Bachelor's in Business Administration

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Marquette University

Program Overview

Marquette University’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration provides students with a broad understanding of how organisations operate, combining business fundamentals with leadership, ethical decision-making, and practical career preparation. Designed for students interested in exploring different areas of business or developing a flexible career path, the program builds knowledge in accounting, finance, marketing, economics, operations, and management while offering opportunities for internships, mentoring, networking, and experiential learning.

Curriculum Structure

The degree requires a minimum of 124 credit hours, including the Marquette Core Curriculum, business core courses, major courses, and electives. The following is a typical four-year progression for non-accounting students; individual course sequencing may vary.

Year 1: Students begin developing their business knowledge through Business Day 1 (BUAD 1001), Principles of Financial Accounting (ACCO 1030), and Elements of Calculus (MATH 1400). They also study Applied Business Statistics (BUAD 1560), Principles of Managerial Accounting (ACCO 1031), and Principles of Microeconomics (ECON 1103), building a foundation in financial literacy, quantitative reasoning, and business operations.

Year 2: Students explore how different business functions work together through Introduction to Applied Artificial Intelligence (BUAD 2001), Introduction to Marketing (MARK 3001), and Introduction to Financial Management (FINA 3001). They also study Behavior and Organization (MANA 3001), Operations and Supply Chain Management (OSCM 3001), and Introduction to Information Systems (INSY 3001), strengthening their understanding of organisational behaviour, technology, and business decision-making.

Year 3: Students begin focusing more closely on their chosen major through upper-level major courses and business electives. Alongside LEAD 3000: Strategies for Entering the Business World, they complete additional Discovery Tier courses and electives, developing professional readiness while deepening their knowledge in selected business areas.

Year 4: Students bring their learning together through Strategic Management (MANA 4101), which focuses on integrating business knowledge for organisational decision-making. They also complete major courses, an Analytics Structured Elective, an Ethics Structured Elective, and the university’s CORE 4929 requirement, preparing to apply their academic learning to professional and organisational challenges.

Focus Areas

Business administration, accounting, finance, marketing, economics, operations and supply chain management, organisational behaviour, information systems, business analytics, leadership, business ethics, strategic management, applied artificial intelligence.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop business knowledge across functional areas, critical thinking, quantitative and analytical reasoning, professional communication, ethical decision-making, leadership, collaboration, problem-solving, and the ability to evaluate business challenges from multiple perspectives.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

Marquette’s College of Business Administration is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). This accreditation provides external recognition of the college’s business education and academic quality standards.

Reputation (Employability and Outcomes)

Marquette reports that 82% of its business students participate in internships. Its official major page also lists rankings of #6 for job placement, #82 in student outcomes, and #14 among private universities for internships, as reported by Zippia, The Wall Street Journal, and The Princeton Review, respectively.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Marquette, business students are encouraged to apply classroom knowledge through internships, career development activities, employer engagement, and collaborative learning. The College of Business Administration’s O’Brien Hall provides spaces designed to support collaboration between students and industry, while the Business Career Center helps students connect their academic interests with professional opportunities. Students can also explore leadership development and international experiences as part of their undergraduate journey.

Students can strengthen their practical skills through:

Internships: Marquette reports that 82% of its business students participate in internships. Students may also register eligible internships for academic credit through the College of Business Administration’s Internship for Credit program.
Internship for Credit: Students who meet the eligibility requirements can earn up to seven credits through approved internships. The program includes a minimum of 63 internship hours for one credit or 127.5 hours for three credits.
Business simulations: Business Day 1 (BUAD 1001) includes managing a simulated business and making decisions involving pricing, employment, operations, promotions, and ethical situations. Students also develop Excel fundamentals through course assignments.
Leadership development: The E-Lead program combines leadership courses and experiences, helping students develop skills in innovation, leadership, and responsible decision-making. Participants can graduate with a concentration in leadership.
Study abroad: Business administration students can explore more than 50 study-abroad programs across nearly 30 countries, with credit-bearing experiences ranging from weeklong opportunities to semester-long programs.
Career and employer engagement: The Business Career Center offers career coaching, employer connections, internship and job-search assistance, mentoring, networking, and career events.
O’Brien Hall: The Dr. E. J. and Margaret O’Brien Hall provides collaborative learning spaces designed to connect business students with industry and support experiential learning.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of Marquette’s Business Administration program can pursue opportunities across business operations, management, marketing, finance, consulting, and business development, or continue into postgraduate study. The program’s broad business foundation, practical learning opportunities, and focus on ethical leadership help students prepare for professional responsibilities across different industries.

Potential career roles: Business Analyst, Management Trainee, Business Development Associate, Operations Coordinator.

Career services: The Business Career Center provides personalised career coaching, résumé and cover letter support, interview preparation, internship and job-search guidance, networking, employer engagement, and access to career events.
Employment and salary outcomes: Marquette’s 2024–2025 College of Business Administration first-destination survey reported an overall employment rate of 91% and an average base salary of $70,375 across business majors. The survey included 326 responses from 340 graduates, representing a 96% knowledge rate; these figures are college-wide, not specific to the Business Administration major.
Industry connections: The Business Career Center develops partnerships with local, regional, and national employers to support job shadowing, internships, and permanent employment opportunities. Students can also participate in recruiting events such as the Business Career & Internship Fair.
Professional recognition: AACSB accreditation provides external recognition of the College of Business Administration’s educational standards and supports the professional credibility of its business degrees.
Graduate outcomes: Recent business graduates have joined organisations including EY, GE Healthcare, Kohl’s, Northwestern Mutual, U.S. Bank, Target, and Kimberly-Clark. These are examples of employers where Marquette business graduates have secured opportunities, rather than guaranteed destinations for every graduate.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the bachelor’s degree, graduates may pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA), a specialised master’s degree in areas such as finance, business analytics, management, or supply chain management, or further study in law or related professional fields, depending on their interests and admission eligibility. Marquette also offers graduate business pathways through its Graduate School of Management.