Business Administration Degree at Aquinas College
Undergraduate Business Programs and Majors
From fundraising success and philanthropy to designing the world’s next best product, the Business Administration Department at Aquinas College gives you the skills and hands-on experience you need to succeed at any company—even one you start yourself.
Here, you’ll build a strong foundation, developing a broad knowledge of business operations, gaining targeted skills such as quantitative reasoning and financial analysis, and exploring business ethics. You’ll put your knowledge into action through case studies, internships, and real-world projects. Plus, you’ll be supported the whole time. Our dedicated, experienced faculty members know you by name and are passionate about helping you build your future.
Business Administration Concentrations and Specializations
 AQ students turn business lessons into fundraising successHere's the challenge: design a marketing plan and collect at least $10,000 in donations to Mel Trotter Ministries. The class exceeded expectations!Watch the video
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See the academic catalog for more specific information on degrees and courses
Majors |
Concentrations |
Minors |
| Business Administration (BSBA) |
International Business |
Business Administration |
| Business Administration and Communication Dual Major (BSBA) |
Management |
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| Business Administration and Sport Management Dual Major (BSBA) |
Marketing |
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| Name | Title | Department | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suzanne Callahan | Adjunct Professor | Business Administration | |
| Brian Divita | Department Chair, Business; Associate Professor | Business Administration | (616) 632-2929 |
| Bill Foley | Assistant Professor | Business Administration | (616) 632 2426 |
| Jason Good | Assistant Professor | Business Administration | |
| Linda Hagan | Professor, Director, Graduate Management Program | Business Administration | (616) 632-2193 |
| Scott Johnson | Adjunct | Business Administration | |
| Devon Joslin | Adjunct Professor | Business Administration | |
| Irene Mantakounis | Adjunct | Business Administration | |
| Ronald Neary | Adjunct | Business Administration | |
| Mark O'Toole | Associate Professor | Business Administration | (616) 632-2931 |
| Kerri Orders | Assistant Professor | Business Administration | (616) 632-2520 |
| Lu Paletta | Adjunct Assistant Professor | Business Administration | |
| Felix Pereiro | Adjunct Professor | Business Administration | |
| Geoffrey Vanderpal | Adjunct Professor | Business Administration |
Student Experience and Professional Development
The mission of the department of Business Administration, in support of the mission of Aquinas College, is to prepare each student for a career of service to organizations, community, and family through the development of content knowledge and skill competencies within an ethical framework grounded in the liberal arts tradition.
The department of Business Administration is committed to the development of broadly educated, globally oriented, ethical professionals, whose high standards of professional competence enable them to actively contribute to their profession, community and society.
Aquinas business graduates must be able to think critically, communicate clearly, research effectively, employ quantitative reasoning, use current technology, and work cooperatively with others.
- Students will be able to integrate functional business knowledge by evaluating various business conditions and identifying their relevant economic associations that benefit society in a local, national, and global environment.
- Students will be able to identify key qualitative and quantitative variables affecting organizational decisionmaking by utilizing relevant information to solve complex problems and pursue opportunities.
- Students will be able to effectively apply business law, economics, finance, management and marketing principles to develop strategic planning and competitive advantages for organizations.
- Students will be able to identify, evaluate and implement strategic decision-making that supports organizational goals with an emphasis on the allocation of human and financial resources within an organization.
- Students will be able to integrate a principled perspective to various business scenarios, by incorporating a corevalue approach that is grounded in personal integrity, and prioritizes ethical decision-maki
Student Research
Check out the current and past research that Aquinas students do with faculty to further the world's knowledge.Read More about Student Research
Student Profiles
Students love Aquinas for its small classes, personal attention, access to faculty, and hands-on experiences.
Student Clubs & Activities
You can learn through volunteer activities and field trips to globally recognized, Fortune 500 businesses.
Aquinas has challenged me to go out of my comfort zone, whether that be traveling to career fairs, attending campus events, or making new connections with fellow students, professors, and community members.
Addison Lavender - Class of 2025
Being an AQ Saint means belonging to a supportive and inspiring community that helps you grow as much as you contribute to it. At Aquinas, the support never fades, and you’re never alone in your journey toward success.
Fiona Walsh - Class of 2025
I wanted to go to a school in which students were supported and experienced a personable and personalized education. The fact that students could have easy access to faculty members, and to on-campus resources is the main reason why I decided to attend.
Jean Tissot - Class of 2024
Aquinas College's esteemed academic standing and renowned softball program drew me in. I sought an environment where I wouldn't be just another face in the crowd, but where my name would be remembered.
Grace Maguire - Class of 2024
Where Do Aquinas Business Graduates Work?
| Quick Facts: Administrative Services Managers | |
|---|---|
| 2023 Median Pay | $104,900 per year $50.44 per hour |
| Typical Entry-Level Education | Bachelor's degree |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation | Less than 5 years |
| On-the-job Training | None |
| Number of Jobs, 2023 | 397,300 |
| Job Outlook, 2023-33 | 6% (Faster than average) |
| Employment Change, 2023-33 | 23,400 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Aquinas business grads have gone on to graduate school at Columbia Business School, Tufts, Harvard, University of Michigan's Ross School of Business and Thunderbird, to name a few.
For information on jobs, internships and more at Aquinas visit Handshake.
To learn more about careers, make an appointment with the AQ Advantage Center.
Alumni Profiles
AQ grads are thankful for the small class sizes that allow them to form personal relationships with professors.Alumni Profiles
Hear from the Business Administration Department
For Aijamal, the Aquinas liberal arts education was alive—not just in her classroom discussions, but in the relationships she nurtured, the skills she forged, and the future she stepped into with both grace and confidence. This summer, Aquinas Saints Madison Slezinski, Zackary Dingwell, and Aaron Moore completed internships and shared a few highlights from their experiences! This past spring semester, Aquinas students Austin Tucker, Wyatt Snitzer, Haruka Terakawa, and Claire Hines developed Stride Guard, a shoe insert that tracks impacts to help prevent injuries. Their idea won them the $3,000 top prize in the Final Pitch Competition of the MWest Challenge. On Thursday, April 3, Aquinas welcomed back alumnus Hugh Ingalls ’14 for our annual Fireside Chat Series. For the past four years, Aquinas Professor Mark O’Toole has assigned a special project to his fall classes: students break into groups of four to five to design a marketing plan and collect at least $10,000 in donations to Mel Trotter Ministries.
Alumni Spotlight: Aijamal Kasymova’s Aquinas Journey
2025 Summer Internships
Aquinas Students Turn Setbacks into a Product and Win the MWest Challenge
Aquinas College Catches up with Hugh Ingalls ’14 in Alumni Fireside Chat Series
Aquinas Students Turn Business Lessons into Fundraising Success for Mel Trotter Ministries