Business Administration, B.A.

Are you the type of person who enjoys working with others and helping a group accomplish a common goal? Could you see yourself in just about any role within an organization? Do you have a passion that, paired with a business degree, would empower you to fulfill your dreams? If so, a degree in business administration could be the right path for you. PLNU business administration majors are leaders of purpose and integrity who consistently take the initiative to guide people and businesses toward success.

A Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration prepares you to handle the organizational, operational, and managerial responsibilities of any company or industry. With a program dedicated to helping you become a well-rounded leader and individual, you will engage in classes ranging from accounting and finance to economics, management, marketing, and everything in between!

Business administration is also the perfect complement if you have passions and career aspirations that lie outside of business. Having a foundational knowledge of business is useful and applicable whether your dreams lie in music, ministry, art, sciences, or anywhere else. The flexibility of the business administration program is designed for you to add a dual major or minor outside of business and create a powerful combination of skills and specialization that will make you stand out in your field of choice.

"In addition to academics, the life skills I gained while at PLNU have been incredibly beneficial to my work. Learning how to research well, knowing what to look for and where to look, being able to adapt when I’m put in situations I’m not familiar or comfortable with, and being taught that business is about more than the bottom line — these aspects are what I value most from my undergraduate experience and are what have helped me stand out in the business world."

James Garcia, Class of 2013
Product Manager, Moniker Made

Additionally, student-run business clubs like Launch Point will give you opportunities to test what you learn in class against real-world circumstances. You might choose to participate with Toast at the Point and hone your public speaking abilities for the professional environment. Or you can even decide to take your learning abroad through one of the international opportunities offered by the Fermanian School of Business. Some of the global options available to you are Mexico business tours; the 2+1+1 China partnership study abroad; or even business class trips to Europe, Asia, and Africa.

For information about the courses required for the Business Administration, B.A. program, view the PLNU Catalog. 

Course Information

Major Map

PLNU business administration graduates are leaders of purpose with a passion for people, management, and systems. This degree is attractive to virtually all organizations because business administration majors know how to leverage and maximize people's potential through creativity, flexibility, and attention to detail. Alumni have held various positions at companies like Under Armour, Compassion International, Matuse, Aflac, and ViaSat.

A Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration can lead to a career within a variety of industries, including:

• Healthcare
• Music
• Art
• Sports and fitness
• Ministry
• Health sciences
• Biology

What can you do with a business administration degree?

Point Loma business administration alumni have gone on to a broad array of employment. The following companies are just some examples of employers that PLNU alumni work for: General Atomics, Compass Group PLC, Deloitte LLP, Ernst & Young LLP, and Keller Williams Realty. Along with a wide array of companies, there’s a versatile set of titles that PLNU business administration alumni hold, some of the most prominent being: sales managers, financial managers, business development and marketing managers, and accountants and auditors.

The following are more examples of positions that PLNU business administration alumni currently hold:

General and Operations Managers

2020 Median annual salary $123,880

General and operations managers are responsible for managing activities that are part of the production of services in wide-ranging fields from social media to election campaigns. Operations managers' responsibilities include human resource management, asset management, and cost management. Their indirect responsibilities can include interacting with the managers in other functional areas within the organization whose roles have an impact on operations.

What it takes to be a general and operations manager:

• Strategic planning skills
• Financial planning skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Leadership skills
• Communication skills
• Innovative thinking

Marketing Managers

2020 Median annual salary $142,170

Marketing managers create programs to facilitate interest in products or services. They work with art directors, advertising sales agents, and financial staff members to promote growth within their company. Marketing managers estimate and analyze the demand for products and services offered by an organization and its competitors. Additionally, they highlight and utilize markets that show promise for the organization’s products.

What it takes to be a marketing manager:

• Writing and communication skills
• Creativity
• Negotiation skills
• Budgeting skills
• Attention to detail 
• Calmness under pressure

Personal Service Managers 

2020 Median annual salary $116,350

Personal service manager’s main responsibilities are to oversee employees, monitor the progress of the organization's current projects, and develop reports that will help improve efficiency. Personal service managers must have great customer service skills and knowledge of their organization so they can adequately and thoroughly answer questions and concerns. They’re also responsible for communicating with manufacturing representatives and dealers with whom their organizations work. Personal service managers must also be able to stay up to date on industry standards and news they could integrate into their organization to benefit their company. 

What it takes to be a personal service manager: 

• Leadership abilities 
• Customer service skills
• Technology skills 
• Organizational skills
• Creative thinking 
• Problem-solving skills
• Ability to work under pressure

Alumni listed the following skills as the top strengths they acquired as a business administration student at PLNU: 

• Strategic planning
• Event planning
• Marketing strategies
• Accounting
• Business development
• Social media marketing

Business administration beyond university: 

This degree will prepare you with the skills needed to succeed in the global business environment. It will also help you form invaluable planning and problem-solving skills that anybody will welcome and appreciate. By studying business administration at PLNU, you will become a well-rounded individual and entrepreneur who is ready to take a step forward on whatever path you choose.  

Apply to PLNU today or get connected with one of our counselors for additional support and answers to any questions you may have.