Using Your Electives
One unique aspect of the Undergraduate Management Programs is the inclusion of at least 30 elective credits. The elective credit hours allow you to customize your academic experience to meet your career goals.
The opportunity to select electives can feel a bit daunting -- How do you choose which classes will best fit your path? What is the difference between a "general" elective and a "focused" elective? Should you pursue a minor?
While your academic advisor is of course available to help you navigate the choices, it is helpful to have a general idea of what you can do to make the best use of the elective hours in your program.
This "Using Your Electives" guide provides answers to some common questions, an overview of minors that are available, and other things to consider when choosing your electives. This guide is not a replacement for meeting with your academic advisor and keeping an eye on the schedule each semester.
Both the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Information Technology programs include 15 credit hours of general electives, along with a set of focused electives. General elective credits are fulfilled by taking any course at Lawrence Tech that is at the freshman level or above (so, the course number starts with a number higher than "0"), is credit-bearing (so, the course number ends with a number higher than "0") for which you meet the associated prerequisites. Focused elective hours are satisfied by taking courses closely related to your major. Your advisor can help you determine what courses those might be. in general, courses in Accounting (ACC), Management (MGT), Human Resources (HRM), Operations Management (OPM), and Information Technology (INT) will fit your focused elective requirements.
A minor is essentially a "mini-major," and usually requires about twelve credit hours of coursework. You can often use your elective credits to obtain a minor. Lawrence Tech offers a variety of minors; the list below provides an overview of those minors most closely related to the Undergraduate Management Programs.
Your transcript will indicate any minors that you complete. As such, you should officially declare a minor once you have decided to pursue one. There is a form [PDF] in the One Stop Center that you can complete to declare your minor. You do not need to complete this form if you are not pursuing one of the official minors at Lawrence Tech.
Recommended for students with an interest in economics, or who plan to pursue careers in government, public service, banking, or related fields.
Required courses:
Recommended for students with an interest in writing, literature and developing critical thinking skills, or students who want to pursue a career in the publishing industry
Required courses:
Recommended for students with an interest in history, or who plan to pursue careers in business, education, government, public policy, and related disciplines, or for students who wish to develop their critical thinking skills. May also work with the Pre-Law Concentration.
Required courses:
Recommended for students with an interest in philosophy, an interest in developing critical thinking skills, or for students interested in pursuing careers in business, education, government or public policy. May also work with the Pre-Law concentration.
Required courses:
Recommended for students with an interest in psychology, and for students who wish to pursue managerial or human resources positions
Required courses:
Technical and Professional Communication
Highly recommended for IT students, and for all students who wish to develop their presentation and communication skills. Students will develop the ability to communicate complex concepts to a variety of audiences. Also recommended for students interested in pursing careers in public relations, advertising, and management.
Required courses:
Recommended for students who wish to develop proficiency in the third most spoken language in the world. Placement examinations are available to determine with which course you will begin the program. May include study abroad opportunities.
Required courses:
Business Management
Not available to Business Management students. Recommended for IT students who are interested in pursuing a managerial or executive position, or who plan to manage IT infrastructure in a business environment. All courses can apply to focused electives in the IT program
Required courses:
Entrepreneurial Leadership
Under development. Will provide students in both programs with background in leadership and entrepreneurship to enable students to start or work for entrepreneurial firms.
Computer Science
IT or Business students can strengthen their technical knowledge and prepare for a career in software programming with a certificate or minor in computer science. All courses can apply to focused or general electives in either program.
Requires 24 credits of Computer Science courses.
Employers look for applicants who have both depth of knowledge in their chosen fields and a breadth of knowledge across other disciplines. Employers also highly value applicants who have strong skills in oral and written communication. The list below provides an overview of types of electives available to you at Lawrence Tech, and how those electives might help you develop your personal and professional path. Since elective course offerings vary semester to semester, it is important to consult the course schedule and meet with your academic advisor.
Students who have earned 60 credit hours or more toward their degree and have a GPA of 3.0 or above may be eligible to take certain graduate courses as part of their elective work. This could get you started on your MBA, MSIS or other advanced degree. Consult your advisor for details.
Types of Elective Courses:
For both the Information Technology and Management programs, you must take 7 credits of natural science, including 1 laboratory credit. Below is a list of common courses selected by your peers. Of course, you are welcome to enroll in higher-level science courses provided you have the appropriate prerequisites. "00" courses (courses whose first digit is 0) do NOT apply toward your natural science requirements.
