Business Administration

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)
School of Professional Programs

Contact

John Austin
jaustin8@une.edu

Mission

The mission of the Business programs is to provide experienced, skilled and supportive faculty who offer relevant curricula that will help prepare students to thrive in and face the challenges of an ever-changing world. More specifically, the department strives

  • To prepare students for ethically and socially responsible roles in business, not-for-profit organizations, and society in general
  • To develop in students the ability to recognize, analyze, and solve problems
  • To prepare students to speak and present in front of various audiences in an articulate and compelling manner
  • To help students achieve their personal and career goals
  • To prepare students for entry-level positions in either the private or public sector and/or to prepare students for coursework at the graduate level

Major Description

The bachelor of science degree in Business Administration is designed to work together with the University's liberal arts core curriculum to achieve the following goals:

  • Facilitation of students' acquisition of basic business knowledge in the functional areas of business including, but not limited to, accounting, business law, economics, finance, management, and marketing
  • Facilitation of students' acquisition of technical skills and competencies in  quantitative techniques
  • Provide students with the opportunity to focus their business studies by selecting one (1) of six (6) concentrations: management, marketing, economics, international business, social entrepreneurship, or health sector management
  • Provide experiential opportunities, including at least one credit-bearing internship, to hone students' skills and facilitate their career exploration and professional job search;
  • Facilitation of students' ability to integrate their knowledge of the functional areas of business with their technical skills and competencies and their professional experiences and to apply that knowledge and those skills.

Curricular Requirements

CAS Core Requirements Credits
Total 42–46
Designated Core Courses Credits
BUMG 120 – Innovation thru Technology 3
MAT 120 – Statistics 3
Program Required Courses Credits
BUAC 201 – Financial Accounting 3
BUAC 303 – Managerial Accounting 3
BUEC 203 – Macroeconomics 3
BUEC 204 – Microeconomics 3
BUFI 205/DSC 205 – Introduction to Data Analysis & Modeling 3
BUFI 315 – Business Finance Concepts & Skills 3
BUMG 200 – Management 3
BUMG 302 – Human Resource Management 3
BUMG 311 – Business and Society Relations 3
BUMG 325 – Legal Environment of Business 3
BUMG 335 – International Management 3
BUMG 495A – Internship in Business Administration 3
BUMG 498 – Strategic Management 3
BUMK 200 – Marketing 3
BUMK 312 – Small Business Management or BUMK 313 – Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship 3
Total 45
Business Elective Required Courses (Concentration) Credits
See Concentration section below 15–16
Open Elective Courses (as needed to reach 120 credits) Variable
Minimum Total Required Credits 120

Concentrations

A business administration student in their sophomore year may, with the permission of the Business chair, enroll in one (1) of the following concentrations.

Management

Choose any five (5) courses from the list below for a total of fifteen (15) credits Credits
BUMG 301 – Organizational Behavior 3
BUMG 303 – Management of Non-Profit Organization 3
BUMG 307 – Operations Management 3
BUMG 315 – Triple Bottom Line Reporting 3
BUMG 360 – Leadership 3
BUMG 400 – Management Seminar 3
BUMK 405 – Sales Management 3
BUMG 495B – Internship (with approved Management focus) 3

Marketing

Choose any five (5) courses from the list below for a total of fifteen (15) credits Credits
BUMK 310 – Advertising 3
BUMK 335 – Global Marketing 3
BUMK 350 – Social Media Marketing Strategy 3
BUMK 400 – Marketing Seminar 3
BUMK 405 – Sales Management 3
BUMK 495B – Internship with approved marketing focus) 3

Economics

Choose any five (5) courses from the list below for a total of fifteen (15) credits Credits
BUEC 370 – Money, Credit, and Banking 3
BUEC 375 – International Trade and Finance 3
BUEC 380 – Economic Development of the United States 3
BUEC 385 – Health Economics 3
BUEC 390 – Environmental Economics 3
BUEC 395 – Ecological Economics 3
BUEC 399 – Economic Topics 3
BUMG 495B – Internship (with approved Economics focus) 3
PSC 332 – International Political Economy 3

International Business

Choose any five (5) courses from the list below for a total of fifteen (15) credits Credits
BUMK 335 or 335G – Global Marketing 3
PSC 332 – International Political Economy 3
CMM 320 – Intercultural Communications orSOC 206 – Cross-Cultural Communications 3
BUEC 375 – International Trade and Finance 3
BUFI 347G – International Financial Accounting 3
BUMG 400 – Management Seminar orPSC 240 – American Foreign Policy or PSC 320 – Global Organizations, Politics, and Culture or PSC 409 – Origin of Modern Global Systems or SOC 255 – Globalization of Technology or SOC 377 – International Development 3
BUMG 495B – Internship (with approved international business focus) 3

Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Required Courses Credits
BUMG 120 – Innovation through Technology (EXP) 3
BUMG 313 – Social (Innovation and) Entrepreneurship (ADV) 3
Total 6
Choose two (2) of the following: Credits
CMM 240 – Social Applications of Web 2.0 (SGA) 3
BUMG 309 – Hacking Maine Food Chain (ADV) 3
BUMK 312 – Entrepreneurship/Small Business 3
BUMG 307 – Operations Management 3
BUMG 314 – Grant Writing (ADV) or WRT 317 - Proposal and Grant Writing 3
BUEC 380 – Economic Development of the US 3
BUEC 390 – Environmental Economics (ADV) or BUEC 395 – Ecological Economics 3
DSC 205/BUFI 205 – Introduction to Data Analysis and Modeling 3
MAT 225 – Computer Programming w/MALAB 3
Total 6
Choose one (1) of the following: Credits
BUMG 410 – Creating Social Enterprises through Design Thinking and Innovation 4
BUMG 495B* – Internship with Social I&E Focus 3
Total 3–4
Total Concentration Credits 15–16

*Can be substituted with an Internship of another major with the permission of the BUMG 495B coordinator.

Students will be allowed to use up to 12 credits from another minor or from their major to complete this concentration.

Health Section Management

Required Courses Credits
BUEC 380 – Health Economics 3
BUMG 400 – Management Seminar 3
BUMG 495B – Internship (with approved Health Sector Management focus) 3
Two (2) department-approved courses 6

Individualized Concentration

Choose any five (5) courses from the list below for a total of fifteen (15) credits, with advisor approval Credits
BUEC 365 – Evolution of Economic Theory 3
BUEC 370 – Money Credit and Banking 3
BUEC 375 – International Trade and Finance 3
BUEC 380 – Economic Development of the United States 3
BUEC 385 – Health Economics 3
BUEC 390 – Environmental Economics 3
BUEC 395 – Ecological Economics 3
BUFI 302 – Personal Finance 3
BUFI 321 – Investment Management 3
BUFI 322 – Investments 3
BUMG 120 – Innovation through Technology 3
BUMG 295 – Business Internship 3
BUMG 301 – Organizational Behavior 3
BUMG 303 – Mgmt of Non-Profit Orgs 3
BUMG 309 – Hacking the Maine Food System 3
BUMG 313 – Social Entrepreneurship 3
BUMG 314 – Grant Writing 3
BUMG 315 – Triple Bottom Line Reporting 3
BUMG 328 – Employment Law 3
BUMG 360 – Leadership 3
BUMG 400 – Management Seminar 3
BUMG 410 – Creating Social Enterprises 4
BUMG 495B – Internship in Business Administration 3
BUMK 310 – Advertising 3
BUMK 335 – Global Marketing 3
BUMK 350 – Social Media Marketing Strategy 3
BUMK 405 – Sales Management 3
WRT 233 – Professional and Technical Writing 3

Minors

A student pursuing a major other than Business Administration may, with the permission of the academic director, minor in Business Administration.

Minor in Business Administration Curriculum

Required Courses Credits
BUAC 201 – Financial Accounting 3
BUMK 200 – Marketing 3
BUMG 200 – Management 3
BUEC 204 – Microeconomics 3
Business Electives – 300 and 400 level courses 6
Total Credits 18

51Æ·²èalso offers a minor in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate foundational knowledge in accounting, economics, finance, management, and marketing in application of concepts and theories. 
  • Demonstrate effective skills in written and oral communications using appropriate technologies.
  • Demonstrate an ability to integrate the concepts of the core areas of business.
  • Demonstrate awareness of the importance of the ethical requirements of business activities.
  • Demonstrate an ability to conduct methodological, secondary research into business issues, which may relate to general business or to a specific business function, which requires familiarity with a range of data, research sources, and appropriate methodologies.

Concentration Learning Outcomes

Management

The management concentration covers the organizational, operational and sales aspects of management, as well as introduces non-profit management techniques.

Upon completing the concentration in management, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an ability to apply general Management know-how in practical business situations.
  • Develop an understanding of business that reflects the moral responsibility of management to all relevant stakeholders and the natural environment.
  • Understand the nature and dynamics of social behavior relating to organizational performance in order to develop strategies to become effective in organizations.
Marketing

The marketing concentration focuses on developing strategic and tactical marketing skills, including those used in both digital media and global environments.

