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Bachelor Programme in Management (in Polish)

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

Nature of the Programme

WSPiZ (presently Kozminski University) by the decision of the Minister of Education was registered as a private school on 12 May 1993. It was entitled to run BA level courses in Management and Marketing ( changed for Management by the decision of the Minister of Science and Higher Education of 12 July 2007).The first BA graduates in Management and Marketing in 1996 could continue their education on an MA course.

Kozminski University is an international academic institution offering interdisciplinary knowledge and professional skills mastered during periods of internships and thus gives the graduates competitive advantage on both Polish and international labour market.

To be in line with the mission, the curricula of the BA and MA courses in Management are subject to regular changes. Recently introduced changes were to fit the educational offer to the changing requirements of the economy, in particular labour market, and to meet the expectations of employers searching for graduates with precisely defined skills. The main changes included updating the curriculum and combining theoretical and practical knowledge thanks to introducing managerial workshops and classes run according to the latest teaching methods using e-learning and strategic games.

The curricula are in line with the educational standards set by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. The BA course covers 6 semesters, with teaching hours exceeding 2000 on regular daily courses and 1200 on part time studies amounting to at least 180 ECTS points.

Learning objectives

Learning objectives are closely related to a professional course graduate profile. Three main objectives can be distinguished.

The first aim is to equip students with theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of Management and related disciplines. The second one is to develop students’ general and professional skills necessary to perform executive and managerial functions on a middle level of management in various types of organizations and on various levels of development. The third aim is to prepare students to undertake an MA level course.

The programme lasting six semesters covers four subject categories: general, basic, professional, specialist.

General subjects include: logic, sociology, psychology, two modern languages and PE. Basic and professional subjects allow students to gain professional knowledge and specialist subjects develop mainly students’ skills and at the same time make students familiar with specialist knowledge.

An important element of the course structure is the choice of optional subjects and classes preparing the students for the final examination. The examination takes an oral form and checks students knowledge and skills such as creative thinking and analyzing interdisciplinary socio-economic problems. 30 hours of tutorial during the last semester are to help students in preparation for the examination.

Learning goals

1. Students will demonstrate knowledge in business- related disciplines

• Students will demonstrate knowledge of basic concepts and theories in the areas of economics, management, marketing and other complementary disciplines

• Students will demonstrate understanding of major local, national, European and global issues in business and society

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2. Students will demonstrate critical thinking

• Students will solve business problems applying appropriate techniques and methodologies • Students will be able to design and implement effective desk/ field research study • Students will be able to critically evaluate most fundamental managerial concepts and models • Students will demonstrate appropriate IT literacy level

3. Students will be able to apply knowledge in practice in various organizational contexts and situations

• Students will be able to develop rigorous SWOT analysis for any business • Students will be able to conduct comprehensive market analysis • Students will be able to develop justified recommendations to address problems of any business • Student will demonstrate ability to manage business on operational level

4. Students will be an effective communicator

• Students will create high quality written documents on business related topics • Students will create coherent and complete business plan • Students will be able to deliver effective oral presentation • Students will command at least one foreign language on TELC 2 or B2 European Commission Language

Competency Level • Students will be able to work effectively in teams

5. Students will have habit of further development, both in personal and professional area.

• Students will be prepared to continue education in MA programme • Students will have clear personal and professional goals

6. Students will be sensitive to ethical issues in business practice

• Students will be able to identify ethical implications of business decisions in areas of management and marketing

• Students will be able to identify social and environmental implications of business decisions

Target group

The programme is addressed to candidates who are interested in acquiring theoretical knowledge in the areas of management and business- related disciplines, combined with practical competences. The ideal candidate shall: present Polish high school diploma or a certified /apostille stamped foreign certificate or diploma legitimizing for commencing higher education; meet admission criteria for the programme chosen and be focused on his personal/ professional development, for example continuation of education on Master level.