4-credit courses (courses ending in the number "4") satisfy one natural science course and one laboratory course requirement.
Opportunities Outside the Classroom
Lawrence Tech is serious about encouraging you to obtain practical experience in your field. In addition to the opportunity to earn up to 6 credit hours through internships (paid or unpaid), the following options can help you achieve your goals.
Technical Certifications
If you obtain select certifications -- such as A+, CCNA, etc. -- you may be able to receive up to 9 credit hours toward your electives. See your advisor for questions about specific certifications.
Study Abroad
Business and information technology are truly global disciplines. Enhance your knowledge of other cultures and methods through taking advantage of one of LTU's many study abroad opportunities. Some are lengthy and allow you to obtain a full semester or year of academic credit in places like England and Germany; others are shorter and allow you to complete one or two courses in places like Paris; and others are only a few weeks but provide you the opportunity of a lifetime to visit and complete service projects in China and Haiti. Visit the Study Abroad website for more details on upcoming opportunities. Your time at a university is one of the few opportunities you will have to take advantage of the ability to travel the world -- use it!
Pre-Law Concentration
The American Bar Association has indicated that there is no particular undergraduate degree that students who are interested in law should pursue. Indeed, the breadth of practice areas in the legal field demands that the profession be made up of individuals from a diversity of backgrounds. The law needs engineers, scientists, technologists, businesspeople, and psychologists as much as it needs historians and political scientists. That said, the study of law is uniquely challenging. Taking time during your undergraduate program to develop key skills that will serve you well in law school and beyond is wise. If you do not enjoy engaging in challenging reading, learned debate and critical thinking, you will likely not enjoy law school. Courses that challenge you to think critically, analyze complex problems and closely read a variety of texts will help prepare you for a future in law. Contact the pre-law advisor to discuss what courses might best fit your goals.
When all is said and done, your goals are uniquely yours. Take time each semester to meet with your academic advisor, who can help you discern the most appropriate path to your desired future.
Undergraduate Management Program Advisors:
All students who have earned less than 60 credits toward their degree: Dr. Evans. S207C. 248.204.3508. kevans [at] ltu [dot] edu
All students who have earned more than 60 credits toward their degree: Amanda Falkenbury. M312A. 248.204.3099. afalkenbu [at] ltu [dot[ edu
Using Your Electives
One unique aspect of the Undergraduate Management Programs is the inclusion of at least 30 elective credits. The elective credit hours allow you to customize your academic experience to meet your career goals.
The opportunity to select electives can feel a bit daunting -- How do you choose which classes will best fit your path? What is the difference between a "general" elective and a "focused" elective? Should you pursue a minor?
While your academic advisor is of course available to help you navigate the choices, it is helpful to have a general idea of what you can do to make the best use of the elective hours in your program.
This "Using Your Electives" guide provides answers to some common questions, an overview of minors that are available, and other things to consider when choosing your electives. This guide is not a replacement for meeting with your academic advisor and keeping an eye on the schedule each semester.
Both the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Information Technology programs include 15 credit hours of general electives, along with a set of focused electives. General elective credits are fulfilled by taking any course at Lawrence Tech that is at the freshman level or above (so, the course number starts with a number higher than "0"), is credit-bearing (so, the course number ends with a number higher than "0") for which you meet the associated prerequisites. Focused elective hours are satisfied by taking courses closely related to your major. Your advisor can help you determine what courses those might be. in general, courses in Accounting (ACC), Management (MGT), Human Resources (HRM), Operations Management (OPM), and Information Technology (INT) will fit your focused elective requirements.
A minor is essentially a "mini-major," and usually requires about twelve credit hours of coursework. You can often use your elective credits to obtain a minor. Lawrence Tech offers a variety of minors; the list below provides an overview of those minors most closely related to the Undergraduate Management Programs.
Your transcript will indicate any minors that you complete. As such, you should officially declare a minor once you have decided to pursue one. There is a form [PDF] in the One Stop Center that you can complete to declare your minor. You do not need to complete this form if you are not pursuing one of the official minors at Lawrence Tech.
Recommended for students with an interest in economics, or who plan to pursue careers in government, public service, banking, or related fields.
Required courses:
Recommended for students with an interest in writing, literature and developing critical thinking skills, or students who want to pursue a career in the publishing industry
Required courses:
Recommended for students with an interest in history, or who plan to pursue careers in business, education, government, public policy, and related disciplines, or for students who wish to develop their critical thinking skills. May also work with the Pre-Law Concentration.
