BSBA in Management

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Northern Arizona University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Management at Northern Arizona University prepares students to lead teams, manage organisational change, and make informed business decisions. Through a combination of business fundamentals and management-focused courses, students develop skills in leadership, strategic planning, communication, financial analysis, innovation, and teamwork, while also completing a minor, certificate, or approved additional coursework.

Curriculum Structure

The following is a general four-year progression based on NAU’s published plan; course sequencing may vary.

Year 1: Students build a foundation in business, communication, mathematics, and general studies while preparing for more specialised business coursework. This stage introduces essential academic and quantitative skills that support later study in accounting, economics, and management.

Year 2: Students develop their understanding of business operations through Financial Accounting for Business (ACC 255), Managerial Accounting for Business (ACC 256), and Principles of Economics: Micro (ECO 284) and Macro (ECO 285). These subjects help students interpret financial information and understand how businesses and markets operate.

Year 3: Students move into management and organisational topics through Managing, Organizing and Leading (MGT 300), Business Ethics (MGT 340), Organizational Behavior (MGT 375), and Creativity and Innovation (MGT 390). Courses such as Principles of Operations Management (MGT 301) and Management Information Systems (ISM 360) help connect leadership and decision-making with everyday business processes.

Year 4: Students deepen their strategic and leadership capabilities through International Management (MGT 405), Entrepreneurial Thinking (MGT 465), Leadership (MGT 480), and Strategic Management (MGT 490C). Financial Analysis and Working Capital Management (FIN 340) further develops their ability to evaluate business resources, while certificate, minor, or approved coursework allows them to shape their academic interests.

Focus Areas

Leadership and team development, organisational behaviour, strategic management, business ethics, operations management, creativity and innovation, international management, entrepreneurship, financial analysis, business communication.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop effective written and oral communication, collaborative teamwork, leadership and followership, critical analysis, ethical decision-making, problem-solving, strategic thinking, and the ability to identify opportunities and develop practical business solutions.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The W. A. Franke College of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), an internationally recognised accreditation for business education.

Reputation (Employability and Outcomes)

NAU’s official program information identifies career pathways such as general management, team leadership, business development, and management of nonprofit organisations. The university’s published learning outcomes also emphasise communication, collaboration, leadership, and reasoned business decision-making.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Northern Arizona University, management students can connect classroom learning with professional experience through internships, company-sponsored simulations, short-term projects, and career development activities. The W. A. Franke College of Business supports students through its Career Development Office, where they can access internship guidance, employer networking, career coaching, and opportunities to practise professional skills.

Students can build practical experience through:

Internships: Summer, semester-long, or year-long work experiences, with many opportunities advertised through the college being paid. Students may also earn academic credit through the internship course MGT 408, subject to approval.
Company-sponsored micro-internships: Short professional assignments through Parker Dewey and Forage, including remote projects that allow students to explore career paths and demonstrate workplace skills.
Business projects and case studies: Practical activities, externships, volunteering, and project work that students can use to demonstrate skills to prospective employers.
Career fairs and employer networking: Fall and spring career fairs provide opportunities to meet employers and explore internships and full-time roles.
Career coaching: Individual guidance with résumé development, interview preparation, career planning, and internship searches.
Professional development tools: Handshake for job and internship listings, alongside online resources and training opportunities for building workplace and leadership skills.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the BSBA in Management can pursue opportunities in business operations, team leadership, business development, and organisational management. The program’s emphasis on strategic decision-making, communication, ethics, collaboration, and leadership supports students as they prepare for early-career roles and future management responsibilities.

Potential career roles: Management Trainee, Business Development Associate, Operations Coordinator, Team Leader.

Career services: The Franke College of Business Career Development Office provides individual career planning, résumé and cover letter reviews, interview practice, employer connections, workshops, and access to job and internship listings through Handshake. The office supports students but does not guarantee job placement.
Employment and salary information: NAU’s published Management salary data reports an average salary of $41,600 and a median of $40,000, with reported salaries ranging from $24,000 to $60,000. These figures are university-published graduate salary data; the page does not specify the graduating cohort year in the displayed table.
Industry engagement: Students can connect with employers through college career fairs, recruiter events, internships, and employer-posted opportunities. The college also facilitates internship work agreements involving the student, employer, Career Development Office, and associate dean for credit-bearing experiences.
Accreditation value: The W. A. Franke College of Business holds AACSB accreditation, providing external recognition of its business education standards.
Graduate development: Students are encouraged to build a professional résumé through internships, simulations, projects, and career coaching, while the degree develops communication, teamwork, leadership, and analytical decision-making skills.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates may pursue postgraduate study in business administration, management, organisational leadership, or related fields. Students interested in specialised areas can also consider further qualifications in finance, human resources, entrepreneurship, or operations, subject to the admission requirements of the institution and program they choose.