Academic Catalog 2024-2025

Slippery Rock University

Marketing, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA)

Our program will provides a strong set of skills for students to become successful, ethical, and effective marketing leaders. Students gain the marketing knowledge, skills, and abilities to excel in a marketing career along with a foundation of technical and practical business skills in management, MIS, accounting, finance, economics, and operations.

Besides the fundamentals of marketing, students also learn practical skills that set them apart in both internships and entry-level positions. As a marketing student, you will learn:

  • How to anticipate and satisfy consumer needs and wants
  • Marketing research, product planning, pricing, promotion and distribution
  • Concepts, functions and institutions of marketing
  • Skills to analyze, formulate and implement marketing strategies
  • Sales strategies and techniques
  • How to use data to make marketing mix decisions
  • Marketing analytics: Data analysis and interpretation skills as they are applied to market planning and strategy decisions.

POLICY FOR CHANGING TO MARKETING MAJOR:

A Slippery Rock University student wishing to change their major to Marketing MUST have a minimum overall GPA of 2.0.

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving (UO2): Students graduating with a degree in business administration will demonstrate effective critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students will:
    • Apply critical thinking skills to analyze and interpret financial statements to judge business performance.
    • Apply critical thinking skills using quantitative techniques for problem solving and strategic decision making
  • Communication (UO1): Students graduating with a degree in business administration will demonstrate competency in oral and written communication skills. Students will:
    • Prepare in proper format and style the following documents: business report (one to two pages), business memo, research report and presentation.
    • Deliver an effective oral presentation on a business and/or professional topic.
  • Information Technology (UO10): Students will demonstrate proficiency in the use of computers and software to manage information with statistical analysis, spreadsheet, database, and other appropriate applications.

  • Ethics (UO8): Students graduating with a degree in business administration will demonstrate an understanding of the legal environment and ethical standards of business and an awareness of the implications of their behavior and actions as a business professional. Students will apply an appropriate framework for examining ethical dilemmas and be able to (1) identify ethical issues and stakeholders, (2) evaluate alternative course(s) of action, and (3) formulate an appropriate action plan.

  • Professional Proficiency (UO5): Students graduating with a degree in business administration will have acquired the necessary skills and knowledge to meet professional competencies as business professionals and global citizens. Students will:
    • Demonstrate an understanding of the history and vocabulary unique to business disciplines.
    • Demonstrate knowledge of procedures, concepts, and technical business skills through practical application (forecasting, budgeting, financial statement analyses, business plans, strategic planning).
    • Demonstrate the ability to read and interpret financial statements in the decision-making process.
    • Demonstrate effective teamwork and collaborative skills in a simulated business environment.

RELATED LINKS

Marketing, BSBA Program Page

Marketing Fact Sheet URL

Professional Licensure/Certification Page

Curriculum Guide

GPA Requirement

Major GPA: 2.0 or higher
Overall GPA: 2.0 or higher
Core GPA: 2.0 or higher

Summary*

Rock Studies 2 Requirements42-43
Other Basic Requirements0-3
Major Requirements66
Electives11-12

* All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits.  Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate.

Rock Studies 2 Requirements

The Rock
SUB 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 13
ENGL 102Critical Writing3
ENGL 104Critical Reading3
Select one of the following:3-4
Quantitative Reasoning
Introduction to Applied Calculus
Calculus I
Select one of the following:3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
Subtotal15-16
Integrated Inquiry
Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Humanities Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Social Science Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Natural Sciences Inquiry
SCI 101Science of Life3
Physical Sciences Inquiry
SCI 102Understanding the Physical World3
Subtotal15
Thematic Thread
Select 12 Credits 212
Required Thematic Thread Coursework:
Principles of Microeconomics
Total Hours42-43
1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.

2

From at least 3 categories; no more than 6 credits from one department; 6 credits must be 300-level or above.

Basic Math Requirement

Check with your adviser or a current degree audit report to see if you have been exempted from this course. The credit earned in this course will not be counted toward the 120 credit hour minimum needed to earn a degree.

Complete one of the following:0-3
Meet required minimum SAT or ACT math score OR
Beginning Algebra
Total Hours0-3

DIVERSITY,  EQUITY,  AND INCLUSION REQUIREMENT

Students must take and pass a course with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) designation prior to graduation.  Students can meet this requirement by taking any DEI - designated course in any program at any time during their undergraduate career. 

Major Requirements 

  • 30 major credits must be taken at SRU or PASSHE
  • 30 major credits must be taken at the 300 level or above
Basic Core Courses
ACCT 209Financial Accounting 13
ACCT 322Business Analysis and Decision Making 13
ACCT 340Legal Environment of Business 13
ECON 201Principles of Macroeconomics 13
Select one of the following:3
Business Analytics I 1
Business Analytics I 1
Select one of the following:3
Business Analytics II 1
Business Analytics II 1
FIN 320Managerial Finance 13
Select one of the following:3
Issues in Global Business 1
Issues in Global Business 1
Issues in Global Business 1
MGMT 320Operations Management 13
MGMT 351Organizational Behavior 13
MGMT 458Business Capstone 13
MIS 265Management Information Systems 13
MRKT 230Principles of Marketing 13
Subtotal39
Required Computer Science Course
Select one of the following:3
Productivity Software 1
Productivity Software 1
Subtotal3
Required Marketing Courses
MRKT 332Business Marketing 23
MRKT 333Consumer Behavior 23
MRKT 336Professional Selling 23
MRKT 430Marketing Research 23
MRKT 431Marketing Seminar 23
Subtotal15
Marketing Electives
Select three of the following: 9
Distribution Management 2
Advertising Management 2
Retail Management 2
E-Commerce 2
Experimental 2
Marketing Analytics 2
International Marketing 2
Internship 2
Independent Study 2
Subtotal9
Total Hours66
1

