Bachelor of Science in Accounting

at Global University Systems (GUS) - Webster University - St. Louis Campus USA

Advance your business skills to develop and implement value-creating ideas and solutions in today's worldwide economy. The innovative MBA program at Webster University is designed for professionals who want to shape their own career, upgrade credentials, and be strategic players in the world of business.

Why Choose the Webster MBA?

• A focus on creating value in an ESG (environmental, social, governance) framework consistent with modern business practice.
• A competency-based program that builds your skills in 18 business and nine personal effectiveness areas. 
• A "flipped classroom" option with two hours of in-class experiential learning each week.
• Gain international perspective by working with students from across the Webster network.
• Specialize with 10 areas of emphasis, and 12 dual-degree options.
• Annual flat-rate textbook fee for all MBA designated courses. 

The field of finance blends economics, accounting and other business disciplines with the goal of making financially sound business decisions. Financial tools and methodologies are of crucial importance for both small and large businesses. Important areas of finance include raising capital, making investments and understanding financial markets.

In addition to completing the core business curriculum requirements, students taking a major in finance will study the three general areas of finance: corporate finance, investments and financial markets and institutions. Students will complete at least one advanced course in each area after completion of the principles-level course. After completion of the finance core, students have choices to tailor their program according to their interests and career outlook. Students desiring to take advanced certification, such as the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) or CFP (Certified Financial Planner), are encouraged to take Financial Statement Analysis, International Finance and Advanced Investments. All finance majors will complete the business school's common core capstone course.

The BS in finance is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Sociology is, at its core, the study of human behavior in social settings. With a focus on positive social change, Webster sociology students develop the analytical skills necessary for critically evaluating the diversity of human belief systems. Sociology graduates pursue a variety of post-graduate opportunities from law school or governmental professions to sociological research, business, or academic careers.

Sociology students enjoy diverse coursework and many opportunities to supplement their studies. The curriculum emphasizes inequality and social organizations. We emphasize emerging trends in the field, including informatics, environmental sociology, and social network analysis. Students may supplement their studies with coursework in human rights, criminology, women, gender and sexuality studies, and cultural anthropology. Webster sociology alumni have gone on to successful careers in diverse fields including bank manager, park ranger, teacher and political scientist.

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in psychology with an emphasis in mental health is designed to proved an understanding of how cognitive, behavioral, personality and social factors are involved in mental health and illness. Students who have successfully completed the degree will be prepared to pursue a variety of graduate and career opportunities within mental health-oriented fields (e.g. counseling, nursing, psychology, social work).

Students graduating with a bachelor of arts (BA) in psychology with an emphasis in mental health will need to pursue a graduate degree before they are able to obtain professional licensure. Students are encouraged to check entrance requirements for any post-graduate programs prior to finishing their BA at Webster in the event they need to take additional coursework.

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Describe the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings and historical trends in psychology.
• Implement the use of scientific reasoning to interpret psychological phenomena and demonstrate the ability to interpret, design and conduct basic psychological research using statistical analyses.
• Apply ethical standards to evaluate psychological science and practice and apply those standards to build and enhance interpersonal relationships locally and globally.
• Demonstrate effective writing, exhibit effective presentation skills and interact effectively with others.
• Discuss the occupational pursuits available in a variety of settings given their psychological knowledge, skills and values.

The master of arts (MA) in international relations enables students to analyze the complexities and processes involved in world politics and international affairs. Coursework provides exposure to the key subfields of the discipline and relevant issues such as globalization, human rights, humanitarian action and economic development. The program can help prepare students to compete for work with a governmental agency, an intergovernmental organization, a nongovernmental organization, or a multinational corporation. This program is also recommended for students planning to pursue a PhD or an academic career at another institution.

The degree requires satisfactory completion of 27 credit hours of the INTL curriculum and 9 credit hours of graduate electives for a total of 36 credit hours.

Learning Outcomes
Students who complete this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate a working knowledge of several subfields of the international relations discipline.
• Demonstrate strong research skills.
• Critically analyze international events and issues.
• Apply theories of international relations.
• Demonstrate effective written communication skills.

