Business and Economics Requirements

The Department of Business and Economics offers a variety of programs to prepare students for careers in the public and private sectors and studies in graduate or professional school. Programs include majors in Business Administration, Business Analytics, Economics, Finance, Marketing, and Sports Management as well as minors in Accounting, Economics, Finance, and Management Studies. Due to the overlap in the majors, students may only major in one area from the department.

The major in Business Administration prepares students to analyze factors impacting businesses both quantitatively and qualitatively. These skills provide a solid background for a variety of professions as well as preparing students for advanced education. ​ ​A major in Business Analytics prepares students to use data to inform strategic decision-making in organization. The Economics major develops a broad perspective on the allocation of resources as well as skills in applying economic theory and data to real-world problems. The Finance major prepares students to contribute to society at financial institutions and within the finance and accounting functions of both for-profit and non-profit organizations. The major in Marketing prepares students for the business world with a broad base of knowledge in economics and marketing. The major in Sports Management prepares students both for general management roles and for specific sports-related positions.

  After graduation, majors in this department are prepared to work independently and effectively in a dynamic environment where resources are scarce, information is over-abundant or uncertain, and decisions are often morally complex.

Requirements for Business Administration Major

A major in Business Administration consists of 52 credits:

• ECON-101; ECON-102
• ECON-151 or MATH-105
• ECON-200W; ACCT-140; ECON-201; MGT-200, 201
•   Two courses from: ACCT-241; ECON-210, 231; FIN-370; MGT-211, 213 (approved topic), 220; PSYC-250,
• MGT-330
• ECON-300Q or MGT-301
• The management capstone seminar: MGT-403W.

Requirements for Business Analytics Major

A major in Business Analytics consists of 52 credits comprised of the following courses:

Required Ursinus Courses (40-44 credits):

• DATA-201 (DATA-200 can substitute)
• ECON-101, 102, 200W, 201
• MATH-105
  • The MATH-105 requirement will be waived for students who receive a C or better in MATH-111 (or a higher- level calculus course)
• STAT-141Q
• ACCT-140
• MGT-201
• MKT-250
• The management capstone seminar: MGT-403W

Required Rize Courses (9-12 credits)

• DATA-200 (DATA-201 can substitute), 210, 300, and 310

Requirements for Economics Major

A major in Economics consists of 48 credits:

• ECON-101; ECON-102
• ECON-151 or MATH-105
• ECON-200W; ECON-201
• Five electives from the following list: ACCT-140; ECON-202, 210, 213, 215, 223, 231, 250, 263, 311, 312, 313, 314, 330, 361, 362; FIN-374. ECON-202 is highly recommended.
• ECON-300Q
• The economics capstone seminar: ECON-403W

Graduate Study in Economics

Students considering entering a doctoral program in economics after graduation are advised to take MATH-111, 112, 211, 234, and 311W as well as CS-173. ECON-202 is considered necessary for such a path.   Coursework in probability, statistics, and data analytics is also valuable preparation for doctoral work in the field. Research experience is also desirable. The BE department recommends students discuss their interest in graduate school with their academic advisers.

Requirements for Finance Major

A major in Finance consists of 48 credits.

• ECON-101; ECON-102
• ECON-151 or MATH-105
• ECON-200W; ACCT-140; FIN-270
• One intermediate economics course: ECON-201 or 202.
• ECON-300Q
• Either three electives from the following list: ECON-362; FIN-213, 313, 362 370, 372, 374, 375; or two of the preceding electives and one accounting elective from the following list: ACCT-240, 241 or 242.
• The finance capstone seminar: FIN-403W

Graduate Study in Finance

Students considering entering a doctoral program in finance after graduation are advised to take MATH-111, 112, 211, 234, and 311W as well as CS-173. Coursework in probability, statistics, and data analytics is also valuable preparation for doctoral work in the field.   The BE department recommends students discuss their interest in graduate school with their academic advisers.

Requirements for Marketing Major

A major in Marketing consists of 52 credits:

• ECON-101; ECON-102
• ECON-151 or MATH-105
• ECON-200W; ACCT-140; ECON-201, 231; MGT-201; MKT-250, 251
•   One course from: MGT-200, 213 (approved topics); PSYC-350
• ECON-300Q or MGT-301
• The marketing capstone seminar: MKT-403W.

