Requirements for the Major
In addition to one prerequisite (Introduction to Economics), there are a minimum of 12 courses required for the major.
Students may declare the major once they have completed ECON 2a or ECON 10a with a grade of C or higher. They also must have completed or be currently enrolled in BUS 6a and BUS 10a with a grade of C or higher. Students who meet these requirements may declare the business major by completing the online declaration form below.
Prerequisite for Entry into Business Courses (one course)
Survey of Economics (Econ 2a) or Introduction to Microeconomics (Econ 10a) gives you the conceptual foundation that is critical to understanding business.
Core Courses
- Financial Accounting (BUS 6a)
- Business Fundamentals (BUS 10a)
- Organizational Behavior in Business (BUS 120a)
- Marketing Management (BUS 152a)
- Financial Management (FIN 103a or ECON/FIN 171a)
Quantitative Course
- Introduction to Business Analytics with Excel (BUS 51a) (4 credit course)
- May be exempted by the following quantitative courses: BIOL 51a, ECON 83a, MATH 36a AND MATH 36b, or PSYC 51a or an appropriate score in AP Statistics.
Foundational Literacies
As a part of completing the Business major, students must:
- Fulfill the writing intensive requirement and oral communication requirement by successfully completing Business Communications, BUS 47a
- Fulfill the digital literacy requirement by successfully completing one of the following: BUS 6a, BUS 10a, BUS 51a, or FIN 103a.
Note: You MUST earn a grade of "C" or above to count toward your major in your core and all Business Administration courses. "C-minus" is the minimum grade you must earn in your Business and Society courses. No courses taken pass/fail will count towards the business major.
Thematic Electives in the Field of Business and Society
Two courses from arts and science departments covering themes such as:
Thematic Electives in the Field of Business Administration
Three courses in advanced business studies, covering themes such as:
Important Items to Note for the Business Major
"Double Counting"
Students undertaking the economics major and the business major are subject to additional restrictions. Business majors may double count no more than two courses for the Economics major. Excluded in this calculation are: ECON 2a or ECON 10a, ECON 83a to exempt from BUS 51a, and ECON 171a to exempt from FIN 103a. Please note that ECON 171a cannot be counted as both a Business Administration elective and an upper-level Economics elective.
For Business and Economics double majors, BUS 10a (required for the Business major) will count as a lower level elective for Economics and ECON 20a (required for the Economics major) will count as a Business and Society elective for Business. As a result, no further "double-counts" are allowed for the Business major, except as noted in the requirements for the Business Major.
Specializations
A specialization is achieved by taking three courses in one of the eight designated themes. Specializations do not appear on transcripts but may be reported on a resume.
200-Level Courses
Juniors and Seniors have the opportunity to take 200-level graduate courses at the Business School provided they meet the course prerequisites. Students need to request permission to register from the Business Administrator, Karen Muise (kmuise@brandeis.edu).