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At a Glance

Degree requirements can vary based on the year you entered American University. The requirements listed below are for the current academic year. For prior years, please click here: https://www.american.edu/provost/registrar/university_catalog.cfm

The business administration program topics include:

  • Accounting
  • Finance
  • International Business
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Information Systems & Technology
  • Marketing

Program Admission

For additional information regarding American University's Undergraduate admission process and requirements, please visit american.edu/admissions.

To apply online, use the Common Application website.

Business Administration (BSBA)

Offered by the Kogod School of Business.

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Admission to the Program

Freshman applicants should have demonstrated above average performance in their college preparatory courses in secondary school. Scores on the SAT or ACT should indicate that the applicant has the potential for success in a rigorous university degree program. Due to the quantitative emphasis of the business administration curriculum, it is strongly recommended that applicants take the SAT II Math test for placement purposes.

In addition to university requirements for transfer admission, transfer applicants (including non-degree and degree seeking from other academic units) to KSB should have a minimum 2.75 GPA (on a 4.00 scale). All transfer students are required to take MGMT-458 and at least 18 upper-level credit hours toward their major requirements in residence. Transfer credits for business courses at or above 300-level are subject to validation by the appropriate department chair and may be conditional on successful completion of a more advanced course at American University.

AU Core Requirements

For additional information, see AU Core Curriculum.

Major Requirements

  • 56-60 credit hours with grades of C or better, including at least 33 credit hours at or above 300-level and at least 50 percent of credit hours earned at American University
  • Specialization should be declared before the end of their junior year, and must be approved in advance by the Office of Academic Programs. Students who choose to pursue two specializations must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours (or 15 credit hours for finance) for each specialization. With the approval of the Office of Academic Programs, BSBA students pursuing a second major may fulfill a custom specialization with courses from their non-KSB major coursework
  • No more than 66 of the 120 total credit hours may be taken within the Kogod School of Business
  • No more than 3 credit hours of internship may be completed toward the 120 credit graduation requirement
  • Minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA required to enroll in business courses

Course Requirements

Students are responsible for fulfilling university and school requirements following a prescribed sequence. The academic advisors in the Kogod School's Office of Academic Programs must be consulted for counseling and advice when preparing class schedules. However, it is the student's responsibility to consult course descriptions to identify course prerequisites and when courses are offered.

Economics (3 credit hours)

Business Math (7-8 credit hours)

Analytics

Statistics

Complete 4-5 credit hours from the following:

Business Core (34 credit hours)

AT = analytical tool emphasis; provides a strong foundation in business analytical software

C = case analysis emphasis; provides growth opportunities for students to evaluate cases

O = oral communication emphasis; assists in the development of oral presentation skills

T = teamwork emphasis; focuses on teamwork and the importance of interpersonal relationships and communication

W = written communication emphasis; develops business writing skills, written assignments account for a significant part of the course grade

Note: Students not taking KSB-100 in their freshman year take a 300- or 400-level business course in its place.

Specialization (12-15 credit hours)

Complete 12-15 credit hours at or above 300-level from one of the following with assistance and approval of academic advisor:

Note: Specialization courses may not include internships. Students who choose to pursue two specializations must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours (or 15 credit hours for finance) for each specialization. With the approval of the Office of Academic Programs, BSBA students pursuing a second major may fulfill a custom specialization with courses from their non-KSB major coursework.

Accounting (12 credit hours)

Entrepreneurship (12 credit hours)

Finance (15 credit hours)

Required
Finance

Complete 6 credit hours from the following:

Additional

Complete 3 credit hours from the courses above or from the following:

Information Systems and Technology (12 credit hours)

International Business (12 credit hours)

Students who choose the specialization in International Business must demonstrate proficiency in a second language at the intermediate level. For options and more information, see the KSB Office of Academic Programs.

Students who choose the specialization in International Business must also satisfy a global experience requirement. This can be met either through completion of an approved study abroad program, an international internship, or successful completion of a comparable American University global immersion course. Exceptions to this requirement may be granted on a case by case basis by the Department of International Business. International students are exempt from this requirement.

Global Emerging Markets
International

Complete 6 credit hours from the following:

Additional

Complete 3 credit hours from the following:

Management (12 credit hours)

Marketing (12 credit hours)

Self-Designed (12 credit hours)

Note: When declaring a self-designed specialization, a student must provide the four courses and specialization title to the academic advisor.

  • 12 credit hours at or above 300-level from four courses, with no more than 3 credit hours from independent study

Combined Bachelor's and Master's Degrees

American University offers students the opportunity to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees through its combined bachelor's/master's programs. Advanced undergraduates admitted to a combined degree program that includes a master's degree from Kogod are eligible to take graduate-level courses and may apply up to 9 graduate credit hours earned as an undergraduate toward the requirements for both degrees. See Combined Bachelor's and Kogod School of Business Master's Programs for more information.