Dr. Kelly Wilkinson, Associate Dean

One of the most popular majors in the College of Business, the Business Administration major is designed to offer students an education in business that has the flexibility to meet their individual interests in specific business disciplines. Business administration majors complete the required business core of courses and an additional six hours at the 300-400 level in each of three selected emphasis areas. Completion of this major leads to careers in a variety of business areas.

Overview

Business Administration is an interdisciplinary program that allows the student to combine course from three or more applied business disciplines. Called emphasis areas, these disciplines permit the student to tailor his or her program to suit specific interests. Because the courses are in addition to those that accompany the business core, Business Administration students can assemble a significant set of knowledge in multiple areas.

Emphasis Areas

Students taking the BA major will take courses in areas of managing the enterprise, managing financial resources, and managing operations and systems.

These applied business areas include accounting, administrative systems and business education, economics, finance, insurance, management, management information systems, marketing, operations & supply chain management, or real estate.

Learning outcomes will focus around specific coursework taken in these broad areas. More details are found in the Curriculum page in this section.

Learning Modes

The business administration major can be completed on campus (day or night programs), or by distance education (web based learning). While we encourage students to spend all four years at ISU, articulation programs from two-year approved institutions enable you to transfer up to 62 credit hours as a block. The distance education program is based on a 2+2 model - you take classes close to home for the first two years, then take ISU web courses for the last two years. Information about distance education at ISU is found at http://www.indstate.edu/online/.

Career Opportunities

The business administration major leads to careers in a variety of areas. Some graduates work in family businesses or start their own. but are equally suited to other areas of business in which a variety of courses is appropriate.

With careful selection of elective classes to support career goals, the business administration graduate is able to tailor his or her education to fit specific needs. For those students interested in careers within a specific emphasis area, a minor in that area is suggested. Business minors typically require four to six additional courses in a field, or two to four courses beyond the emphasis classes in that area.

Download

• Business Administration Factsheet (PDF)