Business School Majors

Aboriginal Business Studies

The Aboriginal Business Studies Major focuses on developing the skills and understanding needed to do business in a multi-cultural context with First Nations people. Economic and community development in partnership with Aboriginal peoples both on and off reserve is explored in order to learn how to develop long-lasting, mutually beneficial business relationships. (Note: Only available at Asper School of Business - University of Manitoba)

Typical Careers: Aboriginal Relations Officer, Band Management, Economic Development Officer, Community Development Worker, Specialized Consultant.

Accounting

Accounting is a field concerned with the measurement and management of wealth and the impact of financial transactions in business. A diverse and dynamic field, good accounting allows management to make good decisions that help maximize business success. By studying accounting, students gain the knowledge and professional judgement needed to determine the best ways to communicate financial information.

Typical Careers: Financial Accountant, Managerial Accountant, Consultant, Auditor, Banker, Treasurer

Actuarial Mathematics

Actuarial Mathematics is the field of study concerned with solving real life financial problems that have future uncertainty with various mathematical disciplines; primarily probability, statistics, and risk theory. (Note: Only available at Asper School of Business - University of Manitoba)

Typical Careers: Insurer, pension and employee benefits consultant, educator and researcher, Banker

Aviation & Operations Management

Combining management and business skills with commercial flight training, Aviation and Operations Management is a ground breaking program designed specifically for students looking to work in the aviation industry. (Note: Only available at University of New Brunswick)

Typical Careers: Aviation Manager, Pilot, Entrepreneur

Business Economics & Law

Business Economics and Law allows students to explore how the economic and legal aspects of organizations combine to create the operating environment of business firms. The major prepares students to work in areas that require an understanding of the economic environment and legal aspects of business. The major also prepares students who wish to further their studies in law, management, or other related fields. (Note: Only available at Alberta School of Business - University of Alberta)

Typical Careers: Legal Assistant, Manager, Policy Analyst

Computer Science

With technology being a fast-paced and fast-growing field, the knowledge in how to properly manage firms in the computer science industry as well as understanding the various ins and outs of the science is extremely valuable. In today's society some of the largest and most successful companies in the world are technology based. Mixing the fields of Computer Science and Business will lead students into an ever-changing field with lots of excitement and challenges. The field is perfect for those wishing to mix technology with business. (Note: Computer Science alone is available as a non-business option in many universities)

Typical Careers: IT Services, IT Services Manager, Entrepreneur

E-Commerce

A growing amount of people are beginning to do a lot of their shopping from the comfort of their own homes via the internet and other electronic services. E-Commerce gives you the skills and understanding to work in the field of online transactions and business communication through the internet.

Typical Careers: Business Systems Analysis, Web Development, Entrepreneur, Consultant

Economics

Economics is a field that analyzes market forces and how they affect individuals, business firms, society, and the world in general. Economics is a varied and diverse field split primarily between looking at smaller pieces of an economy or the economy as a whole. The field of economics is definitely one for those who want a wide variety of career options in both business and government sectors as well as local and international sectors. (Note: Also available as a non-business major in many universities throughout Canada)

Typical Careers: Economist, Analyst, Economic Development, Government, Banker

Energy Management

The Energy Management major provides students with basic concepts, principles, and information for managing energy operations. This major combines energy development and management to give students the skills needed to work in the energy industry or in related government fields. (Note: Only available at Haskayne School of Business - University of Calgary)

Typical Careers: Commodities Analyst, Project Management, Manager

Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is about taking calculated risks and trying to understand the way the small business sector in Canada works. Through this major you will learn the skills necessary to make the critical business decisions and how to identify the key requirements needed to be a successful entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of the economy and studying entrepreneurship allows you to understand what it takes to be one.

Typical Careers: Entrepreneur, Family Business Owner, Small Business Manager

Finance

Finance is about raising money (financing) and about properly spending money (investing) and studying the best ways to do both. Every decision in business has some sort of financial impact and understanding finance allows students to understand each of these impacts. As with accounting, people skilled in finance are crucial to an organization's success. Large scale companies usually have entire divisions that focus on finance and usually have Financial Officers in some of their highest and most crucial positions, with the Chief Financial Officer in one of the highest positions in the company.

