Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration Degree

Program Overview

Bellarmine University's Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration equips students with a comprehensive understanding of business principles and practices, emphasizing critical thinking, writing, and analytical skills. The flexible curriculum allows students to tailor their program to their interests, and internships provide valuable real-world experience. Graduates are prepared for a wide range of careers in management, finance, marketing, sales, and entrepreneurship.

Program Outline

Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration - Bellarmine University

Degree Overview

The B.A. in Business Administration program at Bellarmine University is designed to equip students with the fundamental business skills and knowledge needed to succeed in a variety of careers. The program emphasizes the understanding and application of core business concepts, with a focus on critical thinking, writing, and analytical skills. Students are encouraged to explore their individual interests and career goals through a flexible curriculum that allows them to pair their major with another major or minor in a different field.

Objectives:

• Provide students with a broad understanding of business principles and practices.
• Develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Prepare students for successful careers in various business-related fields.
• Foster ethical decision-making and social responsibility.

Program Description:

The program consists of 30 credit hours of core business courses, 27 credit hours of related courses, and 6 credit hours of electives. Core courses cover topics such as accounting, finance, marketing, management, and economics. Related courses provide foundation knowledge in mathematics, communication, and statistics. Electives allow students to explore specific areas of interest within the business field.

Highlights:

• Focus on critical thinking and writing: The program emphasizes the development of strong communication and analytical skills, which are essential for success in any business career.
• Flexibility: Students can tailor their program to their individual interests by choosing a minor or a second major in another field.
• Internships: Professional internships are an integral part of the program, providing students with valuable real-world experience and potential employment opportunities upon graduation.
• Faculty: The program is taught by experienced faculty members who are also business professionals, ensuring that students receive the most up-to-date and relevant knowledge.
• Location: Bellarmine's location in Louisville provides students with access to a variety of internship and mentorship opportunities.

Outline

Course Schedule:

The program is typically completed in four years, with students taking a combination of core, related, and elective courses each semester. The course schedule is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of business principles while also allowing them to explore their individual interests.

Modules:

• Core Business Courses:
• Introduction to Business
• Business Communication
• Accounting Principles I & II
• Finance
• Marketing
• Management
• Economics
• Business Law
• Business Ethics
• Business Statistics
• Related Courses:
• College Algebra
• Statistics
• Public Speaking
• Psychology
• Electives:
• Students can choose from a variety of electives to explore their specific interests within the business field.

Module Descriptions:

Each module is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in their chosen career path. The modules are taught by experienced faculty members who are experts in their field.

Assessment:

Assessment Methods:

• Examinations: Throughout the program, students will be assessed through a combination of written and oral examinations.
These examinations will test students' understanding of the course material and their ability to apply their knowledge to real-world situations.
• Assignments: Students will also be required to complete a variety of assignments, such as essays, case studies, and presentations.
These assignments will allow students to demonstrate their critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Projects: Group and individual projects will be assigned to further develop teamwork, collaboration, and communication skills.

Assessment Criteria:

• The assessment criteria will vary depending on the specific course and assessment method.
However, all assessments will be graded based on the following criteria:
• Accuracy
• Completeness
• Clarity
• Originality
• Critical thinking
• Problem-solving
• Communication skills
• Students must achieve a minimum 2.00 GPA for all Rubel School courses (accounting, business, economics, and finance) taken in the Rubel School (not counting transfer courses) to graduate with a Business Administration major.

Teaching

Teaching Methods:

The program utilizes a variety of teaching methods to cater to different learning styles and to ensure that students are engaged in the learning process. These methods include:

• Lectures: Lectures are used to introduce new concepts and theories.
• Discussions: Class discussions allow students to explore the course material in more depth and to share their own perspectives.
• Case studies: Case studies are used to provide students with real-world examples of business problems and to help them develop their problem-solving skills.
• Simulation exercises: Simulation exercises allow students to apply their knowledge and skills in a simulated business environment.
• Group projects: Group projects help students develop teamwork, collaboration, and communication skills.
• Guest speakers: Guest speakers from the business community are invited to share their insights and experiences with students.

Faculty:

The program is taught by experienced faculty members who are also business professionals. This ensures that students receive the most up-to-date and relevant knowledge. The faculty members are passionate about teaching and are committed to helping students succeed.

Unique Approaches:

The program incorporates several unique approaches to teaching and learning:

• **The Bellarmine Business Administration program is a broad-based program designed to prepare students for a number of career opportunities.

• **The School of Business also is noted for rapidly incorporating innovations and business trends into the curriculum.

• **For example, many employers today are encouraging their workers to earn MBA degrees; therefore, Bellarmine has introduced several programs that take entering first-year students to their MBA degrees in just five (or four and a half) years.

Careers

Potential Career Paths:

Graduates of the B.A. in Business Administration program are prepared for a variety of careers in the private and public sectors. Some of the most common career paths include:

• Management: Operations Manager, Project Manager, Human Resources Manager, Marketing Manager, Sales Manager, Financial Manager
• Finance: Financial Analyst, Investment Banker, Accountant, Auditor, Financial Planner
• Marketing: Marketing Specialist, Product Manager, Brand Manager, Marketing Analyst, Market Research Analyst
• Sales: Sales Representative, Account Executive, Business Development Manager, Sales Manager
• Entrepreneurship: Starting and running a business

Opportunities:

The program provides students with a variety of opportunities to gain experience and network with potential employers. These opportunities include:

• Internships: Professional internships are an integral part of the program, providing students with valuable real-world experience and potential employment opportunities upon graduation.
• Career fairs: The university hosts career fairs throughout the year, where students can meet with representatives from a variety of companies.
• Networking events: The university also hosts networking events, where students can connect with alumni and other professionals in the business community.

Outcomes:

Graduates of the program have a high rate of employment. Recent data shows that 93% of graduates are employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduation. The average starting salary for graduates is $75,033.

Other

Additional Information:

• The program is accredited by the AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business).
• Students may be able to transfer credits from other institutions.
• Financial aid is available to eligible students.
• The program is located in Louisville, Kentucky, which is a major business center.