, and career development.

BSNS3030: Management Information Systems

Credits 3
The course considers management information systems from the perspectives of the manager, accountant and data processing professional. Topics include: introductory concepts, hardware and software resources, common areas of application, and planning and developing management information systems. The areas of application include: financial information systems, marketing production information systems, personnel and managerial decision models, and general office information systems.

BSNS3094: Special Topics in Business

Credits 1 3
This course is designed to address specific business topics as designated by the instructor of record and approved by the School of Business chair/associate dean.

BSNS3410: Business Law I

Credits 3
Study of the present-day law of business in the United States as it relates to contracts, sales, agencies, the legal environment, and selected topics. Ethical considerations and international topics are also discussed.

BSNS3420: Business Law II

Credits 3
Study of the present-day law of business in the United States as it relates to corporations, agencies, and negotiable instruments. Emphasis is also given to legal principles as they apply to partnerships, corporations, and non-corporate associations. Ethical considerations and international topics are also discussed.
Prerequisites
BSNS3410, or instructor's approval.

BSNS3510: Principles of Marketing

Credits 3
Study of marketing from the point of view of the business firm. Topics include the structure of the marketing system, the nature of marketing management, consumer behavior, marketing research, product policy, pricing policy, channels of distribution policy, promotion policy, and analytical techniques useful to marketing management.

BSNS3530: Marketing Communications

Credits 3
Course will deal with the use of advertising, personal selling, sales promotion and public relations as elements in a promotional program. A managerial framework is used to emphasize the integrative aspects of the objectives, copy, media selection, budget decision, audience targeting, and the development of an ad campaign.
Prerequisites
BSNS3510, or instructor's approval.

BSNS3550: Sales, Networking, and Negotiation

Credits 3
This course will teach you to identify the components necessary to successfully complete a business-to-business and business-to-consumer sales transaction; formulate a target market and articulate the value proposition that leads to a sale; utilize communication and outreach strategies to build an effective network of contacts and customers; define strategies that enable a seller to adapt to customer needs; identify the growing role of networking in establishing mutually beneficial relationships that lead to an exchange of goods or services for compensation.
Prerequisites
BSNS3510, or instructor's approval.

BSNS3580: Retail Management

Credits 3
Study of the operation and management of retail organizations. Topics include location, layout, pricing, promotion, and purchasing.
Prerequisites
BSNS3510, or instructor's approval.

BSNS3640: Principles of Management

Credits 3
Study of the functions and principles of management with emphasis on relationships between workers and management as well as between individual employees. Topics cover the areas of planning, organizing, directing and controlling personnel, and decision-making procedures and techniques.

BSNS3650: Human Resource Management

Credits 3
A study of the strategic issues in managing human resources. Topics include developing and implementing human resource policies and procedures, human resource planning, job design, analysis and evaluation, staffing, compensation, performance appraisal, training and development career management, labor relations, and legal, ethical and global human resource issues.
Prerequisites
BSNS3640, or instructor's approval.

BSNS3710: Principles of Finance

Credits 3
An introduction to financial management. Topics include financial statement analysis, valuation of cash flows, capital budgeting, the time value of money, the concepts of risk and return, cost of capital and applications of these concepts in the firm.
Prerequisites
ECON2010, BSNS2330 or ACT Math of 21, or instructor's approval.

BSNS3810: Business Ethics

Credits 3
Ethical aspects of management decision-making from a Christian perspective. Course will pose fundamental questions about executive decisions and the human impact of corporate power.

BSNS3880: Digital and Social Media Marketing

Credits 3

Designed to explore the interesting and innovative ways technology is influencing marketing strategies to bring value to businesses in their effort to reach new and existing customers. The course is based upon a strategic approach in developing effective digital marketing and social media marketing plans with an emphasis on emerging trends and strong focus on metrics.

Prerequisites

Instructor's approval

BSNS3950: Field Experience in Business

Credits 1 3
This course is designed to provide academic credit for a complementary experience in business or academics related to the student’s major. Academic credit is awarded for work hours at a rate of one credit hour for each 40 hours of work and/or the achievement of agreed-upon learning outcomes. This course awards a maximum of three credit hours and will have a pass/fail grade. May be repeated for credit.

BSNS3960: Internship in Business

Credits 2 3

Business students may enhance their academic experience through participation in an internship. Internships are a unique form of education, integrating classroom study with planned and supervised work experience. Learning objectives will be established prior to the start of an internship and one credit hour is awarded for every 40 hours of work. This course will be graded and may be repeated for credit.

Prerequisite Courses
BSNS2990
Prerequisites

BSNS2990, or instructor's approval.

 

BSNS4590: Global Marketing

Credits 3
The course covers the differences between marketing endeavors in international markets and those applicable to domestic markets. Differences in culture and customs as they relate to marketing are also analyzed.
Prerequisites
BSNS3510, or instructor's approval.

