Business

(Also see Computer Information Systems, Energy Management/Landman, and Hospitality Management)

Program Description

Master of Business Administration

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a challenging degree that prepares graduates for the ever-changing business world. With a combination of theory and application of current business practices, classes provide students the opportunity to analyze actual business scenarios. See Graduate Policies and Programs section of this catalog for complete degree requirements.

Bachelor of Business Administration

The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree provides an in-depth study of the many facets of business. The program’s extensive business core provides students with the knowledge, skills and abilities to compete in both local and global business environments. The business core covers functional areas of business and offers an applied approach, providing students with an opportunity to apply concepts and theories learned in class to real-life business projects. Students choose from the listed concentrations and gain additional depth in one or more areas.

The BBA is a very versatile and valuable degree. In addition to positions in corporate America, graduates hold positions in nonprofit organizations like hospitals, schools, and theaters, as well as positions in organizations ranging from entry-level manager to Chief Executive Officer. Colorado Mesa University’s BBA graduates are entrepreneurs, small business owners, bank vice-presidents, product managers in advertising firms, and project and operations managers in manufacturing organizations.

BBA Concentrations (Students must choose at least one)

Requirements vary with the concentration selected. See program concentration options with links to program details in the Programs of Study tab and visit Degree Works for complete requirements for the major and selected concentration.

Bachelor of Applied Science: Business Administration

The Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Business Administration combines the technical skills and business proficiency necessary for success. A unique program, the BAS degree allows students who have already earned an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree to build upon their technical specialties with essential learning courses and junior and senior level business courses. This allows associate degree holders to gain a 4-year degree in approximately four additional full-time semesters, depending upon prior coursework. Business courses include courses in marketing, promotion, management, accounting, finance, small business management and entrepreneurship. Upon completion of the program, students will be technically and academically prepared for leadership positions in their chosen industries. Prospective students not holding an AAS degree can begin their university career at CMU in a chosen field of study with a 2-year degree and then progress to a 4-year degree using the BAS. This degree will provide students with the ability to move into supervision/management positions.

Bachelor of Science: General Accounting 

This program is designed for undergraduate students who do not wish to pursue CPA certification. The General Accounting concentration provides students with basic business skills as well as the accounting knowledge needed to work in an accounting department in private industry or government. 

Bachelor of Science: Public Accounting 

The Public Accounting concentration provides students with basic business skills as well as the accounting knowledge needed to pass the Certified Public Accounting (CPA) exam. Graduates of this program have a very high CPA exam pass rate and are heavily recruited by local and regional CPA firms. Most graduates will have job offers months before they graduate. This program is designed to be the undergraduate component of the 3+2 accounting program which can earn the graduate a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in five years. The Public Accounting concentration is the required pathway for the 3+2 program and, in conjunction with the 3+2 program, will provide the curriculum needed for CPA licensure. 

Bachelor of Science: Computer Information Systems  

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems is a degree required today as organizations face the challenges of technology management. This program provides graduates with business management skills and computer information expertise to manage computer systems in today’s organizations. Graduates of this program are employed in occupations such as systems analysts, analyst/programmers, database administrators, network administrators, web page designers, help desk specialists and IT managers. Graduates assist businesses with creating, obtaining and maintaining computer information systems that solve problems and assist in facilitating routine business events. As businesses increasingly rely on technology to provide a competitive advantage, employees with an understanding of both business concepts and computer systems are necessary. Computer information systems studies require students to examine computer systems from organizational, social, psychological and technical perspectives. Graduates from this program will have taken a variety of courses that were developed based on national guidelines for quality degrees in information systems.

Associate of Arts: Business Administration

The Associate of Arts (AA) degree is designed for students who intend to continue their education and obtain a baccalaureate degree. The Business Administration AA degree, in addition to providing students with their essential learning courses, is useful in giving students an overview of business. The AA is also an appropriate choice for students who will take upper division coursework in the arts, humanities, or social and behavioral sciences. Through the acquisition of essential learning credits, the degree also positions students for completion of a four-year degree in business. The degree includes the Colorado Statewide General Education Core and meets the lower-division general education requirements at most public institutions in Colorado.

Associate of Applied Science: Hospitality Management 

The field of hospitality management combines the technical skills and business proficiency necessary for success in today’s business world.

Minors

Minors are designed to prepare non-business students with an overview of business knowledge, allowing students to combine other disciplines with necessary business skills. Four functional areas of business are covered in the minor with additional upper division courses required based upon the chosen minor.

Accounting

Accounting is the language of business and regardless of your major, the more accounting you have the better prepared you will be for a management position. This is a rigorous minor that will stand out on a resume.

Business Administration

The Business Administration minor complements many other degrees and is designed to prepare students to enter the world of business with the basic business skills needed to contribute more efficiently and effectively in the workplace. Courses in management, marketing and workplace communication provide students an opportunity to build a foundation in business. Additionally, courses in accounting, finance and computer information systems allow students to choose classes that best fit their career goals. A Business Administration minor coupled with a non-business major can increase the employment opportunities available in a variety of areas.

Business Analytics

The minor in Business Analytics is designed to prepare students for managerial level decision making based on the use of information and computer technology. Today’s world presents a wealth of data. Using data effectively requires insight and talent with a variety of tools. The Business Analytics minor is intended for students who are interested in expanding their knowledge and skills in the use of data and related technologies. A Business Analytics minor coupled with any major can increase the employment opportunities available in a wide variety of areas.

