Commerce, B.S.
Economics and Finance
615-898-5117
Sean Salter, program coordinator
Sean.Salter@mtsu.edu
The Bachelor of Science in Commerce follows the University's general requirements for baccalaureate degrees and requires a minimum 2.00 inclusive GPA. Appropriate prior learning assessment credit and/or military education credit may count for a maximum of 24 semester hours toward the degree.
This includes a built-in Business Administration minor; however, a minor is not required for this major. Another minor may be chosen, but it may require total hours for graduation to exceed 120.
Academic Map
Following is a printable, suggested four-year schedule of courses:
Commerce, B.S., Academic Map
Degree Requirements
| General Education | 41 hours |
| Common Body of Knowledge | 31 hours* |
| Business Electives | 24 hours |
| Electives | 24-27 hours |
| TOTAL | 120 hours |
*This program requires courses that can also fulfill requirements of the General Education curriculum. If program requirements are also used to fulfill General Education requirements, the number of elective hours will increase.
General Education (41 hours)
General Education requirements (shown in curricular listings below) include courses in Communication, History, Humanities and/or Fine Arts, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social/Behavioral Sciences.
The following course required by the program meets General Education requirements:
Commerce Common Body of Knowledge (31 hours)
All students must complete the Commerce Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) which requires 31 hours.
ACTG 3000 - Survey of Accounting for General Business
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: A college-level math course; ENGL 1010; sophomore standing. Accounting cycle given minor emphasis; financial statement analysis and managerial uses of accounting given major emphasis. May be used for general business minors or M.B.A. candidates who have had no previous accounting courses. (Not open to Accounting majors and students with credit in ACTG 2110 and ACTG 2120.)
BLAW 3400 - Legal Environment of Business
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing. Legal rights and potential liabilities of business persons. Presentation of the dynamic nature of law in responding to the changing social, ethical, political, regulatory, and international environment. Includes the development and nature of the legal system; business crimes; the law of torts and product liability; constitutional limitations on regulatory powers; legislative, judicial, and administrative control of business activity through the laws of business organizations, securities regulations, antitrust laws, employment laws, labor and safety laws, and consumer protection.
BUS 4000 - Senior Seminar in Commerce
1 credit hour
(taken last semester)(must be taken last semester)
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title:(taken last semester)
(must be taken last semester)
BUS 4000 - Senior Seminar in Commerce
1 credit hour
Prerequisites: Must be taken in the final semester of the B.S. in Commerce program. A capstone course involving creative, critical, ethical, and logical problem solving in business context; synthesis of knowledge of major business disciplines; relationships between internal and external business factors; communication as it relates to the business environment; and professionalism. Restricted to B.S. in Commerce majors only.
FIN 3010 - Principles of Corporate Finance
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing. Theory of corporate finance, emphasizing wealth creation, valuation, risk, capital budgeting, and cost of capital.
INFS 3100 - Principles of Management Information Systems
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing. Focuses on information systems within organizations. Addresses how information technology (IT) supports business operations and management. Topics include strategic uses of IT, business intelligence, databases, decision support, artificial intelligence, e-business, systems development, IT infrastructure, security emerging trends and inherent social, ethical, and legal considerations. Excel spreadsheet design and data analysis for decision making key components.
MGMT 3610 - Principles of Management
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing. Concepts of the management functions of planning, organizing, and controlling with an emphasis on behavioral science concepts as applied to managing people in organizations.
MKT 3820 - Principles of Marketing
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing. Survey of the functions, processes, and institutions involved in the distribution of consumer and industrial goods and services. Decision making in marketing management introduced.
BIA 3620 - Introduction to Business Analytics
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: BIA 2610 or MATH 1530, junior standing. Introduces the concepts and application of data analytics in business. Spreadsheet software and associated analytic tools utilized to visualize, model, and analyze business data using a hands-on-approach.
ECON 2410 - Principles of Economics, Macroeconomics
3 credit hours
As an aid to understanding modern economic society: economic concepts of national income and its fluctuations, inflation, unemployment, role of the banking system, monetary and fiscal policies, and international topics.
ECON 2420 - Principles of Economics, Microeconomics
3 credit hours
(may be counted in General Education)(may be counted in General Education)
dotslash:(may be counted in General Education)
title:(may be counted in General Education)
(may be counted in General Education)
ECON 2420 - Principles of Economics, Microeconomics
3 credit hours
As an aid to understanding modern economic society: economic concepts of consumer and firm behavior; the pricing of goods, services, and productive factors; international topics; and an overview of the American economy.
