Business

A degree in business will give you the jump-start you need toward an exciting career. With subjects ranging from accounting to marketing, Rend Lake College can bring your goal within reach. Most graduates with an Associate Degree in Business choose to go on and obtain their Bachelor's Degree, while some continue further in pursuit of a Master's Degree in Business Administration (M.B.A.).

Furthering your education in business throws the doors wide open. Studies have consistently shown that your earnings increase with a college degree. According to a recent U.S. Census Bureau report, average annual earnings ranged from $18,900 for those without a high school diploma to $25,900 for high school graduates, $45,400 for college graduates and $99,300 for those obtaining professional degrees. An MSN Money article by Liz Pulliam Weston described an Associate Degree as a "Slam Dunk." She said, "These two-year degrees seem to result in massive payback, compared to their relatively low cost, for a high school graduate."

A Business Degree can be used in just about any field and can provide the foundation necessary to start your own business. Everything we encounter in daily life seems to stem from some sort of business. Every industry, from agriculture to hedge fund management, it is founded on basic business principles.

Mastery of the fundamentals of business can be accomplished here at Rend Lake College. Students are given the opportunity to experience real-world applications in accounting, economics, and mathematics. To be successful, business students should be comfortable with math and problem-solving as well as communication.

To learn more about the opportunities available, please contact the Business Department at Rend Lake College.

Degrees & Certificates in Business

APPLIED SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY DIVISION

BUSINESS — Degree (A.A.S.)

Associate in Applied Science Degree

This two-year program leads to an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Business with specializations in finance or management. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a general background in all areas of business and to prepare them for careers in the fields of banking, accounting, management or marketing at the mid-management level in a variety of businesses and industries. The curriculum also provides those individuals already in positions in the local workforce the opportunity to upgrade job skills or advancement potential.

►Total = 64 Hours

First Semester (15 Cr. Hrs.)

BUSI 1101 Introduction to Business (3)
BUSI 2102 Customer Service (3) or
OFTC 1234 Communication in Technical Services (3)
CSCI 1102 Intro to Computers w/ Business Applications (3)
ENGL 1101 Rhetoric and Composition I ¹ (3)
OFTC 1233 Office Accounting (3)

Second Semester (16 Cr. Hrs.)

BUSI 2107 Business Communications (3)
BUSI 2207 Business Organization (3)
ECON 1101 Intro to Economics (3)
MATH 1202 Business Math or
MATH 1201 Technical Math¹ (3)
OFTC 1206 Computerized Accounting w/ QuickBooks (1)
Elective – Core* (3)

Third Semester (18 Cr. Hrs.)

BUSI 2105 Legal / Social Environment of Business (3)
BUSI 2206 Business Dynamics (3)
MGMT 2201 Principles of Management (3)
MRKT 2201 Principles of Marketing (3)
Elective – Core* (3)
Elective – Core* (3)

Fourth Semester (15 Cr. Hrs.)

BUSI 2203 Business Ethics (3) or
PHIL 2104 Ethics (3)
CSCI 1263 Microsoft Excel (3)
MGMT 2207 Supervision (3)
Elective – Core* (3)
Elective – Core* (3)

¹ Prerequisite course(s) may be required based on test scores.
* See Core Elective Selection below

Core Elective Selection

The student must choose any combination of the courses listed below for a total of 15 credit hours to complete the 64 credit hours required for the Associate of Applied Science Degree.

ACCOUNTING / FINANCIAL FOCUS

ACCO 1101 – Principles of Financial Accounting (4)
ACCO 1102 – Principles of Managerial Accounting (4)
ACCO 1202 – Payroll Accounting (2)
ACCO 2201 – Intermediate Accounting I (3)
BUSI 1103 – Business Law I (3)
COOP 1101 – Cooperative Education I (.5 – 4)
COOP 2101 – Cooperative Education II (.5 – 4)
ECON 2101 – Principles of Economics I (3)
ECON 2102 – Principles of Economics II (3)
MGMT 2207 – Supervision (3)
MATH 1108 – College Algebra (3)
MATH 1111 – Statistics (3)
MATH 2115 – Business Calculus (4)