Computer Information Systems

The Computer Information Systems minor allows students majoring in other subjects to enhance their degree with information systems knowledge. Graduates may use their expertise to help solve computer system problems for businesses. Since many businesses rely heavily on computer systems as decision-making tools, graduates with this minor will have a competitive advantage over those without it when applying for positions in many organizations. This minor may also give students an advantage when attempting to advance within an organization. Additionally, many employees across numerous organizations find themselves using computer hardware and software as productivity tools within their positions on a daily basis. The Computer Information Systems minor assists students in learning skills and background information that they will need in all occupations.

Cybersecurity

Housed under the Computer Information Systems program, this is a new interdisciplinary minor in cybersecurity designed for students enrolled in various degrees and programs at CMU. Students enrolled in this minor program take six (6) courses in total; three (3) from Computer Information Systems and three (3) from Computer Science. Visit the Cybersecurity page for additional details about this minor. 

Economics

The Economics minor is designed to prepare non-business students with an overview of business knowledge, allowing students to combine other disciplines with necessary business skills. The functional areas of business are covered in the minor with additional upper division courses required based upon the chosen minor. The minor in economics is designed to prepare students with an overview of the basics of economics. Coursework includes the principle classes in macroeconomics and microeconomics, plus intermediate macroeconomics and microeconomics courses. The required coursework prepares students with the critical thinking and problem solving skills needed in today’s world, as well as the ability to apply economic rationale in the decision making process.

The Davis School of Business also offers the Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in economics.

Entrepreneurship

The minor in entrepreneurship is designed to equip students with the basic knowledge and skills needed to successfully operate a small business. The Entrepreneurship minor is intended for students in disciplines other than business who wish to begin small businesses in their major area. The minor will provide students with the basics needed as they face the exciting challenges of small business ownership.

The Davis School of Business also offers the Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in entrepreneurship.

Hospitality Management 

For the student interested in the area of hospitality, a minor coupled with a bachelor’s degree can increase the employment opportunities available in a variety of hospitality-related areas.

International Business 

The International Business minor is designed for students who would like to combine business studies with their interest in the Spanish language and Hispanic culture. This multidisciplinary minor provides students the opportunity to develop required skills to operate in multinational firms and global markets.

Certificates

Business certificates are designed to provide entry-level knowledge, skills and abilities in a specific area. The coursework in each of the certificates can also be used as hours toward a two-year or four-year degree in that specialization. Emphasis in each certificate is on knowledge and skill development.

Computer Information Systems: Decision Support Systems  

The certificate in decision support systems is designed to expose students and business managers to the knowledge and skills needed to use computer software to solve business problems, particularly to support decision making. The certificate will provide students with an overview of information they would encounter if they went on to earn the BBA concentration in information systems or the BS in computer information systems, each of which more fully prepares students to work in or manage the information systems functions of organizations.

Cybersecurity

Housed under the Computer Science (CS) program and the Computer Science and Engineering department, the applied technical certificate degree is especially designed for CS majors to concentrate in cybersecurity fundamentals and principles grounded on the strong foundation of CS knowledge. However, working professionals with a strong background in system and network administration of computer science in general can enroll in this program independent of the major and degree. Students take three (3) security courses (along with programming remedial course(s), if required) to get their professional certificate in cybersecurity. Visit the Cybersecurity page for additional details about this certificate. 

Energy Management/Landman

The certificate in energy management/landman is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to engage in landman/energy management activities in the workplace. The certificate also better prepares students if they choose to then pursue a BBA with a concentration in energy management/landman.

Entrepreneurship

The certificate in entrepreneurship is designed to expose students and prospective entrepreneurs to the beginning knowledge and skills needed to examine and evaluate entrepreneurship opportunities. The certificate will provide students with an overview of business knowledge, which more fully prepares them to operate their own businesses.

Fraud Examination

The certificate is designed to prepare students to conduct financial fraud examinations in a variety of organizations.  The curriculum is aligned with the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) requirements to sit for the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) exam.  The curriculum will focus on adding to existing accounting students’ and professionals’ knowledge of financial statement auditing and enable the certificate holder to achieve an additional professional certification beyond the Certified Public Accountant (CPA).  Courses will include study of Fraud and Forensic Accounting, Data Analysis for Accounting, Forensic and Fraud Legalities, and Fraud Examination.

Human Resource Management

The certificate is designed to prepare students to practice HR Management in a variety of organizations. The curriculum is aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Body of Competency and Knowledge (BoCK). Students will gain technical HR knowledge and expertise to demonstrate mastery of critical HR functions including  HR Strategic Planning, Talent Acquisition, Employee Engagement & Retention, Training and Development, Total Rewards, Structure of the HR Function, Organizational Effectiveness & Development, Workforce Management. HR in the Global Context, Diversity & Inclusion, Risk Management, Corporate Social Responsibility, and U.S. Employment Law & Regulations.

Real Estate 

The certificate in real estate offers students invaluable knowledge of the real estate industry, knowledge that can be used both personally and professionally. With over five million people currently employed in the real estate industry, this certificate provides opportunities in many differing real estate careers. Students will be provided opportunities to learn all aspects of the industry to include appraisal and assessment, property management, commercial and residential investment opportunities and management, real estate law, and real estate financing. Students will also learn the tools needed to analyze and evaluate both personal and professional potential real estate investment opportunities. This certificate is not intended to lead to real estate licensure.

Contact Information

Davis School of Business
Dominguez Hall 301
970.248.1778

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