Required courses:
Recommended for students with an interest in philosophy, an interest in developing critical thinking skills, or for students interested in pursuing careers in business, education, government or public policy. May also work with the Pre-Law concentration.
Required courses:
Recommended for students with an interest in psychology, and for students who wish to pursue managerial or human resources positions
Required courses:
Technical and Professional Communication
Highly recommended for IT students, and for all students who wish to develop their presentation and communication skills. Students will develop the ability to communicate complex concepts to a variety of audiences. Also recommended for students interested in pursing careers in public relations, advertising, and management.
Required courses:
Recommended for students who wish to develop proficiency in the third most spoken language in the world. Placement examinations are available to determine with which course you will begin the program. May include study abroad opportunities.
Required courses:
Business Management
Not available to Business Management students. Recommended for IT students who are interested in pursuing a managerial or executive position, or who plan to manage IT infrastructure in a business environment. All courses can apply to focused electives in the IT program
Required courses:
Entrepreneurial Leadership
Under development. Will provide students in both programs with background in leadership and entrepreneurship to enable students to start or work for entrepreneurial firms.
Computer Science
IT or Business students can strengthen their technical knowledge and prepare for a career in software programming with a certificate or minor in computer science. All courses can apply to focused or general electives in either program.
Requires 24 credits of Computer Science courses.
Employers look for applicants who have both depth of knowledge in their chosen fields and a breadth of knowledge across other disciplines. Employers also highly value applicants who have strong skills in oral and written communication. The list below provides an overview of types of electives available to you at Lawrence Tech, and how those electives might help you develop your personal and professional path. Since elective course offerings vary semester to semester, it is important to consult the course schedule and meet with your academic advisor.
Students who have earned 60 credit hours or more toward their degree and have a GPA of 3.0 or above may be eligible to take certain graduate courses as part of their elective work. This could get you started on your MBA, MSIS or other advanced degree. Consult your advisor for details.
Types of Elective Courses:
For both the Information Technology and Management programs, you must take 7 credits of natural science, including 1 laboratory credit. Below is a list of common courses selected by your peers. Of course, you are welcome to enroll in higher-level science courses provided you have the appropriate prerequisites. "00" courses (courses whose first digit is 0) do NOT apply toward your natural science requirements.
4-credit courses (courses ending in the number "4") satisfy one natural science course and one laboratory course requirement.
Opportunities Outside the Classroom
Lawrence Tech is serious about encouraging you to obtain practical experience in your field. In addition to the opportunity to earn up to 6 credit hours through internships (paid or unpaid), the following options can help you achieve your goals.
Technical Certifications
If you obtain select certifications -- such as A+, CCNA, etc. -- you may be able to receive up to 9 credit hours toward your electives. See your advisor for questions about specific certifications.
Study Abroad
Business and information technology are truly global disciplines. Enhance your knowledge of other cultures and methods through taking advantage of one of LTU's many study abroad opportunities. Some are lengthy and allow you to obtain a full semester or year of academic credit in places like England and Germany; others are shorter and allow you to complete one or two courses in places like Paris; and others are only a few weeks but provide you the opportunity of a lifetime to visit and complete service projects in China and Haiti. Visit the Study Abroad website for more details on upcoming opportunities. Your time at a university is one of the few opportunities you will have to take advantage of the ability to travel the world -- use it!
Pre-Law Concentration
The American Bar Association has indicated that there is no particular undergraduate degree that students who are interested in law should pursue. Indeed, the breadth of practice areas in the legal field demands that the profession be made up of individuals from a diversity of backgrounds. The law needs engineers, scientists, technologists, businesspeople, and psychologists as much as it needs historians and political scientists. That said, the study of law is uniquely challenging. Taking time during your undergraduate program to develop key skills that will serve you well in law school and beyond is wise. If you do not enjoy engaging in challenging reading, learned debate and critical thinking, you will likely not enjoy law school. Courses that challenge you to think critically, analyze complex problems and closely read a variety of texts will help prepare you for a future in law. Contact the pre-law advisor to discuss what courses might best fit your goals.
When all is said and done, your goals are uniquely yours. Take time each semester to meet with your academic advisor, who can help you discern the most appropriate path to your desired future.
Undergraduate Management Program Advisors:
All students who have earned less than 60 credits toward their degree: Dr. Evans. S207C. 248.204.3508. kevans [at] ltu [dot] edu
All students who have earned more than 60 credits toward their degree: Amanda Falkenbury. M312A. 248.204.3099. afalkenbu [at] ltu [dot[ edu