Business Administration
Key courses:
- Advanced Management Cases and Problems
- Business Ethics and Social Responsibility
- Human Resource Management
- Introduction to Microcomputer Systems and Software
- Team Dynamics and Organizational Behavior
Degrees:
- Business Administration (Bachelor)
- Business Administration – Professional Track (Bachelor)
- General Business (Associate)
- Economics (Minor)
- Fleet Management (Minor)
- Human Resource Management (Minor)
- International Business (Minor)
- Lean Systems (Minor)
- Operations and Supply Management (Minor)
- Small Business and Entrepreneurship (Minor)
- Fleet Management (Certificate)
- Human Resource Management (Certificate)
- International Business (Certificate)
- Leadership and Supervision (Certificate)
- Lean Systems (Certificate)
- Manufacturing and Operations Management (Certificate)
- Risk Management and Insurance (Certificate)
- Small Business Management (Certificate)
- Legal Studies (Minor)
Locations:
- Big Rapids
The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration is one of the signature programs at the College of Business for students seeking a career in business. The program aims to prepare students to succeed in this competitive and fast-paced world in a variety of professional and management roles.
The Business Administration faculty combines corporate, consulting, and academic experience to deliver course content in ways that demonstrate practical application. Internships are encouraged, and students are offered support in ways that benefit both them and their employers. Students are also encouraged to be involved in professional development activities relevant to their chosen fields; a number of registered student organizations affiliated with national and regional professional associations are on campus.
We offer several tracks as minors or concentrations for students: Human Resource Management, International Business, Operations and Supply Management, and Small Business & Entrepreneurship.
This program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. ACBSP is a leading specialized accreditation association for business education supporting, celebrating, and rewarding teaching excellence.
New & Noteworthy
In New York City: Abigail Smiths Internship Experience
May 14, 2020
Abigail Smith, Ferris State University senior in Business Administration, interned at charity: water while taking classes online and living in New York City, New York. Being an online student meant that Smith had flexibility for where and when her internship happened.…Read more »
Conceptualization to implementation: Matthew Bosler’s internship at PLZ Aeroscience Corporation
January 13, 2020
Ferris State University senior Matthew Bosler, double majoring in Operations and Supply Management and Business Administration, found a full-time position for post-graduation while completing his internship. During the summer of 2019, Bosler interned at PLZ Aeroscience Corporation. He originally was…Read more »
It’s In The Detail: Justice Leach’s Internship at Fredrick Meijer Garden
September 9, 2019
During her summer 2019 internship at Fredrick Meijer Gardens, Ferris State University Business Administration student Justice Leach learned that it takes hundreds of small decisions to make one big idea a reality. Leach worked with the human relations and volunteer…Read more »
College of Business Students Recognized for Excellence
May 14, 2019
The College of Business recently recognized 20 outstanding upperclassmen by presenting them with Student Excellence Awards. On Friday, April 04, 2019, recipients were treated to a catered dinner and a speech from Jeff Harrold, retired Chairman and CEO of Auto-Owners Insurance.… Read more »
College of Business Students Compete in Federal Reserve Challenge
November 7, 2018
Justin Austin, Richard Sinclair, Kelly Babcock, Simon Levy, and Tyler Watts at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. College of Business seniors Justin Austin, Kelly Babcock, Simon Levy, and Richard Sinclair represented Ferris State at the College Federal Reserve Challenge held… Read more »
The TIES That Bind Us: New Registered Student Organization
February 20, 2018
By Briana Hammontree | Ferris State Torch This article was originally publishes in the February 7–13, 2018 edition of the Ferris State Torch. TIES is an incubated catalyst for ethical-minded student entrepreneurship and innovation. TIES, short for The Innovators and Entrepreneurs of… Read more »
Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship Students Visit Start Garden and Str!ve
November 16, 2017
Students from the College of Business visiting Str!ve as part of their field trip. On October 5, 2017, students from the Ferris Small Business Management (MGMT 310) and Entrepreneurial Strategy and Planning (MGMT 315) courses took a field trip to… Read more »
Statewide Business Administration Senior Margaret Miller Navigates Competitive General Motors Internship with “Urgency and Professionalism”
October 3, 2017
On a number of occasions during summer 2017, Margaret Miller remembers sitting around a table at General Motors with her fellow marketing interns, all of whom were from Ivy League schools. Miller could have felt intimidated—but she had no reason…Read more »
