Learn to Lead With ֱ’s Business Administration Major
Gain foundational skills in accounting, finance, economics, marketing, and management — all while enjoying the flexible framework of ֱ’s Business Administration major. The ֱ Business degree (our Bachelor of Science with a Major in Business Administration) positions you to apply innovative business concepts to your other passions — from marine science to neuroscience and beyond.
ֱ’s College of Business Centers can help boost your career with practical learning and networking opportunities in areas like sales or sports marketing. Want to bring out your inner entrepreneur? Take courses in our Makerspace or participate in the Student Innovation Challenge competition.
Why ֱ for Your Bachelor’s in Business Administration
ֱ’s Business Administration major gives you the flexibility to complete a concentration, minor, or double major that reflects your passion or that empowers you to respond to a unique market opportunity. Learn how to run a business with coursework that covers the full span of business operations.
- Interdisciplinary — learn to apply business principles to your interests in health, the environment, and elsewhere
- Industry-applicable education
- Access to multiple internships
- Learn to lead within modern workplace dynamics
- Innovation and entrepreneurship courses
- Makerspace for innovative ideation and prototyping
- Receptive to students’ interest in emerging markets
- Choice of several concentration areas including management, economics, marketing, entrepreneurship, and more
Seth Semmelrock ’19
Why ֱ
My program at ֱ did a really good job of teaching me about both small and big business, by showing that there are many pros to small business and “keeping it local” while simultaneously encouraging us to question everything.
In Maine, there is definitely an emphasis on small business across the state. It’s evident in the sheer amount of small business in Maine and how strong that community is. I think that it's very important to keep small business around and not allow big business and major corporations to become overbearing.
The local feel here in Maine is genuine. When you go into a local shop or restaurant or whatever it may be, it is an exponentially different experience than when you walk into a cookie-cutter corporate office or even a chain restaurant. The atmospheres, people, and experiences at small businesses are unique and refreshing.
Beyond the Classroom
In Community Health and Environmental Development in Kenya, we learned about what goes on in Kenya politically, environmentally, and developmentally in the classroom here in Maine. The ultimate goal of the class was to travel to Kenya to put our classroom learning to use in a hands-on setting. We did just that.
We fit into three weeks the amount of activities that you could have done over the course of two or three months. We worked with numerous different NGOs and other organizations that are all focused around healthy community and environmental development in Kenya. We also got to do a bit of touristy stuff, like visit a museum, we went to an elephant orphanage and giraffe center, and we went to Nairobi National Park. Every experience that we had was deeply educational. We were doing different bits and pieces, learning whatever we could about this place that was new to us.
One day, we were all going out in a big group for a tour on foot. We had some very young Kenyan students along with us for the trek. I was tapping my metal water bottle along the way, and it was making a tinny, ringing sound. One little Kenyan girl — she couldn’t have been more than four — turned around and stared at me, mesmerized by the sound. We don’t speak the same language, so I had no way of communicating to her in words, but I could see that it was the sound that she was interested in. I bent down, held out the water bottle, and kept tapping at it. She kept looking at it, entranced. Eventually, she reached out and tapped it too. She smiled so big. It was this special moment of communication between us. We hadn’t spoken a word to each other, and I felt like we had had an entire conversation. There was a mutual understanding that felt really cool and was a moment that made my decision to go [to Kenya] worth it.
The ultimate goal of the class was to travel to Kenya to put our classroom learning to use in a hands-on setting. We did just that.
What will you study? Bachelor’s in Business Administration Curriculum Overview
Whichever concentration you choose — accounting, business management, economics, entrepreneurship, finance, international business, health sector management, or marketing — you’ll complete five courses in your concentration area to tailor your degree for your career goals.
