2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    May 01, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

Business Administration (BS.BUS)


Program Description 

Vermont State University’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program provides students with the necessary tools needed to become future leaders and adapt to the rapid pace of innovation in the global economy. Students start taking classes in their major immediately. They benefit from the interdisciplinary nature of the program, which includes courses in accounting, management, marketing, business law, strategy, economics, and more.  

The program pairs students’ technical skills and knowledge with essential soft skills in areas such as communication, leadership, professionalism, creativity, teamwork, and conflict resolution. Concepts of diversity, equity, inclusion, ethics, and corporate social responsibility are integrated throughout the curriculum. 

Students choose a concentration in Accounting, Entrepreneurship, General Business, Management, or Marketing to focus their degree on the area that complements their interests and career goals. Students receive hands-on experience with computer simulations, case studies, team projects, research, and presentations. 

Students may select a minor in an area to enhance their professional skills and may prefer to take classes outside of the major to match their personal passion. Selected minors may include art, music, history, communication, graphic design, theater arts, and many more. 
Students have the opportunity to make a difference in their communities and jump-start their careers with work experiences, internships, and practicums while pursuing the degree.  

Whether a student wants to own their own business, manage a family business, or pursue a leadership role in a business or organization of their choice, students will have a competitive edge with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Vermont State University. Graduates are also well-positioned to take the next step to graduate school, including a Master’s Degree from Vermont State University. 

Program Outcomes 

  1. Determine the key characteristics and terminology of the business disciplines of management, human resources, marketing, innovation, and finance and integrate these disciplines to develop and affect corporate strategies and plans. 

  1. Communicate with written, oral, visual, and interpersonal messages to convey information, promote ideas, provide customer service, and advance career goals. 

  1. Explain the accounting cycle, process typical transactions; interpret financial statements; prepare budgets; forecast and evaluate risk; and apply financial information to broad-based business decision making. 

  1. Lead and participate in teams; maintain respectful and collaborative relationships; and contribute to effective group outcomes. 

  1. Use digital and analytical tools to design and create business documents and presentations to manage people and projects and to solve problems. 

  1. Develop marketing strategies to satisfy specific target audiences, create a marketing mix, and apply and integrate marketing concepts with other business disciplines to affect a business strategy. 

  1. Demonstrate qualitative and quantitative critical thinking skills to analyze current business situations and new ventures from legal, economic, social, and ethical perspectives and recommend appropriate actions. 

  1. Recommend and justify best practices in management, motivation, and leadership concepts to create and sustain a positive organizational culture in a global and diverse environment. 

  1. Demonstrate the ways that businesses support diversity, equity, and inclusion, and engage in sustainable practices, including corporate social responsibility and the Triple Bottom Line. 

Program Electives


Students can take as electives any BUS or ACC course not required for the BUS ADMIN core and chosen concentration(s).

General Business Concentration (BS.BUS)


24 credits required.  Take the following plus 12 credits of any ACC or BUS courses at the 3000/4000 level.

Management Concentration (BS.BUS.MGT)


​​​​​​​24 credits required. Take the following courses plus 9 credits of BUS electives, internships, or practicums.

Marketing Concentration (BS.BUS.MKT)


24 credits required. Take the following courses plus 6 credits of BUS electives, internships, or practicums.

Credits Required for Program: 54-57


Important


To obtain a degree, students must fulfill the major-specific requirements as well as satisfy all other Degree Requirements  including the General Education Requirements .