BABA in General Studies program

Program length

  • 120 credits
  • Full time: 4 years

Application deadline

Schedule format

  • On campus
  • Mixed between full-length semester courses and 8 week modules.
  • In-person, online and hybrid courses

Why major in general studies at Warrington?

Criminology. Tourism. History. Healthcare. These interests couldn’t be more different. But one factor ties them all together: the need for a solid business background to start a career.

From entry-level to executive, employees are expected to balance budgets, develop growth strategies, organize teams and use technology. That’s the case if you’re on Wall Street, promoting an athletic franchise or training to become a lawyer.

Recognizing just how universal these skills are, the University of Florida Warrington College of Business designed the Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration program in general studies for all these passion-fueled possibilities.

This stackable, customizable degree pairs business basics with boundless exploration:

  • Build a broad business foundation from eight core business classes.
  • Diversify your studies with a specialization and flexible business electives.
  • Grow knowledge of a niche industry, acquire an in-demand skill set or prepare for an international career.
  • Fulfill entry requirements for law school, medical school or another professional program while learning how businesses operate.

Ready to get started?

Make your next move and discover more about Warrington and our bachelor’s in business administration program.

BABA in General Studies facts and figures

Customize your career with a buildable business degree.

2,151

Students enrolled on campus and online.

79

Total specializations that cover 70 different disciplines.

#14

Among U.S. Publics and #24 in the nation.
U.S. News & World Report, 2026 Best Undergraduate Business Programs

A professor explains a data analytics concept while standing in front of a screen displaying code to a classroom of students from Warrington's BABA in General Studies program

Discover data and AI

What do the numbers say? All Warrington undergraduates learn to use industry-standard data analytics and artificial intelligence tools, including their languages, business applications and decision-making power.

What do general studies majors do at Warrington?

Pursue your curiosity right now to prepare for your career tomorrow. Here’s how the BABA program works:

  • Business core: Students take foundation courses in economics, mathematics, computing skills, and accounting; core courses that relate to the basic functions of a business, such as finance, management, marketing, and operations management.
  • Business electives: Sample a bit of everything — entrepreneurship to money markets to business analytics. Or concentrate on a single discipline with a minor. Learn more about electives .
  • Specializations: From agriculture to zoology, you can venture in any direction or add a couple more courses to earn a minor. Popular selections include Retailing, Wealth Management, Entrepreneurship, Professional Selling, Real Estate, Pre-Law, Pre-Health, Mass Communication, Sport Management, Travel and Tourism Management, or a foreign language. Explore all 79 possible specializations.
  • Career readiness requirement: Explore careers in business, develop key competencies valued by employers, graduate with real world experience, and develop leadership tools to get you ready for your career.

Scholarships

Warrington awards scholarships to undergraduates each year.

These one-time, term-based awards range from $500 to $2,000. For consideration, interested students are advised to submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) and Warrington’s undergraduate scholarship application.

Types of awards include:

  • Merit- and need-based awards: Stay focused on your next major goal with a scholarship that recognizes all you’ve achieved so far.
  • Florida Bright Futures: High school grades can result in lower costs — including a scholarship that covers 100% of all tuition and fees. Review levels for this award, eligibility requirements, and how to apply.
  • Region-specific awards: Live in Tampa, Palm Beach, Polk County or another Florida region? You may be eligible for a scholarship that offsets the cost of tuition or study abroad expenses.
  • Study abroad awards: About half of Warrington undergraduates complete a study abroad experience before they graduate. For many students, scholarships that partially cover tuition or living expenses make these trips possible.

Craft your success story here

Your journey is what you make of it. As you follow your own path, Warrington supplies you with the tools and experiences to arrive at your desired destination.

  • Business-ready competencies: When the market wants culturally aware critical thinkers who can draw from data, that’s who we help you become. Learn more about our approach.
  • Leadership development: Understand how to communicate your ideas, motivate teams, solve challenges and achieve results through teamwork. Learn more about leadership development.
  • Mentorship: Get a firsthand perspective of the Warrington experience from a peer mentor — including how to find internships and prepare for interviews. Explore mentorship at Warrington.
  • Career guidance: Every BABA student takes a different, personalized route into the workforce. We’ll help you plan yours. Learn more about our top-ranked approach to career development.
  • Flexibility: Select classes let you attend in person or log in online — convenient when you have an internship, a research presentation or a job interview on your calendar.

Admission requirements

Lead with your dreams and design your future with Warrington’s bachelor’s in general business degree program. Learn more about the admissions process, or review requirements based on how you’ll apply:

Incoming freshmen: Apply to UF, starting with the undergraduate application and selecting general studies as your major. Review requirements and apply.

PaCE: Students who apply as incoming freshmen may be selected for the Pathway to College Enrollment program.

Innovation Academy: Spend the spring and summer semesters studying business and earning an Innovation minor. Then, use your fall to personalize your studies — perhaps with an internship or study abroad trip. Learn more about Innovation Academy before you apply.