Requirements for Sports Management Major

A major in Sports Management consists of 52 credits:

• ECON-101
• ECON-151 or MATH-105
• ACCT-140; ECON-201; MGT-200
• MGT-201 or HS-275
• ECON-200W or HS-261W
• One disciplinary approach to sports: ECON-314, SOC-272 or HS-366W
• One course on coaching or leadership: HS-355, HS-356, HS-365 or MGT-220
• One more sports course from above lists or one of: MCS-206, MGT-213 (approved topics), ECON-213 (approved topics), HS-278
• One additional course from: PSYC-250, MGT-330, MKT-250, ECON-231
• ECON-300W or MGT-301
• The management or health science capstone seminar: MGT-403W or HS-446

Honors and Capstone

  Qualified students in any of the five majors may substitute BE-491 and 492W for their major capstone course; this is advanced honors work in their subject. These courses satisfy the major capstone requirement but NOT the college’s core capstone requirement (CCAP).

Requirements for Accounting Minor

A minor in accounting consists of 20 credits:

• ACCT-140, 240, 241; FIN-270
• Either ACCT-242 or FIN-370

Students interested in sitting for the CPA exam should take ACCT-242.

Accounting Careers

Students interested in careers in accounting are encouraged to complete the Accounting minor. Many Ursinus graduates work in the field of accounting after graduation, but state boards of accountancy mandate 120–150 credit hours (depending on the state) of coursework before candidates may sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam.

Students must therefore take additional courses after graduation to become a CPA. Students should also be aware that there are other accounting certifications and career paths separate from the CPA, such as the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation. 

Requirements for Economics Minor

A minor in economics consists of 20 credits, including eight credits from two required courses: ECON-101, 102; and three ECON electives at the 200-level or higher. Note: 200-level courses may have additional pre-requisites besides ECON-101 and 102. As pertaining to the normal limitations on major/minor overlap, Business Economics and Finance majors may only count two courses of their major requirements toward the minor.

Requirements for Finance Minor

A minor in Finance consists of 20 credits:

• ACCT-140; ECON-102; FIN-270
• Eight credits of finance electives at the 200-level or higher; ECON-362 may also be counted as such an elective. Elective courses may have additional prerequisites besides ACCT-140 and FIN-270. As pertaining to the normal limitations on major/minor overlap, Business Administration, Economics, Marketing, and Sports Management majors may only count two courses of their major requirements toward the minor.

Finance Scholars

This program is offered to selected students with a strong career interest in finance and investments with the potential goal of earning the Chartered Financial Analyst (“CFA”) designation. The program involves a range of relevant co-curricular activities (FIN-301, 302, 401, and 402) that prepare students to take the CFA examination. Eligible students must major in Finance or Economics or minor in Finance. Students must apply to the Department Chair or the chair’s designee for acceptance to the program at the end of their sophomore year.

UCIMCO

The Ursinus College Investment Management Company (UCIMCO) is the college’s student-managed investment fund. The fund manages several portfolios, exposing students to different management styles and group collaboration. There are no prerequisites to taking part in the fund. Students from any class year or major are encouraged to join.   For students interested in investment or financial careers, the fund provides invaluable experience in research and portfolio management. To take part in UCIMCO, students should enroll in a section of FIN-001. 

Requirements for Management Studies Minor

A minor in Management Studies requires that students take 24 semester hours in courses across several disciplines.

• ACCT-140; MGT-200
• One course focused on ethics: HS-275; MCS-315; or MGT-201
• Three or more approved elective courses totaling at least 12 credits. These electives must represent three different disciplines and at least two different departments or programs. The following electives are accepted, and additional electives may be approved when offered in a given semester. The groupings given show the different departments/programs.
• Business and Economics (ACCT-240, 241; ECON-120, 210, 231, 361; MGT-213 depending on topic), 330; MKT-250
• Data Analytics (DATA-200 or 201);
• Entrepreneurial Studies (ENTR-101 and 102, 120);
• Health Sciences (HS-223, 226, 245, 365, 446);
• Interdivisional Studies (IDS-110 depending on topic);
• Media and Communications Studies (MCS-307, 315, 342, 350, 375B);
• Psychology (PSYC-250, 350);
• Sociology (SOC-255, 260 depending on topic)

Note: Following normal overlap limitation guidelines, majors in Economics and Finance are permitted to minor in Management Studies; however due to major/minor overlap, Business Administration, Data Analytics, Marketing, and Sports Management majors may not pursue the Management Studies Minor. See the appropriate departmental listings for course descriptions.

Secondary School Teaching Certification

This program satisfies the Pennsylvania State requirements for secondary certification in social studies. Substantial further coursework outside of economics and education is required in order to prepare the student for subjects taught in the secondary curriculum. Students who wish to obtain teaching certification should consult their departmental adviser and the chair of the education department of education as early as possible, preferably at the end of the freshman year.

S/U Guidance

Courses taken as S/U cannot not be counted towards any major or minor in the Business and Economics Department.