Business
Our Business Administration program provides you with a solid foundation in professional business management theories and practices with the flexibility to pursue your individual interest. The major provides broad coverage of the technical, interpersonal, conceptual, and analytical skills necessary to specialize in a particular area of interest such as entrepreneurship/small business, marketing, accounting or general business. A degree in Business Administration can lead to many different careers.
Mission Statement for the Department of Business
The mission statement of the Department of Business of Montana State University Northern is to take students from around the world and help them become technically competent, ethically grounded, socially responsible, innovative change-leaders in the business environment.
Learning Outcomes for Business Administration, BS , Trades Management and Business Management, BAS.
- Use accounting information to analyze and make business decisions.
- Use finance skills to analyze and make business decisions.
- Use strategy skills to analyze and make business decisions.
- Use marketing skills to analyze and make business decisions.
- Use operations’ skills to analyze and make business decisions.
- Use human resource skills to analyze and make business decisions.
Learning Outcomes for Program of Study in Business, AS
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Produce written documents that will (a) be grammatically correct and (b) incorporate logical, complete, and articulate thoughts.
- Demonstrate presentation and oral communication skills with utilization of technology.
- Recognize basic concepts and theories related to business ethics and social responsibilities.
- Demonstrate basic knowledge of the functional areas of business.
- Make effective group decisions integrating multiple functional areas of business.
- Use the library resources, research databases, and/or the Internet to obtain information.
- Analyze and interpret quantitative data. Examples include those found in financial statements and data used to make business decisions.
- Evaluate information. Examples include external information, current issues.
- Use the problem solving model to evaluate information and to choose a solution to a problem.
Mission Statement for Accounting, minor
The mission of the minor in Accounting is to give students an understanding of basic accounting principles and technologies and the analytical and technical skills to employ them for best business practices.
Learning Outcomes for Accounting Minor
- Identify, illustrate, and describe enterprise and transaction cycles and business processes.
- Identify and apply appropriate accounting standards relating to financial reporting.
- Employ analytical skills to solve accounting-specific problems.
- Use industry relevant software for a variety of accounting applications.
- Identify and discuss ethical considerations in an accounting context.
- Use written communication to analyze and convey information in a clear and professional manner.
Mission Statement for Marketing Program Minor
The marketing program and Montana State University Northern will prepare you for an exciting career in print, online and social media outlets. This minor gives you a broad background in personal selling, customer service and advertising/promotion.
Learning Outcomes for Marketing: Technical Sales and Service Minor
- Written Communication: Students produce written documents that will (a) be grammatically correct and (b) incorporate logical, complete and articulate thoughts.
- Oral Communication: Students demonstrate presentation and oral communication skills with utilization of technology.
- Decision Making: Strategies: Use marketing planning and strategy skills to make business decisions.
- Critical Thinking: Identify key problem(s) and/or opportunities in a domestic and/or global business situation and use critical thinking skills to make business decisions.
Learning Outcomes for Small Business Management Minor
- Identify and analyze accounting concepts to interpret financial data and make informed decisions about operating performance and financial position of a small business.
- Interpret financial statements, assess financial health, and analyze performance metrics to make informed financial decisions.
- Develop financial strategies for managing cash flow, budgeting, forecasting, and securing capital for small business growth.
- Utilize finance skills to optimize resource allocation, access capital, manage budgeting, forecasting and cash flow, assess profitability and growth, and inform strategic planning.
- Apply tools and techniques for management and organization and navigate legal and regulatory frameworks in small business.
- Demonstrate effective leadership and team management skills necessary for fostering a positive organizational culture within legal and regulatory guidelines.
- Develop and implement effective marketing strategies tailored to small business objectives, target markets, and competitive landscapes.
- Implement brand identity and develop a measurable marketing strategy that leverages appropriate marketing strategy that leverages appropriate marketing channels and focuses on meeting customer needs through thoughtful product development.
