Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration

Whether you want to move up the ranks of a Fortune 500 company or launch your own business, earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration could help put your goals within reach. In this program, you’ll explore global business challenges and opportunities, learn how successful organizations run, and build the leadership skills you need to succeed. You’ll graduate ready to help innovative companies grow, thrive, and change the world. 

• What is a Business Administration Degree?
• Business Administration Major vs. Minor
• Curriculum and Degree Requirements
• Mission and Goals

What is a Business Administration Degree?

A bachelor’s in business administration degree is typically a four-year program that teaches the fundamentals of business management. You’ll learn the principles and processes behind successfully running an organization—or building one from the ground up. That includes everything from developing a high-level business plan and financial strategy to leading teams and managing day-to-day operations. 

Business administration degree programs teach general business concepts and functions, which you can apply in a variety of industries. However, in many cases you can narrow your focus by choosing a concentration, such as:

• Accounting
• Finance
• Marketing
• Healthcare Management
• Information Systems
• Economics
• And more

Along with your concentration, you’ll take core courses in areas such as business analytics, statistics, and strategy. Finally, students often pursue internships to gain hands-on experience in a corporate environment.

Back to Top

Business Administration Major vs. Minor

Unsure whether to major or minor in business administration? It all depends on your interests and career goals. As a business major, you’ll usually take at least 30 credits of business courses, and often more. (At University of the Cumberlands, our Bachelor of Science with a Major in Business Administration features 42 semester hours of business courses.) In short, you’ll build a strong foundation in business and prepare for career paths that call for comprehensive knowledge.

A minor in business administration, on the other hand, requires fewer credits—usually at least 18. That frees you up to choose a focus area that aligns with your primary goals. For example, say you plan to pursue an accounting career path but have an interest in potentially leading and running your own accounting practice one day. A business administration minor could perfectly complement your studies and help you achieve your career goals.

Back to Top

Curriculum and Degree Requirements

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from University of the Cumberlands can help you prepare for success with a curriculum designed to teach 21st-century leadership skills. In the Bachelor of Science (BS) program, we offer relevant concentrations in:

• Business Administration
• Finance
• Strategic Marketing
• Retail Marketing

We also offer a Bachelor of Arts (BA) program, which includes a world language in addition to the BS program requirements. Or, choose the 24-credit minor in business administration.

What’s it like to study at UC’s Hutton School of Business (HSB)? You’ll learn in one of the newest buildings on campus, featuring classrooms equipped with the latest media, audio, and data transmission technology. In small classes, you will study with faculty members who are actively involved in the business community as financial advisors, tax consultants, officers of professional organizations, and members of corporate boards of directors. 

As a business administration major, you could also gain practical work experience and earn three to 15 credit hours through corporate internships. Finally, you’ll take advantage of opportunities outside the classroom, including an annual two-day business forum where business leaders and entrepreneurs visit campus to engage with our business administration students. 

Click here for Degree Requirements

Back to Top

Mission and Goals

The mission of the Hutton School of Business is to foster academic excellence and student achievement at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Students are provided with a strong academic foundation in business, and are prepared to become productive, competent, and ethical professionals. The Hutton School of Business provides a learning environment that is characterized by student-oriented instructional methodologies and the development of leadership and life-long learning skills in its students.

At the Hutton School of Business, the following broad-based goals for students have been developed:

1. Students will acquire the relevant disciplinary knowledge and competencies appropriate to their program of study.
2. Students will acquire effective business-related professional skills.
3. Students will be challenged to assess their personal values and connect them to ethical behaviors appropriate to their intended endeavors.

Based upon these broad-based goals, the Hutton School of Business has identified the following general intended student learning outcomes (HSB ISLO) for bachelor’s-level students:

1. Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the major concepts in the functional areas of accounting, finance, marketing, and management.
2. Students will be able to evaluate the global, legal, social, and economic environments of business.
3. Students will be able to examine the ethical obligations and responsibilities of the business decision-maker and the business.
4. Students will be able to apply decision-support tools and resources for problem solving and business decision-making.
5. Students will be able to demonstrate professional business communication skills.
6. Students will be able to demonstrate analytical and critical-thinking skills in the context of organizational decision making.
7. Students will be able to demonstrate effective teamwork skills.
8. Students will be able to appraise their individual leadership abilities and limitations.

Back to Top