Statistics (3 hours)
BIA 2610 - Statistical Methods
3 credit hours
The application of collecting, summarizing, and analyzing data to make business decisions. Topics include measures of central tendency, variation, probability theory, point and interval estimation, correlation and regression. Computer applications emphasized.
MATH 1530 - Applied Statistics
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Two years of high school algebra and a Math Enhanced ACT 19 or greater or equivalent. Descriptive statistics, probability, and statistical inference. The inference unit covers means, proportions, and variances for one and two samples, and topics from one-way ANOVA, regression and correlation analysis, chi-square analysis, and nonparametrics. TBR Common Course: MATH 1530
- Equivalent 3 credit hours
Communication for Commerce (3 hours)
BCED 3510 - Business Communication
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing. (Keyboarding skills helpful.) A review of the theory and processes in oral and written business communication. Emphasis on the extensive functions of written and electronic communications.
BUS 3000 - The Dale Carnegie Course
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Junior standing and major in the Jones College of Business. Uses the proven content and design of The Dale Carnegie Course(R), which includes lecture, in-class activities, reflective exercises, and interactive experiences. Helps students develop self confidence and leadership ability; strengthen ability to relate to and to motivate others; enhance ability to communicate effectively, reduce stress, and present a positive attitude. A Dale Carnegie(R) certificate of completion is a requirement for earning a passing grade (D- or better [0.67 or higher]). May not be audited. Must be taken for a grade.
MGMT 3620 - Supply Chain Operations
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing. Focuses on the integration between supply chain operations strategies/decisions and their impact on other business functions in an organization. Examines operations management concepts using a global supply chain perspective. Covers topics such as inventory management, lean/just in time, project management, and supply-demand matching. Overarching goal of using supply chain operations strategies to develop a business competitive advantage reinforced. This is a writing-intensive course.
Business Electives (24 hours)
All students must complete 24 semester hours of business elective courses (chosen from courses with ACTG, BCED, BIA, BLAW, BUS, ECON, ENTR, FIN, INFS, LEAD, MGMT, or MKT prefixes). At least 18 of these 24 semester hours must be upper-division hours. A student may not count more than 6 semester hours from any one academic discipline, and a student may not count more than 12 semester hours from any one academic department.
General Electives (24 hours)
All students must complete 24 semester hours of general elective courses, which may include business and/or non-business courses. PRST 3010 may be used to satisfy 3 of the required 24 semester hours.
Curriculum: Commerce
Curricular listings include General Education requirements in Communication, History, Humanities and/or Fine Arts, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social/Behavioral Sciences categories.
Freshman Fall
ENGL 1010 - Expository Writing
3 credit hours
The first General Education English course. Emphasis on learning to adapt composing processes to a variety of expository and analytic writing assignments. Minimum grade of C- required to meet degree requirements.
- Mathematics (Math) 3 credit hours
- Natural Sciences 4 credit hours
- Social/Behavioral Sciences 3 credit hours
- Elective 3 credit hours
Subtotal: 16 Hours
Freshman Spring
ENGL 1020 - Research and Argumentative Writing
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: ENGL 1010. The second General Education English course. Emphasis on analytic and argumentative writing and on locating, organizing, and using library resource materials in the writing. Minimum grade of C- required to meet degree requirements.
COMM 2200 - Fundamentals of Communication
3 credit hours
Introduces principles and processes of effective public oral communication including researching, critical thinking, organizing, presenting, listening, and using appropriate language. Counts as part of the General Education Communication requirement. TBR Common Course: COMM 2025
- Natural Sciences 4 credit hours
- Social/Behavioral Sciences 3 credit hours
- Elective 3 credit hours
Subtotal: 16 Hours
Sophomore Fall
ENGL 2020 - Themes in Literature and Culture
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: ENGL 1010 and ENGL 1020. Traces a specific theme or idea through a number of literary texts that reflect different historical and cultural contexts. Subject will vary.
ENGL 2030 - The Experience of Literature
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: ENGL 1010 and ENGL 1020. The reading of a variety of literary types which illuminate themes and experiences common to human existence.
