This major will provide you with knowledge, skills, and resources to start, manage, and grow a small business. Specifically, this program will help turn an initial business idea into a reality through a series of 'must-do' actions and learning activities. This program includes placement in an internship, where you will gain real-world experience in small business management. As a capstone project, you will synthesize all of the program's learning experiences by completing a thorough and well-written business plan for a business idea.
To help launch a new business, you will learn how to assess market opportunities, conduct a risk assessment, and distinguish the options for doing business, such as freelancing, working from home, franchising, or running a business online or in a brick-and-mortar. You will also explore financial options and strategies to navigate the legal environment, as these steps are key to initiating a successful new business. Once your enterprise is off the ground and running, this program will show you how to successfully manage and grow a business by exploring proven operational, marketing, financial, and human resource strategies for the small business.
To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally include a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.
The full policy can be viewed here.
You may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your faculty mentor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 120 |
| Highest Mathematics Required | MATH 115 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Required |
| Foreign Language | Required |
| Some online/blended coursework | Required |
| Progression Plan Link | Not Available |
The SBA program is dedicated to the mission and goals of the university and the sustainability of continuing business education and industry collaboration, to integrate four major areas in business:
PL students will examine in-depth competencies-based in a variety of business areas, including foundational development skills associated with key entrepreneurship performance indicators, emerging trend in postsecondary entrepreneurial education and direct skills assessments as related to industry specific standards.
Small Business Administration Personalized Learning Graduates will be able to:
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Admission requirements to Personalized Learning include NAU's undergraduate admission standards as well as the completion of a Readiness Assessment. Prior to admission to the University, a Personalized Learning admission specialist guides prospective students through a series of steps to determine admissibility, applicable prior credit, preparedness via the Readiness Assessment, and degree selection. After these steps are complete, admissible students are directed to complete an account information form. This form replaces the traditional NAU application.
Students may demonstrate competency through performance on pre-tests. Some courses may have departmental prerequisites required by students in other majors. Any prerequisites not fulfilled with transfer credit may be met by successfully completing a pretest; however, credit will not be granted for the completion.
This degree is offered only through the Personalized Learning program. Work with a faculty mentor for any questions regarding the applicability of coursework completed through Personalized Learning to any other plan of study at NAU.
See the following sites for additional information.
Grading and Transcripts
Personalized Learning Competencies for the Bachelor of Arts in Small Business Administration
Completion of the competencies will result in the awarding of credit for NAU classes.
C.1 Demonstrate concepts and processes associated with successful entrepreneurial performance
C.2 Examine the personal traits/behaviors associated with successful entrepreneurial performance
C.3 Examine fundamental business concepts that affect business decision making
C.4 Employ concepts, strategies, and systems needed to interact effectively with others to ensure high performance in the workplace
C.5 Acquire concepts and procedures needed for basic computer operations in a small business setting
C.6 Evaluate the economic principles and concepts fundamental to entrepreneurship/small business ownership
C.7 Analyze personal money management concepts, procedures, and strategies
C.8 Explore concepts and strategies needed for career exploration, development for corequisites for becoming a successful entrepreneur
C.9 Examine the financial concepts and tools used in making business decisions
C.10 Investigate the concepts, systems and strategies needed to acquire, motivate, develop and terminate staff
C.11 Break down the concepts, systems and tools needed to access, process, maintain, evaluate, and disseminate information for business decision making
C.12 Explore the concepts, processes, and systems needed to determine and satisfy customer needs/wants/expectations, meet business goals/objectives, and create new product/service ideas
C.13 Employ and audit the processes and systems implemented to facilitate daily business operations
C.14 Examine and integrate the concepts, strategies, and systems that businesses implement and enforce to minimize loss
C.15 Understands the processes, strategies, and systems needed to guide the overall business organization
Course Credit Earned (54 - 57 units)
Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.
You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.
We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.