Bachelor of Science in Business Major in Business Administration

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

De Paul University

Program Overview

DePaul University’s Business Administration program offers a flexible business education that combines a strong liberal arts foundation with practical knowledge of management, entrepreneurship, economics, marketing and business strategy. Designed for students who want to explore different areas of business before choosing a career direction, the program helps develop analytical thinking, communication, leadership and decision-making skills for a variety of professional opportunities.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Building a Business Foundation

Students begin by developing an understanding of how businesses operate, supported by introductory accounting, economics and business analytics. Courses such as Introduction to Driehaus: Business Fundamentals and the Entrepreneurial Mindset, Principles of Microeconomics and Business Analytics introduce students to financial concepts, economic decision-making and the use of data in business.

Year 2 – Developing Core Business Skills

Students expand their understanding of business functions through courses such as Principles of Management, Principles of Marketing and Introduction to Finance. They also explore business technology, operations management and communication, building the skills needed to understand organisational activities and support effective business decisions.

Year 3 – Specialisation and Applied Learning

Students develop their interests through advanced business electives and major requirements, including Organizational Behavior and an advanced analytics option such as Business Analytics for Managers and Entrepreneurs, Data Mining and Analytics or Introduction to Marketing Research. The program also includes an Experiential Learning requirement, allowing students to connect classroom learning with practical experience.

Year 4 – Strategic Thinking and Professional Preparation

In the final stage, students deepen their knowledge through Entrepreneurship Strategy or Management Strategy, Career Management Skills and upper-level business electives across different departments. The Senior Seminar and remaining degree requirements help students bring together their business knowledge, analytical abilities and professional communication skills as they prepare for employment or further study.

Focus Areas

Business Administration, Business Management, Entrepreneurship, Organisational Behaviour, Business Analytics, Economics, Marketing, Finance, Accounting, Operations Management, Business Technology, Strategic Management, Business Ethics, Career Development, Global Business

Learning Outcomes

Students develop the ability to analyse business situations, make informed decisions, communicate effectively in written and oral formats, recognise legal and ethical issues, apply contemporary technology to business problems, understand global business practices and connect the different functional areas of an organisation.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

DePaul’s Driehaus College of Business is part of an AACSB-accredited business school. AACSB accreditation reflects external evaluation of business education quality and academic standards, providing students with a recognised business-school accreditation framework.

Reputation (Employability and Rankings)

87% graduate outcome: DePaul reports that 87% of Business Administration graduates were employed, continuing their education or not seeking employment after graduation.
2026 Princeton Review: DePaul’s undergraduate entrepreneurship program was ranked No. 15 among the top 50 undergraduate entrepreneurship programs. This is a college-level entrepreneurship recognition, not a ranking specific to the Business Administration major.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At DePaul, students can connect business concepts with practical experience through experiential learning, entrepreneurship initiatives and access to Chicago’s business community. The program’s location provides opportunities to engage with local companies, startups and business professionals, while the Coleman Entrepreneurship Center offers mentoring, startup-focused activities and hands-on internship experiences.

Students can develop practical skills through the following opportunities:

Experiential Learning Requirement: The BSB curriculum includes a required experiential learning component, giving students an opportunity to apply academic knowledge in a practical setting.
Coleman Entrepreneurship Center Internship Program: Students can work directly with startup founders on specific business projects. The summer program typically places 30–35 students at organisations.
Paid Internship Experience: The Coleman program provides a $2,000 stipend, with participants completing 125 hours of work and potentially earning four experiential learning credits if eligible.
1871 Startup Ecosystem: DePaul’s connection with Chicago-based 1871 provides access to collaborative workspaces, workshops and networking opportunities with entrepreneurs and innovators.
Student Innovation Expo: Students can present business ideas, receive feedback and demonstrate their creativity and problem-solving abilities.
Purpose Pitch Competition: Students and alumni can showcase purpose-driven business ventures before judges and receive opportunities to compete for funding.
Entrepreneurship Mentorship: The Coleman Entrepreneurship Center connects students with experienced mentors who can provide business guidance and professional networking support.
Advanced Analytics Coursework: Students may select courses such as Data Mining and Analytics, Business Analytics for Managers and Entrepreneurs or Introduction to Marketing Research to strengthen analytical and data-based decision-making skills.
Career Management Skills: MGT 250 helps students prepare for professional opportunities and develop career-planning skills.

Official Experiential Learning and Facilities Pages:

Coleman Entrepreneurship Center
Coleman Programs and Events
Business Administration Major Requirements

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of DePaul’s Business Administration program can pursue opportunities across management, marketing, banking, business development, sales and business consulting. The broad curriculum also provides a foundation for students interested in entrepreneurship, family businesses or further professional education.

Potential career roles include:

Business Analyst
Business Development Associate
Management Trainee
Marketing Coordinator
Brand Management Associate
Sales Representative
Banking Associate
Economic Research Assistant
Real Estate Analyst
Advertising Account Executive
Operations Coordinator
Entrepreneurship Consultant

Career Development and Graduate Outcomes

Career preparation: MGT 250 Career Management Skills is a required major course designed to help students prepare for professional opportunities.
Graduate outcomes: DePaul reports that 87% of Business Administration graduates were employed, continuing their education or not seeking employment after graduation. The figure combines these three outcomes rather than reporting employment alone.
Career opportunities in Chicago: DePaul’s location in Chicago’s business and financial community gives students access to professional networking and potential work opportunities with businesses and consulting firms.
Entrepreneurship support: The Coleman Entrepreneurship Center offers startup internships, mentorship, networking events and business development opportunities.
Industry connections: Through the Coleman Center, students can engage with Chicago’s startup ecosystem, including connections to 1871, Chicago Innovation and TechNexus.
Accreditation value: AACSB accreditation provides a recognised quality framework for the business school and supports the academic credibility of the business education.
Further study: DePaul offers combined bachelor's and master's degree pathways, allowing eligible students to explore continued education through available academic options.

Employment and salary note: The official program page reports the 87% graduate outcome, but a Business Administration-specific median salary figure was not identified in the reviewed official sources.

Further Academic Progression: Students may continue their education through graduate-level business programs such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science in Management, or specialised postgraduate study in areas such as marketing, finance, business analytics or entrepreneurship, subject to individual program admission requirements. DePaul also lists combined bachelor's and master's degree opportunities for this major.