Bachelor of Science Business Administration – Minor Required
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Core | 33 | |
| Required Courses | ||
| ACTG 201 | Principles of Fin Acct | 3 |
| ACTG 202 | Principles of Mang Acct | 3 |
| BGEN 112 | Creative Problem Solving | 3 |
| BGEN 110 | Applied Business Leadership | 3 |
| BGEN 253 | Business Statistics & Research | 3 |
| BGEN 235 | Business Law | 3 |
| BMGT 335 | Management & Organization | 3 |
| BMGT 329 | Human Resource Management | 3 |
| BMKT 325 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| BFIN 322 | Business Finance | 3 |
| BGEN 360 | International Business (Meets CAT V requirement) | 3 |
| BMGT 322 | Operations Management | 3 |
| BGEN 468 | Contemp Issues in Bus Ethics | 3 |
| BMIS 311 | Management Information Systems | 3 |
| BGEN 494 | Seminar | 3 |
| ECNS 201 | Principles of Microeconomics (Meets CAT IV Requirement) | 3 |
| CAPP 156 | MS Excel | 3 |
| WRIT 122 | Business Writing | 3 |
| BGEN 105 | Introduction to Business | 3 |
| BMGT 422 | Project Management | 3 |
| Additional Gen Ed Core | 21 | |
| Minor | 30 | |
| Electives | 9 | |
| Total minimum credits required for degree/minor | 120 | |
Bachelor of Applied Science in Trades Management
*** A student entering this program will have completed an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in plumbing, electrical, construction trades, carpentry, construction technology, culinary arts, electronics technology, energy technology, industrial machine technology, machine tool technology, metals technology, sheet metal technology, surveying, sustainable energy technology, or welding technology from any member of the Montana University System or from those Montana tribal colleges, with which MSU-Northern have articulated with. A maximum of 60 of those credits (including 9 required general education credits) will apply to this degree. Students that have already completed some general education credits in an AAS may count these toward the 33 general education credits for this degree but are still required to take a minimum of 60 credits in the BAS to meet the 120 credits to graduate.***
General Education Core 33
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ACTG 410 | Cost/Mgmt Acct I | 3 |
| BMGT 335 | Management & Organization | 3 |
| BMKT 325 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| BMGT 422 | Project Management | 3 |
| BFIN 322 | Business Finance | 3 |
| BMIS 311 | Management Information Systems | 3 |
| BMGT 448 | Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| ACTG 201 | Principles of Fin Acct | 3 |
| ACTG 202 | Principles of Mang Acct | 3 |
| BGEN 360 | International Business | 3 |
| CAPP 156 | MS Excel | 3 |
| General Education Core | 27 | |
Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Management
*** Students entering this program will have completed an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Business, Business Administration, Business Management or Business Technology from the MUS system, or from those Montana tribal colleges, with which MSU-Northern have articulated with. A maximum of 60 credits (includes 9 credits of required general education course work) of those credits will apply to this degree. Students that have already completed some general education credits in an AAS may count these toward the 33 general education credits for this degree but are still required to take a minimum of 60 credits in the BAS to meet the 120 credits to graduate.***
| Core Category | Credits | Course Prefix and Number |
|---|---|---|
| Gen Ed Core | 27 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BFIN 322 | Business Finance | 3 |
| BMGT 335 | Management & Organization | 3 |
| BMIS 311 | Management Information Systems | 3 |
| BMGT 322 | Operations Management | 3 |
| BMGT 329 | Human Resource Management | 3 |
| BUS 348 | Business Communications | 3 |
| ACTG 201 | Principles of Fin Acct | 3 |
| ACTG 202 | Principles of Mang Acct | 3 |
