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Grand Canyon University's Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Business Intelligence degree prepares students for career options which include business analyst, project manager, quality assurance, e-business and m-business solution manager, and business intelligence.
Students in the business intelligence degree will examine the fundamentals of project management, database structures, programming, business analytics, and IT governance and ethics. Students will study how to leverage web analytics to ascertain website effectiveness with a specific focus on how to track, capture, analyze and decipher website traffic. Another important concept included in the business intelligence degree is the role of governance and ethics within information technology, including preparing for an audit, complying with government regulations, and understanding data-privacy issues.
The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Business Intelligence degree also examines the key functional areas of management, accounting, finance and marketing.
Upon completing the business intelligence degree, many graduates opt to further their education. GCU offers a variety of master's degrees in business including an MBA and a Master of Science in Leadership.
General Education coursework prepares Grand Canyon University graduates to think critically, communicate clearly, live responsibly in a diverse world, and thoughtfully integrate their faith and ethical convictions into all dimensions of life. These competencies, essential to an effective and satisfying life, are outlined in the General Education Learner Outcomes. General Education courses embody the breadth of human understanding and creativity contained in the liberal arts and sciences tradition. Students take an array of foundational knowledge courses that promote expanded knowledge, insight, and the outcomes identified in the University‛s General Education Competencies. The knowledge and skills students acquire through these courses serve as a foundation for successful careers and lifelong journeys of growing understanding and wisdom.
| Competency | Requirements | GCU Course Options | Total Credits |
| University Foundations | Upon completion of the Grand Canyon University's University Foundation experience, students will be able to demonstrate competency in the areas of academic skills and self-leadership. They will be able to articulate the range of resources available to assist them, explore career options related to their area of study, and have knowledge of Grand Canyon's community. Students will be able to demonstrate foundational academic success skills, explore GCU resources (CLA, Library, Career Center, ADA office, etc), articulate strategies of self-leadership and management and recognize opportunities to engage in the GCU community. Students with fewer than 24 credits will fulfill the University Foundations requirement with a specified lower-division course. An upper-division selection will be made available to students that enter the university with more than 24 credits. | UNV-103/303, University Success: 4 credits | 4 credits |
| Effective Communication | Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to construct rhetorically effective communications appropriate to diverse audiences, purposes, and occasions (English composition, communication, critical reading, foreign language, sign language, etc.). Students are required to take 3 credits of English grammar or composition. | UNV-104, 21st Century Skills: Communication and Information Literacy: 4 credits ENG-105, English Composition I: 4 credits ENG-106, English Composition II: 4 credits |
9-12 credits |
| Christian Worldview | Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to express aspects of Christian heritage and worldview. Students are required to take CWV 101. | CWV-101, Christian Worldview: 4 credits | 4 credits |
| Critical Thinking | Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to use various analytic and problem-solving skills to examine, evaluate, and/or challenge ideas and arguments (mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, geology, astronomy, physical geography, ecology, economics, theology, logic, philosophy, technology, statistics, accounting, etc.). Students are required to take 3 credits of intermediate algebra or higher. | PHI-105, 21st Century Skills: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: 4 credits MAT-134, Applications of Algebra: 4 credits BIO-220, Environmental Science: 4 credits |
11-12 credits |
| Global Awareness, Perspective and Ethics | Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to demonstrate awareness and appreciation of and empathy for differences in arts and culture, values, experiences, historical perspectives, and other aspects of life (psychology, sociology, government, Christian studies, Bible, geography, anthropology, economics, political science, child and family studies, law, ethics, crosscultural studies, history, art, music, dance, theater, applied arts, literature, health, etc.). | HIS-221, Themes in U. S. History: 4 credits PSY-100, Psychology in Everyday Life: 4 credits SOC-100, Everyday Sociology: 4 credits If the predefined course is a part of the major, students need to take an additional course. |
6-8 credits |
| Course # | Course Title | Course Description | Credits |
| MKT-245 | Principles of Marketing | This course surveys the marketing mix and marketing concept; markets and buyer behavior; product, service, and relationship marketing for global competition; creating and keeping customers in an e-commerce world; branding and positioning; distribution strategies, integrated marketing communications, and pricing strategies. | 4 |
| ECN-220 | Introduction to Economics | The course covers microeconomic topics, macroeconomic topics, and international economics topics. Microeconomic topics include the nature and method of economics, supply and demand, utility, and supply and demand elasticities. Macroeconomic topics include the measurement of national output, factors that impact output, other means of measuring national wealth and economic well-being, unemployment, inflation, GDP accounting, and business cycles. While the focus of this course is primarily on the U.S. economy, some comparative economic analysis will be covered. In addition, select topics related to international trade and finance are introduced. | 4 |
| ACC-250 | Financial Accounting | This course is an introduction to the accounting cycle and the construction of financial statements. Students explore the fundamental principles and practices of financial accounting as outlined by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP); the steps in the accounting cycle from journalizing transactions through the preparation of financial statements; and the use and interpretation of the balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows. Prerequisite: MAT-134 or equivalent college algebra course. | 4 |
| MGT-240 | Introduction to Management | This introductory course deals with management and the basic management processes and functions. It focuses on real-world management situations concerned with planning, organizing, leading, and controlling, the work of the organization. | 4 |
