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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.

Overview
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
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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

Business Administration

School/College

School of Management

Next Steps

Interested in this major? Here's what you can do next:

The Curriculum

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 description
BUS 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.

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BUS 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.

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BUS 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.

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BUS 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.

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BUS 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.

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View all required courses



4+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.

View 4+1 Programs



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.


The Experience

We offer hands-on opportunities that give you the freedom to explore your passion through real-world work and prepare for a fulfilling career.

Student photo

I started as a business administration major but switched to mathematics in my second year. This combination has been beneficial, as the business courses provided essential management and finance skills, while my math major enhanced my analytical abilities. Together, they allow me to approach problems strategically and make informed decisions in my career.

Binderiya Khurtsbaatar '25

Career Paths

As 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.

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Management 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 description

Training 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.

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Human Resources Specialists

Recruit, screen, interview, or place individuals within an organization. May perform other activities in multiple human resources areas.

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Project 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.

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Purchasing 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.

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Supply 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.

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Investment Fund Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.

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Looking 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
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • 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
Maria Shroyer
Some of the classes related to my major that stood out for me and were my favorites are Accounting, Economics, and Applied Calculus. The faculty in business administration has been very helpful and have made my time at CLU enjoyable, interesting and memorable.

Maria Shroyer '22

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.

Learn more about career outcomes

of Cal Lutheran graduates find a job or enroll in graduate school within nine months

Cost & Financial Aid

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.

Read our financial aid guide

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.

View scholarships and grants

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.

Learn about financial aid

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