UMUC

School of Undergraduate Studies

Business Administration

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

Major in Business Administration

The business administration curriculum 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 business- and management-related careers in for-profit and not-for-profit organizations and the public sector, encouraging critical thinking and problem solving.

Objectives

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

  • Use critical-thinking skills in conducting research in business and management.
  • Apply analytical and problem-solving skills in resolving business management problems and issues.
  • Identify and apply key concepts and theories in business and management.
  • Articulate the domestic and global dimensions of and influences on business and management.
  • Employ effective communication skills, orally and in writing, consistent with the business and professional environment.
  • Use computer applications and technology currently in the workplace.
  • Assess philosophies of ethics and social responsibility relevant to business and management.
  • Develop innovative leadership and team-management skills necessary for success in a diverse and changing workplace.
  • Recognize the history and development of theories and concepts in business management, accounting, economics, statistics, finance, marketing, human resource management, business law, and strategic management and apply these theories and concepts to various business situations.
  • Evaluate ethical, social, civic, cultural, and political issues as they relate to business operations, human resources and human factors, information systems, governmental regulation, and domestic and international ventures.
  • Apply appropriate information technology to analyze problems and issues, develop business research, report key data, and recommend management strategy and action plans.

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).

Course Requirements for the Business Administration Major

Coursework for a major in business administration includes the following:

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all the requirements for the BS in business administration. 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.

Coursework for the major is indicated by ‡

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 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)
  • WRTG 101/101X 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 a supplemental major 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)
  • NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3) and NSCI 101 Physical Science Laboratory (1) or other course(s) to fulfill the biological and physical sciences lecture and laboratory requirement
  • WRTG 291 Expository and Research Writing (3) or other course to fulfill the communications/ writing requirement
  • IFSM 201 Introduction to Computer-Based Systems (3) or CMST 303 Advanced Application Software
  • ‡ ACCT 220 Principles of Accounting I (3)
  • PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3) or a foreign language course or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance, or literature course to fulfill the arts and humanities requirement

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

  • ‡ STAT 230 Business Statistics (3) or STAT 200 Introduction to Statistics
  • PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3) or SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology or other course to fulfill the second behavioral and social sciences requirement (discipline must differ from first)
  • ‡ ACCT 221 Principles of Accounting II (3)
  • BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3) or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy or other course to fulfill the biological and physical sciences lecture requirement
  • ECON 203 Principles of Microeconomics(3) (related requirement for the major)
  • HIST 142 Western Civilization II (3) or HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865 or other ARTH or HIST course to fulfill the arts and humanities requirement in historical perspective (discipline must differ from other humanities course)
  • IFSM 300 Information Systems in Organizations (3) or ACCT 326 Accounting Information Systems (related requirement for the major; also fulfills the interdisciplinary issues/computing requirement)
  • SPCH 100 Foundations of Speech Communication (3) or WRTG 390 Writing for Managers or other course to fulfill the communications/ writing or speech requirement

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

  • ‡ BMGT 364 Management and Organization Theory (3)
  • WRTG 394/394X Business Writing (3) or other course to fulfill the communications/ upper-level intensive writing requirement
  • ‡ MRKT 310 Marketing Principles and Organization (3)
  • ‡ BMGT 380 Business Law I (3)
  • ‡ HRMN 300 Human Resource Management (3)
  • ‡ FINC 330 Business Finance (3)
  • ‡ BMGT 392 Global Business Management (3) or other supplemental major course
  • ‡ BMGT 496 Business Ethics (3)

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

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


Recommended Minor and Elective

Recommended Minor

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

Recommended Elective

  • MATH 140 Calculus I (for students who plan to go on to graduate school)

Total credits for BS in business administration: 120