Business Administration & Accounting

Business Administration & Accounting Department

Melissa S. Oakes, C.P.A., C.F.E., M.B.A.
Department Chair

 moakes@thiel.edu
 724-589-2046

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  • Business Administration | Associate Degree

    Major: Business Administration
    Degree awarded: Associate of Arts
    Total credit hours: 64
    Internship/Practicum opportunities: Visit the Career Development Center for internship information.

    About the Business Administration Associate Degree

    An associate degree in business administration is a two-year degree program at the undergraduate level. The program provides students with opportunities to complete an initial college degree while establishing a solid academic foundation for a bachelor’s degree in the field of business administration. Upon completing the associate degree, a student may have completed one-half of the requirements for a bachelor’s degree.

    Thiel College’s Associate of Arts (A.A.) in Business Administration prepares students to quickly enter the business field by providing them with a strong foundation in economics, accounting, management, and project planning, as well as traditional liberal arts coursework. Graduates of this program are qualified to fill basic management and administrative roles in the private, public, and nonprofit arenas.

    Led by a team of experienced faculty, business administration majors have hands-on opportunities working with local businesses in western Pennsylvania to enhance their classroom experiences.

    Visit our Academic Catalog (2023-2024) for course listings.

    Business Administration Major Objectives

    The goals of Thiel’s Associate of Arts in Business Administration degree are for students to:

    • Understand the basic business management functions.
    • Develop competency in data analysis techniques and databases.
    • Gain an understanding of the ethical dilemmas faced by business managers.
    • Develop interpersonal skills and learn to be a valuable member of a team.
    • Be prepared for entry-level employment in the field of business.
    • Business Administration Curriculum

    The curriculum for our business administration degree provides a broad understanding of the American business system and establishes a base for good citizenship in our democratic society.

    Our business courses teach basic business principles and fundamental skills essential for success in either a large or small enterprise. More specifically, the core courses of the business administration major include accounting, economics, data analysis and management, business law and management.

    Scholarship Opportunities

    Thiel College offers scholarships to our undergraduate business students for reasons of academic success, community service or involvement, exemplary leadership and more.

    The scholarships available to business administration majors are:

    • The August and Susan Bamford Scholarship
    • Dr. Morrison H. Beach Scholarship
    • The Roger ’52 and Paula G. Blatter Scholarship
    • The John T. Egbert Jr. and Phyllis Faries Egbert Scholarship
    • Daniel A. Hamo Scholarship
    • Huether Foundation Endowment for Business
    • Helen Patterson Hill Memorial Scholarship
    • Lend-A-Hand Scholarship
    • The Rev. Dr. Kenneth R. May Scholarship Fund
    • The Wise Family Endowed Scholarship Fund
    • Haller Enterprise Institute

    Clubs & Organizations

    Joining a student club or organization provides students the opportunity to build their community and pursue leadership experiences. A business administration student might be interested in the following clubs and student organizations:

    • Greenville Jr. Chamber of Commerce
    • Chi Alpha Epsilon (National Honorary for Academic Achievement)
    • National Society of Leadership and Success

    See all student organization and club opportunities at Thiel College.

    Alumni and Careers

    Graduates from Thiel’s A.A. in Business Administration program have become successful business owners and community leaders in the local western Pennsylvania region and beyond. Whether the goal is to become a Fortune 500 C-level executive, the owner of a local landscaping company or attend graduate school, Thiel business graduates have done it all.

    Entry-level positions for graduates of the Business Administration major include:

    • Marketing Coordinator
    • Financial Analyst
    • Human Resources Assistant
    • Data Analyst
    • Market Research Specialist

    Thiel College has a strong and active alumni community who are often willing to support recent Thiel graduates as they begin their business careers. In fact, the Arthur McGonigal Department of Business Administration & Accounting at Thiel College boasts the largest number of currently serving members on the College's Board of Trustees.

    Request information to learn more about earning an A.A. in Business Administration at Thiel College.

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    Greenville, PA 16125
    1-800-248-4435