Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Purpose and Scope

The Study Plan and Regulations lay out the specifications of the program Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, including the profile and learning outcomes, the structure of the curricula, program development and the criteria for admission and conferment of a degree.

The Study Plan and Regulations are applicable to all students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration starting on or after Sept. 1, 2021. It pertains to the degree (BSc) offered by WVPU, which is accredited by the Agency for quality Assurance and Accreditation Austria in accordance with the Private Universities Act §2 and §3(1). The requirements for U.S.-accredited degrees conferred by Webster University based in St. Louis, Missouri, USA may vary slightly. Students are encouraged to consult with their advisor for details.

New Emphases: International Business, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Human Resource Management

Overview Table

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Profile and Learning Outcomes

WVPU’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program comprehensively examines the breadth of business-related disciplines, presenting a business as a system of interrelated functional areas working together to fulfill strategic goals in a complex competitive environment. Students of Business Administration develop the necessary skills and competencies to effectively set up, operate and lead businesses, develop sound and ethical business practices, analyze markets, overcome challenges and communicate effectively. Students undergo a rigorous program of scholarly and practical training in business theories, organizational behavior dynamics and critical thinking strategies that prepares them to assume active roles in international companies, undertake requisite levels of research and proceed into more advanced studies.

Through their coursework, students learn the fundamentals of business success, gaining advanced knowledge in business communication, statistics, financial accounting, economics, business law, finance, marketing, information systems, management and organizational behavior, data analytics and operations management. They develop strong skills and competencies in designing strategies through market simulations where they apply their knowledge before undertaking a thesis project. Through exposure to and participation in faculty research, as well as interaction with an array of experts and prominent external lecturers, students gain valuable insight and practice into researching and analyzing the internal dynamics of businesses and the markets in which they operate, learning to work independently, collaborate with others and operate businesses in a sound, ethical and responsible manner befitting WVPU’s profile and objectives.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program possess an in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge of business operations and markets and can therefore perform tasks at a very high professional level. They are critical, independent, problem-solving thinkers capable of collaboration and leadership, able to measure, analyze and drive growth and innovation within changing and diverse legal, social, economic and global conditions. The program’s strong focus on research and analysis combined with consistent exposure to real-world cases ensures that its graduates can develop innovative approaches to solve known and unforeseen problems. Thus, they are fully qualified for the degree they earned, professionally ready to begin their careers and make a difference, and they possess the scholarly foundation necessary to pursue an advanced degree. As a result, many of the program’s graduates go on to successful careers in a wide range of organizations, corporations and sectors, while others operate their own businesses.

Learning Outcomes

Students who complete this program will be able to understand and apply:

1. Systemic Thinking: Students understand the big picture of a business, i.e., how the business is impacted by outside forces, how it is driven by its interconnected internal functions and how to manage the firm to best advantage given external and internal considerations.
2. Problem Solving: Students can identify business problems and opportunities, analyze them and formulate potential strategies to address them.
3. Business Communication: Students can prepare clear, concise and accurate written materials and can make formal and informal business presentations using appropriate visual aids
4. Interpersonal Skills: Students are able to see themselves as part of a network of people making up a business and its competitive environment and are able to tailor their actions in such a way that they can form and maintain effective business relationships.
5. Technology Literacy: Students can utilize technology to analyze business problems, propose and examine potential solutions and present recommended courses of action.
6. Ethical Reasoning: Students can identify and analyze value conflicts and ethical dimensions of business issues and situations. BS7 Global and Cultural Understanding: Students understand the inherently global nature of modern business and consider international systems and cultural differences in their decision-making process.

Students who take up the International Business Emphasis will also be able to:

1. Students will explain the important terminology, facts, concepts, principles, analytic techniques and theories used in international business.
2. Students will be able to identify and apply appropriate terminology, facts, concepts, principles, analytic techniques and theories used in international business when analyzing moderately complex situations.
3. Students will be able to synthesize and integrate important concepts, principles and theories used in international business into solutions to moderately complex management problems.

Students who take up the Marketing Emphasis will also be able to:

1. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of how to identify and utilize relevant information in order to make effective marketing decisions.
2. Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to make and defend decisions regarding the various marketing mix elements for value creation in a way that reflects the needs and characteristics desired for organizational success and meaningful relationships among and between stakeholders.
3. Students will demonstrate personal skills (i.e. ethics, teamwork, effective communication, critical thinking) which are important keys to having a successful career in marketing.
4. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of mutually interdependent relationships of all the major functional areas of a business enterprise.

