BSBA Business Administration

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Bowling Green State University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) at Bowling Green State University offers students a flexible business education that combines foundational business knowledge with the opportunity to specialize in areas such as management, finance, marketing, business analytics and international business. Through practical coursework, internships, professional development and hands-on business experiences, students develop the analytical, leadership and decision-making skills needed to pursue careers across industries or build their own ventures.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Building Business Foundations

Students begin with BA 1500, Introduction to Business, which introduces the business environment while encouraging career exploration and professional development. Alongside university general education, writing and mathematics requirements, students build foundational knowledge and begin identifying their interests across business disciplines.

Year 2 – Developing Business Communication and Core Knowledge

Students progress into BA 2030, which develops effective business communication, while studying foundational subjects such as accounting, economics and marketing. They also begin strengthening their understanding of how different business functions contribute to organizational performance and decision-making.

Year 3 – Applying Business Knowledge

Students take BA 3500, focusing on ethical decision-making, corporate social responsibility and sustainability. They also advance through core courses such as FIN 3000, Financial Management, MGMT 3000, Principles of Management, and MKT 2010, Principles of Marketing, while developing expertise through their selected specialization.

Year 4 – Strategic Integration and Professional Readiness

In the final year, students complete BA 4500, the Integrated Business Experience, which brings together knowledge from multiple business disciplines to address real business issues. They also complete BA 4060, Global Strategy, and advanced specialization courses, preparing them to apply business knowledge in professional settings.

Focus Areas

Business administration, accounting, applied business economics, business analytics and intelligence, finance, human resource management, information systems, insurance and risk management, international business, management, marketing, sales and services marketing, supply chain management.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop business knowledge across accounting, economics, finance, marketing, operations, supply chain management, business law, organizational behavior and global strategy. They strengthen critical thinking, analytical problem-solving, decision-making, business software proficiency, ethical leadership, professional communication and the ability to integrate knowledge across business functions.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Schmidthorst College of Business holds accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). This internationally recognized accreditation reflects the college's commitment to business education standards, academic quality and continuous improvement.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

98% of BGSU graduates begin careers, pursue advanced degrees or launch businesses within six months of graduation, according to the university's published outcome statistic.
More than 73% of graduates complete one or more internships.
BGSU identifies itself as Ohio's No. 1 public university for career preparation, citing The Wall Street Journal.
The business school was recognized among the top U.S. business schools for student experience by Poets&Quants in 2023.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At BGSU, business students gain practical experience through a combination of applied business courses, internships, collaborative learning and entrepreneurship opportunities. The Schmidthorst College of Business emphasizes learning by doing, allowing students to apply classroom concepts to real business challenges while developing professional confidence. Students can also connect with career coaches, faculty mentors, alumni and industry professionals to prepare for internships and future employment.

Students benefit from the following program-specific opportunities:

Applied Business Experience: BA 1500, BA 2030 and BA 3500 introduce professional development, business communication, ethical decision-making and corporate responsibility.
Integrated Business Experience: BA 4500 serves as the senior capstone, requiring students to integrate their business knowledge to address real business issues.
Internships: Students can pursue internships beginning as early as their first year. More than 73% of graduates complete at least one internship, with nearly all internships paid.
Career Coaching: An embedded career coach in the Schmidthorst College of Business supports students from their first internship through their transition into full-time employment.
Entrepreneurship: The Paul J. Hooker Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership provides entrepreneurship learning, mentorship and incubation opportunities for student ventures.
Industry Mentorship: Entrepreneurs-in-residence, business leaders and alumni contribute professional insights and mentorship.
Business Student Organizations: Students can participate in business organizations to develop teamwork, leadership, meeting management and event-planning skills.
Study Abroad: International study opportunities allow students to develop global business perspectives and engage with university partners worldwide.
Business District Learning Community: Students can interact with business faculty and industry professionals and participate in field trips and conferences.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the BSBA program are prepared to pursue professional opportunities in business operations, finance, marketing, management, consulting, entrepreneurship and supply chain management. The combination of core business knowledge, specialization options and practical experience allows students to explore different career pathways while developing the skills needed for professional growth.

Career Opportunities

Business Analyst, Business Operations Manager, Digital Marketing Specialist, Entrepreneur/Business Owner.

Graduate Employability and Career Development

Career Services: The embedded career coach in the Schmidthorst College of Business supports students with internship preparation, career planning and their transition into full-time employment.
Employment Outcomes: BGSU reports that 98% of graduates enter careers, pursue advanced degrees or start businesses within six months of graduation.
Internship Experience: More than 73% of graduates complete one or more internships, providing opportunities to gain professional experience before graduation.
Internship Earnings: BGSU reports an average internship wage of approximately $19 per hour, with some students earning up to $41 per hour.
Industry Connections: Alumni, industry partners, business leaders and entrepreneurs-in-residence contribute mentorship and professional networking opportunities.
Entrepreneurship Support: The Paul J. Hooker Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership provides mentorship and incubation opportunities. More than $800,000 has been provided to student entrepreneurs through its alumni- and supporter-funded incubation program.
Accreditation Value: AACSB accreditation provides external recognition of the business school's academic standards and continuous improvement.
Professional Development: BA 1500, BA 2030, BA 3500 and BA 4500 progressively develop career awareness, communication, ethical decision-making and integrated business problem-solving skills.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BSBA, graduates may pursue postgraduate education such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA), master's degrees in finance, business analytics, management, marketing or supply chain management, or other specialized graduate programs according to their academic interests and admission eligibility. BGSU also offers graduate-level business study options through its Schmidthorst College of Business.