August 6, 2018
WCU Launches Bachelor of Science in Business Management for Students in Philadelphia
West Chester University is launching its Bachelor of Science in Business Management for students living in or around the Philadelphia area at a time when the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, anticipates that management employment will grow eight percent through the year 2026, due to the creation of new businesses and the expansion of existing organizations. As a significant number of professionals will be needed to manage this industry influx, WCU is preparing qualified students in the metropolitan Philadelphia area to meet the demand through its AACSB-accredited School of Business.
Starting in September 2018, WCU will offer its business management degree in both full-time and part-time formats through in-person, online, and hybrid classes held at the State System’s Center City location. A ten percent tuition discount and reduced fees will be available to qualified students admitted to the program or any WCU degree program offered at Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education at Center City, 701 Market Street (Concourse Level).
“With the steady growth rate in the economy, business analysts foresee one in three industries adding jobs at a rate that will exceed the national average,” says Lisa Calvano, assistant department chair of the Business Management Program. “We are essentially talking about an increase in such industries like home health care services, IT systems, online shopping, sports and recreation services, and many others that have yet to be created. All of these burgeoning industries are going to need knowledgeable, prepared, and savvy managers.”
To help adult learners prepare for these opportunities, a program has been designed that offers business faculty experts, flexible courses, and student support services, including a Student Success Center that offers tutoring, study skill resources, and new career-focused programming. Students may also pursue internship for credit opportunities to gain managerial experience.
“Our faculty understand what it is like to have a family, work lots of hours, and come to class. In addition to creating a nurturing environment, they make sure that the material being taught is current and can be applied on the job as soon as the next day,” adds Calvano, who is also co-editor of the book The Sandwich Generation: Taking Care of Self and Others at Home and Work. “Applicants are welcome from all educational backgrounds, and many will transfer in after graduating from a community college. Core business and general education classes need to be completed before enrolling, so we work with students to see what credits they may already have.”
The program means business, but it also means making the right connections in the field. One of the first professional development opportunities offered this fall will be a career day during which students will hone their resumes and practice interviewing skills during mock sessions. An on-site career fair will follow in the spring semester where students will meet potential employers.
The School of Business at West Chester University, which is part of the College of Business and Public Management (CBPM), helps students prepare for a career in business. The School is AACSB accredited and offers a wide array of undergraduate and graduate programs in four academic departments - Accounting, Economics and Finance, Management, and Marketing - with top faculty, impactful research, driven students, and the highest standards of quality.
Learn more about West Chester University in Philadelphia