Students who take up the Entrepreneurship Emphasis also will be able to:

1. Students can demonstrate an understanding of the entrepreneurship process.
2. Students can identify and apply entrepreneurship concepts and principles used in developing entrepreneurial action plans.
3. Students can integrate entrepreneurship concepts, research and tactics to effectuate entrepreneurship.

Students who take up the Human Resource Management Emphasis will also be able to:

1. Identify and explain important technology, facts, concepts, principles, analytic techniques and theories used in Human Resource Management when analyzing moderately complex situations.
2. Analyze, assess and apply the entry-level SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) competency clusters.
3. Develop the business acumen needed to perform Human Resource Management transactions, employ standard operating procedures and promote operational efficiency.

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program learning outcomes align closely with those of NQF Level VI in all areas of knowledge, skills and competence.

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Learning Outcomes

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Curriculum Overview and Workload

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration curriculum is organized into five modules constituting 240 ECTS whereby students complete 114 ECTS in the fundamentals of business administration, 36 ECTS in a specialization track (Vertiefung), 14 ECTS in scientific research, 54 ECTS from the university’s Common Core Module (CCM), and 22 ECTS in free electives. Full-time students working toward the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) will usually carry a course load of 30 ECTS per semester (30 ECTS). All courses required to complete the program are offered on a regular basis, at least once a year. Full course descriptions, individual learning outcomes, ECTS, weekly study schedules and assessment criteria are available in each course syllabus, available via WVPU’s publicly accessible course schedule.

Table 1: Curriculum distribution by modules (ECTS)

For reference below, WVPU offers three types of courses - Competency Courses (CC), Discipline Courses (DC), and Enrichment Courses (EC) — in various formats: [LS] — Lecture Seminar, [IL] — Interactive Lecture, [SE] – Seminar, [PT] – Practical Training, [CO] – Colloquium, and [TH] – Thesis. Attendance (in-class hours) and Self-Learning (time devoted on subject out of the classroom) are represented below as AT/SL.

Fundamentals of Business Administration (114 ECTS)

The Fundamentals of Business Administration module equips students with essential knowledge, skills and competencies to successfully manage and lead businesses, develop ethical practices, analyze markets, address challenges and communicate proficiently. Students complete coursework in the foundations of business and management (48 ECTS), economics (18 ECTS), finance and accounting (18 ECTS), mathematics and statistics (24 ECTS) and professional development (6 ECTS).

Foundations of Business and Management (48 ECTS)

Economics (18 ECTS)

Finance and Accounting (18 ECTS)

Mathematics and Statistics (24 ECTS)

^{*Courses (12 ECTS) count toward the overall 24 ECTS requirement of the Methods Road Map.}

Professional Development (6 ECTS)

Specialization Tracks — (Vertiefung) (36 ECTS)

International Business Track (36 ECTS)

The international business emphasis prepares students for post-graduate study or a career of international business able to apply relevant business theories and concepts to companies operating in different countries and doing business in distinct socio-cultural, economic, political, legal and technological environments.

Marketing Track (36 ECTS)

The emphasis in marketing teaches students how learn how organizations create value through the various marketing activities and prepares then for post-graduate studies in marketing or a related field, as well as a broad spectrum of marketing careers including branding, product development, advertising, digital marketing and customer relationship management.

Entrepreneurship Track (36 ECTS)

The emphasis in entrepreneurship empowers students to explore innovative approaches to start new ventures, learn how to recognize and assess business opportunities, conduct economic and resource feasibility analyses, and develop an entrepreneurial plan of action.

Human Resource Management Track (36 ECTS)

The emphasis in human resource management equips students to address the challenges and complexities of managing today's workforce with strategic problem-solving skills, comprehensive knowledge of HR functions, and prepares them for effective decision-making and competitive performance in managing today's workforce locally and globally.

Scientific Research Module — Thesis (14 ECTS)

Common Core Module (54 ECTS)

Please refer to this Bachelor's Degree Programs page for detailed information about the CCM.

