About

The primary mission of the Department of Business and Professional Studies is to provide degree and certificate candidates the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for transfer and career success.

Business associate degree programs and the following business certificate programs: ACTC, FNSC, MGTC and MRKC in the Business and Professional Studies Department are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) which attests to our high standards and excellence in teaching. Professional Studies associate degree programs and all other certificate programs in the Business and Professional Studies Department have been approved through the curriculum review process at the Community College of Rhode Island and have been affirmed by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the Rhode Island Department of Education.

Along with our degree and certificate programs the Department of Business and Professional Studies offers co-curricular activities that assist students in achieving their academic, personal and career goals.

Enrollment, Retention, and Graduation Statistics

ACBSP 2023 Student Leadership Award

NEW COURSES

BUSN 1015 - Business Computing Applications (3 credits)

The purpose of this course is to ensure that students have the requisite fundamental skills and knowledge in business computing applications. The course presents and demonstrates the applications, concepts, and skills relevant to information technology in the context of the modern business environment. Topics include word processing, spreadsheets, database software, and presentation software.

BUSN 1175 - Operations and Supply Chain Management (3 credits)

Integrates key functions of inventory control, forecasting, purchasing, scheduling, and more which exist in all businesses and are critical to business success.

BUSN 1400 - Fundamentals of Property and Casualty Insurance (3 credits)

This course will include personal lines coverages, such as homeowners and automobile, commercial lines coverages for businesses, insurance terms and concepts, and insurance laws, rules, and regulations. Included also are the Rhode Island laws, rules, and regulations common to property and casualty insurance. The course curriculum provides the requisite knowledge and an understanding of the topics tested on the Rhode Island Property & Casualty Insurance Producer license exam.

BUSN 2115 - Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) Preparatory Course (3 credits)

The curriculum covered in this course is intended to provide the requisite knowledge and an understanding of the topics tested on the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) Examination. This course will introduce a variety of investment instruments and practices used in the financial securities industry. The focus will include the study of capital markets, products and their risks, trading, customer accounts, prohibited activities, and an overview of the regulatory framework. (Note: This course is not affiliated with FINRA or the SIE Examination, is not sponsored by an exam provider, and will not exempt students from sitting for the SIE Exam.)

ADAS 2410 - Introduction to Parliamentary Procedures (3 credits)

This course examines Parliamentary Procedures, based on Robert's Rules of Order. Knowledge of parliamentary procedures leads to more productive meetings and allows meeting minutes to be recorded adroitly and accurately. Key concepts include rules that govern meetings: quorums, general classification of motions required to bring business before the meeting participants, motions that are out of order, or motions that require a two-thirds vote. Students will learn meeting decorum, the procedures for the debate of issues, working in executive sessions, and creating reports that accurately reflect the business of the meeting.

ADAS 2420 - Customer Service Skills (3 credits)

This course will equip students with the knowledge and skills that will enable them to be a successful and proactive part of a customer service team. It is important that customer service representatives provide the highest quality customer care with every interaction. This course focuses on strategies for effective customer service, troubleshooting skills, call-handling procedures, call center metrics, incident management, communication skills, customer retention techniques, and call center processes. This course is a combination of theory and practice.