Bachelor Degree in Business Administration

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration curriculum provides a broad, professional foundation in all functional areas of business. Students follow a structured, organic core curriculum that introduces them to the various functions (marketing, finance, operations, accounting) of business, provides them with the quantitative tools (statistics, computer science, economics, decision science) necessary to understand and interpret data, and introduces them to prevailing management theories and paradigms as well as issues related to legal and ethical concerns in the business arena. Upper level courses incorporate case analyses, group projects and creative problem solving. All students take the capstone course, Strategic Management, in their last spring semester, which is a dynamic, seminar-style, case-based application of the tools and concepts acquired in the first three years of study.

The program has an international focus with many opportunities for students to explore the social and cultural ramifications of operating in the global economy. The nature of the student body complements the international flavor of the program. AUR Business students represent more than 30 different countries. The program promotes a work ethic that prepares students for working in diverse multi-cultural environments. Interdisciplinary learning opportunities allow students to understand how different worldviews can affect the functioning of business.

Professor Fitzsimmons is one of AUR's most experienced professors, and brings a wealth of knowledge and insight from her previous high-profile career in consumer products and publishing. She is an American academic and manager with extensive experience in business and academia, and 25+ years in Italy. She is known as a high-energy, creative team-builder and project manager. Known for her student focus, Professor Fitzsimmons has created a number of programs in her 20 years at AUR, to provide opportunities for students, including the AURA study abroad program, the Emory Honors Exchange, the AUR Business Club, AUR Ambassador Program, AUR Campus Girl Scouts, consulting projects with local organizations and the series of Business Field Studies.

Professor Fitsimmons applies her experience and expertise in strategy to AUR's ongoing development, writing the University’s first strategic plan, chairing the Strategic Planning Committee, contributing to the Middle States Accreditation process and overseeing the University’s first external program review.