Management (Small Business Management & Entrepreneurship) - Bachelor of Business Administration

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

New Mexico State University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Business Administration in Management with a concentration in Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship at New Mexico State University prepares students to develop business ideas, manage entrepreneurial ventures, and lead organizations with confidence. Through a combination of management, marketing, finance, business law, and entrepreneurship courses, students gain the knowledge needed to establish their own businesses, contribute to family enterprises, or pursue management careers across different industries.

Curriculum Structure

First Year

Students begin by developing a foundation in business, communication, mathematics, and information systems. Courses such as Introduction to Business, Introduction to Information Systems, College Algebra, and Composition I introduce essential business concepts, analytical thinking, and communication skills.

Second Year

The second year strengthens students' understanding of business operations, financial principles, economics, and quantitative analysis. Through Principles of Accounting I and II, Macroeconomic Principles, Principles of Microeconomics, and Statistical Applications, students learn how financial and economic factors influence business decisions.

Third Year

Students explore management, entrepreneurship, marketing, and organizational behavior in greater depth. Courses such as Human Resources Management, Small Business Management, Entrepreneurial Mindset, Principles of Marketing, and Business Information Systems I help students understand how to manage people, identify business opportunities, and develop effective business strategies.

Fourth Year

The final year focuses on strategic leadership, entrepreneurship, business improvement, and project management. Students study Entrepreneurship Law, Project Management in Organizations, Strategic Management, and either Business Process Improvement or Entrepreneurial Decision Making, preparing them to evaluate business opportunities, manage projects, and make informed organizational decisions.

Focus Areas

Small business management, entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial decision-making, business development, human resource management, product and service development, digital marketing strategy, business process improvement, project management, business law, strategic management, and organizational leadership.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop the ability to identify entrepreneurial opportunities, understand small business operations, manage human resources, evaluate business decisions, apply marketing strategies, understand business regulations, and manage projects. They also gain business communication, analytical, leadership, and strategic planning skills applicable to starting and managing businesses.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The program is offered through NMSU's College of Business, which holds business accreditation from AACSB International. This accreditation reflects the college's commitment to academic quality, continuous improvement, and business education standards.

Reputation (Employability and Recognition)

NMSU's Department of Management prepares graduates for management careers across local, national, and international business environments. The department identifies opportunities in agricultural, manufacturing, government, transportation, public utility, merchandising, healthcare, environmental, and communications organizations.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The program combines business fundamentals with entrepreneurship-focused coursework, allowing students to explore how business ideas are developed, evaluated, and managed. Through subjects such as Entrepreneurial Mindset, Small Business Management, Product/Service Development, and Project Management in Organizations, students build practical knowledge relevant to launching a venture or contributing to an established organization. Students can also explore internship and cooperative education opportunities through the College of Business:

Entrepreneurial Mindset: MGMT 310V introduces students to entrepreneurial thinking and the development of an entrepreneurial approach to business opportunities.
Small Business Management: MGMT 361 focuses on the management of small business operations and entrepreneurial ventures.
Product and Service Development: MKTG 324 explores the development of products and services, supporting students interested in creating or improving business offerings.
Digital Marketing: MKTG 357, Digital Marketing Strategy, provides an alternative course option focused on digital marketing.
Entrepreneurial Decision Making: MGMT 461 allows students to explore decision-making in entrepreneurial settings.
Business Process Improvement: MGMT 448 introduces business process improvement concepts.
Project Management: MGMT 470 develops knowledge of project management within organizations.
Internship and Cooperative Education: The College of Business offers Business Administration and Economics Internship and Cooperative Education courses, generally carrying 1–3 credits and requiring a minimum of 12 work weeks per cooperative work phase. Students should confirm eligibility and availability with their academic advisor.
College of Business: Students have access to the academic environment and resources of NMSU's College of Business.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates can pursue careers in small business management, entrepreneurship, business development, project coordination, and organizational management. The program also provides a foundation for students who want to establish their own ventures, join family businesses, or progress into broader management responsibilities.

Potential Career Options: Small Business Owner, Entrepreneur, Business Development Executive, Business Manager.

Students can explore the following career development and professional opportunities:

Career Support: NMSU's career services can support students through career planning, résumé development, interview preparation, and employment search resources.
Employment Sectors: The Department of Management identifies agricultural, manufacturing, government, transportation, public utility, merchandising, healthcare, environmental, and communications organizations as potential employment sectors.
Internship Opportunities: College of Business internship and cooperative education courses allow eligible students to gain workplace experience while applying business principles.
Entrepreneurial Preparation: Coursework in Small Business Management, Entrepreneurial Mindset, and Entrepreneurial Decision Making supports students interested in starting or acquiring a small business or entering a family enterprise.
Accreditation Value: The College of Business's AACSB accreditation provides recognition of its business education quality and continuous improvement standards.
Employment Statistics and Salary Figures: No verified program-specific graduate employment rate or salary figure is identified in the official sources reviewed. These figures should be recorded as NA rather than estimated.

Further Academic Progression: After completing this BBA, graduates may pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master’s in Management, Master’s in Entrepreneurship, or other postgraduate business programs, subject to the admission requirements of the selected university.