School of BUSINESS
VIEWBOOK
THE BUSINESS JAYHAWK EXPERIENCE
MARKS OF EXCELLENCE
BEST PUBLIC BUSINESS SCHOOL IN THE U.S.
2024 U.S. News & World Report rankings
1-YEAR RETENTION RATE OF SCHOOL OF BUSINESS FIRST-TIME FRESHMEN TO KU
OF UNDERGRADUATES SEEKING EMPLOYMENT HIRED WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF GRADUATION
2022–23 employment data
KU is one of 38 U.S. public universities that belong to the prestigious American Association of Universities
The KU School of Business and its accounting program are accredited by AACSB International. This designation represents the highest standards of achievement and excellence, as well as a commitment to continuous improvement.
HUB FOR INNOVATION
The KU School of Business has called Capitol Federal Hall home since 2016.
• $70.5 million building
• Classrooms, auditoria, labs, meeting spaces, interview rooms, and more
• Named Best-Designed Building in Kansas by Architectural Digest (2019)
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Chart your course: Your academic advisor can help you set and reach your academic goals. Make an appointment with them to help enroll in classes, change your major, add or drop a major or minor, make a plan for studying abroad, and more.
KU CORE 34
Students enrolling at KU in fall 2024 or after will complete the KU Core 34 goals.
The KU Core 34 is designed to yield fundamental skills, build a broad background of knowledge, generate capacities and opportunities for blending and creating ideas, strengthen an appreciation of cultural and global diversity, and cultivate ethical integrity. Learn more: kucore.ku.edu
BUSINESS FOUNDATION, CORE + CAPSTONE COURSES
Foundation Courses:
ACCT 200: Financial Accounting
BSAN 202: Business Statistics
BUS 150: Foundations of Business
ECON 142: Microeconomics
ECON 144: Macroeconomics
Core Courses:
ACCT 201: Managerial Accounting
BE 301: Managerial Economics
BLAW 301: Business Law
BUS 305: Business Writing
BUS 110: Introduction to Professionalism
BUS 120: Emerging Topics in Business
BUS 210: Career Management & Planning
BUS 230: Introduction to Professions in Business
BUS 310: Internships with Impact
BUS 410: Professionalism Capstone
Fourth-level proficiency in foreign language OR Six credit hours study abroad OR Six credit hours contemporary international studies courses
Introduction to Business Majors:
BSAN 310: Business Analytics
FIN 310: Finance
IST 310: Information Systems
MGMT 310: Management
MKTG 310: Marketing
SCM 310: Supply Chain Management
Capstone Course: MGMT 498: Business Policy & Strategy HOURS REQUIRED TO GRADUATE
Credit hours from another institution?
Check transferability at credittransfer.ku.edu.
AP scores/credit for prior learning?
Learn how they fit with the KU curriculum at registrar.ku.edu/credit-prior-learning.
degree requirements.
ADMISSION
To apply for School of Business admission, indicate any business major on your KU application.
FRESHMAN
DIRECT ADMISSION
Who’s eligible for freshman direct admission?
Graduating high school seniors who plan to major in business at KU. Get the details below.
Applicants accepted at KU with an interest in business are eligible for direct admission into the School of Business if they have an index score of greater than or equal to 5.55. The index score is calculated using a student’s high school GPA and ACT composite or SAT math and evidence-based reading and writing scores: (ACT/10) + HS GPA = index score.
Students should refer to the official ACT/SAT concordance table when comparing SAT scores to ACT scores.
TEST-OPTIONAL PATHWAY: Incoming freshmen must have a 3.4+ high school GPA for admission.
HIGH SCHOOL GPA
Freshman direct admission to School of Business
Indicate business major on application to KU
Pre-business admission to College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Students may apply to undergraduate business program when eligible under pre-business pathway standards.
*SAT equivalent: math and evidence-based reading and writing
Who’s eligible for the pre-business pathway? Current KU students and transfer students. Get the details below.
Transfer students and current KU students who do not qualify for direct admission into the School of Business can still apply through the pre-business pathway.
SOPHOMORE STANDING: 30 CREDIT HOURS
ACCT 200: Financial Accounting
BSAN 202: Statistics
ECON 142: Principles of Microeconomics
ABOUT TRANSFERRING TO THE KU SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
DIRECT ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
SOPHOMORE STANDING: 30 CREDIT HOURS
COMPLETION OF 3 FOUNDATION COURSES:
(must be taken for a grade)
ACCT 200: Financial Accounting
BSAN 202: Statistics
ECON 142: Principles of Microeconomics
EARN CUMULATIVE GPA OF 2.5+, including the following:
Overall GPA (all transfer coursework)
Overall Professional GPA (all transfer business coursework, including ECON)
PRE-BUSINESS PATHWAY
• Work toward admissions requirements as a current KU student
• Access to all KU Business student services, academic advising
SOPHOMORE STANDING: 30 CREDIT HOURS
COMPLETION OF 3 FOUNDATION COURSES: (must be taken for a grade)
ACCT 200: Financial Accounting
BSAN 202: Statistics
ECON 142: Principles of Microeconomics
EARN CUMULATIVE GPA OF 2.5+, including the following:
Overall GPA (all transfer coursework)
Overall Professional GPA (all transfer business coursework, including ECON)
CREDIT TRANSFERS
You can check how courses transfer to KU from other universities using our online credit transfer tool: credittransfer.ku.edu
Transferring credits with earned grades of D+ and below will not satisfy KU and School of Business requirements. Transfer credits with earned grades of D+ and below will still be included in the GPAs for School of Business admission consideration.
BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The Business Professional Development Program, sponsored by EY, gives students an advantage in the competitive job market through a series of courses and outside-of-class activities.
COURSES EARNING POINTS AND BADGES
Introduction to Professionalism
>> Lay the groundwork for personal and professional development.
Emerging Topics in Business
>> Gain exposure to cutting-edge topics, trends and technologies.
Career Management and Planning
>> Connect with a career advisor, set career goals and develop your resume and interviewing skills.
Introduction to Professions in Business
>> Explore careers and career-related topics in various business disciplines.
Internships with Impact
>> Take this online asynchronous course while completing your professional-level internship.
Professionalism Capstone
>> Prepare for a successful transition to life after college by integrating and synthesizing your professional development.
In addition to the course series, students must earn points and badges, which reflect different levels of achievements, to graduate. These are earned by participating in events, certifications, workshops and other professional activities. Students track points using the Suitable app.
Students must earn the Lift Badge (200 qualifying points) by the end of their junior year in order to enroll in BUS 410.
more at business.ku.edu/ professionalism
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
Career advisors and area industry mentors prepare students for their future careers. From internships, to career fairs, to career advising, they will help you define and meet your career objectives.
SERVICES
Access to internship and job listings on HireJayhawks.ku.edu
Career coaching
Employer-led mock interviews
Interview tips and advice
KU Business Mentoring Program
Networking opportunities
Resume reviews
EVENTS
Annual Business and Accounting Career Fairs
Annual Internship Fair
Year-round career-exploration events
TOP COMPANIES HIRING
FROM THE KU SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
$64,349 OF UNDERGRADUATES SEEKING EMPLOYMENT HIRED WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF GRADUATION 2022–23 employment data 90%
AVERAGE INITIAL SALARY OF BSB GRADUATES 2022–23 employment data
KANSAS CITY METRO WICHITA, KANSAS
CHICAGO
MINNEAPOLIS
TEXAS (VARIOUS CITIES) OMAHA, NEBRASKA
LAWRENCE, KANSAS
NEW YORK CITY
INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Global Business Studies fosters student access to study abroad, international internships, and programs dedicated to connecting them to the broader world of business opportunity.
The School of Business also offers students the following opportunities to explore the international dimensions of business while developing valuable skills demonstrating competency in international business:
• Co-major in international business
• Minor in international business
TYPES OF PROGRAMS
Short-term (Summer/Winter Break)
Summer Language Institutes
Semester or academic year programs
International internships
COUNTRIES VISITED BY KU BUSINESS STUDENTS OVER 2023–24 ACADEMIC YEAR OF 2023–24 KU BUSINESS GRADUATING CLASS PARTICIPATED IN STUDY ABROAD AT KU
27.3%
OPPORTUNITIES
KU BUSINESS STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN INTERNATIONAL STUDY, INTERNSHIPS, OR RESEARCH PROGRAMS DURING 2023-24 ACADEMIC YEAR
Visit business.ku.edu/study-abroad to view programs.
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brazil
China
Costa Rica
Czech Republic
Denmark
England
France
Germany
Hong Kong
India
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Lithuania
The Netherlands
Panama
Peru
Scotland
Singapore
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Thailand
United Arab
Emirates
Vietnam
Wales
Ask your advisor to incorporate study abroad into your four-year plan
BUSINESS ENRICHMENT
The KU School of Business offers students with different backgrounds and interests opportunities to become involved in specialized programs tailored for their specific needs.
Apply now as an incoming freshman
BUSINESS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
Provides paths and peers to help talented student leaders prepare to lead in their communities and professions.
