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 analytics and management science concentration, formerly known as operations and decision sciences (ODS), 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. This concentration is a STEM concentration that meets the requirements of Business Analytics (CIP Code: 30.7102) and Management Science (CIP Code: 52.1301)

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 financial planning concentration provides students with a comprehensive understanding of personal financial planning principles and equips them with the knowledge and analytical skills necessary to guide individuals and families toward financial security. Students in this concentration study key areas of financial planning, including investment management, retirement planning, tax strategies, estate planning, risk management, and insurance. 

As an approved CFP Board Registered Program, our curriculum meets the educational requirements for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) exam. This means that students who complete the program are eligible to sit for the CFP exam without needing to be sponsored by a firm. With a strong foundation in ethical and client-centered financial planning, students are prepared for careers as financial planners, wealth advisors, and other roles in financial services, helping clients achieve their financial goals.

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 information and data science concentration, formerly known as management information systems (MIS) involves the application of  information technologies to solve business problems and explore opportunities. Students acquire foundational knowledge to enable business innovation in emerging areas such as digital platforms, big data, cloud computing, e-commerce, data analytics, and artificial intelligence. Students will develop technical skills in project management, data science, IT networks, cybersecurity, IT systems analysis and design. 

Students learn to integrate technology into various business functions, change business processes, and create competitive advantages and value for the business. If you are interested about information technology, interested in business, and enjoy using technology to solve problems and better people’s lives, then Data and Information Science is the right concentration for you. This concentration is a STEM concentration that meets the requirements of Information Science (CIP Code: 11.0401) or Data Science (CIP Code: 30.7001)

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.

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 minor in analytics and management science is offered by the department of marketing and decision sciences. The minor encompasses a variety of essential tool and techniques to extract actionable and forward-looking insight from data to enable superior decision making in any area. Through this minor, you'll receive exposure to in-demand techniques that are highly relevant for organizations today. A minor in analytics and management science provides insight into risk management, business intelligence, quality management, analytics, and data mining.

This minor is open to all majors except those majoring in business.

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 minor in information and data science is offered by the department of marketing and decision sciences. This minor gives you the opportunity to add to your skill set in information technology and systems; technologies that are highly essential for success in the business world. A key requirement for today’s organization is how information and IT systems are organized, managed, used to make effective decisions, and improve the management of an organization.

A minor in data and information science provides such indispensable core skills through training in data management, networks, cyber security, project management, efficient designing of an IT system. The minor is appropriate for those students who anticipate that applied technology skills will have an impact on their learning, professional opportunities, and career growth.

The minor is open to all majors except for those who are majoring in 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 give students an integrative understanding of the global economic environment. Students can take electives in various areas, including accounting, financial planning, business, marketing, management information systems, and operations.

The master of science in accounting (MSA) 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. 

The certificate in business analytics will prepare students from all disciplines with a background in analytics that can be applied to any domain. The skills obtained will enable students to use data to help drive better decisions. Included will be advanced statistical concepts, operations research techniques, and data manipulation.

Students that are seeking credentials without enrolling in a degree program will be particularly interested in this body of knowledge as will students majoring in business with a concentration in a different discipline.  Demand for people who possess these skills is high. Students interested in this curriculum should meet with the department chairperson for advising.  Exceptions to prerequisites may be made in consultation with the department chairperson.

Students must complete 5 of the courses in order to qualify for the certificate. Required courses include MIS 370, ODS 467, ODS 355 and ODS 370. Students may choose one course from MIS 330, ODS 300, ODS 320, and ODS 340.

This certificate program will provide students with an excellent foundation in the field of data science. Students will develop skills that enable them to gather, store, manipulate, visualize, and gain insights from data.  Students interested in this curriculum should meet with the department chairperson for advising.  Exceptions to prerequisites may be made in consultation with the department chairperson. 

Students must complete 5 courses including the following which are required; MIS 370, MIS 330, MIS 450, ODS 340. Students must take an elective from one of the following; MIS 350, ODS 355, ODS 370, ODS 375, and ODS 467.

This certificate program will provide students with an essential background to understand information security issues and to prepare them for a career as a certified information systems security professional.  

Students interested in this curriculum should meet with the department chairperson for advising.   Exceptions to prerequisites may be made in consultation with the department chairperson.

Students must take the following four required courses; MIS 310, MIS 340, MIS 360, and MIS 450. They may choose 1 additional course from the following; MIS 330, MIS 350, ODS 320, ODS 380.

This certificate program will provide students with an excellent background in Lean Six Sigma methods. Topics covered will include quality management, statistical process control, forecasting and other advanced analytical methods. Students that are seeking credentials without enrolling in a degree program will be particularly interested in this body of knowledge as will students majoring in business with a concentration in a different discipline.  Demand for people who possess these skills is high.  Students interested in this curriculum should meet with the department chairperson for advising.  Exceptions to prerequisites may be made in consultation with the department chairperson.

Students must complete four courses. Required courses are ODS 300, ODS 467, and MIS 310. The student may choose one elective course MIS 350, ODS 333, ODS 375 or ODS 380.

This certificate program will enable students who want to learn more about project management to have an excellent foundation in preparation for a career in the field. It is also valuable for students who are currently working in the field of project management and would like to take courses to assist them in obtaining a project management certificate for career advancement. Students that are seeking credentials without enrolling in a degree program will be particularly interested in this body of knowledge, as will students majoring in business with a concentration in a different discipline.  Demand for people who possess these skills is high.

Students interested in this curriculum should meet with the department chairperson for advising.  Exceptions to prerequisites may be made in consultation with the department chairperson. Students must complete the following three courses: MIS 310, MIS 450, and ODS 375. Choose one of the following two electives: ODS 320 or ODS 380.