School of Business & Leadership

About the School of Business & Leadership

The mission of the School of Business and Leadership is to provide students with a unique and innovative business education that prepares them for success as leaders in a complex and dynamic global environment.

The program of the School of Business and Leadership incorporates business fundamentals (management, marketing, finance, accounting, law, and ethics) while strengthening its ties to other academic units on campus to fulfill the overall mission of the liberal arts goals of the university. The courses and pedagogy emphasize effective writing, oral communication, problem-solving, case analysis, and research methods. Through emphasis on critical thinking and written and oral communication, students are trained to logically formulate and investigate questions relevant to the marketplace and managed organizations. Electives in the humanities and social sciences allow students to develop an awareness of the relationship between the study of business and the study of other academic disciplines such as political science, economics, history, and literature.

This approach to undergraduate business education acknowledges the growing emphasis on breadth and flexibility in global business. To complement the academic program students are encouraged to participate in off-campus experiences including internships, mentorships, international work and study, and field research and problem solving projects. Students who plan careers in business and non-profit organizations are well served by this innovative approach to business education with its focus on critical thinking and communication skills.

The School of Business and Leadership offers a Bachelor of Arts in Business degree. Within the program, the student may select a General Emphasis or a more specific track leading to an International Emphasis. Students can also apply to the selective Business Leadership Program (BLP). The BLP is distinguished by a unique curriculum that blends coursework in business and the liberal arts, and features multiple special BLP-only classes. BLP students must participate in regional business field trips, an evening leadership speaker series, a professional internship, and a formal mentorship program.

Cross-disciplinary degrees are offered in conjunction with other departments. The Mathematics and Computer Science Department offers a degree in Computer Science/Business and the School of Music offers one in Music/Business. See the sections for these departments in this Bulletin for additional information.

The Cooperative Education Program and the Internship Program supplement the curriculum by enabling students to apply concepts and theories to actual working situations. Placements and registration requirements are coordinated through Career and Employment Services.