Business Administration (BA)

The Business Administration degree provides students a solid foundation in the areas of accounting, finance, marketing, management, and law and ethics. The flexibility of this degree allows students to explore a breadth of courses in business and to pursue a course of study that meets individual interests.

Business Administration students engage in a variety of learning styles and approaches, from highly experiential to theoretical. Critical thinking is the cornerstone of this program. Graduates learn to ask relevant questions, locate and synthesize evidence, and communicate findings in oral and written form. Students learn to work with others and communicate informally as well as formally. Meaningful work experience is strongly recommended, though not required. Upon completion of the Business Administration degree, students will be prepared for entry-level business positions and will gain the critical thinking and soft skills to develop fulfilling careers.

Eleven units to include:

1. Preparatory courses (2 units): ECON 101 and MATH 160 or 260.  

2. Foundation Courses (5 units): BUS 205, 305, 310, 315, 340.

3. Business Electives (3 units) at 300-400 level (excluding BUS 240, 241, 300, and 316; CONN 387, 390, and 478).

4. Senior Research Seminar (1 unit). Students must complete the foundation courses and have senior standing before taking the Senior Research Seminar. Courses approved: BUS 432, 439, 476, 478, 482, 485, and 480.
    

Notes on the Major (Business Administration)

1. Courses used to satisfy the senior research seminar requirement may not also be used to satisfy university core requirements.

2. Only courses for which the student has received a C- or better count for the major.

3. Students must earn a grade of C- or better in all prerequisite courses.

4. A minimum of five BUS courses towards the major must be completed in residence at Puget Sound, or a waiver must be approved.

5. All business majors must select and meet with a Business faculty advisor.

6. Transfer students choosing to major in the School of Business and Leadership consult with the Registrar to determine transferability of business courses completed elsewhere. The SBL Director may be consulted for additional input. 

7. Students planning to pursue a graduate degree in business, such as an MBA, are encouraged to take Calculus (MATH180, 181).

General Requirements for the Major or Minor

General university degree requirements stipulate that 1) at least four units of the major or three units of the minor be taken in residence at Puget Sound; 2) students earn at least a cumulative GPA of 2.0 in courses taken for the major or the minor; and 3) all courses taken for a major or minor must be taken for graded credit. Any exceptions to these stipulations are indicated in the major and minor degree requirements listed below.