Business and Marketing (B&M) Education

Investing in the Future

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B&M Teacher Organizations | B&M Teacher Preparation and Mentoring | B&M Additional Resources

About the field of Business & Marketing

Background

Business and Marketing (B&M) Education prepares individuals for employment in a wide range of business occupations, including marketing, finance, tourism, and communications. B&M careers include planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating business functions essential to efficient and productive operations; financial and investment planning, banking, insurance, and business financial management; and managing and performing marketing activities to reach organizational objectives.

B&M is one of the newest of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) areas, created in 1936 by the George-Deen Act, a successor of Smith-Hughes (1917), and expanded by the Vocational Education Act of 1963. B&M has evolved in the more than 80 years since its inception from marketing and distribution to include good paying, highly skilled, and sought after careers in finance, accounting, entrepreneurship, hospitality/tourism, and communications technologies. The student organizations for B&M are DECA—formed in 1946 originally as Distributive Education Clubs of America—and BPA—formed in 1966 originally as Vocational Office Education Clubs of America (VOECA). As of 2024, more than 245 districts offer B&M programs in Minnesota, including 492 teachers and 88,868 students grades 5-12.

B&M comprises the Business and Marketing career field on the federal Career Wheel. B&M includes one primary cluster: Financial Services and three cross-cutting clusters: (a) Digital Technology, (b) Management & Entrepreneurship, and (c) Marketing & Sales.

Licenses for this career field include:
– Broad-based license for the entire B&M field: Business broad-based-140050.
– Cross-cutting career-license for the Digital Technology cluster: Communication Technology careers-300000.
– Cross-cutting careers license for the Management & Entrepreneurship cluster: does not exist yet in Minnesota.
– Cross-cutting career-license for the Marketing & Sales cluster: does not exist yet in Minnesota.

Note: These CTE licenses are eligible for Minnesota Department of Education program approval, which affords access to CTE Revenue funding, federal Perkins grants, and more. This is in contrast to the Business-non vocational (140000) license, which may have some similar skills and standards as these licenses, but is not a CTE license and is ineligible for these funding options. Business (140000) is a legacy license that can be renewed, but not issued by PELSB; districts should not request this license.

Business Industry in Minnesota

Minnesota’s robust economy is supported by strong and diversified finance and marketing industries. From credit unions, banking services, and health insurance, Minnesota companies offer the whole spectrum of financial and business services. Minnesota is also home to world class retail. While some hear retail and think shopping, in Minnesota, we mean so much more. Shopping means big business in Minnesota. We’re home to dozens of leading large retailers. Our innovation and technology sectors contribute to the retail ecosystem in the state, helping our retailing giants excel in things like online shopping, app creation, and the Internet of Things.

  • Top Fortune 500 Companies: Target, 3M, UnitedHealth Group
  • 3rd Largest Employment Metropolitan Concentration in Finance and Insurance (Lightcast, 2023)
  • 1st Largest Health Insurance Company in the Country (UnitedHealth Group)
  • 1st Largest Shopping Mall in North America (Mall of America)
  • 3rd Best Specialty Retail and Most Sustainable Company (Best Buy)
  • 5th Largest Banking Institution in the Country (US Bank)
  • 7th Largest Diversified Financials Company in the Country (Ameriprise Financial)
  • 13% of the State’s GDP is from Professional and Business Services (DEED, 2024)

Minnesota B&M Companies

  • Ameriprise Financial
  • Best Buy
  • DigiKey
  • Mall of America
  • Target
  • Thrivent Financial
  • Star Tribune
  • State of Minnesota
  • Securian Financial Group (Retirement)
  • US Bank

Top in-demand and high-wage careers in business and marketing



  • Half of all accountant and auditor jobs pay between $61,711 and $99,313 per year, with 4.4% projected growth in job demand during the next ten years.
  • Half of all sales representative jobs pay between $52,735 and $102,335 per year, with 2.9% projected growth in job demand during the next ten years.
  • Half of all marketing specialist jobs pay between $57,999 and $103,882 per year, with 18.8% projected growth in job demand during the next ten years.
  • Half of all computer system analyst jobs pay between $86,232 and $131,954 per year, with 5.6% projected growth in job demand during the next ten years.

