Salem State University Courses & Fees

The analytics and management science concentration, formerly known as operations and decision sciences (ODS), involves the formal study and application of analytics and other quantitative techniques to data driven decision making. It is best of breed, employing highly developed methods and advanced tools to deliver analytical power that leads to better outcomes. Students learn data analysis and business intelligence skills that provide them the ability to define a business challenge and discover the most effective options while assessing and minimizing risk. These techniques include the intelligent use of data and mathematical models to form strategic insights that enable better business decisions and improved business performance.

The courses in this concentration introduce the descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytical techniques that form the foundation for making decisions in today's complex, uncertain, and increasingly competitive business environment. This concentration is a STEM concentration that meets the requirements of Business Analytics (CIP Code: 30.7012) and Management Science (CIP Code: 52.1301)

The Corporate Finance - Accounting concentration is a cross-functional program designed to prepare students for the rapidly evolving world of corporate finance. Students in this concentration acquire a broad understanding of both accounting and financial concepts. They learn to conduct detailed accounting entries, business valuation, risk analysis, cash and working capital management, long-term financial planning, and financial statement analysis. This program equips students to succeed in corporate accounting and financial management careers where they need both a solid background in finance and a thorough understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

The entrepreneurship concentration provides students with the required skills and knowledge to create a successful business venture as either an owner or a key player within the firm. Coursework includes small business management, business plan development, strategic planning, accounting, finance, and marketing. Students will gain broad exposure to local small businesses and will have the opportunity for hands-on learning through field experiences, internships, and participation in the university’s Center for Entrepreneurship, and Small Business Development Center.

The Finance Concentration provides students with a broad understanding of financial concepts and equips them with analytical, critical thinking, and decision-making tools. Students concentrating in finance learn to conduct investment analysis, stocks and bonds valuation, business valuation, currency risk and hedging analysis, cash and working capital management, and long-term financial planning. The program prepares students to pursue financial management careers in domestic and multinational corporations and financial institutions.

The hospitality management concentration prepares students for leadership and administrative roles in the hospitality and travel industry. Through practical and academic coursework, students will gain the knowledge and skills required for a wide range of career options including hotel operations, food and beverage management, meetings and events management, casino operations, human resources management, marketing, and data analysis. Students will also take advantage of our popular historic location by participating in field experiences and internships provided by our many hospitality industry business partnerships.

The human resources management concentration prepares students to take a leadership role in creating healthy and productive work environments. Coursework provides intensive training in areas such as recruiting, hiring, training, conflict management, benefits management, strategic planning, and employment law.

The information and data science concentration, formerly known as management information systems (MIS) involves the application of  information technologies to solve business problems and explore opportunities. Students acquire foundational knowledge to enable business innovation in emerging areas such as digital platforms, big data, cloud computing, e-commerce, data analytics, and artificial intelligence. Students will develop technical skills in project management, data science, IT networks, cybersecurity, IT systems analysis and design. 

Students learn to integrate technology into various business functions, change business processes, and create competitive advantages and value for the business. If you are interested about information technology, interested in business, and enjoy using technology to solve problems and better people’s lives, then Data and Information Science is the right concentration for you. This concentration is a STEM concentration that meets the requirements of Information Science (CIP Code: 11.0401) or Data Science (CIP Code: 30.7001)

The international business concentration prepares students for leadership positions in multi-national corporations with

specific coursework to help them capitalize on the opportunities provided by a global business landscape. The curriculum includes a rich and varied program of study with liberal arts and multi-cultural components along with intensive training in the functional areas of business. Students can also apply foreign language and study abroad credits toward completion of their program.

The management concentration is a general course of study for students who aspire to supervisory positions, employment in corporations, or a knowledge of business administration. Students may choose more advanced studies in the upper division courses such as organizational behavior, international business, small business management, human resource management, labor/management relations, leadership, employment law, seminars on current topics, and interpersonal relations for managers. Students are encouraged to pursue internships that complement their course of study.