The following are just some examples of the exciting courses that the Business Administration major offers:
- Environmental Economics
- Innovation through Technology
- Human Resource Management
- Business and Society Relations
- Legal Environment of Business
- Predictive Analytics
Curriculum
| CAS Core Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| Total Credits | 42 |
| Program Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| BUAC 201 – Financial Accounting | 3 |
| BUAC 303 – Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| BUEC 203 – Macroeconomics | 3 |
| BUEC 204 – Microeconomics | 3 |
| BUFI 205/DSC 205 – Introduction to Data Analysis & Modeling | 3 |
| BUFI 315 – Business Finance Concepts & Skills | 3 |
| BUMG 120 – Innovation thru Technology | Credits Fulfilled by Core Requirements |
| BUMG 200 – Management | 3 |
| BUMG 302 – Human Resource Management | 3 |
| BUMG 311 – Business and Society Relations | 3 |
| BUMG 325 – Legal Environment of Business | 3 |
| BUMG 335 – International Management | 3 |
| BUMG 495A – Internship in Business Administration | 3 |
| BUMG 498 – Strategic Management | 3 |
| BUMK 200 – Marketing | 3 |
| BUMK 312 – Small Business Management or BUMG 313 – Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| MAT 120 – Statistics | Credits Fulfilled by Core Requirements |
| Concentration Courses (see below) or Business Electives | 15–16 |
| Total Credits | 60–61 |
| Open Elective Courses (as needed to reach 120 credits) | Variable |
| Minimum Total Required Credits | 120 |
|---|
A Business Administration student in their sophomore year may, with the permission of the Business chair, enroll in one (1) of the following concentrations.
Accounting
| Concentration Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| BUAC 305 – Excel Expert Certification | 3 |
| BUAC 310 – Intermediate Accounting I | 3 |
| BUAC 320 – Auditing Principles | 3 |
| BUAC 330 – Tax for Individuals and Entities | 3 |
| Two (2) 300- or 400-level courses with BUAC prefix | 6 |
| Total Credits | 18 |
Economics
| Select any five (5) courses from the list below | Credits |
|---|---|
| BUEC 370 – Money, Credit, and Banking | 3 |
| BUEC 375 – International Trade and Finance | 3 |
| BUEC 380 – Economic Development of the United States | 3 |
| BUEC 385 – Health Economics | 3 |
| BUEC 390 – Environmental Economics | 3 |
| BUEC 395 – Ecological Economics | 3 |
| BUEC 399 – Economic Topics | 3 |
| BUMG 495B – Internship (with approved Economics focus) | 3 |
| PSC 332 – International Political Economy | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 |
Finance
| Concentration Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| BUFI 322 – Investments | 3 |
| BUFI 415 – Advanced Business Finance | 3 |
| Three (3) 300- or 400-level courses with BUFI prefix | 9 |
| Total Credits | 15 |
Health Sector Management
| Concentration Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| BUEC 380 – Health Economics | 3 |
| BUMG 400 – Management Seminar | 3 |
| BUMG 495B – Internship (with approved Health Sector Management focus) | 3 |
| Two (2) College of Business-approved courses | 6 |
| Total Credits | 15 |
International Business
| Select any five (5) courses from the list below | Credits |
|---|---|
| BUEC 375 – International Trade and Finance | 3 |
| BUFI 347G – International Financial Accounting | 3 |
| BUMG 400 – Management Seminar or PSC 240 – American Foreign Policy or PSC 320 – Global Organizations, Politics, and Culture or PSC 409 – Origin of Modern Global Systems or SOC 255 – Globalization of Technology or SOC 377 – International Development | 3 |
| BUMG 495B – Internship (with approved international business focus) | 3 |
| BUMK 335 – Global Marketing | 3 |
| CMM 320 – Intercultural Communications or SOC 206 – Cross-Cultural Communications | 3 |
| PSC 332 – International Political Economy | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 |
Management
| Select any five (5) courses from the list below | Credits |
|---|---|
| BUMG 301 – Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| BUMG 303 – Management of Non-Profit Organization | 3 |
| BUMG 307 – Operations Management | 3 |
| BUMG 315 – Triple Bottom Line Reporting | 3 |
| BUMG 360 – Leadership | 3 |
| BUMG 400 – Management Seminar | 3 |
| BUMG 495B – Internship (with approved Management focus) | 3 |
| BUMK 405 – Sales Management | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 |
Marketing
| Concentration Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| BUMK 303 – Non-Profit Marketing or BUMK 320 – Retail Marketing or BUMK 325 – Services Marketing or BUMK 330 – Industrial Marketing | 3 |
| BUMK 310 – Advertising | 3 |
| BUMK 335 – Global Marketing | 3 |
| BUMK 350 – Social Media Marketing Strategy or BUMK 450 – Digital Marketing | 3 |
| One (1) 300- or 400-level course with BUMK prefix | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 |
Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship
| Concentration Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| BUMG 120 – Innovation through Technology (EXP) | 3 |
| BUMG 313 – Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ADV) | 3 |
| BUMG 410 – Creating Social Enterprises through Design Thinking and Innovation or BUMG 495B* – Internship with Social I&E Focus | 3–4 |
| Select two (2) of the following: | Credits |
|---|---|
| CMM 240 – Social Applications of Web 2.0 (SGA) | 3 |
| BUMG 307 – Operations Management | 3 |
| BUMG 309 – Hacking Maine Food Chain (ADV) | 3 |
| BUMG 314 – Grant Writing (ADV) or WRT 317 – Proposal and Grant Writing | 3 |
| BUMK 312 – Entrepreneurship/Small Business | 3 |
| BUEC 380 – Economic Development of the US | 3 |
| BUEC 390 – Environmental Economics (ADV) or BUEC 395 – Ecological Economics | 3 |
| DSC 205/BUFI 205 – Introduction to Data Analysis and Modeling | 3 |
| MAT 225 – Computer Programming w/MALAB | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 |
*Can be substituted with an Internship of another major with the permission of the BUMG 495B coordinator.