Taking into consideration demographic and market trends, the primary target groups of BBA Programme in Polish are:

1. Polish high school graduates who are interested in:

• acquiring theoretical knowledge in the areas of management and business related disciplines, combined with strong practical competences,

• acquiring high quality business education in Poland conducted in Polish on Bachelor level,

Excellent candidate shall:

• present Polish high school diploma or a foreign certificate legitimizing for commencing higher education • meet admission criteria for the chosen programme • be focused on personal and professional level (i.e. continuation of education on Master level, than,

starting own business). • be strongly interested in the areas determined by the chosen programme

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Our offer is addressed to those grammar school leavers who meet the criteria for professional university level

studies, to people already working who undertake part-time studies, and to students of Kozminski University or other universities (including foreign ones) who for various reasons wish to undertake or continue studies in Management run in Polish.

Alumni profile

A graduate should have theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of management and related disciplines covering regularities and problems connected with functioning of organizations- companies and public institutions. The person should possess skills necessary for recognizing, diagnosing and solving problems relating to managing human, material and financial resources and information. The graduate should be prepared to perform basic management functions in companies and administration organizations; should be prepared to work as a specialist in organization and management and also as a middle level manager in a company or running own business.

The person should be effective in communication, negotiating, persuading people and also should be ready for teamwork. The knowledge of foreign languages should be on at least B2 CEFR level including professional register.

The graduale should be prepared to undertake a higher level course.

BBA Programme in Polish model alumni satisfy the following criteria, corresponding with our learning goals:

1. They demonstrate knowledge in business- related disciplines

• They demonstrate knowledge of basic concepts and theories in the areas of economics, management, marketing and other complementary disciplines

• They demonstrate understanding of major local, national, European and global issues in business and society

2. They demonstrate critical thinking

• They solve business problems applying appropriate techniques and methodologies • They are able to design and implement effective desk/ field research study • They are able to critically evaluate most fundamental managerial concepts and models • They demonstrate appropriate IT literacy level

3. They are able to apply knowledge in practice in various organizational contexts and situations

• They are able to develop rigorous SWOT analysis for any business • They are able to conduct comprehensive market analysis • They are able to develop justified recommendations to address problems of any business • They demonstrate ability to manage business on operational level

4. They are effective communicators

• They create high quality written documents on business related topics • They create coherent and complete business plan • They are able to deliver effective oral presentation • They command at least one foreign language on TELC 2 or B2 European Commission Language

Competency Level (CEFR) • They are able to work effectively in teams

5. They have habit of further development, both in personal and professional area.

• They are prepared to continue education in MA programme • They have clear personal and professional goals

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6. They are sensitive to ethical issues in business practice

• They are able to identify ethical implications of business decisions in areas of management and marketing • They are able to identify social and environmental implications of business decisions

Learning outcomes

These are described in the separate section on the OUTCOMES.

Communication with the students

Students are informed about the specific conditions, content and specifications of each subject via:

• Web site • Brochures • Office i.e. Management and Finance Collegium Dean’s Office, Career Office, Foreign Co-operation

Department, Kozminski University Academic Sports Association.

During the regular period of studying, students have constant e-mail contact with both the faculty and the Student office so any changes concerning lecture hours, materials, cases are passed to them immediately.

Promotional activities

Our promotional strategy pursues several primary aims:

• Sharpening and strengthening the distinct image of the school’s unique BBA Management programme in Polish, via the five characteristics of prestige, academic character, close cooperation with the business world, an international dimension of education, and recognition by employers,

• Promoting the school on selected international markets, • Promoting Kozminski University, and at the same time Management course, appearing on all ranking lists

of university level schools.

The target groups for the promotional strategy are:

• high school graduates and their families, • the academic community, • the business community, • government agencies, • local authorities.

Programme philosophy.

The programme is in line with the assumptions and objectives of the Bologna Process and ensures : control of the quality of education thanks to the systems of accreditations and certifications; development of students’ and staff’s mobility; applying ECTS system in assessing students’ achievements; two-level system of education (lower level- BA and higher level- MA); a diploma together with a supplement, both in English.

