Grand Valley State University

What you'll study

The Bachelor’s in Business provides a core curriculum that covers the functional areas of commerce alongside a liberal arts foundation. Early coursework typically includes microeconomics and macroeconomics, quantitative methods or business statistics, financial and managerial accounting, principles of marketing, principles of management, business law, and information systems for business.

As you progress, you move into intermediate and applied modules such as corporate finance, investments or financial markets, organisational behaviour, operations and supply chain management, marketing strategy, strategic management, and business ethics. Many students also take electives or concentrations in areas such as entrepreneurship, human resource management, international business, digital marketing, supply chain, or analytics.

The programme emphasises experiential learning: case studies, team projects, simulations and applied capstone courses are common, and students are encouraged to undertake internships, field projects with local firms, or study-abroad experiences to put theory into practice.

Entry requirements

Admission to the undergraduate business programme is based on secondary school performance and completion of appropriate preparatory subjects. Typical expectations include a high-school diploma with competitive grades across a broad curriculum, including mathematics. Specific college-level entry into the business school may require meeting GPA benchmarks and completion of introductory courses or pre-admission business requirements.

Standardised test submission policies may vary; prospective international students will need to demonstrate English language proficiency through recognised tests or equivalent qualifications. Applicants with prior college credit, AP/IB scores, or relevant work experience should consult admissions advisors about transfer credit and placement.

Career prospects

Graduates with a Bachelor’s in Business pursue a wide range of careers in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. Common entry roles include business analyst, marketing coordinator, financial analyst, sales representative, operations or supply chain analyst, and human resources assistant. Many graduates move into specialised functions or professional training programmes in accounting, banking, consulting, digital marketing, or supply chain management.

The degree also provides a foundation for graduate study such as an MBA or specialised master’s programmes and supports entrepreneurial ventures for students who wish to start their own businesses.

Why study at Grand Valley State University

Grand Valley’s business programmes are delivered through its established business faculty with an emphasis on applied learning and community engagement. Students benefit from close links with the Grand Rapids business community and regional employers, which supports internship and networking opportunities. Class sizes tend to enable direct faculty interaction and collaborative projects.

Additional strengths include career services focused on employer connections and experiential placements, opportunities to participate in student-run enterprises and business clubs, and pathways to concentrations or minors that allow you to tailor your studies to specific commercial interests.