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The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Individualized Business at Bowling Green State University gives students the freedom to shape their business education around their interests, ambitions and career goals. Combining a strong foundation in business with a personalized selection of courses, this program is ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs, future business owners and students interested in family business, management or interdisciplinary career paths.
Curriculum Structure
The curriculum combines essential business knowledge with a customized specialization designed in consultation with an academic advisor. Students develop a strong understanding of business operations, management, communication, financial decision-making and organizational strategy while exploring subjects that align with their professional interests.
Year 1 – Building Your Business Foundation
Students begin by developing an understanding of business fundamentals, professional development and career planning. Courses such as Principles of Organization and Management and introductory business coursework help students understand how organizations operate, communicate effectively and identify their future business interests.
Year 2 – Developing Business and Professional Skills
Students strengthen their business knowledge through areas such as management, marketing, economics and business communication. Coursework such as Ethics and Social Responsibility in Business helps students understand responsible decision-making, while the program's applied learning approach encourages them to connect classroom knowledge with practical business situations.
Year 3 – Personalizing Your Business Education
Students work with an academic advisor to develop their Individualized Business specialization, selecting additional coursework that supports their intended career direction. Options may include Supply Category Management and Negotiation, Nonprofit Administration, Environmental Planning and Taxation of Business Entities, allowing students to build knowledge relevant to their chosen industry or business interests.
Year 4 – Integrating Knowledge and Preparing for Professional Success
In the final stage, students bring together their business knowledge through advanced coursework and the BSBA's Integrated Business Experience. This experience focuses on applying business concepts, teamwork, ethical decision-making and professional competencies to real business challenges, helping students prepare for employment or entrepreneurship.
Focus Areas
General business management, entrepreneurship, small business development, family business management, interdisciplinary business studies, organizational leadership, business strategy, nonprofit administration, business communication, ethical decision-making.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates develop the ability to apply business principles, communicate effectively, collaborate within diverse teams, make informed decisions, demonstrate leadership, understand organizational operations, evaluate business challenges and design practical solutions aligned with their professional goals.
Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
The program is offered through the Allen W. and Carol M. Schmidthorst College of Business, which holds AACSB accreditation. This internationally recognized business-school accreditation reflects the college's commitment to academic quality, business education and continuous improvement.
Reputation (Employability and Rankings)
BGSU's Schmidthorst College of Business highlights its recognition for student experience and career preparation.
More than 73% of business graduates complete one or more internships.
Nearly all internships are paid, with an average wage of approximately $19 per hour.
BGSU reports a median starting salary of $61,000 or more for business graduates.
The college was ranked among the top business schools in the U.S. for student experience by Poets&Quants in 2023.
The Wall Street Journal recognized BGSU as Ohio's No. 1 public university for career preparation.
At Bowling Green State University, Individualized Business students gain practical business experience through applied coursework, internships, professional development and opportunities to connect with industry leaders. The program's flexible structure allows students to develop knowledge relevant to their intended career, while the Schmidthorst College of Business provides access to career coaching, business networking, study abroad and entrepreneurial initiatives. Students can also explore opportunities to develop and launch their own business ideas through the university's entrepreneurship programs.
Students can benefit from the following program-specific opportunities:
- Applied Business Experience: Complete business courses including BA 1500, BA 2030, BA 3500 and BA 4500, which emphasize professional development, communication, ethical decision-making and real-world business problem-solving.
- Customized Academic Planning: Work directly with a Schmidthorst College of Business academic advisor to design the Individualized Business specialization around your intended career or industry.
- Internships and Co-ops: Gain professional experience through internship and co-op opportunities, including paid placements. BGSU reports that more than 73% of business graduates complete at least one internship.
- Integrated Business Experience: Participate in the senior-level BA 4500 capstone, bringing together business knowledge and professional competencies to address practical business challenges.
- Entrepreneurship and Business Startups: Explore the Paul J. Hooker Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, entrepreneurship courses, mentorship opportunities and student startup funding initiatives.
