Business & Technology Sector

The College of Idaho offers two majors in accounting: Accounting 124 (BA) and Accounting 150 (BS).

An Accounting 124 (BA) major is completed in 124 credits and equips students with essential financial reporting and business fundamentals skills. Courses such as Financial and Managerial Accounting, Intermediate Accounting, and Business Law build a strong foundation, while hands-on experience with accounting information systems or data analytics, and a capstone project prepare graduates for successful careers in accounting and finance. Accountants have versatile skills that are essential across a wide range of industries. Graduates can work in corporate accounting, government, nonprofit organizations, healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, etc. 

The Accounting 150 (BS) major is completed in 150 credit and is designed for students to meet the CPA (Certified Public Accountant) exam eligibility requirements for the State of Idaho. This CPA preparation-focused accounting major provides students with in-depth knowledge and skills essential for the CPA exam and professional practice. Core courses in financial reporting, auditing, tax, and managerial accounting, combined with hands-on experience with an accounting internship prepare graduates for careers in public accounting, corporate finance, and beyond.

Our Business Administration major offers a comprehensive education in core areas, such as management, finance, marketing, and accounting, preparing students for diverse careers in today’s dynamic economy. Through hands-on projects, case studies, and an internship, students gain practical skills in strategic business practices. Graduates emerge ready to excel in corporate, nonprofit, and entrepreneurial roles, equipped with the critical thinking and adaptability needed for success across industries. 

This major prepares students to excel across diverse and evolving business landscapes and offers the following benefits: 

• Broad Career Flexibility: A Business Administration degree provides diverse career options, including roles in management, marketing, human resources, operations, and entrepreneurship. 
• Market Demand: Graduates with business expertise are consistently sought by employers, providing flexibility to find job opportunities in multiple sectors. 
• Essential Management Skills: Students gain management skills that enable them to coordinate teams, motivate employees, and oversee projects effectively. 
• Versatile Skill Set: Business Administration majors develop a well-rounded skill set, including accounting fundamentals, decision-making, and problem-solving, that can be applied across various fields. 
• Real-World Application: Incorporating an internship, case studies, and projects, provides practical experience that enhances students' marketability and prepares them for real-world challenges.

The Computer Science-Mathematics major prepares students for a broad variety of careers and for graduate study. Work in computer science includes software development and design, research in solving problems in computing (including data storage, networking, retrieval, organization, validation, and so on), and research into new ways of using computing devices (computer vision, robotics, machine learning, accessibility studies, etc.). Computer science is one of the most rapidly expanding and changing fields of scientific inquiry. Preparation for work in this field is thus inherently interdisciplinary, requiring a strong mathematical background. The problem-solving capabilities acquired in the Computer Science-Mathematics major are of wide utility in many fields of study, including careers directly and not directly connected to computer science.

Students pursuing a Digital Marketing major are introduced to essential concepts in business, marketing, and digital strategies related to search, social, and content creation. Online interactions are the leading force that drives organizations to get their message out to consumers. The courses in this major meet the rapidly shifting digital landscape in today's internet-driven world. The Digital Marketing major provides a combination of business and digital courses focused on this emerging area within the marketing field. The benefits of a Digital Marketing degree, include: 

• Demand for Digital Marketers: With businesses increasingly relying on digital platforms, the need for skilled digital marketers is increasing. Graduates in this field enter a thriving job market with good earning potential and a vast range of career options. 
• Comprehensive Skillset: The program provides a thorough foundation in essential areas like content strategy, social media, analytics, email, and digital advertising. Students graduate with versatile, in-demand skills that employers prioritize. 
• Real-World Experience: Included are practical, hands-on projects, simulations and an internship, giving students direct experience with real-world campaigns and tools. 
• Career Flexibility and Growth Opportunities: Digital marketing skills are transferable across industries. This degree equips students for roles in small or large businesses, advertising agencies, non-profits, and beyond, allowing students to shape their career path in various directions. 
• Staying Current in a Fast-Paced Field: Digital marketing is constantly evolving. This program provides up-to-date knowledge and critical thinking skills to adapt to changes, helping you stay ahead in this dynamic industry and maintain a competitive edge over time.