MANAGEMENT / HUMAN RESOURCE FOCUS

BUSI 1103 – Business Law I (3)
BUSI 2101 – Business Law II (3)
BUSI 2205 – E-Commerce (3)
BUSI 2208 – Intercultural Business (3)
BUSI 2209 – Inventory Management (3)
COMM 1101 – Principles of Effective Speaking (3)
COOP 1101 – Cooperative Education I (.5 -4)
COOP 2101 – Cooperative Education (.5 – 4)
MGMT 2201 – Principles of Management (3)
MGMT 2207 – Supervision (3)
PSYC 2101 – Introduction to Psychology (3)
PSYC 2104 – Personality Dynamics (3)
PSYC 2106 – Human Relations (3)
SOCI 1101 – Introduction to Sociology (3)

MARKETING FOCUS

GRD 1201 – Intro to Graphic Design (3)
GRD 1203 – Advertising Design (3)
GRD 1215 – Web Page Design (3)
GRD 2201 – Adobe Essentials (3)
GRD / UAS Elective (3)

BUSINESS — Degree (A.A.)

Associate in Arts Degree

This program is for students pursuing a baccalaureate degree in accounting, business administration, finance, information systems, management or marketing and parallels the first two years required by most four-year schools of business. Students should check with the four-year institution or a Rend Lake College advisor for any additional requirements. RLC and Southern Illinois University Carbondale have partnered in a 2+2 program through which graduates of this program may transfer smoothly into SIUC's Accounting or Business Management bachelor's degree programs.

►Total = 64 Hours

First Semester (15 Cr. Hrs.)

BUSI 1101 Introduction to Business (3)
BUSI 2105 Legal / Social Environment of Business (3)
ENGL 1101 Rhetoric and Composition I ¹ (3)
MATH 1108 College Algebra ¹ (3)
PSYC 2101 Introduction to Psychology ¹ (3)

Second Semester (17 Cr. Hrs.)

BUSI 2107 Business Communications (3)
CSCI 1102 Intro to Computers w/ Business Applications (3)
ENGL 1102 Rhetoric and Composition II (3)
MATH 2106 Finite Mathematics ¹ (3)
Elective – Business (2)
Elective - Humanities (3)

Third Semester (17 Cr. Hrs.)

ACCO 1101 Principles of Financial Accounting (4)
COMM 1101 Principles of Effective Speaking (3)
ECON 2101 Principles of Economics I (3)
Elective – Fine Arts (3)
Elective – Physical Science (4)

Fourth Semester (15 Cr. Hrs.)

ACCO 1102 Principles of Managerial Accounting (4)
ECON 2102 Principles of Economics II (3)
HEA 1101 Supervision (2)
Elective – Fine Arts / Humanities ² (3)
Elective – Life Science (4)

Recommended Electives

MGMT 2201 Principles of Management (3)
MRKT 2201 Principles of Marketing (3)
MATH 2103 Business Statistics (3)
MATH 2115 Calculus for Business (4)

¹ Prerequisite course(s) may be required based on test scores.
² One Fine Arts course and one Humanities course needed to meet IAI core requirements.

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT — Certificate

The Business Management certificate program is designed to provide students with a general background in all areas of business and to prepare them for entry-level careers in the fields of banking, accounting, management or marketing in a variety of businesses and industries. The curriculum also provides those individuals already in positions in the local workforce the opportunity to upgrade job skills or advancement potential and aspiring entrepreneurs the skills necessary to grow their own businesses.

► Total = 16 Hours

Gainful Employment Information

First Semester (9 Cr. Hrs)

BUSI 1101 Introduction to Business (3)
BUSI 2102 Customer Service (3) or
OFTC 1234 Communication in Technical Services (3)
BUSI 2105 Legal and Social Environment (3)

Second Semester (7 Cr. Hrs.)

ECON 1101 Intro to Economics (3)
OFTC 1206 Computerized Accounting w/ QuickBooks (1)
OFTC 1233 Office Accounting (3)

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT II — Certificate

This two-semester program leads to a certificate in Business Management. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a general background in all areas of business and prepare them for entry-level positions in a variety of businesses and industries. The curriculum also provides those individuals already in positions in the local workforce the opportunity to upgrade job skills or advancement potential. The target audience includes individuals seeking entry-level employment, current employees looking to increase their skill sets or advance, and small business developers. The Business Management II certificate is targeted to focus on the entrepreneurial skilled worker to promote success by increasing communication and math skills necessary to grow their own businesses.

