The undergraduate program in business administration adheres to the principle that in a free society the business enterprise must be responsibly and efficiently managed. The undergraduate degree program includes both business and non-business courses. The mission of the undergraduate program is to provide students with a broad understanding of business and to equip them with the dynamic skills required to work successfully in a complex and changing global environment.
Special emphasis options are available within the business administration major and are designed to prepare students for positions in accounting, advertising, finance, human resource management, management & leadership, marketing, and supply chain management. A business minor is available for all non-business majors as is the advertising minor for graphic design or communications majors. Certificates in entrepreneurship, food industry management, the athletic and outdoor industry, international business, and social innovation & social entrepreneurship are also available. The School of Business offers study abroad opportunities at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
The School of Business offers online business concentrations in Management & Leadership, Human Resource Management or Supply & Logistics Management.
Student advising
Undergraduate academic and career advisors will be located in the Karl Miller Center Suite 220. Students should make appointments with their advisor at least twice a year to ensure that requirements are being met and to begin focusing on their career planning. For program planning and career advising, students may make an appointment with SBA academic and career advisors.
The School of Business Administration Web site, http://www.pdx.edu/sba/, contains announcements concerning upcoming activities, scholarships, policies, and other information vital to all business students. Information about student organizations, internships, and career opportunities can also be found there.
Admission requirements
Students may declare business administration as their major field of study at any time after admission to Portland State University. However, students must formally join the the School of Business Administration (SBA) before they are allowed to enroll in almost all 200, 300 or 400 level business administration courses or to graduate with a business administration degree.
To join the the School of Business Administration, students must be formally admitted to Portland State University and fill out the SBA opt-In form available on https://www.pdx.edu/sba/opt-in.
Prerequisite Business Requirements
Courses
| BA 101 | Introduction to Business and World Affairs | 4 |
| BA 205 | Business Communications Using Technology | 4 |
| BA 211 | Fundamentals of Financial Accounting | 4 |
| BA 213 | Decision Making with Accounting Information | 4 |
| Ec 201 | Principles of Microeconomics | 4 |
| Ec 202 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 4 |
| Stat 241 | Application of Statistics for Business | 4 |
| | or | |
| Stat 243 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics I | 4 |
| Comm 220 | Public Speaking | 4 |
| Wr 121 | College Writing | 4 |
| | or | |
| | Freshman Inquiry | |
BA 101: (waived for post-baccalaureate students)
BA 205: (waived for post-baccalaureate students)
Students can submit the SBA opt-in form anytime during the term, it is available online at https://www.pdx.edu/sba/opt-in.
Undergraduate Academic Standing Policy
A minimum Portland State University cumulative GPA of 2.50 and a minimum GPA of 2.50 in business administration courses taken at Portland State University are required to remain in good standing as a business administration student and for graduation with a degree in business administration.
Failure to maintain a 2.50 PSU cumulative GPA and a 2.50 PSU business GPA will place a student on probation. The probationary period is defined as three terms in which the student takes classes. By the end of the third term of probation, the student must raise the deficient GPA(s) to the required minimum. If a student does not raise their GPAs above 2.50 by the end of the third term on probation, they will be academically disqualified from the School of Business and removed from all restricted business courses.
Students who are disqualified must raise their GPAs above 2.50 and re-apply to join the SBA if they desire to complete degree requirements for programs in the School of Business Administration. Business students are limited to only one readmission to the School of Business Administration.
PSU Academic Dismissal
If a student who has been admitted to the School of Business Administration is academically dismissed by the University, that student will automatically lose School of Business Administration admitted status. If a student who has lost admitted status desires to complete degree requirements for programs in the School of Business Administration, that student must reapply. At the time of reapplication the student must meet the required 2.50 PSU and PSU School of Business Administration GPA requirement.