The Finance major provides an understanding of financial markets, investment analysis, and corporate finance principles. Coursework covers essential topics like risk management, financial modeling, portfolio analysis, and capital budgeting. Through hands-on projects and an internship, students gain practical skills in quantitative analysis and strategic financial decision-making. The program emphasizes ethical financial practices and adaptability, preparing graduates for diverse careers in areas such as investment banking, corporate finance, wealth management, and financial consulting. This major equips students with the expertise needed to thrive in today’s dynamic financial landscape.

For centuries, mathematics has given its students a lifetime of intellectual excitement, deep creative satisfaction, mental acuity and agility, and appreciation of an austere and elegant beauty. More than anything else, the study of mathematics enhances the student's power of thinking. Mathematics majors at The College of Idaho learn to think, both deeply and creatively, about a wide range of important and interesting topics and areas of mathematical inquiry.

Our Mathematics majors learn the fundamental principles of mathematical thought as they progress through the Mathematics Core. They also begin to gain an understanding of the relevance and utility of mathematics to, and interconnectedness with, other disciplines of the liberal arts and the world as a whole. This program of study is completed with choices from a broad selection of proof-based courses. The curriculum reflects the intellectual sweep of undergraduate mathematics and the applied, interdisciplinary sensibilities of the Department of Mathematics and Physical Sciences.

Since much mathematical activity resembles a kind of logical problem-solving, and since this activity is such excellent mental training, mathematics is an excellent major field of study for many exciting and interesting careers. Recent graduates have found careers in medicine, finance, software development, education, various engineering fields, and have gone on to graduate study in mathematics, physics, astronomy, computer science, and engineering, among others. 

The Physics-Mathematics major provides an excellent basis for many post-college paths, including teaching, engineering, industry or tech-related business fields, and graduate study in physics, astronomy, and engineering. Our majors enjoy a wide variety of after-college options because they undergo training to become independent problem solvers who utilize both physics and mathematics and who can effectively communicate their understanding.

The Psychology major is designed for students to gain foundational knowledge and empirical skills and then progress to more advanced work. Students also experience growth in social and personal skills such as teamwork, ethical and social responsibility, self-regulation, and project management. Psychology majors complete a thesis project in their graduating year. Career exploration is an essential part of the psychology programs; students examine how to enter the workforce directly after graduation and how to continue their education through graduate and professional training. The Psychology major emphasizes student choice in survey courses and focuses on an applied thesis experience.

A psychology major enables students to acquire skills valued in a wide range of professions. For example, an understanding of psychology can help a business owner know how to deal with customer complaints, help teachers provide classroom experiences that maximize learning, train medical personnel to understand ways to help patients comply with prescriptive advice, and provide actors and writers with a better understanding of the foibles of human (mis)behavior.  Additionally, our graduates have pursued graduate education in psychology as well as careers in research or applied psychology.

A degree in Spanish Language and Business prepares students for a range of careers in local businesses, international corporations, government agencies, non-profits, or any organization needing bilingual skills and knowledge of Spanish-speaking markets. Through this program, students benefit from:

• Career Flexibility: Graduates can work in roles like international business, finance, marketing, consulting, or human resources, or within NGOs, government agencies, or non-profits where bilingual skills are desired. 
• Cultural Insight: An understanding of the language and culture allows graduates to communicate effectively with Spanish-speaking clients, partners, and colleagues. 
• Competitive Advantage: Bilingual skills in business enhance job prospects in competitive fields, especially in the U.S., where the Spanish-speaking market is one of the fastest-growing consumer groups.
• Experiential Learning: Students complete a study aboard study program or internship to provide real-world immersion experience.