Business Administration
Want to become a visionary CEO, VP, or industry leader?
The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at Stephens College provides a broad-based view of business that prepares women to lead with confidence. Through hands-on courses and real-world scenarios, you’ll gain the market-ready skills and “polish” that employers love.
This business degree is designed for students who want to layer their individual interests on top of a solid foundational core, preparing them to be effective and impressive in any career they choose
Real Scenarios. Market-Ready Skills. Practiced Confidence.
Stephens Business is built differently—and that’s the advantage.
- Extensive flexibility with 35 elective hours to tailor your degree.
- Four specialized concentrations: Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Management, and Conference/Event Planning.
- Practiced confidence gained by honing skills among supportive faculty, peers, and alumni.
- Credit-bearing leadership through Collegiate DECA, a nationally recognized organization.
Business isn’t just about spreadsheets. At Stephens, it’s about leadership, communication, and the “polish” that comes from applying knowledge in real-time environments.
Hands-On Experience—Early and Often
You won’t just read about business; you’ll run one. At Stephens, we believe in learning by doing through our unique campus laboratories and student-run ventures.
- Susie’s Campus Store: Gain first-hand experience in all aspects of running a small business as a team member at our student-run retail shop.
- Creative Ink: Join our full-service marketing firm to focus on consumer behavior and strategic communication for real clients.
- SC Events: Help manage weddings and professional gatherings on the beautiful Stephens campus to master event planning and management.
- Collegiate DECA: Compete in professional-level events, travel to national competitions, and network directly with industry leaders—all while earning academic credit.
You’ll graduate with the “edge” that comes from real-world managerial experience.
What Can You Do With a Business Administration Degree?
A BS in Business Administration from Stephens College prepares you to:
- Launch and manage your own small business or startup.
- Lead as a visionary executive in corporate, non-profit, or creative industries.
- Solve complex problems with insightful, innovative marketing and management solutions.
- Master professional communication and ethics required for modern global markets.
- Specialize in high-demand fields like event planning, human resources, or strategic marketing.
Is This Major Right for You?
This program could be a great fit if you:
- Dream of becoming a CEO or industry leader
- Want to start your own business or lead a team
- Value a “polish” that combines professional skills with liberal arts
- Want the flexibility to pursue multiple interests (like a minor or second concentration)
- Want to earn academic credit while competing in national organizations like DECA
- Thrive in a supportive environment that emphasizes hands-on, real-world experience
The Stephens Advantage
- Tailored Curriculum: With 35 elective hours, you can design a program that fits your specific goals.
- Faculty Mentorship: Learn from supportive faculty who help you hone your individual leadership style.
- Immersive Learning: Academic credit for participation in DECA and student-run businesses.
- Scholarship Opportunities: Access to exclusive DECA scholarships (by application).
- A Women’s College Environment: Build the confidence to lead in any boardroom or industry.
Program Structure
The business program at Stephens is built on a 125-credit hour model designed for expertise:
- Broad Liberal Arts (36 hours): A strong general education foundation.
- Business Core (36 hours): Essential courses in accounting, finance, law, ethics, and professional communication.
- Functional Expertise (18 hours): Deep-dive specialization in your chosen concentration.
Electives (35 hours): Room to add a minor or a second concentration to complement your goals.
Business Concentrations
Accounting
The Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting is designed to prepare students for careers in the growing field of accounting with sound business knowledge and a concentrated understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. This concentration prepares students to sit for the Missouri Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam which requires at least 120 semester hours, including a minimum of 24 semester hours in accounting and 24 semester hours of general business courses.
Required Concentration Courses:
- ACC340 – Intermediate Accounting I (Rize=ACCNT III)
- ACC345 – Intermediate Accounting II (Rize=ACCNT IV)
- ACC350 – Managerial Cost Accounting (Rize=ACCNT V)
- ACC360 – Taxation I: Individual Income Tax (Rize=ACCNT VII)
- ACC365 – Taxation II: Corporate Income Tax (Rize=ACCNT VIII)
- BUS495 – Business Capstone
Potential Electives:
- ACC370 – Auditing (Rize=ACCNT IX)
- ACC375 – Accounting Information Systems and Controls (Rize=ACCNT VI)
- ACC380 – Advanced Accounting (Rize=ACCNT X)
Entrepreneurship
The Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in entrepreneurship is designed to prepare students to start and manage a business with sound business knowledge and a concentrated understanding of entrepreneurship. This concentration prepares students to be innovative, calculated risk takers by providing a robust business background with a strong focus on the various aspects of starting and managing a business.
