Dr. John C. Beck, Dean of the School of Business & Communication

John Beck holds a Doctorate in Education with a focus on Organizational Change and Leadership from the USC Rossier School of Education and has taught Business and Communication courses for over 15 years at TMU. John’s experience includes executive leadership in the software industry for 20 years, serving as CEO and General Manager of a game development studio, shepherding the company from its founding to over 150 employees. Dr. Beck also serves as an elder at Grace Baptist Church in Santa Clarita.

At TMU’s School of Business and Communication, our mission is to empower students for a life of enduring commitment to Christ, biblical fidelity, moral integrity, intellectual growth, and lasting contribution to the Kingdom of God worldwide. We offer small class sizes, a top-ranked biblical liberal arts curriculum, and distinguished faculty to ensure individualized teacher-student mentorship and a world-class level of scholarship. The personalized learning environments and innovative resources prepare students to handle tomorrow’s business, communication, and media challenges with integrity and leadership. Our classes are taught by working professionals who engage students with hands-on experience. There is a synergy between all emphases, as required in the professional world. For instance, each year, our Communication students collaborate to create projects, such as films and graphic novels, which can later be included in their professional portfolios. Our alumni are sought after by many organizations and companies due to the students’ excellent reputation. We’ve highlighted some of those employers here.

Dr. Dwight D. Ham, Chairperson

Business Administration is a profession practiced by managers who solve problems and make decisions in the process of leading and guiding an organizational unit in its efforts to achieve its inherent goals or objectives. Organizational activities are measured for their effectiveness (the degree to which organizational goals are accomplished) and for their efficiency (the cost of resources used to achieve these goals). In the Business Administration Department, studies develop from a common viewpoint that all truth is of God. Therefore, as led by the Spirit, the student will seek truth to be applied with wisdom for the glory and honor of God.

Students with a major in Business Administration will study the fundamentals of management theory together with the “tools” used by modern management practitioners; will explore modern theories, concepts, and principles of management and administration; will apply the lessons learned to contemporary management situations; and will be encouraged to develop an appreciation for contemporary literature in the dynamic field of business administration.

Dr. Robert Dickson, Chairperson

The Department of Communication aims to identify and develop the spiritual gifts of students, enabling them to comprehend and communicate truth through an ever-evolving array of media platforms and opportunities. In this way, communication students become discerning and powerful proclaimers of God’s glory.

Courses in the Department of Communication emphasize the theory and practice of communication, cultivate creativity and entrepreneurial acumen, and offer hands-on experience in specific professional fields such as broadcast, print, and electronic journalism, creative writing, editing, graphic design, photography, cinematography, video production, short and feature film making, theatre arts, and multi-media storytelling. Students majoring in communication lay a foundation for careers in all forms of professional content creation, including professional writing and broadcasting, journalism, editing, video production, video editing, directing, radio production and podcasting, graphic design, photography, advertising, mission-field and church-related multi-media production, as well as teaching and law

Dr. John C. Beck, Chairperson

Entrepreneurial firms generate economic growth and prosperity wherever they are found. They are responsible for half of all global productivity. They comprise 95% of businesses overall and they create between 60-90% of all new jobs. Through business ownership, believers find a platform to communicate the character of Christ. They also find a platform to proclaim the Gospel, intentionally supporting the mission of Christ through the local church. The Entrepreneurship department at The Master’s University exists to equip marketplace ministers who want to start and grow commercial ventures for the glory of God.

Dr. Wayne Rasmussen, Chairperson

Sport Management is a profession that is built on knowledge, experience, and enduring relationships. Sport managers and leaders are professionals who prevent problems, solve problems when they occur, all while they plan and create special sporting experiences towards the common goal of making such experiences very memorable. Sport and sporting endeavors hold a very special and unique place in cultures the world over and as a result this fact creates the opportunity and privilege to do relationship which in turn creates opportunities to share the good news of the Gospel.

Towards these stated ends students will gain a strong base of knowledge through foundational courses such as Introduction to Sport Management, History/Sociology & Psychology of Sport, and Sport Ethics as well as through a strong portfolio of upper division classes including some of which are Legal Aspects of Sport, Event Management, and Data Analytics with the major core culminating in the capstone course experience of Leadership and Human Dynamics in Sport. Practical management and leadership skills will be further developed through mentorship with the professors and guest lecturers, as well as through internship experience(s) where knowledge gained can be practically applied in real world settings. Throughout the undergraduate experience students will be trained in what it means to be a professional in the sporting industry and they will develop a strong network of relationships in preparation for their future career callings. This in turn will create incarnational opportunities in the sporting marketplace for our graduates to share the hope of their Christian faith.

TMU stands out in Business, particularly for its #1 CPA pass rate in California and top 1% performance in multiple business subfields (Accounting, Economics, Marketing, Legal/Social Issues, and International Business) per ETS Major Field Tests. It ranks highly among Christian colleges, being the #2 in America and #1 in California for Christian Liberal Arts and the #2 overall in California for Business and Business Management. The Communications program is strong, with top rankings in California (#2 undergraduate, #6 among Christian colleges) and nationally (top 7-10% among Christian colleges and top 10% overall). The program’s focus on Radio, Television, and Digital Communication is notable.