Program Overview

Business Administration

The Business Administration program at Cal Poly is designed to provide students with the technical and interpersonal skills to thrive in all sectors of business, industry, governmental, and non-profit organizations.

Program Overview

The program offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers various aspects of business, including accounting, finance, marketing, organizational behavior, information systems, management, and technology. Students can choose from nine areas of concentration, allowing them to specialize in a specific field of interest.

Concentrations

The nine areas of concentration available in the Business Administration program are:

• Accounting and Law: This concentration provides students with a thorough knowledge of accounting and tax laws, as well as practical experience in applying them to real-world business scenarios.
• Consumer Packaging: This concentration combines technical packaging courses with marketing and entrepreneurship, enabling students to design and develop packaging solutions that meet customer needs.
• Entrepreneurship: This concentration immerses students in various business activities, including strategy, marketing, sales, people management, technology, finance, and accounting, to equip them with the skills necessary to succeed as entrepreneurs.
• Financial Management: This concentration provides students with the knowledge and insight to manage income securities, personal portfolios, and other financial assets, using the latest technology and techniques.
• Information Systems: This concentration combines the study of people, organization, and technology, training students in technological skills and business strategies to prepare them for careers in tech firms, consulting firms, startups, and other companies.
• Management and Human Resources: This concentration develops versatile leaders who are well-versed in organizational design, development, and change, global business management, and negotiation, with a focus on human resources and recruitment.
• Marketing: This concentration produces agile and flexible marketers who understand how to analyze data, develop creative strategies, and build customer relationships, preparing them for technical careers in data science, creative careers in digital media, and relational careers in sales.
• Quantitative Analysis: This concentration gives students the ability to analyze market data and trends in various industries, enabling them to become data experts and pursue careers in companies that value data analysis.
• Real Estate Finance: This concentration provides students with a broad background in all aspects of the real estate industry, preparing them for careers in real estate investment banking, consulting, insurance, brokerage firms, and startups.

Minors

The Business Administration program also offers several minor options, including:

• Accounting Minor: This minor provides students with a thorough knowledge of accounting and tax laws, as well as the confidence to use those skills in advising businesses towards financial success.
• Economics Minor: This minor allows students to integrate quantitative analysis, statistical modeling, and sound economic theory to address industry and public policy problems.
• Entrepreneurship Minor: This minor equips students with the tools, skills, and mindset to create economic and social value in any discipline.
• Industrial Technology Minor: This minor offers a broad choice of courses in technology, design, operations, and supply chain to provide supplemental knowledge and skills for non-technical majors.
• Integrated Marketing and Communications Minor: This minor teaches students how to acquire and leverage customer insights, create and deploy visual, graphic, and written content across traditional and digital media channels, and analyze the impact of their efforts.
• Packaging Minor: This minor focuses on hands-on projects in packaging fundamentals, materials processing, prototyping, and performance testing.
• Sales Minor: This minor enables students to practice hands-on sales skills, create important career-building connections, and prepare for prime sales internships and job opportunities.

Curriculum

The Business Administration curriculum is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of business principles and practices. The program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), ensuring that students receive a high-quality education that meets the standards of the business community.

Hands-on Learning

At Cal Poly, students in the Business Administration program have numerous opportunities for hands-on learning, including working with corporate partners, launching startups, building business strategies, utilizing cutting-edge technology, entering national competitions, and investing real funds. These experiences prepare students to take on challenges in their careers and make an immediate impact in the business world.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Business Administration program at Cal Poly are in high demand by companies across various industries. The program's strong alumni network, with members worldwide, provides students with valuable relationships and connections that can help them succeed in their careers. Alumni have found careers at top companies such as Adobe, Apple, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, Grant Thornton, KPMG, Oracle, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Protiviti, and Workday.