Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Business Administration, Management Major, B.S.


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The management major (15 credits) prepares business administration students for a wide range of administrative and supervisory careers ranging from team leader to functional area manager to executive. Elective courses are offered in skills-focused areas such as leadership, negotiation, change management, project management, and technology and innovation. Students acquire a solid grasp of human resource, interpersonal, and strategic management concepts and practices along with a comprehensive understanding of how to effectively and ethically coordinate stakeholder actions to fulfill organizational objectives. Most importantly, the program fosters the development of the skills that establish positive work relationships and that motivate and persuade others to achieve strategic goals, which are crucial for career success. Students are encouraged to further develop skills by taking the applied courses listed below and finding meaningful experiential placements.

Program Requirements


In addition to meeting all University requirements, students must earn a minimum grade of C- in all Pre-Business Core Classes and a C in 300-400 level courses in all Business Core, Thematic Core, major, and business electives (or Business minor) courses toward the degree. To ensure that students graduate with a current understanding of their field, upper-level courses taken more than 10 years before the degree is awarded must have Departmental approval for use in the Business Core, Thematic Core, 9 credits of upper level Business electives (or Business minor) or the major.

Students may declare or change a major by completing a form available at the Registrar’s office or on their website. Double majors are possible as long as no more than one course (3 credit hours) applied toward one major is applied toward the second major. Under no circumstances can more than one course (3 credit hours) be double-counted for two majors within the School of Business. 

School of Business majors may count up to two specified (see minor requirements) business core courses (6 credits) in both the Business Core and a Business minor. The remaining minor courses (9 credits) cannot double count in the minor and the business major courses or between two business minors. School of Business majors are allowed to declare more than one business minor.

At least 50 percent of classes in the Business Core and Thematic Core (4 out of 7) have to be taken at USM. In addition, at least 50 percent of classes in the major (3 out of 5) must be taken at USM.

Students can take no more than 12 credits of upper level business classes until they have successfully completed the pre-business core with a grade of C- in each course.

Overview of course requirements:

  • Core Curriculum
  • Pre-Business Core
  • Business Core
  • Thematic Core
  • One Global Business course
  • Major requirements
  • Additional 9 credits at 300-level or above beyond the major taken either as electives (ACC, BAN, BUS, FIN, RMI) or 2nd Business major or as 15-credit School of Business minor
  • General University Electives as needed

USM Core Curriculum Requirements


Please see USM Core Curriculum section of this catalog for details. School of Business specific Core courses are noted below.

Pre-Business Core


Business Core*


*At least 50 percent of classes in the Business Core and Thematic Core (4 out of 7) have to be taken at USM.

Thematic Core*


*At least 50 percent of classes in the Business Core and Thematic Core (4 out of 7) have to be taken at USM.

Global Business Course


Select one of the following courses:

Major Requirements (15 credits)


At least 50 percent of credit hours applied to the major must be taken at USM. Double majors are possible as long as no more than one course (3 credits) applied toward one major is applied toward the second major. No more than 3 credits of internship can count toward the major. Students must earn a grade of C or higher in each major course.

Additional 9 credits at 300-level or above beyond the major


Satisfied in one of the following three ways:

  • 9 credits in any 300- or 400-level ACC, BAN, BUS, FIN, RMI courses;

  • 2nd Business major;

  • 15-credit minors in approved School of Business topics. Up to two specified courses (6 credits) may count for credit in both the Business Core and the Minor. Up to two specified upper division Accounting classes may count for credit in both the Accounting major and the advanced accounting minor. Minors are available in the following areas: Advanced Accounting, Entrepreneurship, International Business, Operations and Supply Chain Management, Professional Selling, Risk Management and Insurance, and Sustainable Business.

General University Electives (remaining credits for 120 credit minimum)


The exact number of general elective credits varies and is dependent upon choices made in University core requirements.

USM Core Requirements


The USM Core Curriculum is a coherent, integrative, and rigorous liberal education that enables our graduates to be world-minded, intentional, life-long learners and captures your general education degree requirements. 

Please Note: Core requirements may be part of your major and/or minor, and Core may have been fulfilled with transfer credit. Please consult your MaineStreet Degree Progress Report (DPR) and review your degree progress with your Advisor.  For additional information, access the USM Core webpage.

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