Course counts for 50% of Major and not for Major GPA

2

Course counts for 50% of Major and Major GPA

*

Some courses may require pre-requisites. Please see course descriptions to determine if there are any pre-requisites for that specific course.

Co-curricular and Experiential Learning

Students are encouraged to explore additional curricular and co-curricular opportunities. There is a strong correlation between long-term student success and participation in the following types of programs and activities:

  1. International study programs (short-term, semester, and year-long)
  2. High-Impact Practice (HIP) designated classes
  3. Student clubs and organizations
  4. Internships
  5. Service-learning classes
  6. Career education and development
  7. Student leadership development
  8. Student-faculty research
  9. Volunteering
  10. Job Shadowing

Important Curriculum Guide Notes

This Curriculum Guide is provided to help SRU students and prospective students better understand their intended major curriculum. Enrolled SRU students should note that the My Rock Audit may place already-earned and/or in progress courses in different, yet valid, curriculum categories. Enrolled SRU students should use the My Rock Audit Report and materials and information provided by their faculty advisers to ensure accurate progress towards degree completion. The information on this guide is current as of the date listed. Students are responsible for curriculum requirements at the time of enrollment at the University.

PASSHE - Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Institutions

MARKETING - BSBA (2343)
This program is effective as of Summer 2022
Revised 11.30.2023
UCC 11.07.2023

RECOMMENDED FOUR-YEAR PLAN

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
ECON 201 Principles of Macroeconomics 3
ENGL 102 Critical Writing 3
ESAP 101 FYRST Seminar * 1
MATH 117
Quantitative Reasoning
or Introduction to Applied Calculus
or Calculus I
3
MIS 210 Productivity Software 3
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 3
Optional
Introduction to Computing for Liberal Arts (or Computer Competency Exam)
Beginning Algebra
 Hours16
Spring
ECON 202 Principles of Microeconomics 3
ENGL 104 Critical Reading 3
SCI 101 Science of Life 3
Creative & Aesthetic Inquiry 3
Humanities Inquiry 3
 Hours15
Second Year
Fall
Select one of the following: 3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
ECON 219
Business Analytics I
or Business Analytics I
3
MIS 265 Management Information Systems 3
MRKT 230 Principles of Marketing 3
SCI 102 Understanding the Physical World 3
Declare a Thematic Thread 3
 Hours15
Spring
ACCT 209 Financial Accounting 3
MGMT 320 Operations Management 3
MGMT 351 Organizational Behavior 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Elective 4 3
 Hours15
Third Year
Fall
ECON 319
Business Analytics II
or Business Analytics II
3
FIN 303
Issues in Global Business
or Issues in Global Business
3
MRKT 332 Business Marketing 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Elective 4 3
 Hours15
Spring
ACCT 322 Business Analysis and Decision Making 3
FIN 320 Managerial Finance 3
MRKT 333 Consumer Behavior 3
MRKT 450 Internship (Or Marketing Elective) 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
 Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall
ACCT 340 Legal Environment of Business 3
MRKT 430 Marketing Research 3
MRKT 437 International Marketing 3
Marketing Elective 4 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Optional
MBA Course 2
MBA Course 2
 Hours15
Spring
MGMT 458 Business Capstone 3
MRKT 431 Marketing Seminar 3
Marketing Elective 4 3
Elective 4 3
Elective 4 3
Optional
MBA Course 2
MBA Course 2
 Hours15
 Total Hours**121
1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.

2

SRU Undergraduates who have earned 90 or more credits (including in-progress courses) with a minimum 2.75 GPA are eligible to apply, enroll, and earn graduate level credit.  Credits earned are graduate level only, separate from the undergraduate credits earned for the degree and are not calculated in the student's undergraduate credit and grade point totals.  See policy details here: Senior Undergraduate Students Earning Graduate Credit.

3

Work with your Academic Adviser to declare a Thematic Thread by the end of your fall semester in your second year.

4

Students are encouraged to take the following courses for electives: 

MRKT 334, MRKT 335, MRKT 336, MRKT 338, MRKT 450 and/or HCAM 415

*

Students are encouraged to take ESAP 101 as a Free Elective.

** This document is meant to serve as a guide. Some planners may show more than 120 credits because faculty have created flexibility in choosing courses.  However, only 120 credits are required to obtain a degree. Please consult with your academic adviser and refer to your curriculum guide prior to registering for courses. This plan should be reviewed, and verified, by you and your academic adviser at least once each academic year. 

Major Code: 2343
Revised: 05.10.2023