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Undergraduate Business

Undergraduate Academics

Choose Your Path

At the Raymond A. Mason School of Business, we create an environment that fosters creativity and innovative thinking. You may choose to major or minor in business, double major or minor within Arts & Sciences or the School of Computing, Data Sciences & Physics, or add depth through a concentration in a second business discipline. Our curriculum balances intellectual breadth with professional preparation. A dedicated team of advisors will help you navigate your options to fulfill your personal interests and goals.

How the Program Works

Undergraduate business students at William & Mary follow a structured yet flexible path through the program. After completing prerequisites and gaining admission—as early as your sophomore year—you'll move through foundation coursework, choose a major, and complete discipline-specific courses that prepare you for your career.

Topics

Core Curriculum

Core Curriculum

18 Core Credits • 12-15 Major-Specific Credits • ∼2.5-3 Years in the Business School

Core Curriculum
Core Course Credits
BUAD 311: Principles of Marketing (Block) 3
BUAD 323: Financial Management (Block) 3
BUAD 350: Business Analytics (Block) 3
BUAD 317: Organizational Behavior & Management 3
BUAD 357: Operations Management 3
BUAD 414: Global Strategic Management  3

Degree requirement: ECON 102 (Principles of Macroeconomics) must be completed by graduation. 

Majors

After the foundation block semester, you'll choose a major that serves as the primary focus of the remainder of your business education. Each major requires 12 to 15 additional credits of discipline-specific coursework.

  • Accounting

    Prepares students for careers in public and private accounting, financial analysis, and advisory services. Students considering the CPA route are advised to speak with an academic advisor about meeting exam and licensure requirements. The Estes Center for Accounting provides dedicated career development and employer engagement.

  • Business Analytics

    Develops analytical and data-driven decision-making skills across business contexts. Students build expertise in statistical modeling, data visualization, and applied analytics through a rigorous sequence of quantitative coursework.

  • Finance

    Covers financial valuation, investment analysis, risk management, and corporate finance. Students benefit from the Boehly Center for Excellence in Finance, which provides advanced training, competition experience, and industry connections.

  • Marketing

    Examines marketing strategy, consumer behavior, market research, and brand management. Students develop the ability to identify market opportunities and create value through customer-centered decision-making.

Minors and Concentrations

  • Minors

    Students majoring in Arts & Sciences or the School of Computing, Data Sciences & Physics may enhance their studies with a business minor. Available minors include Accounting, Business Analytics, Consulting, Finance, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Management & Organizational Leadership, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, General Business Administration (summer only), and Global Business Administration (summer only). Minor requirements vary by discipline.

  • Concentrations

    A concentration allows you to study a business discipline outside of your major by completing 6 to 9 additional credits of coursework. It provides exposure and experience in a secondary area and enhances your degree. Concentrations are available across various business disciplines. They can also make you more competitive in the job market by demonstrating specialized knowledge beyond your primary field of study.

Global Opportunities

William & Mary is the #1 public university for study abroad, with 55% of students traveling to more than 50 countries. The earlier entry point into the business school gives students more time to plan and integrate a study abroad experience into their academic schedule without delaying graduation. Faculty-led programs, semester exchanges, international internships, and social entrepreneurship projects provide multiple ways to gain a global perspective.

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Accelerated & Combined Degree Pathways

Students who complete their undergraduate requirements efficiently may pursue an accelerated path to a graduate degree. Options include the Mason School's one-year Master of Accounting (MAcc) and Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA). If you are ahead of schedule with your undergraduate requirements, you can fast-track your degree pursuits. By leveraging AP or dual-enrollment credits and gaining early entry into the undergraduate business program, a 3+1 or 4+1 pathway becomes significantly more attainable.

Stephanie Schefer '24

To have the flexibility to take classes in various backgrounds and really explore topics outside of business, such as art or philosophy, helped me diversify my knowledge versus focusing on a one-minded discipline of study.
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Stephanie Schefer BBA '24
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