Accountant

Sales Rep

Marketing Specialist

General Manager

Computer Sys Analyst

Financial Manager

Three Components of Business and Marketing (B&M) Education

B&M Courses and Labs

Academic, Rigorous Instruction

Business & Marketing (B&M) prepares students for high wage, high skill, and in demand jobs and careers in finance, accounting, entrepreneurship, hospitality/tourism, and communications technologies. B&M integrates math, economics, and art, ideally while meeting high school graduation requirements and earning college credit. B&M is contextual, combining classroom and laboratory instruction with student-centered learning.

Essential elements include: career awareness, exploration, and preparation; programs of study based on industry; and a balance of classroom and laboratory instruction, which uses technology.

B&M Work-Based Learning

Technical, Relevant Experience

Students learn best by doing. A work-based learning (WBL) project is an extension of the classroom, where students develop specific technical and career knowledge that prepares them for their future. Within B&M, students begin exploring careers of interest, followed by relevant experiences with business and industry, most often through internships, entrepreneurship, and School-Based Enterprises like school stores.

Essential elements include: work-based learning opportunities guided by training agreements and training plans; safety instruction and policies.

Minnesota BPA and DECA

Affective, Relationships/Leadership

BPA and DECA are the Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) for B&M. Minnesota DECA and Minnesota BPA train emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management by creating unmatched opportunities in learning, professional growth, and service. State membership as of 2024 was more than 1,100 students in 69 BPA chapters and 4,292 students in 65 DECA chapters.

Essential elements include: leadership development opportunities through student organizations or other means.

Courses in Business & Marketing

– Introduction to Business and Marketing
– Career Investigation
– Emerging Careers

– Keyboarding/Word Processing
– Business Communications
– Desktop Publishing
– Computer Applications
– Business Math
– Economics
– Business Work-Based Learning

– Finance Literacy and Money Management
– Finance and Investing
– Accounting
– Micro Economics
– Macro Economics
– AP Accounting
– Business Work-Based Learning

– Management
– Business Ethics & Leadership
– Business Law
– Human Resource Management
– Entrepreneurship
– Project Management
– Simulated School Store
– Business Work-Based Learning

– Marketing
– Marketing Research and Analysis
– Advertising and Sales
– Sports/Entertainment Marketing
– Social Media Marketing
– Yearbook/Desktop Publishing
– Simulated School Store
– Marketing Work-Based Learning

– Introduction to Information Technology
– Photography for Business Communication
– Multimedia and Video
– Graphic Design
– Web Site Design and Web Development
– Digital Game Design
– Programming/Computer Science
– Management Information Systems (MIS)
– Data Statistics & Analytics
– Networking (CISCO) (A+)
– AP Computer Science
– Simulated School Store
– Business Work-Based Learning

– Photography and Commercial Photography
– Photographic Laboratory and Darkroom
– Photo Imaging
– Photography and Printing Technology
– Desktop Publishing
– Graphic Technology
– Commercial Graphic Design
– Web Graphics and Animation
– Interactive Design
– Interactive Game Design
– Digital Media Design and Production
– Digital Imaging, Moving Image-Animation, and Digital Sound Design
– Virtual Design
– Multi Media and Audio/Video Technology
– Radio Broadcast and Audio Production
– Broadcasting and Livestreaming Broadcasting Technology
– Electronics
– Analog Circuits and Digital Circuits
– Geo Info and Position Systems (GIS and GPS)
– Mechatronics
– Robotics
– Simulated School Business
– Communications Technology Work-Based Learning

Districts with B&M Programs

Ada-Borup-West, Badger, Bagley, Bemidji, Blackduck, Crookston, East Grand Forks, Fertile-Beltrami, Fisher, Fosston, Goodridge, Grygla, Lake of the Woods, Lancaster, Mahnomen, Nevis, Norman County East, Park Rapids, Red Lake, Roseau, Stephen-Argyle Central, Thief River Falls, Warren-Alvarado-Oslo, Warroad, Waubun-Ogema-White Earth, and Win-E-Mac.