The BA in animation offers students the opportunity to learn core principles and techniques focusing on storytelling, motion, drawing, performance and expression through traditional and digital forms. Each student will undertake an intensive course of study including character animation, experimental concepts, fine art techniques and diverse applications, building a strong, global foundation before embarking upon an eventual area of concentration.

Learning Outcomes

Successful graduates of the animation program will be able to:

• Create animation with fundamental and technical proficiency.
• Express visual concepts artistically.
• Integrate storytelling and performance.
• Synthesize theory and practice creating animation from a global perspective.

The management (BA) with an emphasis in marketing prepares students for a broad spectrum of careers in marketing, including branding, product development, advertising, digital marketing and customer relationship management. Students learn how organizations create value through the various marketing activities: customer behavior, pricing, promotion, product development, distribution and marketing research.

Learning Outcomes

• Analyze, understand and evaluate how legal, social, economic and global issues affect business.
• Integrate key theories to manage people, processes and resources in a diverse organization.
• Use appropriate tools and technology to critically analyze and interpret key business information.
• Apply concepts regarding ethics and corporate responsibility and how they impact managerial decisions.
• Build upon ambiguous and incomplete information to draft, support and defend innovative solutions to complex managerial challenges.
• Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of how to identify and utilize relevant information in order to make effective marketing decisions.
• 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.
• Students will demonstrate personal skills (i.e. ethics, teamwork, effective communication, critical thinking) which are important keys to having a successful career in marketing.
• Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of mutually interdependent relationships of all the major functional areas of a business enterprise. 

The public relations major combines a strong base in academic study with opportunities to test concepts through projects with actual clients. Writing proficiency is a necessary element of the major, as writing and knowledge of target audiences form the basic foundation of good public relations.

Students learn theories and gain hands-on experience in creating strategic information programs, internal communications plans, media relations and special events as they build their professional portfolios using all available formats of media (print, video, radio and television, and social media, digital and electronic applications).

Students learn from practicing professionals who are their professors, lecturers, mentors and clients, bringing real-world substance to the major. Internships augment the experience.

Learning Outcomes
Successful graduates of this program will be able to:

• Apply research practices and methodologies to gather information that informs public relations target audience analysis and organizational public relations problem solving and decision making.
• Create public relations plans that use defined goals, measurable objectives, strategies, tactics and evaluations.
• Create, package and edit public relations message content and distribute it through appropriate media to select target audiences of business and non-profit organizations.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of public relations plans in meeting their defined goals and objectives.
• Conduct themselves with professionalism in project management, client relationships, portfolio development, presentations and work relationships.

The Master of Science (MS) in forensic accounting program is designed to provide students with the skills necessary to be successful in the growing and exciting field of forensic accounting. The curriculum for this degree includes courses in criminal and civil investigation, legal procedure, management of evidence, cyber forensics, substantive law, valuation, economic damages and internal auditing. An important element of the courses is the integration, in the course activities, of a variety of cases and role playing exercises. Another important element is the faculty with their extensive backgrounds in forensic accounting, both from an academic and practical standpoint, who will both challenge and educate the students. Successful graduates of the program will have the ability to conduct successful investigations and be able to effectively communicate in writing and orally both in and out of the courtroom with respect to a variety of criminal and civil financial matters. Graduates of this program will be well prepared for a career in this interesting mix of accounting, investigation, valuation and law known as forensic accounting.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to identify and apply the law, the rules of procedure and evidence and ethics that relate to forensic accounting.
• Students will be able to identify, investigate and discover fraud and other improper accounting activities.
• Students will be able to, orally and in writing, effectively communicate matters related to forensic accounting.

This course of study builds a broad conceptual understanding of the health care industry, and develops specific, focused administrative skills that will help graduates guide health care organizations toward greater efficiency, effectiveness and patient-centered care.

The MHA is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to explain healthcare leadership styles and demonstrate effective communication skills that are required in managing effective teams and in predicting human behavior in an organization.
• Students will be able to apply health care management skills in problem solving, decision making, planning, delegating and managing time.
• Students will be able to incorporate strategic thinking to set priorities, focus energy and resources, and strengthen operations, in order to ensure that employees and other stakeholders are working toward common goals, and to operationalize healthcare organization's mission and vision.