Major in Business Administration

Students may seek either an academic major or minor in business administration.

The business administration curriculum provides the skills and knowledge necessary for a successful career in business and management. It includes studies in accounting, business law and public policy, business supply chain management, customer service and operations management, ethics and social responsibility, finance, human resource management and labor relations, international business, strategic and entrepreneurial management, organizational behavior, marketing and sales, and statistical analysis. A major in business administration prepares graduates for careers in for-profit and not-for-profit organizations and the public sector.

Articulation Agreement

An articulation agreement between UMUC's Undergraduate School and Graduate School allows eligible students who complete their undergraduate degree at UMUC with a major in business management to waive the prerequisite course for the graduate degree. More information is available in the Articulation Agreement.

Intended Program Outcomes

The student who graduates with a major in business administration should be able to

• Plan and communicate a shared vision for the organization that will drive strategy, assist with decision making, and position the organization in the business environment.
• Employ critical thinking to evaluate qualitative and quantitative data and effectively communicate across all layers of the organization.
• Develop, communicate, implement, and follow policies and procedures that inform and guide operations to reduce cost and organizational risk and promote ethical practices.
• Manage people, time, and resources by utilizing effective employment practices, encouraging team building, and mentoring junior members of the staff.
• Design and execute personal and employee development systems to enhance job performance and leadership skills.

Degree Requirements

A degree with a major in business administration requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework, including 36 credits for the major; 41 credits in general education requirements; and 43 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 18 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

Requirements for the Business Administration Major

Coursework for a major in business administration includes the following:

• Required foundation courses (12 credits): BMGT 110 (or prior business experience and an additional course chosen from ACCT, BMGT, ENMT, FINC, HRMN, or MRKT courses), ACCT 220 and 221, and STAT 230 (or 200)
• Required core courses (21 credits): BMGT 364, 365, 380, and 496; FINC 330; HRMN 300; and MRKT 310
• Required capstone course (3 credits): BMGT 495
• Required related courses (9 credits), which may be applied anywhere in the degree: IFSM 300, ECON 201, and ECON 203

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all the requirements for the BS in business administration. Coursework for the major is indicated by . Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an advisor whenever taking advantage of other options.

Business Administration Degree Courses

First Courses (to be taken within the first 18 credits)

Note: Placement tests are required for math and writing courses.

• EDCP 100 Principles and Strategies of Successful Learning (3)
  (strongly recommended as first course)
• LIBS 150 Introduction to Research (1)
• WRTG 101 Introduction to Writing (3)
  or WRTG 101S Introduction to Writing (3)
• MATH 106 Finite Mathematics (3)
  or a higher-level math course
• BMGT 110 Introduction to Business and Management (3)
  (students with business experience should substitute an additional business course in the last 60 credits of study)

Introductory Courses (to be taken within the first 30 credits)

• ECON 201 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
  (related requirement for the major; also fulfills the first behavioral and social sciences requirement)
• BIOL 103 Introduction to Biology (4)
  or other biological and physical sciences lecture and laboratory course(s)
• WRTG 293 Introduction to Professional Writing (3)
  or other writing course
• IFSM 201 Concepts and Applications of Information Technology (3)
  prerequisite to requirements for major
• ACCT 220 Principles of Accounting I (3)
• HUMN 100 Introduction to Humanities (3)
  or other arts and humanities course

Foundation Courses (to be taken within the first 60 credits)

• STAT 230 Introductory Business Statistics (3)
  or STAT 200 Introduction to Statistics (3)
• BEHS 103 Technology in Contemporary Society (3)
  or other behavioral and social sciences course (discipline must differ from first)
• ACCT 221 Principles of Accounting II (3)
• NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3)
  or other biological and physical sciences lecture course
• ECON 203 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
  (related requirement for the major)
• HIST 125 Technological Transformations (3)
  or other arts and humanities/historical perspective course (discipline must differ from other humanities course)
• COMM 202 Media and Society (3)
  or other communication, writing, or speech course
• IFSM 300 Information Systems in Organizations (3)
  (related requirement for the major; also fulfills the computing requirement)

Additional Required Courses (to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)

• BMGT 364 Management and Organization Theory (3)
• WRTG 394 Advanced Business Writing (3)
  or other upper-level advanced writing course
• BMGT 365 Organizational Leadership (3)
• MRKT 310 Marketing Principles (3)
• BMGT 380 Business Law I (3)
• HRMN 300 Human Resource Management (3)
• FINC 330 Business Finance (3)
• BMGT 496 Business Ethics (3)

Capstone Course for Major (to be taken in the last 15 credits)

• BMGT 495 Strategic Management (3)

Minor and/or Elective Courses (37)
(to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses)

Recommended Minors

Human resource management, marketing, finance, or other business-related minor

Recommended Electives

• MATH 140 Calculus I
  (for students who plan to go on to graduate school; students should note prerequisites)
• WRTG 490 Writing for Managers

Total credits for BS in business administration: 120

Business Administration Degree Planning Worksheet