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Business

College of Arts & Sciences

Choose Your Next Step

124

Credit hours

4 Years

Estimated completion time

What is a business degree?

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.

 

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2024-2025 Colleges of Distinction Business badge/seal.

Program Information

Campus
College of Arts & Sciences
Undergraduate
Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS)

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.

Five majors are offered within the field—business, accounting, economics, international business, and sports administration—with three concentrations in the business major: finance, marketing, and management.

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.

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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.

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ACBSP Global Business Accreditation logo

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
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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.
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Business Degree Courses

  • BS 105 – Introduction to Global Business 3 hrs.
    This course introduces students to the global business environment. The nature and importance of the business functional areas (e.g., accounting, finance, management, marketing, etc.) are also examined. Enrollment is limited to students in Blue Valley’s CAPS concurrent credit program.

    BS 110 – Personal Financial Decision Making 1 hr.
    This course is an overview of a number of topics that are important in taking care of personal financial situations both now and in years to come. The information provided is intended to help enable the student to make informed choices related to debt, spending, saving, and investing; foundational to long-term financial security.

    BS 141 – Introduction to Business 3 hrs.
    The course is intended for first-year Business majors, students who are undecided about majoring in Business, and non-majors who wish to obtain a broad overview of the operation of the business enterprise and its role in U.S. and international commerce. The roles of business as supplier of goods and services, employer participant in public affairs, and civic partner will be examined. Basic business functions of accounting, management, marketing, finance, and human resources will be introduced. Career options in business are also presented.

    BS 210 – Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits 3 hrs.
    Retirement planning and employee benefits impact everyone. Whether an individual is self-employed, working for a large company or small business, an understanding of retirement plan options and related employee benefits will be a necessary part of an individual’s career and their personal financial success. This course will discuss both public and private retirement plan options, including Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, private defined benefit and defined contribution plans, individual retirement accounts, non-qualified plans and certain fringe benefits. The requirements to establish and maintain the plans will be examined as well as the restrictions and requirements for contributions to the plans. This course is intended to benefit students interested in a career in business, financial planning, human resources or students interested in planning got their personal financial success. Prerequisite: BS 141.

    BS 230 – Quantitative Analysis for Business and Economics I 4 hrs.
    The purpose of this course is to provide students an opportunity to develop and expand upon their quantitative analysis and reasoning skills in the context of problems and challenges often faced by leaders in business, accounting, and economic research Prerequisite: An ACT math score of 22 or higher, or MA 090. (Cross-listed as MA 230.)

    BS 251 – Business Law I 3 hrs.
    This course presents an overview of legal methods and sources, the law of contracts, defamation, negligence, and employment law. Basic legal research techniques are introduced. Prerequisite: BS 141.

    BS 252 – Business Law II 3 hrs.
    The law relating to operations of business enterprises, including torts, product liability, bankruptcy, secured transactions, employee/employer relationships, and debtor-creditor relationships is studied. Prerequisite: BS 141.

    BS 330 – Quantitative Analysis for Business and Economics II 4 hrs.
    The purpose of this course is to provide students an opportunity to further develop and expand upon their quantitative analysis and reasoning skills in the context of problems and challenges often faced by leaders in business, accounting, and economic research. Prerequisite: BS 230 or equivalent course (will require instructor approval). (Cross-listed as MA 330.)

    BS 331 – Business Information Systems 3 hrs.
    The objectives of this course are to understand the nature and impacts of information systems for individuals, organizations, and society; to enhance the student’s problem-solving skills for business and for students to appreciate the role of information technology in problem solving; and to enhance the student’s skills with end-user tools in information technology. Prerequisites: BS 141, junior status.

    BS 353 – Fundamentals of Management 3 hrs.
    This course introduces the process of management by studying the functions performed by managers, including planning, organizing, leading, and evaluating. Prerequisites: BS 141 and EC 242.

    BS 355 – Human Resource Management 3 hrs.
    This course looks at the management of human resources from the point-of-view of a business manager. Upon successful completion of this course, the student should understand the basics of human resource planning, recruitment, selection, development, compensation, and appraisal. The student should also understand constraints on management discretion, including legislation, court decisions, labor unions, and labor markets. Prerequisite: BS 353.

    BS 356 – Quantitative Methods in Decision Making 3 hrs.
    Quantitative techniques, including linear programming, are applied to modeling for business decision making. Prerequisite: BS 330, MA 321, MA 355, or MA 472.

    BS 360 – Introduction to Entrepreneurship 3 hrs.
    This course is designed to clearly instruct students on the process of formulating, planning, and implementing a new venture. Students will be exposed in detail on ‘how to’ embark on a new venture in a logical manner. The course will use comprehensive cases to help reinforce key topics. Students will learn to understand the importance of writing a Business plan, Marketing Plan, Organization Plan and Financial plan as part of implementing a successful venture. Prerequisite: BS 353.

    BS 361 – International Management 3 hrs.
    An overview of management in an international context is introduced through examination of case studies, application of relevant theories from management and economics, and consideration of special factors such as culture and politics. Prerequisite: BS 353.

    BS 370 – Ethics in Business 3 hrs.
    In the course, we will consider numerous issues and concerns for business managers today, including moral responsibility, social responsibility, and ethical behavior at both the personal and organizational levels. Prerequisite: BS 141 or equivalent, junior status.

    BS 371 – Principles of Marketing 3 hrs.
    This course is an introduction to marketing as a social process. Using product, price, distribution, and promotion as the base, marketing is explored as human activity directed at satisfying needs and wants through exchange processes. Prerequisites: BS 141 and EC 242.