In line with the mission the programme includes two modern languages courses on a high level giving the graduate a competitive advantage on an international labour market. To improve a chance of good future employment a system of internships ,often in renowned companies, is introduced in the fourth semester.

A BA course is first of all a profession oriented course and for this reason emphasises strongly practical aspects of management, including social corporate responsibility and development of professional competencies.

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Learning evaluation methods

Each course in the BBA Programme in Polish has an evaluation method developed by the course designer specifically to match the intended learning goals for the given course. These evaluation methods are described in the syllabi and are subject to the programme director’s approval and supervision.

The evaluation methods used in the programme include:

• Harvard-style cases marked discussions, • Teamwork projects, • Fieldwork research reports, • Oral exams, • Multiple choice exams, • Essays, • Open books exams, • Take-home exams and case studies, • Internship reports.

The results of all exams are controlled by the Didactics Office. In all cases where the results are significantly unusual in a statistical sense (atypical distribution of grades), the lecturers are requested to explain this phenomenon.

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PROGRAMME CONTENT

Courses Type Credit / Exam

Total Semester (hours)

I II III IV V VI

GENERALCOURSES

Business English C E 6 360 30 30 30 30 30 30

Foreign Language II C E 4 120 30 30 30 30

PE C C 60 30 30

Sociology L E 3 30 30

Introduction to Psychology L E 3 30 30

Economic History L E 2 30 30

Logic

BASIC COURSES

Principles of Management L, C E 1 60 60

Principles of Organization L, C E 2 45 645

Microeconomics L, C E 1 60 60

Principles of Finance L, C E 2 60 60

Introduction to Law L E 1 30 30

Matematics C E 2 60 30 304

Statistics T E 4 45 45

Intelectual property protection L C 10 10

Macroeconomics L, C E 3 60 60

Principles of econometrics L C 30 30

Business law L C 30 30

Employment law L C 30 30

MAJOR COURSES

Organizational Behaviours C C 30 30

Project management C C 30 30

Human Resources Management L, C E 4 60 60

Quality Management L E 6 30 30

IT C C 30 30

Informatics in Management C C 30 30

Marketing L, C E 4 i 5 90 45 45

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Marketing Research C C 30 30

Financial Accounting C C 30 30

Corporate Finance C C 30 30

ICT In Management T C 30 30

E-business strategies T C 30 30

Financial Reporting L C 30 30

Functioning of European Communities L C 30 30

SPECIALTY COURSES

Writing texts C C 30 30

Elements of business ethics L E5 30 30

Negotiations C C 30 30

Setting up a business T C 30 30

Small company management T C 30 30

Simulated decisional games T C 30 30

Interpersonal communication C C 30 30

Elements of ecology L C 30 30

Organizational diagnostics T C 30 30

Managerial workshops Workshop

C 52 52

Professional presentations T C 16 16

Self-employment T C 16 16

Simulated decisional games T C 20 20

OTHERS

Elective L C 90 30 30 30

Preparation for the final examination T C 30 30

3-week internship (starting in the 4th sem.) 3 weeks

Changes within the Programme within 5 years

The structure of the major courses has been modified within the last 5 years. The number of hours has been extended in the following courses: Setting up a Business, Small Business Management, Organizational Diagnostics as well as in the following management workshops: Decision Games, Self-employment and Professional Presentations. In the group of Major Courses, in addition to Computer Science, a new course in IT has been added. It helps students to get European Computer Driving License (ECDL). One more course in Intellectual Property Protection has also been added. As of 2009/2010 academic year BA exam has been changed: the defense of BA dissertation will be replaced by an exam. It will be an oral exam testing creative thinking and the ability to analyze interdisciplinary social and economic problems.

