The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Management at Bowling Green State University prepares students to become confident business leaders who can manage teams, coordinate projects, solve organizational challenges, and make effective business decisions. Through a combination of business fundamentals and specialized management courses, students develop skills in leadership, organizational behavior, human resource management, strategic planning, and ethical decision-making, making this program suitable for students interested in corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, consulting, or managing their own business.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1 – Building Business Foundations
Students begin by developing an understanding of how businesses operate, while strengthening their communication, analytical, and professional skills. Courses such as BA 1500 – Introduction to Business, business communication, and foundational economics introduce students to business functions, professional development, and the economic environment in which organizations operate.
Year 2 – Developing Management and Business Skills
Students progress into the business core, exploring how different business functions work together to support organizational performance. Courses such as MGMT 3000 – Principles of Organization and Management, MGMT 3600 – Organizational Theory and Behavior, and BA 2030 help students understand organizational structures, workplace communication, teamwork, and effective management practices.
Year 3 – Applying Management Knowledge
At this stage, students strengthen their ability to evaluate business challenges, understand organizational responsibilities, and make informed decisions. Through MGMT 4060 – Global Strategy, MGMT 3600 – Organizational Theory and Behavior, and BA 3500, students explore strategic management, organizational change, ethical decision-making, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability.
Year 4 – Leadership and Professional Preparation
In the final stage, students integrate their business knowledge through advanced management study, electives, and the BSBA capstone experience. BA 4500 – Integrated Business Experience enables students to apply knowledge from different business disciplines to practical business challenges, while management electives such as MGMT 4700 – Leading for Success support the development of leadership, team management, and professional decision-making skills.
Focus Areas
Organizational Leadership, Strategic Management, Human Resource Management, Organizational Behavior, Team Development, Business Communication, Ethical Decision-Making, Organizational Change, Global Business Strategy, Project Management, Entrepreneurship, Corporate Social Responsibility.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates develop the ability to apply management principles, lead collaborative teams, communicate effectively, analyze organizational challenges, make evidence-based business decisions, manage workplace change, evaluate ethical business situations, and integrate knowledge across business functions.
Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
The Schmidthorst College of Business at BGSU holds accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), an internationally recognized accreditation body for business education. This accreditation reflects the college's commitment to academic quality, continuous improvement, and business education standards.
Reputation (Employability Rankings)
The Wall Street Journal identifies BGSU as the No. 1 public university in Ohio for career preparation.
Poets&Quants recognized BGSU among the top business schools in the United States for student experience in 2023.
BGSU reports a median starting salary of $61,000 or more for its business graduates.
More than 73% of business graduates complete at least one internship, with nearly all internships paid and an average wage of approximately $19 per hour.
At BGSU, management students develop practical business skills through applied coursework, internships, service-learning opportunities, and leadership experiences. The Schmidthorst College of Business integrates professional development into the curriculum, allowing students to connect classroom learning with workplace challenges. Students can also benefit from industry connections, faculty mentorship, business organizations, and opportunities to participate in international learning experiences.
Students can gain practical experience through the following opportunities:
Integrated Business Experience (BA 4500): A capstone course in which students integrate knowledge from multiple business disciplines to address real business issues.
Applied Business Experience: Courses including BA 1500, BA 2030, BA 3500, and BA 4500 emphasize professional development, business communication, ethical decision-making, and practical application.
Internships: Students can gain professional experience as early as their first year. BGSU reports that more than 73% of business graduates complete one or more internships.
Ohio Export Internship Program: Students receive export-focused training and may qualify for internships with companies across Ohio, supporting the development of international business and export strategy skills.
Service-Learning Projects: Students participate in projects with organizations, applying management and teamwork skills to practical community and organizational needs.
Business District Learning Community: Students have opportunities to interact with business faculty and industry professionals and participate in field trips and conferences.
Business Student Organizations: BGSU offers 17 business student organizations where students can develop leadership, event planning, teamwork, and professional networking skills.
International Study Opportunities: Business students can participate in study abroad programs through university partners around the world.
Industry and Alumni Connections: BGSU management alumni work at organizations including Amazon, Honda, Owens Corning, Sherwin-Williams, and Crown Equipment, while industry and alumni networks support mentorship and career connections.
Career Design and Connections: The Michael and Sara Kuhlin Hub provides career coaching, internship-search assistance, career planning, industry connections, and salary negotiation guidance.
The BSBA Management program prepares graduates for professional roles involving leadership, organizational development, business operations, and strategic decision-making. With practical business experience, management knowledge, and opportunities to build industry connections, graduates can pursue careers across corporations, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and entrepreneurial ventures.
Potential Career Roles:
Operations Manager, Human Resources Manager, Management Consultant, Project Manager
Career Development and Graduate Opportunities
Career Support: The Michael and Sara Kuhlin Hub for Career Design and Connections offers personalized career coaching, internship-search assistance, career planning, industry networking, and salary negotiation support.
Employment Statistics: BGSU reports a median starting salary of $61,000 or more for business graduates. More than 73% complete one or more internships, with an average internship wage of approximately $19 per hour.
Industry Partnerships: Management alumni have established careers at Amazon, Honda, Owens Corning, Sherwin-Williams, and Crown Equipment. Industry and alumni partners also contribute through mentoring, internship opportunities, and recruitment.
Recruitment Opportunities: Hundreds of companies recruit for management positions on campus each year, providing opportunities to connect with employers and explore professional pathways.
Professional Accreditation: AACSB accreditation of the Schmidthorst College of Business provides recognition of the college's business education standards and supports the academic credibility of the degree.
Graduate Outcomes: BGSU reports that 98% of its graduates enter careers, pursue advanced education, or start their own businesses within six months of graduation. This figure represents university-wide outcomes rather than management-specific placement.
Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue their education through postgraduate programs in business administration, management, organizational development, human resource management, leadership, or related fields. Students interested in advanced business leadership may pursue an MBA, while those interested in organizational research or academic careers can explore doctoral-level study in management or related business disciplines. BGSU also offers graduate-level business and organizational development pathways through its Schmidthorst College of Business.


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