General Business Administration Major

BS degree

The general business administration program curriculum is designed to provide students with a solid business foundation and a broad cross-section of advanced courses selected from business course offerings that appeal to the student’s personal interests. This degree prepares graduates for successful careers in for-profit and not-for-profit organizations and the public sector by encouraging the development of critical thinking and problem solving skills. Designed as a degree completion program for non-traditional students. Students are encouraged to complete a degree in a specific major. They will only be considered for the GBA degree if other options will not allow them to complete a major in a timely manner. The major is offered at Cape Cod Community College and through UMass Dartmouth’s Professional and Continuing Education evening courses.

Core business courses provide each graduate with a foundation in cross-functional business skills including business statistics, business communications, accounting, finance, management information systems, production and operations management, general management and marketing. Upper-level courses are selected by students in this major to reflect their personal interests and skills (for instance, specializing in accounting and finance). The total curriculum emphasizes knowledge and competence in management that will enable the program’s graduates to progress well in the early stages of their careers; to develop the ability to analyze, plan, organize, motivate and control; to think creatively; to communicate effectively; and to gain broad perspectives essential to the attainment of ownership of executive management responsibilities.

Students eligible to enroll in the GBA major must have completed a minimum of 60 transfer credits elsewhere. In addition, students must have a minimum of two years of meaningful work experience. Students with only 2 years of community college credit, are not eligible to enroll in this program.

Student Learning Outcomes

The purpose of the general business administration program is to prepare students for careers in management and management-related disciplines. Graduates will be capable of evaluating an organization’s objectives, analyzing its internal and external environments, and creating effective management strategies and tactics that enable the organization to achieve its goals.

Students will

• have an understanding of the functional areas of business and how to manage them cohesively;
• demonstrate proficiency in theories and practices of business;
• be able to operate strategically in diverse and fluid business environments; and
• possess the ability to describe and analyze policies, procedures and systems that effectively enhance individuals and the organizations in which they work.