BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

David L. McKenna Hall
206-281-2970
spu.edu/sbe/business

Denise Daniels, Contact Person

For a complete overview of degree requirements in the School of Business and Economics, visit the School of Business and Economics main page in this Undergraduate Catalog.

The Business Administration major provides a broad-based education in the fundamental theories, principles, and practices of modern business. The program develops a general management outlook toward organizations and the changing environment they face. It teaches standards of professional and ethical behavior along with the technical expertise and leadership attributes necessary to attain entry-level positions in business.

Students who major in Business Administration are expected to master a core of courses in business and economics. All students will take the following common core of classes described under the general core. They may also choose a concentration option.

Requirements for the Major
95 credits
Students desiring to major in Business Administration must apply to the major following this application process. To be awarded a degree with a major in Business Administration, students must meet the general core requirements and at least 18 credits of upper-division elective courses within the School of Business and Economics. Students can choose to pursue a concentration in a specific business discipline by completing 15 of their 18 elective credits within that particular discipline. A minimum of 15 of the 18 upper-division SBE elective credits must be in BUS or ECN courses; no more than 3 elective credits may be taken in ACCT courses.

Major requirements are based on those in effect at the time of admittance to the major. Also, a minimum of 45 credit hours in the major must be completed at SPU.

Note: BUS 4690 and BUS 4899 are recommended to be taken during the last quarter of senior year.

Concentration Options
Students wishing to pursue a disciplinary concentration must take at least 15 of their 18 upper-division elective credits from courses in that discipline as follows:
       Economics Concentration
       Finance Concentration
       Information Systems Concentration
       International Business Concentration
       All courses in this concentration must be approved by the SBE Undergraduate
       Committee.
       Management Concentration
       Marketing Concentration

       Social Enterprise Concentration

Signature Experience Requirement

SBE is committed to providing an educational experience that is grounded in Christian faith, ethics, and character. It is also committed to providing a business education that works well "on the ground" in our increasingly global environment.

To strengthen these commitments, students graduating with a major in Business Administration must satisfy the SBE Signature Experience Requirement by completing one of these options:

• Complete and enter a business plan in an appropriate business or social venture plan competition. This can include on-campus competitions or competitions sponsored by other schools or organizations.

• Participate in an approved study abroad program such as SPU Business Abroad, the CCCU Latin American Studies program, or another SPU program (e.g., the European Studies quarter). This must be a program where students receive academic credit. In lieu of an international experience, a student may apply to the SBE undergraduate committee to meet this requirement with a suitable cross-cultural experience in the United States.

• Complete 3 credits of BUS 3950 "Spirituality and Business."
• Complete an honors project as part of the University Scholars program.
• Participate in a business-related CCCU American Studies Program, Contemporary Music Program, Film Studies Program, or other comparable program, with the approval of the SBE Undergraduate Committee.

Note: In most cases, the credits earned while completing the Signature Experience Requirement also meet another requirement of the Business Administration major. 

Additional Requirements

In addition to the curricular requirements for the major, students must also attend the New Majors Orientation, and fulfill both a writing and a computer competency requirement before graduation.

New Majors Orientation. Newly admitted students will be welcomed to the SBE community at an orientation evening held in early spring. The orientation will include information on the SBE mission and practical tips on succeeding in SBE majors. All newly admitted majors are required to attend this event.

Writing Competency Requirement. All SBE majors (i.e., Accounting, Business Administration, and Economics) must meet the writing competency requirement outlined below:

• SBE majors who fulfill the University writing competency requirement based on pre-college indicators, or who have earned a C (2.0) or better in a college-level composition course are not required to take ENG 2201 "Intermediate College Writing," and have satisfied the SBE writing competency requirement.
• SBE majors who are required to take ENG 2201 "Intermediate College Writing," must earn a grade of B (3.0) or better in ENG 2201 in order to satisfy the SBE writing competency requirement.
• SBE majors with a grade of B- (2.7) or below in ENG 2201 must complete BUS 2601 "Business Writing Tutorial" and earn a grade of B (3.0) or better.
• Transfer students who have not previously taken a college composition course must take the English Placement exam, and they must meet the same requirements outlined above.

Computer Competency Requirement. Demonstration of computer competency is required of all students graduating with an SBE major. This is documented by passing CSC 1123, or by passing a competency exam covering the equivalent.

Requirements for the Minor in Business Administration
The School of Business and Economics offers a Business minor for students who want to complement their major with general business coursework.  Formal application to the declared minor is required.

Acceptance is based upon a minimum cumulative grade point average of at least 2.7 in a minimum of 45 quarter credits of coursework. SPU requires students to earn at least 15 credits of the minor at SPU, 10 credits of which must be upper-division credits.

Requirements for the Minor in Entrepreneurship

The School of Business and Economics offers a Business minor for students who want to complement their major with an emphasis on entrepreneurship. Formal application to the declared minor is required.

Acceptance is based upon a minimum cumulative grade point average of at least 2.7 in a minimum of 45 quarter credits of coursework. SPU requires students to earn at least 15 credits of the minor at SPU, 10 credits of which must be upper-division credits.

Need to know when a course is being offered? Check the 2014-15 Time Schedule.

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