Required Concentration Courses:
- BUS 305 Human Resource Management
- BUS 325 Introduction to Entrepreneurship
- BUS 375 Small Business Management
- BUS 355 Business Law for Entrepreneurs
- BUS 354 Consumer Behavior or BUS331 Integrated Marketing Communication
- BUS 495 Business Capstone
Fashion Marketing & Management
The Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Fashion Marketing and Management is designed to prepare students for careers in the dynamic and global fashion industry by combining a strong foundation in business with specialized knowledge of fashion branding, merchandising, consumer behavior, and retail strategy.
This concentration equips students with the analytical, creative, and managerial skills necessary to succeed in roles across fashion marketing, merchandising, buying, brand management, and retail leadership. Through an applied curriculum that integrates business strategy with industry-specific practices, students develop an understanding of the fashion product lifecycle, market trends, digital and experiential marketing, and ethical and sustainable business practices within the fashion sector.
Required FMM Concentration Courses:
- BUS 331 Integrated Marketing Communications (3 hrs.)
- FAS 270 Merchandising Math (3 hrs.)
- FAS 285 Fashion Retail Management (3 hrs.)
- FAS 382 Product Development (3 hrs.)
- FAS 305 Visual Merchandising and Display (3 hrs.)
- FAS487/BUS495 Business Capstone (3 hrs.)
Students may wish to enhance their expertise in aspects of fashion and/or business and marketing by taking additional courses in these respective areas. Students should consult their academic adviser about options to ensure their academic plan can accommodate and incorporate the additional courses.
Management
The Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Management is designed to prepare students for careers in the diverse field of management with companies, institutions, organizations, and non-profits where sound business knowledge and a concentrated understanding of planning, organizing, leading, and control are essential.
This concentration prepares students to be leaders in the field of management by providing a robust business background with a strong focus on the various aspects of managing and leading. Potential careers for graduates include project manager, sales manager, human resource specialist, business analyst, account executive, management consultant, operations manager, and more.
Required Concentration Courses:
- BUS 305 Human Resource Management
- BUS 386 Global Markets
- BUS 340 Planning and Project Management
- BUS 364 Organizational Behavior
- BUS 490 Business Internship
- BUS 495 Business Capstone
Marketing
The Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing is designed to prepare students for careers in the high demand field of marketing with companies, institutions, organizations, and non-profits where sound business knowledge and a concentrated understanding of promotion are essential. This concentration prepares students to be leaders in the field of marketing by providing a robust business background with a strong focus on the various aspects of the marketing mix. Potential careers for graduates include project manager, brand manager, promotions and marketing specialist, and more.
Required Concentration Courses:
- BUS 331 Integrated Marketing Communications
- BUS 354 Consumer Behavior
- BUS 495 Business Capstone (or BUS 490 Internship)
Students must select at a minimum of 3 courses from the following:
- BUS 321 Sales and Negotiation
- BUS 333 Social Media Marketing
- BUS 345 E-commerce
- BUS 386 Global Markets
- COMD 355 Creative Ink (up to 2 semesters)
Collegiate DECA
Stephens College students in have the opportunity to join Collegiate DECA, a nationally recognized organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. Through DECA, students can compete in professional-level events, build leadership skills, and network with industry professionals.
At Stephens College, DECA isn’t just a club — it’s a credit-bearing experience. Students earn academic credit for their participation, travel to national competitions, and work directly with business leaders through immersive learning.
Plus, participating students will be eligible to receive one of three DECA Scholarships (by application only).
The Agency provides creative services through Creative Ink ad agency, Stephens Life feature magazine, Harbinger literary magazine, and Event and Convention Management.
Get Involved
Plan and manage real events on the beautiful Stephens campus, from weddings to business conferences, holiday galas, award banquets and more.
SC Events
As a satellite location of the Lillian Lodge Kopenhaver Center for the Advancement of Women in Communication, we share the organization's mission: empowering women professionals.
Learn MoreWhat does a block schedule look like?
Take a look at the below sample block schedule for a first-year Business major. The Block offers the rare opportunity to focus on what matters: learning, doing, and getting ready for your future. Want to know more? Contact an Advisor academicaffairs@stephens.edu.
Business Administration Minor
A minor in business administration at Stephens College provides foundational knowledge and skills in various aspects of business management and administration. It is designed to offer a focused curriculum covering essential business principles without the extensive time commitment required for a full degree program.
Required Courses for Minor:
- BUS 171 Foundations of Business in the 21st Century (3 hours)
- PLUS
- 15 hours of BUS electives of which 6 hours must be 300-level or above.
Related programs
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