Typical Careers: Banker, Financial Analyst, Financial Planner, Financial Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Band Management

General Management

People skilled in the principles of management are useful in any business setting. Students who focus purely on management are able to adapt their skills into a wide variety of fields and industries. Through this field you can discover what type of management field best suits you.

Typical Careers: Manager, Band Management

Health Science Management

This major is designed to help health practitioners better lead and manage an ever-evolving health care system. Students in this major study the trends and innovations in health care and learn managerial skills specific to the health care industry. (Note: Only available at Ted Rogers School of Management - Ryerson University)

Typical Careers: Health Services Manager, Health Canada, Band Health Department Manager

Human Resources

People are the backbone of any organization and the most important thing to its success. Majors in Human Resources learn how organizations manage, promote, find, train, and compensate valuable skilled workers. Good human resources lead to effective workers and overall business success.

Typical Careers: Human Resource Specialist, Labour Negotiator, Union-Management Relations Specialist, Consultant

Indigenous Nations & Organizations

This major allows you to study the various ways that Aboriginal culture and management co-exist. Students in this area focus on looking at tackling social issues within communities with emphasis on social barriers to education. Indigenous Nations and Organizations prepares students to work together with their own communities.

Typical Careers: Band Management, Band Education Department Manager, Education Worker

International Business

With increasing globalization, students skilled in cross-cultural management and various business practices around the world are becoming more important to companies that have international operations. Students in International Business study a wide variety of fields combining multiple aspects of business with an international aspect. Developing fluency in another language and learning how to overcome challenges that arise in International Business are essential to a student's success.

Typical Careers: Any field or industry involved with international activities

Leadership & Management

This major focuses on the study of leadership and leadership theory and it its applications in management and organizations. Effective leaders lead to effective organizations, the leadership major prepares students for leading roles in any management setting.

Typical Careers: Band Management, Economic Development Officer, Manager

Legal Studies

Today’s managers and professionals are constantly faced with decisions that have legal implications. Smart businesspeople arm themselves with the information required for seeking and understanding legal advice. (Note: Also available as a non-business major in many universities, Management option only available at Shannon School Business - Cape Breton University)

Typical Careers: Legal Assistant, Policy Analyst

Management Information Systems

In today's society computer's are everywhere, business is no exception. Management Information Systems deals with how organizations and individuals use computers and computer systems and how to utilize them in effective and beneficial ways. MIS or IS is an exciting field for those who like to work with people and computers.

Typical Careers: Business Analyst, Systems Manager, IT Services Manager

Management of Organization

Management of Organization looks at the various tools and ways of managing that successful managers utilize. Students look at how managers plan, organize, and direct the work of themselves and others, as well as, how they can effectively lead and communicate with their workers to motivate them in order to increase business efficiency.

Typical Careers: Manager, Band Management, Consultant

Management Science

Management Science concerns itself with studying the design, control, and improvement of business process used to create products and/or provide services to others. Students must also learn about and be aware of environment changes in business and how to properly adapt and change to shifts while maintaining business stability and keeping competitive advantages.

Typical Careers: Manager, Analyst, Database Manager

Marketing

Product, price, place, promotion - the marketing mix, an important part of consumer marketing. Marketing surrounds our daily lives, with companies trying to create relationships with customers in the hopes that they buy their product or service. However, marketing is more than mere advertising, which is only one part of marketing. Students who study marketing enrich themselves in an extremely diverse field that no matter what your interests lie there is a place in marketing for you to work.

Typical Careers: Marketing Research, Advertising Management, Public Relations, Purchaser, Management

Natural Resource, Energy, & the Environment

Studying Natural Resource, Energy, & the Environment is a unique opportunity to develop specific and focused knowledge of resource, energy, environmental issues, and industries. With an increasing push towards “green” technologies, understanding the relationship between energy, resources and the environment in management contexts can lead to vibrant and interesting fields in the energy and resource sector.

Typical Careers: Environmental Analyst, Research Analyst, Environment Officer

Non-Profit Management

Many business students are interested in using their business skills and knowledge to address social issues in Canada and globally. Non-Profit is a growing section of the Canadian economy, with a need for managers skilled in the operations and conduct of Non-Profit organizations in order to drive success. Non-Profit Management allows you to apply your skills to a variety of topics focused on poverty reduction, international development, health, arts and culture, human rights and other community and social issues.

Typical Careers: Any business-related job in the non-profit sector

Operations Management

At the very basic level, Operations Management focuses on managing the operations of an organization. Operations Management focuses on examining, improving, and developing new and innovative ways of operating business processes, systems, and resources needed to create products and services.

Typical Careers: Production Supervisor, Department/Plant Manager, Operations Manager in a wide variety of service fields

Organizational Behaviour

Organizational behaviour focuses on the roles of people, groups, and divisions in an organization and how they interact to create work environments that lead to successful businesses by combining organizational efficiency with management policies towards its employees.

Typical Careers: Human Resources, HR Policy Analyst, Consultant

Petroleum Land Management

With increasing development in the Alberta oil sands and oil and gas sector in general, Petroleum Land Management prepares graduates for careers in the Canadian oil and gas industry. (Note: Only available at Haskayne School of Business - University of Calgary)

Typical Careers: Consultant, Analyst, Junior Landman

Political Science

Political Science is the study of government, society, and political behaviours. Political science looks at political conflicts, how leaders are chosen, governmental decisions, creation of laws and policies, as well as, how political figures interact with one another and how they come to their decisions. (Note: Political Science also offered as a non-business option in many universities throughout Canada, business major option only available at University of Lethbridge)

Typical Careers: Political Advising, Campaign Management, Public Administration, Social Services Management

Public Sector Management

Students in this major learn how to use management skills and practices for the good of society. Students who graduate with the major are readily prepared for careers at all levels of government that will let them apply their management skills.

Typical Careers: Band Manager, Public Administration

Quantitative Management Techniques

Students learn techniques of operations research and resources management and their applications in decision making in business contexts. Students in the major look at various mathematical models, networking, probability, inventory models and simulations for managerial decisions. (Note: Only available at HEC Montreal - Universte de Montreal)

Typical Careers: Statistical Analyst, Operations Research, Database Analyst

Responsible Business/Social Responsibility

Social Responsibility and Responsible business management has quickly become a forefront in Western Business. As more businesses push towards being socially responsible, openings develop for people skilled in the study of Corporate Social Responsibility and dealing business in responsible ways. Responsible Business/Social Responsibility majors allow students to work in a variety of different fields and economic sectors. Studying in this area prepares students as future leaders ready to meet the ever changing world of business and its push towards ethical, responsible ways of doing business.

Typical Careers: Corporate Social Responsibility Specialist, Community Relations, Non-Profit Program Director

Risk Management & Insurance

Risk Management and Insurance involves the identification and evaluation of risk and minimizing or recovering loss and creating effective ways to pay off debts. Students in this field learn skills that will help them in jobs that save businesses from potentially damaging and unpredictable losses. Without people in this area, businesses would lose large amounts of money every year.

Typical Careers: Risk Analyst, Financial Planner, Banker, Insurer

Strategic Management

Strategic Management deals with making decisions that affect the entire business and looking at ways of improving the overall business as opposes to individual aspects. This major provides students with the knowledge to create and implement a wide variety of effective strategies to achieve the desired effects for the business.

Typical Careers: Strategic Planner, Analyst, Business Developer

Supply Chain Management

Supply Chain Management is concerned with the management of the flow of products, services and information from suppliers, through production to the final customer. Every business must source or deliver bundles of goods and services. Students learn how to properly manage domestic and global supply chains.

Typical Careers: Logistician, Consultant, Analyst, Purchaser

Tourism & Hospitality

Tourism and Hospitality combines management skills with professional knowledge from the field of tourism. Students who study tourism and hospitality can find themselves working a an array of different areas from conference centres and hotels to travel trade and tourist services.

Typical Careers: Hotel General Manager, Research Analyst, Public Relations