Undergraduate Programs
Business Administration
The degree program in Business Administration provides students with a basic understanding of the functional areas of business, the behavior of organizations, and decision-making processes. The courses listed under the program requirements encompass the foundation areas of business as defined by the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business-International (AACSB-International). These courses provide students with (a) quantitative and analytical skills, (b) an understanding of the economic, social, political, and legal environments in which business decisions are made, (c) knowledge of accounting and information systems, (d) organizational behavior, development, goal-setting, and management of human resources, (e) an understanding of the ethical and global issues confronting business, and (f) leadership and team- building skills through the student's analysis of business cases.
Program Requirements for Business Administration Degree 
Students may elect to pursue an approved specialization. Those students who do not elect a specialization may take no more than 15 hours in a given business discipline beyond the foundation areas. Students are encouraged to select their specializations and electives in consultation with an adviser.
Foreign Languages and the Business Curriculum
The School of Business strongly recommends that students use some of their electives to acquire oral and reading proficiency in at least one foreign language. Business education for the 21st Century will require a working knowledge of the cultures, political structures, and economic systems of the nations that supply the United States with goods and services and which provide markets for United States firms. Students interested in acquiring proficiency in a second language should discuss their goals with an adviser.
International Program
International experience is increasingly important for business professionals. The School of Business International Program creates opportunities for global learning for business students and provides students with many opportunities to gain global perspectives and competitive advantage in the job market through international business study experiences.
The School of Business International Program simplifies the process of studying internationally while offering participants some very desirable alternatives. In this unique program, students register for SIUE courses, pay SIUE tuition, and receive SIUE credit when they study abroad. In all of our international study opportunities, business courses are available in English. Programs range in length from one week to a semester or more. Locations include a variety of destinations in Europe, as well as China and Brazil. And, these programs are affordable - the cost of a normal student lifestyle abroad can be quite similar to the cost of living in Edwardsville.
For SIUE School of Business students, participation in these programs has resulted in enhanced career opportunities. Employers find that students with study abroad experience are more likely to be flexible, independent, self-starting and confident - qualities that are in high demand in the job market.
For further information on the School of Business International Program, please stop by our office in Founders Hall 3301, or call us at 618-650-2922.
Areas of Specialization, Electives, and Career Opportunities
Students seeking a Bachelor of Science degree may complete one of the specializations described below. Students are encouraged to discuss their career objectives and the various elective courses with a faculty adviser in the School of Business before making this decision. The Office of Advisement and Counseling may be contacted for a list of the specializations and their requirements.
The specialization in economics provides students with knowledge of analytical methods for solving basic problems affecting profit and growth of the business organization. In addition, economics offers courses that are fundamental to forecasting, planning, and budgeting. Graduates of the program are qualified for careers in administration and management of business firms, in banking and insurance, and in federal, state and local government agencies. Graduation with this specialization requires a 2.250 grade point average in economics courses.
Return to specialization list.
The entrepreneurship specialization focuses on the special problems of new venture development and the management of the small business enterprise. The specialization prepares students for entrepreneurial and managerial roles in small ventures as well as for new venture management and "intrapreneurship" roles in larger firms. By careful selection of courses in other areas of business, students can prepare for positions in manufacturing, service or retailing organizations. The specialization requires a practicum (MGMT 476) in which students work with start-up ventures, small businesses or small business development groups to apply their knowledge to small business problems.
Return to specialization list.The finance specialization prepares students for decision-making positions in private industry and government service. Courses in finance are designed to develop students' analytical abilities and understanding of financial problems encountered in business and industry.
Return to specialization list.The human resource management specialization provides students with the general and technical knowledge and skills for entry-level positions and careers in the Personnel or Human Resource Management (HRM) function of organizations. Courses emphasize both the general theory of HRM, the expanding role of HRM in organizational effectiveness, the development and effective utilization of human resources in organizations, and the technical areas of selection, compensation, labor relations, training, and performance appraisal. The specialization prepares students for professional careers in a wide variety of organizations.
Return to specialization list.The international business specialization is an interdepartmental specialization emphasizing the increasingly global dimensions of business. Through courses focusing on the international dimensions of management, marketing, finance, and economics, students gain an understanding of the international aspects of business. The specialization is designed for students interested in positions in the areas of international trade and finance and industrial development. The School of Business also has agreements with several foreign universities and a foreign internship program through which students can experience the international aspects of education and work and enhance their foreign language capabilities.
Return to specialization list. The management specialization provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become effective managers in organizations. The courses in this specialization emphasize the complex nature of organizations and the skills and knowledge necessary to manage human resources, design effective organizational systems, and diagnose and solve organizational problems. In addition, the specialization emphasizes the increasingly global nature of business and coping with change in the internal and external environments. The specialization provides the flexibility to accommodate students with a variety of interests and prepares them for managerial careers in private and public sector organizations.
Return to specialization list.The Management Information Systems specialization is designed to prepare students to develop business-related information systems. Students learn to design information systems in order to support decision-making and operations of businesses and other organizations. The design process includes specification of hardware, software, and personnel. Declaration to this specialization requires a 2.50 cumulative GPA. Graduation from this specialization requires a 2.50 cumulative GPA and a 2.50 CMIS GPA.
Return to specialization list.The marketing specialization is designed to enable students to analyze the problems of providing consumer and industrial goods and services to a wide variety of markets. The curriculum prepares students for positions in sales, advertising, promotion, research, product management, and marketing management. Further, the study of dynamic problems that affect all enterprises in communicating with their constituencies prepares students for careers in commercial, governmental, and service organizations that serve the public in ways other than producing tangible goods.
Return to specialization list.Students who have already declared their major in a non-business field and who have completed their general education requirements may earn a minor in Business Administration by completing a minimum of 21 hours (maximum of 30 hours) in approved course work.
Students interested in a business minor should contact the School of Business Student Services for assistance in planning a minor program. Please review the current curriculum sheet by visiting the following location:
Business Minor Program Sheet.
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