Business Administration, BS

Female college student working on computer to earn online bachelor's degree in business

Program Description

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Online Degree Completion Program is ideal for working adults interested in skill and knowledge development as well as degree completion.

This online degree in business administration provides majors with knowledge of how businesses and organizations operate. Students will study the various functions of business and learn how they cooperate to build successful organizations.

Graduates of the BSBA Online Degree Completion Program earn a four-year degree in Business Administration. The UNK business programs are accredited by AACSB International. Our BSBA graduates often find positions in management and management training programs, human relations, marketing, sales, or information technology.

Special Accreditation

In addition to the Higher Learning Commission accreditation carried by all University of Nebraska degrees, this program is also accredited by:

  • The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
    AACSB Accredited

Delivery Format

Home Campus: University of Nebraska at Kearney

Method of Delivery: 100% Online - what's this?Program can be completed fully at a distance. Courses are asynchronous, meaning students and instructor may access content at any time and do not have to be connected to the Internet at the same time. If your program includes an internship or practicum, experiences may be completed in the student's local area.

All online courses are accessed via the Internet and use a learning management system. Technology requirements may vary by program and course, but all campuses have basic recommended requirements. High-speed Internet is required.

Interaction with professors and other students may include:

  • E-mail
  • Online discussion boards
  • Phone or video conferencing
  • Other forms of electronic and print communication

Supplemental materials for some courses may include:

  • Printed material and scanned documents
  • Digital resources accessed through university libraries
  • Videos accessed via the Internet, CDs or DVDs
  • Other media

To be successful, students taking online classes should be reasonably comfortable using a computer and the Internet. Learn more about online student tips for success.

Academic Year 2012 - 2013

Tuition rates are effective for the academic year listed.  Tuition is subject to change in July of each year.

Nebraska Resident:

 TuitionDistance Ed. FeeTechnology FeeLibrary FeeTotal
Per credit hour$227.00$25.00$10.00$4.00$266.00
3 credit hour$681.00$75.00$30.00$12.00$798.00

Non-Resident:

 TuitionDistance Ed. FeeTechnology FeeLibrary FeeTotal
Per credit hour$335.00$25.00$10.00$4.00$374.00
3 credit hour$1,005.00$75.00$30.00$12.00$1,122.00

Note: A $4.00 student records fee will be assessed each semester for both resident and non-resident students.

The online bachelor of science in business administration degree completion program requires a total of 14 courses or 42 credit hours. Eight core courses are required for every student. Additionally, students take six courses in a minor area. 

Minors typically require six to eight courses or 18-24 credit hours beyond the core business courses. A fully online minor in Marketing and Management is available.

Students may start the program in any semester, including summer. 

Recommended Prerequisites

Students should have an associate's degree or the majority of the general studies requirements completed. Students need to have completed their general studies courses and 200-level business courses necessary for a Bachelor's degree independently, before beginning the degree completion coursework.

 

Program of Study

Business Administration Major 24 credit hours MGT 314, 493 and 495; ACCT 311; FIN 308; MIS 302; and  MKT 300; and choose from MGT 301 or 355
Marketing and Management Minor 6 credit hours MKT 300 and MGT 301 
Electives  18 credit hours  Choose from: MKT 331, 336, 420, 430, 434, 435, 437, 438, 440, 444, 450, 457, 460, 474, 498; MGT 314, 355, 380, 409, 415, 398; MIS 302; BSAD 295 
 
Course Name
Course #
Credits
Core Courses

Business Law

ACCT 311
3
Prereq: none A study of the legal environment of business. Topics include legal theory, and resources, ethics, the court system, torts, contracts, government regulation, property law, and international law considerations.

Principles of Finance

FIN 308
3
Prereq: ACCT 251*, ECON 271GS Concepts of firm valuation and capital budgeting, capital structure and cost of capital, and analysis of financial statements.

Principles of Management

MGT 301
3
Prereq: none An integrated study of the functions of a manager: planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. An in-depth look at various management theories.

Operations Management

MGT 314
3
Prereq: MGT 233GS* or equivalent This course explores the transformation of materials, land, labor, and capital into goods and services. Quantitative management systems are applied to manufacturing and service processes. Students are expected to be computer literate.

Organizational Behavior

MGT 355
3
Prereq: junior standing This course is designed to develop an understanding of and appreciation for the complex interrelationships of people in formal organizations. The course focuses on both individual and group behavior, with emphases on motivation, leadership, conflict, and other aspects of organizational dynamics. Some sections use basic statistics and computer applications.

Social Responsibilities of Business: Issues and...

MGT 493
3

Social Responsibilities of Business: Issues and Ethics

Prereq: junior standing A study of the societal challenge of business and organizations; how business and society interface; micro and macro publics of business and organization, environment, consumerism, employee rights, equality/diversity, international business and future corporate ethos. This course covers legal, ethical and social responsibility issues of business and organizations.

Administrative Strategy and Policy

MGT 495
3
Prereq: senior standing As the capstone course in business, the course is designed (1) to integrate the knowledge acquired in other courses in business administration, and (2) to emphasize analysis and decision-making.