- The Hatch: Participate in BGSU's student entrepreneurship initiative, which provides opportunities to develop business concepts and pursue startup funding.
- Industry and Alumni Connections: Connect with business professionals, alumni and employers through networking, mentoring and career development activities.
- Education Abroad: Explore international study opportunities through BGSU's university partners to develop global business awareness and cross-cultural skills.
- Career Development: Access the college's career coaching and employer connections for internship searches, career planning, professional networking and salary negotiation support.
The BSBA in Individualized Business prepares graduates to pursue opportunities across business management, entrepreneurship, banking, sales, insurance and other professional sectors. Because students can customize their specialization, they can align their education with a specific career direction, whether they plan to join an established organization, manage a family business, lead a nonprofit or establish their own venture.
Potential Career Opportunities
Business Operations Manager, Entrepreneur, Small Business Owner, Family Business Manager, Management Trainee, Business Development Specialist, Sales Manager, Banking Associate, Insurance Representative, Nonprofit Program Manager, Technical Management Professional, Innovation Coordinator.
Career Development and Graduate Outcomes
- Career Support: The Schmidthorst College of Business provides career coaching through its career development resources, supporting students with internship searches, professional planning, industry connections and salary negotiation.
- Employment Statistics: BGSU reports that the majority of Individualized Business students have jobs at graduation, with an average annual salary of $55,000 on its departmental program page. The broader BSBA program page reports a median starting salary of $61,000 or more for business graduates. These figures reflect different university-reported measures.
- Internship Opportunities: More than 73% of business graduates complete one or more internships, with nearly all reported internships paid and an average wage of approximately $19 per hour.
- Industry Connections: BGSU reports a network of more than 1,600 industry partners across its Schmidthorst College of Business, providing opportunities for professional connections, internships and employment.
- Employer Recognition: Individualized Business alumni have been employed by organizations including Adobe, Amazon, Bank of America, Deloitte, Google, Honda, Marathon, PwC and Sherwin-Williams.
- Accreditation Value: The Schmidthorst College of Business holds AACSB accreditation, providing graduates with a business education from an internationally accredited institution.
- Entrepreneurial Development: Students interested in starting a business can access mentorship, entrepreneurship coursework and startup support through the Paul J. Hooker Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership.
Further Academic Progression:
After completing the BSBA in Individualized Business, graduates may pursue postgraduate education to deepen their business expertise or specialize in a particular field. Relevant options include a Master of Business Administration (MBA), master's degrees in management, business analytics, finance, entrepreneurship or related disciplines, as well as further professional development aligned with their career goals.
Students must complete a minimum of 12 applicable BGSU credit hours and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 to progress into the BSBA program.
Students must earn a minimum grade of C in the required calculus course and complete at least four specified business admission courses with a minimum grade of C. US universities use a holistic admissions review. Beyond grades and standardized test scores, they weigh the strength of your overall profile to understand who you are as a student and a person.
Profile Assessment: Business-related applicants are assessed on academic performance, quantitative preparation, communication, initiative and evidence of engagement with organisations or economic issues. Mathematics is particularly important for Finance, Economics, Business Analytics and other quantitative programs. Entrepreneurship, business competitions, investment or economics clubs, internships, case studies, market research and community projects may strengthen the profile.Advanced Placement(AP) Guidance: AP availability depends on the student's school. Relevant APs can strengthen an application and may earn university credit, but are not compulsory unless the university or programme explicitly requires them.Essays & recommendations: Personal essays and teacher/counselor recommendations give context to your achievements and help demonstrate fit with the program.Small Business OwnerBusiness Operations ManagerFamily Business ManagerNonprofit ManagerTechnical Management ProfessionalInnovation ManagerBanking AssociateSales ManagerInsurance RepresentativeBusiness Development SpecialistManagement TraineeBusiness AnalystBusiness ConsultantBusiness Development Manager
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