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2023-2024 SGPP Catalog and Student Handbook 
    
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2023-2024 SGPP Catalog and Student Handbook [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Business Administration, B.S.

Program Description

The goal of the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program is to prepare individuals with a comprehensive set of administrative skills required for business organization leaders. The program provides the financial, managerial, quantitative, legal, and operational skills required to work at a professional level in rapidly changing business environments in a variety of industries.  The program also prepares individuals with the foundational business coursework required by many graduate business programs.

Program Outcomes

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program are expected to be able to do the following:

  1. Examine business operation practices in a contemporary global economy.
  2. Apply financial principles to business decisions and projects.
  3. Analyze the economic forces that influence business operations.
  4. Demonstrate management and leadership skills required in contemporary business organizations.
  5. Develop marketing strategies required for business organizations.
  6. Apply business intelligence techniques for business operations and strategic decision-making.
  7. Interpret the legal perspectives and forces that impact contemporary business operations.
  8. Communicate effectively as a business professional.
  9. Work effectively with diverse populations in various business contexts, and explore the significance of culturally-responsive business practices.
  10. Analyze corporate social responsibility and ethical considerations which contemporary business operations need to consider.
  11. Develop strategies for learning new skills and updating knowledge needed to be an effective business leader.

Students who anticipate enrolling in a graduate program at Saint Mary’s University may take up to two graduate courses as part of the Business Administration program. The graduate course(s) may be applied toward both the Business Administration and graduate program requirements. The completion of graduate course(s) as part of the Business Administration program are subject to University policy.

Additional Specialization Program Outcomes

Business Intelligence and Data Analytics

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Business Intelligence and Data Analytics Specialization are expected to be able to do the following:

  1. Use Analytics tools and techniques to support common business decisions and processes.
  2. Analyze data in order to optimize business operations.
  3. Utilize software systems to support common business decisions and processes.

Marketing

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Marketing Specialization are expected to be able to do the following:

  1. Examine consumer behavior theory.
  2. Select appropriate means of influencing target markets.
  3. Implement digital marketing strategies used by business organizations.
  4. Assess from an ethical perspective the impact on society of marketing and business initiatives.

Program Structure and Delivery

Most courses in the program are delivered in an accelerated format. All courses are delivered fully online. The Business, Management, and Communications core program courses are also delivered either on-ground or blended-delivery. Blended-delivery courses incorporate both on-ground and online activities. Courses specific to the Business Intelligence and Data Analytics, and the Marketing specialization tracks, are delivered online only.

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation with a bachelor of science degree from Saint Mary’s University. All students must meet the general education credit requirements. A minimum of 36 credits is required to complete the B.S. in Business Administration program.

Students may complete the general B.S. in Business Administration program (36 core program credits) or choose to add either the Business Intelligence and Data Analytics or the Marketing specialization. Students choosing to specialize take an additional 6 credits.

Required Business, Information Technology and Management Courses 27 cr.
Required Capstone Course 3 cr.
Required Communication Courses 6 cr.
Total credits: Business Administration Program 36 cr.
Add: Specialization (optional):
         Business Intelligence and Data Analytics, OR
         Marketing		 6 cr.
Total credits: Business Administration Program with Specialization 42 cr.

Note: Some core program courses required for the 36-credit standard Business Administration program are replaced with courses listed in the specialization track.

Required Business and Management Courses: 27 cr.

Required Capstone Course: 3 cr.

BU490 is a blended course, integrating face-to-face classroom meetings and online activities or interactions in a planned, instructionally valuable manner. MG495 is a fully online course.

Required Communication Courses: 6 cr.

 

Business Intelligence and Data Analytics Specialization: 6 additional credits

The Business Intelligence and Data Analytics specialization provides students with the foundational business knowledge and the application skill set for analyzing large data sets to create usable decision information for businesses and organizations. The program provides up-to-date knowledge and technical skills for analyzing data in business environments. Students will be prepared to manage and analyze large data sets in all business, nonprofit, healthcare, government, educational, and other sectors.

