Business Administration Major

The Business Administration major is designed to provide students with a broad background in all of the aspects of business. Business Administration might be an appropriate major for students who will work in smaller organizations or own their businesses which will require a broader understanding of business. Also, some organizations may seek generalists rather than specialists because they may be more adaptable in rapidly changing business environments. This major might also be appropriate for students intending to go on to graduate studies that would benefit from a broad understanding of business, e.g., law school.

Business Administration Minor

Majors outside the College of Business often select a minor in Business Administration to enhance their competencies and marketability through business-related knowledge and skills. A minor in Business Administration requires a minimum of 24 credits. At least 12 credits in 300-400 level BUSN, FIN, MGMT, and MRKT courses must be completed at NDSU in the College of Business. Prior departmental approval is required for any 300-400 level course not completed at NDSU but used to satisfy the minor requirements.

Students must earn a 2.50 grade point average that is based on the courses used for the Business Administration minor. A minor approval form is required and can be found at www.ndsu.edu/business . This minor is not available to students with majors in the College of Business.

Major Requirements

Major: Business Administration

Degree Type: B.S.
Minimum Credits Required for Degree: 126

General Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degree

• A list of approved general education courses is available here .
• General education courses may be used to satisfy requirements for both general education and the major, minor, and program emphases, where applicable. Students should carefully review the major, minor, and program emphases requirements for minimum grade restrictions, should they apply.

Major Requirements

Degree Requirements and Notes

• Students must include one of the following international courses in their plan of study:

• Students follow the published curricula for the business administration program of study from the semester/year of entrance in the College of Business to graduation, provided enrollment at NDSU has not been discontinued for more than one year. Students who change their major are subject to meeting the curricular requirements in effect at the time the new major is declared. 
• Business courses from programs that do not hold AACSB International accreditation cannot be used for major or minor requirements in the College of Business (CoB); such courses may be eligible for use as free electives.
• The CoB accepts a maximum of nine credits of non-NDSU 300-400 level business courses from AACSB programs with approval of the department.
• Admission into the Business Administration Major: Students must earn a 'C' or better in the pre-college and pre-business administration major courses that are indicated with an asterisk (*), achieve junior standing (60 credits), and earn a 2.50 institutional cumulative grade point average.  Students must submit an online application to the CoB.
• Admission to the business administration major is required to enroll in advanced 300 or 400 level CoB courses.
• A grade of 'C' or better is required in transfer courses accepted for ACCT 200 Elements of Accounting I and ACCT 201 Elements of Accounting II and all 300-400 level accounting, business administration, finance, management, management information systems, and marketing courses.
• A letter grade must be earned in any course that fulfills a major requirement. The only exception is BUSN 301, which is a P/F course. 
• A 2.50 cumulative grade point average is required to enroll in 300-400 level CoB courses.
• Students must earn a 2.50 institutional GPA to graduate.
• Of the credits completed in residence at least 30 credits must be in 300-400 level CoB courses.
• Students must be accepted to the Business Administration major prior to the completion of the last 30 credits in 300 and 400 level CoB courses.
• For multiple majors within CoB, at least 15 unique credits of 300-400 level CoB courses must exist between the majors.
• Internship and cooperative education credits may be applied toward the total credits required for graduation as non-major electives.
• Students should refer to www.ndsu.edu/business for current and complete listing of the major requirements.

Minor Requirements

Business Administration Minor

Minor Requirements

Required Credits: 24

Students should refer to College of Business for information on declaring this minor.

Minor Requirements and Notes

• To be accepted into the minor program, students must have a 2.50 institutional cumulative GPA and at least junior standing (60 credits).  This minor is not available to students with majors in the College of Business.
• Departmental approval is required for any course (including Tri-College) NOT completed at NDSU and used to satisfy the minor requirements (6 credits maximum).
• Students must earn a 2.50 minimum GPA, which is based upon the courses used to satisfy the minor requirements. Minors must satisfy all course prerequisites.
• Students should refer to www.ndsu.edu/business for information on declaring the minor with the College of Business.

Plan of Study 

NOTE: This is only a sample curriculum; actual schedules will depend on course availability and individual choices. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic adviser on a regular basis to review their plan of study.