Small Business Management, B.S.

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Miami University Oxford

Program Overview

Miami University’s Small Business Management, B.S. prepares students to launch, lead, and grow businesses by developing practical knowledge in entrepreneurship, management, leadership, innovation, and business operations. Designed for aspiring entrepreneurs, future business owners, and students interested in managing growing organizations, the program builds skills in business planning, marketing, sales, operational decision-making, and continuous improvement.

Curriculum Structure

First Year

Students begin by developing foundational business knowledge, communication skills, and an understanding of how organizations operate. Courses such as Introduction to Management I, Introduction to Marketing, and Introduction to Business & the Economy help students explore business functions, customer needs, and economic principles.

Second Year

Students build practical knowledge in business operations, sales, and professional organization. Management of Small Business Operations (CMR 242) introduces the day-to-day responsibilities of running a small business, while Sales and Promotions (CMR 263) develops customer engagement and promotional skills, and Personal Organizational Skills (CMR 301) supports effective workplace planning and productivity.

Third Year

Students strengthen their ability to market products, manage business activities, and identify growth opportunities. Through Marketing for the Small Business (CMR 361), they explore marketing strategies suited to smaller organizations, while related business coursework helps develop leadership, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Fourth Year

The final stage emphasizes innovation, decision-making, and improving business performance. Current Issues and Innovation in Small Business (CMR 442) encourages students to examine emerging challenges and opportunities, while Decision Support & Continuous Improvement (CMR 446) develops skills for evaluating business decisions and improving organizational processes.

Focus Areas

Small business operations, entrepreneurship, business leadership, sales and promotions, small business marketing, innovation, business growth, decision support, continuous improvement, organizational skills, strategic planning, business development.

Learning Outcomes

Develop business ideas, plan and manage small business operations, communicate effectively with customers and stakeholders, identify market opportunities, apply sales and marketing strategies, solve business problems using critical thinking, make data-informed decisions, lead teams, evaluate business performance, and identify opportunities for innovation and growth.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Small Business Management major is offered through Miami University Regionals’ Commerce program. The official programme page does not specify a separate programme-level professional accreditation, so a specific accreditation claim should not be added without further official confirmation.

Reputation (Employability and Recognition)

Miami University reports that its Small Business Management degree was ranked No. 2 for Best Small Business Management Degree by Intelligent.com in 2025. The university also highlights that small businesses account for 99.9% of U.S. businesses, based on U.S. Small Business Administration information.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Miami University’s Small Business Management program connects classroom learning with practical business experiences, helping students understand how to start, operate, and grow organizations. Students can gain professional experience through internships, collaborate with classmates on projects, and access guidance from the Ohio Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to explore business ownership and entrepreneurial opportunities. The program is available online, in person primarily at the Hamilton campus, or through a combination of both.

Students can benefit from the following opportunities:

Internships: Students apply classroom knowledge to real business challenges and develop professional skills through internship experiences.
Ohio Small Business Development Center (SBDC): Provides experiential learning opportunities and professional guidance for students interested in starting their own businesses.
Business Projects: Students can work with classmates on projects, including those studying through online classes.
Small Business Operations: CMR 242, Management of Small Business Operations, develops knowledge of managing everyday business activities.
Marketing Applications: CMR 361, Marketing for the Small Business, focuses on marketing approaches relevant to smaller organizations.
Innovation and Decision-Making: CMR 442, Current Issues and Innovation in Small Business, and CMR 446, Decision Support & Continuous Improvement, help students explore business challenges, innovation, and process improvement.
Flexible Learning: Students can study online, attend classes primarily at the Hamilton campus, or combine online and in-person learning.
Stackable Microcredentials: Students can explore additional career-focused credentials in areas such as Business Start-Up, Personal Computer, Financial, and Organizational Skills.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of Miami University’s Small Business Management, B.S. can pursue opportunities in entrepreneurship, business operations, marketing, sales, and organizational leadership. The program develops practical skills for launching a venture, managing daily business activities, identifying growth opportunities, and helping established organizations improve their performance.

Potential career roles include:

Small Business Owner
Entrepreneur
Small Business Manager
Business Development Manager

Career Development and Graduate Outcomes

Ohio Small Business Development Center: Offers professional guidance and experiential learning opportunities for students interested in opening their own businesses.
Internship Experience: Students can apply their classroom learning to real business challenges through internships with employers.
Transfer Pathways: Students from Cincinnati State, Gateway, and Lorain County Community College can continue toward a Bachelor of Science in Commerce with a Small Business Management focus.
Career-Focused Credentials: Stackable microcredentials in Business Start-Up, Personal Computer, Financial, and Organizational Skills allow students to develop additional professional capabilities.
Business Opportunities: The university highlights that 99.9% of U.S. businesses are small businesses and that 62.3 million Americans are employed by small businesses, citing the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Industry Engagement: The Ohio Small Business Development Center partnership supports practical business learning and entrepreneurial guidance.
Recognition: The programme was ranked No. 2 for Best Small Business Management Degree by Intelligent.com in 2025.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates may continue their education through an MBA or postgraduate study in business administration, entrepreneurship, management, marketing, or related business fields, subject to the admission requirements of the chosen institution. They may also pursue additional professional microcredentials to strengthen their business and management skills.