School of Business

The School of Business offers students a variety of educational opportunities that either lead to a bachelor’s degree or provide opportunities for non-degree seeking students to gain additional undergraduate education through our extensive course offerings and certificate programs.

The school provides convenient access to instruction through traditional classroom sessions and innovative online delivery, at the main Auraria campus, both Metro South and Metro North campus, during the day, evenings, and weekends. The school consists of 67 full-time faculty, more than 50 part-time faculty, and 8 full-time staff. Over 3900 students major in business and economics. Students can take advantage of on-the-job training through internship placements, internships, and independent study course work.

Students may declare a major in the School of Business during the admission process, or at any time thereafter by contacting a department faculty advisor and completing the “Major Declaration Form.” Students are encouraged to declare as early as possible to ensure accurate advising on degree program requirements.

Mission

The school’s mission statement reflects our efforts to provide students with the best possible education we can offer:

Our mission is to develop undergraduate students into effective business professionals by preparing students for careers and lifelong learning with an awareness of ethics, technological advancements, and globalization.

We facilitate learning through excellence in teaching by maintaining currency in the disciplines, using appropriate pedagogy, and providing individual attention to students.

We deliver a quality, accessible undergraduate business education in the metropolitan Denver area to a diverse student population.

The school offers baccalaureate degrees in six majors (described below) and a masters degree in Professional Accountancy (MPAcc). Students interested in the MPAcc program should refer to the Graduate Catalog for details:

Bachelor of Science Degree Programs

Bachelor of Arts Degree Program

Economics

In addition, we offer an International Business Certificate, an International Business Concentration for business majors, and a total of nine minors designed for non-business majors.

The various educational opportunities available through the School of Business are listed below. Students interested in the MPAcc program should refer to the Graduate Catalog for details. Course descriptions and prerequisites can be found by clicking here .

If you have any questions about the offerings, academic policies and practices, or admission requirements, contact the dean of the School of Business or the chair of the appropriate department.

School of Business Prerequisite and Attendance Policy

All students are expected to know and fulfill all current prerequisite requirements. The School of Business reserves the right to disenroll students who do not meet current prerequisite requirements or who fail to meet expected course attendance policies. (See Class Attendance Section.) In addition to meeting specific course prerequisites, the following general requirements also apply:

Prior to attending an upper-division course offered in the School of Business Bachelor of Science programs (Accounting, Computer Information Systems, Finance, Management, Marketing), all students must have:

completed all General Studies requirements in Written Communication, Oral Communication, and Quantitative Literacy;
completed at least 60 credit hours overall (junior standing);
declared a major in any discipline or be of non-degree seeking status.

Bachelor of Science Degree Programs

Students may earn a Bachelors of Science degree in accounting, computer information systems, finance, management, or marketing. The degree requires completion of course work in general studies, the core business disciplines and requirements, a major, and electives. A minor is not required.

Business Program Residency Requirements

To earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Business, a student must successfully complete 30 or more credit hours of business coursework at MSU Denver. This 30-hour residency requirement can be met by completing any business courses with the prefix ACC, ACCM, CIS, ECO, FIN, MGT and MKT and a course number of at least 2000, except FIN 2250.

Business Degree Program Planning

Some important things to remember as you plan your business studies:

All degree-seeking students must meet the University’s requirements for all bachelor degrees outlined in the general information section of this Catalog.
During the first 60 credit hours, business majors should complete their General Studies courses and the 2000-level business core courses.
The University requires at least 40 credit hours of upper-division courses (3000 or 4000 level). Consult with an advisor to ensure that your specific degree program meets this requirement.
A minor is not required for students whose major is accounting, computer information systems, finance, management or marketing.

The following sections describe the scope of the degree program, course requirements, career opportunities, and competencies for career success in each degree program.

Minors in the School of Business

The School of Business offers nine minors in business and economics. Most minors require 18 credit hours plus prerequisites, if any. These minors (with the exception of economics) are designed primarily for non-business majors. The acceptance of transfer credits will be governed by standards and policies of the School of Business and its departments.

Students should choose a minor that will help them in their chosen career. The general business minor should be declared after consultation with the associate dean. Other minors should be declared with the help of a faculty advisor or department chair of the appropriate department.