Students will be allowed to use up to twelve (12) credits from another minor or from their major to complete this concentration.
No Concentration
| Select any five (5) courses from the list below with advisor approval | Credits |
|---|---|
| BUEC 365 – Evolution of Economic Theory | 3 |
| BUEC 370 – Money Credit and Banking | 3 |
| BUEC 375 – International Trade and Finance | 3 |
| BUEC 380 – Economic Development of the United States | 3 |
| BUEC 385 – Health Economics | 3 |
| BUEC 390 – Environmental Economics | 3 |
| BUEC 395 – Ecological Economics | 3 |
| BUFI 302 – Personal Finance | 3 |
| BUFI 321 – Investment Management | 3 |
| BUFI 322 – Investments | 3 |
| BUMG 120 – Innovation through Technology | 3 |
| BUMG 295 – Business Internship | 3 |
| BUMG 301 – Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| BUMG 303 – Mgmt of Non-Profit Orgs | 3 |
| BUMG 309 – Hacking the Maine Food System | 3 |
| BUMG 313 – Social Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| BUMG 314 – Grant Writing | 3 |
| BUMG 315 – Triple Bottom Line Reporting | 3 |
| BUMG 328 – Employment Law | 3 |
| BUMG 360 – Leadership | 3 |
| BUMG 400 – Management Seminar | 3 |
| BUMG 410 – Creating Social Enterprises | 4 |
| BUMG 495B – Internship in Business Administration | 3 |
| BUMK 310 – Advertising | 3 |
| BUMK 335 – Global Marketing | 3 |
| BUMK 350 – Social Media Marketing Strategy | 3 |
| BUMK 405 – Sales Management | 3 |
| WRT 233 – Professional and Technical Writing | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 |
To learn more about the program visit the Academic Catalog.
Bachelor’s in Business Administration Honors Program
We offer qualified students the option of graduating with Honors. This includes significant research, scholarship or creative activity under the direction of a faculty member. Interested students should consult with their advisor.
Meet Pat, Business ’21
A business major (and lifelong hockey goalie) who designed a helmet camera and proprietary computer interface in ֱ’s P.D. Merrill Makerspace, Pat’s invention allows hockey players to study fine points of body motion and position.
Career Paths for Business Administration Majors
Grounded by your technical knowledge of how to run a business and equipped with people skills acquired from teamwork, hands-on experiences, and internships, you will stride along the path to an exciting career in business. Your coursework and experience in your concentration area will make you even more marketable in the career path you choose.
Our graduates have pursued many fascinating professions, including:
- Entrepreneur
- Market Research Analyst
- Public Relations expert
- Financial Advisor
- Human Resources Manager
- Sales Manager
- Loan Officer
- Accountant
Career Advising in the Business Administration Program
Whether you have a specific career goal in mind or a vague idea of the field that interests you, Career Advising is here to help you plan your next step.
