Female business student giving a presentation

College of Arts & Sciences

Business

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Allyson Grant

Communication Specialist

Departments of Business & Economics, Psychology, Allied Health

What is a business degree?

About

Versatile and practical, a degree in business combines the study of theories related to finance, marketing, management, and administration. More important, a business degree teaches you how to apply these theories in real-world scenarios, preparing you to meet the demands of today’s fast-paced business environment.

Female business student giving a presentation

Why earn a business degree from Baker?

Our data-driven and innovative approach to teaching business is a key factor in the success of our business degree students. You’ll receive personal attention from our expert faculty as they equip you with the knowledge, skills, and experiences that will make you an asset to any company, organization, or agency.

We offer three concentrations in the business degree program: finance, marketing, and management. Five majors are offered within the field: business, accounting, economics, international business, and sports administration.

In addition to rigorous classroom instruction, you can expect to pursue a wide range of business internship opportunities with national accounting firms, professional sports teams, federal agencies, and more.

Accreditation council for business schools and programs

The majors of accounting, business, and international business offered by the Department of Business and Economics in the College of Arts and Sciences at Baker University first achieved full accreditation by the The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) in 1994. ACBSP issued Baker its latest reaffirmation certificate for these programs in 2016—a hard-earned distinction that corroborates our faculty’s excellence.

Male business student giving a presentation

What can you do with a business degree?

Maybe a better question is . . . what can’t you do? The knowledge and skills you gain as a business major will open you up to a variety of business jobs that align with your interests. Here are a few ideas to get you thinking:

  • Entrepreneur
  • Accountant
  • Social media manager
  • Financial analyst
  • Business teacher
  • Project manager
  • Corporate lawyer
  • Health care administrator
  • Marketing manager
  • International business consultant
  • Economist
  • Data analyst

4+1 Bachelor’s to MBA Dual Degree Program

Students who earn an undergraduate business degree from Baker can earn their bachelor’s degree and MBA in five years. This MBA program is open to current students and graduates.

Baker participants who meet program requirements will not be required to take the 9 hours of MBA program foundation courses. 4+1 students will be required to complete the 9 hours of MBA core courses and the 12 hours of concentration courses. To complete the remaining 21 MBA program credits within a year, 4+1 students must take at least one course each term for seven terms.

Requirements

  1. Satisfy the graduation requirements for the undergraduate program.
  2. Earn a Baker cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  3. Earn a GPA of 3.0 or higher in Baker business baccalaureate core courses.
two students celebrating during commencement
Business degree courses

Business Course Descriptions

Student achievement for business majors

Scholarships

Business Majors

The Department of Business and Economics gives these awards with financial prizes to be applied to the following year’s tuition:

  • Mildred Hunt Riddle Departmental Recognition Scholarship for Business and Economics
  • KPMG-Cecil Miller Scholarship
  • Carley M. Upp Memorial Scholarship
  • Emma May Poland Scholarship
  • Gessner-Cowherd Scholarship in Business/Finance
  • Mary L. Barton Scholarship
  • Professor Fran Jabara Leadership Awards
    (This award and an accompanying financial prize are presented at spring commencement to two graduating seniors from the Department of Business and Economics who have demonstrated excellence in leadership throughout their academic career.)

Academic Recognition

  • Department of Business and Economics Outstanding Senior

Meet the Faculty

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Dr. Judy Smrha

Professor of Business & Economics, Chair of Business & Economics Department

B.A. Mills College; M.A., Ph.D. Johns Hopkins University

Expertise: applied microeconomics, data analytics, sports economics

Office: Mabee 303

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Gwen Collins, JD, AMP, MBA

Associate Professor of Business & Economics, Mealman Chair in Business Leadership and Innovation

J.D. Fordham University School of Law, A.M.P. Harvard Business School, M.B.A. Case Western Reserve University, B.S. Washburn University

Expertise: investment banking, capital markets, commercial real estate, international business

Office: Mabee 405

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Kevin Conley, JD, CPA

Associate Professor of Business & Economics

B.A. University of Northern Iowa, J.D. University of Iowa College of Law

Expertise: business law, income taxes

Office: Mabee 308

Dr. Martha Davis

Assistant Professor of Business & Finance

BA Westminster College, MPA University of Missouri-Columbia, MBA University of Missouri-Columbia, PhD University of Denver

Expertise: management, analytics and finance

Office: Mabee 202

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Dr. Alan Grant

Professor of Business & Economics, the Barbara and Charles A. DuBoc University Professor

B.S., M.A., Ph.D. Kansas State University

Expertise: inflation forecasting and lottery finance

Office: Mabee 208

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Martha Harris, CPA, CMA, CFE

Professor of Business & Economics

B.S. Baker University, M.B.A. University of Kansas, M.L.A. Baker University

Expertise: financial institutions, fraud examination

Office: Mabee 306

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Dr. Nadia Novotorova

Associate Professor of Marketing

M.B.A. Iowa State University, Ph.D. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Office: Mabee 403

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Dr. Jiji E. U. Osiobe

Assistant Professor of Business, Economics & Data Analytics

B.S. Madonna University, M.A. Wichita State University, Graduate Certificate Harvard University, Graduate Certificate University of Texas, Ph.D. New Mexico State University

Expertise: economic development, data analytics, business law, DeFi systems

Office: Mabee 404

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Alan Salts, CPA

Assistant Professor of Accounting & Business

BS University of Kansas, MBA University of Missouri - Kansas City

Expertise: finance, accounting

Office: 309 Mabee

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Gary Irick, CPA

Professor Emeritus of Business & Economics

B.S. Baker University, M.M. Northwestern University

Expertise: financial reporting and auditing

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Dr. Lowell Jacobsen

Professor Emeritus of Business & Economics

B.A. in Economics and Finance, Buena Vista University; M.I.M. Thunderbird School of Global Management; Ph.D. in Economics, Edinburgh University

Expertise: business strategy, finance, international economics

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Dr. Kevin McCarthy

Professor Emeritus of Business & Economics

B.A., M.B.A., Ph.D. St. Louis University

Students posing in caps and gowns

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