The
Business Administration MajorThe philosophy of Illinois Wesleyan's Business Administration major is that preparation for a career in business requires study of a broad spectrum of topics, rather than narrow specialization in a single area. Therefore, our students take a sequence of courses that cover all of the business fields: accounting, finance, management, marketing, business law, and strategy and policy. This firm foundation in theory and its practice will enable you to adapt to a changing workplace in the years following your graduation. Because the business administration major is so flexible, many students choose a second major or a minor to accompany it. Study in business makes a great complement to study of a foreign language, politics, psychology, mathematics, English, history, the fine arts, or another field. In response to employers' requests to integrate the business disciplines taught in the foundation courses, the curriculum now includes an Information Systems class and an accounting course that combines traditional Financial and Managerial Accounting courses into one course.
Also, in an effort to provide depth of understanding in specific disciplines in business, we have designed tracks in the Business Administration major: Finance, Management, Marketing, and General Management Studies. Each track requires the completion of six core courses and four electives in the discipline. Three of those electives will be offered in the department and one will be taken in a department other than Business Administration. These track designations will appear on students' transcripts.
Graduates of our business administration program have assumed a number of important positions in the business world, such as President of State Farm Insurance Companies, Division Systems Analyst with the NCR Corporation, and Partner at Price Waterhouse Coopers. Others have pursued graduate study in law, in masters of business administration (MBA) or international business programs, or in specialized fields.
Requirements Checklist for Business
Administration Major with Specializations
Suggested Four Year Curriculum in Business Administration
FRESHMAN YEAR
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | May Term** |
| Gateway Colloquium* | Mathematics 110*, 151*, 155*, 161*, or 165* | Elective |
| Intro to Economics 100* | Foreign Language | |
| Foreign Language | Acct for Decision Making 112* | |
| General Education Requirement | General Education Requirement | |
| Physical Education Requirement |
SOPHOMORE YEAR
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | May Term** |
| Acct for Decision Making 212* | Financial Management 303 | Travel Course |
| Statistics 227* | Marketing 331 or | or Elective |
| General Education Requirement | Organization & Management 341 | |
| General Education Requirement | General Education Requirement | |
| Physical Education Requirement |
JUNIOR YEAR
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | May Term** |
| Marketing 331 or | Elective (Business Specialization)*** | Travel Course |
| Organization & Management 341 | Elective or Business Law I 355 | or Internship |
| Business Law I 355 or Elective | Elective | |
| General Education Requirement | General Education Requirement |
SENIOR YEAR
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | May Term** |
| Business Law I 355 or Elective | Strategy & Policy 490 | Travel Course |
| Elective (Business Specialization)*** | Elective (Business Speicalization)*** | or Internship |
| Elective (Business Specialization)*** | Elective | |
| Elective | Elective |
* Foundation course. Potential business administration majors must earn at least a C- in each foundation course and a cumulative average of 2.5 in these courses (on a 4.0 scale) to proceed to junior level major courses.
** Optional, but students are encouraged to participate in at least one May Term.
*** Students may choose to major in Business Administration with a specialization in: Finance, Management, Marketing, or General Management Studies. (Click on the links to see a list of courses appropriate for each specialization.)
NOTE: After the freshmen year, students
are assigned a permanent major advisor in the department who will assist
in program planning for the second-semester sophomore, junior and senior
years.