Start Your Career in College With the Women in Business Club
A Flexible Foundation for Your Business Studies
As a first-year Business Administration student at ֱ, you’ll take a variety of courses that help set the foundation for some of our other business degree programs. You can feel confident launching your college career with this major, knowing you’ll have mentorship to help you consider other business majors in a way that keeps you on track.
Bachelor’s in Business Administration Facilities
ֱ’s Makerspace is an innovative campus resource that serves as a laboratory for creation and building. You’ll discover how to run a business using cutting-edge technology in our Fabrication Lab and Design Lab.
Solving Real-World Problems in ֱ’s Makerspace
Using Drones in Research Through the ֱ Makerspace
Experiential Learning in the Bachelor’s of Business Administration
The Business Administration major puts you in real-world settings and challenges you to find solutions to actual industry problems. So you don’t just learn how to run a business — you do business.
Internships for Business Administration Majors
Receive course credit while developing your skills and interacting with professionals. As you build confidence, you will network in your field—whether that’s in health sector management, social innovation and entrepreneurship, economics or marketing—explore career options, and gain the perspective to successfully transition into the workforce. Past internship sites have included the following:
- American Red Cross
- NASA
- IBM
- Geico
- Smithsonian Institution
- Southwest Airlines
For more information, contact the Internship Office.
Hands-on Learning
- Use innovative technology and design in the Makerspace
- Compete in the annual Student Innovation Challenge
- Be part of the Green Learning Community first-year experience
Meet Dean Norm O’Reilly
ֱ is proud to announce Norm O’Reilly, Ph.D., a leading scholar in the business of sports, inaugural dean for the University’s recently established College of Business. O’Reilly joins ֱ with two decades of leadership experience in higher education, including his most recent role as dean of the Portland-based Graduate School of Business at the University of Maine (UMaine).
In his time at UMaine, O’Reilly oversaw the establishment and growth of business programs for Maine’s public universities, notably the MaineMBA which now numbers more than 400 students. He enhanced interdisciplinary education opportunities by growing its MBA concentrations and increasing dual degrees with partnerships within many sectors, including law, engineering, and public policy. He also spearheaded multi-university fundraising initiatives and significant projects, including the highly successful MaineMBA Academy and the Maine Brand Study.
Accreditation
The ֱ’s Business Administration Program is accredited by the .
Report to Communities of Interest and Student Achievement (PDF)
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration FAQ
What is a business administration degree?
A business administration degree is a well-rounded program that prepares you for administrative or managerial roles by teaching you various aspects of business, such as accounting, business law, economics, finance, management, and marketing.
ֱ in Maine offers a flexible business administration program through its College of Business, allowing students to specialize in one of six concentrations, or create their own in areas like economics, health sector management, international business, management, marketing, or social entrepreneurship.
Learn more about ֱ’s Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Business Administration
What can you do with a business administration degree?
A business administration degree is highly versatile, preparing students for various careers in accounting, finance, management, marketing, and more. The predicts above-average job growth in business and financial occupations from 2022 to 2032.
ֱ Business Administration graduates have pursued diverse careers like accountants, financial advisors, entrepreneurs, HR managers, sales managers, PR specialists, loan officers, and market research analysts. ֱ students can also benefit from the Academic and Career Advising Center, whether they have specific career goals or general field interests.
How much can I make with a business administration degree?
As of September 2023, the average salary for a business administration major in the U.S. was about $72,503, as reported by . Common salary breakdowns by job for business administration majors according to the * include:
- Accountant: $78,000
- Budget Analyst: $82,260
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists: $67,780
- Cost Estimators: $71,200
- Financial Analysts: $96,220
- Financial Examiners: $82,210
- Human Resources Specialists: $64,240
- Market Research Analysts: $68,230
- Personal Financial Advisors: $95,390
- Purchasing Managers, Buyers, and Purchasing Agents: $75,120
How long does a business administration degree take?
Students pursuing a bachelor's degree in business administration typically enroll in a four-year program. However, transfer students from other colleges with eligible credits can complete the degree in two years.
To achieve a two-year bachelor's in business administration as a transfer student, you usually need either an associate's degree or a minimum of 60 transferable credits. Make sure to verify the eligibility of your transfer credits.
ֱ in Maine generally accepts transfer credits from regionally accredited institutions, AP, CLEP, accredited military training programs, and, to some extent, prior experiential learning, subject to certain restrictions.
