Business Management and Administration in South Carolina
South Carolina's Business Management and Administration pathway, part of the modernized Management & Entrepreneurship cluster, prepares students for careers in business operations, management, human resources, and entrepreneurship. This comprehensive program develops essential business competencies including financial literacy, business communication, project management, marketing principles, and organizational leadership. As businesses throughout South Carolina seek employees with strong foundational business skills, this pathway provides critical workforce preparation.
The program emphasizes both traditional business management concepts and contemporary skills including digital marketing, data analytics, global business operations, and innovation management. Students develop professional skills through hands-on projects, business simulations, and interactions with local business leaders. The curriculum prepares students for business careers across all industries while also supporting those interested in launching their own entrepreneurial ventures.
South Carolina's Business Management pathway integrates academic rigor with practical application, ensuring students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities essential for business success. Graduates are prepared for entry-level business positions, advanced business certifications, or continuation to four-year business degree programs.
Business Management and Administration at a Glance
4
Courses
8
Credentials
5
Career Paths
State Standards & Framework
South Carolina's Business Management standards align with national business education standards developed by the National Business Education Association (NBEA) and incorporate career readiness competencies. State standards emphasize business fundamentals, financial literacy, marketing concepts, entrepreneurship, business communication, technology applications, and professional development. The framework prepares students for business certification assessments and postsecondary business education.
Typical Course Sequence
| Course | Code |
|---|---|
| Business Foundations | BUS-101 |
| Marketing and Business Communication | BUS-201 |
| Business Management and Entrepreneurship | BUS-301 |
| Business Practicum and Leadership | BUS-401 |
Industry Certifications & Credentials
- ✓National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC)
- ✓Microsoft Office Specialist - Word
- ✓Microsoft Office Specialist - Excel
- ✓Microsoft Office Specialist - PowerPoint
- ✓Microsoft Office Specialist - Access
- ✓Microsoft Office Specialist - Outlook
- ✓Microsoft Office Specialist Expert - Word
- ✓Microsoft Office Specialist Expert - Excel
Career Opportunities
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Growth projections from BLS Employment Projections (2023-2033). Cost-of-living adjustment uses BEA Regional Price Parities (2023). Entry-level salaries reflect the 25th percentile; experienced salaries reflect the median.
Business Operations Specialist
Entry LevelSalary range: $61,960 - $103,200
Adjusted for cost of living: $66,495
Human Resources Assistant
Entry LevelSalary range: $36,120 - $50,400
Adjusted for cost of living: $38,764
Office Manager
ExperiencedSalary range: $80,680 - $143,470
Adjusted for cost of living: $120,079
Marketing Coordinator
Entry LevelSalary range: $48,600 - $98,530
Adjusted for cost of living: $52,157
Sales Manager
ExperiencedSalary range: $83,980 - $169,420
Adjusted for cost of living: $132,926
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Students participate in internships with businesses throughout South Carolina, including corporate offices, small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. Work-based learning includes job shadowing business executives, participation in business mentorship programs, development of business plans for real organizations, and leadership roles in school-based enterprises.
Career & Technical Student Organization
Students in this pathway can participate in Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), DECA, gaining leadership experience and competing in career-related events.
How Sage Helps South Carolina CTE Programs
AI-Powered Curriculum
Generate standards-aligned lesson plans in minutes, not months
South Carolina Standards Built In
Pre-loaded with South Carolina's CTE standards and frameworks
Teacher Customization
Teachers personalize content while maintaining standards alignment
Ongoing Updates
Curriculum stays current as South Carolina standards and industry needs evolve
Related Pathways in South Carolina
Finance
South Carolina's Finance pathway prepares students for careers in banking, financial planning, accounting, insurance, and investment services. This rigorous program develops financial literacy, analytical thinking, and professional skills essential for careers in South Carolina's financial services industry. Students learn financial principles including accounting, investment analysis, risk management, and financial planning that apply across personal and corporate finance contexts. The pathway integrates financial concepts with technology applications, teaching students to use accounting software, financial analysis tools, and data management systems. Students develop understanding of financial markets, banking operations, insurance products, and investment strategies while also learning regulatory compliance and ethical financial practices. The curriculum emphasizes both technical financial skills and critical soft skills including client communication, attention to detail, and professional judgment. South Carolina's Finance programs prepare students for immediate employment in entry-level financial services positions, pursuit of accounting and finance certifications, or continuation to four-year finance or accounting degree programs. The pathway develops financial competencies valuable in any career while specifically preparing students for South Carolina's banking and financial services sector.
Financial ServicesHospitality and Tourism Management
South Carolina's Hospitality and Tourism Management pathway develops professionals for the state's significant tourism and hospitality industry. Charleston, Hilton Head, and myrtle beach draw millions of visitors annually, creating robust hospitality employment. Students develop customer service excellence, event planning, front office management, and tour operations knowledge. They gain experience through internships in hotels, resorts, restaurants, and tourism organizations. Graduates work as event planners, hotel managers, concierges, or tourism coordinators. Many advance to general manager positions or operate independent hospitality businesses. Employment opportunities span hotels, resorts, restaurants, tour operators, and convention centers throughout South Carolina.
Hospitality & TourismMarketing and Sales
South Carolina's Marketing and Sales pathway prepares students for careers in advertising, digital marketing, sales management, marketing research, and retail operations. This dynamic program teaches students to analyze consumer behavior, develop marketing strategies, create promotional campaigns, and build customer relationships. With businesses throughout South Carolina requiring marketing expertise to reach customers in increasingly digital marketplaces, marketing skills are essential across all industries. The pathway integrates traditional marketing principles with contemporary digital marketing strategies including social media marketing, content marketing, search engine optimization, and data analytics. Students develop both creative and analytical abilities, learning to craft compelling marketing messages while using data to measure campaign effectiveness. The curriculum includes hands-on projects where students create marketing plans, develop promotional materials, and execute campaigns for real clients. South Carolina's Marketing and Sales programs often operate school stores or student-run businesses that provide authentic retail and sales experiences. Students participate in DECA competitions that test marketing knowledge and professional skills. Graduates are prepared for entry-level marketing and sales positions, continuation to four-year marketing degree programs, or entrepreneurial ventures in retail or e-commerce.
Marketing and SalesRelated Glossary Terms
CTE Pathways
CTE Pathways are structured sequences of courses within a Career Cluster that prepare students for a specific group of related occupations. Pathways combine academic and technical instruction, providing a clear roadmap from introductory courses through advanced, specialized training aligned with industry standards and postsecondary opportunities.
ProgrammaticProgram of Study
A Program of Study (POS) is a coordinated, non-duplicative sequence of academic and CTE courses that spans secondary through postsecondary education. Required under Perkins V, a POS integrates academic content with CTE instruction, includes work-based learning, and leads to an industry-recognized credential or postsecondary degree.
ProgrammaticCareer and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs)
Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) are national organizations that provide CTE students with opportunities for leadership development, competitive events, community service, and career preparation. Recognized CTSOs include DECA, FBLA, FFA, HOSA, SkillsUSA, and TSA, each serving students in specific career cluster areas.
ProgrammaticEmployability Skills
Employability skills, also called soft skills, workplace readiness skills, or 21st-century skills, are the non-technical competencies that employers consistently identify as essential for workplace success. These include communication, teamwork, problem-solving, time management, professionalism, and adaptability, which CTE programs are expected to develop alongside technical skills.
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