Meet the Summer 2017 College of Business Orientation Leaders
July 19, 2017
Every summer Ferris State University offers Orientation sessions for incoming Bulldogs. During orientation students confirm their academic major, meet faculty and staff from their program, learn about graduation requirements and financial aid, and register for classes. Meet the familiar faces…Read more »
Students Place 1st in Digital Marketing Simulation at AMA Conference
October 3, 2016
Five students from the Ferris State American Marketing Association (AMA) chapter traveled to Aurora, Illinois over the weekend to attend an AMA Regional Conference and participate in two competitions. Dominic Hasbrouck (Business Administration), Tyler Luptowski (Finance), and Estelle Molitor (Marketing)… Read more »
Student Enriches Learning While On Internship With Spectrum Health
September 15, 2016
Throughout college, students learn the importance of networking to open doors for job and internship opportunities. Recent Business Administration graduate, Scott Mooney did just that to land his internship with Spectrum Health. Mooney enjoys making the workplace better and adding…Read more »
Business Administration Student Receives Hands-On Sports Experience
August 8, 2016
Imagine having the opportunity to manage a component of high profile sporting events. The atmosphere is full of unparalleled excitement and your business abilities help to keep it all run smoothly. For many this is a dream job. For Kylee…Read more »
Meet the College of Business Orientation Leaders
August 11, 2015
Every summer Ferris State University offers Orientation sessions for incoming Bulldogs. Meet the familiar faces that have helped guide College of Business (COB) students, family, and friends on the beginning of their Bulldog adventure. Why did you choose to attend…Read more »
The Empowerment Plan Intern Fights Homelessness in Detroit
June 23, 2015
Originally studying psychology, Alina Canca once hoped to help patients in children’s hospitals, but soon discovered it was not her perfect fit. Now, as a senior studying Business Administration with a minor in International Business, she has found a way…Read more »
Business Administration Student Spotlight: Logan England
May 25, 2015
Logan England grew up seeing the ins-and-outs of the business world. His father is a business owner, who instilled in him an interest in studying business himself. Today, Logan is an outstanding Business Administration major with a minor in Lean…Read more »
Alison Popp and Lisa Eshbach Earn Faculty Excellence Awards
March 10, 2015
The College of Business recently recognized two outstanding professors with the Sytsma Award for Faculty Excellence. Designed to “promote, encourage, recognize and reward faculty performance, excellence, and improvement,” this award comes with a $500 grant made possible by a gift from… Read more »
“Love What You Do” in Ferris State PR
February 12, 2014
Some students hem and haw about their college workload, and then there are those who truly love the career path they’ve chosen and they dive right in, loving every minute of it. Students in Ferris State University’s Public Relations program…Read more »
Admissions
1. New First Year or “First Time in Any College Freshmen (FTIAC)” Applicant COB Admission Criteria
Applicants are expected to meet the criteria listed below to be placed directly into a College of Business bachelor/associate degree program except Graphic Design (DSGN), Information Security & Intelligence (ISIN), PGA Golf Management (PGA), and Professional Tennis Management (PTM) which have specific admission requirements listed in Section 3. Any mitigating circumstances will be considered on an individual basis by the College of Business Dean’s Office/Student Academic Affairs (SAA).
Applicants completing the SAT after Fall, 2016, must have a 2.5 high school GPA (on a 4.0 scale) and meet two of the three criteria below:
- SAT Evidence-based Reading and Writing (ERW) score of 450 or higher.
- SAT Math score of 500 or higher. Placement in Math 109/110 will be considered (SAT MATH score 480).
- SAT Composite score of 900.
Applicants completing the ACT; or applicants completing the SAT before Fall, 2016, must have a 2.5 high school GPA (on a 4.0 scale) and meet two of the three criteria below:
- English ACT score of 16 or higher, or SAT Writing score of 370 or higher
- Math ACT score of 19 or higher, or SAT Math score of 460 or higher
- Reading ACT score of 19 or higher, or SAT Reading score of 430 or higher
ACT/SAT score requirements shall not apply to international students and non-traditional students age 23 or older. However, a placement test (specified by Ferris State University and/or COB) may be necessary for English and Math. Most students complete the Accuplacer at the FSU Testing Center or approved satellite location.
Applicants not meeting the above criteria (or criteria for direct admission into a specific COB program listed in Section 3), MAY be considered for an approved Associates Degree if:
- High School GPA of 2.35 or higher
- Math ACT score of 16/SAT Math 430 and additional high school algebra
- ACT Reading score of 16 and ACT English score of 14 or a comparable SAT ERW score to be determined.
- SAT Composite score of 860 or ACT composite score of 15.
