Popular majors and specializations for Bachelors degree in Business

Some Universities in USA require students to declare their major at the time of enrolment, while some require that students wait until their sophomore or junior year. In USA, the first 2 years include common required courses. Coursework for business administration majors begins with introductory classes in quant-based subjects like micro economics, macro economics, finance, calculus, statistics, accounting, marketing, and business communication. In the ensuing years, courses cover areas of study such as business analysis & administration, business analytics, business computing, business ethics, business statistics, commercial law, developing markets, international markets, international business, finance, human resources, international studies, marketing, research and technology, management and organization. Students may take advanced classes in operations management, organizational behavior, entertainment, entrepreneurship. Aligned with their interests, students can choose a concentration in information systems and technology, international business, leadership and management, law, finance, health and life sciences, strategy, and real estate. Some programs allow business administration majors to pursue dual degrees in areas such as international relations, computer science, data analytics, neuroscience or philosophy.

Undergraduate business degrees are typically broken down into the two groups: Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS). Bachelor of business administration (BBA) and a BA in Business, cover a broader range of subjects. They tend to be wide in their scope with more electives and interdisciplinary coursework from humanities and social science classes. Students who have a specific business field in mind should take a look at BS (Bachelor of Science) programs as the overall focus is more technical and in-depth. They are heavy in technology and math subjects, emphasizing on mathematical analysis and information systems.

Excellent numeracy
basic-level financial analysis – constructing and interpreting balance sheets
General IT skills; proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint, as well as specialist software
General research skills
Self-management and independent learning, including planning and meeting deadlines
Professional communication, spoken and written
Ability to present ideas logically and critically
Team work
Leadership
Problem-solving
Data analysis
Ability to be self-critical
Ability to identify causes, trends and patterns and knowing how to capitalize on trends
Knowledge of current global markets

Business Studies, a diverse and ever-evolving field, offers various specializations. Though each specialization is different, all of them are built around the common theme of core business values and principles. Listed below are few of the most popular majors/specializations:

Focuses on a foundation in business fundamentals, study of business management principles and their application in real-world scenarios. Through courses like Operations Management, Project Management, Organizational Behaviour, Ethics, Finance, Human Resources, Business Strategy, etc, students explore current operations and marketing management practices and principles to create efficient, productive systems; evaluate methods of personnel selection; standards for performance evaluation; marketing management. Students learn management skills and perspectives that can be applied to any industry, from human resources and marketing to systems. This specialization  puts a strong emphasis on leadership and managerial skills and equips them in effective entrepreneurial activities and decision making.

The program focuses on theory and application of financial management, strategy and analysis to build a solid business foundation, along with skills and knowledge for critical thinking to make decisions on effective and efficient utilization and management of resources. Students develop a strong foundation in evaluation of strategic corporate and investment decision, capital markets and institutions from a financial perspective, analysis of cash flow, role of risk and uncertainty in investment decisions. The program teaches to assess and solve issues in a business environment by applying the principles of finance and accounting, quantitative tools to analyze business practices, understanding the co-relation between financial concepts and global markets. Courses include Strategic Financial Management, Financial Accounting, Corporate Finance, Business Law, Project Management.

Marketing seeks to take a product/service, identify its ideal customers, and draw the customers' attention to the product/service by using the "marketing mix," (the four Ps) - product, price, place, and promotion. This specialization focuses on key principles of marketing focused around planning, implementation, control and evaluation of marketing strategies to achieve an organization's goals, methods to promote products and services, design and execution of marketing campaigns, communication with customers at B2C and B2B level. Key courses of Sales Management, Public Relations, Market Research teach students how to measure market demand, segment the market effectively, achieve competitive advantage, forecast sales, distribution channels, product and brand management. The marketing strategy defines a company's connect to customers and the trust customers place in the product and eventually buy it. Soft skills required include good command over the language, creativity, critical thinking.

This specialization covers conception, design, organization, and management of new enterprises. There is a demand for these graduates from large companies seeking employees who know how to grow a business, keep nourishing it, and make independent and timely decisions. It equips students with the necessary skills to lead business operations with insights on key decision-making processes amid various challenges of managing modern organizations, effective negotiation tactics and strategy, and understanding contracting and procurement. Key courses include Venture Capital, Decision Making, Capital Management, Understanding Global Business, Product Development, etc. Since students are also exposed to courses in marketing, finance, law, budgeting, communications, and human resources, they gain a unique, competitive advantage.

Focuses on exploring how international trade and relations, and financial policies impact business decisions. Students learn to adapt marketing strategies for international markets, management practices and processes in an international environment, managing operations and production on a global scale, international logistics and supply chains, foreign currency exchange and its risks. Key courses of Global Banking, Emerging Markets, International Trade Law, Global Outsourcing Strategy, Supply Chain & Logistics train to analyze real-world practices of international marketing and trade operations and global financial markets, explore trade theories, globalization, political and economic systems, etc. Since International Business relies on cross-cultural collaboration, fluency in a foreign languages is required along with sound business ethics and the co relation between cultures and team management.

This specialization focuses on finding an adequate approach to train and develop employees, and build capacity with recruitment of new hires. It offers industry-focused courses on human asset management to resolve conflicts, personnel selection process, establish performance standards, methods of performance appraisal, determine a compensation structure, cover disciplinary actions. Courses include General Business Administration And Management, Labor And Industrial Relations, Office Management, Industrial Psychology. Other focus areas include setting standards to ensure employee health, safety, and overall physical and mental well-being.

It involves management and optimization of men, material, machines and technology to maximize profits. It covers administration of business practices to create the highest level of efficiency possible within an organization by converting materials and labor into goods and services as efficiently as possible to maximize profits, managing supply chain networks and personnel. Courses focus on factors that affect success of operations, quality and cost-control management , behavioural science and industrial labor relations, supply chain network and improving work flow design. Students learn to handle various strategic issues, including determining the size of manufacturing plants and project management methods, structure of information technology networks, inventory management, quality control, maintenance policies.

Companies initiate projects to increase revenue, minimize costs, and improve the bottom line. A project manager is responsible for success of a project by planning as per objectives, and understanding the processes to successfully complete projects on-time and on-budget while leading and managing diverse teams. Supervision of projects includes conception, planning, scheduling, risk assessment budgeting, procuring and managing materials and human resources, effective and timely internal and external communications, and quality control. The important courses include Micro and Macroeconomics, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, Quality and how to develop and use Gantt Charts, CPM and PERT techniques.