Aitkin, Barnum, Cloquet, Cromwell-Wright, Duluth, Esko, Grand Rapids, Greenway, Hermantown, Hill City, Infinity: Minnesota Digital Academy, Lake Superior, Littlefork-Big Falls, McGregor, Mesabi East, Moose Lake, Nashwauk-Keewatin, Northeast Service Cooperative (Region 3), Proctor, Rock Ridge, St. Louis County, and Wrenshall.

Brainerd, Browerville, Cass Lake-Bena, Little Falls, Menahga, Pequot Lakes, Pillager, Royalton, Sebeka, Staples-Motley, Verndale, Wadena-Deer Creek, and Walker-Hackensack-Akeley.

Alexandria, Barnesville, Battle Lake, Brandon-Evansville, Breckenridge, Campbell-Tintah, Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley, Detroit Lakes, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton, Fergus Falls, Hancock, Hawley, Lake Park Audubon, Minnewaska, Moorhead, Morris, New York Mills, Osakis, Pelican Rapids, Perham-Dent, Rothsay, Ulen-Hitterdal, Underwood, and Wheaton.

Albany, Annandale, Becker, Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa, Big Lake, Braham, Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose, Cambridge-Isanti, Chisago Lakes, Dassel-Cokato, Elk River, Foley, Holdingford, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted, Isle, Kimball, Milaca, Monticello, Mora, North Branch, Ogilvie, Onamia, Pine City, Princeton, Rockford, Rockville-Cold Spring-Richmond (ROCORI), Rush City, Sartell-St. Stephen, Sauk Rapids-Rice, St. Cloud, and St. Michael-Albertville.

Anoka-Hennepin, Belle Plaine, Bloomington, BlueSky Charter, Brooklyn Center, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage, Centennial, Central, Columbia Heights, Eastern Carver County, Eden Prairie, Edina, Farmington, Forest Lake, Fridley, Hastings, Hopkins, Intermediate 287, Intermediate 916 (Northeast Metro), Inver Grove Heights, Jordan, Lakes International Language Academy, Lakeville, Lionsgate Academy, Mahtomedi, Metro Charter, Minneapolis, Minnesota Online, Minnesota Transitions Charter, Minnetonka, Mounds View, New Heights School, New Prague, North St. Paul-Maplewood Oakdale, Orono, Osseo, PACT Charter, Prior Lake-Savage, Randolph, Richfield, Robbinsdale, Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan, Roseville, Saint Paul, Shakopee, South St. Paul, South Washington County, Spring Lake Park, St. Francis, St. Louis Park, Stillwater, Waconia, Watertown-Mayer, Wayzata, West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan, Westonka, and White Bear Lake.

Adrian, Benson, Bird Island-Olivia-Lake Lillian, Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart, Canby, Fulda, Glencoe-Silver Lake, Hendricks, Hutchinson, Jackson County Central, Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg, Lac qui Parle Valley, Lakeview, Litchfield, Luverne, MACCRAY, Marshall, Minneota, Montevideo, Murray County Central, New London-Spicer, Ortonville, Pipestone, Renville County West, Tracy Area, Willmar, and Worthington.

Blue Earth, Butterfield-Odin, Fairmont, Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop, Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial, Madelia, Mankato, Maple River, New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva (NRHEG), New Ulm, Sibley East, Springfield, St. Peter, Tri-City United, United South Central, and Waseca.

Albert Lea, Austin, Blooming Prairie, Byron, Caledonia, Cannon Falls, Chatfield, Dover-Eyota, Faribault, Fillmore Central, Glenville-Emmons, Goodhue, Hayfield, Houston, Kasson-Mantorville, La Crescent-Hokah, Lanesboro, Lewiston-Altura, Medford, Northfield, Owatonna, Pine Island, Red Wing, Rochester, Rushford-Peterson, Southland, St. Charles, Stewartville, Triton, Wabasha-Kellogg, Winona, and Zumbrota-Mazeppa.

