Bachelor of Science in Management

You'll learn from award-winning faculty with real-world professional experience who focus on what it takes to succeed in business. You can choose the major emphasis that best meets your professional goals.

Entrepreneurship and Social Responsibility

The entrepreneurship and social responsibility area offers you an education in business, focused on launching new ventures and fostering innovation and social impact within a corporate setting.

  • Cultivate your creative-thinking and decision-making skills.
  • Develop entrepreneurial practices for new and established organizations.
  • Advance your skills to develop and launch entrepreneurial and social ventures.

Program Highlights

Excellence

NIU was a finalist in the International Council for Small Business Award in Entrepreneurship Education Excellence for its program in social entrepreneurship (2016).

Experienced Faculty

All of our faculty have experience as entrepreneurs, and they bring that experience to their teaching to create engaging and relevant learning experiences.

Hands-on Experience

Entrepreneurship students start their own businesses as part of class to learn what it takes to launch and grow a business.

Internships

You'll gain valuable work experience through internships in startups and social ventures, in the summer and during the academic year.

Study Abroad Opportunities

The department supports study abroad in classes and over the summer.

Alumni Support and Networking

Over 800 alumni serve as mentors and coaches for our students, providing career guidance and support. In our entrepreneurship courses, guest entrepreneurs and coaches come to campus each semester to meet with students.

Student Organizations

The Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization and the Collegiate Association for Unreasonable Social Entrepreneurs are student organizations focused on entrepreneurship led by students passionate about entrepreneurship and social responsibility.

Careers

Graduates pursue a variety of career options, including business development, small business or franchise owner/management within a startup, growing new ventures in established organizations, and leadership and consulting roles. Graduates also pursue opportunities in nonprofit organizations and social ventures where they apply their management skills to important social issues.

What do our alumni say?

“The management program provided the perfect framework to develop my entrepreneurial interests, and it creates opportunities that may have not otherwise been available in my life and career.” (JD, director of strategic partnerships)

“As a transfer student, the department was extremely welcoming. The professors were always there to help me when I needed it and offered any guidance they could. They were approachable and truly cared about the students!” (SO, consultant)

Human Resource Management

With a curriculum recognized by the Society for Human Resource Management, our program provides you with a broad background in key areas of human resource management, including training and development, recruiting and staffing, compensation and benefits, HR information systems, and employment law.

  • Develop expertise in the key areas of human resource management
  • Cultivate decision-making skills
  • Advance your skills in problem-solving, relationship building, communication and professional development.

Program Highlights

Excellence

Our curriculum is recognized by the Society for Human Resource Management professional organizations as a model curriculum because it addresses all the key areas of the field.

Internships

You'll gain valuable work experience through internships in HR in small and large organizations.

Alumni Support and Networking

Alumni serve as mentors and coaches for every student, providing career guidance and support. Over 100 speakers come to campus each semester to meet with students.

Student Organizations

Our Society for Human Resource Management Student Chapter has been named one of the nation’s strongest student chapters.

Careers

NIU graduates enter careers in a wide range of HR generalist and specialist positions, as well as executive team leader or manager in training in global, midsize, startup or nonprofit organizations.

Job titles from some of our recent graduates include:

  • Staffing specialist
  • Survey and organizational development specialist
  • Compensation analyst
  • Trainer
  • Leadership development specialist
  • HR administrator
  • Employment relations manager
  • Recruiter
  • Manager in training

What do our alumni say?

“My instructors at NIU prepared me for a career in HR. The classes gave me experience for the real-world situations that I would encounter. When I left NIU, I could immediately make an impact in my job. I am grateful that the curriculum at NIU prepared me so well.” (KH, human resource generalist)

“Throughout my time as a student in the management program at NIU, I was mentored by multiple professionals who I still stay in touch with to this day. The mentor-mentee relationships, advice and real-world experience have helped me become the work professional I am today. I am so thankful for the well-rounded education that the program provided me, from my time as both a student and active member of the SHRM program.” (MR, director of recruiting operations)

Leadership and Management

You'll explore the art and science of leading, motivating and supervising individuals, groups and organizations. You'll learn how to lead from day one of your career.

  • Cultivate your leadership and management skills
  • Develop an understanding of the critical areas of leadership, management and negotiation
  • Advance your skills in problem-solving, relationship building, communication and professional development

Program Highlights

Excellence

NIU’s award-winning faculty bring their real-world experience to the classroom.

Tailor Your Studies

The curriculum enables you to pursue electives for specializing your leadership skills in your personal areas of interest.

Internships

You'll gain valuable work experience through internships in small and large organizations.

Alumni Support and Networking

Alumni serve as mentors and coaches for every student, providing career guidance and support. Over 100 speakers visit campus each semester to meet with students.

Student Organizations

We offer five student organizations.

Careers

NIU graduates enter careers that call upon their broad-based skills in managing action, information, and people in for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Recent graduates with an emphasis in leadership and management have taken many positions after graduation, including:

  • Executive team leader
  • Manager in training
  • Consultant
  • Business analyst
  • Sales strategist
  • Client service specialist
  • Global intelligence analyst
  • Technology coordinator

What do our alumni say?

"The program provided so many opportunities that helped shape who I am today. It honed my work ethic and confidence as a leader – recognized qualities that have built my brand in my current role and continue to contribute to my successes. Some of my most memorable and valuable experiences are the connections and access I had (and still have) with my professors, the student-led and extracurricular activities and the direct access to professionals.” (BB, alumnus)

Retention Requirements

If you're admitted to NIU, you can declare a major in management. However, to continue as a management major and enroll in 300- or 400-level management courses required by the major, you must meet the following criteria.

  • You must complete MGMT 335, FINA 320, MKTG 310 and OMIS 338 with a C or better grade.
  • You must submit a completed transcript review form to the Department of Management during the semester in which you're enrolled in MGMT 335. This form is separate from the NIU admission form and is available in the Department of Management office or online. You are responsible for providing all transcript information to the Office of Registration and Records.
    • Completed forms must be submitted by the deadline to:
      • The Department of Management
        Northern Illinois University
        DeKalb, IL 60115
        Fax: 815-753-6198
  • You must meet the cumulative GPA requirement set by the Department of Management to enroll in required 300- and-400 level courses. With a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher, students who complete the transcript review process and meet prerequisites will be able to enroll.
  • Meeting the department requirements to be retained as a management major does not declare your major. You must declare your major in the Undergraduate Studies in Business Office in Barsema Hall 201.

Degree Requirements

Transfer Path

Testimonial

As a first-generation college student who came from a hard-working Hispanic household, I always knew that I wanted to achieve something that my family hadn’t yet accomplished — to graduate from a four-year university like NIU. Here, I successfully graduated cum laude with a B.S. in human resource management, and received a professional selling certificate. Through earning accomplishments and managing obstacles at NIU, I uncovered my true passion for helping people.
Edwyn Alaniz ’23
NIU Management Alumnus
Client Sales Trainee, Echo Global Logistics
Back to top