Students who complete the Business Intelligence and Data Analytics Specialization are expected to do the following:

  1. Use Analytics tools and techniques to support common business decisions and processes.
  2. Analyze data in order to optimize business operations.
  3. Utilize software systems to support common business decisions and processes.

The Business Intelligence and Data Analytics Specialization includes the following core program courses:

  • COM309 Professional Writing (3 cr.) 
  • COM310 Professional Communications (3 cr.)
  • BU300 Accounting Principles (3 cr.)
  • BU302 Principles of Marketing (3 cr.)
  • BU403 Applied Business Statistics (3 cr.)
  • AC410 Corporate Finance (3 cr.)
  • MG305 Managerial Ethics (3 cr.)
  • MG311 Economics for Managers (3 cr.)
  • IT440 Business Intelligence Fundamentals (3 cr.)
  • BU490 Strategic Management Capstone or MG495 Bachelor of Science Capstone (3 cr.)

In addition, the following four courses are included:

Marketing Specialization: 6 additional credits

The Marketing specialization provides the marketing skills needed by professionals working in a variety of organizations. In addition to providing a comprehensive business administration curriculum, the Marketing specialization also provides students with additional curriculum in strategic marketing and digital marketing strategy. Students gain knowledge of strategic marketing, digital marketing to include social media and mobile marketing applications, consumer behavior theory, and marketing promotions.

Students who complete the Marketing Specialization are expected to be able to do the following:

  1. Examine consumer behavior theory.
  2. Select appropriate means of influencing target markets.
  3. Implement digital marketing strategies used by business organizations.
  4. Assess from an ethical perspective the impact on society of marketing and business initiatives.

The Business Administration – Marketing Specialization track comprises the following core program courses:

  • COM309 Professional Writing (3 cr.) 
  • COM310 Professional Communications (3 cr.)
  • BU300 Accounting Principles (3 cr.)
  • BU302 Principles of Marketing (3 cr.)
  • BU403 Applied Business Statistics (3 cr.)
  • AC410 Corporate Finance (3 cr.)
  • MG311 Economics for Managers (3 cr.)
  • MG410 Applied Leadership and Management (3 cr.)
  • BU490 Strategic Management Capstone or MG495 Bachelor of Science Capstone (3 cr.)

In addition, the following five courses are included:

Requirements for Double Major

For those seeking a double major with Business Administration in Human Resource Management, or Accounting, please see the double major requirements.

Business Administration/Human Resource Management, B.S.  

Accounting/Business Administration, B.S.  

 

Faculty

The faculty members for the Bachelor of Science in Business program have earned doctorate or master’s degrees. Faculty are selected for their combination of educational and professional experience and expertise.

Admission Requirements

Applicants may apply for admission to undergraduate certificate and degree programs at any time during the year and, if accepted, begin the program during any one of the three semesters. Applicants must demonstrate the language proficiency necessary for successful undergraduate coursework. Applicants must provide evidence of at least 30 transferable semester credits upon acceptance, including completion of a basic English composition course. Applicants may complete an interview with a program administrator as part of the admission process.

Application Process

  1. Completed application form with the nonrefundable application fee (fee not required for alumni or students seeking readmission or veterans and active military personnel and their immediate family).
  2. All official transcripts issued to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota from all previous institutions attended with a minimum of 30 transferable semester credits with a Basic English composition course.  (An official transcript is one that is sent to the university by the credit-granting institution. Transcripts from countries other than the U.S. must be evaluated on a course by course basis by a university accepted evaluation service, such as World Education Services, Educational Credential Evaluators, Educational Perspectives, or One Earth International Credential Evaluators and be deemed equivalent to accredited U.S. university standards).  Evaluations from an approved member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES.org) will also be accepted.

Please Note: Application materials should be sent to the attention of the Office of Admission on the Twin Cities Campus.

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Office of Admission
2500 Park Avenue
Minneapolis, MN  55404