Charting Your Course: A Comprehensive Guide to the UCF Business Management Degree Curriculum

The UCF College of Business stands as a beacon, guiding students and faculty toward achieving their utmost potential. The college's clear objective is to help students "Get to the ONE"-the one who secures the desired job, launches a successful business, closes the crucial sale, makes a significant contribution, and mentors others. Established in 1968, the UCF College of Business offers a wide array of degrees spanning bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and executive levels.

Introduction to the UCF Business Management Program

The Department of Management at UCF is committed to equipping students with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes essential for excelling in fundamental management tasks. The Management, BSBA program, in particular, blends theoretical knowledge with practical application, emphasizing problem-solving, collaborative group projects, and insightful case analysis.

If you possess strong quantitative skills, enjoy problem-solving, and embrace working with people, then this program is for you. Your courses will prepare you for leadership roles in a variety of organizations, including large and small, public and private, for-profit and nonprofit. The program also provides the required knowledge and skills needed to embark on your own entrepreneurial venture. Management majors also have the opportunity to earn either a Human Resources or Entrepreneurship Certificate as part of the bachelor’s degree (no additional credit hours required).

Admission Requirements and the Primary Business Core

Admittance into the College of Business follows the completion of specific admission requirements. Admission to UCF does not automatically guarantee admission to the College of Business Administration (CBA). All students enter the University as 'pre' business majors, irrespective of their intended business major.

The College of Business is a restricted access college, which means specific criteria must be met to gain acceptance into a College of Business major. Therefore, admission into UCF does not equate to admission into the College of Business. Students must complete the Primary Business Core at UCF or an AACSB accredited institution. Based upon the interests and skills identified in GEB 3006 (or GEB 3003 for earlier catalog years) and academic performance in the Primary Business Core classes, students will select and request admission to a specific business major. Due to the highly specialized nature of the Accounting, Finance, Management, and Marketing majors, interested candidates must show mastery of the subject matter, as demonstrated by a 3.0 GPA in the five Primary Core classes. Additionally, a grade of at least a B “3.0” is required in the introductory course of the desired major, and a minimum grade of C “2.0” is required in each of the five Primary Core classes. Upon admission into the Accounting, Finance, Management, and Marketing majors, a minimum grade of C “2.0” is required in all coursework in the program. All students, upon successful completion of the Primary Business Core classes with a minimum GPA of 2.0 are eligible to enter the Economics, Integrated Business, and Real Estate majors.

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Curriculum Structure: Building a Foundation for Success

After selecting a specific business major and receiving college approval to enter the major, students will begin taking coursework in their selected major. All business majors require 27 credit hours of coursework in the major. In addition, all students will complete the Secondary Business Core and the remaining three courses in the Career Professional Series. The Secondary Business Core courses are designed to ensure that students have a solid understanding of the various functions of business and the environment in which the enterprise operates.

The curriculum encompasses UCF College of Business Administration core classes, unique sport business classes and other specialized classes that emphasize the social impact of sport.

The Career Professionalism Series

In order to prepare students for their post college career, students will also complete the Career Professionalism Series that began with GEB 3006: Career Development and Financial Planning. Career decisions relating to choice of major and programs of study are often time consuming and haphazard. This course provides personal reflection and decision making skills to help you successfully navigate educational and on-going career challenges. Complete GEB 3006 Career Development and Financial Planning. Students will finalize the implementation of their career plan and learn what to do after they get their entry-level job to manage their career.

Experiential Learning and Networking Opportunities

A true culture of engagement sets the College apart from other business schools. With hundreds of events, activities, programs, organizations and resources available, students can identify their passion, practice their pitch, network with industry leaders, jumpstart a career or even launch a business before graduating. We push our students to get out of their comfort zones to try new things, communicate and collaborate with people who are different from them and take risks. Throughout your coursework, gain insights from business leaders - from renowned professors to managers at top companies around the region. Plus, your cohort offers the opportunity to collaborate with individuals from various disciplines, backgrounds and industries which broadens your business perspectives.

You’ll have an opportunity to work on real-world projects and programs alongside your peers while building a network of contacts. Develop and utilize a personal network of contacts.

The College of Business Student Ambassadors host a student panel to share how they landed their internships, their experience and what they learned. Join the more than 100,000 students from over 1,600 campuses worldwide that have participated in the Southwestern Advantage Internship Program.

Centsible Knights, Financial Literacy Program

Centsible Knights, Financial Literacy Program is designed to provide students with the tools and resources to strengthen financial knowledge and promote financial wellness.

Management PhD Program

The objective of the Management track in the Business Administration PhD program is to prepare students for academic careers at major research universities. Management Department faculty members help students understand current approaches to explaining and investigating management processes and facilitate research projects aimed at contributing new insights to the field. Our students immerse themselves in the timely and timeless lessons offered by management scholars, as well as the methods used to discover and evaluate new ideas. This training also provides our students with the knowledge and critical perspective necessary to be master educators. The Management program is designed to produce well-rounded members of our profession who are well prepared to contribute to the research, education, and service missions of the Management discipline. The program requires a full-time commitment on the part of the students, allowing no time for secondary outside employment.

Specialized Programs and Focus Areas

DeVos Sport Business Management Program

The DeVos Sport Business Management Program is one of the nation’s top-ranked programs. It’s also one of the only programs that place an emphasis on varied perspectives, moral, ethical and social issues in sports. Through an integrative “living classroom,” you’ll complete a comprehensive academic schedule that keeps your cohort of students together throughout the two-year coursework.

Theory, research and practice of leadership in sports organizations. Special attention is given to contemporary leadership issues with leaders of the sports industry leading many of the discussions. Examines the multiple roles that leaders can help sports organizations play in serving the community, including both traditional and creative philanthropy and case studies of model community service programs of sports teams, leagues and college athletics departments. Broad understanding of the moral and ethical issues in sport including a special focus on the responsibility of governing bodies and decision-makers in sport including faculty, coaches, athletic directors, presidents, league commissioners, the NCAA and the media. History of how media has evolved from radio, network television and magazines into the multi-dimensional world of regional and national cable, the internet, the networks, huge rights fees and other new elements.

Master of Management

The Master of Management offers several options. Choose from two tracks available and ensure that your studies align with your personal and professional aspirations. Applicants must choose a track in this program. For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online.

The Value of a Management Degree: Career Prospects and Beyond

Management is a broad business degree that can lead to many career opportunities. The College of Business fosters entrepreneurial activity and prepares graduates to adapt and succeed in a rapidly changing economy.

Florida is one of the top 5 states for highest employment levels in management occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median annual wage for management occupations is $109,000. The job outlook for management occupations is projected to grow 5% through 2029.

At UCF College of Business, our objective is clear: help our students and faculty “Get to the ONE.” For students, we strive to be the place where they can achieve their academic objectives to be the ONE who gets the job, starts a business, makes the sale, makes a contribution and mentors others. Students who graduate from the college will be great communicators and collaborators, risk takers, data-driven decision makers and problem solvers. Our faculty and staff seek to provide our students with the education and experiences they need to succeed in today’s market. Whether in the classroom or delivering a talk at the Dean’s Speaker Series, faculty members are engaged in the latest research and program development. We offer programs that provide practical, hands-on learning and real-world experience.

Career Advice and Preparation

Upon graduation, apply for management and leadership roles at different companies and organizations. Joining professional organizations and pursuing certifications in your respective area of interest will also keep you ahead of the competition.

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