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Balance between theory and practice

The balance between theory and practice is achieved by combining of theoretical courses (General Courses and Basic Courses) with practical ones (Major Courses and Specialty Courses). Workshops targeted at diagnosing and projecting practical processes and systems as well as internships after the third semester contribute greatly to achieving the proper balance between theory and practice in the teaching processes under the BBA Management Programme.

PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT

Admissions

In Poland the bachelor or undergraduate level degree (Polish. licencjat) represents the equivalent of three years of full-time or part - time study subsequent to the completion of a 12-year pre-collegiate education (in some cases 13). Only candidates holding matriculation (Polish: matura) certificate can enter bachelor programme.

Candidates holding Polish matriculation certificates are admitted to bachelor’s programmes on the following principles:

• In the recruitment process, matriculation exam results in three courses of candidate’s choice are taken into consideration. Candidates choose from the following courses: Polish, a modern foreign language, Latin and Ancient Culture, Mathematics, Physics with Astronomy, Chemistry, Biology, History, Geography, a second foreign language, Social Studies, Information Technology, History of Art.

• The matriculation exam percentage results are converted into qualification points according to the following principle:

− Standard level: 1% - 1.5 point − Advanced level: 1% - 2 points

• Grades achieved by candidates with so called “old matura” (old version of Polish matriculation exam), International Baccalaureate (IB), or foreign matriculation certificate are also converted into qualification points.

• A ranking list is created. Applicants are accepted until the limit is achieved. Candidates who scored at least 220 points are accepted.

Different procedures apply when foreign candidate (holding non- Polish high school completion certificate or diploma) applies for enrollment to KU’s bachelor programme.

Foreign credentials must be recognized in Poland according to different procedures, depending on the country of their origin and the level of education. Foreign credentials, as well as EU credentials for the purpose of further study, are recognized either on the basis of bilateral agreements or through the procedure of legal recognition (“nostryfikacja”).

According to the Regulation of the Minister of Education and Science on the Legal recognition of School Certificates and Maturity Certificates Obtained Abroad (April 6, 2006) any school certificate obtained abroad has to be legalized in the country in which it was issued and then presented to the local educational authority (Kuratorium Oświaty) in Poland in order to be legally recognized. The above does not apply to the certificates issued in the countries which have signed a bilateral agreement on the recognition of educational credentials with Poland (to see the list of bilateral agreements, please visit www.buwiwm.edu.pl).

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The holders of foreign high school diplomas have to apply to Kuratorium Oświaty (Ministry of Education) and submit the following documents:

• Original (or notary proved copy) of your matriculation diploma legalized in the Polish consular office (in case of a diploma issued in a country that belongs to Hague Convention, the apostille is required)

• Document proving that the holder of the High School Diploma can undertake higher education studies at their home country universities. Such document can be issued by appropriate central or local department of education subordinate to the Ministry of Education in your country of origin or in the Polish Consular Office.

• Transcript of records • Sworn translation of the above mentioned documents • Copy of the ID card/ passport

All foreign certificates of high school completion must be recognized via legal recognition process (and thus be made officially equivalent to Polish matriculation certificate). Student must supply legally recognized certificate within the first semester of studies (if he/ she fails to fulfill this requirement he/ she is removed from the students list).

Foreign candidates have to meet the following criteria:

• Hold a legalized or signed ‘apostille’ matriculation certificate or another foreign document that entitles them to continue education at the university level. This document must be equal to a Polish matriculation certificate based on that legal recognition (notarization) regulations for that document regulations or an international agreement, or the applicant must hold a Polish matriculation certificate

Candidates may apply any time of the year. KU processes applications from January 1 until August 15 (non EU-citizens) and until September 30 (EU-citizens). Applications received after these end dates will be kept on file and processed during the next application period.

