Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A.)
Major Requirements
A total of 22 unique courses are required within the following categories. Courses cannot double-count between categories. Please note that the following core courses apply to students entering Fall 2024 or after. For 2023 or earlier admits, please reference previous announcements.
Major and concentration requirements can be found at Business Administration - Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A.)
Comprehensive Assessment Requirement
- In their senior year, all B.S.B.A. students must pass a Comprehensive Assessment of their learning in the Busch School of Business. The Comprehensive Assessment is administered across seven weeks within MGT 475: Business Strategy. At the time of enrollment in MGT 475, students concurrently register for the Comprehensive Assessment on Cardinal Station: BUS 498.
- The Comprehensive Assessment takes place in two parts. Part One is an online business simulation (weeks two through seven) that integrates marketing, sales, operations, international business, finance, and accounting in a venture start-up scenario. Students are placed in teams and assume a functional responsibility in the team, such as VP of Manufacturing, VP of Finance, or such. Teams in the course compete against one another. Students are graded both on their individual performance and their team’s performance. A portion of the student grade in Part One is also a performance review conducted by their teammates. Part Two is a 75-minute multiple choice exam (in week eight) that tests for an integrated understanding of strategy, marketing, sales, operations, international business, finance, and accounting. The first seven weeks of the course are designed to prepare students for the Comprehensive Assessment. While new concepts in the field of Business Strategy are introduced in these first seven weeks, the time is also spent reviewing key concepts students will have learned in the core courses at the Busch School. Parts One and Two are equally weighted in calculating the Comprehensive Assessment grade.
- The Comprehensive Assessment is graded on a PASS/FAIL basis. A score of 60 (out of 100) is required for PASS. The PASS or FAIL grade is recorded in BUS 498. In addition, the numerical score is a component of the grade for MGT 475.
- A student who does not PASS the Comprehensive Assessment must retake it. This will occur in weeks nine through fourteen. The 75-minute multiple choice exam will take place on the day/time scheduled for the final exam in the course, which is more than 40 days after the first administration of this exam. Students who PASS the week eight Comprehensive Assessment are excused from the final exam. Students required to retake the Comprehensive Assessment will receive either a PASS or FAIL on the exam, and the numerical score is not factored into the final letter grade in the course.
Specialization Options
Seven specialization s and 4 co-specialization sub-plan options are available within the B.S.B.A. degree. Selecting the below hyperlinks will display the course requirements for each sub-plan.
Rules that apply to specializations are listed below:
- A student must select at least one specialization.
- Students may select up to three specializations.
- Double- or triple-specializing:
- Double-specializing requires the completion of the four requirements for each specialization, unless the two specializations share a requirement. In that case, one course may double-count.
- For example, a double-specialization may be completed with 4 + 3 courses (assuming a shared course). A minimum of 7 unique courses is required. Fewer courses is not permitted.
- Triple-specializing may be completed with 4 + 3 + 3 courses (assuming shared courses among the specializations, subject to the double counting limitations below).
- A second specialization fulfills the Business Elective requirement describe above.
- Double-counting (i.e. overlapping) courses:
- Courses cannot double-count between Major Requirements (see section above) and Specializations requirements. The students specializing in the options below should note:
- Operations Management, Technology Management, and Data Analytics for Business students must carefully select the course to fulfill the Information Management requirement under Core Business Courses.
- Business & Public Policy and Business & Society students must carefully select a specialization elective that does not overlap with the Business Law requirement under Core Business Courses.
- See the rule above for double-counting between specializations.
- Please note, where specializations indicate elective courses additional electives may be approved by the specialization’s Area or Program Director.