B'Ann Dittmar, MBA
Instructor of Business Management, MBA Program Director
I utilize active learning techniques and allow students to dig into the material, whether it is in a simulation, classroom activities, projects, or case studies.
Business Administration
Bachelor of Arts
The Best of the Best
A business administration degree means versatility. Clarke University has been producing professionals for careers in business in the Dubuque community and the world for more than 85 years. Clarke University’s graduates of business school contribute to the greatness of Dubuque as a model business community. In today’s quickly advancing worldwide economy, having a degree in business administration from a school near the top of business school rankings can lead to countless career opportunities and provide students with the foundation they need to succeed in a wide array of specialty areas, from finance and international business to management and marketing, and much more.
Clarke University’s school of Business Administration is structured to develop students’ abilities to understand business concepts, terminologies, and theories, as well as to think analytically and communicate efficiently. Clarke’s business school degree program gives students both the broad conceptual framework and the work-specific skills they need to build a fulfilling and fruitful career. Visit Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa, to learn more about our Business Administration degree offerings.
Choose a Concentration in your Business Administration Degree
Those studying for a business administration degree at Clarke University will choose a concentration that will allow you to focus on one area of specialization. Clarke offers three types of business majors with emphases in:
Business Management
Want to skip the cubicle and move straight to the corner office? The education you’ll receive while earning a Business Management degree at Clarke University is versatile and can prepare you for a wide variety of leadership roles. The business management major focuses on the worldwide management of personnel and resources. Because people skills are such an essential part of successful business management, most of Clarke University’s business classes are structured around teamwork. Expect to collaborate closely with your peers on projects that bridge the gap between theory and hands-on practice. When you study for your Bachelor of Business Management at Clarke, you’ll learn about overseeing budgets; staffing; schedules; contracts; and adherence to the goals of the company, department and/or project. Our graduates who have earned a Business Administration degree with an emphasis in management know that effective management with a vision is the key to every company’s success.
Business Marketing
Clarke’s Business Marketing degree hones in on the global understanding of consumers and brand management. The business marketing and communications landscape is continually changing at a lightning pace – from SEO to social media, to PR campaigns, paid media, and mobile advertising. At Clarke University, our Business Marketing program is modeled to prepare you for both the fundamentals and the new strategies that are redefining the way brands find, connect, and attract consumers. The study of Business Marketing at Clarke University involves employees and others to generate a campaign to promote a company’s brand, services, and/or products. You’ll learn how to conduct market research in order to identify the ideal consumer. You’ll take marketing classes and you, with a team of your peers, will develop ways to reach the consumer, keep the customer, and change along with the changing needs of your customer.
Business Finance
Why study Finance? Clarke’s Business Finance degree studies the global understanding of investment and financial institutions. All businesses require financial specialists who understand how fiscal assets influence the bottom line. You can be a part of this core business field when you graduate from Clarke University’s business finance degree program. Business Finance studies the global understanding of investment and financial institutions. Clarke’s Business Finance major classes deliver a well-rounded education in the financial industry. You will be ahead of the rest as you learn how to measure and secure the efficient use of financial resources for businesses, families, and individuals. When studying for your Business Administration degree with an emphasis in finance, you’ll cover topics such as international finance, financial risk and mitigation, financial planning, financial markets, macroeconomics, microeconomics, investments, and more.
Program Details
Business Administration Paths
No matter which career or path you wish to pursue, a Business Administration degree from Clarke University will prepare you to meet the challenges of a fast-moving, technology-driven work world. In our top-ranking school of business, you’ll develop the leadership skills, business savvy, and a collaborative approach that will set you up for victory in every corner of the economy. Clarke University’s Bachelor of Business Administration is designed to provide students with a solid academic foundation in core business functions including general business administration, accounting, finance, project managing, information technology, human resources, marketing, international business, logistics, and organizational conduct. These competencies are flexible enough that upon graduation, careers in a variety of different fields may be available. With a Business Administration degree, you’ll also gain the insights critical to success in contemporary business management, where public pressure is increasing for corporations to address social and environmental concerns.
Classes You’ll Take
LEADERSHIP — This course focuses on the process of leadership, the interplay between power and influence, motivation, performance, development, and context. Students in this class have the opportunity to interview local managers to gain leadership insights and conduct a job shadow to see leadership in action.
MICROECONOMICS — You will conduct an analysis of markets such as trade, production, and costs and their role in resource distribution.
MARKETING MANAGEMENT — You’ll examine the marketing tools and techniques used in managing all aspects of the marketing operation and apply concepts into practice.
