Department of Management, Marketing and Political Science

Dr. John D. Overby, Interim Chair
115 Business Administration Building
(901) 881-7238

Faculty

Tommy A. Cates, Richard D. Chesteen, Sanjib K. Chowdhury, Robbie L. Green, Kevin L. Hammond, John E. Knight, Mary A. Lemons, Vaughn May, P. Michael McCullough, Theodore R. Mosch, John D. Overby, John M. Rayburn, Daniel L. Tracy

Mission

The Department of Management, Marketing, and Political Science mission supports the missions of The University of Tennessee at Martin and of the College of Business and Public Affairs. With a primary focus on teaching, the department's mission is to provide outstanding teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The educational programs of the department are to be delivered in an academic environment that promotes the development of professional skills and an understanding of global social, political, technological, and economic forces affecting society. The faculty are to perform research and service consistent with the teaching emphasis of the department, and the mission of the College of Business and Public Affairs.
 

B.A. or B.S. Political Science Major (4640-B.A., 4640-B.S.)

The general education requirements for the B.A. and B.S. degrees are outlined in an earlier section of the catalog. The Political Science major is offered in support of those general requirements. A minimum score of 414 on the ACAT Political Science Major Field Examination is required to complete the major.

Preparation for Legal Study

The Official Guide to U.S. Law Schools, 1999 Edition, published by the Law School Admission Council, lists 179 American Bar Association-approved law schools in this country. Three of these are in Tennessee: the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at the University of Memphis, the University of Tennessee College of Law, and the Vanderbilt University School of Law.

All law schools require an undergraduate degree and place major emphasis on two factors for admission: undergraduate grade point average and the score on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Each law school will vary on the specific grade average and the test score. Generally, it is assumed that a 3.00 (B) average is the minimum. The LSAT scores range from 120-180 with 163 about the 90th percentile in recent administrations. The LSAT is a standard three-hour examination with focus on reading comprehension, reasoning, and analytic skills. There is also a writing sample. The test is given four times a year; seniors are advised to take the examination in June, October or December. The undergraduate grade point average and the LSAT score remain the most important determinants for law school admission. Many schools will also consider significant experiences, including overseas study and internships. Admission to law school continues to be very competitive. Most law schools admit students only at the beginning of the fall semester. Prospective law school students need to start the process early in their senior year to meet the admission deadlines.

Some schools require letters of recommendation. Select endorsers who have had you in class and can specifically comment on skills such as writing and analytic ability which will be beneficial in law. Be sure to give references adequate lead time to meet deadlines.

There is no specified pre-law program according to law schools. Law students come from a variety of backgrounds. Law schools do recommend all students have well-developed communicative skills, analytical ability and background on human institutions and values. Students should keep this in mind when deciding on majors and also in selecting electives.
 

B.S.B.A. Management Major (4610)

The management curriculum is designed to prepare graduates to assume entry level management positions and progress in the management profession. The general management concentration is designed for those students who desire a broad introduction to the field of management. Those students wishing a more directed study in a specific area of management may choose one of the other concentrations listed below.

Entrepreneurship Concentration (4612)

Entrepreneurship is one of the few remaining opportunities for personal wealth and career fulfillment available in business today. These opportunities come from starting a business, being part of an emerging business or by participating in an entrepreneurial venture in a mature organization. The concentration in entrepreneurship prepares graduates to recognize and take advantage of such opportunities.

*The technical electives, when combined with the business courses, present an opportunity for students in the entrepreneurship concentration to develop the depth of knowledge in a technical area. The students will be expected to work in teams of business and non-business students in these courses. The work will be directed toward developing products, services, and detailed business plans for products. The eventual outcome of these courses will be to explore the viability of using the results to start a business or improve a process. The technical electives are selected with the advice, guidance, and approval of each student's business advisor.

General Management Concentration (4611)

The General Management Concentration is designed for those who want a broad background in business administration and management. Graduates are prepared for operating in diverse business environments, including government, retail, manufacturing, and service organizations.

Human Resource Management Concentration (4614)

Human Resource Management includes the management of activities undertaken to recruit, enhance, motivate, and maintain a high-performance work force within an organization. The activities include: recruitment, selection, compensation and benefits, job analysis, organizational development, adherence to employment laws, and labor-management relations.

This concentration also requires the following courses to satisfy the 15 hours for the general education non-business category:

Operations Management Concentration (4616)

Operations Management prepares students for the activities involved in producing an organization's goods and services. The area emphasizes cross-functional integrated approaches to designing, developing, and producing high-quality goods or services, on time, to meet customer expectations.

Certificate Program in Entrepreneurship

Students majoring in technical studies, such as engineering and agriculture, are encouraged to participate in entrepreneurial studies by completing the requirements for the Certificate of Entrepreneurship. This program is designed to help students develop an entrepreneurial attitude of being open to change, developing new ideas, and going beyond the limitation of existing paradigms. The blend of tools, skills and attitude equips the graduates to organize and manage new ventures. The Certificate in Entrepreneurship can be earned by any students who complete the following 15 hours of course work:

*The technical electives, when combined with the business courses, present an opportunity for students in the entrepreneurship concentration to develop the depth of knowledge in a technical area. The students will be expected to work in teams of business and non-business students in these courses. The work will be directed toward developing products, services, and detailed business plans for products. The eventual outcome of these courses will be to explore the viability of using the results to start a business or improve a process. The technical electives are selected with the advice, guidance, and approval of each student's business advisor.

B.S.B.A. Marketing Major

The marketing major provides special training for students interested in positions in sales, sales planning, merchandising, marketing management, and research techniques.

Webmaster