Bethany’s business major provides opportunities to gain practical experience outside of the classroom through service learning and internships. Additionally, our size ensures your business education will be highly personal.
We prepare students for leadership roles in both profit and non-profit organizations by providing a thorough foundation in accounting, finance, marketing, management, and economics. You will also examine current ethical, social, political, and economic challenges that play a role in the work environment.
Alumni Profiles
Read stories from these past Business Administration majors:
Avis Van Zomeren
Avis Van Zomeren – Graduation Year 2017 – Business Administration Customer and Product Support Representative, John Deere, Moline, IL What
MacKenzie Lindstrom
What you do: U.S. Bank, Mankato City Center Branch, Mankato, MN. Position: Credit Review Specialist 2 I started with U.S.
Andrew Jelkin
What you do: Credit Analyst, U.S. Bank, Mankato, MN, Head Boys Tennis Coach, Mankato West High School, Mankato, MN As
Jacob Schneider (’16)
Jacob Schneider is a 2016 business administration graduate and he is a universal banker/loan officer at Reeseville State Bank. WHAT
Jenna Albrecht (’16)
Jenna Albrecht is a 2016 graduate of Bethany Lutheran College with a degree in business administration. She’s a personal banker
Matt Holt
Matt is a business administration major and communication minor who studied in Yiwu, China, for one month during the summer
Business Administration Faculty
See also the Business Administration Department page.| Name | Title | Office / Phone | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Erika Gunderson HH 321 507-344-7340 | Assistant ProfessorTaylor Leadership Institute | HH 321 507-344-7340 | |
 | Kenneth Johnson HH 319 507-344-7358 | Associate Professor | HH 319 507-344-7358 | |
 | Esther Peng HH 317 507-344-7337 | Assistant Professor | HH 317 507-344-7337 | |
 | Jeff Younge OM 228 507-344-7328 | DirectorAdjunct Faculty | OM 228 507-344-7328 | |
Opportunities for the Bethany Business graduate
Here’s a sampling of potential careers for which this major can prepare you:- Loan officer
- Business analyst
- Financial service consultant
- Audit analyst
- Small business manager
- Human resources manager
- Insurance account executive
- Public relations coordinator
- Marketing analyst
- Marketing program coordinator
- Operations analyst
- Merchandise buyer
- Retail manager
- Advertising account executive
- Event manager
- Public relations manager
- Facilities manager
- Project coordinator
Internships
In addition to giving each student a better understanding of their career choice, internships in Business Administration lead our students to gain valuable knowledge and skills that can only be acquired in a working environment. This practical experience is the first step in beginning a successful career. Here are a few places our business students have interned:- Greater Mankato Growth (Non-Profit) – Economic & Talent Development Intern
- Minnesota State Senate (Government) – Intern
- Wells Fargo (Corporate) – Lead Tell/Sales Coach Intern
- Disney (Corporate) – Walt Disney World College Program
- Sports Institute (Corporate) – Minnesota Vikings Training Camp Marketing Intern
- J.Long’s For Men (Corporate) – Sales/Marketing Associate Intern
- Navitor Inc. (Corporate) – Web Implementer Intern
- Lime Valley Advertising Inc. (Corporate) – Marketing Intern
- Compeer Financial (Corporate) – Lending Operations Intern
- Social Security Administration (Government) – Intern
- Taylor Development (Corporate) – Shared Services Intern
Experiential Learning
The Business Administration major supplements traditional learning with valuable community work. Below are some recent activities that gave our students practical experience in the real world.
- Gave away a café in Sherburn, Minnesota. The students promoted a contest, worked with the city, previous owners, and interviewed local people. The students then collected the applications, reviewed them and invited four in for interviews. From there the students made a recommendation to the previous owner on which applicant to select. The students also worked closely with the Riverbend Center for Entrepreneurial Center (RCEF) on this project.
- Planned, promoted, and hosted a seminar on trade with Russia. Two people from Russia, as well as three business professionals from the Twin Cities, spoke on trade and IP issues.
- Planned and hosted the first hall of fame banquet for the local softball association. Also created a silent auction that raised more than $1,000.
- Worked with the Minnesota Vikings to help with setup of the 2013 Draft Party as well as coordinate autograph sessions and other activities.
- Planned and conducted an event at the Minnesota Vikings Family Football Day in which they shot video of participants announcing a broadcast for a Vikings game.
- Worked with the Mankato School District, The Entrepreneurial Center, and Frozen Yogurt Creations to promote Bethany Lutheran College, video production, and entrepreneurship at a career fair for junior high students.
- Worked with Minnesota Valley Action Council to conduct projects in support of the non-profit mission: a clothing drive, a fundraiser with Pizza Ranch, selling apple pies at Hy-Vee, and a marketing drive with a local radio station.
