Bachelor of Science in Business Administration: Concentration in Management

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

San Francisco State University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Concentration in Management at San Francisco State University prepares students to lead teams, manage organizational operations, and make informed business decisions across different industries. Through a combination of business fundamentals, human resource management, leadership development, and strategic thinking, students build the skills needed to recognize business opportunities, solve organizational challenges, and pursue management careers in a variety of professional settings.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Building Business and Quantitative Foundations

Students begin by developing their understanding of economics, mathematics, communication, and information systems. Courses such as Introduction to Microeconomic Analysis (ECON 101), Business Calculus (MATH 110), and Introduction to Information Systems (ISYS 263) introduce the analytical and technological foundations used in business decision-making. General education courses in English communication, arts, humanities, and sciences also help students develop broader academic and communication skills.

Year 2: Understanding Business Functions and Operations

The second year introduces students to the essential functions of an organization, including accounting, finance, marketing, and business statistics. Through Introduction to Financial Accounting (ACCT 100), Introduction to Managerial Accounting (ACCT 101), and Principles of Marketing (MKTG 431), students learn how businesses manage financial resources, understand customers, and support organizational performance. They also begin connecting business concepts with operational and economic challenges.

Year 3: Developing Management and Leadership Skills

Students move into advanced business subjects and begin focusing on organizational leadership, management practices, and international business. Introduction to Management and Organizational Behavior (MGMT 405) helps them understand workplace behavior, team dynamics, and managerial responsibilities, while Information Systems for Management (ISYS 363) explores how technology supports business operations. Students also study International Business and Multicultural Relations (IBUS 330), broadening their understanding of business in diverse cultural and global environments.

Year 4: Specializing in Management and Strategic Leadership

The final year focuses on developing practical management capabilities through the concentration's specialized courses. Students complete Seminar in Developing Management Skills (MGMT 605), Human Resource Management (MGMT 610), and Seminar in Leadership and Influence Skills (MGMT 648), strengthening their abilities in people management, leadership, and organizational development. Management electives such as Internship in Management (MGMT 567), Managing Creativity and Innovation (MGMT 650), and Seminar in Managing Teams (MGMT 656) allow students to explore professional interests and connect their academic learning with workplace challenges.

Focus Areas

Management and Organizational Behavior, Leadership Development, Human Resource Management, Team Building, Business Strategy, Organizational Change, Project Management, Creativity and Innovation, Employee Recruitment and Performance Management, International Business, Business Ethics, Sustainable Management.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates develop the ability to integrate knowledge across business disciplines, communicate effectively with diverse audiences, analyze complex business problems, apply quantitative and technological methods to decision-making, collaborate in diverse teams, demonstrate leadership, and evaluate organizational decisions from ethical, sustainable, and global perspectives.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The program is offered through the Lam Family College of Business, which holds accreditation from AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). The university's program information does not specify a separate professional accreditation for the Management concentration.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

San Francisco State University's official program information emphasizes the broad applicability of management skills across industries and career fields. The program page does not provide a specific Management concentration employment rate, graduate salary figure, or dedicated employability ranking.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At San Francisco State University, students develop management skills by connecting classroom learning with professional development, leadership activities, and opportunities to gain workplace experience. The Management concentration includes a dedicated internship course and specialized seminars that allow students to explore organizational leadership, team management, and business operations. Students can also access the Lam Family College of Business's career development resources, professional workshops, and employer engagement opportunities to strengthen their practical business skills.

Students can gain practical exposure through the following opportunities:

Management Internship: MGMT 567 – Internship in Management provides an academic route to gain professional experience through an internship.
Leadership Development: MGMT 648 – Seminar in Leadership and Influence Skills focuses on developing leadership and influence capabilities.
Team-Based Management: MGMT 656 – Seminar in Managing Teams allows students to explore team management and collaborative organizational practices.
Project Management: Students may select DS 314 – Project Management Tools or MGMT 653 – Seminar in Project Management Skills.
Human Resource Practice: MGMT 610 – Human Resource Management and MGMT 614 – Fundamentals of Recruiting provide subject-specific preparation in managing employees and recruitment.
Career Services and Professional Development Center: Students can access individual resume and LinkedIn advising, interview preparation, career workshops, industry panel talks, and job and internship opportunities.
Handshake: The university's career platform provides access to employment opportunities, internships, career fairs, workshops, and employer events.
Professional Mentorship: The Lam Family College of Business Mentorship Program connects business students with professional mentors, many of whom are college alumni.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Management concentration develop transferable business knowledge, leadership capabilities, and organizational skills that can support career opportunities across industries. Their academic preparation in human resources, management, leadership, and business strategy provides a foundation for pursuing entry-level management and business operations roles, with opportunities to build professional experience and progress into positions of greater responsibility.

Potential Career Opportunities

Management Trainee
Human Resources Coordinator
Business Operations Coordinator
Project Coordinator

Career Development and Graduate Outcomes

Career Guidance: The Lam Family College of Business Career Services and Professional Development Center provides individual career advising, resume and LinkedIn support, interview preparation, professional workshops, and industry panel discussions.
Employment and Internship Access: Students can use Handshake to explore job and internship listings, career fairs, employer events, and professional development opportunities.
Industry Exposure: During 2024–2025, the college reported organizations where students and recent alumni secured jobs or internships, including Bloomberg, LinkedIn, TikTok, JLL, PwC, EY, Kaiser, and Enterprise Mobility. These are college-wide examples, not guaranteed placements for Management graduates.
Mentorship Opportunities: The college's Mentorship Program provides one-on-one guidance from professionals, many of whom are alumni.
Career Preparation Statistics: During 2024–2025, the college reported more than 250 individual career advising appointments and over 500 students participating in career preparation workshops.
Graduation Outcomes: In FY 2024–2025, the Lam Family College of Business awarded 999 undergraduate degrees across its undergraduate programs. This is a college-wide figure, not a Management-specific graduation count.

Professional Accreditation and Long-Term Value

The Lam Family College of Business holds accreditation from AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). This institutional business-school accreditation provides external recognition of the college's academic quality and standards. The university identifies the college among the less than 25% of business schools in the United States holding this accreditation.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the bachelor's degree, graduates may pursue advanced business education at San Francisco State University or other institutions, depending on their academic background and admission eligibility. Relevant options at SFSU include:

Master of Business Administration (MBA): For students seeking advanced preparation in business administration, organizational leadership, and management.
Master of Science in Business Analytics: For further study in analytical approaches to business decision-making.
Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Business: For specialized study in sustainability and business practices.
Graduate Certificate in Ethics & Compliance: For students interested in organizational ethics, compliance, and responsible business practices.
Graduate Certificate in Business Principles: For additional grounding in business knowledge.