Description of Program
The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) course sequence provides a broad and encompassing academic degree based on significant and substantial undergraduate level of exploration in two distinct specialization, general business and leadership. This program will prepare our undergraduates for employment and/or graduate school by offering a wide range of fundamental courses and specialized courses. This degree is designed as a bridge path that allows a student to transfer up to 12 credit hours (4 courses) to the MBA, MSOL, and MSTIM programs (see BBA Specializations for additional information).
Learning Outcomes
- Assess the decision role and responsibilities of operations in relation to the student’s specialty;
- Formulate effective application of business theories to business practice needs;
- Demonstrate effective written communication skills using various online communication mechanisms;
- Apply researching skills to validate factual information; and
- Apply general principles or methods to specific business situations.
Basis for Admissions
Admission to the Bachelor of Business Administration program requires a conferred Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) with a minimum of 60 transferrable credit hours which include 36 hours of general education, and/or conferred bachelor’s level degree from a regionally or nationally accredited academic institution with a cumulative 2.0 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale.
General Degree Requirements
The Bachelor of Business Administration degree requires 120 semester credit hours.
- Grade Point Average of “C,” 2.0, or higher.
- Official transcripts on file for all transfer credit hours accepted by the University.
- Official documents on file for basis of admission.
- All financial obligations to the University paid in full.
The University may accept a maximum of 90 semester credit hours in transfer toward the bachelor’s degree for coursework completed at an accredited or approved college or university with a grade of “C” or better.
Credit Hour Requirements
- AA or AS Degree - 60 credit hours (must include 36 credit hours of General Education)
- Required Core Courses - 33 credit hours
- Bridge Specialization Electives - 12 credit hours
- *Undergraduate Electives – 12 credit hours
- Required Business Capstone Course - 3 credit hours
Total - 120 credit hours
* Undergraduate elective requirements may vary depending on previously completed coursework and transfer eligibility requirements.
Time to Completion
Normal time to completion for this program is 55 months.
Time to completion varies depending upon the pace in which a student completes courses and the number of transfer credits accepted. As most Northcentral students are working adults balancing educational, professional, and personal commitments, our academic advisors will work with you to develop a program schedule that works best for your needs.
The normal time disclosed above reflects the experience of students who may have entered under different program requirements. In the quest for continuous improvement, academic leadership has revised the program to optimize curriculum and pace, facilitate student learning, and improve chances for success. Therefore, the program is now designed for students enrolling today to take advantage of these revised course structures, lengths, and schedules. New students following the preferred schedule designed by the Dean for this program, and applying the minimum required transfer credits, can expect to finish in as little as 30 months.
Foundational Degree Requirements
Business graduates are expected to have a basic knowledge of economic institutions, the complex relationships that exist between business, government, and consumers, and a basic knowledge of the functional areas of business. Business students share the 11 Common Professional Components (CPCs) required by ACBSP accreditation.
Students in the BBA program are required to demonstrate competency in the areas listed below:
- Research Writing Competency - BBA students are required to show competency in writing skills for research purposes through their Northcentral University coursework.
- Computer Competency - BBA students are required to use appropriate computer skills that are necessary in writing research papers. Students must be able to prepare documents using APA formatting and advanced word processing skills, such as the creation of title pages, abstracts, tables and figures, headers and footers, page breaks, tables of contents, and hanging indents.
Students assume full responsibility for understanding both the fundamental and specialization requirements of each program. Switching programs after completing coursework may result in reevaluation, monetary loss, loss of credit hours and/or the need to take additional credit hours. Students’ Academic Advisors can assist with any questions related to program requirements.
Graduate-level coursework completed in the BBA program must be completed with a grade of “B” or better to meet eligibility requirements to be applied to the applicable Master’s degree program.
Required Foundations courses must be taken first and in sequence.
The BBA degree is designed as a Fast Forward Track to the Master of Business Administration or the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership if students decide to pursue a graduate degree. The specializations for this degree are comprised of graduate-level courses that may apply for the respective graduate degree program upon completion of the BBA.
Note: Graduate-level coursework completed in the BBA program must be completed with a grade of “B” or better to meet eligibility requirements to be applied to the applicable Master’s degree program.
Note: Enrollment in the BBA does not guarantee admission into a graduate program. Students must meet required Basis for Admissions (BFA) requirements as outlined in the University Catalog for specific master’s degree programs.
Business Core Courses - 33 credit hours
Undergraduate Electives - 12 credit hours
Electives selected on the initial degree plan can be changed with a request to an Academic Advisor.
Students may select any undergraduate Northcentral course to fulfill this requirement. Your Academic Advisor can assist you in choosing courses applicable to your career goals.
Business Capstone Course - 3 credit hours
SKS4001-8 is the last course students take within the BBA