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. As a part of the School of Economics and Business Administration, the Undergraduate Business Program carefully adheres to the School’s focus of “Think Globally, Lead Responsibly.”

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 concentrations: Business Analytics, Digital Media, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Global Business, Intercultural-Interfaith Leadership, and Marketing. All of these programs 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.

Exciting opportunities for student engagement and development lie outside of the classroom. “Career Gateway” is a four-year professional development program with a wide variety of workshops including interviewing techniques, resume writing, cross-cultural skills, technologies, social media, and other seminars that prepare graduates for success.

SEBA 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

Ahmed Ahmadein, PhD, Assistant Professor
Berna Aksu, PhD, Professor
Marco Aponte, PhD, Associate Professor
Jyoti Bachani, PhD, Associate Professor
Norman S. Bedford, PhD, Professor Emeritus
David Bowen, PhD, Professor Emeritus

Caroline Burns, PhD, Associate Professor, Organizational Behavior and Responsible Business Department Chair
Kim Clark, PhD, Associate Professor, Management Department Chair
Jake Cowan, Assistant Professor
Barry Eckhouse, PhD, Professor
Noha Elfiky, PhD, Assistant Professor
Rui Guo, Assistant Professor
Michael Hadani, PhD, Associate Professor
James Hawley, PhD, Professor Emeritus
Linda Herkenhoff, PhD, Professor
Ameera Ibrahim, PhD, Assistant Professor
Jivendra Kale, PhD, Professor
Eric J. Kolhede, PhD, Professor
Nancy Lam, PhD, Associate Professor

Yuan Li, PhD, Associate Professor
Barbara A. McGraw, JD, PhD, Professor
Mary Alice McNeil, MA, Adjunct, BUSAD Program Director
Anh Nguyen, PhD, Associate Professor
Kevin Okoeguale, PhD, Associate Professor, Finance Department Chair
Wenting Pan, PhD, Associate Professor, Business Analytics Department Chair
Mina Rohani, PhD, Assistant Professor
Grant Rozenboom, Assistant Professor
Navid Sabbaghi, Associate Professor
Arnav Sheth, PhD, Associate Professor
Michal Strahelivitz, PhD, Associate Professor
Saroja Subrahmanyan, PhD, Professor, Marketing Department Chair
Jan Warhuus, PhD, Assistant Professor
Kelly Weidner, PhD, Assistant Professor
Lili Yan, PhD, Assistant Professor
Xiaotian Tina Zhang, PhD, Professor

Program 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 requirements for General Business or the choice of one of the available Concentrations: Business Analytics, Digital Media, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Global Business, Intercultural-Interfaith Leadership, and Marketing.

Business Program in Brief

*Note: Common Business Core required courses are listed below under “Major Requirements”

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 and Special Action Petitions

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), but if permitted would require the approval of the Business Administration Program Director. Students may submit a Special Action Petition through the Registrar’s Office for review by the BUSAD Program Director.

Prerequisites:

Students must finish all lower division Common Business Core courses before starting their general business or concentration required courses. Students must earn a C- or higher grade in all prerequisites. Also, students must pay careful attention to course prerequisites, which affect how courses must be sequenced. For example, to be eligible to take BUSAD 196 , which is the Business program capstone course, students must have previously (not concurrently) completed all lower division Common Business Core courses, the SMC core curriculum math requirement (MATH 003 or MATH 027 is required), and at least BUSAD 123 , BUSAD 124 , and BUSAD 132 .

Saint Mary’s Business Program Residency Requirements:

The majority of the courses required for the major must be taken at Saint Mary’s College. All concentration courses 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 concentration requirement.

Students may transfer credit for a maximum of two upper-division business courses.

Math Requirement:

Math is an SMC core requirement. The Business Department highly recommends that students complete this requirement (MATH 003 , or MATH 013 and MATH 014 , or MATH 027 ) before taking BUSAD 040 ; ACCTG 002 ; and ECON 004 , and not later than the end of the sophomore year. This subject-area will provide necessary analytical tools for success in business courses and is a prerequisite for most upper- division BUSAD courses. Seniors will not be admitted into MATH 003 . MATH 027 or MATH 013 and MATH 014 is required for Business Analytics concentration.

Major Requirements

Students must complete the “Common Business Core” and courses for either General Business or one of the following concentrations: Marketing, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Global Business, Business Analytics, Digital Media, or Intercultural-Interfaith Leadership.

The concentrations 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 concentration. Students may choose to complete more than one concentration; 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 SEBA Undergraduate 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 BUSAD 195 (1 credit or .25 credit) prior to beginning the internship.

Programs

Bachelor of Science

Minor

Business Administration Minor

Courses

Business Administration - Lower Division

Business Administration - Upper Division