The business administration major enables students to graduate ready to participate fully in the rapidly changing world of business, as well as to pursue graduate studies. The greatest strength of the business administration program lies in its philosophical commitment to creating "strong generalists" rather than "specialists."

Birmingham Southern's business administration major has been recognized by numerous national and international organizations for program innovation. It is recognized as unique due to its emphasis on team teaching, student team building, continuous programmatic assessment, integration of business disciplines within the liberal arts, and the senior capstone experience. Awards and recognition have been from The Southwestern Business Deans' Association, Association of American Colleges and Universities, International Academy of Business Administration, Council for Advancement and Support of Education, Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs(ACBSP), AACSB International, and the American Association for Higher Education.

Students completing the business administration program should,
at minimum, understand the following:

1. The rules and responsibilities of managers, including the steps that must be taken to plan, organize, lead, and control organizations; the application of quantitative tools and techniques used in solving business problems; and the concepts of organizational behavior, the means by which managers can design and change organizations and work systems.
2. The roles and responsibilities of marketing managers, including developing products and services; target markets; developing marketing strategies; and an understanding of the role of consumer behavior and the channels through which products and services reach the ultimate consumer in both for profit and not for profit organizations.
3. The roles and responsibilities of the financial manager, including analyzing and using financial statements to assess the financial health of a firm from the perspectives of management and the suppliers of capital; developing pro forma financial statements for use as a tool in forecasting long and short term funding needs; applying the time value of money concepts to the financing and investment decision making process, particularly in the areas of security valuation and capital budgeting; and a familiarity with capital structure issues, dividend policy, and working capital management.
   
4. The fundamental principles and language of economics, including the nature and role of a market, profits, and entrepreneurship.
5. The concepts of strategy formulation and implementation and what it means to respond to the external forces affecting the organization, including economic, social, cultural (demographic), competitive, environmental (ecological), political, governmental, legal, and technological forces.

The Division's programs are accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). The College is a member of both AACSB International and ACBSP.

Major Requirements

AC 221 and 222
EC 201 and 202
MA 207
BA 201
BA 311
BA 320
BA 350
BA 363
BA 372
BA 400
BA 474
BA 475
BA 499

Minor Requirements

AC 221 and 222
EC 202
BA 201
BA 320
BA 350
BA 372

Courses in Business Administration

BA 201 The Real "Bottom Line": Foundations of Business Thought (1)

An examination of classic and contemporary literature that explores the perception of business and the role of individuals in business organizations. The course reviews the evolution of thought on the organizational structure of business enterprises. In particular, it considers the objectives of business beyond profitability: that is, more than the "bottom line." Fall, Spring.

 

BA 311 Quantitative Analysis for Business and Economics (1)

Selected methods and techniques related to managerial choice and administrative decision making (same course as EC 311). Prerequisites: MA 207 and BA 201. Fall, Spring.

 

BA 320 Principles of Management (1)

A study of the nature and problems of planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling organizations. Prerequisite: BA 201. Fall, Spring.

 

BA 350 Principles of Marketing (1)

A survey course of marketing as an exchange process. Consideration is given to product development as well as to how transactions in the marketplace are initiated, motivated, facilitated, and consummated by both business and nonbusiness organizations. Prerequisite: BA 201 Fall, Spring.

 

BA 363 Legal Environment of Business (1)

A study of the legal environment in which business operates, including the institu-tions and processes by which law is created, molded to meet changing needs, and applied to particular cases. The course also examines the multitude of legal rules that serve to channel the behavior of business men and women in socially sanctioned directions. Prerequisite: BA 201 or junior standing. Fall, Spring.

 

BA 372 Principles of Finance I (1)

An introductory course in the principles of financial analysis directed at developing the tools necessary for sound financial decision making. Major topics include an overview of the financial environment, valuation, financial forecasting, capital budgeting, and risk analysis. Prerequisites: AC 221 and 222, BA 201, and EC 202. Fall, Spring.

 

BA 400 Organizational Theory and Behavior in Business (1)

A study of the business organization as a device for mobilizing people and resources to accomplish objectives; a survey of concepts in organizational theory, structural design of organizations and human behavior, and integration of these concepts into effective tools for the use of managers. Prerequisites: BA 201, BA 320, and senior standing.

 

BA 445 Leadership and Decision Making (1)

An advanced course that provides an understanding of various theories and concepts pertinent to decision making. Students apply these concepts to formulate and solve unstructured leadership problems (a Leadership Studies designated course). Prerequisite: BA 320. Spring.

 

BA 470 Special Topics in Business (1)

A seminar on selected topics in the leadership and management of organizations.

 

BA 474 Principles of Finance II (1)

A second course in the principles of financial analysis directed at developing the skills of financial decision making. Major topics include current asset management and international finance. In addition, the course develops the student's ability to make financial decisions by using a case study format that builds on the skills developed in BA 372. Prerequisite: BA 372.

 

BA 475 Marketing Management (1)

A study of marketing from managerial viewpoints: critical analysis of functions of marketing opportunity assessment, marketing planning and programming, marketing leadership and organization, evaluating and adjusting marketing effort. Prerequisite: BA 350.

 

BA 493 Independent Study (1)

Supervised reading, field work, written reports, analysis of theoretical and practical problems designed primarily for seniors. Prerequisite: Consent.

 

BA 498 Teaching Experience in Business Administration (1)

Open to sophomores, juniors, or seniors with consent of major advisor.

 

BA 499 Strategic Management (1)

An integration of several business functions, such as accounting, finance, production, marketing, and management, in developing and stimulating the student's skill at the formulation of overall management strategy and policy. Prerequisites: Senior standing as a major in business administration, including completion of 28 regular term units and two of the following courses: BA 400, BA 474; plus completion of the following principles courses: BA 201, BA 320, BA 350, BA 372.