Business Administration

The Undergraduate Business Program at Saint Mary’s College is committed to preparing students for successful careers in a world of commerce that is ever-changing and increasingly complex. Students who major in Business Administration gain technical expertise in a liberal arts learning environment where intellectual inquiry, ethical sensitivity, and communication skills are nurtured by an accomplished and caring faculty.

Saint Mary’s Undergraduate Business Program offers an exciting curriculum, grounded in responsible leadership and global business. The general business program gives students an understanding of all functional areas of business. For those interested in an in-depth study of a particular discipline, the Undergraduate Business Program also offers a variety of majors that prepare students for careers in business, including: financial analyst, business intelligence analyst, marketing manager, project manager, organizational and global business leader, social media analyst, and client services manager. Additionally, some students pursue graduate business degrees, law school or other graduate study.

The Undergraduate Career Services offers career exploration, job search strategies, and resume/cover letter preparation for students. Internships are one of the best ways to gain valuable work experience during an undergraduate career with numerous opportunities to be pursued. Additionally, many business students engage in study abroad opportunities to expand their global perspective and cultural awareness. Extracurricular engagement in SEBA student clubs and national honor societies give students leadership development experience and recognition.

Faculty

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be:

• Effective business analysts.
• Effective business communicators.
• Ethically conscious and socially responsible business people.
• Leaders who understand the impact of globalization.

Structure of the Business Programs

The business major consists of the Common Business Core plus either the elective requirements for a Business Administration BS degree or the elective requirements for a Business Administration BA program. The Business Administration degree cannot be taken with another degree program where the overlap in Carnegie Units is 50% or greater.

Developing a Graduation Plan

Faculty Advising and Course Availability

Common Business Core courses are offered every semester and some courses are offered less frequently. Annual course offerings will be published on the website. Students must develop a graduation plan with their faculty advisors to schedule classes in order to complete their program of study.

Advising

Successful completion of the Business major by the expected graduation date requires careful planning. Students are responsible for their own program plan, which includes meeting with their advisors to go over the students’ plan for completion of their degree programs. Special accommodations to modify the program are unlikely (e.g., waiver of prerequisites or substitution of courses). 

Prerequisites:

Students must earn a C- or higher grade in all prerequisites and corequisites. If a course that acts as a prerequisite or corequisite to another course is not earned at a C- it must be repeated. Also, students must pay careful attention to course prerequisites or corequisites, which affect how courses must be sequenced.

Saint Mary’s Business Program Residency Requirements:

The majority of the courses required for the major must be taken at Saint Mary’s College, unless taken in conjunction with study abroad or taken as an elective and not to fulfill a major requirement. Students may transfer credit for a maximum of two upper-division business courses.

Major Requirements

Students must complete the “Business Core” and courses for the major. 

The minors are designed for students motivated to explore critical business disciplines in greater depth, focus, and intensity for preparation for careers or graduate education in the field of the minor. Students may choose to complete more than one minor; however, doing so may require additional time beyond the usual four years.

Internships

Students who want to combine study with practical experience in business should contact the Career Services Office for information on a variety of opportunities available in both the private and public sectors. Course credit for internships may be available through enrollment in BSAN 495 , FIN 495  or MKT 495  (1 credit or .25 credit) prior to beginning the internship. Before the end of the drop/add period of the semester during which a student wants to enroll in BSAN 495 , FIN 495  or MKT 495  the student must submit an academic plan developed with a faculty sponsor for approval by the Program Director.

Honors

Business Majors and minors who maintain a GPA of 3.0 overall and 3.0 (3.25 for minors) in their Business courses will be considered for induction into and a lifetime membership in the Saint Mary’s chapter of BGS (Beta Gamma Sigma) the internationally recognized business honors society.

Programs

• Business Administration, BS
• Business Administration: Entrepreneurship Concentration, BS

• Business Administration, BA

• Business Administration Minor
• Intercultural-Interfaith Leadership Minor