BSBA Degree Program Descriptions

BSBA students may choose a major in accounting, finance, general management, or marketing. To earn the BSBA degree in any of these majors, students must complete a minimum of 120 credits, fulfill all arts and sciences foundation requirements, complete all BSBA core curriculum requirements, and fulfill any major-specific requirements as detailed below.

Accounting

The major in accounting is designed to provide students with the general, business, and accounting knowledge necessary for them to succeed as professional accountants. As accounting is a dynamic field, all accounting majors will learn how to keep their knowledge up to date so they can continue to grow throughout their professional careers. Accounting majors will acquire the communication, computer, and interpersonal skills necessary to successfully resolve complex problems in unstructured settings. Accounting majors benefit from participation in extracurricular activities and organizations such as the University of Pittsburgh Accounting Association and Beta Alpha Psi, the national accounting honorary fraternity.

All accounting majors must complete the two BSBA core courses in accounting as well as the six required accounting major courses listed below. Accounting majors will fulfill the international perspectives requirement in the Intermediate Financial Reporting courses (see *courses below). All courses are 3 credits unless noted otherwise.

BSBA Core Courses in Accounting

Students must complete these courses with an average of C or better to be eligible to take additional accounting courses:

Required Accounting Major Courses (19 credits)

Courses are offered on a rotating basis.

Accounting Electives

Students preparing for the Certified Public Accounting (CPA) exam are strongly encouraged to consider taking BUSACC 1206 Intermediate Financial Reporting 3, BUSACC 1216 Advanced Financial Accounting, and BUSENV 1760 Business Law.

Finance

The major in finance is designed to provide students with the financial knowledge and skills required for a successful business career. It attempts to give students a thorough understanding of the theoretical financial principles and the practical implementation of these principles in the world of business. Students learn how financial markets operate and how to make effective investment and financial decisions. The major is designed to develop analytical skills and problem-solving abilities.

Finance knowledge and practice have become crucial for the success of corporations and of the individuals employed by them. Financial markets are the major conduits through which investments are channeled in the global marketplace. Understanding these markets and how to make investment decisions is crucial for success in business.

In addition to the BSBA core course, BUSFIN 1030 Introduction to Finance, at least 15 credits in finance course work are required for the finance major. *Asterisked courses fulfill the international perspective requirement.

BSBA Core Course in Finance

This course must be completed with a C or better to take additional finance courses:

Required Finance Major Courses

Finance Electives

Courses are offered on a rotating basis.
(A minimum of three courses must be taken.)

General Management

The major in general management provides students with interests in more than one discipline with the flexibility to concentrate their elective course work in two areas. Course work in the areas noted below may be used for the general management major. Courses with significant international content are offered in several areas. Students with international business interests should also consider a study abroad program.

The core courses in the two focused areas of study must be completed with a C or better to take additional courses in those areas. Courses are offered on a rotating basis.

*Asterisked courses fulfill the international perspective requirement.

Accounting

Finance

Human Resources Management

Management Information Systems

Marketing

Organizational Behavior

Marketing

The major in marketing is designed to provide students with the conceptual background and practical skills necessary to address questions such as what new products a firm should introduce, how products should be priced, how to identify the best channels of distribution, and how best to promote new and existing products. Students majoring in marketing can pursue careers in retailing, sales management, marketing research, advertising and promotion, consumer product marketing, or industrial marketing.

In addition to the general BSBA requirements, 15 credits in marketing course work, plus the BSBA core course BUSMKT 1040 Introduction to Marketing, are required for the marketing major.

*Asterisked courses fulfill the international perspective requirement.

BSBA Core Course in Marketing

Students must complete this course with a C or better to be eligible to take additional marketing courses:

Required Marketing Major Courses

Marketing Electives

Courses are offered on a rotating basis.
(A minimum of three courses must be taken.)

College of Business Administration Course Offerings

These are the courses offered by the College of Business Administration.

BUSINESS

ACCOUNTING

BUSINESS ECONOMICS

BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

FINANCE

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS

MARKETING

ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR

QUANTITATIVE METHODS

STRATEGIC PLANNING AND POLICY

BUSINESS SERVICE
Business service (BUSERV) courses are offered for nonbusiness students.