Transfer to UF: Arriving with some college credits or a completed associate degree? If you previously studied business or a related discipline, Warrington evaluates your application to give you the go-ahead for our BABA program. Learn more about transferring to UF.

Online BABA: Craft your career from wherever you are. Learn more about the Online BABA program before you apply through UF Online.

Change your major: Still searching for the right fit? As long as your requirements are on track, switch to the BABA program to study business alongside another subject area. Learn more about changing your major.

Combination degrees: Take master’s-level classes while fulfilling bachelor’s requirements, fast-tracking your career and saving money long term. Explore all combination degree programs.

Dual degrees: Interested in pursuing general studies plus another major at the University of Florida? Understand who’s eligible to pursue a dual-degree pathway and how to apply, whether you’re a business student expanding your horizons or a UF undergraduate curious about Warrington’s offerings.

Go broad with a BABA. Or focus your exploration of business with any of the following programs:

Develop expertise and experience

A BABA student takes a business card from a recruiter during a career and internship fair held by the UF Warrington College of Business

Internships

Multiple skill sets equal multiple opportunities in the workforce. Preview the possibilities with Warrington’s internship requirement before you embark on a career with tons of potential.

BABA students review resources about studying abroad in a common area in the UF Warrington College of Business' Heavener Hall

Study abroad

Contemplating a globe-spanning career? Complement your studies with a semester or more abroad, where you’ll directly experience another country’s cultural and business practices.

BABA and BSBA students from the UF Warrington College of Business strategize around a table during a case competition

Case competitions

Teamwork brings the trophy back to Warrington! For these sponsored competitions, you’ll strategize with other students before facing off against other business schools.

Courses

Products, services, and audiences vary across industries. But one thing is certain no matter where you go: Effective employees are ready to manage teams, budgets, and processes to achieve organizational goals. See how you’ll acquire these skills.

In addition to general education and specialization requirements, here are the business classes general studies majors are required to take:

Core courses


Business Finance

Students will understand the role of finance within a firm, society and an economic system.

Foundations of Business Analytics & Artificial Intelligence

Introduces the basics of data analytics and machine learning using Python.

International Business

Students will understand how components impact business decision-making in countries worldwide.

Introduction to Public Speaking

Theory and practice presenting public speeches.

Principles of Management

A broad overview of management that will help you become a better manager and better team member.

Principles of Marketing

Students will understand the role of marketing within society and an economic system.

Operations and Supply Chain Management

Introduces the concepts of operations management and supply chain management.

Statistics for Business Decisions

Covers correlation and linear regression, model building, multiple regression and more that impact business decisions.

Introduces the legal environment of business and emphasizes the social, political and ethical aspects of legal issues in business.

Writing and Speaking in Business

Learn the fundamentals of communication while preparing for the demands of the business workspace.

Electives


Business Data Communications 1

Examines various telecommunication systems, the use of local and wide area networks and wireless technologies.

Business Processes and Accounting Information System 2

This course provides an examination of the accounting information systems in a business organization.

Business Systems 1

Introduces the basic tools for building business systems using object-oriented and event-driven programming paradigms.

Business Systems 2

Continues developing the basic tools for building business systems using object-oriented and event-driven programming paradigms.

Business Systems Design and Applications

Conceptual foundations of the process, data and object-oriented approaches for business systems.

Computing in the Business Environment

Presents fundamental concepts from perspectives of the business computer user and the corporate business computing environment.

Consumer Behavior

Emphasizes both descriptive and conceptual analysis of consumer behavior.

Cost and Managerial Accounting

Applying economic principles and analytic skills to provide financial data for a management control system.

Creativity and Innovation in the Business Environment

Examination of the creativity process and organizational environment of several innovative organizations.

Database Management

Introductory course on database management covering stages in the database development process.

Debt & Money Markets

Covering financial markets, as well as institutions and instruments associated with debt funds.

Digital Marketing

Students learn how to use Python programming to analyze data and develop digital marketing solutions.

Effective Career Management

Based on the cognitive information processing theory for career problem solving and decision-making.

Equity & Capital Markets

Covers financial markets, institutions associated with equity funds, and the mechanics of stock prices.

Estate & Tax Planning

Learn the fundamentals of estate planning through trusts, guardianships and post-mortem planning.

Ethics in Global Business

Explores issues promoting profitable but responsible commerce and socially beneficial business activity.

Financial Accounting and Reporting 1

Apply economic reasoning, accounting concepts and generally accepted accounting principles to solve problems.

Financial Accounting and Reporting 2

Learn about financial accounting standards and rules to record complex transactions.

Financial Management

An examination of the theory and practice of managerial finance, financing and investing decisions.

Financial Plan Development

Covers retirement needs, individual, corporate and government retirement plans, plus group benefits plans.

Information Systems and Operations Strategy

Policy and management issues surrounding information systems and operations management in today’s enterprises.

