2025 CURRICULUM
FROM THE FACULTY
"Successfully completing the SBI program is a wonderful way to let the world know that you are willing and able to take on challenges and that you are serious about creating the best future for yourself."
Jim Borden, PhD
Associate Professor of Accounting
Active Learning Curriculum
With an emphasis on innovation, creativity and active learning, the program is presented through interrelated courses, group projects and a unique professional development component. SBI courses simulate the interdisciplinary nature of business.
SBI ’25, conducted 100% online, is a full-time, accelerated 16-credit academic program, taught by VSB faculty and presented in 4 modules. Classes are held Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET, and include a three-hour morning session and a three-hour afternoon session, with breaks provided during each session, and an hour typically set aside for lunch. Course content will be delivered both synchronously and asynchronously.
Module 1
SBI 0099 – Excel (0 credits)
Provides a basic understanding of Excel functions along with financial and valuation models.
SBI 1000 – Professional Success (1 credit)
Career-related assessment and strategizing for identifying professional goals; skill-building for job/internship search; exposure to practicing professionals.
Note: This professional and success course is integrated throughout Modules 1 & 2.
SBI 1001 - Business Fundamentals (1 credit)
Explores the dynamic nature of business in a changing environment. Cross-functional approach to understanding business operations. Emphasis on purpose of business; how business vision is actualized. Utilizes action-learning, problem-solving approach.
SBI 1006 - Business Law Basics (1 credit)
Basic legal issues involved in the creation and operation of business organizations
Module 2
SBI 2005 - Applied Economics (3 credits)
Fulfills ECO 1001. Decision making of households, firms and the government with respect to the allocation of scarce resources. Topics include supply & demand, nature and characteristics of the U.S. economy, market structures, etc. Fulfills EC0 1001
OR
SBI 3145 - Managerial Economics (3 credits)
Use of economic concepts and tools to determine managerial strategies that efficiently allocate scarce resources within the firm to optimize the value of the firm. Pre-requisite ECO 1001.
SBI 3030 - Management Essentials (2 credits)
Introduction to organizational structures and functions; leading, planning, controlling, and problem-solving through effective utilization of and respect for human capital.
Module 3
SBI 2007 - Analytics and Info Technologies (2 credits)
Explore alignment of info technologies with business; focus on the acquisition of business data using info systems; gain meaningful insight on data using analytical tools.
SBI 3010 - Financial Accounting (2 credits)
Generally accepted accounting principles and both the creation and analysis of financial statements. Exposure to importance of accounting in making decisions including those related to business, investing, and financing.
Module 4
SBI 3020 - Introduction to Finance (2 credits) - Financial decision-making and firm value; topics include time value of money, bond valuation, measuring risk and return, stock valuation, the cost of capital, and capital budgeting.
SBI 3040 - Principles of Marketing (2 credits)
Strategic and applied introduction to how goods and services are developed, distributed, priced and communicated to meet consumer needs.
Additional Resources
In addition to the integrated curriculum, extracurricular resources are available to students throughout SBI – and beyond.
- The Clay Center at VSB: The Clay Center is VSB’s ‘one-stop-shop’ for a holistic array of student services, including academic advising, professional development programs, and the VSB Mentor Program.
- VSB Faculty Mentors: SBI students are welcome to speak with VSB faculty mentors concerning academic and career topics.
- Free Tutoring: This service is available to support classroom instruction for Financial Accounting and Principles of Finance.
- Gmelich Lab for Financial Markets: Students have access to VSB’s state-of-the-art financial research and teaching center where business theory and business practice connect!
- Bloomberg Certification: Through the Gmelich Lab for Financial Markets, SBI students have access to Bloomberg terminals and on-site certification.