- Individually completed a 10-15-page Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) Analysis of a business by interviewing a company owner or executive.
- Created short marketing videos in the production studio with Bethany media students and students from East High School. Projects included marketing and research on local businesses: Angie’s Kettlecorn, Lucky’s Popcorn Dressing, and Bent River Outfitters.
For more business activities, check out the Bethany Business Club!
Major Requirements
Students can tailor the business major to complement their strengths and interests by choosing an emphasis in one or more of the following areas: finance, marketing research, consumer marketing, public relations, marketing management, human resources, or sports administration.
The business faculty assists students in developing critical, analytical, interpersonal, and professional skills as they prepare to be contributing men and women in organizations and in society.
Case studies and practicums provide a practical opportunity to hone your communication and critical thinking skills. Setting it apart from other programs, our major emphasizes Christian stewardship and service to others in work, church, and community.
Please see the Program Requirements Disclaimer when planning your coursework.
In this section:
- Mission Statement
- Program Learning Outcomes
- Entry Into the Major
- Core Requirements
- Major Electives
- Internship/Practicum
- Area of Emphasis
- Minor
Mission Statement
Bethany’s business administration major prepares students for leadership roles in both profit and non-profit organizations through liberal arts and comprehensive business studies. The major develops critical thinking, communication, and disciplinary competence by foundational and advanced business study; exposure to current ethical, social, political, and economic challenges; and experiential learning opportunities. The major emphasizes Christian stewardship of time, talent, and treasure to serve others in work, church, and community.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Students can demonstrate knowledge of basic definitions, concepts and relationships in the core areas of management, marketing and finance.
- Students can synthesize and evaluate information to make core business decisions.
- When faced with personal and professional decisions, students can demonstrate use of Christian principles.
- Each student can use team building and collaborative behaviors to accomplish group tasks.
- Each student can summarize a complex issue into a coherent written statement or oral presentation.
- Each student can apply business software applications to report writing, data analysis and presentation.
- Each student can identify global issues and evaluate multiple viewpoints.
Entry into the Major
Pre-major courses:
Core Requirements
Required lower division courses:
- ACCT207 Accounting I
- ACCT208 Accounting II
- ECON203 Principles of Macroeconomics
- ECON204 Principles of Microeconomics
- MATH120 Introduction to Statistics
Required upper division courses:
- BUSN307 Business Communications and Lab
- BUSN310 Principles of Management
- BUSN330 Principles of Marketing
- BUSN350 Principles of Finance
- BUSN360 Business Ethics or PHIL204 Ethics
- BUSN470 Administrative Policy
- ECON330 International Economics
- MISY300 Software Applications
Major Electives
Students choose four electives, at least three of which must be BUSN courses from the following:
- ARTS336 Graphic Design III: Introduction to Web Design
- BUSN333 Consumer Behavior
- BUSN351 Financial Institutions
- BUSN352 Investments
- BUSN370 Legal Aspects of Business and Sport
- BUSN410 Leadership and Organizational Change
- BUSN420 Managing Human Resources
- BUSN430 Entertainment and Sport Marketing
- BUSN431 Integrated Marketing Communication
- BUSN440 Marketing Strategy
- BUSN450 Risk Management
- BUSN460 Advanced Finance
- BUSN471 Sport Administration
- BUSN480 Topics in Business
- COMM318 Small Group Communication
- COMM360 Visual Communication
- COMM370 Organizational Communication
- COMM375 Public Relations and Advertising
- PSYC312 Industrial Organizational Psychology
- SOCL320 Research Methods in Social Sciences
- SOCL330 American Minorities
Internship/Practicum
Optional experience (1–9) credits:
Area of Emphasis
General Business Administration
- One elective each from finance, marketing, management: 9 credits total
- BUSN480 Topics in Business
Finance
Marketing Research
- BUSN333 Consumer Behavior
- BUSN431 Integrated Marketing Communication
- BUSN440 Marketing Strategy
- SOCL320 Research Methods in Social Sciences
Consumer Marketing
- BUSN333 Consumer Behavior
- BUSN431 Integrated Marketing Communication
- BUSN440 Marketing Strategy
- SOCL330 American Minorities
PR/Marketing Promotion
- BUSN333 Consumer Behavior
- BUSN431 Integrated Marketing Communication
- BUSN440 Marketing Strategy
- COMM375 Public Relations and Advertising
- Recommended: ARTS336 Graphic Design III: Introduction to Web Design
Marketing Management
- BUSN333 Consumer Behavior or BUSN431 Integrated Marketing Communication
- BUSN352 Investments or BUSN450 Risk Management
- BUSN410 Leadership and Organizational Change or BUSN420 Managing Human Resources
- BUSN440 Marketing Strategy
Human Resources/Organizational Development
- BUSN410 Leadership and Organizational Change
- BUSN420 Managing Human Resources
- COMM318 Small Group Communication or SOCL320 Research Methods in Social Sciences
- COMM370 Organizational Communication or PSYC312 Industrial Organizational Psychology
- Recommended: SOCL330 American Minorities
Management
- BUSN410 Leadership and Organizational Change or BUSN420 Managing Human Resources
- BUSN352 Investments or BUSN450 Risk Management
- BUSN440 Marketing Strategy or BUSN480 Topics in Business
- COMM318 Small Group Communication or COMM370 Organizational Communication
Sport Management
- BUSN333 Consumer Behavior
- BUSN370 Legal Aspects of Business and Sport
- BUSN430 Entertainment and Sport Marketing
- BUSN471 Sport Administration or BUSN499 Business Internship
Additional Business Courses
Business Administration Minor
Students interested in Business Administration but who do not wish to complete the major requirements may opt for a Business Administration Minor instead.
