Undergraduate Business Programs

Explore the “Language of Business” at RIC! The accounting major provides an excellent background for careers in accounting and management. It combines theoretical and practical applications to prepare students for in-demand positions. Our distinguished faculty have practical and academic experience, and work to develop students’ technical and critical thinking skills throughout the curriculum. Depending on the accounting courses taken, a student may qualify for an examination leading to certification in the accounting field (i.e. Certified Public Accountant, Certified Management Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor). 

A number of course modalities, including in person, hybrid, and online formats are available, increasing accessibility for those presently in the workforce. Students may also choose from among several specialized electives to support their intended career path. Discover Accounting ranked our accounting program #37 on its list of 101 Most Affordable Accounting Schools Nationwide and Study.com ranked us #32 on its 2021 list of Best Degrees in Accounting.

Economics is a quantitative, policy-oriented social science which studies human behavior. Economic principles describe the process through which societies use scarce resources to achieve goals and predict the consequences of changes in those processes. This field includes the study of theoretical models; understanding the behavior of consumers, businesses, and policy-making institutions; and data analysis. While the study of economics can lead to many interesting career choices in finance, banking, law, government and technology fields, the discipline increasingly offers many more potential career paths.

The economics curriculum is designed to build on theoretical foundations of economics and applications of theory to diverse topics. The flexibility of the curriculum allows students to double-major or minor in other disciplines. Small class sizes enable elevated levels of student-faculty interactions. Students gain exposure to research by producing a senior thesis, a requirement for graduation.

This program helps students develop a firm understanding of theoretical and practical issues in finance and guides them to become competent in using the quantitative tools of modern finance coupled with analytical thinking that lead to sound financial decisions. Finance is dynamic, exciting, and spans a wide array of applications ranging from personal finance decisions, such as those involving student loans and mortgages; to corporate finance decisions, such as project analysis and mergers; to investment decisions, such as valuation of securities and portfolio management. RIC finance graduates are equipped to excel in this vast spectrum.

Rhode Island College gives you the opportunity to earn a top-notch finance degree from an IACBE accredited, CFA Institute Affiliated, and Bloomberg Experiential Learning Partner institution with faculty who bring professional experience and practical relevance to the classroom, all at an affordable tuition.

The B.S. in Health Care Administration (HCA) provides baccalaureate-level education and training for students considering careers in the health care industry. The program is specifically targeted for those pursuing supervisory and entry-level management positions and/or preparation for graduate education. The program represents a unique collaboration between the School of Business ​and the Zvart Onanian School of Nursing with significant contributions from the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and the Feinstein School of Education and Human Development.

The HCA major also incorporates an internship and an integrative capstone experience. For their restricted electives, students are offered choices within gerontology, human resource management, informatics, management foundations, and wellness. There is also a minor in HCA.

The International Business minor creates an opportunity for students not only to choose an interdisciplinary business program, but also one that focuses on the global nature of business in the current age. With this minor you will have the opportunity to reach beyond your individual disciplines and gain further understanding of the multidisciplinary nature of business, enabling you to communicate better with colleagues in other functional areas and have better mobility within these areas.

Students pursuing this minor will also develop appreciation of the value of cultural awareness and sensitivity, and the critical importance of diversity in a global business environment, while being equipped with appropriate communication methods and decision-making tools that are used in the various business disciplines in the global context. The minor in International Business will allow students to become better prepared to handle global issues in their respective careers while at the same time making them more attractive candidates in the job market.

This program is specifically targeted for those pursuing entry-level business positions. Course work emphasizes an understanding of the behavioral and technical aspects of business. Through a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, students achieve mastery of quantitative and qualitative approaches to the field, so they may be promoted into management or move on to graduate education, such as an M.B.A. The program represents a collaboration among all departments within the School of Business, plus courses in math and Computer Information Systems.

Our 76-credit bachelor’s degree in management is rigorous and thorough. In addition to management core courses, students choose a concentration in either General Management, Human Resource Management or Operations Management. Students also get an opportunity to incorporate an internship and membership into professional associations such as the Association for Supply Chain Management (APICS), Society for Human Resource Management or the National Society of Leadership and Success into their experience.

The marketing program teaches students qualitative and quantitative skills that transfer to successful careers in the profit and nonprofit sectors. Creativity, one of the main skills desired by businesses and organizations, is incorporated throughout the major. Interpersonal and intrapersonal knowledge is developed through individual and team-related projects. Attention is directed toward the development of strong communicative skills. Emphasis is placed upon effective decision making and ethical awareness. We seek to ensure that graduates demonstrate understanding of how organizational facets interact with marketing for successful outcomes. 

The marketing program at Rhode Island College offers one of the best value degrees in the country. Faculty are highly knowledgeable and sensitive to students’ needs.  Students grasp current concepts and technology within small class sizes, making it easy to engage their professors and classmates. Professors are readily available to mentor students seeking additional assistance.