Business Administration

Description

The business administration major is designed to give graduates the knowledge, skills, critical thinking ability, and technological competence essential to be successful in business, conducting research, analyzing information, and communicating effectively. The business administration major provides a strong foundation in business functions and includes courses in management, marketing, finance, accounting, economics, information systems, international business, and business law. Additionally, students select electives from the disciplines above to develop a greater degree of specialization according to their individual interests and career goals.

Objectives

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, graduates will be able to:

1. Describe and explain business functions and technology affecting the conduct and structure of business organizations.
2. Analyze and explain business problems and propose solutions, both independently and in teams.
3. Communicate business information in both oral and written expression.
4. Identify, analyze, and evaluate ethical issues, principles, and practices that affect business in domestic and global environments.
5. Pursue contemporary business careers.

Entrepreneurship Track Description

The entrepreneurship track option is designed for students who wish to:

• Build and oversee a business venture.
• Obtain necessary skills and abilities to run a successful business enterprise.
• Enhance their knowledge in the areas of resource management, marketing feasibility, business finance, and business networking as required to run a self-owned business.
• Increase their proficiency to communicate and effectively promote innovative business ideas.

Entrepreneurship Track Objectives

Upon completion of the entrepreneurship track, graduates will be able to:

1. Identify specific business opportunities and construct corresponding entrepreneurial approaches.
2. Utilize the elements of the entrepreneurial process: idea generation, start-up, and growth of a small business enterprise to determine the viability of new business opportunities.
3. Identify and integrate required elements necessary to write a business plan for a new business venture.
4. Demonstrate a working knowledge of specific marketing, finance, human resources, and legal management practices necessary to be a successful entrepreneur.
5. Appraise specific entrepreneurial risks and determine alternate ways to reduce or eliminate such threats.

Finance Track Description

The Finance Track is designed to provide a focused understanding of the financial aspects of business practices, personal investments, and governmental policies and procedures.  Students in the track will learn the theories and practices of finance from the perspective of organizational management, the investing community, and the regulatory agencies. Upon completion of the track, students will be able to articulate how each perspective relates to the successful operation of a modern organization or to the performance of personal investments.

Finance Track Objectives

Upon completion of the finance track, graduates will be able to:

1. Apply theories and fundamental principles of finance to business decision-making practices.
2. Appraise risk profiles and asset valuation of businesses using specific financial data.
3. Analyze and interpret the role and operations of the domestic and global financial markets as they relate to the development of personal, stakeholder, and corporate gains.
4. Explain the global financial environment and its processes as they relate to multinational and domestic businesses.

Sport Management Track Description

The sport management track option is designed for students who wish to:

• Provide management and/or marketing support to professional, intercollegiate, or interscholastic sport organizations or resort establishments.
• Oversee and operate recreational programs in municipalities or tourism environments.
• Oversee and operate an exercise or athletic training facility.
• Own a sport-related business.

Sport Management Track Objectives

Upon completion of the sport management track, graduates will be able to:

1. Identify and evaluate the unique business context of the different sport and recreation industries.
2. Use and adapt specific business strategies in the application of managing a sport related organization.
3. Apply appropriate legal and economic considerations to managing sport and recreation organizations.
4. Analyze various marketing and promotional strategies to choose appropriate approaches in support of a successful sport business plan.

Policies

Students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.50 in the major, and the lowest acceptable grade is a “C” in all major and Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE) courses. No student, regardless of major, will be permitted to advance to the next course without earning a grade of “C” or better in the prerequisite course(s). When a grade below “C” is earned in a major course, the student must repeat that course.

A course may be repeated once without special permission. Business administration majors must apply in writing to the department chair requesting permission to repeat a course for a second time. Those who do not successfully complete a major course with a grade of “C” or better after a third attempt will not be allowed to continue in the business administration program.

Program Requirements

The courses listed below are required for completion of the bachelor’s degree in business administration. Students must also complete the requirements for the Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE).

Specific pre- and co-requisites for each course are listed in the course descriptions.

Major Requirements:

Five business electives selected from the following subject areas:

ACC, EC, FIN, INBUS, IS, LAW, MGT, MKT

or

Entrepreneurship Track

or

Sport Management Track

Finance Track:

All major requirements and the following electives:

Entrepreneurship Track:

All major requirements and the following electives:

Sport Management Track:

All major requirements and the following electives:

BUSADM Suggested Course Sequence

BUSADM Suggested Course Sequence

Suggested Course Sequence

Suggested Course Sequence

Minor in Business Administration

A minor in business administration is not available; however, students majoring in other fields who have an interest in business may consider taking a minor in accounting, economics, international business, management, or marketing. Students pursuing a minor may select any six courses from the discipline, yet must meet all prerequisites for the course. Please see an academic advisor for more information. Specific information regarding minor requirements may be found in the Academic Information section of the catalog.

Other Options

BS/MS Option: The BS/MS option is available for students majoring in business administration who wish to combine their bachelor’s coursework with work toward a master’s degree in one of Stevenson’s graduate programs. Students choosing this option may earn their master's degree in as little as one year after their bachelor's degree. Interested students must formally apply for entrance into a BS/MS option in their junior year. Once admitted into this program, students develop an educational plan in consultation with their undergraduate and graduate advisors. For more information on this program, see the School of Graduate and Professional Studies Catalog

Course Descriptions

See International Business Course Descriptions

See Management Course Descriptions

See Marketing Course Descriptions