Business Administration
Don’t just learn about business. Learn how to do business.
Our ACBSP-accredited Business Administration program covers the nuts and bolts of a business career and the skills required of successful managers: effective writing, strong presentation, critical thinking and ethical leadership.
Develop core business knowledge
Your courses will combine a solid background in the liberal arts and sciences with an in-depth study of business-related disciplines. Before choosing an emphasis, you will complete a core managerial program that covers a range of business topics, such as accounting, finance and marketing.
Gain firsthand experience
You’ll gain practical knowledge as part of your coursework through hands-on projects such as creating business plans, conducting market research and implementing advertising campaigns. Expand your education by taking advantage of many extracurricular opportunities, such as the New Venture Competition and the Entrepreneurship Club to network with other students who share your interests. Take your education overseas with a variety of short-term travel programs to learn about business in other parts of the world, including Europe and Asia.
Create your personal schedule
Complete your degree on a track path that fits your timeline. Graduate in as little as 3 years or do the traditional 4 year plan. The path is yours to take — we’ll help you create the perfect schedule with an academic plan that suits your personal journey.
Steven Dorfman Scholarship
Covering 75-100% of tuition, the Steven Dorfman Scholarship is awarded to selected admitted students for majors within the School of Management.
At a Glance
Degree Type
Bachelor of Science
Department
School/College
School of Management
Next Steps
Interested in this major? Here's what you can do next:
With challenging and relevant courses, outstanding faculty, small class sizes, and an emphasis on hands-on learning, the business administration program will position you to succeed in your chosen career.
Degree requirements
Find out what it takes to earn a degree in business administration and explore the courses.
Emphasis Areas
Customize this major to your interests by taking courses in an area of focus:
Business Economics
Gain a foundation in economic concepts including macro-economics, micro-economics, banking and capital markets, international economics and finance, and investment analysis.
Finance
Become equipped to work in the field of finance. Students will also be prepared for a career within the finance function of an organization in other industries, depending upon the mix of emphasis area courses chosen.
Global Business
Engage in the study of international business and topics relevant in today’s global economy. Students will be prepared to work in the global business community, or the international function within a domestic business, depending upon the mix of emphasis area courses chosen.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Gain a solid foundation in innovation, value creation, and the realization of new business ventures. Students will be prepared for careers as entrepreneurs and small business owners, as well as successfully working with or for such businesses.
Management
Gain an understanding of concepts from the field of management. Depending upon the mix of emphasis area courses chosen, many different career paths may be pursued.
Marketing
Be prepared for employment in the field of marketing, or within the marketing function of an organization in any industry. Depending upon the mix of emphasis area courses chosen, students may develop an understanding of marketing functions such as advertising, marketing research, sales, and product development.
Highlighted Courses
Get familiar with some of the courses you might take in this major.
BUS 256: Business Analytics I
This course introduces and explores the use of data analytics applied in business disciplines. The course focuses on effective communication of data, including descriptive analytics, data visualization, storytelling with data, and thinking critically about data.
See descriptionBUS 369: Negotiation and Persuasion
This course covers theories, strategies, and ethics underlying negotiation and persuasion in contemporary organizations and societies. Students will learn the concepts and principles pertinent to real world negotiation process.
See descriptionBUS 466: Digital Marketing
Students will study concepts related to digital platforms and how they are leveraged by brands to market the strategic customer experience. The course will help students develop an understanding of the digital customer journey touch points.
See descriptionBUS 469: Strategic Management
Complex business cases integrating the fields of marketing, finance, law, accounting, economics and industrial management provide a realistic view of how general managers deal with conceptual business problems. Cases include analyses of strategic, interpersonal business problems.
See descriptionBUS 470: Executive Roundtable
This course is designed to provide students with an appreciation of how business theories are integrated into the strategies of the modern business world. Business executives provide real-world perspectives on how decisions are made and business strategies are implemented.
See descriptionBUS 472: International Finance
Focuses on the financial environment surrounding multinational businesses involved in international trade, investment and financing. Covers management of current assets and liabilities, including foreign financing decisions and techniques, and investigates foreign investment decisions, feasibility analysis and capital budgeting.
See description4+1 Option: Fast Track Your Graduate Degree
Add further value to your degree by choosing the 4+1 Option, which gives you a head start on earning a related graduate degree. With 4+1, you’ll be able to take graduate-level courses as part of your undergraduate curriculum. After graduation, you’ll only need one additional year to complete your degree at Cal Lutheran — saving you both time and money.
Recommended Minors
Want to add even more value to your degree? Consider one of these minors to gain a unique combination of skills and perspectives.
Dean, School of Management
Assistant Professor of Finance
Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Associate Professor
Professor and Program Director of Business Administration
Assistant Professor in the School of Management
Associate Professor of Marketing
Associate Professor
We offer hands-on opportunities that give you the freedom to explore your passion through real-world work and prepare for a fulfilling career.
-
School of Management Events
Throughout the year you can attend events that create opportunities to learn about new ideas and forge new relationships within a powerful and lively business community.
