Business Administration

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The undergraduate Business Administration 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 Administration Program offers an exciting curriculum, grounded in responsible leadership and business. This general business program gives students an understanding of all functional areas of business. The Business Administration Program prepares students for careers in business such as business analyst, consultant, project manager, or financial analyst. Additionally, some students pursue graduate business degrees, law school or other graduate study.

The Career Center 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 able to:

• Apply core quantitative and/or qualitative analytical methods to improve and support effective business decision-making.

• Produce business writing that meets professional standards.

• Deliver a professional oral presentation.

• Analyze an ethical issue and defend the decision based on this analysis.

• Analyze whether firms are managed as socially and environmentally responsible businesses.

Structure of the Business Programs

The business major consists of the Business Foundation and Core courses plus either the elective requirements for a Business Administration BS degree or the elective requirements for a Business Administration BA program.

Developing a Graduation Plan

Faculty Advising and Course Availability

Most Business Core courses are offered every semester, though 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 their plan to complete their degree programs. Special requests to modify the program are unlikely to be granted (e.g., waiver of prerequisites or substitution of courses). 

Prerequisites:

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

Internships

Students who want to combine study with practical experience in business should contact the Career Center 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  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 and who are in the top 10% of all seniors or 5% of all juniors 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 for AACSB-accredited schools.

Business Administration SSTE Credential Pathway

This major has an integrated Single Subject Teacher Education (SSTE) pathway to prepare future middle and high school classroom teachers. The integrated program of study enables students to graduate with their BAs and a CA teaching credential in 4 years. See Teacher Education  - Major Emphasis/SSTE Pathways for detailed information on credential courses.

Programs

• Business Administration, BS

• Business Administration, BA

• Business Administration Minor
• Intercultural-Interfaith Leadership Minor

Return to: Majors and Minors