► Total=31 Hours

Gainful Employment Information

First Semester (15 Cr. Hrs.)

BUSI 1101 Introduction to Business (3)
BUSI 2102 Customer Service (3) or
OFTC 1234 Communication in Technical Services (3)
BUSI 2105 Legal and Social Environment (3)
ENGL 1101 Rhetoric and Composition I ¹ (3)
MATH 1202 Business Math (3) or
MATH 1201 Technical Math ¹ (3)

Second Semester (16 Cr. Hrs.)

BUSI 2107 Business Communications (3)
BUSI 2203 Business Ethics or
PHIL 2104 Ethics (3)
ECON 1101 Intro to Economics (3)
MRKT 2201 Principles of Marketing (3)
OFTC 1206 Computerized Accounting w/ QuickBooks (1)
OFTC 1233 Office Accounting (3)

BUSINESS ENTREPRENEURSHIP — Certificate

The Entrepreneurship certificate program prepares students with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a career in business as an entrepreneur and to prepare them for further educational opportunities in a variety of business areas. This certificate will lay the foundation in preparing students to be enterprising individuals who contribute to the economic development of our community.

► Total=13 Hours

First Semester (5 Cr. Hrs.)

BUSI 1202 Work Ethics (1)
BUSI 1203 Entrepreneurial Skills (4)

Second Semester (8 Cr. Hrs.)

BUSI 1204 Business Functions (5)
MGMT 2201 Principles of Management (3)

FINANCIAL ASSOCIATE — Certificate

Occupational Certificate

The Financial Associate Certificate is designed to provide an entry-level financial associate content and competency development for bookkeeping positions within small, medium, and large-size financial departments and/or in an employment role as a financial department of one. Students will get an overall look at the major functions of financial management including general office accounting procedures, preparation, and interpretation of financial statements, ethical and social responsibilities, employment legislation, and trade regulations. This program allows current practitioners to supplement and update their knowledge, and provides those looking to begin a career with a great foundation in the field. Business owners and supervisors will benefit from completing this certificate by enhancing their practices with tools learned in the program. This certificate may also be completed within the Business Associate of Applied Science Degree (see above).

Gainful Employment Information

► Total = 18 Hours

First Semester (9 Cr. Hrs.)

OFTC 1233 Office Accounting (3)
BUSI 2107 Business Communications (3)
BUSI 2105 Legal/Social Environment of Business (3)

Second Semester (9 Cr. Hrs.)

ACCO 1101 Principles of Financial Accounting (4)
MGMT 2207 Supervision (3)
OFTC 1206 Computerized Accounting w/QuickBooks (1)
SERV 1101 Service Learning (1)

HUMAN RESOURCE ASSOCIATE — Certificate

Occupational Certificate

The Human Resource Associate Certificate is designed to provide an entry-level human resource associate content and competency development for Human Resource positions within small, medium, and largesize human resource departments and/or in an employment role as a human resource department of one. Students will get an overall look at the major functions of human resources management including recruitment, compensation, benefits, training, employee, and labor relations, and the legal environment in which HR professionals function. This program allows current practitioners to supplement and update their knowledge, and provides those looking to begin a career with a great foundation in the field. Business owners and supervisors will benefit from completing this certificate by enhancing their practices with tools learned in the program. This certificate may also be completed within the Business Associate of Applied Science Degree (see above).

Gainful Employment Information

► Total = 19 Hours

First Semester (9 Cr. Hrs.)

BUSI 2105 Legal/Social Environment of Business (3)
BUSI 2107 Business Communications (3)
MGMT 2201 Principles of Management (3)

Second Semester (10 Cr. Hrs.)

