Trinidad State Junior College

Trinidad State Junior College

ASSESSMENT AND IMPROVEMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING

IV. Associate of Arts (A.A.) Degree - Major in Liberal Arts with emphasis in Business Administration.

The degree requires thirty-five (35) semester hours in General Education Core Courses, two credit hours in physical education, and twenty-eight semester credit hours in approved business electives.

The competencies, methods of measurement, data to be collected and implementation for the General Education Core Courses can be found on page _______ of this document. Following are the competencies, methods of measurement, data to be collected, implementation and use of data which are specific to the program area.

Basic Business Skills

Competencies	Methods of Measurement	Data to be Collected	Implementation	Use of Data by College
The learner will: Demonstrate or provide evidence of proper use of a ten-key-by-touch to perform accounting and financial functions. Demonstrate or provide evidence of typing skills.	Capstone project.	Transcripts that verify students have attained proficiency level or pre- and post-test scores.	Students will be evaluated individually to ensure proficiency has been met. A standardized test will be administered.	Budgetary issues for funding of equipment, staffing resources, and room accommodations will be evaluated based on data generated.

Business Communications

Competencies	Methods of Measurement	Data to be Collected	Implementation	Use of Data by College
Student will: Demonstrate ability to make an oral presentation - develop customer relations skills. Draft and compose material following basic business composition skills. Demonstrate effective verbal, nonverbal and listening skills. Demonstrate the ability to communicate using electronic channels. Interact positively and effectively with other people. Demonstrate correct grammar and spelling skills. Demonstrate ability to seek employment in chosen career. Demonstrate ability to lead, negotiate, and work well with people from culturally diverse areas.	Students will make an oral presentation of their capstone project. Students will compose and maintain an employment portfolio. The portfolio will include a Personal Data Sheet, application letter, letter of thanks, and three letters of recommendation. Students will then be sent on an interview for employment with a volunteer employer. The exercise is not to be used to gain employment, but to assist the student in preparing for actual interviews.	Using a rubric, an evaluation of the project will be conducted by one business faculty member, one communications faculty member, and a member of the Business Advisory Committee. A rating sheet for the interviews will be given to all employers. rubrics will be used to measure students competencies. The employer will return the rating sheet to the Business Faculty Adviser and the adviser will share the information with the student.	Students will be notified, by their Business Faculty Advisor, upon registration, of the capstone project and the student’s responsibilities for satisfactory completion of the capstone project over their two-year program. The interview process has become an integral part of the Business Communications and Report Writing Class and will occur at the end of that course. The instructor will forward a copy of the students ratings to the appropriate faculty adviser.	Information gathered will assist the Business Department in areas of weaknesses and deficiencies in the program of study. Recommendations will be made to the administration concerning budgetary, staffing, and resource issues.

Business Finance

Competencies	Methods of Measurement	Data to be Collected	Implementation	Use of Data by College
Demonstrate ability to set up and maintain financial records and statements for a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation. Student will be able to: - Develop a chart of accounts for a business entity. - Develop a general ledger for a business entity. - Complete financial statements. - Reconcile various business financial statements. - Completion of payroll for a business.	Students will incorporate a Financial Plan into their capstone project. The capstone project will be evaluated by a team of various professionals, using a rubric.	In the Financial Plan of the capstone project, students will be expected to estimate start-up costs for a new venture business and create one-year, three-year, and five-year Pro Forma Statements.	In consultation with the Business Faculty Adviser, the Accounting Instructors, and other outside agencies, i.e., The Small Business Development Center, students will gather , evaluate and present data in proper business format. At the end of their two-year program, students will have a completed capstone project to be evaluated by a team made up of interdisciplinary and professional personnel.	Information gathered will assist the Business Department in areas of weaknesses and deficiencies in the program of study. Recommendations will be made to the administration concerning budgetary, staffing, and resource issues.

Business Issues

Competencies	Methods of Measurement	Data to be Collected	Implementation	Use of Data by College
Develop and explain sales forecasts. Interpret sales trends/potential. Research and utilize data in forecasting business potential. Critique existing legal contracts. Study and apply legal contracts appropriate to their business prospects. Research business entities. Research and apply past legal cases to their prospective business. Define sales contracts, warranties, and liabilities of other parties. Research and explain the forces of supply and demand. Develop a correlation between forces that drive the economy: i.e., unemployment, inflation, and global issues. Measure national economic performance. Compare and contrast the major economic theoretical models. Define the operation of the community banking system.	Students will develop a Marketing Plan to be included in the capstone project. Students will develop a Legal Plan to be incorporated into their capstone project. The capstone project, a business plan, will be used as the measurement tool.	Students will research the market potential of their prospective business and present their findings in a professional document. This document will include charts and graphs. The student will begin formulating ideas in the various program subjects: Economics, Business Law, Statistics, etc. The student will then research how their prospective business will be impacted by these forces and address these issues in their capstone projects.	In consultation with the Business Faculty Adviser, the Accounting Instructors, and other outside agencies, i.e., The Small Business Development Center, students will gather , evaluate and present data in proper business format. At the end of their two-year program, students will have a completed capstone project to be evaluated by a team made up of interdisciplinary and professional personnel.	Information gathered will assist the Business Department in areas of weaknesses and deficiencies in the program of study. Recommendations will be made to the administration concerning budgetary, staffing, and resource issues.

Technology

Competencies	Methods of Measurement	Data to be Collected	Implementation	Use of Data by College
Ability to input and access data in various software programs. Utilize, interpret, and present data as useful information, utilizing various software programs. Demonstrate	Assessment of student competencies will be collected in the form of a capstone project. Student will be expected to generate a professional-looking business plan, utilizing various software programs.	All Business Majors will be expected to complete a capstone project. During the course of the student’s two year program, faculty and individual adviser’s will assist the students in the gathering of data, interpretation of data, and presentation of the information. It will be an on-going project with the individual student and faculty.	Upon entrance into the program, students will be assigned to faculty advisers. These faculty advisers will work with the various faculty members to cooperatively assist the student in the design and completion of their capstone project.	Information gathered will assist the Business Department in areas of weaknesses of deficiencies in the program of study. This will allow the Business Department to re-appropriate resources, as necessary, i.e., purchase of new equipment or software.