As a student of Business, Management and Economics you will investigate the world of accounting, business administration, economics, finance, human resources, information systems, international business, labor relations, management, marketing and public administration.

As a student in this area, you will develop analytical, management, communication and quantitative skills, increase your understanding of economic principles and disciplinary methods and learn about the effective use of information technologies to support your career or personal goals and aspirations as, together with a faculty mentor, you create a program to meet your specific needs and goals.

Why choose a degree in Business, Management and Economics?

The practical skills and breadth of knowledge you obtain through your degree can prepare you for:

• Entry to or advancement in a business career,
• International business,
• Graduate school,
• Entrepreneurship,
• Teaching,
• Government service,
• Banking,
• Finance,
• Labor relations, and
• Marketing.

Degrees Available

As a regionally accredited college of the State University of New York, SUNY Empire State College offers the following degrees in the Business, Management and Economics area of study:

• Associate in Arts
• Associate in Science
• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Professional Studies
• Combined B.A.¹/B.S./B.P.S. in Business, Management and Economics/M.A. in Community and Economic Development
• Combined B.S./B.P.S. in Business, Management and Economics/MBA in Business Management

Note: The Associate in Science degree provides a foundation in the core business areas (e.g., management) as preparation for further study. The Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Professional Studies degrees allow you to develop a full concentration within a business field. The key difference between the two bachelor’s degrees is that the B.S. requires more credits in the liberal studies component (e.g., humanities, social sciences). The majority of students pursue B.S. degrees, particularly if they are thinking about earning a graduate degree in the future.

Taking individual courses as a nondegree student also is possible and will offer you the same range and depth of courses and rigorous standards as matriculated undergraduate students.

Concentrations

Students in the Business, Management and Economics Area of Study may consider different types of degree programs, reflecting specific concentrations (see below), or they can create individualized programs in consultation with their primary mentor. 

• Accounting Practices
• Economics
• Finance
• Information Systems
• International Business
• Labor Relations
• Marketing
• Public Administration

For sample degree programs and other degree planning resources, please visit the the School of Business web page. 

Business, Management & Economics Area of Study Guidelines 

Business, Management & Economics (BM&E) is the Area of Study that consists of both professional (such as accounting or management) as well as disciplinary (such as economics) studies. Programs in this Area of Study enable students to pursue educational and occupational interests and provide a solid foundation to function in a changing world. They include studies leading to an understanding of organizations and of the interactions among consumer, government, not-for-profit and private sector interests. In supporting students interested in pursuing a degree in Business, Management & Economics, the School of Business publishes guidelines intended to be both read and understood in the context of assisting students and faculty in academic planning. 

Business, Management and Economics programs are expected to meet the College Level Learning Goals, which include active learning, breadth and depth of knowledge, social responsibility, communication skills, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, quantitative literacy, information and digital media literacy.

Academic Planning takes the form of a course (commonly but not exclusively referred to as “Educational Planning”) wherein students develop a degree plan and rationale essay with their primary faculty advisor/mentor. 

In their degree programs and rationale essays, students must address the BM&E Area of Study general guidelines and then the concentration guidelines, the registered program guidelines, or the individualized concentration they develop in consultation with their primary mentor. 

Programs in Business, Management and Economics include the following seven foundations:  

1. Communications Skills 
2. Information Management
3. Economics
4. Ethical and Social Responsibility
5. Quantitative Skills
6. Understanding People in a Broader Context
7. Understanding Organizations within Broader Context

These foundations may be met through transcript credit; college-level knowledge demonstrated through individual prior learning assessment (iPLA), professional learning evaluations (PLE), or credit by examination; or individual courses, a series of courses, or components within individual courses with Empire State College. The student’s Degree Plan Rationale Essay should clearly explain how the degree plan meets each of the foundations in the Area of Study, what will be learned, and how the student will build on these foundations to meet personal, academic, or career goals.

Associate in Arts (AA) and Associate in Science (AS)

An associate degree in Business, Management and Economics is meant to introduce students to a range of foundational subjects related to Business, Management and Economics. For an associate degree, students must have four of the of the seven foundations in their degree programs. Courses that meet the four selected foundations, must be School of Business courses (ACCT, BUSN, ECON, FSMA, HRMS, MGMT, MRKT) or equivalent.

Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS) and Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS)

Learning Outcome:  Students will be able to identify and apply appropriate basic communications skills necessary to successfully function in an organizational environment. At a minimum, students should have acquired the competencies in a course such as English Composition that meet SUNY General Education requirements for Basic Communication.

Learning Outcome:  Students will be able to use information technology tools and systems to collect, manage, and analyze data for decision making relevant to the business environment.

Studies can be introductory or advanced level but must be beyond basic computer applications.

Learning Outcome: Students will be able to solve economic problems using appropriate economic principles and concepts and analytical models. 

Learning Outcome:  Students will be able to examine, explain or apply moral theories, ethical standards and social responsibilities in the business environment.

Learning Outcome:  Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of quantitative reasoning and analytical tools and an ability to apply these tools to problems in the business environment.

 Learning Outcome:  Students will be able to examine and reflect on organizational culture and apply the concepts that explain how individuals and groups behave in the organization.

Learning Outcome:  Students will be able to evaluate challenges to organizations in a complex and changing world by describing the strategic impact of diversity, political, International, technological or environmental issues in the business environment.

For details about the academic planning process and requirements, please see the Student Degree Planning Guide.