In the business administration major, you'll gain a well-rounded education that provides foundational, workplace-relevant management skills, organizational theory, and operational knowledge.
UMGC’s career-focused bachelor’s degree program in business administration is designed to help you compete for the jobs of today and tomorrow by building a comprehensive base of knowledge. This major will help you prepare for a variety of positions in for-profit, nonprofit, and public-sector organizations.
This program is also available as a minor.
About the Business Administration Bachelor's Degree
In your business administration courses, you’ll study accounting, business law, ethics and social responsibility, finance, human resource management and labor relations, strategic management, organizational behavior, marketing and sales, and statistical analysis.
What You'll Learn
Through your coursework, you will learn how to
- Plan and communicate a shared vision for the organization that will drive strategy, assist with decision making, and position the organization competitively
- Design and create management and leadership plans
- Evaluate qualitative and quantitative data
- Communicate effectively across all levels of an organization
- Develop, communicate, and implement policies and procedures to reduce cost and organizational risk and promote ethical practices
- Manage people, time, and resources by using effective employment practices, encouraging team building, and mentoring junior members of the staff
- Design and execute personal and employee development systems to enhance job performance and leadership skills
Coursework Examples
In past projects, students have had the opportunity to
- Analyze a particular company or organization
- Create a business plan suitable for a banker or investor
- Participate in real-world job interviews
Business Administration Bachelor's Degree Requirements
Our curriculum is designed with input from employers, industry experts, and scholars. You'll learn theories combined with real-world applications and practical skills you can apply on the job right away.
Courses in the Major
- BMGT 110
- ACCT 220
- ACCT 221
- BMGT 364
- BMGT 365
- MRKT 310
- BMGT 380
- HRMN 300
- FINC 330
- BMGT 496
- BMGT 495
Degree Focus
Choose from one of these recommended groups of classes or mix and match to align with your career goals and interests.
Related Required Courses Focus
Note: The following related required courses for the major are listed under general education courses and may be applied to general education or elective requirements.
- ECON 201
- ECON 203
- IFSM 300
- STAT 200
Electives Focus
- COMM 390 (recommended)
General Education Requirements
Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may require you to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Consult an advisor whenever taking advantage of other options. See information on alternate courses (where allowable) to fulfill general education requirements (in communications, arts and humanities, behavioral and social sciences, biological and physical sciences, mathematics, and interdisciplinary issues).
Research and Computer Literacy Courses
- PACE 111M
or PACE 111B
or other PACE 111 course (to be taken in first 6 credits) - LIBS 150
or CAPL 398A
or other general elective - IFSM 300 (related requirement for the major)
Communications Courses
- WRTG 111
or WRTG 291
or other writing course - WRTG 112
- SPCH 100
or other communication, writing, or speech course - WRTG 394
or other advanced upper-level writing course
Math Course
- STAT 200 (related requirement for the major)
Arts and Humanities Courses
- HIST 142
or HIST 157
or other arts and humanities course - ARTH 204
or foreign language course or other arts and humanities course
Behavioral and Social Science Courses
- ECON 201 (related requirement for the major)
- ECON 203 (related requirement for the major)
Biological and Physical Sciences Courses
- BIOL 101
and BIOL 102
or other paired science lecture and laboratory courses - NUTR 100
or BIOL 160 or other science lecture course
Career Preparation
This program is designed to help you prepare for work in management and operations for nonprofit, for-profit, and public-sector organizations.

UMGC has a great business program and is well respected. My classes were very meaningful to me, and I got ahead in my career because I learned my lessons well.
Janet Langenderfer
Managing Director, Vision Partners & Associates
Business Administration Bachelor's Degree

Community college transfer student, Marlene Plumley, took full advantage of UMGC's articulation agreement with Anne Arundel Community College. The competitive edge that Marlene gained from her UMGC education led her to launch a successful dive business.

I can truthfully say that everything I do—even the teaching—incorporates the knowledge I have gained and built upon over all these years, beginning with the bachelor's degree I worked so hard for at UMGC.
Arthur Tyler
Veteran, Air Force
Business Administration Bachelor's Degree

The biggest reason I chose UMGC is they actually had on-site classes…. I liked the classroom environment. It was awesome.
Latroy Powell
Human Resources Manager III, Sodexho
Master of Business Administration

Kirk Drake's business writing professor taught him to be more focused in his written communications. He discovered that what he learned at UMGC can be applied to every aspect of his business career.

My classes helped me to master the language of finance and speak authoritatively in front of the institution’s business leadership.
Thomas Scheller
Clinical Manager, Children's National Medical Center
Master of Business Administration
Financial Management and Information Systems Master's Degree
Finance Bachelor's Degree

When Deborah Bearor took on a project coordinator position, she impressed her colleagues with her relevant knowledge of the industry. The understanding that Deborah brought from her strategic management course at UMGC added value to the conversation and made her an indispensable member of her new team.

Jason Read was pleased that his courses in Business Management were relevant and immediately useful. His UMGC degree even facilitated three promotions while he was in school. As a regional manager, Jason's degree allows him to take care of his family and excel in his career.