Pedagogy adopted

The disciplines of business and management span a wide variety of subject areas embracing social sciences and quantitative areas, and require the practice of various skills. Our pedagogical approach seeks to develop student knowledge and personal transferable and managerial skills to prepare students for careers in management or to pursue further programmes of study and is consistent with EQUAL guidelines. A variety of elective courses offered enables students to tailor the degree to meet their own individual needs and aspirations. They can change their mix of electives on the go, as their interests and carter plans evolve.

They can also change their choice of electives on the go, as their interests and career plans evolve.

Teaching methods depend on the type of subject, its importance in the structure of the programme and the particular goals a university teacher intends to achieve. When carrying out the programme teachers use both classic methods such as lectures or tutorials and more active methods such as case studies, role play, situational games, individual and group projects. Some classes are organized in computer labs where students can simulate real-life situations or create information systems to support their projects. Teaching methods cultivate proactive attitudes and teach students how to face new challenges and how to be able to acquire more knowledge.

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Student Personal Development

Apart from the student personal development possibilities offered on the school’s level (and including student academic clubs, international exchange programmes, summer schools, consulting projects, internships, practical computer skills development and certification, language skills intensive training, sports, student unions, et al), BBA Programme in Polish also offers a wide variety of elective courses designed specifically according to the needs of our students. Each year students may choose from an array of courses, delivered by KU faculty as well as visiting professors.

There are numerous student scientific interest groups at the university. Their main interest is in various problems of management. They help broaden the knowledge students acquire during lectures and tutorials, especially in the areas of their personal interests or career plans.

High-performing students can benefit from prestigious TOP 15 programme. This programme aims at creating individual opportunities of learning and developing more research skills in cooperation with tutors. Students are rewarded by publications of their researches and by participation in conferences and trainings.

Some students start a job during their studies. It may determine their scientific interests in the future; it also shows how important the practical skills students have acquired at the university are and as a result it increases their motivation.

International experience development

International exchanges are not an obligatory part of the BBA Programme in Polish. However, all students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the wide variety of international exposure possibilities offered by KU. Each year BBA Programme in Polish go abroad to schools from the Americas, Asia, and many countries of EU. For EU exchanges the Erasmus network is effectively used. In the history of the programme, there has never been a student who wanted to go on an international exchange and was not able to.

Students are given an opportunity to study for one semester or one year at one of our partner-universities abroad. There they can improve their competencies and make contacts with potential business partners or employers.

Practical experience

KU provides assistance in career development to students (part-time jobs, internships) and to alumni. The separate administration organization responsible for this service is the 'FORGE' Placement and Career Support Office, which reports to the Promotion Office Director. BBA Programme in Polish relies on “FORGE” services in this respect.

BBA Programme in Polish includes obligatory internship (minimum 3 weeks) in a company approved by the programme’s dean.

Some students run their own businesses or family businesses together with their parents.

Elements of social responsibility within the programme

The curriculum covers 30 hour course of Business Ethics and another 30 hour course of Ecology. Students discuss problems connected with business ethics and CSR. The latter is also included in other courses such as Fundamentals of Management, HR management and Social Psychology. The importance of CSR is well recognized by both the faculty and students – for many years the KU Center of Business Ethics has actively operated to improve the awareness of ethical issues.

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OUTCOMES

Outcome evaluation methods

Assessment Guiding Principles

Kozminski University’s assessment philosophy, articulated by the guidelines listed below, is expressed through our policies, practices and decisions related to assessment:

• The primary purpose of assessment is to improve student learning. • We recognize that participation of faculty in all stages of the assessment process is vital to its

effectiveness and success. • We assess programmes, not faculty. The results of assessment will be used to determine whether we

achieve satisfactory levels of students‘ learning. Results will not be used to evaluate teaching performance of individual faculty.

• We will gather and analyze assessment data to make decisions that will allow us to improve student learning and programme delivery.

