College Life

Private Schools That Are Well Known for This Major

• University of Pennsylvania
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• New York University
• Carnegie Melon University

State Schools That Are Well Known for This Major

• University of Michigan—Ann Arbor
• University of Virginia
• University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill
• University of Texas—Austin

Classes in the Major

Administration. Learning how to manage people is the bread and butter of a business degree. When you're a manager, you know how to get people working together, even if they're fighting about who played a better Superman. You'll most likely spend a lot of your time problem solving and training people, as well. These courses help you prepare to deal with people in a professional way. And before you ask, no, paddling and public shaming are not professional ways of dealing with people.

Economic Principles. In case you haven't noticed, almost all professions that deal with money and business require some kind of economic understanding. Businesspeople need to know what to buy and when. It's a pretty complicated process, or so we're told. Econ courses give future CEOs the tools they need to deal with innovation and growth in the economy. Plus, these courses go over scenarios that happen in the real world, and that never hurts.

International Business. They say that people are more likely to be open to compromise if you associate the proposition with something positive. For example, giving your calculus teacher some cupcakes when you ask for a make-up exam will increase your chances. Likewise, if you know the cultural customs of a potential business partner from another country, they'll be flattered and, therefore, more likely to consider your proposition. 

It's easy to pick up on these cultural differences when traveling, but international business courses also teach you how to interact with people from all around the globe, while also teaching you about the different laws and markets available elsewhere. Thinking about a global brand is a must, and these courses will help you get there.

Marketing. Got milk? Just do it. I'm lovin' it. These advertising slogans aren't just catchy—they're also huge parts of pop culture. Even without listing the companies they belong to, they certainly ring a bell. In marketing courses, you'll learn about slogans, advertising techniques, and the best ways to reach your targeted demographic. You might think you can sell ice to an eskimo, but first you've got to take a marketing course.

Public Relations. In these courses, you'll learn about how to problem solve, manage crises, and prepare for launching your company in a broader market. Business majors need to know a lot about public relations, especially if they want to work for a publically traded company. Joe the Plumber's criticism might not matter to you personally, but we can guarantee that it matters to the company. Here, you'll learn how to turn Joe's criticism into a positive opinion of the company you work for.