Bachelor's in management

Managers require the ability to adapt to a fast-paced, constantly changing business environment that can include local, national and international business issues, and which may stretch across any sector or industry. Organizational effectiveness is a management professional's primary goal. Managers make decisions and direct resources within business functions that may include strategy, operations, recruiting, training and development, dispute resolution and other human resource issues. Professionals who can analyze, manage and resolve contemporary management issues are always in demand and are a critical component of any successful organization. 

The management major in the Wayne State University Mike Ilitch School of Business prepares students to face these challenges head on and lead within organizations. Take classes during the day or in the evening, on campus in Detroit or online. Some covered subjects include:

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

AGRADE program

Highly qualified management majors are eligible to participate in the Accelerated Graduate Enrollment (AGRADE) program. AGRADE students can cut substantial time and as much as one-third off the total cost of a WSU graduate business degree program by applying up to 12 credits toward both their undergraduate management degree and M.B.A. or other graduate business degree.

Departmental honors

Current Mike Ilitch School of Business students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher may enroll in courses with an honors component assignment option and complete the 15 required credits to qualify for an honors distinction on their transcript and diploma at graduation. Review departmental honors eligibility and requirements.

Study abroad

Study abroad programs organized by the Ilitch School are offered in Italy and Central Europe. These opportunities are led by faculty and involve visits with the foreign operations of Detroit-area companies and various cultural sites. Students majoring in global supply chain management, marketing, management and technology, information systems and analytics (TISA), as well as graduate students, are strongly encouraged to fulfill some of their program requirements via an Ilitch School study abroad program. For undergraduate majors in accounting or finance, a study abroad course could be applied toward Free Elective credit hours. Please check with your academic advisor for guidance before pursuing the study abroad option.

Management careers

Management-level positions are projected to grow at an average rate in most areas of the profession. Areas of growth include managers and specialists who can provide human resource support for new companies. Students graduating with a major in management and who have previous internship experience in the field should have better job opportunities. 

Management career titles can include:

  • Administrative service manager
  • Bank manager
  • Benefits manager
  • Compensation manager
  • Employee relations manager
  • Employee training/orientation
  • Entrepreneur 
  • Equal employment opportunity specialist
  • Health services/hospital administrator
  • Human resource/personnel manager
  • Labor relations specialist
  • Management consultant
  • Project manager
  • Payroll manager
  • Personnel recruiter 

Additional management career information from the U.S. Department of Labor: