Breadcrumb
Credit hours: 120
Full-time, part-time, most classes have online options
Start terms: fall, spring, summer
Making an Impact starts with YOU
Take advantage of a program that gives you both the breadth and depth of a finance degree that can take you anywhere. You’ll learn how to make financial decisions and policies based on value for the company. As you graduate, you’ll be ready to start a banking, trading, investment services, and corporate management career.
When you choose CU Denver, you turn your passion into the career you love. Any of the programs you join support that mission by incorporating applied coursework into your classes. Distinguishing features of our program include:
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Learn by doing – a required experiential learning component as a part of your degree
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Well-rounded education – build a foundation in liberal arts classes before honing in on your business education
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Access to business leaders – proximity and close ties to businesses make it easy for executives to visit our classrooms and career events
You’ll be surrounded by people finding their passion and making something of themselves. You could also take advantage of the location and flexible schedule to complete internships and class projects in some of the hundreds of businesses nearby. With over 300 business partnerships tied to the Business School, you’ll graduate ready and confident to enter the workforce at your desired job.
Denver Built. Global Ready.
Business can be a powerful force for good. But the promise of business hasn’t been extended to enough people. We want to change that. At CU Denver Business School, we make the most of being deeply embedded in the heart of Denver and the nation’s fastest-growing economy to open doors and lower barriers to success. Through our programs and partnerships, we create more inclusive business networks and cultures. We can equip any future, locally and globally.
J.P Morgan Center for Commodities
The first of its kind, our Center focuses on a broad range of commodities, including agriculture, energy, and mining. The Center’s initiatives include hosting internationally-renowned experts as guest speakers, an industry-focused symposium, and field trips to leading companies.
The bachelor of science in business administration curriculum consists of 120 hours comprised of business classes and liberal arts classes to give you a well-rounded education.
CU Denver core (34 hours)
Hone your knowledge with coursework in English, math, behavioral and social science, humanities, international perspectives, and cultural diversity.
General non-business courses (12 hours)
These courses are taken outside of the Business School, but support a stronger awareness of disciplines relevant to business studies. Course topics include:
- Professional speaking
- Microeconomics
- Business writing
- Experiential learning
Business core (36 hours)
Making an impact looks like YOU! Apply your education directly to a problem facing business today. Choose from an internship, a project-based course, or study abroad for your experiential learning experience. Your business classes will take you through the hard and soft skills necessary to succeed in business. You will also gain an international business perspective through the required international course.
Your business classes will take you through the hard and soft skills necessary to succeed in business. You will also gain an international perspective of business through the required international course. Course topics include:
- Career and professional development
- Business statistics
- Business problem solving
- Managerial accounting
- Business law and ethics
- Operations management
- Marketing
- Business policy and strategy management
- Managing of individuals and teams
Major classes
You’ll learn the importance of finance in the economy, how policy affects the industry, and how to make analytical decisions. Course topics in the finance degree include:
- Management of business capital
- Financial markets and institutions
- Investment and portfolio management
- Financial and commodity derivatives
- Mergers and acquisitions
Electives and/or foreign language proficiency
Foreign language courses may be satisfied if you’ve taken a certain number of classes in high school. These electives give you the freedom to dive deeper into topics or courses that interest you.
Finance Careers
Finance jobs are found in nearly all corporate, public sector and non-profit organizations. Key areas include corporate or public finance, banking, and investment services.
Finance Job Titles
- Budget Analyst
- Compliance Analyst
- Credit Analyst
- Financial Analyst
- Investment/Portfolio Analyst
- Insurance Agent
- Operations Analyst
- Loan Office/Banker
- Broker
- Trader
- Financial Advisor/Consultant
- Fixed Income Associate
- Equity Research Associate
- Retirement Associate
- Underwriter
- Asset Analyst
- Wealth Advisor
Visit our Careers page for more detailed information on the resources available.
Core Courses (November 13, 2019)
Value 1: Foundational Business Knowledge
Outcome: Explain foundational concepts associated with core business disciplines, including accounting, economics, finance, business statistics, operations management, business law, organizational behavior, marketing, information technology, and global strategy.
Value 2: Critical Thinking
Outcome: Analyze business problems using appropriate analytical and critical thinking skills.
Value 3: Ethical Practice
Outcome: Make ethical decisions, translating ethical principles into business practice.
Value 4: Effective Communication
Outcome: Effectively communicate a business message.
Value 5: International Perspectives
Outcome: Explain the impact of international perspectives on business strategy and operations.
Value 6: Business Technology
Outcome: Use appropriate business-related technologies to address business problems.
To demonstrate understanding of Business Concepts undergraduate business students take the ETS® Exam which contains 120 multiple-choice questions designed to measure a student’s subject knowledge in Accounting, Economics, Management, Quantitative Business Analysis, Information Systems, Finance, Marketing, Legal and Social Environment, and International Issues. More information.
