Linking Engineering Technology With A Business Administration Program

• Published in: Association for Engineering Education - Engineering Library Division Papers p. 8.827.1
• Main Authors: Grebski, Wieslaw, Amireddy, Rajeshwar, Singer, Lori, O'Donnell, Judith
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Atlanta American Society for Engineering Education-ASEE 22.06.2003
• Subjects: Business administration; Business competition; Colleges & universities; Curricula; Education; Electrical engineering; Engineering; Engineering education; Graduates; Interdisciplinary aspects; Mechanical engineering; Skills; Students; Working conditions

The paper describes the curriculum of the individualized option in the baccalaureate Business Administration program. The individualized option is a multidisciplinary curriculum which links the Mechanical Engineering Technology and Electrical Engineering Technology associate degree programs with the baccalaureate Bachelor of Science in Business degree program. Graduates from this program will be prepared for management positions in the manufacturing industry Introduction: The competitive job market of the 21st century forces college graduates to seek and develop unique and rare skills. The acquisition of these skills is often the deciding factor in achieving employment goals. In a constantly changing work environment, these interdisciplinary skills are more important than ever before. As a result of this situation the accrediting body, ABET, has encouraged and supported interdisciplinary projects in the curriculum. Much support was given to the project at Penn State Hazleton that involved the coupling of business and engineering, since it was in line with some new goals set forth by ABET which included the encouragement of multidisciplinary courses. Curricular Issues: Penn State Hazleton offers traditional mechanical technology and electrical technology programs. These programs are ABET accredited and are offered in Hazleton at the associate degree level. The graduates of these programs can either seek employment or continue their education at the baccalaureate level. A majority (approximately 80%) of the students continue their education in the baccalaureate degree programs (Fig. 1). Unfortunately, those baccalaureate degree options are not available at Penn State Hazleton. Depending on the choice of major, most students continue their education at the Capital College in Harrisburg, the Altoona College, or the Berks-Lehigh Valley College. Penn State Hazleton also offers associate and baccalaureate degree programs in business administration. Similar to the engineering technology students, business administration students who graduate with an associate degree can either enter the job market or continue their education in a baccalaureate degree “Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2003, American Society for Engineering Education”