Belmont Technical College Strengthens its Business Management Program

As we enter a new year, it's likely that we'll hear about new and exciting developments in the marketplace. Companies are growing at unprecedented rates and even small rural start-ups have opportunities to market their business to the world. The business professors at Belmont Technical College recognize this growth as a challenge - and have redesigned the Associate of Applied Business degrees to better fit the expanding markets.

"Our new business program has been strengthened to specifically help our region's businesses grow and prosper," said Thomas Atkinson, chair of the Belmont Technical College Business Management program. "In this era of intense global competition - it is critical that we provide our students with the most current business skills and knowledge for the benefit of our region's economy."

The Business Management program at Belmont Technical College offers students two distinct concentrations: Business Administration and Leadership; and Small Business Administration and Entrepreneurship. Coursework focuses on the basics of business procedures and efficient management of business enterprise, as well as organizational skills and the ability to solve business problems.

The Business Administration and Leadership track emphasizes development of contemporary management practices. Both the curriculum and the classroom experience focus on the development of the technical aspects of business; human relations; analytical and ethical issues; legal decision-making; and interpersonal skills necessary for success in today's dynamic and challenging workplace.

The Small Business Administration and Entrepreneurship track concentrates on providing necessary services to the small businesses that make up the cornerstone of the American marketplace. This track provides students with the diagnostic and managerial skills necessary to start and run a small business.

"Our program assures the area's employers that our business graduates have the technical, critical-thinking, and professional skills for the high-level performance required of them," said Atkinson.

Belmont Technical College made the decision to strengthen its business curriculum after benchmarking with area businesses, as well as leading Ohio and West Virginia business colleges. The benchmarking survey resulted in the creation and implementation of the two new majors and ten new business courses: Leadership; International Business; Management Decision Making; Business Plan Preparation; Business Ethics; Small Business Development; Professionalism; Personal Finance; Computerized Accounting; and Business Finance.

BTC's Business Management program is comprehensive and offers Accounting and Office Management in addition to the newly-created majors.

"Belmont Technical College knows that employers want graduates to be productive from the first day on the job," said Atkinson. "I believe our improved business program will enable us to send our students out to area firms with the competencies necessary to be immediately productive."

Those interested in more information on Belmont Technical College's Business Management program are asked to contact Mr. Thomas Atkinson, program chair, at 740-695-9500, ext. 1092.