About
Almost 20% of Saint Michael’s College students choose to major in business administration. Our program consists of 12 courses and includes:
- foundational courses such as statistics and economics
- core courses such as accounting, finance, management, and marketing
- elective courses and an experiential course requirement
Our program is grounded in ethical and data-driven decision making. Our curriculum is designed to assist new business students successfully navigate through the many facets of the contemporary organization. We try to strike an appropriate balance between theory and practice and to promote ethical decision making across all sub-disciplines in business (e.g. accounting, finance, management, marketing, and operations).
In your first business course, BU 103 Managerial Ethics, you will examine the ethical context in which contemporary managers operate. After an introduction to the functional areas of business, the course outlines the various models of ethical decision making and gives students the opportunity to apply these models to various managerial situations. In our business core courses, students will learn the theories and practices of each of the functional areas through readings, experiential learning opportunities, team projects, critical reflection and networking opportunities. Students can further explore the functional areas of business through one or more electives. All students participate in either a semester long internship or organizational consulting course.
In addition to completing the program coursework, students must also complete one of the College’s minors (students completing a second major satisfy this requirement).
Interested in a career in Finance?
Our finance courses at all levels highlight the importance of finance modeling and provide hands-on mentoring on its application in the real-world practices. Our students are equipped with fundamental skills required in the job market and such professional skills can also guide students to participate in the annual CFA Research Challenge, an intercollegiate finance competition.
Check out our Alumni Spotlights and see where a Business Administration degree can take you
Faculty
Business and Accounting
Nicole Morris
Associate Professor of Business Administration and Accounting
Read more
In Depth
As a Saint Michael’s business major, you will learn about the functional areas of business including accounting, finance, management and marketing. We offer a range of upper-level elective courses in these areas, as well several courses in international business. The Department offers majors and minors in accounting and business administration.
The business administration major emphasizes the nature, function and social role of the business organization and examines how administration is both an art and a science. In keeping with the college’s liberal arts mission, requirements for the major are comprehensive but recognize the unique opportunities that the liberal studies foundation affords our students.
The major also includes components that help students understand the interface between business decisions and the conduct of a moral/ethical life. All business administration majors will have an experiential component and several electives as part of their program of study. In addition, the major requires that students pursue their liberal studies by completing a minor. This requirement can be met by completing an accounting minor, a minor either from those offered from any other department on campus, or a second major.
The accounting major prepares students for careers in a variety of organizations including public accounting firms, business enterprises, government and non-profit organizations. In addition, the coursework is sufficiently broad to prepare students to continue their studies in graduate programs in accounting or business administration. The relationship between the accounting major and preparation for the CPA exam is explained on the accounting major page.
The business minor, consisting of 5 courses (BU 103 Managerial Ethics, AC 143 Managerial Accounting, BU 214 Management, BU 215 Marketing and BU 361 Business Strategy) complements any one of the College’s majors. Our business minor helps students develop the basic skill sets that they will need to begin their career in a wide range of organizational settings in the private, nonprofit and government sectors.
One-on-one guidance from faculty will be a big part of your business education at St. Mike’s. Our students frequent professors’ offices for help and advice, not only for courses, but also for questions about the business world in general; our professors have a variety of practical and academic experience.
Writing and presentation skills also are fostered throughout the business major. Students have many chances to practice and enhance their writing and speaking abilities, which is essential to success in business.
Special Opportunities
Just as in the business world, you’ll have opportunities to work in teams and develop effective communication and leadership skills through a variety of projects. A few examples:
- Working with computer-based simulation to market consumer products in Latin America
- Developing a marketing plan to sell bamboo bicycles in Liberia, vaccine kits in Burkina-Faso, or property insurance in Senegal
- Acting as a consultant to a local business or nonprofit agency to help them address some organizational problem
Saint Michael’s hosts a chapter of the Sigma Beta Delta Honors Society to honor outstanding academic achievement and scholarship by students studying business, management and administration. Sigma Beta Delta has more than 250 chapters nationwide. The society’s principles include wisdom (Sigma), honor (Beta), and the pursuit of meaningful aspirations (Delta).
Watch the 2020 Virtual Sigma Beta Delta Induction Ceremony here
Our department encourages students to study abroad to gain valuable knowledge and experience in the global marketplace. Each year, almost 25% of our majors study abroad.
Careers
After graduation, our majors go on to careers like:
- Career Development Supervisor/Financial Representative
- Corporate Staff Accountant
- Marketing Director/Project Manager
- Fixed Income Trading
- Fund Accountant
- Private Donor Group
- Quality Assurance Specialist
- Real Estate Agent
- Stockbroker Assistant
- Tax Consultant
- VP of Client Services
- Account Development Manager
- Financial Analyst
- Advertising Executive
- Claims Adjuster
- Portfolio Administrator
Our students have found work at:
- Fidelity Investments
- National Life
- Allego
- the US Government
- Fletcher Allen Healthcare
- Burton Snowboards
- Dealer.com
- Harvard Business School
- United Way
- Vermont Student Assistance Corporation
- Blue Cross/Blue Shield
- CIGNA
- Gillette
- EMC Corporation
- Marriott
- United States Ski Team
- Special Olympics Vermont
Many have gone on to graduate school for MBAs. In the last several years,
- 25 students have attended graduate school at Clarkson
- 5 to Northeastern
- 5 to Bentley
- 5 to Babson
Our students have also gone on to Law School, Boston University, San Jose State University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Fordham, Pace and New York University.