MGMT 2207 Supervision (3)
BUSI 2208 Intercultural Business (3)
PSYC 2106 Human Relations (3)
SERV 1101 Service Learning (1)

Distance Delivery Option

Many people dream of earning a college degree, but the hectic schedules of work and family life make it difficult. Rend Lake College’s distance-delivered Associate in Science Degree may be the answer. This degree, which has a business focus, is made up of both online and hybrid classes to give you the flexible schedule you need. Most classes are delivered online, and the remaining hybrid classes are made up of online instruction with a small number of face-to-face meetings.

Distance-delivered instruction can be incredibly convenient for those who have tight schedules or are unable to attend class on a fixed schedule. You’ll need to have some basic computer skills and have access to a computer and the Internet in order to take advantage of this program. For more details, contact the Academic Advising Center at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1266.

Why Online?

Study on your own time

Although many courses are not set up for you to work at your own pace, they still allow you to complete tasks on your schedule. If you're a night owl you can spend the night working on a degree from home. If you're a morning person, you can get up and go right to class working on your future.

Flexibility

This brings us to Flexibility. With an Online degree from Rend Lake College you are in control. If you work days, fitting a standard college course into your work schedule is difficult. As an online student, you access to more than seventy courses to choose from. Some of our classes, due to the rigor, are offered in hybrid form. Hybrid utilizes the online aspect of course development along with face to face class time, a blending of the best of both worlds.

Fewer Costs

As a business student you may be aware of the importance costs make when making decisions. If you think of the costs associated with taking a stand class you must take into consideration the cost of transportation. Driving to the college every day can get expensive, online courses reduce and may even eliminate this cost from your budget. This reduction in costs allows you to strech your dollar even farther. The need to print out papers may be eliminated entirley as most instructors require you to turn your homework in electronically.

Brochures

Business Degree & Certificates

Program Costs

Business Degree

Business Management I Certificate

Business Management II Certificate

Business Entrepreneurship Certificate

Program Outcomes

Business

1. Develop basic Accounting skills necessary in problem solving.
2. Apply critical thinking process to understanding and evaluating Business situations.
3. Demonstrate ability to solve problems relating to real world applications.
4. Demonstrate the process of communication and recognize its importance in business.

Articulation

Articulation agreements document a pathway between Rend Lake College and the following schools for the academic program(s) listed.

Missouri Baptist University
BPS Applied Management

SIUC AA Business to BS Accounting

SIUC AA Business to BS Finance

SIUC AA Business Management

SIUC AAS Business to BS Management

SIUC AS General to BS Accounting

SIUC AS General to BS Finance

SIUC AS General to BS Management

Southern Illinois University
Business Administration (Online)
Accounting (Online)

Transfer Information

Rend Lake College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), one of six regional accreditors in the United States. Accreditation is vital to what we do. It serves as a measure of quality, allows us to access and distribute federal student aid, facilitates the transfer of classes between institutions and more. The Higher Learning Commission is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Rend Lake College has been accredited since 1969. Voluntary accreditation is an activity of great importance to Rend Lake College and the community it serves. The process ensures that RLC is accountable – that our programs are effective and that we are delivering on our guarantees of educational quality.

Students who graduate with an Associates in Science (AS) or an Associates in Arts (AA) have the ability to transfer to institutions that will allow them to continue towards a goal of a Bachelors degree (BA or BS).

Rend Lake College works with other institutions to allow for an easy transition to a four-year university. Some of the Universities that have this working relationship are:

Faculty & Staff

Gabriele Farner

Dean of Applied Science & Technology

Phone Extension: 1292

Building: Advanced Technology Division

Office: 138

M.S. & B.S., Southern Illinois University

Sarah Bilderbeck

Business Associate Professor

Phone Extension: 1754

Building: Advanced Technology Center

Office: 180

A.A.S., Rend Lake College | B.S., Mid-Continent University

Mark Jornd

Business Associate Professor

Phone Extension: 1273

Building: Advanced Technology Center

Office: 185

Mark received a Bachelor’s degree in Finance with an emphasis in Financial Analysis from Benedictine University and followed that up with a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA). He has worked in the private sector as a small business owner and Registered Investment Adviser Representative for more than 20 years. Mark has been the lead instructor in Accounting, Economics, and Business at Rend Lake College since 2010. M.B.A. & B.A., Benedictine University