DAN Department of Management & Organizational Studies

DAN students

The DAN Department of Management & Organizational Studies provides a unique interdisciplinary approach to the study of management, emphasizing the social science and evidence-based foundations of management education. Our focus on Evidence-Based Management, or EBM, emphasizes the use of evidence in decision-making. EBM supports our interdisciplinary nature and prepares our students to make meaningful contributions to management decisions in the organizations they join.

We provide all academic requirements, fully accredited, for the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation, as well as the Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP) designation.

See below to explore the many skills and strengths students can bring to the workforce. 

Accounting 

Commercial Aviation Management (CAM) 

Consumer Behaviour

Finance

Human Resource Management 

Management & Legal Studies

 

Accounting

Western’s Accounting program offers courses in Canadian Accounting, Audit, and Taxation to prepare students for employment in the Accounting field. All required courses are provided for students interested in pursuing the Chartered Professional Accounting (CPA) designation.

Skills these students bring to the workforce:

  • Data and systems analysis
  • Explaining complex problems and theories
  • Mathematical and deductive reasoning
  • Numerical and quantitative analysis
  • Projecting / forecasting results

Students’ skills and educational background are well-suited for work in the following industries and functions (not an exhaustive list):

  • Accounting Analyst
  • Auditing
  • Financial Analysis
  • Government Relations
  • Investment Banking
  • Tax Consulting

Commercial Aviation Management (CAM)

The Commercial Aviation Management (CAM) programs provides the opportunity for students to earn a Transport Canada approved Integrated Commercial Pilot’s Licence while simultaneously attaining a Management & Organizational Studies Degree. This Specialization may be taken with or without the flight option.

Skills these students bring to the workforce:

  • Critical thinking and problem-solving
  • Data and systems analysis
  • Mathematical and deductive reasoning
  • Presenting ideas and data clearly
  • Organization and operations management

Students’ skills and educational background are well-suited for work in the following industries and functions (not an exhaustive list):

  • Airport planning and management
  • Aviation law
  • Commercial pilot (flight option only)

Consumer Behaviour

The Consumer Behaviour program centers on understanding the multiplicity of factors that determine what the consumer buys, when and where they buy, and more importantly, why they buy.  These factors include information use and decision making, personality and lifestyle, perception, learning, self-concept, attitudes and values, demographics, and society and culture.  This knowledge is combined with the various techniques employed to attract and serve customers, thus forming the basis for strategic marketing decisions.

Skills these students bring to the workforce:

  • Marketing strategy and brand management
  • Research / Analytical skills
  • Critical thinking and problem-solving
  • Oral and written communication
  • Project Management

Students’ skills and educational background are well-suited for work in the following industries and functions (not an exhaustive list):

  • Marketing
  • Business Analysis
  • Marketing Research
  • Brand Strategy
  • Public Relations
  • Digital Communications
  • Event Planning & Promotions

Finance 

Finance provides students with the qualitative and quantitative skills for understanding how financial decisions are made in private and public sector organizations.  Students are provided with a thorough understanding of the workings of the economy, financial markets, and financial products and instruments.  Students learn valuable core skills necessary to assist businesses in their financial decisions, and prepares them for successful careers in financial sector firms and the finance function of any organization.

Skills these students bring to the workforce:

  • Creating and evaluating financial reports/statements
  • Explaining complex problems and theories
  • Mathematical and deductive reasoning
  • Projecting/forecasting results
  • Qualitative and quantitative analysis


Students’ skills and educational background are well-suited for work in the following industries and functions (not an exhaustive list):

  • Business Analysis
  • Financial Analysis
  • Insurance & Underwriting
  • Investment Banking
  • Market Research 

Human Resource Management 

Human Resource Management at Western is interested in how organizations manage their human resources to achieve organizational goals and key results.  Students pursue courses in the major responsibilities of the HRM function in an organization and are well-suited to roles focused on recruitment and selection, training and development, health and safety, compensation and benefits, as well as best practices for the effective management of employees.  All courses required for the professional HR designation (CHRP) are available in DAN Management.

Skills these students bring to the workforce:

  • People Management
  • Critical thinking and problem-solving
  • Influencing and negotiation
  • Evaluating issues / problems and events
  • Gathering and interpreting data
  • Change management 

Students’ skills and educational background are well-suited for work in the following industries and functions (not an exhaustive list):

  • Human Resource Management/Personnel
  • Management Consultancy
  • Mediation
  • Public relations and communications

Management & Legal Studies 

This program allows students to become versed in the law requirements as it pertains to Organizational Management in Canada.  This symbiotic pairing of subject areas provides students with the knowledge they need to become effective and efficient managers in any discipline.

Students in this program learn about Contract Law, Public Administration, and Theory, Public Law, and Enterprise Risk Management.

Skills these students bring to the workforce:

  • Critical thinking and problem-solving
  • Operations management
  • Research / Analytical skills
  • Risk management
  • Synthesizing and communicating complex information and ideas
  • Translating theory into action

Students’ skills and educational background are well-suited for work in the following industries and functions (not an exhaustive list):

  • Business Analysis
  • Government Relations
  • Law and legal services
  • Management Consulting
  • Public Policy Analysis