Consider Accounting
Also, consider our Business Accounting major. Business accounting is not all button-down collars and tight neckties. Our accounting major prepares you for modern careers in fast-paced settings. The accounting major stresses both practical and theoretical foundations of accounting, critical thinking, and leadership. Accounting is the means by which organizations communicate their monetary information. This is why accounting is sometimes referred to as the “language of business.” Individuals who are eloquent in this language are a very esteemed commodity in the business world. An accounting major at Clarke University has many career options from which to choose after graduation. Studying accounting includes learning about reporting on an organization’s financial information—and managerial accounting—the use of that data to measure the entity’s performance and inform decisions about its future and controls. You’ll learn about taxation, auditing, and financial reporting, placing you in a key position for a career after college.
Admission to Clarke University
Applicants are considered on an individual basis. Apply to Clarke today to begin your journey.
Learn to Network with your Business Administration Degree
Club involvement is at the hub of your experience at Clarke University when you study in the school of business. The business school hosts many social networking options.
- Future Young Professionals of Clarke — This group leads events on campus to help students prepare for the professional work environment.
- Investments Club — This club actively buys and trades stocks in order to grow a portfolio, preparing you for a real career in business.
- Sport Management Club — This fun club is filled with business administration students who help facilitate athletic halftime events in Dubuque, Iowa, for Clarke athletes. They strategize on how to draw more individuals to athletic events and pack the stands.
Business Administration Internships
Real-world experience is coming your way when you study for your bachelor of business administration with Clarke. Our internships are an invaluable resource when it comes time to enter the job market in search of a career in business. Students studying for their Business Administration degree recently held professional business internships in Dubuque, Iowa, and the surrounding areas include:
- McGraw-Hill
- Honkamp Krueger & Co.
- Heartland Financial
- Cottingham & Buttler
- Great River Learning
- Re/MAX
- Prudential
Program in Pictures
Loren Rice, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Accounting/Business
I hope that my impact on students will be that they will learn concepts, ideas, and general practices that will stay with them for many years.
Jody Wolfe, MBA/JD
Assistant Professor of Accounting/Business
I hope to leave students with an understanding of strategy, finance, and law, but also that the world is a large place, and they should find a place where they feel wanted and comfortable in it.
Vapordeal Sanders
Assistant Professor of Business
I ask students to join me in setting a positive learning atmosphere as we share during face-to-face mini-team projects, discussions prompted by scenarios or cases, video follow-up quizzes, or suggestions for accessing and working with online materials
Maria Morris, MBA
Instructor of Accounting/Business
I want students to apply business concepts, not just learn them. I use my work experiences, and theirs, to illustrate the role classroom material plays in real-life situations. Whether we are playing a game or taking a test, students think creatively and hopefully, maximize the strength of their ‘mind muscles.’
There’s more to college than going to class.
The Classroom and Beyond
Study Abroad
Each year, the Business Department leads a 10-15 day trip abroad to study the artistic, cultural, social, and economic aspects of a country. Students and faculty have traveled to Australia, Italy, Ireland, Switzerland, France, England, and Spain.
Clubs & Organizations
Life at Clarke is living traditions, being proud, participating in the campus community, and being an active member of our greater community.
The Clarke Compass
Through your Clarke experience, you will be involved in many different activities that will guide you on your college journey. By your senior year, you will have a résumé of all your awesome involvements packaged and ready for your first interview.
Internships
Our internships are an invaluable resource when it comes time to enter the job market. Recent business internships include: McGraw-Hill, Honkamp Krueger & Co., IMG Artists LLC (N.Y.), Cottingham & Buttler, Re/MAX, and Prudential.
But don’t take our word for it…
Our Students & Alumni
Allison Smith
Accounting '16
During my time at Clarke in Dubuque, Iowa, I studied abroad where I learned about currency exchange in Ireland, England, and Wales. My experience really helped me get my current job on the Assurance Services staff at Ernst & Young.
Franz Winkler
Business Administration ‘15
My degree in Business really paved the way for my career after Clarke. I felt very well-prepared to enter the work world.
Damien O'Hare
Business Administration ‘16
Clarke’s business program taught me to always say ‘YES’ to opportunities. I never turn down an opportunity to learn a new skill or take on a new project.
100
years
of professional experience of Clarke’s business faculty.
#1
Business is the number one major for college undergraduates, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
$70,500
The median salary for business/ accounting careers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Other Programs to Explore
Experience Clarke Business Administration for Yourself