Business Administration

Lucia De Paz Nicol, Associate Professor

Neil Kearney, Assistant Professor

Peter Tosto, Assistant Professor

Business administration is taught at Principia from the standpoint of concepts and principles. Learning these principles involves an integrated approach to the study of organizations, products, markets, resources, and governmental policies together in one educational package. Students graduating from this program should be able to demonstrate a solid understanding of core business principles, formulate and recommend solutions to complex business problems, communicate effectively both orally and in writing, and collaborate in a team environment.

Majors may pursue a general Business Administration major or a concentration in one of three areas: Entrepreneurship, Finance, or Marketing (see descriptions below).

Students are encouraged to declare their major by the second semester of their freshman year. Business administration majors are encouraged to complete BUAD 161 Business Analytics​, ECON 203 Principles of Microeconomics, BUAD 215 Intro to Mgmt Info Systems, BUAD 251 Financial Accounting, and BUAD 252 Managerial Accounting by the end of their sophomore year. Any student declaring the business administration major after earning 60 semester hours must petition the department for approval of a graduation plan.

BUAD 430 Strategic Management must be taken at Principia College.

Students are required to participate in a career-based, off-campus, 3rd party internship experience at a business firm, government agency, or established NGO. Many positions will qualify, but the student must apply for the internship and get approval for it through the Career Center and the student's major advisor the semester before the work experience is to take place. The internship may be the BUAD 090 Business Internship (non-credit) course or a for-credit internship (on an Internship Learning Contract).

Business administration projects and independent study may be available by arrangement with business administration faculty.

A cumulative GPA of 2.000 or above in the for-credit major-required courses is necessary to complete any of the majors. Similarly, a cumulative GPA of 2.000 or above in the six courses required for the minor is necessary to complete either of the minors.

The application of transfer course credit to the major or minor is considered on an individual basis.

  1. For transfer students who have not yet attended Principia College: 
    For a major, transfer students must take at least five classroom courses (minimum of 15 semester hours) from Principia business administration departmental faculty. Four of these courses must be numbered in the 300 or 400 level. For a minor, transfer students must take at least three classroom courses (minimum of nine semester hours) from Principia business administration departmental faculty. Two of these courses must be numbered in the 300 level.
  2. For students who are currently enrolled or were once enrolled at Principia College:
    Students are expected to complete remaining major/minor courses at Principia. Exceptions must be pre-approved according to Principia's transfer policy.

Entrepreneurship Concentration

The Entrepreneurship concentration allows business administration students to specialize in entrepreneurship and innovation by taking courses in innovation, new venture creation, business development, skills development, and to participate in a business incubator course that allows them to create their own new venture over the course of their studies at Principia. The program is supported by Principia's Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation which sponsors pitch challenges and other entrepreneurial workshops and activities.

Finance Concentration

The Finance concentration enables business students to develop a deeper proficiency in financial management. Students build on the core courses of the business administration major to enrich their understanding of financial portfolios and markets as well as develop proficiency in financial risk management, portfolio management, and corporate valuation. 

Marketing Concentration

The Marketing concentration allows students to gain deeper training in marketing. This specialization in marketing provides students with an opportunity to gain deeper knowledge in market research, multi-channel marketing communication, and global market strategy, among others. The classes use real-life cases in order to effectively apply marketing strategies and principles in a business environment.