Business (BA) - as a Second Major

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Business at the Busch School of Business is a distinctive program designed specifically for students pursuing a double major across the University. Unlike the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) or the Bachelor of Science in Accounting (BSA), which are comprehensive, standalone professional degrees, the BA in Business is intentionally structured as a secondary major. It allows students to integrate a strong foundation in business with deeper study in another academic discipline, creating a powerful combination of intellectual breadth and professional versatility.

Rooted in the Busch School’s mission to be boldly Catholic, academically rigorous, and highly relevant, the BA in Business equips students to understand business not merely as a technical field, but as a vocation ordered toward serving others. Students are introduced to core business principles — such as finance, marketing, management, and accounting — while also engaging questions of ethics, human dignity, and the role of business in promoting the common good. This virtuous formation ensures that graduates are prepared to navigate complex professional environments with both competence and integrity.

The program’s academically rigorous curriculum provides students with essential analytical and decision-making tools that complement their primary field of study. Whether paired with politics, economics, psychology, engineering, philosophy, or the arts, the BA in Business enhances a student’s ability to think strategically, communicate effectively, and lead responsibly. By bridging disciplines, students gain a more holistic understanding of organizations, markets, and the broader social context in which business operates.

At the same time, the program is highly relevant to today’s evolving career landscape. Employers increasingly seek graduates who can combine specialized knowledge with practical business acumen. The BA in Business responds to this need by preparing students to apply business insights in a wide range of settings — from public policy and nonprofit management to media, technology, healthcare, and beyond. Students develop transferable skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, leadership, and data-informed decision-making, all of which are essential across industries.

Ultimately, the BA in Business is ideal for intellectually curious and ambitious students who want to expand the impact of their primary major. By pairing their chosen discipline with a strong grounding in business, graduates are uniquely positioned to pursue diverse career paths or further study, while contributing meaningfully to organizations and society. In doing so, they embody the Busch School’s vision of business as a force for good — bringing together professional excellence and a commitment to serve.

The secondary major in Business is distinct from the Busch School Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) and Bachelor of Science in Accounting (BS) degrees because it is designed to be taken only as part of a double major in conjunction with a primary major from one of the other Schools of the University.  As part of a double major, this program satisfies the “focus” requirement of the Liberal Arts Core.

Students with a secondary major in business will earn the degree for their primary major. Students who wish to major in business alone must complete the requirements for the BSBA Students who wish to prepare for the Certified Public Accountant (C.P.A.) exam must complete the requirements of the BSA.

Requires a total of ten unique 3-credit courses within the following categories, plus the four 1-credit “Career Discernment” courses.

Career Discernment Program

• This program emphasizes professional and personal development.
• All business students must complete the program.
• Students register for a course according to grade level:
  • BUS 199 = First-year
  • BUS 299A = Sophomore year
  • BUS 399A = Junior year
  • BUS 499A = Senior year
• Transfer students begin the program at the grade level they enter the University.
• All courses are pass/fail.
• All courses are 1 credit hour.
• Credits earned do not fulfill Business Elective requirements.

More Information

Get in Touch

Contact our Undergraduate Admission office at [email protected] or 202-319-5305, if you have additional questions and need more information about the program.