-
Student Clubs
Our School of Management offers many clubs and associations to help you meet professionals, learn more about the industry, and have fun at events.
- Accounting Association
- American Marketing Association
- Business of Sports Club
- Delta Sigma Pi
- Investment Club
- PIHRA, Human Resources Club
- StartupCLU
- Women in Business
-
Community Outreach
The School of Management oversees three centers that offer high-quality scholarship and community-related activities.
Out of my undergraduate classes, I think Strategic Management is my favorite, because it challenges me and intertwines all of the information I’ve learned throughout my Business major. For me, it’s like the ending stages of a puzzle where the picture is beginning to make sense.
Kacy enrolled in the MBA 4+1 Option to take classes toward her MBA during her senior year and complete her MBA in Financial Planning one year after receiving her B.A.
Kacy Cashatt '15
Read their storyAs a graduate of our business administration program, you can target professional careers in corporate or nonprofit management, finance, international business, small business entrepreneurship or marketing. If you pursue further study, you may gain admission to law or other graduate and professional schools.
Potential Careers
Business Intelligence Analysts
Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.
See descriptionManagement Analysts
Conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, conduct work simplification and measurement studies, and prepare operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively. Includes program analysts and management consultants.
See descriptionTraining and Development Specialists
Design or conduct work-related training and development programs to improve individual skills or organizational performance. May analyze organizational training needs or evaluate training effectiveness.
See descriptionHuman Resources Specialists
Recruit, screen, interview, or place individuals within an organization. May perform other activities in multiple human resources areas.
See descriptionProject Management Specialists
Analyze and coordinate the schedule, timeline, procurement, staffing, and budget of a product or service on a per project basis. Lead and guide the work of technical staff. May serve as a point of contact for the client or customer.
See descriptionPurchasing Managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of buyers, purchasing officers, and related workers involved in purchasing materials, products, and services. Includes wholesale or retail trade merchandising managers and procurement managers.
See descriptionSupply Chain Managers
Direct or coordinate production, purchasing, warehousing, distribution, or financial forecasting services or activities to limit costs and improve accuracy, customer service, or safety. Examine existing procedures or opportunities for streamlining activities to meet product distribution needs. Direct the movement, storage, or processing of inventory.
See descriptionInvestment Fund Managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.
See descriptionLooking for more career paths? Search these related areas to discover more options.
Employers
Some of the organizations our graduates work for include:
- ABC Television Group
- Amgen
- Anthem Inc.
- Bank of America
- Ernst & Young
- J.D. Power and Associates
- Los Angeles Rams
- Northrop Grumman
- Patagonia
- PennyMac Loan Services, LLC
- Sage Publications
- Scorpion
- Smith Geiger
- Tesla
- The Cheesecake Factory
- The Walt Disney Company
Graduate Schools
Our alumni have pursued advanced degrees at:
- California Lutheran University
- Claremont Graduate University
- Copenhagen Business School
- Louisiana State University
- San Diego State University
- Seattle University School of Law
- Pepperdine University
- Point Loma Nazarene University
- University of California, Los Angeles
- University of California, Riverside
- University of Miami
- University of Southern California
Right after graduating, I started working in venture capital, with impact funds that invest in underrepresented founders. I secured a role at a $100 million venture fund that exclusively invested in the U.S. Latino startups. With my skills in marketing and data analytics, I was able to support the fund and its founders in various capacities. The environment at Cal Lutheran gave me the confidence to pursue my interests in venture capital, with a particular focus on supporting the Latino community.
Anastasia Martinez '22
Chief of Staff, Libra Leaders
This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Some occupations listed above may require a related graduate degree.
How We Prepare You for Success
We have 20,000+ employer contacts for jobs and internships, with over 200 listings posted each week.
Our excellent career counselors in the Career Services center will get in touch with you during your very first term on campus. They offer over 50 workshops each year on resume writing, interviewing, salary negotiations, applying to graduate schools, and other critical skills to help you begin your career successfully.
After you graduate from Cal Lutheran, you receive free access to Career Services for life, as a valued member of our alumni family.
of Cal Lutheran graduates find a job or enroll in graduate school within nine months
We work with students and families to make sure everyone who is admitted to Cal Lutheran can afford it.
Tuition & Fees
You and your family might have questions about how you’ll cover the costs of college. We can tell you this — it costs less than you think.
Scholarships & Grants
We offer a range of awards based on academic merit and financial need. This is money that does not need to be repaid.
Financial Aid
If you're new to the financial aid process, you probably have a lot of questions. But don't worry — we're here to help guide you all the way.
Let us know and we'll send you information about our academics, campus life, the admission process, and more!
Level Up Your College Search
Check out our college success guides to help you navigate the search process.
5 Tips for Applying to College
Learn how to look good when applying to colleges, with personal tips to stand out from Cal Lutheran admission counselors.
How to Afford College
Read this guide to minimize costs as you save for college during high school — learn all about scholarships, financial aid, FAFSA, and more!
How to Choose a College Major
Your major will be a significant part of your academic experience. How do you pick the right one?