Business Degree Program

You have plenty of room in terms of course credit so you can concentrate on specialization areas like:

• Finance
• Human resources
• Marketing

With majors that are modest in size, we help you consider your calling and guide you to the coursework that’s most appropriate. We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, you will have time for genuine exploration and discernment — without the pressure to specialize too early.

Concentrations are available, but not required, for all business majors.

Course Planning for Fall Sophomore Start

	Fall	Spring
Sophomore	ECON 211 Principles of Macroeconomics† MATH 210 Introductory Statistics†	ACCT 221 Financial Accounting ECON 212 Principles of Microeconomics† CFL course/experience (optional)
Junior	BUS 222 Management Perspectives & Theory Economics elective (300 level or above)	BUS 331 Marketing Management ** BUS 361 Operations Management** Concentration course/experience (optional)
Senior	BUS 371 Financial Management** Approved elective*	BUS 401 Management Seminar Concentration course/experience (optional)
*See list of approved electives below **Take the core 300-level business courses according to career interests (financial, marketing and operations) †Move classes later one semester if starting in spring sophomore semester

Course Planning for Off-Campus Semester

 

	Fall	Spring
Sophomore	ECON 211 Principles of Macroeconomics MATH 210 Introductory Statistics	ECON 212 Principles of Microeconomics ACCT 221  Financial Accounting BUS 222 Management Perspectives & Theory
Junior	Semester off campus Economics Elective (300 level or above) Approved elective*	BUS 331 Marketing Management** BUS 361 Operations Management** Concentration course/experience (optional)
Senior	BUS 371 Financial Management** Concentration course/experience (optional)	BUS 401 Management Seminar
*See list of approved electives below **Take the core 300-level business courses according to career interests (financial, marketing and operations)

Department and Non-Department Electives

The following business-related courses, in consultation with the student’s advisor, are approved to fulfill the elective in the business major.

Department Elective

Any 300-400 level course or ACCT 222. BUS 395 offers a variety of topical electives as either 4-credit or 2-credit courses (two 2-credit courses are accepted as one 4-credit elective).

Non-Department Electives (Hope College)

Leadership Courses

• LDRS 231 Leading the Start-Up Process (4-credit)
• LDRS 291 The Influential Leader (2-credit)
• LDRS 292 The Trusted Advisor (2-credit)
• COMM 280 Research Methods
• COMM 330 Organizational Communication
• COMM 335 Leadership Skills & Perspectives
• COMM 360 Persuasion
• COMM 371 Intercultural Communication
• PHIL 245 Applied Ethics

Political Science Courses

• POL 352 Global Political Economy

Psychology Courses

• PSY 200 Research Methods
• PSY 350 Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Sociology Courses

• SOC 262 Methods of Social Research

Off-Campus Semester

Business-related internships and courses taken at the Chicago Semester, The Philadelphia Center, Washington Honors Semester, and in overseas programs.

Other courses, both Hope and other college courses

Approval must be obtained from the department chair using the application for major/minor waiver/substitution form.

Student Learning Outcomes

Hope College students completing a Business degree will have:

• Critical Thinking: Enhanced ability to integrate (a) applied and theoretical experiences, and (b) a deep understanding of the content in economics and business, in analytical, problem-solving and creative activities.
• Vocational Discernment: Enhanced ability to make decisions around how to live a life of service through awareness of oneself, the needs of the world and how they intersect.
• Christian Worldview: Enhanced understanding of how a Christian worldview has been, and can be, applied in economics and business.
• Business-focused Critical Thinking: Enhanced ability to integrate (a) applied and theoretical business experiences, and (b) a deep understanding of business content through analytical, problem-solving and creative activities.
• Engagement: Deep involvement in business classes and experiences as well as professional development and relationship building. Involvement = ability + motivation + opportunity