Principles of Marketing

MKT 300
3
Prereq: sophomore standing The course will inform students of the theories, principles, and methods involved in the transaction and organized exchange of goods and services. Discussion of the history and evolution of marketing, its present-day challenges, and strategies connected with developing, pricing, promoting, and distributing goods and/or services.

Principles of Management Information Systems

MIS 302
3
Prereq: passing score on Business Computer Proficiency Examination or MIS 182GS The course provides an introduction and overview to the field of management of information systems (MIS). This course is designed to familiarize students with the critical roles of information and information systems in support of organizational operations, decision-making processes, quality management, and strategic activities. It also covers management of information systems functions and professionals, as well as relevant global, ethical, societal and legal/regulatory issues. Focus is placed on the impact of rapidly changing technologies, such as the Internet, on organizations leading to new paradigms, like e-commerce and business-to-business applications, and the subsequent reengineering of organizations.
Elective Courses

Business Communications

BSAD 295
3
Prereq: ENG 101GS* Current trends in written and oral business communications are covered in this course. Students will learn strategies for developing effective written communications including business letters, e-mail messages, memos, reports, and proposals. Oral communications skills including working in teams, listening, and nonverbal communications are discussed. Techniques for giving effective oral presentations are a part of the course.

Principles of Management

MGT 301
3
Prereq: none An integrated study of the functions of a manager: planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. An in-depth look at various management theories.

Operations Management

MGT 314
3
Prereq: MGT 233GS* or equivalent This course explores the transformation of materials, land, labor, and capital into goods and services. Quantitative management systems are applied to manufacturing and service processes. Students are expected to be computer literate.

Organizational Behavior

MGT 355
3
Prereq: junior standing This course is designed to develop an understanding of and appreciation for the complex interrelationships of people in formal organizations. The course focuses on both individual and group behavior, with emphases on motivation, leadership, conflict, and other aspects of organizational dynamics. Some sections use basic statistics and computer applications.

Human Resource Management

MGT 380
3

This course introduces the student to the theory and practice of human resource management. Topics include recruitment, selection, and placement; training, development and performance management; compensation; equal opportunity and the legal environment; and strategic implication of HRM and its relationship with other organizational functional areas. F, Sp.

Management Topics

MGT 498
3
Prereq: none Selected topics and problems of current interest considered in depth. Class discussion and course projects. Topics vary each semester depending upon instructor. On demand.

Leadership Skills, Applications, Research

MGT 409
3
Prereq: none.
This course is designed to give students preparing for careers in business, government, and the nonprofit sector a working knowledge of leadership styles, principles, models, and practical applications. Students will learn to engage critically in analytical and intellectual examination and reflection of certain core issues in the practice of leadership. Topics covered include history of leadership, leadership traits and behaviors, motivation and communication patterns, teamwork, use of power, development of trust, effective group facilitation, negotiation and persuasion, effective change, and ethics. Sp. Three contact hours per week. Lectures, discussion, writing, and applications.

Quality Management Concepts and Practice

MGT 415
3
Prereq: MGT 314*
Overview of the concepts and techniques of quality management. Statistical tools; people element of quality management; philosophies and practices of quality experts discussed. Students will be expected to be computer literate. Sp.

Professional Selling

MKT 331
3
Prereq: none An examination of the role of professional selling as a key component of marketing communications. Various techniques of professional selling and methods for developing long-term relationships with customers are explored, including the use of role-playing.

Services Marketing

MKT 336
3
Prereq: none This course presents concepts and strategies for addressing the distinctive marketing challenges in service industries, including the tourism, hospitality, banking, healthcare, and professional services.

Principles of Management Information Systems

MIS 302
3
Prereq: passing score on Business Computer Proficiency Examination or MIS 182GS The course provides an introduction and overview to the field of management of information systems (MIS). This course is designed to familiarize students with the critical roles of information and information systems in support of organizational operations, decision-making processes, quality management, and strategic activities. It also covers management of information systems functions and professionals, as well as relevant global, ethical, societal and legal/regulatory issues. Focus is placed on the impact of rapidly changing technologies, such as the Internet, on organizations leading to new paradigms, like e-commerce and business-to-business applications, and the subsequent reengineering of organizations.

Principles of Marketing

MKT 300
3
Prereq: sophomore standing The course will inform students of the theories, principles, and methods involved in the transaction and organized exchange of goods and services. Discussion of the history and evolution of marketing, its present-day challenges, and strategies connected with developing, pricing, promoting, and distributing goods and/or services.

Retail Management

MKT 420
3
Prereq: MKT 300 or permission of instructor A study of retail institutions and the basic principles and methods of retail merchandising, buying, and selling; store location, layout and operation; store and personnel management.

International Marketing

MKT 430
3
Prereq: MKT 300 or MGT 330 A comprehensive overview of existing international marketing systems, history and development.

Business-to-Business Marketing

MKT 434
3
Prereq: MKT 300 Marketing in the business-to-business environment including trade,institutional, service, agribusiness, and governments; study of purchasing and buyer behavior in organizations; determination of business-to-business marketing strategies as well as e-business strategies.

