Business Administration, B.S.
The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration prepares students with the tools and resources needed to solve challenging business problems in an ever changing global environment. The program provides students with comprehensive knowledge in business foundations and theories; builds essential skills in accounting, data analysis, finance, marketing, human resources management, operations and project management, and leadership; and embeds experiential and real world learning. The program is designed for students to pursue customized academic pathways to focus on areas of specialization within the field. This program is intended for students in all phases of their professional career and undergraduate studies, whether they have extensive prior coursework or are enrolling in college for the first time.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
At the completion of the B.S. in Business Administration program, students will be able to:
PLO-1. Critical Thinking. Use analytical, quantitative and qualitative techniques to generate solutions that are responsive to business and cultural challenges.
PLO-2. Teamwork. Contribute positively in a team environment to accomplish group goals and objectives using collaborative skills and inclusive behaviors.
PLO-3. Communication. Communicate effectively and professionally in business situations through writing, speaking and listening with cultural sensitivity in all contemporary modes.
PLO-4. Business Knowledge. Apply concepts within the core areas of business, including how (i) to create competitive advantage through strategic and tactical methods; (ii) to recognize legal and strategic concerns relating to managing human resources; (iii) to create and measure value in products and services; and (iv) to control, plan, invest, evaluate and improve business tactics and processes through accounting and financial methods and models.
PLO-5. Business Environment. Apply knowledge of ethical, legal, economic and global environment to practical business situations to determine their operational, financial, human and/or societal impacts.
PLO-6. Analysis & Technology Utilization. Apply quantitative and qualitative decision support tools and technology to make and defend business decisions.
PLO-7. Management & Technology Utilization. Assess the role of ethics, motivation and influence in setting forth equitable and appropriate business behavior toward coordinating a unified objective.
PLO-8. Career Readiness. Apply business theory and skills in professional environments and through experiences in order to prepare for a professional career path that aligns to short and long term career goals.
Program Details:
- Requires 180 QH including 60 QH of General Education for completion
- Credit for Prior Learning may be accepted for CAR 490 and general education, elective credit, and as determined appropriate by the faculty, toward other major requirements
- Requires completion of all major courses with a grade of "C" or better including MTH 102
- Requires a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale to graduate
- Students may complete any minor or concentration that is not in the same area of study as their program major. Students must consult with their Academic Advisor to select a minor or concentration that best fits their career and personal goals.
Required Courses
General Education Requirements
Communications
The following courses are recommended:
| ENG 101 | Beginning English Composition | 5 |
| ENG 201 | Intermediate English | 5 |
| ENG 203 | Effective Speaking for the Undergraduate | 5 |
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any three general education courses in the following disciplines: academic writing, oral communications, and any course in the area of communications.
Humanities and Fine Arts
Choose two courses from the list below:
| ART 105 | Race, Identity and Experience in American Art | 5 |
| ART 106 | Race, Identity and Experience in American Art I | 2 |
| ART 107 | Race, Identity and Experience in American Art II | 3 |
| HIS 103 | History Across the Globe | 5 |
| PHI 107 | Introduction to Ethics and Social Critique | 5 |
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any two general education courses in the following disciplines:
- Humanities: foreign language, history, literature, philosophy, religious studies, interdisciplinary humanities and fine arts, interdisciplinary humanities and social sciences
- Fine Arts: visual arts (including art history, art appreciation, and studio arts, such as drawing, painting, digital art, or film), film and cinema studies, and performing arts (including music appreciation, music theory, and music performance, theatre appreciation and performance, and dance)
Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Choose three courses from the list below (one must be math and one must be a natural science):
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any three general education courses in the following disciplines:
- Mathematics: college-level and not developmental in nature
- Natural Sciences: physics, chemistry, earth science, astronomy, geology, physical geography, biology, human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, genetics, botany and zoology; and interdisciplinary fields such as environmental science, and ecology and conservation
- Mathematics or Natural Sciences
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Choose two courses from the list below:
| ECO 200 | Macroeconomics for Today’s Professional | 5 |
| HIS 102 | Civics and American Government | 5 |
| HIS 212 | Think Global: Movements in US History and its Impact on Society and School | 5 |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 5 |
| SOC 101 | Foundational Sociology | 5 |
| SOC 204 | Contemporary Chicago | 5 |
| SOC 222 | Culture and Identity | 5 |
| SOC 250 | Cultural and Ethnic Movements in the United States | 5 |
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any two general education courses in the area of Social and Behavioral Sciences in the following disciplines: anthropology, economics, geography, history, human geography, political science, psychology, sociology, interdisciplinary social/behavioral science, interdisciplinary humanities and social and behavioral science.
Program Specific General Education Requirements
| ECO 200 | Macroeconomics for Today’s Professional | 5 |
| MTH 102 | Statistical Foundations | 5 |
Note: ECO 200 and MTH 102 is required if not completed as part of the General Education requirements.
Additional General Education Requirements
| GEN 103 | Student Success Seminar | 5 |
| | or | |
| GEN 203 | NLU & You: Tools & Strategies for Student Success | 3 |
Note: GEN 103 is required for the first-time freshman students only. Students transferring in less than 90 QH are required to complete GEN 203.
Career Development Requirements
First-time Freshman
| CAR 214 | Creating and Communicating the Professional Brand | 5 |
| | or | |
| BRV 200 | Braven Leadership and Career Accelerator | 5 |
| | and | |
| CAR 218 | Internship Application Workshop | 0 |
| CAR 295 | Career Service Learning | 5 |
Transfer Students
Note: Career (CAR) courses may be waived based on prior training, education or work experience.
Business Administration Major Requirements - 65 QH
Gateway Course
Note: First-time freshman students are required to complete
BUS 101 and transfer students,
BUS 430.
Business Administration Core Courses
| ACC 201 | Principles of Financial Accounting | 5 |
| ACC 202 | Principles of Managerial Accounting | 5 |
| BUS 350 | Legal & Ethical Decision Making in Business | 5 |
| BUS 400 | Operations Management | 5 |
| BUS 450 | Introduction to Business Data Analytics | 5 |
| BUS 499 | Strategic Management | 5 |
| CAR 490 | Internship Practicum | 5 |
| COM 206 | Professional Writing | 5 |
| FIN 444 | Finance and Accounting Concepts for Managers | 5 |
| HRM 400 | Human Resource Management | 5 |
| MKT 300 | Principles of Marketing | 5 |
| PJM 454 | Project Management | 5 |
Note:
BUS 499 and
CAR 490 must be completed at NLU.
CAR 490 may be waived based on prior training, education or work experience.
Electives
Choose additional courses to total 180 QH. These hours may be satisfied by completing any minor or concentration in consultation with your Academic Advisor.