What Classes Are Required for a Business Degree?

Key takeaways

Business degree programs typically require courses in economics, accounting, marketing, management, human resources, and business ethics.

• 88 percent of all students who majored in business in 2023 chose one of the following areas: business management and administration, general business, accounting, finance, or marketing and market research [1]

• Whether you pursue a bachelor of arts (BA) or a bachelor of science (BS) in business shapes the direction of your coursework, as a BA emphasizes broader human skills, while a BS focuses on technical, specialized study.

• You can pursue high-earning roles, such as financial advisor, actuary, or medical and health services manager with a business degree.

Learn more about the classes required for a business degree and what you can expect to study in them.

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What is a business degree?

A business degree is a generic term that usually encompasses multiple degrees, majors, and concentrations. When you set out to earn a bachelor's degree in business, you'll typically need to pick an area where you want to concentrate. You'll also need to decide on the type of degree you want to pursue.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 88 percent of all students who majored in business in 2023 chose one of the following areas: business management and administration, general business, accounting, finance, or marketing and market research [2]. Depending on your chosen school or program, you may encounter other options, like small business management, data science, health care management, information technology management, human resources management, economics, supply chain management, public relations, sales, entrepreneurship, or international business. 

Business majors can earn either a bachelor of arts (BA) degree or a bachelor of science (BS) degree. The primary difference is that a BA offers a broader education. You may focus more on liberal arts and general business knowledge and courses that help sharpen certain human skills. You might choose to earn a BA if you want to go into a field like public relations or if you'd like to one day manage a nonprofit organization. These jobs require you to be business savvy, but you'll also need to sharpen certain human skills, like communication.

A BS, on the other hand, usually offers a more specific education in a certain area, as well as learning more technical skills and practical applications. If you want to go into a particular field, such as accounting or human resources, that requires unique technical knowledge, you might choose to earn a BS.

Why earn a business degree?

Earning a business degree can offer you numerous benefits, even if you don't have plans for a specific career in business. Some of these reasons might include:

• You may potentially earn more money than some non-business degree holders.

• Business degrees are diverse, allowing you to tailor your studies to fit your interests.

• You can go to work in almost any industry, ranging from health care to education to hospitality.

• You'll learn new in-demand technical skills that are valuable across various sectors. 

• You'll likely gain a better understanding of subjects like finance and budgeting.

• Many businesses and industries are seeking applicants with business and related degrees.

• You'll have opportunities to meet new people and expand your professional network. 

• You'll likely improve your human skills, like critical and analytical thinking, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. 

What classes are required for a business degree?

Before you enroll in a business program, you probably want to know what classes you'll take and what they might entail. While every school and program will be different, and your major or concentration may impact which classes you take, here is a sample of the basic business courses you may encounter while earning your bachelor's degree. 

Economics

As a business major, you may take at least one introductory economics course. This type of course might help you better understand how the economy works so you'll understand how your career choice fits in and impacts it all. Economics courses can also help prepare you to further your education, whether you want to go to law school, medical school, or earn a master's degree in business or a related field. You might learn about concepts like supply and demand, international trade, inflation, government policies, and other factors impacting local and global economies. 

Accounting

Many business programs may require you to take basic accounting courses, such as Principles of Accounting. In these courses, you might learn how to read a financial statement, learn the accounting cycle, and explore other concepts, like liabilities, equity, and assets.

Business law

Many programs require you to take a business law course. These courses give you a view of how businesses operate within the framework of the American legal system. You might learn about contracts, sales, crimes, torts, court procedures, and more.

Marketing

Even if you aren't a marketing major, you will likely take at least some marketing courses for any business degree, which can help you gain skills you might use in many fields. By learning about topics like advertising, sales, and branding, you can even learn how to promote yourself better when applying for a job. You'll also develop a keener sense of what consumers want in any industry. 

Management

Many business degree programs require you to take management courses, even if you aren't majoring in this area. You might learn about the general principles of management and how to be an effective business leader. In management courses, you may also learn more about ethics and sharpen some of your human skills, like communication, analytical thinking, and decision-making.

Human resources

Many schools require business majors to take at least one course in human resources. In these courses, you'll learn about human resources, but they're also a great place to sharpen your human skills, like communication, conflict management, and decision-making. These are skills you can use in almost any career or industry. 

Business ethics

Business ethics courses will likely be part of your core business classes. Business ethics focuses on the morals and values behind employees' and employers' actions in the workplace. Learning about this topic might include subjects like social responsibility, discrimination, and corporate governance, as well as how a business can earn and maintain the trust of consumers. 

Read more: How Long Does It Take to Get a Business Degree?

What math classes are required for a business degree?

Business degree programs typically incorporate math through applied courses like accounting and statistics. The coursework focuses on real-world skills rather than advanced topics like calculus. Your concentration also shapes how many math classes you need to take. Majors like marketing and human resources tend to have less math than finance and accounting.

What can I do with a business degree?

Earning a business degree can open you up to many opportunities. You may also opt to continue your education. You can go on to business school and earn a specialty master's degree in one of the various areas of business, like a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Health Care Administration (MHA), or Master of Accounting (MAcc). You can also earn a master of science degree in business-related areas like finance, real estate, marketing, or supply chain management. You can even attend medical school or law school if you have a bachelor's degree in business. 

While a business degree isn't necessary to start your own business, many entrepreneurs find it beneficial to earn one. Doing so can help you gain technical and human skills, gain experience in the business world, build your network, and give you credibility. 

Of course, having a business degree can also help you get high-paying jobs across numerous industries. Here are some jobs that you can often get with a bachelor's degree in business, as well as the average annual salary for each one and the job outlook:

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