BSNS4600: Global Business Strategies

Credits 3
The course will cover the structure of global operations, methods of entering international markets, cultural impact on business practices, legal and ethical impact on multi-international business, human resource management in international firms, and international movement of business factors. Fulfills a General Education Cultural Competency (CC) requirement.

BSNS4610: Entrepreneurship

Credits 3
Major topics include identifying potential high growth business opportunities, characteristics of entrepreneurs, developing creativity, evaluating market potential, preparing a business plan, and choosing an exit or succession strategy.
Prerequisites
BSNS3640, or instructor's approval.

BSNS4690: Global Operations Management

Credits 3
The course will cover the structure of global operations and apply quantitative tools needed to make effective decisions. The interaction of operations within the organization will be studied.
Prerequisites
BSNS3640, or instructor's approval.

BSNS4980: Senior Seminar in Business Capstone

Credits 3

Applications seminar requiring students to utilize various business concepts. While topics of current interest in business will be covered, the main emphasis of the course will be on entrepreneurial research projects.

Prerequisites

Accounting, Business, Economics, Global Business, Management and Marketing majors with senior classification, or instructor's approval.

ECON1010: Personal Finance

Credits 3
An introduction to decision-making in personal economics. Emphasis will be placed on the financial choices faced by individuals in the build-up and management of net worth. Topics covered include education and experience, earning and spending, savings and debt, taxes and inflation, insurance, investments, and contracts.

ECON1050: Analysis of Economic Issues

Credits 3
Introduction to the theory of supply and demand, and application of this theory to economic issues such as social security, crime, medical care, poverty, higher education, economic systems, pollution, big business, free trade, the U.S. national debt, and economic growth.

ECON2010: Principles of Economics

Credits 3
An introduction to the basic economic principles that are used to understand the process of decision-making by individuals and business organizations. Students will study production, distribution, exchange and consumption at both the micro and macro-level.

ECON2420: Principles of Macroeconomics

Credits 3
A study and application of macroeconomic analysis; includes gross national product, national income, consumption, investment, inflation, economic growth and development, and international applications.

ECON3010: Personal Finance and Stewardship

Credits 3
A study and application of the planning and organizing of personal finances. Class will explore how students manage and address the challenges of becoming good stewards of their gifts, talents, time and resources. Topics covered include education and experience, earning and spending, savings and debt, giving and tithing, taxes and insurance, and social responsiveness.

ECON3020: Intermediate Economics

Credits 3

A study and application of both micro and macro-economic theory to the process of decision-making by individuals and business organizations. Topics include pricing theory, consumer choice, market structures, business cycles, inflation, economic growth and development, and international applications.

Prerequisites

ECON2010, or instructor's approval.

ECON3094: Special Topics in Economics

Credits 1 3
An examination of various economic questions and theories not covered in other economic courses. Topics include: financial economics, game theory, health economics, labor economics, environmental economics, public finance and the history of economic thought. May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisites
Instructor's approval

ECON3150: Managerial Economics

Credits 3
An application of tools of microeconomics and how they relate to managerial decision-making. Includes study of the internal and external economic environments of firms for managerial decision-making. Topics include supply and demand, quantitative demand, analysis, production and costs, market structures, game theory, pricing strategies, organization of firms, and social perspectives on managerial decision-making.
Prerequisites
ECON2010, or instructor's approval.

ECON3310: Principles of Free Enterprise

Credits 3

A study of economies based on voluntary exchange or free markets. Students will examine the relationship between liberty and economic activity, and the theories of how freedom of choice raises the standard of living in a society. The course includes a comparative study of alternative systems of economic organization.

Prerequisite Courses
ECON2010
Prerequisites

Prerequisite course or Instructor's approval

ECON3510: Money and Financial Institutions

Credits 3
A study of monetary economics, including fluctuations of money, determinants on money supply and demand, study of financial institutions, determinants of interest rates, principles and practice of banking and financial intermediaries, formation of monetary policy, the Federal Reserve System, and international monetary forces.
Prerequisites
ECON2010, or instructor's approval.

ECON3770: Saving and Investing

Credits 3
An introduction to the economics of lifetime saving and investing decisions. Includes introduction to financial institutions involved in saving and investing, operation and properties of stock, bond, and real estate markets, role of tax laws and practices in life-time saving and consumption decisions, time value of money principles, saving to achieve personal goals, rate of return and risks of alternative investments in the context of principles of Christian stewardship.
Prerequisites
ECON2010, or instructor's approval.

ECON4050: Global Economics

Credits 3
A survey of the theory and practice of international trade and finance around the world. Includes examination of the problems of developed and less developed countries in the world economy. Other topics include globalization, international comparison of standards of living, theories of international exchange, currency markets, balances of international payments, trade policies, transitions from socialism, international economic institutions, regional economic integration and international economic crisis.
Prerequisites
ECON2010, or instructor's approval.