Business Administration

Our business administration degree is one of the most flexible programs offered at Doane. Choose the traditional student experience on our Crete campus or an in-person, evening class experience on our Lincoln campus. Need even more flexibility? Our online business administration program offers courses in eight-week terms, fully online. In our distance learning format, students meet via Zoom, a method that accommodates busy schedules while retaining the benefits of meeting together as a class.

90% of graduates in 2023 say they use more analytical, creative, and effective thinking skills when considering issues and problems.

89% of graduates in 2023 say they communicate in a manner that is more purposeful, context appropriate, and conveys a clear message.

92% of graduates in 2023 say they are better able to articulate the knowledge and skills needed for future personal and professional development.

Doane University’s Business Administration Major is accredited through the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) is a global business education accrediting body and the first organization to offer accreditation to all levels of collegiate business educational degree programs from associate to doctoral. ACBSP ignites a standard of excellence with an accreditation process based on the Baldrige Education Criteria for Performance Excellence. By evaluating aspects of leadership, strategic planning, relationships with stakeholders, quality of academic programs, faculty credentials, and educational support, ACBSP assesses whether or not business programs offer a rigorous educational experience and commitment to continuous quality improvement.

Economics is at the heart of decision-making. It’s an interdisciplinary field that draws upon history, philosophy, psychology, mathematics, sociology, political science and other fields to provide a logical way of looking at issues in business and society. As an economics major, you’ll explore and engage in practical applications of economics through data analysis, news analysis, case studies and simulations. We’ll use models and analytical tools to explain behavior, understand decisions, scrutinize policies and offer solutions.

The entrepreneurship program prepares students to become future business owners and leaders by developing the knowledge and practices needed to be successful in solving existing problems through creativity and innovation. Students are exposed to organizational development, marketing, financial viability and sound business planning. They learn from experienced entrepreneurs through mentorship, class visits and case studies. The program is action-based, providing students with agency in their own progress bringing their passion, experience and talents together. Involvement in the entrepreneurship program will complement any major or discipline and add to the value of a liberal arts education.

The finance program is for students who want to earn knowledge in this area without getting into further depth. Students who have declared a major may think to brush up some skills in finance to stand out in the job market. Some students may think to gather knowledge so that they can implement those concepts when they start a new business. Some may just like to explore another field in business besides their majors. Overall, a finance minor perfectly fits the curriculum for students who want to study another area of knowledge in depth but also want to be prepared for any financial decision.

Tap into the surge in human resources (HR) career opportunities by earning a vital HR credential. This minor adds a new dimension to your degree program as you study HR trends, analytics, functions and strategies for finding, keeping, training, developing, managing and leading the most valuable resources in your organization—the people. The Human Resource Management minor will prepare you to manage and address the human resources needs as an HR professional or in other leadership roles where you have daily responsibilities for implementing organizational policies and practices. You will also gain the foundational skills and knowledge to prepare you for other professional certifications such as those offered by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). Whether you are aiming for a career in organizational management or a field specific to human resources, this HRM minor will ensure you have the tools, knowledge and competencies to effectively manage people within both for-profit and non-profit environments.

A minor in international business prepares you to understand and work in a multinational, multicultural business environment. Students will develop leadership skills for evaluating and addressing problems related to communicating in an intercultural environment, managing international trade and finance, and marketing products and services to diverse and unique markets. The minor will equip you to handle these challenges that happen when individuals and organizations from various cultures and countries work together to develop business relationships. Students will be well-equipped to manage import and export businesses, develop excellent skills in international marketing and finance, and gain strong cultural competence.

The Leadership Studies program is taught by faculty and instructors who are directly in the field in leadership positions. Students start on a similar path as other students. They learn theory to start, but after the first course, their course structure changes dramatically. Students engage in groups with simulated problems in their second course. Challenges in a business or non-profit, or potential a scenario where they are working through something completely new (like being in space!). After these simulated experiences, students complete a civic engagement opportunity in their culminating leadership course. Most of these opportunities are with non-profits in the local community, letting students see how they can enact real change in their communities and beyond.

A minor in management entails building relationships with individuals and organizations to complete tasks and responsibilities efficiently and effectively. Managers make decisions that support the product and services of the organization through planning, organizing, leading, and controlling activities. They focus on achieving the goals of their organization while being held accountable for performance and results. Given the all-encompassing nature of management, students take courses in accounting, economics, and management to be well-rounded in various aspects of a business. Strong managers typically excel at developing meaningful working relationships with others to foster teamwork and create a collaborative environment for employees while simultaneously pursuing the organization’s goals and objectives.

Marketing is about creating relationships and serving people by developing products and services that customers want or need. This includes helping organizations build and maintain relationships with their customers and clients; developing and executing strategy; developing and branding products and services, generating revenue, and contributing to the organization’s long-term growth and profitability.