Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration General Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration degree program (BABA-GBA) combines core business courses with area of specialization courses offered by other UF departments. Students can choose an area of specialization from over 70 disciplines, including foreign languages, mass communications, travel and tourism, Pre-Law, and Pre-Health.

The general studies major is ideal for students who want a strong foundation in business while still pursuing passions beyond business. The universal tracking, business core, and business elective requirements give students over 40 hours of business courses. Through the area of specialization courses students have the flexibility to develop in-depth knowledge of a complimentary field of interest.

The general studies major is well-suited for students who intend to pursue graduate school following their undergraduate education. Students interested in law, medicine, or other non-business fields often major in general studies so they can take the courses necessary to best prepare them for graduate school in a field other than business.

General Studies Curriculum

Students pursuing a BABA-GBA must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours. For information about the required coursework please visit UF’s General Studies Major page or schedule an appointment with your Academic Advisor.

Areas of Specialization in General Studies id="specialization"

Flexibility is the hallmark of the general studies major. With over 70 different disciplines to choose from, there are numerous fields students can pursue. The most popular areas of specialization are:

  • Retailing
  • Wealth Management*
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Professional Selling
  • Real Estate
  • Pre-Law
  • Pre-Health
  • Mass Communication
  • Sport Management
  • Travel and Tourism Management
  • Foreign Languages

General studies majors (BABA-GBA) must declare an area of specialization by the first semester of the sophomore year or during the first semester as a junior transfer student (see a Heavener School of Business advisor in 333 Heavener Hall, or send us your request via email). You should allow for at least three semesters (excluding summer terms) to complete your area of specialization, as course registration is subject to availability. You should also refer to course descriptions to verify you have completed all prerequisites required for area of specialization courses.

*The Wealth Management Area of Specialization is not available to Innovation Academy students.

The following is a list of approved areas of specialization for the general studies major. Students are asked to adhere to the approved list of courses for each area of specialization. Each area is listed by interest category. Click on an interest category for a detailed list of areas of specialization. To view a detailed study program, click on the area of specialization that interests you.

For more information about the general studies major, please schedule an appointment with a Heavener Academic Advisor.

Useful Minors and Restricted Business Electives

General studies majors are encouraged to enhance their education by pursuing a minor and choosing targeted business electives. In selecting minors and electives, students should consider their passions and professional aspirations. As students already pursuing areas of specialization in non-business fields, general studies majors are encouraged to explore business focused minors and are required to complete 11-12 hours of restricted business electives. It is strongly advised that you meet with one of our Academic Advisors for more specific suggestions to help you achieve your goals. The following minors and electives are popular selections for students majoring in general studies:

Minors

  • Accounting
  • Communication Studies
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Foreign Languages
  • Health Disparities in Society
  • International Development and Humanitarian Assistance
  • Leadership
  • Mass Communication
  • Retailing
  • Real Estate
  • Sustainability Studies
  • Theories and Politics of Sexuality
  • Women’s Studies

For a complete list of minors at UF and information about the required courses for them, consult the undergraduate catalog’s undergraduate minors page.

Restricted Business Electives

  • ACG 3101 (Financial Accounting and Reporting 1)
  • ACG 3401 (Business Processes and Accounting Information Systems)
  • ACG 4111 (Financial Accounting and Reporting 2)
  • ACG 4341 (Cost and Managerial Accounting)
  • BUL 4443 (Ethics in Global Business)
  • ENT 3003 (Principles of Entrepreneurship)
  • ENT 3503 (Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship)
  • ENT 4614 (Creativity and Innovation in the Business Environment)
  • ENT 4934 (Special Topics in Entrepreneurship)
  • FIN 3124 (Introduction to Financial Planning & Wealth Management)
  • FIN 4132 (Estate & Tax Planning)
  • FIN 4128 (Financial Plan Development)
  • FIN 4243 (Debt & Money Markets)
  • FIN 4504 (Equity and Capital Markets)
  • GEB 3035 (Effective Career Management)
  • GEB 3017 (Leading Organizations)
  • GEB 3213 (Professional Writing in Business)
  • GEB 3218 (Professional Speaking in Business)
  • ISM 3004 (Computing in the Business Environment)
  • ISM 3254 (Business Systems 1)
  • ISM 3255 (Business Systems 2)
  • ISM 4113 (Business Systems Design and Applications)
  • ISM 4210 (Database Management)
  • ISM 4220 (Business Data Communications)
  • ISM 4330 (Information Systems and Operations Strategy)
  • MAN 3240 (Organizational Structure and Behavior)
  • MAN 4723 (Strategic Management)
  • MAR 3231 (Introduction to Retailing Systems and Management)
  • MAR 3400 (Professional Selling)
  • MAR 3503 (Consumer Behavior)
  • MAR 4403 (Sales Management)
  • QMB 4701 (Managerial Operations Analysis 1)
  • QMB 4702 (Managerial Operations Analysis 2)
  • REE 3043 (Real Estate Analysis)
  • REE 4303 (Investment Decision Making)
  • RMI 3011 (Risk Management and Insurance)