    BS 374 – Advertising 3 hrs.
    This course provides an overview of the process and the practice of advertising and correlates Integrated Marketing Communications with the overall business planning function. Practice and theory are combined in the analysis of traditional mass communication, as well as sales promotion, interactive media, direct marketing, and public relations. While receiving an introduction to advertising principles and practices, students develop an advertising plan for a business organization. Prerequisite: BS 371 or SA 285.

    BS 375 – Consumer Behavior 3 hrs.
    The most complex aspect of marketing is to understand the consumer’s mind and heart. This course is designed to introduce students to a wide range of behavioral concepts and explores the strategic implications of consumer behavior for marketers. Topics will include internal and external factors that influence consumer buying decisions and processes, buyer-seller relationships, positioning, branding, and information processing. Prerequisites: BS 371 or SA 285.

    BS 381 – Corporate Finance 3 hrs.
    This course is an introduction to corporate finance. Most of the class covers the theory and practice of asset valuation and pricing, with applications to the long-term investment decision. The implications of capital structure decisions will be evaluated. Prerequisites: AC 141 and EC 242.

    BS 382 – Investments 3 hrs.
    Topics covered in BS 381 Corporate Finance, specifically diversification and risk, are applied to managing investments. The institutions of investing, the theory of asset pricing, and evaluation of portfolio performance are studied. Prerequisite: BS 381.

    BS 383 – Corporate Finance II 3 hrs.
    Further topics in corporate finance, including the firm’s liability structure and dividend policy, options, warrants and convertible bonds, and mergers and acquisitions are introduced. This class employs significant casework. Prerequisite: BS 381.

    BS 390 – Business Internship 3-6 hrs.
    This course involves completing an internship of at least 120 clock hours over at least eight weeks in a professional work setting where the student has the opportunity to observe and participate in an organization’s business processes. The student’s work experience will be under the supervision of a faculty sponsor and will be designed to provide practical experience in marketing, management, or other functional business area. Credit earned in this course will count toward the maximum of 12 hours of internship credit a student may earn during their undergraduate experience at Baker. Prerequisite: Varies based on the student’s major and/or concentration; permission of the instructor. R; P/NC

    BS 430 – Business Analytics 3 hrs.
    This course provides students with an opportunity to examine evolving trends in business analytics and various elements of the analytics landscape: tools, vendors and suppliers, and relationship among data science, business intelligence, data mining, and analytics. Ethical and societal considerations will also be addressed. Students will demonstrate the ability to deal with data management challenges, develop skills with descriptive analytics and visualization, and master selected approaches in predictive and prescriptive modeling (e.g., forecasting, classification, optimization, and simulation). Prerequisite: BS 330 or permission of the instructor.

    BS 450 – Data Projects 3 hrs.
    This course provides students with the opportunity to define and develop a data-intensive project across the life cycle. The phases of the life cycle include: discovery, framing, cleaning, exploring, visualizing, analyzing, concluding, communicating, and presenting. The emphasis in this course lies in independent but supported work. The course builds upon skills developed in the Baker Core framework and in the quantitative reasoning of other prerequisite coursework. Technical skills and creativity are expected. Prerequisites: BS 330 or MA 321 or PY 252.

    BS 456 – Business Policy 3 hrs.
    This course is the capstone class for Business, Accounting, and International Business majors. Through the use of case studies and team projects students practice applying principles of finance, accounting, management, economics, and marketing to business problems and opportunities using a strategic analysis framework. Prerequisites: BS 353, 381, and senior status.

    BS 462 – International Marketing 3 hrs.
    Marketing principles are applied in an international setting through the use of case studies and class simulations. Special emphasis is placed on cultural, economic, and political differences. Prerequisite: BS 271.

    BS 463 – International Finance 3 hrs.
    A macroeconomic approach to the study of global markets is taken in this course. Specific topics and concepts examined include balance of payments, exchange rate systems, the World Bank, the IMF, international banking, and the European Union. Prerequisites: EC 242, 243, and BS 381. (Cross-listed as EC 463.)

    BS 474 – Marketing Research 3 hrs.
    This course emphasizes the importance of information for marketing decision making; various approaches and techniques are explored through case studies and team projects. Analytical techniques and quantitative applications are introduced. Prerequisites: BS 271 and either BS 330 or MA 321.

    BS 478 – Business Online 3 hrs.
    This course aims to provide students with an understanding of online business in the context of today’s global business environment. This subject covers key areas of online business, including: business-to-business and business-to-consumer relations; Internet commerce; Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) standards, regulation, and policy; principles and practices of online business security; and social and economic issues. Prerequisite: CS 175 or permission of instructor. (Cross-listed as CS 478.)

    BS 481 – Research Project or Professional Consultancy 1-3 hrs.
    This course provides students with an opportunity to engage in active and collaborative learning experiences with peers and/or faculty within the program. The course focuses on involving students in meaningful and practical experiences beyond the existing curriculum in hands-on and real-world learning environments. Prerequisite: Junior or senior status, Department Chair approval.

Student Achievement for Business Majors

Scholarships

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

Judy Smrha

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

Kevin Conley

Associate Professor of Business & Economics

Stephanie Brockmann

Assistant Professor, Rhodes Chair of International Business

Alan Grant

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

Nadia Novotorova

Associate Professor of Marketing

Alan Salts

Assistant Professor of Accounting & Business, Executive Vice President

Gary Irick

Professor Emeritus of Business & Economics

Lowell Jacobsen

Professor Emeritus of Business & Economics

Kevin McCarthy

Professor Emeritus of Business & Economics

Justine Nwanakwere

Professor

Martha Harris, CPA, CMA, CFE

Emeritus

Stephanie Missey

Assistant Professor

Nadia Novotorova

Associate Professor of Marketing

Chad Gerber

Associate Professor of Sports Administration, Faculty Athletics Rep.

Contact Us

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Allyson Grant

Communication Specialist, Departments of Business & Economics, Psychology, Allied Health