General Management

The General Management major, offered by the Management Department of the UW-Whitewater College of Business and Economics, is designed to prepare students for positions as managers and supervisors in businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and government agencies. The major is designed to provide students with the flexibility to customize programs of study to match personal career interests. The objectives of the major are to provide a conceptual understanding of management topics, the appropriate skills required to be an effective manager, and a solid background in a career focused field (chosen by the student).

The College of Business and Economics is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). This accreditation applies to both undergraduate and graduate programs.

General management graduates are well received by the business world. According to members of the General Management Advisory Board (practicing managers), many employers view managerial skills to be as, or more, important than functional expertise for recent graduates. General management graduates find careers in all sectors of the economy, including service, retailing, manufacturing, finance, not-for-profit, and government. General management majors often go on to graduate school and many will ultimately operate their own business.

Undergraduate students typically take 15 to 18 credits per semester, including general education courses not listed below.

Sophomore Year

• Accounting, Financial & Managerial
• Economics, Micro & Macro
• Business Statistics
• Management Information Systems
• Other Elective Courses

Junior Year

• Career Information
• Business Communication
• Business and Commercial Law
• Business Finance
• Organizational Behavior
• Operations Management
• Marketing Principles
• Leadership in Management
• Other Elective Courses

Senior Year

• Administrative Policy
• Organizational Theory & Effectiveness
• Nine Units General Management Electives
• Nine Units General Management Focus Courses
• Other Elective Courses

Management faculty represent a long history of teaching excellence and are committed to making teaching an ongoing strength of the program. General management faculty possess knowledge and expertise in a broad range of areas, including entrepreneurship, organizational behavior, strategic management, business ethics, organization theory, leadership, international management, and management of innovation. All general management faculty hold doctoral degrees in management or related fields. No classes are taught by teaching assistants. Student advising is a top priority for all management faculty. Faculty members act as advisors to student organizations associated with the major. Management faculty are also very active in research, business consulting, and university and professional service.

Students considering a major in general management should focus on the social sciences (psychology, sociology, economics) and business-related courses that develop strong skills in communication, problem solving, creativity, teamwork, and the use of technology.

General management majors are encouraged to take a management focused internship with a company during their degree program. The Management Department has an excellent internship program to facilitate the process for students. Many general management graduates take three or more credits of internship as part of their degree programs.

Placement of graduates into organizations within one year of graduation has exceeded 90 percent for the past five years. Typical salaries for graduates start around $32,000 and frequently run higher.

Student organizations most closely associated with the general management major include the General Management Organization (GMO), Society for the Advancement of Management (SAM), and the management honorary society, Sigma Iota Epsilon (SIE). General management majors are encouraged to become active members and leaders within one or more student organizations during their degree programs.