For a complete list of Warrington Restricted Electives for General Studies majors please consult our Restricted Business Electives for General Studies Majors.

Career Opportunities and Internships

General studies majors pursue careers in a variety of industries, including law, banking, healthcare, non-profits, communications, government, public service, entertainment, and more. As business majors, general studies majors are eligible to apply for internships and full-time positions that are normally restricted to business students.

For more information about the careers in Information Systems and Operations Management, please contact a CAP Mentor or Business Career Services Career Coach.

Questions about enrolling in the required internship course? Contact your academic advisors.

Combination Degrees

General studies majors interested in furthering their business knowledge may pursue a Master degree through the combination degree programs, such as the Master of International Business or the Master of Science in Information Systems. Combination degree students may apply select master’s courses toward their bachelor’s degree. Students who complete the combination degree enhance their marketability and develop valuable industry relationships.

For more information, please schedule an appointment with a School of Business Academic Advisor and Career Coach and consult the Master of International Business, Master of Science in Information Systems & Operations Management, Master of Science in Entrepreneurship, MS Marketing Program, Master of Science in Finance, or Master of Science in Real Estate program website.

Involvement and Leadership in General Studies

The Warrington College of Business provides numerous opportunities for involvement and leadership. By participating in student organizations, students gain valuable leadership skills and network with faculty, alumni, and recruiters. For more information about Warrington student organizations, please visit our Business Student Organization page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an area of specialization?

An area of specialization is a degree requirement for Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration – General Studies (BA-GBA) majors only. Instead of taking the 12-20 hours of business major courses finance, information systems, management or marketing majors do, general studies majors take at least 12 hours of related courses from other UF colleges. General studies majors have over 70 areas of specialization to choose from, including pre-health, pre-law, mass communication, chemistry, travel and tourism, sports management, and communication studies.

Why should I choose to major in General Studies?

The general studies major, which requires an outside area of specialization, is ideal for students who want a business background, but who also want to explore other interests. For example, students interested in going to med school can ensure that they’ve completed the requisite coursework through the pre-health area of specialization. Here are some other examples: a pre-law student can pursue an area of specialization in pre-law to help prepare for law school, or if you are pursuing a dual degree in Business and Spanish you can efficiently use your Spanish major courses to meet the Spanish area of specialization requirements for your general studies business degree.

The general studies major is a Bachelor of Arts degree and the other business majors are Bachelor of Science degrees. Is that important?

No. There is no significant difference between a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree One degree will not look better than the other on your resume.

When do I have to declare my area of specialization?

You must declare your area of specialization by the end of your third semester at UF. If you do not declare your area of specialization by that time, the School of Business will place a registration hold on your record. Once you declare your area of specialization, an advisor will remove your hold.

Can I choose substitute courses for my area of specialization?

Yes, but you must submit a course substitution request form to do so. The form requires the written consent of the department who offers the area of specialization, as well as approval from the School of Business. Internship and research credit are not acceptable substitutions. Generally, a course can be substituted if it can be used to satisfy a minor in that discipline, if it is a 3000-4000 level course, and if the course has a standardized format (i.e. set class periods, required papers or exams, etc.)

Can I also minor in my area of specialization?

Yes, students often choose to take an extra course or two to earn a minor in their area of specialization.

Can I pursue more than one area of specialization?

No, but you can pursue a minor in a different discipline.