HUM 2610 - World Literatures
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: ENGL 1010 and ENGL 1020. Representative works of French, German, and Hispanic authors in English translation. No foreign-language proficiency required. Carries General Education credit.
HIST 2010 - Survey of United States History I
3 credit hours
Survey of the political, economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic phases of American life in its regional, national, and international aspects. Discusses the era from the beginning to 1877. May be used to satisfy one part of the General Education History requirement. HIST 2010 is NOT a prerequisite for HIST 2020. TBR Common Course: HIST 2010
HIST 2020 - Survey of United States History II
3 credit hours
Survey of the political, economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic phases of American life in its regional, national, and international aspects. Discusses the era from 1877 to the present. May be used to satisfy one part of the the General Education History requirement. HIST 2010 is NOT a prerequisite for HIST 2020. TBR Common Course: HIST 2020
HIST 2030 - Tennessee History
3 credit hours
The role of the state in the development of the nation. May be used to satisfy one part of the General Education History requirement. TBR Common Course: HIST 2030
HIST 2040 - Survey African American History I
3 credit hours
The role of African Americans in establishing and shaping the American nation. Covers their historical development and contributions to American art, music, literature, and religion. May be used to satisfy one part of the General Education History requirement.
NOTE: HIST 2040 is not a prerequisite for HIST 2050.
HIST 2050 - Survey African American History II
3 credit hours
The role of African Americans in shaping the American nation and creating a twentieth-century racial identity. Covers their historical development and examines their contributions to American art, music, literature, and religion. May be used to satisfy one part of the General Education History requirement.
ECON 2410 - Principles of Economics, Macroeconomics
3 credit hours
As an aid to understanding modern economic society: economic concepts of national income and its fluctuations, inflation, unemployment, role of the banking system, monetary and fiscal policies, and international topics.
ECON 2420 - Principles of Economics, Microeconomics
3 credit hours
As an aid to understanding modern economic society: economic concepts of consumer and firm behavior; the pricing of goods, services, and productive factors; international topics; and an overview of the American economy.
- Humanities and/or Fine Arts 3 credit hours
- Elective 3 credit hours
Subtotal: 15 Hours
Sophomore Spring
BIA 2610 - Statistical Methods
3 credit hours
The application of collecting, summarizing, and analyzing data to make business decisions. Topics include measures of central tendency, variation, probability theory, point and interval estimation, correlation and regression. Computer applications emphasized.
MATH 1530 - Applied Statistics
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Two years of high school algebra and a Math Enhanced ACT 19 or greater or equivalent. Descriptive statistics, probability, and statistical inference. The inference unit covers means, proportions, and variances for one and two samples, and topics from one-way ANOVA, regression and correlation analysis, chi-square analysis, and nonparametrics. TBR Common Course: MATH 1530
- Equivalent statistics course 3 credit hours
HIST 2010 - Survey of United States History I
3 credit hours
Survey of the political, economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic phases of American life in its regional, national, and international aspects. Discusses the era from the beginning to 1877. May be used to satisfy one part of the General Education History requirement. HIST 2010 is NOT a prerequisite for HIST 2020. TBR Common Course: HIST 2010
HIST 2020 - Survey of United States History II
3 credit hours
Survey of the political, economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic phases of American life in its regional, national, and international aspects. Discusses the era from 1877 to the present. May be used to satisfy one part of the the General Education History requirement. HIST 2010 is NOT a prerequisite for HIST 2020. TBR Common Course: HIST 2020
HIST 2030 - Tennessee History
3 credit hours
The role of the state in the development of the nation. May be used to satisfy one part of the General Education History requirement. TBR Common Course: HIST 2030
HIST 2040 - Survey African American History I
3 credit hours
The role of African Americans in establishing and shaping the American nation. Covers their historical development and contributions to American art, music, literature, and religion. May be used to satisfy one part of the General Education History requirement.
NOTE: HIST 2040 is not a prerequisite for HIST 2050.
HIST 2050 - Survey African American History II
3 credit hours
The role of African Americans in shaping the American nation and creating a twentieth-century racial identity. Covers their historical development and examines their contributions to American art, music, literature, and religion. May be used to satisfy one part of the General Education History requirement.
