Business Management Major Specializations

Bachelors of Science in Business Management Specializations

Customize Your Business Education to Fit Your Career Goals

Tailor Your Degree with a Business Specialization

Specializations are designed to help students customize their business education by focusing on a particular discipline aligned with their professional goals. Concentrated coursework builds deeper knowledge, practical skills, and career-focused insight, helping students graduate with a clear direction and a competitive advantage in the business world.

Students can also choose to specialize in one of four business areas: accounting, finance, marketing, or operations management.

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SUNY Stony Brook University College of Business Master of Science in Accounting and Analytics Student in Class

Specialize Your Business Degree

Focus Areas Within the Business Management Major

Accounting

Students who specialize in accounting will typically have the following attributes: Strong analytical & quantitative skills, organized & structured, ability to multi-task, client-oriented.

Career areas include staff accountancy, general ledger management, accounts payable, accounts receivable, internal audit, tax examination, and revenue officer (IRS), just to name a few.

Finance

Students who specialize in finance will typically have the following attributes: Strong quantitative, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Career areas include stock broker, financial analyst, currency trader, mutual fund administrator, investment banker, commercial banking, portfolio analyst, corporate finance, financial planning, insurance, money management, and real estate, just to name a few.

Marketing

Students who specialize in marketing will typically have the following attributes: Good verbal and written skills, creativity, ability to handle ambiguity, strong analytical skills, people skills.

Career areas include marketing management, public relations, distribution, sales, promotion, product management, new product development, business development, and marketing research, just to name a few.

Operations Management

Students who specialize in operations will typically have the following attributes: Strong analytical skills, efficient, goal-oriented, logical, detail-oriented, enjoys management, strong quantitative skills.

Career areas include manufacturing, banking & financial operations, business systems analysis, logistics, and retail management, buying & planning, just to name a few.

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College of Business Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Specializations

Your Business Management Specialization Questions, Answered

You should consider waiting until after you have taken all of your fundamental classes (Principles of Marketing, Principles of Finance, Financial Accounting, and Operations Management); however, students should also pay close attention to course sequence requirements. It is suggested to meet with your College of Business advisor to plan this out.
Yes, you can take the courses for two specializations, as long as you give yourself enough time to complete the requirements. Your specializations will appear on your transcript after graduation, but not on your degree. Please be advised, a course cannot be used to fulfill two areas of specialization.
Yes, you can subsequently change a specialization. However, it is recommended that you do not change your specialization during your senior year. If you do, it may be difficult to complete the necessary course requirements, since not all specialization courses are offered every academic year. If you change your specialization, you must complete a new declaration form.
With the approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies, transfer courses can be applied to the area of specialization that you select. However, no more than 6 credits may be counted toward a specialization area.

Have More Questions?

We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions for applicants. If you need academic guidance and assistance with the application process, reach out to our Office of Student Services (OSS). For questions about which graduate program is the best for you, please contact us to schedule a meeting with our graduate admissions and advising team.