Bachelor of Business Administration in Small Business Management

The Bachelor of Business Administration major in Small Business Management degree program investigates general aspects of marketing, the fundamentals of franchising, and current issues within the small business industry. Students distinguish the intricacies of small business start-up and management, with an emphasis on franchising.

Candidates graduating from the BBA in Small Business Management degree program will:

  • Analyze the sources of idea creation and business opportunity.
  • Distinguish entry paths and options for establishing a small business.
  • Evaluate components of the marketing mix.
  • Integrate multiple responsibilities of a firm such as (but not limited to) finance, marketing, management, economic conditions and legal issues.

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General Education Requirements

(45 credit hours)

Course Number Course Title Course Description Credits
COM 301 Cultural Diversity in Business (or other 300 level or above diversity, culture or communications class) Investigates parameters of difference that may impact business communications and relationships. Topics include dress, greetings, customs, expectations, and negotiating styles.    3
ENG 101 Composition (or comparable Composition class) Provides instruction, guidance, and feedback for the fundamental principles of effective expository writing. Topics include elements of content, organization, writing conventions, and format, applied to areas of the business core program. 3
ENG 103 Business Writing (or comparable Composition class) Emphasizes audience, tone, development, discourse, and vocabulary appropriate to writing for business purposes. Students employ writing topics applied to areas of the business core program. Prerequisite: ENG101. 3
SPC 101 Business Presentations (or comparable Speech class) Prepares students to develop and deliver presentations to yield results within informative, persuasive, goodwill, sales, and training venues. The course includes preparing charts and graphs, running productive meetings, and effective public speaking. preparing charts and graphs, running productive meetings, and effective public speaking. 3
ECO 201 Macroeconomics or comparable lower division Economics class) Addresses effects of the national economy on business cycles in regard to growth, inflation, and unemployment. Students consider how these factors are related to micro-level performance. 3
ECO 301 Microeconomics (or comparable upper division Economics class) Presents the theory of exchange and production in terms of supply and demand, price adjustment, and market failure. Topics include types of costs and profits. Prerequisite: ECO201. 3
POL 101 U.S Government (or other 100 level or above political science class) Reviews the structure and functions of the U.S. government and the system of checks and balances with regard to federal power. The course distinguishes the types of authority that are left to the individual states. 3
PSY 101 Psychology (or other 100 level or above psychology class) Introduces basic theoretical constructs of psychology that explain mental processes and behavior. Students compare various schools of thought regarding perception, cognition, emotion, personality, and interpersonal relationships. 3
SOC 301 Sociology (or other 300 level or above sociology class) Introduces basic theoretical constructs of sociology that explain human interaction and social organization. Students examine cultural and environmental factors that influence social processes. 3
PHL 101 Business Ethics (or other 100 level or above philosophy class) Analyzes practical moral dilemmas that arise in business environments and the ethical principles that guide resolution of them. Students examine issues from multiple points of view in order to describe the role of business ethics as reconciling conflicting interests. 3
THR 301 Film (or other 300 level or above literature, music, art, history or theatre class) Examines fundamental elements of film analysis, including style, narrative, genre, and major approaches. Students investigate interpretations of film as artistic presentation, popular entertainment, and mass communication. 3
BIO 101 Environmental Studies I (with lab) (or other 100 level or above physical science class) Identifies ways in which humans interact with and impact their environment, including natural, constructed, and cultural surroundings. Students consider relationships among these environments that give rise to diverse business and economic circumstances. There is a lab component in this course. 3
BIO 301 Environmental Studies II (or other 300 level or above physical science class) Focuses on solutions to current green issues, including solar, wind, biofuels, green building design, and transportation. Students critique current environmental efforts and strategize ways to increase the public and private support they receive.Prerequisite:BIO101 3
MAT 101 Introductory Algebra (or other 100 level or above math or statistics class) Introduces fundamental algebra concepts. Topics include integers; fractions, decimals, and percentages; algebra notation and symbols; solving equations with roots and powers; linear equations and inequalities; graphing and linear systems; exponents and polynomials; and factoring. 3
MAT 301 Business Statistics (or other 300 level or above business statistics class) Provides the tools to interpret fundamental statistics for business applications.  Topics include descriptive statistics, probability, normal distributions, testing hypotheses, confidence intervals, linear regression, and correlation. Prerequisite: MAT101. 3

Business Management Degree Program Core Requirements:

(33 credit hours)