Learn more about how to apply to ֱ as a transfer student
If you are interested in applying to ֱ’s business administration degree program as a first-year student, we also want to simplify the process as much as possible.
First-year high school students should:
- Submit either a Common Application or the ֱ Application along with a $40 application fee.
- Provide an official high school transcript.
ֱ follows a test-blind admissions policy, which means ACT or SAT scores are not considered for general admission. Instead, we assess your overall high school experience.
How do I get a business administration degree?
A business administration degree is commonly presented as a four-year program, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of the business world. However, the specific program requirements differ among schools.
At ֱ in Maine, you'll be required to finish 120 credits to obtain your degree. Our Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Business Administration is designed to work together with the University’s liberal arts core curriculum. This includes:
- 42–46 credits of College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) core curriculum
- 6 credits of designated core courses
- 45 program required courses
- 15–16 credits of business elective required courses in your concentration
- Variable elective courses as needed to reach 120 credits
What’s the best business administration degree program for me?
To evaluate whether a business school fits your needs, start by looking at these important criteria. This list below can help you choose which business administration degree program is best for you.
Faculty
Seek out business administration professors whose expertise matches your interests, whether it's in areas like management, marketing, finance, or related fields. Make sure their research interests and professional backgrounds align with your own.
ֱ’s College of Business faculty are experienced, skilled and supportive offering relevant curricula that will help prepare students to thrive in and face the challenges of an ever-changing world.
Meet faculty and professional staff in ֱ's College of Business
Curriculum
Evaluate the business administration program to suit your preferences, considering areas such as management, marketing, finance, or related subjects, as well as opportunities for business administration internships.
ֱ's Business Administration program offers flexibility, allowing you to choose a concentration, minor, or double major that aligns with your interests or market opportunities. Concentration options include marketing, management, economics, international business, social innovation and entrepreneurship, and health sector management. We also offer joint degree programs in Marine Entrepreneurship and Sustainability and Business.
We emphasize hands-on learning through various opportunities such as utilizing innovative technology in the Makerspace, participating in the Student Innovation Challenge, joining the Green Learning Community to focus on conservation, and enhancing your professional skills through internships.
Learn more about ֱ’s business administration curriculum
Career goals
Choose a business administration program that aligns with your career aspirations and goals. Explore the available resources to help you plan your path forward.
The ֱ College of Business is committed to helping students achieve their personal and career goals. We prepare students for entry-level positions in the private or public sector and offer graduate-level coursework preparation. Our Business Administration majors engage in experiential learning, preparing you for rewarding careers and leadership roles with prominent employers in Maine and nationwide.
According to our 2016-2022 ֱ graduate surveys, 95% of our undergraduates are either employed or pursuing higher education, including MBA programs, within a year of graduation. Zippia ranked ֱ as the top university in Maine for job placement in 2022. Students can also seek guidance from the Academic and Career Advising Center, whether they have a specific career path in mind or a general interest in a field.
Learn more about Career Advising at ֱ
Learning environment
Consider the location and environment that best supports your business school journey.
As a ֱ Business student, you can study on our beautiful Biddeford, Maine Campus, near the Saco River's convergence with the Atlantic Ocean. We also offer a unique semester abroad program in Tangier, Morocco.
Learn more about ֱ’s campuses and how you can visit us
You'll have access to various opportunities, including internships, mentorship, and interdisciplinary fellowships through ֱ's Office of Innovation and the P.D. Merrill Makerspace.
ֱ's Global Education program lets you study abroad in Spain, France, Iceland, or our own campus in Morocco for a semester. You can also choose from shorter travel courses to destinations like Ireland, Mexico, Kenya, Italy, Cuba, and more.
Learn more about study abroad opportunities at ֱ
Financial aid
Consider whether the school you're interested in provides financial aid or scholarships to support your education.
A ֱ in Maine, undergraduate education is affordable. Our tuition is 16% below the average tuition for private universities in New England. Plus, all incoming full-time undergraduate students at ֱ will receive Merit Scholarships in amounts from $5,000 to $22,000 per year.
Learn more about grants and scholarships available to students at ֱ
For more information contact Program Director Amir Mousavian at smousavian@une.edu.