DO NOT DELETE THIS SECTION
Introduction to Business
BUS101 | 3 Credits
Introduction to Business gives you a look at how private enterprises work. You’ll learn the basics of things like bookkeeping, accounting, managing money, and other key business concepts.
Professor:
About Introduction to Business
What You’ll Learn
This course will help students become familiar with general business environments, including sub-disciplines of management, marketing, finance, accounting, and other competencies necessary for long-term success in today's business environment.
- Evaluate and contrast major economic systems in business throughout the world
- Describe the various legal forms of business ownership such as sole proprietorship, partnership, and corporation, the nature of each, the processes involved in creating each, and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
- Identify the functions of modern management in business organizations and how these functions are evolving in response to changes in the external and internal environments in technology, diversity, competition, and governmental regulations.
- Exhibit an understanding of the marketing function and describe the concepts and processes involved in designing product strategy, promotional strategy, distribution strategy, and pricing strategy.
- Review how past trends are repeated in the present and what those trends mean for tomorrow's graduates.
- Define the type of corporate mergers and explain the role they play in the different business settings today.
- Demonstrate the importance of business ethics and social responsibility to the long-term success of businesses and society's well-being.
StraighterLine Courses Include:
-
Self-paced workload
-
Digital Textbooks
-
Transcript Delivery
-
Grade Improvement Opportunities
-
Interactive Modules
-
Video Lessons
-
24/7 Tutoring & Support
-
Access on Desktop and Mobile
Transfer Credit in 3 Easy Steps
Pick Your Course & Enroll
Getting started is simple — no applications, waitlists, or deadlines. Just create an account, choose your course, and start learning right away.
Every course is self-paced and fully online, so you can fit learning into your life — not the other way around. With support resources included and no hidden fees, you're in control from day one.
Go at Your Own Pace
No rigid schedules, no stress. Just real online college courses you can start anytime, anywhere, and finish on your own terms.
StraighterLine courses offer interactive lessons and assignments that help you understand and retain the material, and come with everything you need to stay on track and succeed — including digital textbooks, tutoring, and real people to support you on your journey to your degree.
Transfer Your Credits, Save Thousands on Tuition
Complete your course with a 70% or higher to make your credits eligible for transfer. Then head to your Student Dashboard, select “Request Transcript,” and tell us where to send it — we’ll take it from there at no additional cost.
Not sure whether your school accepts StraighterLine courses? Our Enrollment Specialists can find out for you!
Does My School Accept This Course?
We’ll find out for you. Students have successfully transferred StraighterLine course credits to 3,000+ schools. Our Enrollment Specialists will contact your college directly to confirm your credits will transfer, so you don’t have to.
WANT US TO CHECK?Course Details
This course is designed to highlight a manager's functions and responsibilities in organizational and business settings. Four main management functions of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling are used as a framework to explore the role of managers. Students will also examine ethical, social, and cross-cultural issues related to managing in contemporary business organizations.
ACE-Recommended
ACE Code:
OOSL-0001
Flexible Schedule
23-day Average Course Completion
Business Courses Have Transferred Over 24,900 Times
$2,100,000 Saved on Tuition
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites to take Introduction to Business.
Course Text
The required eTextbook for this course is included with your course purchase at no additional cost.
- Nickels, William G., James M. McHugh, and Susan M. McHugh. Understanding Business, 13th edition. McGraw-Hill, 2022. ISBN 9781259929434
Course Checkpoints
Introduction to Business and Economics
- The Nature of Business
- Risk and Profit
- Economics
- Economic Systems
- Supply and Demand
International Business
- Theories of Comparative and Absolute Advantage
- Importing and Exporting
- International Business Strategies
- Forces Affecting Trade
- Trade Agreements and Organizations
Ethical Business Behavior
- Social Responsibility
- Types of Corporate Responsibility
Types of Business Ownership
- Sole Proprietorship
- Partnerships
- Corporations
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Other Forms of Ownership
Small Business
- Entrepreneurship
- Starting a Small Business
- Small Business Difficulties
- Small Business Resources
Management
- The Functions and Responsibilities of Management
- Levels of Management
- Planning
Business Organizations
- Centralized and Decentralized Authority
- Broad and Narrow Span of Control
- Departmentalization
- Organizational Structure
Motivating Employees
- Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
- Herzberg's Theory
- McGregor's Theory X and Theory Y
- Ouchi's Theory Z
- Other Motivational Theories
Human Resource Management
- Planning and Needs Assessment
- Recruiting and Selecting
- Training and Developing
- Appraising and Compensating
- Turnover and Legal Issues
Marketing
- Purpose of Marketing
- Marketing Mix
- Market Research
- Marketing Environment
- Buying Behavior
Pricing Products and Services
- Product Differentiation
- Packaging
- Branding
- The Product Life Cycle
- Price and Nonprice Competition
Accounting
- Accounting Versus Bookkeeping
- The Uses of Accounting
- The Accounting Cycle
- Types of Financial Statements
- Ratio Analysis of Financial Statements
Financial Management
- Financial Planning
- Funding
- Capital Budgeting
- Loans
- Debt and Equity Financing
Financial Institutions and Money
- The Function of Money
- Federal Reserve
- Types of Banking Institutions
- Nonbanking Institutions
- Technology in Banking
Assignments & Grading
Your score provides a percentage score and letter grade for each course. A passing percentage is 70% or higher.
Assignments for this course include:
- 7 Reflective Responses
- 4 Graded Exams
- 1 Graded Midterm
- 1 Graded Final
This course has an open-book proctored Final Exam. Scientific and/or graphing calculators are allowed throughout the course.
