Major in Business Administration
The business administration curriculum provides the skills and knowledge necessary for a successful career in business and management. It includes studies in accounting, business law and public policy, business supply chain management, customer service and operations management, ethics and social responsibility, finance, human resource management and labor relations, international business, strategic and entrepreneurial management, organizational behavior, marketing and sales, and statistical analysis. A major in business administration prepares graduates for careers in for-profit and not-for-profit organizations and the public sector.
The student who graduates with a Major in Business Administration will be able to
- Plan and communicate a shared vision for the organization that will drive strategy, assist with decision making, and position the organization in the business environment.
- Employ critical thinking to evaluate qualitative and quantitative data and effectively communicate across all layers of the organization.
- Develop, communicate, implement, and follow policies and procedures that inform and guide operations to reduce cost and organizational risk and promote ethical practices.
- Manage people, time, and resources by utilizing effective employment practices, encouraging team building, and mentoring junior members of the staff.
- Design and execute personal and employee development systems to enhance job performance and leadership skills.
Degree Requirements
A degree with a major in Business Administration requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework, including 36 credits for the major; 41 credits in general education requirements (GERs); and 43 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 18 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).
The following course sequence outlines all the requirements for the BS in Business Administration. Coursework for the major is indicated by Δ. Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an Advisor whenever taking advantage of other options. Information on alternate courses (where allowable) to fulfill general education requirements (in communications, arts and humanities, behavioral and social sciences, biological and physical sciences, mathematics, and interdisciplinary issues) may be found on the GER page.
Requirements for the Business Administration Major
- Required foundation courses (12 credits): BMGT 110 (or prior business experience and an additional course chosen from ACCT, BMGT, ENMT, FINC, HRMN, or MRKT courses), ACCT 220 and 221, and STAT 230 (or STAT 200)
- Required core courses (21 credits): BMGT 364, 365, 380, and 496; FINC 330; HRMN 300; and MRKT 310
- Supplemental major course or courses (3 credits): Any ACCT, BMGT, ENMT, FINC, HRMN, MRKT, and MGST course
- Required capstone course (3 credits): BMGT 495
- Required related courses (9 credits), which may be applied anywhere in the degree: IFSM 300, ECON 201, and ECON 203
Recommended Sequence
The following course sequence will fulfill all the requirements for the Major in Business Administration. Since some recommended courses fill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an advisor whenever taking advantage of other options. Information on alternate courses (where allowable) to fulfill general education requirements (in communications, arts and humanities, behavioral and social sciences, biological and physical sciences, mathematics, and interdisciplinary issues) may be found on the GER page.
Business Administration Degree Courses
First Courses (to be taken within the first 18 credits)
Note: Placement tests required for MATH and WRTG courses.
LIBS 150 Introduction to Research (1)
WRTG 101 Introduction to Writing (3)
or WRTG 101S Introduction to Writing
MATH 103 College Mathematics (3)
or MATH 107 College Algebra (3)
or a higher-level math course
Δ BMGT 110 Introduction to Business and Management (3)
(students with business experience should substitute an additional business course in the last 60 credits of study)Introductory Courses (to be taken within the first 30 credits)
ECON 201 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
(related requirement for the major; also fulfills the first general education requirement in behavioral and social sciences)
BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3)
and BIOL 102 Laboratory in Biology (1)
or BIOL 103 Introduction to Biology
or other course(s) to fulfill the general education requirements in biological and physical sciences with related laboratory
WRTG 293 Introduction to Professional Writing (3)
or other communications/writing course
Δ IFSM 201 Concepts and Applications of Information Technology (3)
or CMST 301 Digital Media and Society
Δ ACCT 220 Principles of Accounting I (3)
PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3)
or HUMN 100 Introduction to Humanities
or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance, literature, or foreign language course to fulfill the first general education requirement in arts and humanitiesFoundation Courses (to be taken within the first 60 credits)
Δ STAT 230 Introductory Business Statistics (3)
or STAT 200 Introduction to Statistics
GVPT 170 American Government (3)
or BEHS 103 Technology in Contemporary Society
or other course to fulfill the second general education requirement in behavioral and social sciences (discipline must differ from first)
Δ ACCT 221 Principles of Accounting II (3)
NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3)
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in biological and physical sciences
ECON 203 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
(related requirement for major)
HIST 142 Western Civilization II (3)
or HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865
or HIST 125 Technological Transformations
or other ARTH or HIST course to fulfill the general education requirement in arts and humanities for historical perspective (discipline must differ from other humanities course)
SPCH 100 Foundations of Oral Communication (3)
or SPCH 101 Introduction to Public Speaking
or COMM 202 Media and Society
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communication, writing or speech
IFSM 300 Information Systems in Organizations (3)
(related requirement for the major; also fulfills the computing requirement)Additional Required Courses (to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)
Δ BMGT 364 Management and Organization Theory (3)
WRTG 394 Advanced Business Writing (3)
or other course to fulfill the upper-level advanced writing requirement
Δ BMGT 365 Organization Leadership (3)
Δ MRKT 310 Marketing Principles (3)
Δ BMGT 380 Business Law I (3)
Δ HRMN 300 Human Resource Management (3)
Δ FINC 330 Business Finance (3)
Δ BMGT 496 Business Ethics (3)
Capstone Course for Major (to be taken in the last 15 credits)
Δ BMGT 495 Strategic Management (3)
Minor and/or Elective Courses (to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses) (40)
Recommended minors:
Human Resource Management, Marketing, Finance, or other business-related minor
Recommended elective:
MATH 140 Calculus I
or MATH 130 and MATH 131 Calculus A , Calculus B
(for students who plan to go on to graduate school; note prerequisite is MATH 107, MATH 108, or 115)Total credits for BS in Business Administration: 120
