Unlock Your Future with a Business Degree
The Bachelor of Arts in Business Studies degree is designed for students that have an interest in earning a non-traditional business degree. This pathway offers a flexible approach, allowing the student to personally design the flex core portion of the degree. Students can select courses from various academic areas or use transfer credit hours from previous education experiences.
Time to Complete
2-4 years full-time, depending on transfer credits; flexible part-time options
Credits
120 credits – up to 30 hours transfer/flex core
Program Highlights
The BA in Business Studies program is a multidisciplinary business education that blends basic business education topics from accounting, personal finance, business communication, marketing, information technology, sales, real estate, supply chain, and human resources; along with the ability for students to self-select the study of over twenty hours of coursework outside of business topics.
- Transfer credit hour friendly program; allows for use of more than 30 transfer credits
- Ideal for working professionals, military veterans, and transfer students
- Fully online program
- Earn credit hours for completion of an internship experience
- Complete coursework for the CSU MBA Online Program
Learning Methodology
The BA in Business Studies program provides an innovative flexible approach by allowing the student to personally design the flex core portion of the degree in which the student can select from multidisciplinary academic areas. This innovative approach will allow students the flexibility to deepen their knowledge in a particular business subject area or choose to study subjects outside the business area or use previous educational experiences in completing their Bachelor of Arts Business Studies degree program.
Student Learning Goals & Outcomes
- Goal 1: Students will be able to demonstrate that they have foundation knowledge of specific business disciplines
- Goal 2: Students will be able to communicate effectively in a business environment
- Goal 3: Students will be able to demonstrate proficiency in using key business software and technology tools
- Goal 4: Students will be able to use business education along with education from selected academic disciplines and programs outside of business coursework to solve complex issues facing public and private organizations within any type of industry
Admissions Requirements
Apply for admission to Cleveland State University.
Admission to major: Standard CSU admission criteria for high school, and transfer students.
- Math Requirement: Any two college level math courses which satisfy the CSU Math/Quantitative Literacy
- Foreign Language Requirement no additional courses are required beyond the University foreign language requirement
- Transfer coursework rules: Student must complete a minimum of 46-49 credit hours of Business Studies major coursework among the three core areas of the Business Studies major: Basic Core/Practical Core/Business Studies major core at CSU
- Major Graduation Requirement:
- Student must complete course BSM 140 by the end of the second semester of enrollment in the Business Studies program
- Achievement of a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.00 in the Business Studies major
- Student can earn two D grades among four BS major courses without repeating the courses
- General Education Requirements: 35 credit hours:
- WAC courses and 1 Social Science is a part of the Business Studies major
- One WAC course must be selected from either the Flex Core or 300/400 level business electives
Courses
First Year
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 101 | English I | 3 Credits |
| MTH 116 | Foundations Quantitative Literacy | 3 Credits |
| BSM 140 | Business Studies Major Experience | 1 Credit |
| PHY 102 | Flying Circus PHY: Sound & Light with Lab elective BIO 107 | 4 Credits |
| UST 206 | Megacities of Asia | 3 Credits |
| ASC 101 | Introduction to University Life | 1 Credit |
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 102 | English II | 3 Credits |
| MTH 148 OR BUS 201 | Math for Business Majors OR Applied Business Statistics | 3 Credits |
| MUS 151 | Jazz Survey | 3 Credits |
| FIN 201 OR FIN 351 | Financial Planning OR Intro Financial Management | 3 Credits |
| IST 203 | Software Tools | 3 Credits |
Second Year
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECN 202 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 Credits |
| UST 250 | The City in Film | 3 Credits |
| GAD 240 | Online Communication for Business Professionals | 3 Credits |
| ACT 221 | Introductory Accounting I | 3 Credits |
| IST 305 | Information Technology for Competitive Advantage | 3 Credits |
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MKT 301 | Fundamentals of Marketing | 3 Credits |
| Flex Core Major Elective | 3 Credits | |
| Flex Core Major Elective | 3 Credits | |
| UST 302 | Contemporary Urban Issues | 3 Credits |
| UST 289 | Physical Geography | 3 Credits |
Third Year
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MKT 454 | Online Marketing Strategies | 3 Credits |
| MGT 301 | Principles of Management | 3 Credits |
| OSM 311 | Introduction to Operations Management | 3 Credits |
| Flex Core Major Elective | 3 Credits | |
| Flex Core Major Elective | 3 Credits |
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MGT 321 | Organizational Behavior | 3 Credits |
| MKT 321 | International Business | 3 Credits |
| MGT 340 | Human Resource Management | 3 Credits |
| ENT 315 | Principles of Innovation & Entrepreneurship | 3 Credits |
| Flex Core Major Elective | 3 Credits |
Fourth Year
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| OSM 442 | Innovation Management | 3 Credits |
| INB 488 | Multicultural Marketing | 3 Credits |
| BUS 351 | Business, Society & Government | 3 Credits |
| Flex Core Major Elective | 3 Credits | |
| SOC 201 | Race, Class and Gender | 3 Credits |
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BSM 400 | Business Decision Making | 3 Credits |
| MKT 456 | Customer Relationship Management | 3 Credits |
| MGT 302 | Principles of Labor & Industrial Relations (BUS elective) | 3 Credits |
| Flex Core Major Elective | 3 Credits | |
| Flex Core Major Elective | 3 Credits | |
| BUS 498 | Business Undergraduate Completion Exit Evaluation | 3 Credits |
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition and financial aid for CSU programs are kept competitive so you can receive the education you deserve. Tuition for online programs and courses follows the same fee structure as traditional, on-campus programs and courses. Current CSU Undergraduate tuition costs can be found on the Bursar’s website.
Approximately 70% of CSU’s students receive some form of financial assistance. The University participates in or administers all the major federal and state grant and loan programs. In addition, CSU provides University grants and scholarships.
To begin the financial aid process, you will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You must file a FAFSA every year after January 1st to receive your financial aid. Cleveland State University’s financial aid school code is 003032.
If you have any questions, visit the Financial Aid section of CSU’s website, or contact the Financial Aid office.
Faculty
The Monte Ahuja College of Business Faculty are professors with tremendous expertise in their academic disciplines as well as real-world, relevant experience within the business community.
Nearly every faculty member has a terminal degree in their field of specialization - many from the world's leading business schools. In addition, faculty are actively engaged in the community as business consultants, members of professional organizations and leadership organizations.
Career Outcomes
WHAT CAREERS CAN THIS MAJOR PREPARE YOU FOR?
Students graduating with a major in Business Studies can qualify for a wide variety of entry-level positions across many industries and sectors including sales, human resources, event planning, general management, administration leadership and various business positions.
WHAT SKILLS ARE DEVELOPED WITHIN THIS MAJOR?
Skills developed within this major include: Collaboration, Communication Skills, Management, Selling, Public Speaking, Problem-solving and Creative thinking skills.
Career Outcomes
WHAT CAREERS CAN THIS MAJOR PREPARE YOU FOR?
Students graduating with a major in Business Studies can qualify for a wide variety of entry-level positions across many industries and sectors including sales, human resources, event planning, general management, administration leadership and various business positions.
WHAT SKILLS ARE DEVELOPED WITHIN THIS MAJOR?
Skills developed within this major include: Collaboration, Communication Skills, Management, Selling, Public Speaking, Problem-solving and Creative thinking skills.
Business Studies has allowed me to bring over my credits from previous institutions with ease. I am able to curate my curriculum to my interest and career pathway, with the help of CSU Business advisors. I feel confident in continuing my education in Business Studies and learning about operations, management, finances, and more within this major. I know I can apply my business studies to real world applications.