A minor in business administration requires:
Two of:
One of:
Choose two electives, one of which must be upper division:
Riverbend Center for Entrepreneurial Facilitation
The Riverbend Center for Entrepreneurial Facilitation (RCEF) is located on the Bethany Lutheran College campus. RCEF is a non-profit entrepreneur and business development organization that provides one-on-one business consultation services to regional start-ups and established businesses. Free services include: Needs, Goals and Business Assessments; Business Plan Writing/Development; Feasibility Studies; Sales and Marketing Plans; Market Research; Start-up and Expansion Assistance; Financial Analysis; Strategic Planning; and Professional Management Advice. In addition, they instruct business-training sessions and are engaged in many entrepreneurial focused projects and events to support and bring value to the community. The organization also interacts and engages students and faculty on projects that span across various majors on campus fostering an applied learning opportunity on the BLC campus. For more information on RCEF you may contact Bryan Stading at (507) 344-7897 or bryan@rcef.net.Taylor Leadership Institute
The Taylor Leadership Institute seeks to develop leaders through a comprehensive three-year certificate program. This program will strengthen your leadership skills and community awareness through established leadership theories and research coursework, preparing you for leadership roles on campus and after graduation. The strong point of this program is that it will connect you to community leaders. In this way you will witness firsthand the skills and attributes of successful leaders.
Sophomore Year
- Students enroll in BUSN410 Leadership and Organizational Change, a three credit course in the spring semester. This course establishes leadership theory and self-awareness of students’ leadership traits and abilities.
- Students will participate in at least two outside leadership development activities.
Junior Year
- Participate in the Taylor Corporation Leadership Speaker Series (open to the Bethany community). SLI students plan and organize the speaker series to work on developing project management skills while developing relationships with the speakers and community members.
- Students will participate in a ropes course and other team-building activities.
- Students will conduct leadership research with local companies.
- Students will participate in leadership activities with faculty and staff.
Senior Year
- Students participate in E-Leaders, a mentoring program wherein Bethany students are partnered with Taylor Corporation leaders as well as other community leaders in the students’ field of interest. Students and mentors will develop a relationship via email focusing on leadership and helping students prepare for their career. Throughout the year, the Glen Taylor Chair of Leadership and Business will send out prompts for the student and mentor to respond to each other.
- Students attend the Leader to Leader Trip, attending Greater Mankato Day at the State Capital to interact with state and local government leaders. The two-day trip will also include visits with alumni leaders.
- Students assist with recruiting the new Leadership Institute class and other activities on campus.
Schedule subject to change
Topics Include:
Leading through Vocation: How am I to serve others? How is leadership a form of service? Can I be a leader? These questions will be explored to develop an understanding of how God presents different tasks, some of which require us to serve others through different types of leadership roles.
Challenges of Leadership: Each of us has unique, God-given talents. Learn to understand what your talents are, and to appreciate the talents of others, through a developmental assessment, discussion, and personal development activities.
Leading through Service: Ultimately, the leader’s role is one of Christian service to others. Participants will explore opportunities on campus, at church, and in the community to serve in leadership roles.
Leading through Advocacy: Our role as Christians and citizens will be explored in this two day session. Participants will meet with local and state government leaders and travel to the Minnesota State Capitol in order to gain an understanding of how government functions and of advocacy.
The Ethics of Leadership: How are Christians to live in this world? What are faith fruits? Leaders are often challenged with decisions about right and wrong. An understanding of the limits and boundaries can help leaders with these difficult decisions.
Communicating to Influence: In order to develop and meet goals, gain the support of others, and work well in team settings, leaders must be good communicators.
Next Steps
Can you picture yourself as a business student at Bethany? We’d love to get to know you! Learn more about becoming a Bethany student, or schedule your campus visit!