Business Administration Major
At Salve Regina University, our bachelor’s degree in business administration provides students with the tools needed to succeed in all areas of business. We offer a broad range of accounting, finance, marketing and management courses that prepare you to launch your career in the business world, run a business or go on to pursue a higher academic degree in the field, such as the MBA.
It’s very important to us to give students sound academic advice, of course, but we also want to help them with sound career advice. Our job is to help the students find their way in the world.
Dr. Myra Edelstein, associate professor
From Wall Street to Main Street – Develop the Skills You Need to Succeed
We equip students with the critical thinking, problem solving, communication and leadership skills necessary for success in diverse business environments. All majors receive intensive guidance from dedicated faculty, who tailor each student’s education to their unique interests, talents and passions. Our students gain knowledge they can readily apply in the workforce as entrepreneurs, managers or supervisors.
What Sets Salve Apart
Data gathered through surveys and profile information shows that of business administration majors who responded, 100% are employed and/or enrolled in graduate programs six months after graduating.
Accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, the Jean and David W. Wallace Department of Business and Economics prepares students for careers in today's highly competitive global business environment.
The Salve Compass
Connecting college to career, the Salve Compass program ensures that every student has the skills and knowledge to succeed in the job market. Innovative programming such as the Summer Compass provides unique opportunities for interdisciplinary experiences that enable students to collaborate with faculty and immerse themselves in our vibrant Newport community.
Enhance Your Experience
Our many study abroad opportunities include the popular summer experience in Oxford, England. Over the course of four weeks, undergraduate students fulfill course requirements or electives with classes like European Financial Markets and Currency. Graduate students may also apply to participate in the European Financial Markets course and enroll in a directed study toward the completion of the MBA or master’s degree in organizational transformation and leadership.
Alumni Making Waves
Brandon Grover '24
Business administration major
“I loved the real-world application that was brought in the classroom. The professors here do a great job in gearing their activities to replicate something we will see once we begin our careers after Salve.”
Jordan Elster '19
Founder, The Foundation Group
“I believe the key to anyone’s success is directly correlated to their ability to communicate effectively with others and build relationships with them. ‘Your network is your net worth’ is one of my favorite sayings and something I have focused on throughout my professional career. The faculty in the business department played a pivotal role in nurturing my entrepreneurial spirit, helping guide me to where I am today.”
Heather Higgins '17, '18 (MBA)
Business planning manager, TJX Companies, Inc.
“Salve opened the door to career connections and taught me valuable skills. I was exposed to financial management, accounting, banking and business communications courses that taught me about topics I am exposed to on a regular basis. The research, projects and presentations for my classes have become part of my daily life and I am grateful to have had this exposure prior to beginning my job.”
Career Paths in Business Administration
Salve graduates are qualified to enter the workforce as managers and leaders in many areas, including:
- Banking: Banks, credit unions, savings and loan associations, wholesale lenders, investments, Federal Reserve banks
- Consulting: Research assistant, research associate, business analyst
- Education: Recruitment, advising, registrar, alumni, finance
- Finance: Accounting, auditing, financial analyst, budget analyst, personal financial advisor, buyer
- Government: Local, state and federal offices, military contractors and installations
- Human resource management: Retail stores, restaurants, hotels and other facilities, health care organizations, labor unions, educational institutions
- Insurance: Insurance firms, insurance brokers, analysts
- Management: Hotels, restaurants, spas, athletic facilities, retail stores, operations, production, banks
- Nonprofit: Management, assistants in education, medical facilities and associations (such as the American Heart Association), visiting nurse home care, social enterprises (Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCAs), museums, theaters, environmental organizations and more
- Real estate: Appraisal firms, apartment and condominium complexes, leasing offices, developers
- Sales: Manufacturers, financial companies, insurance companies, software and technology
- Sports: Sales, media, marketing, management
Our graduates work in a variety of organizations, including:
- Acadian Asset Management
- BankNewport
- Brown Brothers Harriman
- Citizens Bank
- CVS Health
- MassMutual Financial Group
- Naval Undersea Warfare Center
- Partners HealthCare
- Schneider Electric
- State Street Corporation
- UBS Financial Services
- VMware
Degree Options
Bachelor of Science in business administration
Business and economics core requirements provide students with a comprehensive foundation in key business disciplines, ensuring they develop essential knowledge and skills applicable across all sectors. Required for all Bachelor of Science majors within the department – including accounting, business administration, business economics, finance, global business and economics, healthcare administration and marketing – these courses cover critical areas such as financial and managerial accounting, macroeconomics, business management, communications, financial management, marketing, business ethics, business law, strategy, statistics and business analytics. This structure offers the flexibility to change majors or add minors without losing progress, empowering students to tailor their education to their evolving interests and professional goals.
Minor in business administration
Salve's business administration minor provides a comprehensive foundation in fundamental business concepts that complements a wide range of academic disciplines.
Meet Our Business Administration Faculty
With a dedication to mentoring and collaboration within the context of Salve’s mercy mission, our faculty help students to discover their strengths and explore a variety of career options.
Dr. Melissa Varao
- Director, Business and Economics
- Chair, Business and Economics
Dr. Jennifer Bonoff
- Assistant professor
Lorrie Burns
- Lecturer
Carmel Coughlan
- Senior lecturer
Dr. Myra Edelstein
- Associate professor
Thomas Flanagan
- Associate professor
Dr. Bonnie Kennedy
- Assistant professor
- Assistant chair, Business and Economics
Dr. Luis Lopez-Preciado
- Assistant professor
Rita Marcotte
- Lecturer
Paul McKillop
- Senior lecturer
Dr. Arlene Nicholas
- Professor
Shelly Nicholas
- Lecturer
Samuel Sacco
- Senior lecturer
Dr. Teresa Starzecki
- Assistant professor
- Graduate program coordinator
Dr. Adam Witham
- Assistant professor