The marketing concentration provides students with the opportunity to develop the creative and data driven decision-making skills and knowledge needed to deliver products and services that are responsive to the evolving needs of customers. The concentration includes a liberal arts foundation, a common body of core business courses, and additional courses in specialized areas of marketing. Marketing majors can, by carefully choosing their courses, develop an expertise in areas such as consumer behavior, marketing research, international marketing advertising, retailing, digital marketing and integrated marketing communications.  

The sustainable tourism education program at Salem State University has been certified by the United Nations - World Tourism Organization, an award granted to only eight other colleges in North America. This program will open students' eyes to new ideas and open the employment door to new career path opportunities. Students will examine current trends in travel and tourism, and will delve into exploring the social, cultural and environmental issues surrounding tourism. Courses will cover topical areas such as: Sustainability; Using tourism for economic development; Marketing tourism; International perspectives on tourism; Impacts of travel; Understanding local tourism initiatives; Special events; Ecotourism; and Recreation.

The Bertolon School of Business Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is designed to prepare students to manage, lead, and compete in today’s marketplace. We utilize research, technology, experiential exercises, case studies, and fieldwork to provide students with an integrative understanding of the global economic environment. Students can take electives in a variety of areas including accounting, financial planning, business, marketing, management information systems, and operations. We also offer a graduate certificate in business, which may be applied toward an MBA degree for qualified applicants.

Earn a degree in information technology, one of the most popular and in-demand fields of study. IT professionals work anywhere from small businesses to multi-national corporations in a huge variety of roles, from testing security to developing websites to installing computer networks. Learn about computer networks, databases, security, and web systems in small classes with leading faculty.

Information Technology (IT) is amongst the most popular and in-demand fields of study. As long as technology stays, the information technology field will always be in demand. Let’s try to understand the importance of having a degree in this field.  

The bachelor of arts (BA) in biology exposes students to a broad background in the discipline including required courses in chemistry. Students need to complete 12 credits in a foreign language and do not need to complete a year of Physics. The general program provides each student with a solid foundation in all areas of the biological sciences and the training to enter the workforce, continue with graduate study in biology, or enter a post-baccalaureate program in one of the health professions.

The bachelor of science (BS) in biology exposes students to a broad background in the discipline including required courses in chemistry and physics. Students complete a strong, general series of biology and support courses which allows pursuit of a wide variety of careers such as professional work (physician, dentist, veterinarian), governmental work, (EPA, National Fisheries), field work (oceanographer, wildlife specialist), high school teaching, industrial or clinical research, aquaculture, etc.

Many biology majors continue into graduate programs in a specialized subfield. It is the goal of the department to provide solid biology degrees that expose students to all areas of biology while allowing each student flexibility when entering the job market.

If they wish, students may select one of the specialized options offered under the bachelor of science in biology major including biomedical science, biotechnology, environmental biology, and marine biology and aquaculture.

Learn more about the BS in Biology.

The bachelor of science (BS) in biology exposes students to a broad background in the discipline including required courses in chemistry and physics. Students complete a strong, general series of biology and support courses which allows pursuit of a wide variety of careers such as professional work (physician, dentist, veterinarian), governmental work, (EPA, National Fisheries), field work (oceanographer, wildlife specialist), high school teaching, industrial or clinical research, aquaculture, etc.

Many biology majors continue into graduate programs in a specialized subfield. It is the goal of the department to provide solid biology degrees that expose students to all areas of biology while allowing each student flexibility when entering the job market.

If they wish, students may select one of the specialized options offered under the bachelor of science in biology major including biomedical science, biotechnology, environmental biology, and marine biology and aquaculture.

The biomedical science option supports students who are interested in pursuing a career in the human health fields. This specialized option allows for flexibility in course selection, so students interested in a variety of health fields can be equally accommodated. Course choices include Human Anatomy, General Physiology, Immunology, Neuroanatomy and Endocrinology.