Free Electives and Complementary Courses (22 ECTS)

Students of Business Administration round out their studies by completing 22 ECTS in any discipline offered by the university.

Roadmaps and Course Sequencing

In order to move sequentially through the study plan toward the thesis, students must complete in courses in proper sequence.

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Program Development and Enhancement

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration is subject to WVPU’s systematic Internal Quality Management System5that incorporates continuous measures and involves the Executive Board, academic department heads, and the University Senate. This ensures that its learning outcomes and the content of its curriculum impart advanced knowledge in the discipline while delivering the skills and competencies requisite for a bachelor’s degree. WVPU’s quality management processes include a triannual program review and assessment of learning outcomes, course evaluations, an annual review of academic polices and processes, semi-annual performance reviews with units and employees and collected stakeholder feedback through semi-annual meetings and surveys supported by the university’s internal information systems.

At the course level, each syllabus (including criteria and methods of assessment) is reviewed and approved by the department at least one semester prior to being published on the university’s course offerings website6, ensuring that learning outcomes are clearly stated and appropriately paired to the course’s content and assessment criteria. All students have access to the syllabus before the course begins, and in addition, faculty are required to review the syllabus on the first day of class. During the running of any course students interact with both the faculty member and the department’s administration alerting them to any problems that might arise and triggering procedures based on academic policies and procedures, particularly with reference to disputes between students and faculty.

The base selection of course offerings for any academic year is determined two years in advance through regular planning sessions. The process includes consultation with representatives of student government and incorporates additional student feedback through face-to-face meetings, town halls, and anonymous course evaluations. Teaching assignments pairing faculty to courses are completed one year in advance. Prior to assigning a course to a faculty member, the department head verifies the individual’s qualifications and experience as an instructor. Students evaluate all first-time instructors in the third week of their course to provide feedback and allow for corrective measures if necessary.

Other continuous processes also play an important role in sustaining and enhancing the integrity of the program. The university solicits semiannual student feedback on degree programs through student focus groups involving 30-minute structured dialogues at the start of selected courses. Additionally, the head of the department takes part in monthly video conferences with global partners to evaluate Business & Management programs, adding and shaping curricula and course content to meet WVPU student needs and national regulations while also integrating partner experiences from around the world. Department representatives participate in on-going process evaluation measures providing suggestions on how to improve subject relevancy, program competitiveness, research components and technology to align with those used in international business, management, and marketing sectors.

Admission to the Study Program

Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program follows the General Admission Requirements for Undergraduate Programs.

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Supplementary Requirements for Conferment of the Degree

WVPU confers the academic degree of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration following the successful completion of all modules as stated in the Curriculum Overview and in accordance with the following rules:

1. Candidates must complete all modules (240 ECTS) as stated in the Curriculum Overview
2. Students must complete or satisfy via recognized credit:
   1. all courses in the Common Core (54 ECTS)
   2. all courses in the Fundamentals of Business Administration (114 ECTS)
   3. all courses in a one of the specialization track modules (36 ECTS)
   4. a bachelor thesis (8 ECTS)
3. The Scientific Research Module - Thesis must be completed under supervision of WVPU faculty.
4. All required courses must be completed with a grade of C- or better or recognized as passed (p) if transferred.
5. Students must successfully earn at least 120 ECTS in residence* at WVPU of which 42 ECTS must include:
   1. a bachelor thesis (8 ECTS)
   2. all courses required as part of the specialization/emphasis (36 ECTS)

* The University reserves the right to approve and assign transferred credits as equivalencies to courses completed in residency.

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WVPU Policies and Student Obligations

WVPU policies support and maintain the highest quality of education and service level for students. All students attending WVPU are obliged to adhere to University academic policies, including the Study and Examination Guidelines and the Code of Conduct. Students are solely responsible for familiarizing themselves with all applicable university policies and procedures including those dictating academic standards.

Students are also fully responsible for managing their degree progress in compliance with the curriculum. This includes, but is not limited to: ensuring schedule accuracy each semester, adhering to all registration and payment deadlines, proactively addressing any issues that may interfere with degree progress, exclusively using the university assigned email address for all academic-related correspondence, and observing course-specific deadlines and policies.

WVPU retains the right to update policies and procedures. Students will be informed of any such changes in a timely manner.