Business Administration - Industrial Operations and Compliance

Major: Business Administration – Industrial Operations and Compliance
Degree awarded: Bachelor of Arts
Total credit hours: 40
Internship/Practicum opportunities: Visit the Career Development Center for internship information.

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About Business Administration – Industrial Operations and Compliance

Successful organizations rely on people who can solve problems, improve processes, manage risk, and keep operations running smoothly.

As a student in the Industrial Operations and Compliance track of the Business Administration degree program, the combination of business strategy, operations management, industrial leadership, and regulatory compliance is designed to prepare you for careers in manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, construction, environmental services, and other high-demand industries.

You'll learn how organizations operate, how strategic decisions impact performance, and how compliance and safety support long-term success. Through small classes, personalized faculty mentorship, hands-on learning opportunities, and real-world internships, you'll develop the leadership, communication, and analytical skills employers value most.

At Thiel, you'll never be just another face in the classroom. Professors know your goals, support your growth, and help connect your education to meaningful career opportunities. Combined with an affordable education and a strong network of alumni and industry professionals, you'll graduate prepared to make an immediate impact in the workplace.

In this program, you'll learn how to:

Identify workplace hazards and implement effective safety practices
Navigate regulatory requirements and maintain organizational compliance
Improve operational efficiency through strategic planning and management
Apply data-driven decision-making to operational issues
Prepare for emergencies and respond to complex operational challenges
Manage safety in construction, industrial, and high-risk environments
Address hazardous materials and environmental safety concerns
Lead teams, solve problems, and communicate effectively across organizations
Build professional experience through internships, networking, and real-world application

Whether you're interested in operations management, compliance, industrial leadership, logistics, or risk management, you'll graduate ready to help organizations operate efficiently, responsibly, and competitively.

Industrial Operations and Compliance Curriculum

Thiel's Industrial Operations and Compliance curriculum blends core business administration coursework with specialized training in operations, safety, and compliance. You'll gain the knowledge needed to improve organizational performance while helping businesses meet regulatory requirements and manage risk.

Coursework explores topics such as operations management, hazard awareness, regulatory compliance, safety management, emergency preparedness, construction safety, environmental health and safety, and strategic decision-making. Throughout the program, you'll learn how operational excellence, compliance, and business strategy work together to support long-term organizational success.

Students are encouraged to complete at least one internship and benefit from networking opportunities with business leaders and Thiel alumni before graduation.

Explore courses in the <Industrial Operations and Compliance> program and review the latest Academic Catalog (2025-2026).

Industrial Operations and Compliance Major Objectives

Industrial Operations and Compliance professionals must understand how business strategy, operational efficiency, safety, and regulatory requirements intersect. By graduation, students will be prepared to:

Understand operations management systems, business processes, and strategic planning
Analyze and respond to operational challenges and supply chain disruptions
Develop ethical, sustainable, and compliant operating models
Improve organizational efficiency through continuous improvement practices
Navigate regulatory and compliance requirements across industries
Evaluate emerging trends affecting operations, safety, and risk management
Apply analytical and problem-solving skills to complex business challenges
Communicate effectively in professional written and oral formats
Lead and collaborate within cross-functional teams
Build professional networks and industry relationships that support long-term career growth

This combination of business, operational, and compliance expertise prepares graduates to make informed decisions that balance organizational performance with regulatory responsibility.

Alumni and Careers

Students in the Business Administration and Accounting Department are exceptionally successful in finding first-time jobs after graduation. Our faculty members work closely with students to assist them in developing the knowledge and skills they need, as well as mentoring them as they prepare for and pursue a range of professional opportunities. For example, the department hosts many networking events that allow students to speak with professionals from numerous companies in the area.

Industrial Operations and Compliance professionals can hold a variety of titles and roles, depending on their qualifications and experience, as well as the type of organizations in which they work.

Examples of entry-level opportunities include:

Operations Compliance Specialist: $60,000–$70,000
Compliance Operations Analyst: $55,000–$65,000
Compliance Officer: $70,000–$80,000

Aligned with our business administration program, you’ll be in excellent company upon graduation. Countless Thiel graduates have joined Fortune 500 companies and become successful business owners and community leaders in the local western Pennsylvania region and beyond.

Thiel College has a strong and active alumni community that supports recent Thiel graduates as they begin their business careers.

Student Life Involvement

Classes are just part of the college story — community is just as important. Just ask the 96 percent of Thiel students involved in some of our 100 clubs, NCAA Division III sports or other activities. These opportunities are a great way to meet friends, try new things and make important career connections.

An Industrial Operations and Compliance major might be interested in the following student organizations:

National Society of Leadership and Success
Greenville Jr. Chamber of Commerce
Chi Eta Sigma (National Commerce Honorary Society)

Read the latest news on what Thiel students are up to.

Business Department 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: