Majors & Concentrations

All currently admitted William & Mary students interested in a business major or minor must apply for admission to the Undergraduate Business program. The admission process is competitive.

Core Curriculum

All majors complete coursework in the core curriculum. The core curriculum is designed to give you a strong foundation in concepts and practices central to all business disciplines. This consists of our prerequisites (16 credits), Integrated Foundation Semester (11 credits), and the upper-level core courses (11 credits).

foundation and upper-level information
Foundation Semester

Students participate in the Foundation Semester during their first semester of the Business Majors Program. The coursework consists of:

foundation semester courses
Business Perspectives and Applications

BUAD 300 | 1 credit

This course complements the core courses in the BBA program by integrating disciplines, ethical considerations, and business communications. The course includes business simulations, team interaction, and presentation skills. The course is completed the first semester as a Business Major.

Principles of Marketing

BUAD 311 | 3 credits

A study of the role of marketing in business and the economy. Emphasis is on the examination of functions, institutions and policies.

Financial Management

BUAD 323 | 3 credits

An examination of the finance function in the firm. Topics include the theory and practice of valuation, current and long term financing, working capital management, capital budgeting and multinational finance.

Computer Skills for Business

BUAD 330 | 1 credit

This course is designed to complement functional courses in the Business Core Program providing instruction in the use of application software. Typically the course will cover presentation software, spreadsheets, and database application. Graded pass/fail.

Introduction to Business Analytics

BUAD 350 | 3 credits

The objective of this course is to provide students with an introduction to the concepts of business analytics, operations management and information systems. During this course, students will develop skills in analyzing business situations, developing visualization and decision models designed to effectively analyze and communicate, and to identify expected risks and benefits associated with decisions based on the models developed.

Upper-Level Core

Following the Foundation Semester, students must complete the following coursework:

upper level courses
Organizational Behavior & Management

BUAD 317 | 3 credits

This course develops the ability to recognize and manage human and behavioral factors in work settings. Topics include: individual differences, group dynamics, motivation, and an introduction to organizational structure and leadership.

Legal Environment of Business

BUAD 343 | 2 credits

An introduction to the law and the legal process. Substantive areas of law covered include: contracts, sales of goods and product liability; business torts and environmental law; bankruptcy and international law.

Operations Management

BUAD 351 | 1.5 credits

This course focuses on operations knowledge essential to successful management. Topics include demand forecasting, process analysis, minimizing the effects of uncertainty in supply and demand, operational decision-making and other operation topics of current interest.

Decision-Making through Visualization & Simulation

BUAD 352 | 1.5 credits

The objective of this course is to provide students with advanced skills in the most common business analytics tools of the modern workplace - namely Excel and its companion programming language called Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). During this course, students will develop visualization and decision models designed to effectively communicate the meaning of complex data sets, and to identify the expected risks and returns associated with decisions about uncertain future events through the application of probability concepts and Monte Carlo simulation methods.

Global Strategic Management

BUAD 414 | 3 credits

This course will expose students to global issues that influence the competitive behavior and performance of firms. Students will build skills for conducting strategic analysis in a variety of industry and competitive situations in the global economy. By the end of the course, students will be able to apply a general manager's strategic perspective to the resolution of major business problems, with the goal of improving organizational performance.

Business Major and Concentration Curriculum Guide (PDF)

Majors Options

A major allows you to deepen your knowledge base in a specific discipline of business by exploring both the theoretical and technical aspects of that discipline. After being immersed in the Integrated Foundation Semester, you will choose a discipline which will serve as the primary focus of the remainder of your business education.

Accounting Major

The accounting major is designed to provide students with fundamentals of business while preparing them for a variety of careers both in business and in the public sector. The accounting major requires 15 credit hours in addition to the undergraduate core curriculum. Thinking CPA? Students considering the CPA route are advised to speak with an academic advisor about ways to meet CPA exam and licensure requirements.

Required Courses & Descriptions

Elective Course & Description (optional)

Business Analytics Major

In addition to the core curriculum, students majoring in business analytics may choose an emphasis in either data science or supply chain. Each major and emphasis requires students to complete 12 credits in the discipline.

Data Science Emphasis Required Courses & Descriptions

Data Science Emphasis Electives (Choose One) Courses & Descriptions

Supply Chain Emphasis Required Courses & Descriptions

Supply Chain Emphasis Electives (Choose One) Courses & Descriptions

Finance Major

In addition to the core curriculum, students majoring in finance complete 12 credits in the discipline. These credits focus understanding of finance beyond basic formulae to a more critical look at financial statements, portfolio risk and return, and corporate financial strategy.

Additionally, the Boehly Center for Excellence in Finance provides opportunities for advanced financial training, career exploration, networking, and experiential learning through financial firm-sponsored competitions as well as through industry-leader and dedicated faculty-taught courses. The Center capitalizes on William & Mary's ideal size by offering uniquely personalized programs, including alumni mentor matching and academic and career advising.

Required Courses & Descriptions

Elective Courses & Descriptions (Choose Two)

Experiential Elective Courses & Descriptions (Choose One)

Marketing Major

In addition to the core curriculum, students majoring in marketing complete 12 credits in the discipline. These credits focus understanding of marketing beyond basic principles to look more critically at advertising strategies, decision theory, marketing in a digital work, and consumer behavior.

Required Course & Description

Additional Required Courses & Descriptions (Choose Two)

Electives Courses & Descriptions (Choose One)

Concentration Options

A concentration allows Business Majors to study a business discipline outside of their major by taking 6-9 additional credits of coursework. This exposure and experience in a secondary discipline allows students to individualize their studies and enhance their degrees.

Accounting Concentration

Students majoring in another business discipline may add a concentration in Accounting by completing an additional six credits of coursework in the area beyond Principles of Accounting (BUAD 203). Courses cannot double count for both a major and a concentration.

Required Course & Description

Elective Courses & Descriptions (Choose One)

Business Analytics Concentration

Students majoring in another business discipline may add a concentration in Business Analytics by completing an additional six credits of coursework in the area. Courses cannot double for both a major and a concentration.

Elective Courses & Descriptions (Choose Two)

Consulting Concentration

Students majoring in a business discipline may add a concentration in Consulting by completing an additional six credits of coursework in the area. Courses cannot double count for both a major and a concentration.

Elective Courses & Descriptions (Choose Two)

Finance Concentration

Students majoring in another business discipline may add a concentration in Finance by completing an additional six credits of coursework in the area beyond Financial Management (BUAD 323). Students are required to take either BUAD 327 or BUAD 329 but may take both to fulfill the concentration requirements. Courses cannot double count for both a major and a concentration.

Required Courses & Descriptions (Choose One or Both)

Elective Courses & Descriptions (Choose One if taking only one required course)

Innovation & Entrepreneurship Concentration

Students majoring in a business discipline may add a concentration in Innovation & Entrepreneurship by completing BUAD 340 Introduction to Innovation and Entrepreneurship and an additional six credit hours. Courses cannot double count for both a major and a concentration.

Required Course & Description

Elective Courses & Descriptions (Choose Two)

Management & Organization Leadership Concentration

Students majoring in a business discipline can add a management & organizational leadership concentration by completing six credits. Courses cannot double count for both a major and a concentration.

Elective Courses & Descriptions (Choose Two)

Marketing Concentration

Students majoring in another business discipline may add a concentration in Marketing by completing an additional six credits of coursework in the area beyond Principles of Marketing (BUAD 311). Courses cannot double count for both a major and a concentration.

Elective Courses & Descriptions (Choose Two)

Supply Chain Analytics Concentration

Students majoring in another business discipline may add a concentration in Supply Chain Analytics by completing an additional six credits of coursework in the area. Courses cannot double count for both a major and a concentration.

Elective Courses & Descriptions (Choose Two)

Sustainability Concentration

Students majoring in a business discipline may add a concentration in sustainability by completing an additional six credits of coursework in the area. Courses cannot double count for both a major and a concentration.

Elective Courses & Descriptions (Choose Two)