- Electives 6 credit hours
- Humanities and/or Fine Arts 3 credit hours
Subtotal: 15 Hours
Junior Fall
ACTG 3000 - Survey of Accounting for General Business
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: A college-level math course; ENGL 1010; sophomore standing. Accounting cycle given minor emphasis; financial statement analysis and managerial uses of accounting given major emphasis. May be used for general business minors or M.B.A. candidates who have had no previous accounting courses. (Not open to Accounting majors and students with credit in ACTG 2110 and ACTG 2120.)
FIN 3010 - Principles of Corporate Finance
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing. Theory of corporate finance, emphasizing wealth creation, valuation, risk, capital budgeting, and cost of capital.
INFS 3100 - Principles of Management Information Systems
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing. Focuses on information systems within organizations. Addresses how information technology (IT) supports business operations and management. Topics include strategic uses of IT, business intelligence, databases, decision support, artificial intelligence, e-business, systems development, IT infrastructure, security emerging trends and inherent social, ethical, and legal considerations. Excel spreadsheet design and data analysis for decision making key components.
BIA 3620 - Introduction to Business Analytics
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: BIA 2610 or MATH 1530, junior standing. Introduces the concepts and application of data analytics in business. Spreadsheet software and associated analytic tools utilized to visualize, model, and analyze business data using a hands-on-approach.
BCED 3510 - Business Communication
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing. (Keyboarding skills helpful.) A review of the theory and processes in oral and written business communication. Emphasis on the extensive functions of written and electronic communications.
BUS 3000 - The Dale Carnegie Course
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Junior standing and major in the Jones College of Business. Uses the proven content and design of The Dale Carnegie Course(R), which includes lecture, in-class activities, reflective exercises, and interactive experiences. Helps students develop self confidence and leadership ability; strengthen ability to relate to and to motivate others; enhance ability to communicate effectively, reduce stress, and present a positive attitude. A Dale Carnegie(R) certificate of completion is a requirement for earning a passing grade (D- or better [0.67 or higher]). May not be audited. Must be taken for a grade.
MGMT 3620 - Supply Chain Operations
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing. Focuses on the integration between supply chain operations strategies/decisions and their impact on other business functions in an organization. Examines operations management concepts using a global supply chain perspective. Covers topics such as inventory management, lean/just in time, project management, and supply-demand matching. Overarching goal of using supply chain operations strategies to develop a business competitive advantage reinforced. This is a writing-intensive course.
Subtotal: 15 Hours
Junior Spring
BLAW 3400 - Legal Environment of Business
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing. Legal rights and potential liabilities of business persons. Presentation of the dynamic nature of law in responding to the changing social, ethical, political, regulatory, and international environment. Includes the development and nature of the legal system; business crimes; the law of torts and product liability; constitutional limitations on regulatory powers; legislative, judicial, and administrative control of business activity through the laws of business organizations, securities regulations, antitrust laws, employment laws, labor and safety laws, and consumer protection.
MGMT 3610 - Principles of Management
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing. Concepts of the management functions of planning, organizing, and controlling with an emphasis on behavioral science concepts as applied to managing people in organizations.
MKT 3820 - Principles of Marketing
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing. Survey of the functions, processes, and institutions involved in the distribution of consumer and industrial goods and services. Decision making in marketing management introduced.
- Business electives 6 credit hours
Subtotal: 15 Hours
Senior Fall
PRST 3010 - Prior Learning Assessment
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: ENGL 1010 and ENGL 1020 or equivalent; permission of instructor. Students will be required to prepare a portfolio of their college-level experiential learning for credit assessment; participate in a formal assessment process, and pass course PRST 3010. Students should consult their advisors to determine if experiential learning credit might be an option for them. Prior-Learning Assessed credit may be applied to the B.S. in Integrated Studies, Professional Studies, and Liberal Studies. PLA credit may also be applied to other degree programs. Check with your college advisor.
- Elective 3 credit hours
- Upper-division business electives 9 credit hours
Subtotal: 15 Hours
Senior Spring
BUS 4000 - Senior Seminar in Commerce
1 credit hour
Prerequisites: Must be taken in the final semester of the B.S. in Commerce program. A capstone course involving creative, critical, ethical, and logical problem solving in business context; synthesis of knowledge of major business disciplines; relationships between internal and external business factors; communication as it relates to the business environment; and professionalism. Restricted to B.S. in Commerce majors only.
- Elective 3 credit hours
- Upper-division business electives 9 credit hours
Subtotal: 13 Hours