2. Transfer Applicant COB Admission Criteria (this includes internal applicants from other FSU colleges and external applicants from other institutions)
Applicants are expected to meet the criteria listed below to be placed directly into a College of Business bachelor/associate degree program except for Accountancy/Computer Information Systems (ACIS), Computer Information Systems (CIS), Computer Information Technology (CIT), Graphic Design (DSGN), Information Security & Intelligence (ISIN), Music Industry Management (MIM), PGA Golf Management (PGA), and Professional Tennis Management (PTM) which have specific admission requirements listed in Section 3. Any mitigating circumstances will be considered on an individual basis by the College of Business Dean’s Office/SAA.
Transfer applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Combined college or university GPA of 2.35 (on a 4.0 scale) from all institutions attended. GPA is based on completion of 12 credit hours or more. Developmental courses will not be considered in computing the GPA requirement.
- Transfer equivalency for FSU English 150 or placement during the first semester at FSU which would require an ACT English score of 16 or higher; or SAT ERW score of 450; or Accuplacer English score 6 or higher.
- Transfer equivalency for FSU Math 114/115 or placement during the first semester at FSU which would require an ACT Math score of 19 or higher; or SAT Math score of 500; or Accuplacer MATH scores: Elementary Algebra score 75 or higher and College Level Math 0 – 49.
ACT/SAT score requirements shall not apply to international students and non-traditional students age 23 or older. However, a placement test (specified by Ferris State University and/or COB) may be necessary for English and Math. Most students complete the Accuplacer at the FSU Testing Center or an approved satellite location.
COB students may transfer into another COB program with a 2.0 FSU GPA unless they do not meet requirements that are program specific. A “Program Change Form” will be processed in the Dean’s Office/SAA (BUS 200).
FSU students may transfer into a COB program with a 2.35 FSU GPA unless they do not meet requirements that are program specific. A “Program Change Form” will be processed in the Dean’s Office/SAA (BUS 200).
3. COB Specific Programs’ Admission Criteria
New applicants (FTIAC)* and transfer applicants interested in Accountancy/Computer Information Systems (ACIS), Systems Computer Information Systems (CIS), Computer Information Technology (CIT), Graphic Design (DSGN), Information Security and Intelligence (ISIN), Music Industry Management (MIM), PGA Golf Management (PGA), and Professional Tennis Management (PTM) have specific admission criteria as follows:
Accountancy/Computer Information Systems (ACIS-BS-BU)
- FTIAC applicants must meet the COB FTIAC admission criteria.
- Transfer applicants must meet COB transfer admission criteria (see Section 2) and have a combined college or university 2.5 GPA.
Computer Information Systems (CIS-BS-BU)
- FTIAC applicants must meet COB FTIAC admission criteria.
- Transfer applicants must meet COB transfer admission criteria (see Section 2) and have a combined college or university 2.5 GPA.
Computer Information Technology (CIT-BS-BU)
- FTIAC applicants must meet COB FTIAC admission criteria.
- Transfer applicants must meet COB transfer admission criteria (see Section 2) and have a college or university 2.5 GPA.
Graphic Design Bachelor’s Degree (DSGN-BS-BU)
- FTIAC applicants must meet COB FTIAC admission criteria. Students must maintain a 2.7gpa in their DSGN courses.
- Transfer applicants must meet COB transfer admission criteria (see Section 2) and will be referred to the Program Coordinator for portfolio review to determine acceptance and placement within the program.
Information Security & Intelligence (ISIN-BS-BU and ISIN-AAS-BU)
- All applicants applying for admission to the ISIN programs will submit a 750 – 1,000 word essay that addresses the following: Who they are and why they desire admission in the ISIN program, description of a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution, or experience, and description of someone that influenced them and why.
- Minimum computer spec for ISIN students: Laptop; Windows or OSX/MacOS; 8 GB RAM, 16GB recommended; 500 GB HDD or SSD; CPU minimum i5 or equivalent.
- FTIAC applicants require a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) from high school and a Math ACT minimum score of 22 or Math SAT minimum score of 550.
- Transfer applicants must have a combined 3.00 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) from all institutions attended. GPA is based on completion of 24 hours or more. Students must have completed the transfer equivalent of FSU’s Math 114/115 or higher (this does not include FSU’s equivalent of Math 117) with a minimum 2.00 GPA or have a Math ACT minimum score of 22 or Math SAT minimum score of 550. (See information above regarding the required essay.)
Music and Entertainment Business (MEBM-BS-BU)
- FTIAC applicants must meet COB FTIAC admission criteria.
- Transfer applicants must meet COB transfer admission criteria and (see Section 2) have a combined college or university 2.5 GPA. Typically no more than 45 applicable credit hours should be transferred from other institutions. Exceptions will be based on approval by the MIM Program Director.