Marketing Research

MKT 435
3
Prereq: MKT 300, MGT 233GS* OR MKT 300, STAT 241GS* Structuring research procedures to aid managerial decision making. Emphasis is on development and completion of a marketing research project.

Sales Management

MKT 437
3
Prereq: MKT 300 or MKT 331 or permission of instructor The concepts and practices of an established body of management knowledge used to cope with the dynamic business environment of both direct and telemarketing sales; job descriptions and qualifications, recruiting, training, determining sales potential, establishing workloads, scheduling, allocating quotas, compensating, controlling, and evaluating sales and people.

Consumer Behavior

MKT 438
3
Prereq: MKT 300, junior standing OR permission of instructor A detailed and in-depth analysis of why and how people buy, based upon an understanding of the nature of consumer behavior on both the micro and macro level; includes the effects of internal and external influences on decision making.

Advertising Management

MKT 440
3
Prereq: MKT 300 or permission of instructor A study of advertising as a marketing function with emphasis on planning and implementing the advertising campaign, creating copy and layouts, media selection, and scheduling.

Person Marketing

MKT 444
3
Prereq: senior standing or permission of instructor Students will gain the skills to market individuals, i.e., how to take the unique product--”a specific person” to the marketplace. Students will learn to create SWOT analysis for the person they are marketing using creative problem-solving skills. Students will develop a marketing plan to market themselves.

Pharmaceutical Marketing

MKT 450
3
Prereq: senior standing or permission of instructor Students will gain the skills to market pharmaceuticals, i.e. how to take product “science” to the marketplace. Student’s analytical, creative, problem-solving decision skills will be enhanced to improve success of product in the marketplace. Students will work on project conducting a market analysis, including a competitor assessment, and a marketing plan for an assigned pharmaceutical drug.

E-Marketing

MKT 457
3
Prereq: passing score on Business Computer Proficiency Examination The pragmatic and theoretical aspects of E-marketing, including E-mail orders and direct response advertising, reassurability and accountability, E-mail lists and data, plus the integration of E-marketing programs into total marketing efforts and into overall organization goals and functions.

Strategic Product Management

MKT 460
3
Prereq: MKT 300 or permission of instructor To develop an awareness and understanding of the issues, tools and techniques used from inception to launch of a product.

International Experiential Learning: Marketing

MKT 474
3
Prereq: MKT 430* or MGT 330 or ECON 430*; junior or senior standing; permission of instructor To learn to work in one or more multi-cultural, international business environment, outside of their native country and the United States, through first-hand experiences outside the classroom that require significant cross-cultural business-related immersion, such as visiting and engaging with businesses abroad or in the multinational organizations within the US.

Marketing Topics

MKT 498
3
Prereq: permission of instructor Selected topics and problems of current interest considered in depth. Class discussion and course projects. Topics vary each semester depending upon instructor. On demand.
Note: Course equivalents may be transferred into this program. Prospective students should work with the department regarding previously-earned credits and their application toward this degree.

Vijay Agrawal, Ph.D., Professor, Marketing & MIS

Bruce Elder, J.D., Professor, Accounting/Finance

Suzanne Hayes, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Accounting/Finance

Susan Jensen, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Management

Janet Lear, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Economics

Kyle Luthans, Ph.D., Professor, Management

Jake Messersmith, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Management

Sri Seshadri, Ph.D., Professor, Marketing & MIS

Ross Taylor, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Marketing & MIS

Kathryn Zuckweiler, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Management

Guidelines for Admittance

To participate in this program the student must have:

  • An associate's degree or the majority of general studies requirements completed

Application Checklist

  1. Apply and be admitted to Undergraduate Admissions at the University of Nebraska at Kearney:
    • Complete an Application for Undergraduate Admissions
    • Include the non-refundable application fee
    • Submit your transcripts for proof of high school graduation or its equivalent such as a General Equivalency Diploma (GED). An official transcript needs to be mailed to the Office of Admissions directly from the high school or from the testing agency which issued the diploma:
      • Contact your high school to have them submit your official high school transcripts
      • Contact each postsecondary institution that you have attended to request your official transcripts be sent to the UNK Office of Admissions
    • If your native language is not English, demonstrate English proficiency.



Send application materials to:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions
905 West 25th Street
Memorial Student Affairs Building; Room 111
Kearney, NE  68849
308.865.8526 or 800.532.7639
admissionsug@unk.edu

 

Application Deadlines

 Fall Semester: May 1 
 Spring Semester: October 1 
 Summer Sessions: March 1

 

Contact

Online Worldwide Educational Representative
Phone:
888.622.0332
E-mail: online@nebraska.edu

 

Program Contact
Name:
Dr. Kathryn Zuckweiler
Phone: 308.865.8515
E-mail: onlinebizdegree@unk.edu

Military/Veteran Student Adviser
Name:
Mary Sommers
Phone: 308.865.8520
E-mail: unkveterans@unk.edu

Request Information