Business Integrative Concentration

The integrative concentration consists of a minimum of 5 full courses (or the equivalent), 1 experiential component, and a learning portfolio.

Note: Students must earn minimum grades of C- or P for all courses that apply toward the integrative concentration.

The integrative concentration in business allows both Arts & Sciences and Conservatory students to combine core business management and financial skills with their liberal arts major or conservatory specialization. It provides students with foundational knowledge and skills to prepare them for internships and jobs in business, as well as in a variety of careers, from the music and entertainment industries, to entrepreneurship, to government and non-profit sectors. Oberlin’s design for business education focuses on integrating academic courses and real-world experience within a guided educational pathway.

Visit the Business webpage for more information.

Students wishing to complete the Business integrative concentration should consult with a member of the curricular committee, and complete the Integrative Concentration Add or Drop form.
The form requires the signature of Ron Cheung, the committee chair.

Download the Integrative Concentration Add or Drop form.

Summary of Requirements

BUSI 100 or BUSI 101 or BUSI 103
ECON 099
ECON 101
Minimum of One Ethics Course
Minimum of One Applied Course
Experiential Component
Learning Portfolio

Business Integrative Concentration Curricular Committee

Ron Cheung (chair)
Joyce Babyak
Laura Baudot
Tania Boster
John Duca
Cindy Frantz
Dana Hamdan
Eric Steggall

Business Integrative Concentration Course Lists and Requirements

Notes:

If a student is enrolled in or completed a course that is not listed below, they can petition the curricular committee to apply the course toward the integrative concentration.
Students should be aware that some of the below listed courses have prerequisites and should plan their schedules accordingly.

Ethics Courses

Return to the summary of requirements.

Applied Courses

Return to the summary of requirements.

Students complete the integrative concentration by choosing at least one course (four credits) that explores a specific business application. The following courses are organized by possible topics. This is not an exhaustive list of options. However, students wishing to propose alternative courses that befit their chosen focus within business must receive approval from the business integrative concentration curricular committee.

Note: Students interested in applying to business school will require additional courses in Math and Economics. Please consult with your business integrative concentration advisor if you are considering pursuing graduate studies in business. Students considering potential careers in international business are strongly encouraged to study a foreign language at Oberlin.

Finance and Technology Courses

Marketing and Promotion Courses

Arts and Non-profit Courses

Experiential Component

Return to the summary of requirements.

The experiential component provides students immersive and formative experiences in the world of business. Students can fulfill this requirement through a range of opportunities currently offered, including The Ashby Business Scholars program, LaunchU, and the Business, Finance and Consulting Career Community. Depending on the nature of the internships, students may also complete their required co-curricular experience through the Nonprofit and the Public Sector, Arts and Creative Professions, Science and Technology, and Music Leadership career communities. Additionally, students may identify internships independently secured that are vetted and found acceptable by the business integrative concentration curricular committee.

Learning Portfolio

Return to the summary of requirements.

Students will be required to maintain a learning portfolio which will include signature course work as well as pre- and post-internship reflection. The portfolio is designed to support students’ appreciation of business as an area of rich intellectual engagement, as well as, how to launch from college to career. Vital to this integration is the student’s understanding of how the range of skills acquired through liberal arts learning are transferable to the workplace. The integrative component will be overseen by the student’s faculty advisor for the concentration.