| ACTG 410 | Cost/Mgmt Acct I | 3 |
| BGEN 253 | Business Statistics & Research | 3 |
| BMGT 422 | Project Management | 3 |
| BGEN 494 | Seminar | 3 |
| BGEN 360 | International Business | 3 |
| CAPP 156 | MS Excel | 3 |
| ECNS 201 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
Associate of Science Program of Study in Business
Learning Outcome: Students recognize basic concepts and theories related to business ethics and social responsibilities.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Core | 24 | |
| Required Courses | ||
| ACTG 201 | Principles of Fin Acct | 3 |
| ACTG 202 | Principles of Mang Acct | 3 |
| BGEN 105 | Introduction to Business | 3 |
| BGEN 112 | Creative Problem Solving | 3 |
| BGEN 110 | Applied Business Leadership | 3 |
| BGEN 253 | Business Statistics & Research | 3 |
| or STAT 216 | Introduction to Statistics | |
| BGEN 235 | Business Law | 3 |
| ECNS 201 | Principles of Microeconomics (Meets CAT IV Requirement) | 3 |
| or ECNS 202 | Principles of Macroeconomics | |
| CAPP 156 | MS Excel | 3 |
| WRIT 122 | Business Writing | 3 |
| Electives | 6 | |
| GEN ED Requirements | 24 | |
| Total minimum credits required for degree | 60 | |
| *Check course descriptions for course rotation | ||
Minors
**The Business Technology minor is not available to students earning a BS in Business Administration.**
Accounting
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ACTG 201 | Principles of Fin Acct | 3 |
| ACTG 202 | Principles of Mang Acct | 3 |
| ACTG 320 | Accounting Data Analytics | |
| ACTG 301 | Intermediate Accounting I | 3 |
| ACTG 302 | Intermediate Accounting II | 3 |
| ACTG 401 | Principles of Fed Tax - Ind | 3 |
| ACTG 410 | Cost/Mgmt Acct I | 3 |
| ACTG 411 | Auditing 1 | 3 |
| BGEN 235 | Business Law | 3 |
| BFIN 322 | Business Finance | 3 |
| Total minimum credits required for minor | 30 | |
- *
Offered alternate even years
- **
Offered alternate odd years
Suggested Selective General Education Courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Category IV Social Sciences: ECNS 201 Principles of Microeconomics (CAT IV) | 3 | |
| Category IV Social Sciences: ECNS 202 Principles of Macroeconomics (CAT IV) | 3 | |
**The Business Technology minor is not available to students earning a BS in Business Administration.**
Business Technology
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ACTG 201 | Principles of Fin Acct | 3 |
| ACTG 202 | Principles of Mang Acct | 3 |
| BGEN 105 | Introduction to Business | 3 |
| BGEN 112 | Creative Problem Solving | 3 |
| BGEN 110 | Applied Business Leadership | 3 |
| BGEN 235 | Business Law | 3 |
| BMGT 335 | Management & Organization | 3 |
| BMKT 325 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| BUS 348 | Business Communications | 3 |
| Total minimum credits required for degree | 27 | |
Marketing
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| BGEN 112 | Creative Problem Solving | 3 |
| BMKT 325 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| BMKT 337 | Consumer Behavior | 3 |
| BUS 348 | Business Communications | 3 |
| BMKT 345 | Marketing Trends | 3 |
| BMKT 436 | Sales and Sales Management | 3 |
| BMKT 441 | Advanced Marketing Application | 3 |
| BMKT 338 | Advertising and Promotion | 3 |
| BMGT 245 | Customer Service Management | 3 |
| GDSN 231 | Graphic Design Applications | 3 |
| Total minimum credits required for minor | 30 | |
Small Business Management
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ACTG 201 | Principles of Fin Acct | 3 |
| ACTG 202 | Principles of Mang Acct | 3 |
| BGEN 235 | Business Law | 3 |
| BMGT 335 | Management & Organization | 3 |
| BMGT 329 | Human Resource Management | 3 |
| BMKT 325 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| BMKT 338 | Advertising and Promotion | 3 |
| BMGT 461 | Small Business Management | 3 |
| BMGT 448 | Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| BMGT 245 | Customer Service Management | 3 |
| Total minimum credits required for minor | 30 | |