The different types of business degree requirements typically include undergraduate coursework in economics, communication, finance, and marketing. Many college business degree programs have sets of introductory prerequisites for new students to complete before they are able to advance to more specific areas of study. These courses usually cover topics such as possible business career areas, beginning finance calculations, and various concepts of marketing and management. Introductory business degree requirements are intended to give lower division university students a good idea of which business degree concentration holds the most interest for them. Once undergraduate students choose a concentration, they are then required to fulfill degree requirements that build on their basic business knowledge.
Most beginning business degree requirements include courses in public speaking, psychology, and interpersonal communication. These classes are designed to strengthen students' skills in working with others to achieve specific workplace goals. Classes in introductory economics give students a foundation in understanding concepts such as supply and demand. Coursework in accounting and finance is intended to introduce business students to methods of calculating income, expenses, tax payments, and various other money-related data found in the business world. Many business degree programs also have minimum requirements in mathematics such as college algebra, statistics, or business calculus.
Once introductory business degree requirements are finished, college business majors usually have several options for their upper division coursework. Common business degree concentrations include accounting, information technology, management, and e-commerce. Once students have finished their advanced classes in their specific business concentrations, they may be required to complete a final capstone course or to submit a thesis project as a condition of graduation. Some schools may also have internship requirements for business majors who are beginning their final years of coursework.
Graduate degree programs in business generally require the completion of a bachelor's degree prior to admission. The typical master's degree in business emphasizes advanced topics in management, entrepreneurship, or human resources, and some of these programs may also require applicants to demonstrate on-the-job or internship experience before completing this type of business degree. Some business schools have bridge or hybrid programs that allow motivated upper division students to complete business degree requirements for both an undergraduate and graduate degree at the same time. These types of programs typically require business students to submit separate application forms, maintain a minimum grade point average, and sometimes write an essay of intent to be considered.