Directory of B&M Programs and Teachers | Directory of DECA and BPA Chapters | Open B&M Teaching Jobs

B&M State Leadership and Professional Organizations

Minnesota association for career and Technical Education

Learn more about MnACTE
Minnesota marketing, business, and information TECH educators

Learn more about MBITE

B&M Curriculum

– B&M TIP Curriculum Drive
– Economics Curriculum
– BestPrep
– Computer Science Curriculum
– B&M MDE State Standards (Frameworks)

B&M Resources

– B&M General Resources
– BPA Resources, DECA Resources
– B&M Program Approval Guide
– B&M MDE Program Approval Database
– B&M Job Posting Guidance

B&M Funding

– CTE Revenue
– CTE Perkins Funding
– CTE Cooperative Funding
– B&M MDE Program Approval Forms
– Other CTE Grants

State Staff in B&M Education

B&M Teacher Preparation and Mentoring

Lakes Country Service Cooperative

Licenses:

Bethel University

Licenses:

Winona State University

Licenses:

PELSB – Portfolio Pathway

Licenses:

CTE Teacher Induction
Program (TIP)

Introductory mentoring and induction for secondary teachers new to the profession who need support with foundations of CTE and basic pedagogy/instruction, most often Tier 1 and Tier 2 teachers. CTE TIP offers free curriculum, mentoring, professional development, and resources.

B&M Teacher Induction
Program (TIP)

Advanced mentoring and induction for those who have recently completed a teacher preparation program (Tier 3) or those who have completed CTE-TIP (Tier 2 or Tier 3) and need license-specific support to build a program, design and adopt curriculum, and enhance their teaching and pedagogy.

Free mentoring, curriculum, and support from a program with more than 20 years of success.

Learn More

Additional B&M Resources

Minnesota State hosts eight Centers of Excellence – each serving a major industry that faces serious workforce challenges. The centers collaborate with industry and educators to attract and prepare students for success in high-demand careers.

Strategically located throughout the state, the Minnesota State Centers of Excellence drive workforce innovation through education and industry collaboration – and provide thought leadership on workforce development in their respective industries.

The Minnesota Department of Education administers rule and funding unique to CTE, including federal Perkins (under sole source agency Minnesota State) and CTE revenue. The MDE state specialist for B&M is Dean Breuer.

The nine Service Cooperatives are regional governments and school districts under Minnesota State Statute 123A.21. The cooperatives work as a liaison to state agencies and districts and have strong partnerships with business and industry, postsecondary institutions, and other associations that provide opportunities for Minnesota districts, teachers, and students.

The Cooperatives partner to form the MN CTE Consortium to provide statewide services in CTE teacher licensure, induction/mentoring, and professional development under Minnesota State Statute 124D.4536.

Minnesota State colleges and Minnesota school districts were self-formed in 2008 to promote collaborative planning and implementation of Career and Technical Education programs through the Perkins federal grant. Each consortium has at least one Minnesota State college and one school district, including charter schools. 

B&M Frequently Asked Questions

Vocational Education (Vo-Ed) evolved into Career and Technical Education (CTE) in the 1990s and 2000s. The 2018 Perkins V Strengthening Career and Technical Education act definitively shifted Vocational Education to Career and Technical Education, dropping the word vocational from the act’s title. At a very superficial level, CTE and Vo-Ed look like they are the same thing, but philosophically they are fundamentally different. CTE provides students with experiences from career exploration and career development all the way to occupation-specific technical skills leading to careers that are high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand. CTE programs align secondary, postsecondary, business, and industry to create multiple opportunities in a career pathway. The philosophy of vocational education was to provide those very specific technical skills tracking towards a specific job right out of high school. References to vocational, Vo-Ed, or Voc-Ed are antiquated and conjure up an image that is not reflective of the vast array of today’s highly technical and in-demand careers.

The technology (100100) license is not a CTE licenses and is ineligible for Minnesota Department of Education program approval, which affords access to CTE Revenue funding, federal Perkins grants, and more. The license does have some similar skills and standards as the four Trade and Industry careers licenses, but is missing key CTE philosophical and programatic elements. There is no license known as “technology education” in Minnesota. Industrial technology is an outdated and legacy term.