Other objectives are assessed in individual courses using relevant projects, presentations or exam questions.
Tuition
The cost of tuition for the BS in business administration degree is different for in-state and out-of-state students.
Residents of Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) states may qualify for reduced tuition rates. The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program requires students to maintain current residency of WICHE state until degree completion.
Learn more about the WUE program
Scholarships
If you’re worried about financing your education, the Business School offers scholarships for incoming students. Each scholarship looks at a number of different factors from academic performance to community involvement. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when you submit your application.
$2,000 scholarship ($500/semester for 4 semesters) open to incoming freshmen who have 2.75 or higher GPA and are first-generation college students.
$2,000 scholarship ($500/semester for 4 semesters) open to incoming transfer students who have at least 24 transfer credits and a 3.3 college GPA.
Up to $10,000 scholarship (up to $1,250/semester for 8 semesters) open to incoming freshmen who have demonstrated superior high school performance and community service. Minimum 3.5 HS GPA.
$2,000 scholarship ($500/semester for 4 semesters) open to Veteran or Active Military students who have a 2.75 or higher GPA.
$2,000 scholarship ($500/semester for 4 semesters) open to high school graduates of Denver Public Schools with a minimum 2.75 GPA. Must indicate interest in Business when applying to CU Denver.
We also offer additional scholarship opportunities for current students every semester. Scholarship opportunities are based on program and course enrollment.
Double Major
Many students utilize the flexibility of the degree to major in two separate disciplines. With careful planning, you may be able to add a double major without extending your graduation date. Major requirements could overlap depending on which majors you decide on.
Discover other BSBA majors that might interest you.
Certificates
You can add an undergradute for-credit certificate to enhance your degree or explore a new area of interest to you.
Application Checklist
Online application
$50 domestic, $75 international application fee
SAT and ACT optional
High school transcript or GED score
College or community college transcript – transfer applicants only
English language proficiency —international applicants only
Admission Requirements
If you are an incoming freshman to CU Denver, you can apply through either the Common Application or the Milo Application. Transfer students and international students will need to submit the Milo Application.
Incoming first-year students
CU Denver requires that students complete the Colorado Higher Education Admission Requirements (HEAR). You will not have to meet all Minimum Academic Preparation Standards (MAPS) for admission, but you will need to be completed through CU Denver coursework by graduation.
Transfer Students
We have strong connections with other four-year and community colleges. If you have completed more than 24 hours of transferable coursework, you will be evaluated for admission on the basis of your college GPA without regard to your high school performance. If you have fewer than 24 hours, you will be evaluated based on both your high school and college GPAs. For more information and to plan your transfer, see transfer admissions in the admissions office.
International Students
You will need to begin your application through the Office of International Affairs. They will help you manage your application process.
Spring
Domestic Applications
January 1
International Applications
Priority: September 15
Final: October 15
Summer
Domestic Applications
May 15
International Applications
Priority: January 15
Final: March 15
Fall
Domestic Applications
August 1
International Applications
Priority: March 15
Final: May 15
See yourself at CU Denver
Follow your passion
No matter your background, you’ll have access to a career and professional development course as a Business School student. Through this course, you’ll be introduced to all of the resources available to you as a student including:
- Career events
- Student organizations
- Resume and personal branding training
- Career planning
Find your people
Our students bring their passions outside of the classroom. We offer a number of clubs that give you an opportunity to build your resume and relationships with your peers at the same time.
- Beta Gamma Sigma
- Business Student Ambassador Committee
- Student Center for the Public Trust
- Beta Alpha Psi
- Portfolio Management Group
See your future
“I feel like one person can make such a huge difference, but we sometimes overlook it. If I can take that concept, and apply myself then I will be that person that starts the web of change in culture not only in business but also in the world. I want to make a change so that we are making the right choices for the right reasons. I feel the best way to speak to people is through money.”
—Geoffrey King ’18, Financial Services, Arrow Electronics
Major in what matters
A career team dedicated to you
In the heart of downtown Denver, you have easy access to hundreds of employers. Our career team has developed close relationships with quality employers and regularly brings them in for career fairs and panel events. It’s no surprise that employers have told us they prefer CU Denver students, because they know how motivated our students are to succeed.
Take the first step of many towards your future career. Our career team offers a number of services that help you:
- Gain confidence to interview and network with employers
- Find opportunities to land an internship or job of your dreams
- Create your personal brand—online and in-person
- Introduce you to business etiquette and corporate culture
Employers know we produce work-ready graduates
“CU Denver students have real-world experience and are ready to talk about their jobs. There’s a reason we keep coming back.” – S&P Global
“When I see a name tag with ‘CU Denver Business’ on it, I know that I’m talking to a high-quality candidate.” – TIAA
“Every single student has shown up excited about why we’re here. I’ve been really impressed with students’ knowledge, their preparedness, and what they are bringing to the table. It has upped the game tremendously for new hires.” – Marketo