About the Business Management & Leadership Major

Ranked by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) as the most popular and in-demand major in the nation, the need for business majors is ever-growing. One of the top two most popular majors at Southern Virginia University, the business major provides students with a solid understanding of introductory accounting, statistics, economics, finance, marketing, organizational leadership and management, and business law. Leadership, ethics, and a global perspective are also integrated and emphasized throughout the curriculum.

Students in the business program gain hands-on experience working with various organizations, having worked with the Buena Vista Farmers’ Market, local radio stations, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Tabernacle Choir. Business students often work in collaboration with their professors on personal and professional projects, receiving one-on-one training, guidance, and advice, and are encouraged to participate in the Business Club, the Cryptocurrency Investment Club (CIA), and the business honors society Chi Epsilon Omega (CEO).

Learning Outcomes

• Skill in theory and practice of measuring, classifying, and reporting economic data.
• Knowledge of theory and models of economic behavior at the micro- and macroeconomic levels.
• Knowledge of theory and models of organizational behavior pertaining to organizational leadership, development, and maintenance.
• Understanding of principles and analytical methods of corporate financial analysis and management.
• Understanding of principles and methods involved in marketing goods and services.
• Knowledge of law, the legal system, agency, and organizational structure as they apply to business.
• Knowledge of cultural, political, legal and economic environments relating to global trade and investment.

Getting Started in the Business Major

1. Enroll
   

   Begin by taking Principles of Accounting (BUS 201) in your first year

2. Contact Your Advisor
   

   Get in touch with Professor W. Todd Brotherson to discuss your interests and goals

3. Declare
   

   Turn in a completed Declare Major form to the Registrar’s Office

Careers

• Accountant
• Entrepreneur
• Financial analyst
• Marketing manager
• Business analyst
• Human Resources generalist
• Public Relations specialist

Alumni Success

Sarah Edwards (‘16)

Financial Consultant at Charles Schwab

Read more

Derick Maggard (‘10)

Professional Experience Executive Director at APEX Center for Entrepreneurs

Read more

In the News

• W. Todd Brotherson Awarded the Ray and DeLona Zinn Professor of Business
• Interning on Capitol Hill: A Look into Business Major Meg Huber’s (’23) Career-launching Experience
• Jordan Sorensen Joins the Office of Development as Senior Data Analyst

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Related Programs and Concentrations

• Mathematics Major/Minor
• Spanish Major
• Economics Minor
• Commercial Music Concentration
• Music Business Concentration
• Pre-M.Acc. (Accounting) Concentration
• Pre-M.Fin. (Finance) Concentration

Resources:

• Course Requirements
• Major Checklist
• Minor Checklist

Faculty Contacts:

• W. Todd Brotherson, M.B.A. – Program Coordinator
• Jack Heilpern, M. Pr. A.
• Jared Covington, B.A.
• Eric Nielsen, M.A.

“In addition to learning business principles and practices, we bring real world examples and experiences to work on in the classroom. We work with many local businesses so students get that real world experience of actually running a campaign, doing a case study for an actual financial situation, or helping start a local or student business, so they are that much more prepared for their careers.”

– Professor W. Todd Brotherson