| BIT-200 | Introduction to Computer Technology | This course provides the foundation of core knowledge within the field of information technology. Topics include technology-centric organizations, the type and role of fundamental information technology systems, data management to include privacy and security, e-business and m-business, hardware, software, and computer networks. | 4 |
| ACC-350 | Managerial Accounting | This course is an introduction to the use of managerial accounting data in the decision-making process. Topics include the use of cost-volume-profit (CVP) analysis and relevant costs in decision making, using budgets and the balanced scorecard to evaluate performance, methods for setting prices of products and services, and analyzing capital investment opportunities. Prerequisite: ACC-250. | 4 |
| BUS-352 | Business Statistics | This course provides an introduction to the practical application of descriptive and inferential statistics in business. Topics include probability, probability distributions, the central limit theorem, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, correlation, and regression. Prerequisite: MAT-134 or equivalent college algebra course. | 4 |
| FIN-350 | Fundamentals of Business Finance | This course is a general survey of financial institutions, the Federal Reserve System, the qualities of a sound monetary system, the theory and value of money, deposit insurance, and foreign exchange. Prerequisites: ECN-220, ACC-250, and MAT-134 or equivalent college algebra course. | 4 |
| SYM-400 | Introduction to Database Structures | This course examines the design, development, implementation, and maintenance of relational database structures, including coverage of contemporary programming languages, processes, and database algorithms. Emphasis is on appropriate application and implementation. Prerequisite: BIT-200. | 4 |
| SYM-405 | Business Programming | This course focuses on the analysis of business problems to design and implement the software component of an information system. Emphasis is placed on structured design and programming. This course includes an introduction to visual programming languages. Prerequisite: BIT-200. | 4 |
| BIT-415 | IT Project Management | This course examines information technology project management. Topics include the reasons why IT projects fail, the business cost of IT failure, managing IT teams, outsourcing, virtual teams, scope definition, project scheduling, risk mitigation, and leading successful projects. Additional topics focus on using project management to build an analytics organization. Prerequisite: BIT-200. | 4 |
| BIT-417 | IT Governance and Ethics | This course examines the role of governance and ethics within information technology. Topics include understanding and satisfying Sarbanes/Oxley, preparing for an information technology audit, complying with government regulations such as HIPAA, and understanding data-privacy issues. Students examine real-world case studies. Prerequisite: BIT-200. | 4 |
| BIT-430 | Introduction to Business Analytics | This course examines current business intelligence practices and tools. Topics include creating an intelligent data-driven company, the role of decision-management tools, information silo busting, and design techniques for information dashboards. This course also introduces the key aspects of conducting business analytics using Microsoft Excel‛s Advanced features. Students examine real-world case studies. Prerequisites: BIT-200 and BUS-352. | 4 |
| BIT-435 | Advanced Business Analytics | This course examines key aspects of predictive analytics by combining both information technologies and modeling techniques to extract meaning from similar and/or dissimilar organizational data. The course covers the use of quantitative techniques to translate business data into business intelligence. The key focus of the course is how to leverage information technology to build predictive models for making tactical and strategic business decisions. Prerequisites: BIT-200, BIT-430, and BUS-352. | 4 |
| BIT-440 | Web Analytics | This course examines how to leverage web analytics to ascertain website effectiveness with a specific focus on how to track, capture, analyze, and decipher website traffic. Topics related to SEI (search engine optimization) are also covered. Prerequisites: BIT-200 and BIT-430. | 4 |
| BIT-450 | Current Topics in IT and Business Intelligence | This course examines current IT and business intelligence topics in order to assist students in their development as IT professionals. Concepts are taught in the context of project management, database structures, programming, business analytics, and IT governance and ethics. Prerequisites: BIT 200, SYM 400, SYM 405, BIT 415, BIT 417, BIT 430, BIT 435, and senior status. | 4 |
| BUS-485 | Strategic Management | This is a capstone course in business and management that includes the gradual development of a comprehensive and integrative business plan. This course is designed to assist students in their development as managers, servant leaders, and successful strategic thinkers. Management, marketing, accounting, finance, economics, global perspectives, law, and political issues are covered during this course. It is a writing-intensive course that will help students develop competencies such as critical thinking, effective communication, leadership, and global awareness. Prerequisites: FIN-350, MGT-240, MKT-245, and senior status. | 4 |
| Required Course Total Credit: | 68 | ||
| General Education Requirements: | 34 - 40 credits |
| Courses: | 68 credits |
| Open Elective Credits: | 12 - 18 credits |
| Total Degree Requirements: | 120 credits |
This program is offered in the following formats or locations:
Enjoy Grand Canyon University's traditional campus experience. Nestled on over 90 acres in the heart of Phoenix, over 6,500 students live and attend class on the GCU campus. New modern classrooms, suite style dorms and a focus on creating a rich student life make GCU a top choice for high school graduates.
An online education allows you the flexibility to fulfill your educational goals without distracting you from your career. Full-time faculty members support our online students while our dynamic tools allow for engaging and challenging discussions with classmates. Classes start every month.
Program Disclosure
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* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.
Grand Canyon University © 2012 - All Rights Reserved. GCU is an accredited university founded in 1949. We are a Christian university and offer online degree programs and campus based classes. As a private university in Arizona, GCU has six colleges offering business degree programs including an Executive MBA, health science degrees, liberal arts degrees, doctorate degrees, nursing programs, and teaching programs. Our Performing Arts College offers fine arts and production degree programs. GCU is a military friendly school and offers military tuition rates.
