Bachelor of Science Business Administration

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Northeastern University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at Northeastern University’s D’Amore-McKim School of Business combines a broad business foundation with experiential learning, allowing students to develop technical, analytical, creative, and strategic skills for today’s digital economy. It is particularly suited to students who want to customize their business education through a concentration, optional minor or combined major while gaining substantial professional experience through Northeastern’s cooperative education program.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students begin with the fundamentals of business and professional development through courses such as Applied Business Fundamentals (BUSN 1101) and Personal Skill Development for Business (BUSN 1102). They also establish their quantitative and economic foundation through Principles of Macroeconomics (ECON 1115), Business Statistics (MGSC 2301), and introductory accounting and international business coursework.

Year 2: Students move deeper into the business core while beginning their selected concentration. Coursework includes areas such as Financial Accounting and Reporting (ACCT 1201), Financial Management (FINA 2201), Introduction to Marketing (MKTG 2201), and Introduction to Information Systems and Digital Technologies (MISM 2301), alongside concentration study and professional co-op preparation.

Year 3: Students continue advanced business and concentration coursework while using Northeastern's experiential model to connect classroom learning with professional practice. The curriculum includes Organizational Behavior (ORGB 3201) or Behavioral Aspects of Digital Transformation (ORGB 3203), concentration courses, electives, and co-op opportunities depending on the student's individual plan.

Year 4: Students complete advanced concentration courses, electives, professional writing, and the strategic component of the degree through Strategy in Action (STRT 4501). This final stage allows students to bring together their business knowledge, analytical skills, concentration expertise, and professional experience as they prepare for employment or further study.

Focus areas: Accounting, business analytics, corporate innovation, entrepreneurship, finance, fintech, healthcare management and consulting, international business, management, management information systems, marketing, marketing analytics, social innovation and entrepreneurship, supply chain management, strategy, technology, global business

Learning outcomes: Develop technical and analytical business skills, apply business theory to real-world problems, strengthen creative and strategic thinking, understand financial and operational decision-making, work effectively in organizational and global contexts, and build professional skills through experiential learning and co-op.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The D’Amore-McKim School of Business is accredited by AACSB International, while Northeastern University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The university's academic catalog states that the undergraduate business program meets AACSB standards covering faculty and student quality, curriculum design, and university support.

Reputation (employability rankings): D’Amore-McKim reports that 92% of students who reported data were working full-time or enrolled in graduate education within nine months of graduation. Its current rankings page also lists D’Amore-McKim at #26 for undergraduate career outcomes and #20 among U.S. undergraduate business programs by Poets&Quants.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Experiential learning is a central part of the BSBA rather than an optional add-on. Students can complete paid co-op placements, approved internships, professional practicums, real-world project-based classes, research projects, and global experiences, giving them opportunities to apply business knowledge in professional settings. D’Amore-McKim reports that 95% of its students earn and complete at least one co-op before graduation, with more than 600 partner employers across nearly 60 countries and 110+ cities.

The school also provides access to business-focused resources such as the Bloomberg Business Lab, IDEA venture accelerator, faculty research opportunities, professional certifications, and digital badges. Students can develop technology and professional skills through certifications including Bloomberg, Marketo, and Wall Street Prep, as well as the DMSB Digital Badge in Leveraging AI for Business.

Key experiential opportunities include:

Co-op Work Experience: Students can complete COOP 3945, COOP 3946, COOP 3947, or COOP 3948, including full-time, half-time, and international co-op options.
Professional Practicum: BUSN 4945 – In-the-Field Experiential Professional Practicum provides an approved practical-learning pathway.
Internships: Students can complete EEBA 2945 – Internship Experience or EEBA 2948 – Internship Experience Abroad, subject to D’Amore-McKim Cooperative Education Department approval.
Co-op employers: Current opportunities listed by D’Amore-McKim include PwC, Bain Capital, Wellington Management, Wayfair, Boston Consulting Group, TJX, and State Street.
Bloomberg Business Lab: Students have access to a dedicated business lab supporting practical exposure to financial and business information tools.
Global experiences: Students can participate in study abroad, global co-ops, London and Oakland Semester In/Summer In programs, and Dialogue of Civilizations programs.
Entrepreneurship: Students can participate in Northeastern's IDEA venture accelerator, Husky Startup Challenge, and Women's Interdisciplinary Society of Entrepreneurship.
Research: Faculty-mentored research and research practicum courses provide opportunities to explore business questions beyond the classroom.
Industry certifications: D’Amore-McKim highlights certifications and professional tools including Bloomberg, Marketo, and Wall Street Prep

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BSBA prepares graduates for business careers across finance, consulting, analytics, marketing, management, technology, entrepreneurship, and supply chain. Northeastern reports that 92% of D’Amore-McKim business administration students are employed or enrolled in graduate school within nine months of graduation, while the Class of 2024 employment report recorded an $82,904 average salary and $80,000 median salary among reported graduates.

Typical career roles include:

Business Analyst
Financial Analyst
Management Consultant
Marketing Analyst

Career development and progression are supported through several university resources and industry connections:

Co-op and career preparation: Students work with co-op advisors throughout the job-search process, gaining experience interviewing for employer-selected positions and developing professional skills before graduation.
Employment outcomes: The Class of 2024 D’Amore-McKim employment report recorded 77% employed full-time, 12% continuing education, and 12% still seeking or unsure of plans among the 1,031 graduates who reported outcomes.
Salary outcomes: The Class of 2024 reported an $82,904 average salary, $80,000 median salary, and $8,487 average bonus. Finance accounted for 35% of reported employment, with a $90,527 mean base salary; consulting represented 6%, with an $85,000 median salary.
Employer network: D’Amore-McKim reports more than 600 co-op employers in nearly 60 countries and more than 110 cities, providing opportunities for students to build professional networks internationally.
Named employer opportunities: Current co-op opportunities include PwC, Bain Capital, Wellington Management, Wayfair, Boston Consulting Group, TJX, and State Street.
Accreditation value: AACSB accreditation provides an internationally recognized quality framework for business education, covering areas such as curriculum, faculty, students, and institutional support.
Graduation outcomes: D’Amore-McKim reports that 92% of students who reported outcomes were working full-time or enrolled in graduate education within nine months, and 94% of undergraduates completed their degree requirements within six years or less.
Career-building experience: The school also provides professional development through first-year experiential learning, peer and alumni mentoring, Career Launchpad, industry certifications, and student leadership opportunities.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into master's-level study in fields such as finance, accounting, international management, business analytics, or related business disciplines. D’Amore-McKim also offers PlusOne accelerated master's pathways, including PlusOne programs in Accounting, Finance, and International Management, allowing eligible students to begin master's-level study as part of an accelerated pathway.