Studies in Business provide students with a foundational, comprehensive understanding of how organizations operate, make decisions, and manage resources. A general business degree, such as a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), covers core topics like management, marketing, finance, and accounting. However, most programs allow students to choose an area of specialization (also called a major or concentration) to focus their studies and career aspirations on a specific field.

Core Areas of Specialization in Business

Business degrees offer a wide array of specializations tailored to different career paths and interests. The most common and in-demand areas include:

1. Finance

  • Focus: Managing money, assets, and capital for individuals, businesses, and governments.
  • Key Topics: Financial analysis, investment banking, corporate finance, risk management, asset management, and financial modeling.
  • Career Paths: Financial Analyst, Financial Manager, Investment Banker, Financial Advisor, Risk Manager.

2. Accounting 

  • Focus: Measuring, processing, and communicating financial information about economic entities.
  • Key Topics: Financial reporting, auditing, taxation, cost accounting, and regulatory compliance.
  • Career Paths: Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Auditor, Tax Consultant, Financial Controller, Budget Analyst.

3. Marketing (and Advertising)

  • Focus: Understanding consumer behavior, promoting products/services, and creating/managing a brand's image to drive sales and growth.
  • Key Topics: Market research, digital marketing, advertising, brand management, consumer behavior, and marketing analytics.
  • Career Paths: Marketing Manager, Brand Manager, Market Research Analyst, Digital Marketing Specialist, Advertising Executive.

4. Human Resources (HR) Management

  • Focus: Managing the life-cycle of employees within an organization, from recruitment to offboarding.
  • Key Topics: Strategic planning, talent acquisition, training and development, employee relations, compensation and benefits, and labor law.
  • Career Paths: HR Manager, Talent Acquisition Specialist, Training and Development Manager, Employee Relations Consultant.

5. Business Management/Administration

  • Focus: Broadly understanding all functional areas of a business and developing leadership skills to oversee daily operations and achieve strategic goals.
  • Key Topics: Organizational behavior, strategic planning, decision-making, management principles, and business ethics.
  • Career Paths: General Manager, Operations Manager, Business Consultant, Management Analyst, Project Manager.

Other Important Business Specializations

Beyond the core fields, many programs offer concentrations that reflect the growing complexity and diversification of the global business environment:

  • Entrepreneurship: Focuses on developing the skills needed to start, finance, and run a new business, including business planning, venture financing, and innovation.
  • Supply Chain Management/Logistics: Involves the efficient planning and management of the flow of goods, services, and information from origin to consumption.
  • International Business: Focuses on the challenges and opportunities of conducting business across national borders, including global economics, international law, and cross-cultural management.
  • Business Analytics/Data Analytics: Uses data, statistical analysis, and modeling to improve business processes and inform decision-making, covering topics like data mining and data visualization.
  • Economics: Studies the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, providing a strong foundation for forecasting economic trends and policy analysis.
  • Healthcare Administration/Management: Applies business principles to manage the operations of healthcare systems, hospitals, and medical facilities.
  • Project Management: Teaches the processes and techniques for planning, executing, and closing projects effectively and efficiently.

 

ECO 104 Liberia Economy

This course provides a comprehensive analysis of the Liberian economy, tracing its historical development from the pre-independence era through the civil war and into the post-conflict reconstruction period. It will explore the structure of the economy, examining key sectors such as agriculture, mining, forestry, and services. The course will also critically assess major economic challenges, including high unemployment, poverty, infrastructure deficits, and external debt. Finally, students will analyze current economic policies and future prospects for sustainable and inclusive growth in Liberia.

ECO 101 Principles of Microeconomics

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental principles and concepts of microeconomics. Students will learn about how individual economic agents—consumers, firms, and resource owners—make decisions in the face of scarcity. We will explore topics such as supply and demand, elasticity, consumer choice theory, production and costs, market structures (perfect competition, monopoly, monopolistic competition, and oligopoly), and the role of government in the economy. The course aims to equip students with the analytical tools necessary to understand and evaluate real-world economic issues.

BUS 101 Introduction to Business

This course provides a comprehensive and engaging overview of the contemporary business world. It is designed to introduce students to the fundamental principles, functions, and dynamics of business operations. Key areas of study include the various forms of business ownership, the core functions of management (planning, organizing, leading, and controlling), marketing essentials, basic accounting and financial concepts, and the critical role of human resource management. Furthermore, the course will explore the significance of business ethics, social responsibility, and the challenges and opportunities presented by the global economic environment. This foundational course is essential for students intending to major in business and provides valuable insights for students of all disciplines into the organizations that shape our society.