The bachelor of science (BS) in biology exposes students to a broad background in the discipline including required courses in chemistry and physics. Students complete a strong, general series of biology and support courses which allows pursuit of a wide variety of careers such as professional work (physician, dentist, veterinarian), governmental work, (EPA, National Fisheries), field work (oceanographer, wildlife specialist), high school teaching, industrial or clinical research, aquaculture, etc.

Many biology majors continue into graduate programs in a specialized subfield. It is the goal of the department to provide solid biology degrees that expose students to all areas of biology while allowing each student flexibility when entering the job market.

If they wish, students may select one of the specialized options offered under the bachelor of science in biology major including biomedical science, biotechnology, environmental biology, and marine biology and aquaculture.

The biotechnology option provides the theoretical and practical skills needed in the study of cell and molecular biology and to enter the biotech industry. The Methods in Biotechnology course is required as well as a choice of courses including Microbiology and it’s Applications, Molecular Biology and Biological Chemistry. A choice of support courses allows the student to explore different applications such as chemistry and bioinformatics in greater depth.

The bachelor of science (BS) in biology exposes students to a broad background in the discipline including required courses in chemistry and physics. Students complete a strong, general series of biology and support courses which allows pursuit of a wide variety of careers such as professional work (physician, dentist, veterinarian), governmental work, (EPA, National Fisheries), field work (oceanographer, wildlife specialist), high school teaching, industrial or clinical research, aquaculture, etc.

Many biology majors continue into graduate programs in a specialized subfield. It is the goal of the department to provide solid biology degrees that expose students to all areas of biology while allowing each student flexibility when entering the job market.

If they wish, students may select one of the specialized options offered under the bachelor of science in biology major including biomedical science, biotechnology, environmental biology, and marine biology and aquaculture.

The environmental biology option includes courses in both Biology and other environmentally-related fields such as geology, geography, ethics, and the social sciences. Biology courses include Conservation Biology, Entomology, and General Ecology. Students in this option will have the opportunity to select courses that support their specific goals and interests, such as graduate school, working for government agencies, working for environmental non-profits, and more!

The bachelor of science (BS) in biology exposes students to a broad background in the discipline including required courses in chemistry and physics. Students complete a strong, general series of biology and support courses which allows pursuit of a wide variety of careers such as professional work (physician, dentist, veterinarian), governmental work, (EPA, National Fisheries), field work (oceanographer, wildlife specialist), high school teaching, industrial or clinical research, aquaculture, etc.

Many biology majors continue into graduate programs in a specialized subfield. It is the goal of the department to provide solid biology degrees that expose students to all areas of biology while allowing each student flexibility when entering the job market.

If they wish, students may select one of the specialized options offered under the bachelor of science in biology major including biomedical science, biotechnology, environmental biology, and marine biology and aquaculture.

The marine biology and aquaculture option provides opportunity for observations of marine organisms and their environment as well as the opportunity to focus on the controlled cultivation and harvest of aquatic plants and animals. Students in this option will take numerous courses at the Cat Cove Marine Laboratory and have the opportunity to conduct research there and the adjacent ocean and marshes of the North Shore. Courses include Invertebrate Zoology, Biological Oceanography, Fish Biology, Marine Botany and Introduction to Aquaculture.

The environmental sustainability concentration provides a foundation for understanding and creating solutions for local to global environmental problems in a manner which does not compromise future generations. The inter-disciplinary curriculum integrates perspectives from geography, biology, geology, political science as well as philosophy and economics. The curriculum focuses on not only learning about environmental issues, but provides problem-solving skills and technical geographic computer skills as well. Course work is supplemented by experiential learning for those who wish to explore internships, directed studies and study-abroad opportunities during their studies. Students completing this concentration will be prepared for graduate school or employment with environmental non-profits, corporations, and varies levels of government.