Why choose management at the Ilitch School?

In today's ever-evolving business world, effective management is a necessity. As a manager, you must possess the ability to navigate a dynamic and fast-paced environment by making critical decisions that drive organizational effectiveness. The bachelor's in business administration management degree program at Wayne State University’s Mike Ilitch School of Business prepares you to confront these challenges with confidence and take the lead within organizations.

Our paid internships, unique student opportunities and hands-on curriculum are your gateways to honing essential skills in problem-solving, team building, communicating with a diverse team and managing organizational talent. 

At the Ilitch School, we design our programs to meet your specific needs. Choose to earn a bachelor of arts (B.A.) or bachelor of science (B.S.) in management with the option to complete your coursework in person or online. 

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Explore the program

  • Ilitch School’s management degree program consists of in-person and online general education, foundation and core courses. Students delve into various management concepts through classroom experiences, internship placements and other hands-on learning opportunities, gaining insights into leadership, organizational behavior and strategic planning.

    Management concepts taught include:

    • Building and empowering effective teams
    • Communicating effectively in a diverse work environment
    • Developing conceptual and administrative skills
    • Understanding organizations and their external environments
    • Managing organizational change
    • Managing organizations as integrated units in uncertain conditions
    • Solving workplace problems creatively

    View management program requirements 

    Sample 4-year management completion plan

    At the Ilitch School, management majors have the option to pursue either a bachelor of arts (B.A.) or a bachelor of science (B.S.) in business administration with a focus on management. The primary distinction between the two lies in the foreign language requirement, which is a component of the B.A. degree. 

    If there are any questions regarding our degree options, students should reach out to an academic advisor for guidance.

    Explore the field of human resource management and gain insights into the impact of employment relationships in an organization. Acquire a specialized understanding of the best practices associated with effectively managing an organization's workforce.

    Human resource concentration courses cover topics like recruitment strategies, compensation analysis, employee relations, people-related data and strategic staffing.

    View management program requirements 

    Sample human resource management 4-year completion plan

    The AGRADE program offers management majors the opportunity to pursue a dual degree by applying up to 12 credits to both their undergraduate management degree and a graduate business degree from the Ilitch School. Participation in AGRADE not only accelerates their educational journey but can also result in significant cost savings, potentially reducing the total expenses of a WSU graduate business degree by as much as one-third.

    Management majors at Ilitch School who maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher have the opportunity to enroll in courses that incorporate an honors component. By successfully completing 15 credits in these honors courses, students can earn an honors distinction on their transcript and diploma upon graduation. 

    Discover more about the eligibility criteria and specific requirements for departmental honors.

Student services and opportunities

Benefit from the Ilitch School's rich student involvement, support services and invaluable opportunities.

There are a lot of different cultures here both in the staff and the students…Wayne State is a place to collaborate and build your network.

Ilitch School of Business, Flora Palokaj, smiles for an indoor headshot
Flora Palokaj
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Meet the faculty

Our Ilitch School of Business professors are ready to take you to the next level. As accomplished researchers and seasoned business leaders, they know how to enrich your learning and sharpen your skills. See how their expertise can help shape your future.

See all management faculty

Ajay Ponnapalli
Assistant Professor of Management

Research

  • Remote Work
  • Leadership
  • Inclusion at Work


Teaching

  • Human Resources (HR)
  • People Analytics

 

 

View Ajay Ponnapalli's profile

ajay.ponnapalli@wayne.edu

Gary Shields
Associate Professor of Teaching in Management

Teaching

  • Entrepreneurism
  • Improvisation
  • Creativity
  • Management

View Gary Shields's profile

gary.shields@wayne.edu

Sheri Perelli
Associate Professor of Teaching in Management

Teaching

  • Business and Society
  • Power and Persuasion
  • Strategic Business Communication for Leaders

View Sheri Perelli's profile

sheri_perelli@wayne.edu

Tamme Quinn-Grzebyk
Assistant Professor of Teaching in Management

RESEARCH INTERESTS
Activities at the intersection of business and education
Effects of top management teams on strategic outcomes
Impacts of personality and reflection in business and education strategies
Design thinking in business and education
Development of employees and teams

TEACHING EXPERIENCE AND INTERESTS
Levels and Approaches
Graduate, upper-level undergraduate and entry-level undergraduate courses
Executive education
Online asynchronous, face-to-face and hybrid
Standard semester, extensive workshops and day-long seminars

Topics Currently Taught
Strategy; management; leadership; organizational behavior; organizational development and change; ethics; corporate social responsibility.

Topics Previously Taught
Event management; venue management; sales development; human resource management, business communication, entrepreneurship, mobile app design, digital games for learning, classroom technology integration, interactive courseware design and instructional technology.

Courses taught in Mike Ilitch School of Business - Graduate
BA7080: Strategic Management
BA7070: Social Perspectives and the Business Enterprise
BA7040: Managing Organizational Behavior
BA6020: Principles of Management
MGT7815: Strategic Leadership
MGT7630: Organizational Development and Change
SEM7120: Event Planning and Management
SEM8000: Venue Management
SEM8000: Business Development

Courses taught in Mike Ilitch School of Business - Undergraduate
MGT5770: Advanced Human Resources
MGT5700: Human Resources
MGT2530: Management of Organizational Behavior
 

View Tamme Quinn-Grzebyk's profile

tammequinn@wayne.edu

Careers and outcomes

  • Organizations across all industries require management positions, especially new companies needing additional leadership support. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, management careers are growing at an exponential rate, with 1.1 million jobs estimated to open each year over the next decade

    Graduates with internship experience may have more job opportunities due to their ability to apply real-world experiences. Potential management careers include:

    • Benefits manager
    • Employee relations manager
    • Human resources manager
    • Project manager
    • Recruiter

    Start preparing for your future management career by exploring paid internships, using our résumé and cover letter services, and participating in career advising. 

    Explore career resources

Career insights

This tool provides a broad overview of how major selection can lead to careers and is provided without any implied promise of employment. Some careers will require further education, skills, or competencies. Actual salaries may vary significantly between similar employers and could change by graduation, as could employment opportunities and job titles.

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Take the next step

Become an impactful leader with a bachelor’s degree in management from the Ilitch School of Business.