Upon completing the concentration in marketing, students will be able to:

  • Develop an understanding of how marketing initiatives by business and not-for-profit organizations impact society and the economy.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the strategic and tactical use of the primary decision-making areas of marketing used by organizations.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of traditional and digital channels of distribution.
  • Understand the uses of traditional and digital promotional methods.
  • Understand the strategic importance of global marketing and be able to develop tactics for an organization’s global marketing thrusts.
Economics

The economics concentration focuses on understanding the impact of the economy on individuals, society, and global business development.

Upon completing the concentration in economics, students will be able to:

  • Develop an understanding of economic thought regarding the incentives.
  • Demonstrate the conditions under which the market allocates resources efficiently and under what conditions it fails to produce socially optimal outcomes.
  • Demonstrate the assumptions and limitations of the neoclassical school of thought reflected in both micro and macroeconomic models.
  • Understand the key concepts in macroeconomic analysis and be able to demonstrate how they are impacted by external events and policy using the Keynesian model.
  • Understand the factors that have determined productivity trends in the history of U.S. economic development with reference to theory and empirical data.
International Business

The international business concentration focuses on understanding the role that cultural differences, globalization, and worldwide trends play in the global marketplace. A semester abroad is required.

Upon completing the concentration in international business, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate detailed familiarity with the impact of the global economy on U.S. businesses and organizations, utilizing appropriate terminology and concepts.
  • Demonstrate comprehension of cultural differences in the conduct of business and/or daily life within major global markets during a study abroad experience.
  • Demonstrate global awareness through an understanding of international business concepts and trends and an ability to internationalize domestically developed business methods and practices.
Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The social innovation and entrepreneurship concentration focuses on applying the concepts of sustainability to the creation of a new venture with triple bottom line responsibility and ecological value.

Upon completing the concentration in social entrepreneurship, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding and the application of the concepts of social entrepreneurship and distinguish social entrepreneurship from traditional economic entrepreneurship as well as from sustainable entrepreneurship.
  • Evaluate and articulate the rewards and risks of undertaking social entrepreneurship by measuring the economic, social, and environmental risks and rewards (triple bottom line) of a new venture and measuring and comparing the short-term economic risks and returns of the venture with the long-term expected benefits.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the ecological problems facing local and global communities as well as the ability to recognize business opportunities for entrepreneurs that arise as a result of the trend of identifying and resolving those ecological problems. Undertake this demonstration by applying those skills necessary to investigate and evaluate all the various aspects of the business and policy environment that have an impact on social entrepreneurship decisions, including an evaluation of corporate behavior in the context of environmental and social goals.
Health Sector Management

The Health Sector Management Concentration focuses on understanding how U.S. healthcare policy and systems impact business in the health sector.

Upon completing the concentration in Health Sector Management, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate the ability to integrate core general management skills with sophisticated understanding of the institutions of the US health care sector.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of U.S. health care economy and markets and those factors that significantly influence decision-making both at the policy level and at the level of the organization.
  3. Utilize the terminology and concepts of health sector systems such as governmental programs, managed care, and information management to recognize and explain the importance of cost, access, and quality to providers, payers, and vendors.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of the legal systems and processes impacting healthcare, including governmental regulation, tort litigation and reform, non-discrimination and privacy legislation, and access/equity of care movements in both the federal and state governments.

Academic and Technical Standards

  • Business majors must earn a minimum of a 2.0 GPA ("C") in all Business Core required courses, business concentration courses, and business elective courses.
  • Business minors must earn a minimum of a 2.0 GPA ("C") in all four required courses and the two business elective courses.

Accreditation

All degree programs offered by the Department of Business are accredited by The New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). The Business Administration Degree Program in the Department of Business is additionally accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Honors Program

We offer qualified students the option of graduating with Honors. This includes significant research, scholarship or creative activity under the direction of a faculty member. Interested students should consult with their advisor. 

Transfer Credit

See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.

Admissions

See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.

Financial Information

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog

This Catalog documents the academic programs, policies, and activities of the 51Æ·²è for the 2023–2024 academic year. The information contained herein is accurate as of the date of publication April 28, 2023.

The 51Æ·²è reserves the right in its sole judgment to make changes of any nature in its programs, calendar, or academic schedule whenever it is deemed necessary or desirable, including changes in course content, the rescheduling of classes with or without extending the academic term, canceling of scheduled classes or other academic activities, in any such case giving such notice thereof as is reasonably practicable under the circumstances.

While each student may work closely with an academic advisor, he or she must retain individual responsibility for meeting requirements in this catalog and for being aware of any changes in provisions or requirements.