PGA Golf Management (PGA-BS-BU)
- FTIAC applicants require a 2.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) from high school, ACT composite score of 19 or SAT composite score of 980. The program has a Fall Semester entry only. Because of the uniqueness of the program, applicants are encouraged to visit campus and talk with an admissions counselor and/or the PGA program coordinator.
- There are two alternatives for students to demonstrate the golf playing ability required to enter the Ferris State PGA Golf Management Program. Each State Golf Association offers memberships that include score posting for rounds played to allow golfers to establish an official handicap. If a student elects to use option 1 below, the maximum permitted USGA/World Handicapping System Index is 8.0.
- In Michigan, for example, the Golf Association of Michigan offers score posting options online. The following link will take you directly to the GAM Membership page. As a GAM Member not only can you post your scores but the GAM offers discounts on greens fees and merchandise at various courses throughout Michigan. https://www.gam.org/?Membership&view=Join
- The other alternative is to demonstrate playing proficiency in a 36 hole PGA Playing Ability Test (PAT) conducted in any PGA Section in the United States. The proficiency considered acceptable by Ferris State is as follows: In at least one of the two rounds of the PAT, the student shoots a score that is within 5 strokes of the PAT Target Score.
For Example, the PAT Target Score for 36 Holes = 158 (79 + 79 = 158)
Player in PAT Shoots 84 and 86 in the two rounds. Since at least one round (the 84) is within 5 strokes of 79 that would be considered acceptable.
- Transfer applicants must meet COB transfer admission criteria (see Section 2) and demonstrate golfing ability as explained above. Transfer equivalency or placement in ENGL-150 and MATH-114 or MATH-115.
- Students must complete the program within eight years of the initial enrollment as required by the PGA.
- PGA Playing Ability Test Registration
Professional Tennis Management (PTM-BS-BU)
- FTIAC applicants require a 2.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) from high school, NTRP of 4.0 with USTA District ranking and one of the following two criteria: (1) ACT Math score of 19 or higher or SAT Math score of 500 OR (2) ACT Reading score of 19 or higher or SAT ERW to be determined.
- Transfer applicants must meet COB transfer admissions criteria (see Section 2) and NTRP of 4.0 or USTA District ranking.
4. Undergraduate COB Certificate Programs’ Admission Criteria
Any person admitted to a Ferris State University degree program may enroll in courses for undergraduate COB certificates. No more than 50% of the credits in a certificate may be transferred from another institution. If a student is in a FSU degree-seeking program, the certificate will not be granted if more than 50% of the certificate credits are required in the program/major. The certificate will be granted upon completion with an average GPA of 2.0 or higher in the courses designated for the certificate.
Individuals wanting to advance their career, but not admitted to an FSU degree program, may also earn undergraduate COB certificates.
Admission process for individuals seeking only a certificate:
- Applicant should show proof of high school graduation with a 2.35 GPA. If it is determined by the COB Dean’s Office/SAA that regular program admission criteria should be met in order to complete the certificate successfully and be a contributing member of the course, all college transcripts should be submitted to the Admissions Office. Once admitted, an advisor will be assigned by the College of Business in the certificate program.
- Dual enrolled/concurrent students must complete their high school degree (provide transcript) before the certificate will be granted from FSU.
- Students wishing to pursue a bachelor or associate’s degree must meet the admission criteria for the program. This criteria review is initiated when the “Program Change Form” request is processed through the COB Dean’s Office/SAA.
Any mitigating circumstances will be considered on an individual basis by the College of Business Dean’s Office/SAA
*This document is subject to change. Questions should be submitted to the COB Dean’s Office/Student Academic Affairs (BUS 200) in care of the Director of Student Academic Affairs (231-591-2420).
SLG: April 9, 2013; Spring, 2014 (PHMT and eliminate PMIM); December, 2014(editorial); August 20, 2015 (criteria change: Section 1 preprogram requirements; PGA Golf Management name change); April and May, 2016 (Certificate process updates); Reviewed by AC: March 16, 2017 and updated on April 4, 2017 (Updates with certificate, ISIN admissions criteria, SAT updates, program changes, eliminate pre-programs, editorial changes); June 13, 2107 (MIM transfer credit clarification); June 19, 2017 (CIS transfer criteria update: combined college GPA 2.5 GPA); July 27, 2017 (ISIN computer recommendations; Accountancy/Computer Information Systems transfer criteria update: combined college GPA 2.50); August 16, 2017 (Edit); Oct 6, 2017 (ISIN AAS); November 7, 2017 (PTM edit “or USTA”);