What You’ll Need
- A reliable computer or laptop
- Stable internet connection
- Web browser
- Basic computer skills
- Scientific or graphing calculator
- Any required course materials
Your Academic Team
Your Faculty Team
We’re not just a platform — we’re a team of professional educators committed to your success. Our courses are built by academic professionals who are leaders in higher education, and your assignments are graded by real people who provide meaningful feedback so you can keep progressing.
Support Team
At StraighterLine, there are real people working behind the scenes to guide you through every course, quiz, and “I’m stuck” moment.
- Enrollment Services
- On-Demand Tutors
- Academic Advisors
- Tech Support
Course Professor
Tutoring & Career Resources
Your StraighterLine membership comes with the tools and guidance you need to thrive academically and take confident steps toward your career.
24/7 live, on-demand tutoring, access via chat or video
Exam and certification prep tools
Faculty Connect portal
24/7 live, on-demand tutoring, access via chat or video
Real, human feedback to help you ace your assignments
Exam and certification prep tools
Real, human feedback to help you ace your assignments
Professional development assistance
Resume-building resources
Professional development assistance
Faculty Connect portal
Resume-building resources
Students who enrolled also took:
Introduction to Communication
1st attempt pass rate: 96%
Avg Days to Complete: 29
3 credits
TRY FOR FREE
Start Your Free Preview
Explore course content, your Student Dashboard, and all the features StraighterLine offers to support your success. No credit card, no commitment — see how easy it is to use StraighterLine.
Get Started FreeStudent Reviews
4.6
Excellent Service
My experience was so easy and no stress at all. Whenever I needed something, support was always available to assist.
Khadiji, StraighterLine Student
Two Weeks to an A
My experience was exceptional! The readings were easy, the writing assignments were clear, and the short term exams were manageable. I finished my course within two weeks and passed with an A.
Tenile, StraighterLine Student
Great Alternative
This was a great alternative for me as a busy mom with a business. I was able to do it at my own pace and the classes were super thorough and informative.
Aryam, StraighterLine Student
Getting Started is Simple
The StraighterLine Advantage
Full flexibility, no timelines or deadlines ever.
Your own support team to get you to the finish line.
Unlimited course access so you can take as many courses as you need.
Transfer guaranteed to one of our 180+ partner schools, and accepted by 3,000+ schools nationwide.
How to Enroll in Introduction to Business
Select your course and click “Enroll Today”.
Create your account and finalize course purchase.
Start earning affordable college credits!
You’ve Got Questions, We’ve Got Answers
Why is StraighterLine so affordable?
StraighterLine offers a completely online learning experience, free from the high costs of traditional colleges and universities. By cutting out the institutional overhead, we pass the savings onto you (instead of extra costs) — providing top-quality courses at a price that fits with your budget
What is included in the price?
StraighterLine membership gives you access to over 75 self-paced online courses at a fraction of the price you’d pay through your school — meaning you’ll save up to 90% per course. But that’s not all — membership also comes with valuable extras at no extra cost, including academic advising, 24/7 on-demand tutoring, and free transcript delivery to your school
What is ACE, and why does it matter for transfer credits?
StraighterLine courses are recommended for college credit by the American Council on Education (ACE), a respected organization that helps colleges evaluate nontraditional learning for credit. If your school accepts ACE Credit recommendations, there’s a strong chance they’ll accept StraighterLine courses. Always check with your school’s registrar to confirm how transfer credits apply to your degree.
How do I transfer StraighterLine credit?
Transferring your StraighterLine credits is easy:
- Check with your school: If you’re enrolled at one of our 180+ partner colleges, your credits are guaranteed to transfer based on which of our courses your school has agreed to directly accept credit for. Plus, StraighterLine credits have also been accepted by over 3,000 colleges and universities, but it’s always a good idea to confirm your school’s transfer policies before enrolling in a course.
- Request your transcript: Once you complete a course with a 70% or higher, log into your StraighterLine account to request an official transcript. We’ll send it directly to your school at no extra cost.
- Apply your credit: Your school will review your transcript and apply eligibility credits toward your degree, helping you move forward on your academic journey.
Helpful Resources
SUPPORT
Need Help Enrolling?
Our Enrollment Specialists are here to help you get started.
BLOG ARTICLE
How Do StraighterLine Online Courses Work?
Find out what your online learning experience with StraighterLine will be like.
BLOG ARTICLE
Where Can You Transfer StraighterLine Credit?
An easy-to-understand guide on how to transfer StraighterLine credits.
BLOG ARTICLE
How StraighterLine Reduces Tuition Costs
See how StraighterLine has helped students save thousands on tuition.
Your Career in Business Begins Here
Introduction to Business gives you a broad look at how companies operate, make decisions, and grow. You’ll explore key areas like marketing, finance, management, and entrepreneurship. No matter your career path, this course shows future employers you understand how the business world works and can think strategically in any setting.
Why it matters:
- Nearly 1 in 4 employed professionals with a university degree studied business.
- Business is one of the most flexible and in-demand fields for students seeking versatile career choices after graduation.
How this course sets you up for success:
Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Marketing Manager, Human Resources Specialist, Account Manager, Business Intelligence Analyst, Operations Manager, Investment Analyst, Risk Manager, Supply Chain Coordinator
How this course sets you up for success:
Introduction to Business gives you a solid understanding of key business principles and how companies operate. You’ll develop practical knowledge that will benefit you whether you go on to work for another business or start something of your own.
Course included in Semester & Annual Plans
SCRIPT HERE DO NOT DELETE