Department of Business

A business degree equips you with versatile skills that open doors to careers in virtually any industry. Graduates often pursue roles in finance, accounting, financial planning, marketing, human resources, entrepreneurship, data analytics, and more. Specific opportunities include positions as financial analysts, accountants, investment advisors, or business consultants.

Many also find success in nonprofit organizations, government agencies, startups, and even healthcare organizations, where business expertise is applied to management, operations, and financial planning. At Bethel, our focus on ethical leadership and critical thinking prepares you not just for your first job, but for a fulfilling career where you can make a meaningful impact.

You’ll find a range of business majors, emphases, and minors that allow you to tailor your degree to your interests and career goals. Popular options include:

• Accounting: Prepare for careers in auditing, tax preparation, financial reporting, and corporate accounting while developing skills for ethical and effective financial decision-making.
• Accounting and finance: Focus on financial reporting, budgeting, and investment analysis.
• Actuarial science and finance: Combine math and business to manage financial risk.
• Analysis and analytics: Dive into processes for data-driven decision-making.
• Marketing: Develop strategies in market research, advertising, and consumer behavior.
• Innovation and entrepreneurship: Learn to create and manage new business ventures.
• Managing organizations and human resource management: Study organizational behavior and talent management.
• Business and political science: Explore intersections between business strategy and public policy.
• Social media: Build expertise in digital marketing and online engagement strategies.

These specializations equip you with in-depth knowledge and skills in your chosen area, ensuring you’re ready to excel in your career.

Business courses emphasize strategic thinking, ethical decision-making, project management, and effective communication—all essential skills for leading in complex and dynamic environments.

At Bethel, leadership is not just about managing others—it’s about serving with integrity and inspiring those around you to reach their full potential. Programs like the Royals Investment Fund—where students are managing millions in investments on behalf of Thrivent Financial—and the Chartered Financial Analyst Challenge provide opportunities to lead and collaborate on real-world projects, helping you apply classroom learning to practical scenarios.

Bethel’s focus on faith-driven leadership encourages students to view their roles through a lens of service and purpose. Whether managing a team, launching a business, or contributing to community initiatives, you’ll be equipped to lead with humility, integrity, and a commitment to making a positive impact. Our graduates go on to manage teams, lead organizations, and inspire change in industries ranging from finance and marketing to nonprofit and healthcare.

Great internships align with your emphasis or career interests and help you gain relevant, hands-on experience. For example, accounting majors might intern with auditing or financial services firms, marketing majors could join advertising agencies, and those studying innovation and entrepreneurship may work at startups. And internships provide valuable experience and help students establish professional connections with industry leaders. 

At Bethel, internships are a cornerstone of the business department. In fact, 100% of students gain real-world experience through at least one internship at a business or organization in the Twin Cities and beyond. These opportunities allow you to apply lessons from your business undergraduate classes in real-world settings, make a tangible impact, and take a critical step toward your career.

In recent years, Bethel business students have interned with notable organizations such as:

• Best Buy
• Deloitte, LLP
• General Mills
• Honeywell
• KARE 11
• Minnesota Twins
• Target
• UnitedHealth Group
• US Bank
• Wells Fargo

Yes! Study abroad programs are designed to complement your business education by providing hands-on learning opportunities that expand your perspective and enhance your career readiness. 

Nearly half of Bethel students study abroad during their time here. With access to over 600 study abroad options worldwide, you can immerse yourself in global markets, experience international business practices firsthand, and develop the cultural competency necessary for today’s interconnected world​​. Whether you’re exploring the innovative business hubs of Europe, the dynamic markets of Asia, or other vibrant economic regions, you’ll gain invaluable insights and skills​​.

Business programs emphasize hands-on learning to prepare students for the professional world. You’ll have opportunities to connect with industry professionals, apply classroom concepts, and gain real-world experience through projects, mentorship, and activities.

You’ll find opportunities like:

• Working with clients on capstone projects
• Preparing tax returns for individuals and families in need
• Managing real investments through student-led funds like the Royals Investment Fund
• Working on campus as a teaching assistant (TA)
• Participating in clubs and activities like the Chartered Financial Analyst Challenge and the Innovation Scholars program

Joining Bethel’s vibrant business community means you won’t study or start your career alone. Through organizations like BBEA and BethelBiz, you’ll build a professional network, find mentorship, and collaborate with classmates and industry leaders.

A business degree develops a robust and versatile skill set designed to prepare you for diverse roles in the business world. Core skills include:

• Analytical and critical thinking: Evaluate complex situations and develop innovative solutions.
• Problem-solving and decision-making: Tackle challenges with strategic approaches and sound judgment.
• Effective communication and teamwork: Collaborate with diverse teams and communicate ideas clearly.
• Leadership and project management: Lead initiatives, manage projects, and inspire teams toward success.
• Financial literacy and investment acumen: Master techniques like financial modeling, risk analysis, and tax preparation.
• Data analysis and strategic thinking: Use advanced tools and methods to interpret data and drive informed decisions.
• Marketing and sales expertise: Build skills in consumer behavior, social media, SEO, and marketing strategy.
• Ethical reasoning and global perspective: Navigate business challenges with integrity while understanding international markets and strategies.

Certifications such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP), and Project Management Professional (PMP) complement a business degree and enhance your credentials. Bethel’s coursework aligns with the foundational knowledge needed for many of these certifications, giving you a head start on pursuing them.

A business degree serves as a launching pad for advanced studies and career growth in a variety of fields. Business graduates often pursue further education in:

• Business administration (MBA): Deepen your expertise in leadership, strategy, and management to take on executive roles.
• Finance: Specialize in investment management, corporate finance, or financial engineering.
• Marketing: Explore advanced techniques in digital marketing, consumer behavior, and brand strategy.
• Human resources: Focus on organizational development, talent acquisition, and workforce planning.
• Data analytics: Master the use of data-driven insights for decision-making and business innovation.
• Organizational leadership: Study advanced leadership principles to guide teams and organizations effectively.

For those interested in academia or research, Bethel also prepares students to pursue Ph.D. programs in business or related fields, enabling them to contribute to academic scholarship or teach the next generation of business leaders.