Business Administration, B.A.

This program, offered in face-to-face, blended (a combination of face-to-face and online) and online-only formats, is designed for students new to the business field.  Students have the opportunity to develop a broad range of business skills built upon a solid liberal arts foundation. Students gain experience in accounting, finance, computer information systems, marketing, and management, equipping students for a wide variety of career options and preparing students for graduate study.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):

PLO1. Identify, collect, and analyze financial, economic, market, and operational data, and present recommendations for managerial action.

PLO2. Recognize, assess, and propose solutions to legal, social, and ethical issues in the business environment.

PLO3. Identify and analyze global environments and diverse teams within a business and the opportunities associated with them.

PLO4. Devise strategic, innovative solutions for organizational challenges to include leveraging company operations in a market-driven economy.

PLO5. Identify and apply management and leadership theories to real-world settings.

PLO6. Identify and create tools needed for successful job searching and career advancement.

Program Details:

  • Requires 180 QH including 60 QH of General Education for completion
  • Credit for Prior Learning is accepted for general education and elective credit
  • 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 101Beginning English Composition

5

ENG 201Intermediate English

5

ENG 203Effective 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 101Art Appreciation

5

ART 102Art Appreciation I

2

ART 103Art Appreciation II

3

HIS 103History Across the Globe

5

PHI 107Ethics, Logic and Critical Inquiry

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):
MTH 101Introduction to Mathematical Concepts

5

MTH 102Statistical Foundations

5

MTH 105Math for Educators I

5

MTH 115Math for Educators II

5

SCI 101Physical Science

5

SCI 102Survey of Biological Science with Lab

5

SCI 225Human Impact on Environment

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: 

  • 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 200Macroeconomics for Today’s Professional

5

GEN 210Think Global-Perspectives from the Field

3 TO 5

HIS 102Civics and American Government

5

HIS 212Think Global: Movements in US History and its Impact on Society and School

5

PSY 101Introduction to Psychology

5

SOC 101Foundational Sociology

5

SOC 204Contemporary Chicago

5

SOC 222Culture and Identity

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

In addition to MTH 102, a course in Economics is required. 

 

Additional General Education Requirements

GEN 103Student Success Seminar

5

or

GEN 203NLU & 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 Daytime Students

CAR 214Creating and Communicating the Professional Brand

5

or

BRV 200Braven Leadership and Career Accelerator

5

and

CAR 295Career Service Learning

5

CAR 218Internship Application Workshop

0

Note: CAR 218 may be waived for students who have an internship accepted in Handshake prior to Winter term of the junior year.

Transfer Students

BRV 200Braven Leadership and Career Accelerator

5

or

CAR 214Creating and Communicating the Professional Brand

5

or

CAR 202Creating Professional Identity

0 TO 2

and

CAR 203You The Professional

3

Business Administration Core - 79 QH

BUS 101Principles of Business

5

BUS 430Management and Leadership

5

BUS 431Professional Communication for Managers

5

BUS 452Legal and Corporate Governance Issues in Management

2

INT 315Global Perspectives

5

MKT 300Principles of Marketing

5

BUS 450Data Analysis for Managers

5

BUS 453Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility in Management

2

BUS 400Operations and Strategic Management

5

ACC 201Principles of Financial Accounting

5

ACC 202Principles of Managerial Accounting

5

MIS 103Introduction to Software Applications

5

MIS 436Technology Applications in Management

5

FIN 444Finance and Accounting Concepts for Managers

5

HRM 400Human Resource Management

5

PJM 454Project Management

5

BUS 490Internship in Business

2 TO 5

Note: BUS 490 must be taken for 5 quarter hours. 

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.