Business

The bachelor of science in business administration is a broad-based degree that covers all the functional areas of business. In addition to 34-35 credits in general academic courses, students take the same core set of business courses in accounting, business law, finance, management, MIS, marketing, operations management, and quantitative analysis.

In addition, students can customize their degree program by choosing a  concentration in accounting, finance, business management, human resource management, hospitality management, international business, marketing, entrepreneurship, management information systems, or operations and decision sciences.

The accelerated MSA 4+1 program allows students to earn both a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) and a Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) in five years.* The program is designed to meet the needs of students who want to continue on to graduate school immediately after earning their undergraduate degree. Accepted students will take 12 graduate credits as part of their undergraduate program, leaving 18 credits to complete their MSA degree. Students who complete the MSA 4+1 program have a competitive advantage in securing staff accountant positions at public accounting firms.

*Based upon completion of the recommended number of credits per semester.

The Accounting Concentration provides a strong foundation to help prepare students for careers in public accounting, corporate accounting, and graduate school.

In addition to providing a comprehensive accounting education, this concentration develops core business skills including analytical thinking and effective communication; and offers important opportunities for leadership, interaction with professional accounting organizations, internships, and community service. The program has a strong alumni network working in regional and national accounting firms.

Completion of the Accounting Concentration will satisfy the education requirements to sit for the CPA exam. Students can also pursue a fast-track option for the Master of Science in Accounting degree through our 4+1 degree program.

The Corporate Finance - Accounting concentration is a cross-functional program designed to prepare students for the rapidly evolving world of corporate finance. Students in this concentration acquire a broad understanding of both accounting and financial concepts. They learn to conduct detailed accounting entries, business valuation, risk analysis, cash and working capital management, long-term financial planning, and financial statement analysis. This program equips students to succeed in corporate accounting and financial management careers where they need both a solid background in finance and a thorough understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

The entrepreneurship concentration provides students with the required skills and knowledge to create a successful business venture as either an owner or a key player within the firm. Coursework includes small business management, business plan development, strategic planning, accounting, finance, and marketing. Students will gain broad exposure to local small businesses and will have the opportunity for hands-on learning through field experiences, internships, and participation in the university’s Center for Entrepreneurship, and Small Business Development Center.

The Finance Concentration provides students with a broad understanding of financial concepts and equips them with analytical, critical thinking, and decision-making tools. Students concentrating in finance learn to conduct investment analysis, stocks and bonds valuation, business valuation, currency risk and hedging analysis, cash and working capital management, and long-term financial planning. The program prepares students to pursue financial management careers in domestic and multinational corporations and financial institutions.

The hospitality management concentration prepares students for leadership and administrative roles in the hospitality and travel industry. Through practical and academic coursework, students will gain the knowledge and skills required for a wide range of career options including hotel operations, food and beverage management, meetings and events management, casino operations, human resources management, marketing, and data analysis. Students will also take advantage of our popular historic location by participating in field experiences and internships provided by our many hospitality industry business partnerships.

The human resources management concentration prepares students to take a leadership role in creating healthy and productive work environments. Coursework provides intensive training in areas such as recruiting, hiring, training, conflict management, benefits management, strategic planning, and employment law.

The international business concentration prepares students for leadership positions in multi-national corporations with

specific coursework to help them capitalize on the opportunities provided by a global business landscape. The curriculum includes a rich and varied program of study with liberal arts and multi-cultural components along with intensive training in the functional areas of business. Students can also apply foreign language and study abroad credits toward completion of their program.

The management concentration is a general course of study for students who aspire to supervisory positions, employment in corporations, or a knowledge of business administration. Students may choose more advanced studies in the upper division courses such as organizational behavior, international business, small business management, human resource management, labor/management relations, leadership, employment law, seminars on current topics, and interpersonal relations for managers. Students are encouraged to pursue internships that complement their course of study.

Management information systems (MIS) is the study of using information technologies to solve business problems and explore opportunities. MIS students acquire foundational business knowledge and develop technical skills in project management, database, networks, cybersecurity, systems analysis and design, and special topics such as digital platforms, big data, e-commerce, data analytics, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence. MIS students learn to integrate technology into various business functions, change business processes, and create competitive advantages and value for the business. If you are fascinated about information technology, interested in business, and enjoy using technology to solve problems and better people’s lives, MIS might be the right concentration for you. 

The marketing concentration provides students with the opportunity to develop the creative and data driven decision-making skills and knowledge needed to deliver products and services that are responsive to the evolving needs of customers. The concentration includes a liberal arts foundation, a common body of core business courses, and additional courses in specialized areas of marketing. Marketing majors can, by carefully choosing their courses, develop an expertise in areas such as consumer behavior, marketing research, international marketing advertising, retailing, digital marketing and integrated marketing communications.  

The Operations and Decision Sciences concentration involves the formal study and application of analytics and other quantitative techniques to data driven decision making. It is best of breed, employing highly developed methods and advanced tools to deliver analytical power that leads to better outcomes. Students learn data analysis and business intelligence skills that provide them the ability to define a business challenge and discover the most effective options while assessing and minimizing risk. These techniques include the intelligent use of data and mathematical models to form strategic insights that enable better business decisions and improved business performance. The courses in this concentration introduce the descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytical techniques that form the foundation for making decisions in today's complex, uncertain, and increasingly competitive business environment. 

Students must formally seek admission to the business administration minor by requesting approval from their major department chairperson and the coordinator of the business administration minor. Students are admitted on a seat available basis; selection is determined by cumulative academic average. Many of the upper-level courses have prerequisites of mathematics, economics, psychology, and sociology; therefore, students should be selected for business administration minors with reasonable care by their advisors and must be approved by the Bertolon School of Business.

The management minor is a survey of management for non-business majors. The minor exposes students to the considerations of leading and managing people, the aspects of planning, directing, organizing and coordinating complex tasks as well as general management skills. This minor prepares non-business students for entry level management positions in their chosen field as well as for graduate studies. The management minor is an 18 credit program consisting of four required courses, one management elective and one business elective.

The marketing minor, offered by the marketing and decision sciences department, provides students with the opportunity to further develop the analytical, creative, and decision-making skills needed for successful careers in business. The program builds upon the foundation of a liberal arts education and a common body of business knowledge. By selecting from a series of elective marketing courses, marketing minors can develop a specialization that relates to their area of personal interest, including consumer behavior, research, retailing, advertising, business marketing, sales management, global marketing, strategic marketing, and marketing management. 

The Bertolon School of Business Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is designed to prepare students to manage, lead, and compete in today’s marketplace. We utilize research, technology, experiential exercises, case studies, and fieldwork to provide students with an integrative understanding of the global economic environment. Students can take electives in a variety of areas including accounting, financial planning, business, marketing, management information systems, and operations. We also offer a graduate certificate in business, which may be applied toward an MBA degree for qualified applicants.

The master of science in accounting program is designed to prepare accounting students for management positions in accounting. The program will build on the knowledge and tools from the students’ undergraduate education, allowing them to achieve a greater degree of sophistication in accounting, auditing, and tax. The MS in accounting degree will provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to have successful careers in public and private accounting.

Offered online and on-campus, the graduate certificate in business is designed for professionals that hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-business discipline who would like to develop a solid foundation in the core competencies of business administration. Consisting of six comprehensive courses, our program provides students with the opportunity to gain the knowledge, confidence, and skills needed to be competitive in the global marketplace.