Integrated Product and Process Design 1

Engineering and business students partner with industry sponsors to create authentic products and processes.

Integrated Product and Process Design 2

Continuation of the two-course sequence where engineering and business students partner with industry sponsors.

Introduction to Financial Planning & Wealth Management

An examination of the financial planning process, professional conduct and regulation, and education planning.

Introduction to Retailing Systems and Management

This course focuses on functions, institutions, and activities of retailing goods and services.

Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship

Covers skills and strategies of business to innovatively and sustainably solve problems.

Leadership

This covers the knowledge, skills, and foundation in leadership necessary to be effective in a variety of settings.

Leading Organizations

Provides foundation for leadership practice in a variety of professions and increases the capacity to lead.

Managerial Operations Analysis 1

Introduces the concepts of management science and increases confidence using deterministic analytic models.

Managerial Operations Analysis 2

Students will learn stochastic modeling techniques and introductory visual basic.

Marketing Management

Analyzes marketing strategies involving product and brand development, channels of distribution, and pricing and promotion.

Professional Writing in Business

Designed to teach business students fundamental written communication skills, focusing on those areas central to professional writing in business.

Professional Selling

This teaches the importance of the selling role and provides basic professional selling skills.

Professional Speaking in Business

Teaches students communication skills for succeeding in business, including presentations, speeches, interpersonal skills and interviewing.

Principles of Entrepreneurship

Practical, hands-on understanding of the stages of the entrepreneurial process.

Real Estate Analysis

Principles of real estate decision making within the context of our economic, social, legal, and political governmental systems.

Real Estate Investment Decision Making

Explores real estate investment and the skills of decision-making for those who make investments.

Risk Management and Insurance

How to identify and handle risk while introducing life, health, property, liability and other areas of insurance.

Sales Management

Focused on principles, methods, and problems relating to the management of a sales force.

Special Topics in Entrepreneurship

Past topics have included Business Plan Lab, Small and Family Business, and Dilemmas & Debates.

Special Topics in Finance

Highlighting special topics in finance fields of study.

Careers with a general business major

“That’s different!” You’ll hear many describe the BABA this way — and our alumni’s careers confirm it.

When someone asks, “What can I do with a bachelor’s in business administration?” it’s more like, “What can’t you do?” Students begin careers in business, law, healthcare, government, public service, entertainment, banking and more industries. Or they use their education to enter graduate school or a professional program.

$68,400

Average salary for BABA graduates.

963K

New openings are projected each year for business and financial occupations through 2033.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

23%

More roles for operations research analysts are projected through 2033.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Where our graduates work

Accenture
ALDI
Amazon
Bank of America
Citi
Deloitte
Gartner
Goldman Sachs
JPMorgan Chase
KPMG
Macy's
Morgan Stanley

Job titles

  • Account Executive
  • Analyst
  • Business Analyst
  • Business Development Associate
  • Corporate Treasury Analyst
  • District Manager
  • Financial Advisor
  • Management Trainee
  • Marketing Manager
  • Private Banking Analyst
  • Product Manager
  • Sales Associate
  • Sales Management Associate
  • Trade Marketing
  • Wealth Management Analyst
A student organization representative talks to a group of UF Warrington BABA students during a fair for clubs and activities

Student organizations

There’s at least one crew for you, whether you want to talk business, grow as a leader or represent the Warrington student body.

Faculty

Expert instruction is integral to the Warrington experience. However you structure your degree, expect to learn business from researchers, former executives and entrepreneurs.

UF Warrington BABA in General Studies Instructor Robert Emerson

Robert Emerson

Huber Hurst Professor

Research areas: Alternative Methods of Dispute Resolution, Attorneys, Business Litigation, Comparative Law, Contracts, Ethics and Franchising

UF Warrington BABA in General Studies Instructor Alan David Cooke

Alan David Cooke

Egbert R. Beall/Beall’s Department Stores, Inc. Faculty Fellow
Associate Professor

Research areas: Consumer Behavior, Consumer Choice, Decision Making, Price Perception and Psychological Scaling

UF Warrington BABA in General Studies Instructor Lindy Archambeau

Lindy Archambeau

Instructional Assistant Professor

Courses taught: Business Policy, Individual Work in Management, Principles of Management, Special Topics and Strategic Management

A strong foundation

UF Warrington BABA in General Studies Student Maria Serfaty (BABA ’26)

Being able to combine a strong foundation in business with a specialization in mass communication has allowed me to explore both the analytical and creative sides of the business world. I’ve really appreciated how the program encourages a more interdisciplinary approach. It has helped me better understand how people think, how to communicate effectively, and how to apply business concepts in different industries. It has also opened doors for internships, leadership roles, and professional development opportunities that have shaped both my college experience and my career goals.

Maria Serfaty (BABA ’26)
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BABA and other UF Warrington undergraduate students study at tables in a sunlit common area

Build from business to pursue your passion

Mix, match, and make the future you want with a bachelor’s in business administration degree from Warrington.