Course Number Course Title Course Description Credits
ACT 201 Accounting I Covers fundamental accounting concepts and techniques in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for ledgers, journals, and the accounting cycle; introduces financial statements. Students conduct major operations for analysis of business transactions. 3
BUS 201 Intro to Environment of Business Introduces the functional areas and fundamental terminology of business environments. Topics engage students in current small business events through information evaluation and problem solving to better comprehend the business world. 3
ECO 303 Money and Banking Investigates the financial rules and institutional structure of banks, their common functions, and their broader commercial role in handling monetary funds. Students discuss the capacity of banks to influence economic events.              3
FIN 201 Finance I Surveys major topics in financial management, including the financial environment, financial goals of corporations, the  agency problem between stockholders and top executives, the time value of money, the risk and return relationship, financial statement analysis, financial markets and institutions, and the valuation of securities. 3
HRM 301 Human Resource Management Explores the principles and practices of recruiting and maintaining an effective workforce. The course reviews generational differences and recent trends in employee career goals and on-the-job priorities.                3
LAW 201 Legal Environment of Business Investigates legal aspects of business. Students examine types of law, contracts, and regulatory obligations. 3
LDR 401 Leadership Investigates leadership from practical perspectives including the expectations of constituent groups, personal credibility, enlisting others in a common vision, seizing initiative, fostering collaboration, recognizing and celebrating victories, and learning as a key to growing and fostering continued effective leadership skills.  3
LDR 403 Change Management Presents theory and procedures to anticipate, design, implement, and evaluate organizational change. Students examine an organization for use and implementation of the Balanced Scorecard, a tool for change initiatives and planning. 3
MGT 301 Management Focuses on the challenges of building a sense of community within a business, including interpersonal skills, group processes, and delegating power. The course emphasizes relationship building, creating teams, and employee motivation. 3
MKT 301 Marketing Addresses the components and principles of marketing plans, strategies, and processes. The course distinguishes elements of the marketing mix and types of communication involved in recruiting and retaining a stable customer base. 3
ORG 301 Organizational Behavior Covers models of human behavior at work, the dynamics between people and organizations, and how to promote effective teams. Students analyze current issues about working in and around organizations 3

Major Field Requirements:

(27 credit hours)

Course Number Course Title Course Description Credits
MGT 201 Supervision Provides an overview of the principles of supervision, types of authority, supervisory skills and functions, and principles of supervision. Students take on the role of supervisors to resolve common scenarios. 3
MKT 205 Promotion and Sales Familiarizes students with the concepts and processes involved in an Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) Plan.  Students learn how the different communication elements such as advertising and promotion work together to enhance the marketing function and achieve maximum impact in the marketplace.                  3
MKT 401 Marketing Management Integrates marketing strategies for optimal and competitive communication to interpret various markets, develop stable customers, build strong brands, and deliver social value. Topics include the management of product and service marketing, creation of service marketing strategies, and development of a marketing analysis. 3
SBM 201 Small Business Principles Features the characteristics unique to a small business’ start-up, products, customers, sales, service, growth, competition, and risk. The course will emphasize the importance of market identification, proper sales channels for your product or service as well as development of strong vendor relationships. 3
SBM 203 Franchise Buying Explores the dynamics of the franchisee-franchisor relationship from the standpoint of the franchisee, as well as the process of choosing, buying, and starting a business franchise. Students examine the obligations of both parties in creating a successful partnership.    3
SBM 299 Small Business Management Project Integrates major concepts and skills within the small business management emphasis. Students explore small business principles in an existing enterprise or establishment. 3
SBM 301 Franchise Selling Covers the procedures and challenges of expanding an existing business through franchising. Topics include crafting the franchising agreement, managing operating systems, compliance with federal and local regulations, marketing the business, and handling disputes. 3
SBM 401 Contemporary Small Business Issues Examines the nature of some of the more common problems shared by small businesses in the areas of management, finance, and marketing. Investigates how to identify and evaluate business opportunities. Key concepts are explained through real-world case studies. Prerequisite: SBM301. 3
SBM 499 Small Business Mgmt. Capstone Applies learning outcomes compiled throughout the major. Students develop a project of personal or professional interest that is oriented to current trends in small business management. Must be taken as last course in BBA small business management major. 3

Electives (15 credit hours)
Additional credit hours of course work must be selected from across the BBA program or transferred to complete the 120 hours of required study.

Total General Ed. Credits: 45
Total Business Core Credits: 33
Total Major Credits: 27
Total Elective Credits: 15
Total Bachelor of Business Administration: Small Business Management Degree Programs Major Credits: 120

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Piccolo International University gave me the opportunity to achieve not only a degree, but a dream. I will (and have) recommended PIU to others interested in continuing their education.
- Robert Gonzalez,
Bachelors in Construction
Management and Technology