Introduction
Expand your knowledge beyond business management fundamentals and engage in the emerging field of social entrepreneurship. This concentration focuses on the idea that for-profit enterprises can also pursue social missions for the greater good. AULA’s Business and Social Entrepreneurship concentration is designed to help you develop the knowledge necessary for understanding and challenging the professions you will enter and lead.The diverse, interdisciplinary coursework encompasses a variety of perspectives from fields such as philosophy, psychology, and political theory so you can make informed, socially responsible business decisions.
Business & Social Entrepreneurship is offered as a major or minor area of concentration of the BA in Liberal Studies degree at AU Los Angeles.
Program Overview
Business professionals must meet the challenge of understanding the complex technological, social, political, ethical, and ecological issues in the global economy. Critical thinking and problem solving skills in broad interdisciplinary frameworks are essential. Issues of diversity in the workforce, economic and environmental sustainability, the changing role of capital in the global economy, the role of information and technology are among the topics to be addressed together with a critical appreciation of the role of people in organizations.
This concentration provides not only the fundamentals of knowledge for graduate study and a career path in business management, but also addresses social entrepreneurship, or for-profit enterprises that pursue a social mission. Interdisciplinary coursework in philosophy, psychology, and political theory is integrated with the theory and practice of socially responsible business management, making the curriculum relevant for traditional and social entrepreneurs, as well as for managers in small businesses, corporations, and public and non-profit organizations.
Degree Requirements
The Business and Social Entrepreneurship (BSE) concentration is available for undergraduate students pursuing a Liberal Studies degree as a major or minor area of concentration. Students must earn 40-80 units for a major area of concentration, and at least 20 units for a minor area of concentration; at least half of the major or minor should be upper division and include appropriately chosen core courses as recommended by the student’s advisor.
Coursework
The core curriculum serves as a guide to students in the concentration for establishing a strong foundation and the faculty strongly recommend that BSE students take as many of the core courses as possible during their enrollment.
Core Courses
- The Business of Social Change
- Transformative Forces: Case Studies in Social Entrepreneurship
- Social and Ethical Issues in Management
- Interpersonal Communications in the Workplace
- Small Group Process
- Principles of Marketing
Elective Courses & Workshops
- Nonprofit Management
- Nonprofit Advancement
- Social Media Marketing
- The Psychology of Leadership
For detailed curriculum and degree requirements, please visit the AULA catalog.
Admissions / Cost / Aid
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To promote the smooth transfer of credits from community colleges and other schools, we have articulation agreements with many local schools.
Students engage in internships to develop applied, hands-on learning and to network with community organizations and civic leaders who are making a difference in Los Angeles. View a list of partner organizations.