Business Studies Bachelor of Science

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Ohio University

Program Overview

Ohio University’s Business Studies Bachelor of Science is a flexible four-year business degree designed for students who want broad business knowledge while developing a focused career direction through an approved minor or certificate. Students study areas such as accounting, economics, marketing, business computing, management, business ethics and strategic management, with the opportunity to build practical skills for careers across business, healthcare, technology, transportation, manufacturing and retail.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Building the business foundation:
Students begin by developing a strong foundation in business fundamentals, quantitative reasoning and professional skills. Courses include BA 1500 – Introduction to Business Communication and Professional Skills, ACCT 1010 – Financial Accounting, and BMT 2000 – Introduction to Business Computing, helping students build communication, financial and technology skills for later business study.

Year 2 – Developing core business knowledge:
Students expand their understanding of how organizations operate through subjects such as MKT 2020 – Marketing Principles, MGT 2000 – Introduction to Management, and BUSL 2000 – Law and Society. Coursework also develops knowledge of economics, managerial accounting and information analysis, giving students a broader perspective on business decisions and organizational practices.

Year 3 – Applying business concepts:
Students move into the specialist Business Studies core with courses such as SAM 3000 – Managing Systems and Projects, SAM 3010 – Managing Processes and Supply Chains, and SAM 3020 – Consumer Marketing. They also study SAM 3050 – Supervision Management and SAM 3100 – Financial Management, building practical knowledge across project management, supply chains, people management, marketing and finance.

Year 4 – Strategy, professional development and experience:
The final year brings the different areas of business together through SAM 4700 – Managing Strategically, which serves as the capstone requirement, alongside MGT 3640 – Cultural Intelligence in Business and BA 3900 – Topics in Business Ethics. Students also complete SAM 3905 – Internship and Career Preparation and SAM 3910 – Internship, while completing an approved 15–18 credit-hour minor or certificate such as Marketing, Human Resource Management, Supply Chain Management or Technical Project Management.

Focus areas

Marketing, human resource management, supply chain management, technical project management, accounting, economics, business computing, business analytics, financial management, strategic management, business communication, business ethics.

Learning outcomes

Students develop leadership and supervisory skills, professional communication, business computing knowledge, financial understanding, marketing and supply-chain knowledge, project management skills, strategic decision-making, cultural intelligence, ethical reasoning and the ability to assess business risks and competitive challenges.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The Business Studies B.S. is AACSB accredited, aligning the program with the internationally recognized quality standards of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Ohio University specifically identifies the AACSB accreditation as a feature of this Business Studies degree.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Ohio University reports that the Business Studies degree prepares graduates for business careers across industries including healthcare, technology, transportation, manufacturing and retail. The university's Zanesville program page also reports an annual mean wage of $74,580 for business and financial operations occupations in Ohio as of May 2021, while noting projected employment growth of 4.4% for business operations specialists in Ohio by 2028; these figures are occupational data rather than Business Studies graduate-specific outcomes.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Business Studies B.S. incorporates practical career preparation directly into the curriculum, including SAM 3905 Internship and Career Preparation and SAM 3910 Internship. Students can also work with Ohio University’s Business Academic Advising & Career Services, participate in career fairs and employer activities, and use professional facilities such as computer labs, virtual labs, and the College of Business Trading Room with Bloomberg Terminals.

The College of Business also emphasizes real-world projects, leadership experiences, internships, employer engagement, and collaborative learning, giving students opportunities to connect classroom knowledge with professional situations:

Internship experience: The curriculum includes SAM 3910 – Internship (1–3 credits), supported by SAM 3905 – Internship and Career Preparation.
Project-based learning: SAM 3000 – Managing Systems and Projects develops practical project-management knowledge, while the College of Business provides spaces designed for collaborative team projects.
Supply-chain experience: SAM 3010 – Managing Processes and Supply Chains provides focused preparation in managing business processes and supply-chain activities.
Marketing application: SAM 3020 – Consumer Marketing gives students focused exposure to consumer-oriented marketing decisions and practices.
Technology resources: College of Business students have access to five computer labs as well as College of Business virtual labs through MyDesktop.
Business technology: The curriculum includes BMT 2000 – Introduction to Business Computing, giving students a dedicated foundation in business computing.
Financial learning facilities: Copeland Hall includes a Trading Room equipped with Bloomberg Terminals, alongside specialty computer labs.
Career development: Business Academic Advising & Career Services provides career support, while employer connections, career fairs, workshops, and professional development activities help students prepare for internships and employment.
Collaborative facilities: The Phil and Pat Muck Business Annex includes technology-equipped classrooms and breakout rooms specifically designed for students to plan and develop team projects.
Entrepreneurial experience: Ohio University’s Center for Entrepreneurship, a partnership between the College of Business and the Voinovich School, provides experiential learning and real-world opportunities for students interested in developing ideas and ventures.
International exposure: The College of Business offers CIBED opportunities involving applied business experience, cross-cultural immersion and global leadership development across locations including Australia, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and other destinations.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Business Studies B.S. gives graduates a flexible business foundation that can be applied across healthcare, technology, transportation, manufacturing, retail and other industries. Its combination of business fundamentals, professional experience and an additional minor or certificate allows students to build a career direction around marketing, human resources, supply chain management or technical project management.

Typical career roles include: Marketing Coordinator, Human Resources Specialist, Supply Chain Coordinator, Technical Project Manager. Ohio University also identifies business-related career opportunities across marketing, human resources, supply chain and technical project management.

Key progression and employment resources include:

Career services: Business Academic Advising & Career Services supports students with career planning, internships and employment preparation, while career fairs, workshops, employer connections and Handshake provide additional opportunities to connect with employers.
Employment outcomes: The College of Business reports that 94% of May 2025 undergraduates experienced positive outcomes within six months of graduation, with positive outcomes including employment, entrepreneurship, internships, fellowships, service and continuing education.
Salary information: Ohio University reports an average starting salary of $54,000 for May 2022 College of Business graduates. For the Business Studies program specifically, an Ohio University regional-campus page cites an annual mean wage of $74,580 for business and financial operations occupations in Ohio as of May 2021; this is occupational data rather than a program-specific graduate salary.
Employer connections: The College of Business states that its Business Academic Advising & Career Services has close connections with leading companies for internships and full-time employment. Ohio University also identifies companies including Whirlpool, KeyBank, Deloitte, Smuckers and Nationwide among its business partners.
Industry-linked experience: Ohio University participates in the Ohio Export Internship Program, connecting students with Ohio manufacturers seeking to expand internationally, while the Ohio Procurement Internship Program connects students and businesses around government contracting.
Professional value of accreditation: AACSB accreditation provides an internationally recognized quality framework for business education and remains part of the credential students carry into further study and professional employment.
Graduation outcomes: Beyond employment, Ohio University tracks outcomes such as continuing education, entrepreneurship, fellowships/internships, service and other post-graduation activities through its First Destination Survey.

Further Academic Progression:
Students can continue into an Online Master of Business Administration (MBA), and eligible Business Studies students may qualify for Ohio University’s Online MBA Early Assurance Program, which can provide guaranteed admission before completion of the bachelor’s degree. Eligible students can also pursue the Management & Leadership Accelerated Graduate Pathway, allowing them to earn credit toward the Master of Science in Management while completing the bachelor’s degree.