The Rinker School of Business

Brian K. Strow, Ph.D., Dean

Faculty

Professors

John Hayes, Ph.D., Director, Titus Center for Franchising
Daniel Lawson, Ph.D.
Claire Nash, Ph.D., CPA
Madison Ngafeeson, Ph.D., Chair, Data Analytics
Tim Shaughnessy, Ph.D.
David Smith, D.B.A., Associate Dean
Claudia Strow, Ph.D.
Ariel Viale, Ph.D.
Henry Webb, M.B.A., J.D., Assistant Dean for International Programs

Associate Professors

Cora Barnhart, Ph.D., Chair, Accounting, Finance and Economics
Alexandra Cook, D.B.A.
Christos Kelepouris, D.B.A., Associate Director, Titus Center for Franchising - Chair, Management, Marketing and International Business
Jeffrey Kennedy, D.B.A.
Scott Pearson, Ph.D., Chair, Master of Business Administration
Ciprian Stan, Ph.D.
Marcus Valenzuela, Ph.D.
Huaqing Wang, Ph.D.

Assistant Professors

Emanuel Garcia Munoz, Ph.D.
Emmanuel Mwaungulu, D.B.A., CPA, Chair, Master of Accountancy
Steve Panczak, D.B.A.
Barbara VanderWerf, M.B.A.
Emily Webster, Ph.D.

Instructors

Roy Allem, M.B.A.
Emily Eaton, M.B.A.

The Rinker School of Business (RSB) upholds the mission of Palm Beach Atlantic University by preparing its graduates for entry into the business world. To achieve this objective, the professors stress Christian worldview ethics in the making of sound business decisions, in the use of one’s talents, and in business communications. Rinker School graduates must (1) understand the significant economic realities of our society; (2) demonstrate competence in business and major concentrations; and (3) develop an understanding of a Christian worldview in order to address the increasing complexities of the business world.

Vision

To be the preferred School for those seeking a Christ-centered business education.

Mission

To deliver quality, Christian-based undergraduate, graduate and professional programs that emphasize teaching excellence informed by relevant faculty research and application within their disciplines. Our goal is to shape business leaders with the intellectual, spiritual, and character foundation required to prosper in a global business environment.

Core Values

We believe that God has specific purposes for businesses and for those who work in business.
We incorporate a Christ-centered worldview into each of our business programs
We develop professionals committed to the highest ethical standards
We convey the importance of combining ethics and free enterprise
We prepare leaders to be compassionate toward their community, excellent in their chosen fields and confident in their abilities

The Rinker School of Business is committed to the highest standards of academic quality. To help maintain these quality standards, the RSB conducts assessments at the end of each semester. During this process, students taking business courses complete course evaluations, surveys, and other instruments that assist the RSB in evaluating our business programs. All students taking business courses are required to complete assessment activities each semester. The results of the assessment activities contribute greatly to continued quality improvement within the Rinker School of Business.

Rinker School of Business Admission Requirements

- Minimum of 45 hours of earned college credit

- Minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA

- C- or better in each of the following seven courses:

ACG 2013 - Financial Accounting
ACG 2023 - Managerial Accounting
BUS 2133 - Information Systems for Business
ECO 2343 - Principles of Macroeconomics
ECO 2353 - Principles of Microeconomics
MAT 1853 - College Algebra or higher (not including MAT 2003)
MAT 2003 - Elementary Statistics

Students will not be allowed to take 3000 level or above courses in the RSB until they have been admitted to the RSB, with the exception of Global Business and American Free Enterprise, or any courses related to a minor or concentration.

Rinker School of Business: Programs of Study

The Rinker School of Business provides educational opportunities that enhance the abilities and performance of the students. In particular, decision-making and communication are stressed. The School offers a Bachelor of Science degree with majors in accounting, business administration, business & law, business economics, entrepreneurship & franchising, finance, international business, management, marketing and mathematical economics. The school also offers a Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration. Minors in business administration and economics are also available. Students are strongly encouraged to take a modern language.

Students in the Rinker School of Business will be provided the opportunity to earn a double major, if desired. They will be allowed to count their: General Education courses, Business Core courses, and electives for both majors. If more than 9 hours of course overlap exists between majors, acceptable substitutions will need to be made, as determined by the Program Chair or Dean.

Students in any major can add a concentration in Franchising or Entrepreneurship and Small Business.

Degree Requirements

Prospective business majors or minors must complete MAT 1853 - College Algebra or higher (not including MAT 2003) with a grade of “C-” or better, and are highly encouraged to take this course during their freshman year. All students majoring in the Rinker School of Business are required to complete the General Education Requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree.

BUI 3633 - Global Business fulfills the 3 credit hour Global Studies Requirement.
ECO 2343 - Principles of Macroeconomics or ECO 2353 - Principles of Microeconomics fulfill the 3 credit hour Social Science requirement.
ECO 3813 - American Free Enterprise fulfills the 3 credit hour American Free Enterprise/Freedom in American Society requirement.

All business majors and minors must receive a grade of “C-” or better for successful completion of business courses. Coursework in which a student does not receive a “C-” or better can only be taken twice. Courses which students take in the RSB core or tracks cannot be taken for credit at another institution if a grade of “C-” or less was received in coursework at Palm Beach Atlantic University.

Degree requirements in the Rinker School of Business, regardless of the major, are broken down into four sections: Faith, Roots, and Reason (General Education) Requirements (43 credits, all majors), Business Core Requirements (52 credits, all majors), Major Requirements, including any track options (24-30 credits, depending on major), Use General Electives to complete a total of 120 credit hours.

International Business majors are required to take a mandatory international business trip. This trip cost is in addition to tuition and will need to be planned for accordingly. Trips occur in either the junior or senior year.

Internship in Business (BUS 4713 ) is required for most business majors. An internship requires at least 30 hours of site work for each credit hour.

Upon approval of the advisor, the director of graduate programs, and the dean, senior students are permitted to enroll in one or two graduate courses within the Rinker School of Business. These courses would count as electives in the undergraduate degree and will also be applied to the appropriate graduate degree (MBA or MAcc). Six credit hours of graduate coursework is the maximum permitted.

Programs

Major

Minor

Concentration