Business Curriculum Outline
Bachelor of Science Degree
Business Core Requirement
Business Core Notes: As an advising guideline, courses should be taken in the sequence shown above. BUSA 1210 (Intro. to Microeconomics), BUSA 2000 (Business Communication), and BUSA 2100 (Business Analytics I) should be taken within the University general education core; otherwise they should be taken within the general electives area. Three semester hours earned from BUSA 4990 (Business Directed “Travel Study”) may be substituted for BUSA 4000. MATH 1300 may be substituted for BUSA 2100. Students in the Hospitality and Tourism concentration will take BUSA 4882 (Technology in the Hospitality Industry) in place of BUSA 4030 (Management Information Systems).
General Electives
Concentration Requirements
General Education
Piedmont University Requirement
| PDMT 1101 | Intro to University Life and Liberal Arts Tradition | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 1 |
Students who have not completed a minimum of 24 semester credit hours of college-level coursework upon admission to Piedmont University must meet this University requirement.
Total Credit Hours: 120
Concentrations
For the major in business administration, each student must select a concentration in a specific field. Concentrations are available in Accounting, Business Analytics, Digital Marketing, Finance, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Logistics and Global Operations, Management, and Marketing. This selection process for concentrations can occur at any time during a student’s progress through the program, but it is highly recommended that the decision be made by the end of a student's junior year.
Accounting Concentration
A major in business administration with a concentration in accounting provides a doorway to many career opportunities both within and outside of accounting. The degree may lead one to become a certified public accountant or certified management accountant and will prepare one for employment in the manufacturing and service industries as well as for government service. A background in accounting is also an excellent foundation for graduate school in business or law.
Accounting, often called the language of business, provides essential information about the economic activities of an entity. It plays an important role in our economic and social system. The decisions made by individuals, businesses, governments and other entities determine the use of the nation’s scarce resources. The goal of accounting is to record, report and interpret economic and financial data for use by decision makers.
Concentration Requirements (21 semester hours)
Electives - Choose one from
Note: Students interested in becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) need to earn 30 semester hours in ACCT courses beyond Principles of Accounting (
ACCT 2010 and 2020), and total at least 150 semester hours. Interested students should work closely with their academic advisor in planning the courses selected which can include
ACCT 4700,
ACCT 4200, ACCT 4610,
ACCT 4990,
ACCT 6430 (International Financial Management),
ACCT 6500 (Corporate Financial Analysis), and
ACCT 6530 (Managerial Accounting).
Business Analytics Concentration (Demorest Campus Only)
For many years it has been axiomatic that the purpose of business strategy is the creation and sustainment of competitive advantage and that the basis for competitive advantage is knowledge. Data driven decision making is a term that has been around for over a decade, but recent changes in both data collection and data analytics has transformed decision making methodologies in organizational settings. Consider the idea that the ability to create knowledge from big data sets through the use of data analytics will be a critical element in sustaining competitive advantage. Within organizations, as planners craft strategy, as decision makers select alternatives, the data analyst becomes an integral part of the modern organizational structure and accordingly, the data analyst position will be the fastest growing new job opportunity in business for the next ten years. For these reasons, we have modernized every concentration in our business program to reflect this new reality and we have added business analytics as a new concentration. Students who complete the Business Analytics concentration will also receive a certificate in Business Analytics.
Concentration Requirements (21- 24 semester hours)
Note 1: BUSA-2100 should be taken to meet the mathematical reasoning general education requirement.
Note 2: We encourage students to consider the option of three math classes as electives within the concentration, which leaves the student just 2 courses short of a minor in mathematics along with their Business Analytics concentration.
Electives - Choose three from:
Digital Marketing Concentration
A concentration in Digital Marketing provides the opportunity for a student to incorporate the traditional approach of the Marketing discipline and with modern technology to satisfy the needs and wants of consumers. Students develop an understanding of methods of delivering value in an electronic medium though the use of Content Management, Search Engine Optimization, Search Engine Marketing, reputation Management, Social Media platforms, E-mail Marketing, and other analytical techniques. Specializing in Digital Marketing can open doors in virtually any industry, as firms everywhere seek to leverage these powerful avenues for reaching customers. Careers in Digital Marketing range from Content Developer to Analyst, to Product Manager, to Marketing Manager and beyond.
Concentration Requirement (21 semester hours)
Electives - Choose two
Finance Concentration (Demorest Campus Only)
The finance concentration helps students develop the solid foundation in financial principles and practices valued by successful business professionals. Students develop their analytical skills, study the role of financial institutions and markets in the global economy, and explore the use of financial management tools and techniques in the overall strategic management of the firm. The study of finance prepares students for careers in commercial and investment banking, corporation finance, investment analysis and management, and financial analysis. This concentration also provides sound preparation for graduate study.
Concentration Requirements (21 semester hours)
Electives - Choose one from:
Hospitality and Tourism Concentration (Athens Campus Only)
The Hospitality and Tourism Management Concentration creates an opportunity for an in-depth understanding of hospitality and tourism, not only locally but with a worldwide perspective in a growing industry. Students from concentration are prepared for any segment of the industry, ranging from hotels and resort management to event management to international hotel organization.
Due to the program’s requirements for both an internship and a practicum, students receive real world experience before graduating from the program. Both the internship and the practicum are supported by local businesses in the Athens, Georgia area as part of the development of students ready to lead in this dynamic field.
Concentration Requirements (21 semester hours)
Notes:
- BUSA 4882 replaces BUSA 4030 in the core business classes. If a student has already completed BUSA 4030, they should take BUSA 4882 as a general elective, if their schedule permits.
Logisitics and Global Operations Concentration (Demorest Campus only)
Change and innovation in the business environment requires specific planning and analytical skills to ensure that a business has what it needs, when they need it, to insure that it meets the on-time delivery expectations of the customer. The Logistics and Global Operations concentration focuses on responding to customer demand fluctuations by analyzing and managing the global supply chain from raw materials acquisition through production to distribution. Effective execution of the logistics function is a prerequisite to operating a business in the global economy. This concentration provides a solid foundation for a career in Materials Management, Purchasing Management, Inventory Management, and Quality Management. Students who complete the Logistics and Global Operations concentration will also receive a certificate in Logistics and Global Management.
Courses
Electives - Choose one
Management Concentration
The management concentration provides students with a broad set of skills, knowledge, and perspectives so they can pursue careers in a variety of organizations and industries and deal with the realities of numerous job and career changes following graduation. Also, the management concentration provides a solid foundation for graduate study in MBA programs or law school. The management concentration focuses on topics fundamental to the success of leaders and organizations.
Management, where the student focuses on acquiring decision-making and implementation skills, is designed to provide ethical strategic direction to businesses in a global setting. The management concentrations differ from other business concentrations in that it focuses on between-function issues whereas other concentrations focus primarily on within-functional issues.
Concentration Requirements (21 semester hours)
Electives - Choose two from:
Marketing Concentration
The study of marketing explores the dynamic processes in which persons and organizations strive to anticipate and satisfy the needs and wants of consumers. Students develop an understanding of the concepts and functions of marketing, including the appreciation of consumer orientation and the refinement of the skills and abilities needed to analyze and formulate marketing strategies. This concentration is particularly relevant to the student planning a career in sales, advertising, consumer relations, brand management, and marketing research. This concentration also prepares students for graduate study.
Concentration Requirements (21 semester hours)
Electives - Choose two from:
Note: Students interested in the area of Sports Marketing should consider BUSA 3340 and BUSA 4120 as electives above.