Business Administration Major: Student Designed Option (B.S.)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of New Hampshire

Program Overview

The Business Administration Student Designed Option at the University of New Hampshire is ideal for students who want to shape their education around their personal interests and career ambitions. By combining core business subjects with courses from other disciplines, students can build a unique academic pathway that develops their business knowledge, problem-solving abilities, and skills for a wide range of career opportunities.

Curriculum Structure

The following is a suggested study progression based on the university's curriculum. The specialised courses are selected with faculty guidance rather than following one fixed sequence.

Year 1 – Building Business Foundations

Students begin by developing a strong understanding of business principles, economics, and responsible management. Courses such as Introduction to Responsible Business Management, Principles of Economics (Macro), and First-Year Innovation and Research Experience I introduce students to business operations, economic decision-making, and research-based learning.

Year 2 – Developing Core Business Skills

Students strengthen their knowledge of accounting, business analytics, and organisational performance. Through Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, and Business Analytics and Statistics, they learn how businesses manage finances, evaluate performance, and use data to make informed decisions.

Year 3 – Creating an Individual Academic Pathway

Students begin shaping their own specialisation with support from a faculty advisor, choosing courses that match their interests and professional goals. Management Information Systems, Behavior in Organizations, and approved courses from other disciplines allow students to explore technology, organisational behaviour, and additional areas of knowledge.

Year 4 – Applying Knowledge to Career Goals

In the final year, students bring together their business education and chosen subjects to develop a well-rounded academic profile. Courses such as Quantitative Decision Making and Strategic Management: Decision Making help students strengthen their analytical thinking, evaluate business challenges, and prepare for professional responsibilities.

Focus Areas

Business Administration, Individualised Business Studies, Strategic Management, Business Analytics, Financial Management, Organisational Behaviour, Management Information Systems, Interdisciplinary Studies, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Economics, Customised Career Preparation

Learning Outcomes

Business problem-solving, analytical reasoning, financial understanding, strategic decision-making, communication, interdisciplinary learning, ethical business practices, independent academic planning, teamwork, application of business knowledge to organisational challenges

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Business Administration program at UNH's Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Students benefit from a recognised business education while having the flexibility to develop an individually approved course of study.

Reputation (Employability & Career Preparation)

The Student Designed Option gives students the freedom to build an academic experience that reflects their interests and future ambitions. Its combination of business fundamentals, faculty guidance, and interdisciplinary learning helps students develop a distinctive skill set that can be applied across different professional fields.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Student Designed Option allows students to take an active role in shaping their education rather than following a completely fixed specialisation. With guidance from faculty advisors, they can combine business courses with subjects from other disciplines to develop knowledge that supports their individual career interests. UNH also encourages practical business learning through its Business in Practice initiative, which connects classroom concepts with real organisational challenges.

Students can develop their knowledge and practical skills through the following opportunities:

Faculty-guided academic planning: Students work with a faculty advisor to design and refine their individual study proposal.
Interdisciplinary coursework: Students can combine approved business courses with subjects from areas such as Psychology, Art, or Homeland Security.
Business in Practice: Students connect business concepts with practical applications and industry-related learning.
Analytical Intelligence: PAUL 670 helps students strengthen their ability to analyse information, solve problems, and make informed decisions.
Competitive and Professional Intelligence: PAUL 680 develops skills in gathering and communicating information about products, customers, competitors, and professional development.
Business Analytics and Statistics: ADMN 510 builds quantitative and analytical skills that support business decision-making.
Strategic Management: ADMN 775 allows students to bring together their business knowledge and evaluate organisational challenges.
Personalised academic experience: Students select approved courses that complement their interests and intended career direction.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Business Administration Student Designed Option prepares students for a variety of professional pathways by combining core business knowledge with subjects chosen around their individual interests. This flexibility allows graduates to explore opportunities in management, finance, marketing, analytics, entrepreneurship, and other areas depending on their selected coursework.

Potential Career Roles

Business Development Associate, Business Analyst, Management Trainee, Project Coordinator

Career Development & Graduate Outcomes

Career support: UNH's Paul College Undergraduate Programs and Advising Office supports students with academic planning, career planning, course registration, and study abroad opportunities.
Employment statistics and salary: The university does not publish a separate employment rate or average starting salary specifically for the Student Designed Option. Program-specific figures should therefore be recorded as NA unless officially verified.
Industry-connected learning: Business in Practice connects students with industry leaders and companies through experiential learning activities focused on practical business challenges.
Accreditation value: AACSB accreditation of Paul College's Business Administration program supports the academic credibility of the business education students receive.
Individual career development: Students can shape their academic pathway around their professional interests, helping them develop a combination of business and interdisciplinary knowledge.
Graduation requirements: Students must complete at least 128 credits and meet the university's residency, Discovery Program, and GPA requirements to graduate.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the bachelor's degree, graduates may pursue postgraduate studies in Business Administration, Management, Finance, Marketing, Business Analytics, Entrepreneurship, or another related discipline. Their chosen academic focus can help guide their next step toward specialised knowledge and advanced career opportunities.