The Business Administration pathway at Saint Francis University gives you the flexibility to explore accounting, finance, management, marketing, economics, and information systems while building a strong foundation in business. Through the Shields School of Business, you can develop practical business knowledge, professional communication skills, ethical decision-making, and an understanding of global business while choosing the major that best matches your interests and career direction.
Curriculum Structure
The on-campus pathway includes the Common Business Core required across business-related majors in the Shields School of Business. The official program page does not establish a fixed year-by-year course sequence; the following is a broad description of the learning progression rather than a prescribed schedule.
Initial Stage: Exploring Business Foundations
Students begin building an understanding of how businesses operate through introductory coursework in business, economics, accounting, and communication. Courses include BUS 101 – Wall Street 101: Business in a Global Society, ACCT 101 – Financial Accounting, and ECON 101 – Principles of Economics I.
Developing Business Knowledge
As students progress, they explore how organizations manage resources, make financial decisions, use information systems, and reach customers. The Common Business Core includes ACCT 102 – Managerial Accounting, MGMT 101 – Principles of Management, and MKTG 101 – Marketing.
Applying Business Concepts
Further core study connects business functions with operations, finance, and professional communication. Courses include FIN 202 – Finance, MGMT 102 – Production/Operations Management, and COMM 208 – Writing and Communicating in Business.
Choosing a Permanent Major
Students are encouraged to select a business major by the end of their fourth full-time semester. Once they formally change to a degree-bearing major, they follow the applicable catalog requirements for that major. Students cannot graduate with the Business Administration designation.
Focus Areas
Accounting, finance, economics, management, marketing, management information systems, business operations, global business, business communication, ethical decision-making, and organizational decision-making.
Learning Outcomes
Students are expected to:
Understand ethical responsibilities and value-based decision-making in business leadership.
Demonstrate foundational knowledge of accounting, information systems, finance, management, and marketing.
Understand the legal, social, and economic environments in which businesses operate.
Recognize the global dimension of business.
Integrate different business functions when making decisions.
Communicate professionally.
Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
Saint Francis University states that the Business Administration exploratory program itself is not accredited. However, the bachelor’s degree programs into which students may transition are covered by the university’s specialized business accreditation through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE). Accreditation should therefore be associated with the applicable degree program, not the temporary Business Administration pathway.
Reputation
The program is part of the Shields School of Business, which emphasizes student-centered education, faculty guidance, ethical values, and professional preparation. The university highlights faculty members’ professional experience, opportunities for individual or small-group interaction, guest speakers, and site visits. The official program page does not provide a specific program-level QS or Guardian ranking or an employment-rate statistic.
At Saint Francis University, the on-campus Business Administration pathway helps students explore different business disciplines while developing practical knowledge for future professional study. Students learn from faculty with real-world professional experience and benefit from opportunities for individual and small-group interaction. Internships, guest speakers, site visits, and the Spring Break in London experience help connect business concepts with professional environments. Students can also receive dedicated academic advising while exploring their future business major.
Students can benefit from the following learning opportunities and facilities:
Business Internships: Opportunities to gain practical experience and earn academic credit through business internships.
Spring Break in London: An international business experience that introduces students to business beyond the domestic classroom.
Guest Speakers: Business professionals and experienced speakers share industry perspectives and practical knowledge.
Site Visits: Selected courses incorporate visits that help students connect classroom learning with real business environments.
Faculty Interaction: Small-group and individual engagement with faculty members who have professional experience in their fields.
Business Academic Advising: A dedicated business academic advisor guides students as they explore business disciplines and select a permanent major.
Interactive Online Tools: Used to support learning, communication, and faculty guidance.
Schwab Hall: The renovated academic facility housing the Shields School of Business.
The on-campus Business Administration pathway helps students build a foundation across key business functions before choosing a permanent business major. After transitioning into a degree-bearing bachelor’s program, graduates can pursue professional opportunities related to their selected area, such as management, finance, marketing, accounting, or business operations. Students are encouraged to declare a permanent business major by the end of their fourth full-time semester; they cannot graduate with the Business Administration designation.
Potential career directions after completing a relevant business bachelor’s degree include:
Business Analyst
Business Operations Coordinator
Management Trainee
Marketing Coordinator
Career development and professional opportunities include:
Career Services: Individual career guidance, career exploration, résumé and cover letter assistance, mock interviews, interview coaching, and job and internship search support.
Handshake: An online platform for exploring job and internship opportunities, scheduling career appointments, and accessing career resources.
CareerShift: Supports job and internship searches, company research, and connections with hiring managers.
Internships and Micro-Internships: Students can access internships and short-term, project-based experiences through university-supported resources, including Parker Dewey micro-internships.
Employer Engagement: Career fairs, on-campus recruiting, employer information tables, classroom presentations, and networking opportunities.
Employment Outcomes: Saint Francis University’s Class of 2025 First Destination Report states that 99.6% of graduates were employed or attending graduate school within nine months of graduation. This is a university-wide result, not a Business Administration-specific outcome.
Practical Experience: The same report states that 90% of the Class of 2025 gained hands-on experience through internships, clinicals, or fieldwork, and 99% of graduates reported that experiential education was instrumental in obtaining full-time employment.
Salary Information: The university reports that the average annual salary range for the Class of 2025 topped $75,000. This is an overall graduate figure, not a program-specific salary estimate.
Accreditation: The exploratory Business Administration pathway itself is not accredited. The applicable bachelor’s degree programs into which students transition are covered by Saint Francis University’s specialized business accreditation through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).
Further Academic Progression: Students can transition into a business-related bachelor’s major at Saint Francis University and follow that major’s degree requirements. Depending on the chosen undergraduate program and eligibility requirements, students may also pursue an accelerated pathway to an MBA or Master of Human Resource Management, with the university identifying options to complete an undergraduate and graduate degree within five years.


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