Internships
Many local and regional businesses and organizations offer internships to our students. These opportunities allow students to gain skills in a variety of business areas, from advertising to financial planning. Internship sites for Business majors include:
- Baystate Financial
- Blue Marble Global Payroll
- Brandthropology
- Fidelity Investments
- Fluent Group
- HomeBridge Financial Services
- InTrack Investment Management
- John Hancock Insurance
- Kelliher Samets Volk
- Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
- Morphotrust
- New Breed Marketing
- Northwestern Mutual
- Office of the Governor of Vermont
- Office of Senator Patrick Leahy
- People’s United Bank
- Public Banking Institute
- Rome Snowboards
- State Street Bank
- UBS Financial Services
- 350 Vermont
- Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
- Vermont Lake Monsters
In Depth
As a Saint Michael’s business major, you will learn about the functional areas of business including accounting, finance, management and marketing. We offer a range of upper-level elective courses in these areas, as well several courses in international business. The Department offers majors and minors in accounting and business administration.
The business administration major emphasizes the nature, function and social role of the business organization and examines how administration is both an art and a science. In keeping with the college’s liberal arts mission, requirements for the major are comprehensive but recognize the unique opportunities that the liberal studies foundation affords our students.
The major also includes components that help students understand the interface between business decisions and the conduct of a moral/ethical life. All business administration majors will have an experiential component and several electives as part of their program of study. In addition, the major requires that students pursue their liberal studies by completing a minor. This requirement can be met by completing an accounting minor, a minor either from those offered from any other department on campus, or a second major.
The accounting major prepares students for careers in a variety of organizations including public accounting firms, business enterprises, government and non-profit organizations. In addition, the coursework is sufficiently broad to prepare students to continue their studies in graduate programs in accounting or business administration. The relationship between the accounting major and preparation for the CPA exam is explained on the accounting major page.
The business minor, consisting of 5 courses (BU 103 Managerial Ethics, AC 143 Managerial Accounting, BU 214 Management, BU 215 Marketing and BU 361 Business Strategy) complements any one of the College’s majors. Our business minor helps students develop the basic skill sets that they will need to begin their career in a wide range of organizational settings in the private, nonprofit and government sectors.
One-on-one guidance from faculty will be a big part of your business education at St. Mike’s. Our students frequent professors’ offices for help and advice, not only for courses, but also for questions about the business world in general; our professors have a variety of practical and academic experience.
Writing and presentation skills also are fostered throughout the business major. Students have many chances to practice and enhance their writing and speaking abilities, which is essential to success in business.
Special Opportunities
Just as in the business world, you’ll have opportunities to work in teams and develop effective communication and leadership skills through a variety of projects. A few examples:
- Working with computer-based simulation to market consumer products in Latin America
- Developing a marketing plan to sell bamboo bicycles in Liberia, vaccine kits in Burkina-Faso, or property insurance in Senegal
- Acting as a consultant to a local business or nonprofit agency to help them address some organizational problem
Saint Michael’s hosts a chapter of the Sigma Beta Delta Honors Society to honor outstanding academic achievement and scholarship by students studying business, management and administration. Sigma Beta Delta has more than 250 chapters nationwide. The society’s principles include wisdom (Sigma), honor (Beta), and the pursuit of meaningful aspirations (Delta).
Watch the 2020 Virtual Sigma Beta Delta Induction Ceremony here
Our department encourages students to study abroad to gain valuable knowledge and experience in the global marketplace. Each year, almost 25% of our majors study abroad.
Careers
After graduation, our majors go on to careers like:
- Career Development Supervisor/Financial Representative
- Corporate Staff Accountant
- Marketing Director/Project Manager
- Fixed Income Trading
- Fund Accountant
- Private Donor Group
- Quality Assurance Specialist
- Real Estate Agent
- Stockbroker Assistant
- Tax Consultant
- VP of Client Services
- Account Development Manager
- Financial Analyst
- Advertising Executive
- Claims Adjuster
- Portfolio Administrator
Our students have found work at:
- Fidelity Investments
- National Life
- Allego
- the US Government
- Fletcher Allen Healthcare
- Burton Snowboards
- Dealer.com
- Harvard Business School
- United Way
- Vermont Student Assistance Corporation
- Blue Cross/Blue Shield
- CIGNA
- Gillette
- EMC Corporation
- Marriott
- United States Ski Team
- Special Olympics Vermont
Many have gone on to graduate school for MBAs. In the last several years,
- 25 students have attended graduate school at Clarkson
- 5 to Northeastern
- 5 to Bentley
- 5 to Babson
Our students have also gone on to Law School, Boston University, San Jose State University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Fordham, Pace and New York University.
Internships
Many local and regional businesses and organizations offer internships to our students. These opportunities allow students to gain skills in a variety of business areas, from advertising to financial planning. Internship sites for Business majors include:
- Baystate Financial
- Blue Marble Global Payroll
- Brandthropology
- Fidelity Investments
- Fluent Group
- HomeBridge Financial Services
- InTrack Investment Management
- John Hancock Insurance
- Kelliher Samets Volk
- Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
- Morphotrust
- New Breed Marketing
- Northwestern Mutual
- Office of the Governor of Vermont
- Office of Senator Patrick Leahy
- People’s United Bank
- Public Banking Institute
- Rome Snowboards
- State Street Bank
- UBS Financial Services
- 350 Vermont
- Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
- Vermont Lake Monsters