• We will evaluate individual student performance (papers, tests, presentations, portfolios, etc) • We will develop and use both direct and indirect measures of assessment. • The assessment environments will include both campus and other places, if appropriate. The

environment will be discussed and agreed on with the stakeholders involved. • Depending on the size of the group, the proper student sample will be drawn by using both random and

non-random sampling methods. The size of the sample will therefore vary, but we assume that no less than 20% of the students participating in a programme will be sufficient to assess student learning.

• Feedback will be provided both to students and faculty. Assessment activities will be communicated to students and faculty.

• Every year one or two learning goals will be selected for assessment. • The process of assessment is a cyclical one. This means that all the objectives under particular learning

goals will be assessed in a specified period of time (3 years)

Alumni perception on the job market

BBA Programme in Polish alumni are perceived as graduates of a programme run by an elite private business school. The perception of “private business school” in Poland is ambiguous. Since many private establishments are low quality schools, the general image of private business schools is not very good. However, Kozminski University has successfully made an impression of an exceptionally good school and is often given as a positive example of an outstanding non-public university, surpassing the standards set for public universities.

Cooperation with the alumni

The Office for Cooperation with Alumni and the Alumni Club operate at the KU and have close contacts with the alumni. They promote the best graduates, organize business and social meetings, offer specialized forms of professional development such as for example Coaching Club or special alumni cards.

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QUALITY CONTROL

Procedures for content management

Quality is a major concern within the BBA Programme in Polish and has been since its launch. To assure quality, we regularly measure the satisfaction level of our stakeholders and adjust to their demands and expectations. The processes of continuous evaluation of quality of curriculum delivery are implemented, including the gathering, analysis and utilization of both internal and external stakeholders’ feedback.

Programme quality is measured as follows: (1) by questionnaires and surveys among students; (2) via external evaluations performed by external examiners cooperating with the University on a regular basis; and (3) by representatives of the corporate world who maintain strong links with the University.

Apart from the content management procedures typical for the all KU programmes, BBA Programme in Polish relies also on a two-stage procedure for new lecturers admission. New lecturers are first invited to deliver elective courses, and only after they turn interesting to students, and their teaching skills are proven, they are offered core courses of the programme.

Procedures for coordination of learning outcomes and learning objectives

The procedures of quality assurance in the BBA Programme in Polish are standardized with KU procedures and include the following activities, performed regularly either on semester, or annual, bases:

• Evaluation of syllabi by the Director of the academic department or research center • Evaluation of syllabi and the programmes by the Programme Committee of the College • Evaluation of syllabi of the elective courses by the Vice-Rector for Students Affairs and Teaching and

Departments and Directors of research centers • Analysis of student’s semester questionnaires • Analysis of feedback received during meetings with the year’s advisors • Analysis of feedback collected during meetings with student representatives • Quantitative (surveys) and qualitative (focus groups) research of students’ opinions, expectations and

satisfaction levels • Using Plagiat.pl software to check theses for plagiarism (since 2005) • Implementing feedback and solutions proposed and tested with students within the students’ scientific

clubs and associations

The results of quality assessment are reported to the Senate, Rector, Deans, Departments and research centers, faculty and students. The Senate, Rector, Deans and the Programme Committee of the College are responsible for their incorporation into curriculum delivery.

Procedures for quality control (of grading, learning aims, etc.)

Student evaluation questionnaires form an essential part of BBA Programme in Polish quality assurance processes. In order to ensure the integrity of the evaluation process, a standard procedure is adopted across the all programmes and courses. The procedure is intended to:

• Ensure that all students receive a questionnaire for each unit studied, • Encourage good response rates, • Ensure anonymity of those completing the questionnaires, • Facilitate appropriate feedback.

Students evaluate every course they attend based on its relevance and on the professional commitment of the teacher. Each evaluation results are analyzed by the Colleges and the Departments. The instructor also receives feedback. We are currently redesigning our evaluation system. The new system will be built around the concepts of entry qualifications, course objectives, content, process, and learning evaluation. It will also emphasize having students evaluate their own contributions and efforts. We also experiment with on-line administration mode for student evaluation of courses.