• $2,000 scholarship first year
$1,000 scholarship second year
• Specialized leadership development curriculum
Eligibility to apply 2025–26 application deadline is Jan. 2, 2025
• High school senior directly admitted to School of Business
• One of the eight business majors indicated on KU application
• 3.8+ HS GPA, or
• Between 3.5–3.79 HS GPA with ACT of 28+ (SAT of 1310+)
More: business.ku.edu/leadership-program
Apply later as a KU Business student
JACK DICUS BUSINESS HONORS PROGRAM
• Business Honors courses
• Experiential learning events
• Access to Business Honors network
• Business Honors lounge in Capitol Federal Hall
• Eligibility to graduate with Business Honors designation
Eligibility to apply
• Students must have completed at least one semester at KU
• 3.7+ overall GPA
More: business.ku.edu/business-honors
JENNETT FINANCE SCHOLARS PROGRAM
• $2,000 scholarship
• Exclusive trips to financial institutions in New York City and Chicago
• Finance summer internship preparation
• Bloomberg Market Concepts certification
Eligibility to apply 15–20 finance majors admitted each year
• 3.5+ overall GPA
• Interest in pursuing finance career
• Exceptional initiative and leadership ability
• Willingness to commit to 3-semester participation in program
More: business.ku.edu/jennett-finance-scholars
PROGRAMS
ACCOUNTING SCHOLARS
• $2,000 scholarship for program course tuition, provided by sponsor KPMG
• Advanced job search skill development
• Mentorship with accounting alumni
• Hands-on learning experiences
Eligibility to apply
• Second- or third-year student
• 3.5+ overall GPA
• Interest in pursuing accounting career
• Exceptional initiative and leadership ability
• Willingness to commit to 12-month participation in program
More: business.ku.edu/accounting-scholars
Apply for enrollment as a KU Business student
APPLIED PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
• Learn intricacies of stock markets around the world
• Enrollment of Applied Portfolio Management course by application only
• Regular guest speakers including top executives + Wall Street professionals
Eligibility to apply
• Open to all students
• Prior finance or accounting exposure recommended
• Interest in following markets
More: business.ku.edu/apm
STUDENT INVOLVEMENT
UNDERGRADUATE
BUSINESS COUNCIL
Represents the student body and promotes a culture of engagement and inclusion, and acts as student leaders within the school. The UBC also provides funding and support to its member student organizations.
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J CAFÉ: A student-run coffee shop in the School of Business owned by the UBC. Proceeds are used to fund UBC member organizations and promote student involvement.
BUSINESS STUDENT CLUBS + ORGANIZATIONS
Analytics and Information Systems Club
Consulting Club
Entrepreneurship Club
Finance Club
Global Business Initiative
Hispanic Business Student Association
Human Resource Management Club
Insurance Club
KU Case Competition Club
KU DECA
KU Fashion and Business Professional Organization
Marketing Club
Rock Chalk Investment Club
Real Estate Club
Sales Club
Supply Chain Management Club
Women’s Business Club
Women in Finance
BUSINESS HONOR SOCIETIES + PROFESSIONAL FRATERNITIES
Alpha Kappa Psi
Beta Alpha Psi
Beta Gamma Sigma
Delta Sigma Pi
Some student-organization activities can earn students Business Professional Development Program points. In addition, the program promotes increased student involvement through point-eligible professional development activities.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Whether students want to launch a new venture, already have their own venture, or just have an interest in entrepreneurship, the KU School of Business is the destination for students wanting to develop their entrepreneurial competency.
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Certificate in Entrepreneurship
Build foundational entrepreneurship skills
• 3 courses (9 total credit hours)
• 4 activity points: Earn by participating in entrepreneurship co-curricular activities
• Complete final reflection
Minor in Entrepreneurship
Take a deeper dive into developing entrepreneurial competency
• 6 courses (18 total credit hours): 5 required + 1 elective
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PROGRAMS
Boundless Creativity
• Led by school’s Innovator-in-Residence
• Fosters creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking through weekly sessions
The Catalyst
• Employs students and gives them opportunities to work out ideas and venture plans with input from industry mentors, staff, and peers
• Comprises three stages in which students are paid to develop their ventures; as students progress through stages, they also learn to serve as entrepreneurial guides to future cohorts
Entrepreneur-in-Residence
• Gain skills and knowledge from experienced entrepreneur to operationalize new venture ideas
• Focuses on financial acumen and business modeling
• Gain hands-on learning while providing services to Kansas businesses
• Working with a faculty advisor, provide advisory and consulting services to clients from the Lawrence community and region
RedTire (Redefine your Retirement)
• Economic development initiative addressing shuttering of viable small- and medium-sized Midwest businesses
• Matches entrepreneurs with business owners looking to retire
• Offers experiential learning opportunities to students
MORE ABOUT ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMS
Jayhawk Consulting
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
MAJORS
Accounting
Business Administration
Business Analytics
Finance
Information Systems
MINORS
Business Analytics
Entrepreneurship*
Human Resource Management
Information Systems
International Business*
CERTIFICATES
Banking
Entrepreneurship*
Professional Selling*
International Business (co-major)
Management and Leadership
Marketing
Supply Chain Management
Management and Leadership
Marketing
Professional Selling
Supply Chain Management
Jack Lockton Certificate in Insurance & Risk Management**
*Open to non-business majors | **Open to business minors
STUDENT SUPPORT + RESOURCES
ACADEMIC + CAREER ADVISORS
• Comprehensive academic advising for successful educational experience
• Professional advising and guidance for successful job search and career
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION CENTER
• Writing and presentation coaches provide feedback and guidance
• Students become clear, thoughtful writers and speakers
MATH 115 PRACTICE EXAMS
• Practice exam written by math department
• After practice exam, students review solutions with student leaders, staff
TEACHING ASSISTANTS
• Peer-to-peer support system
• Collaborative study space in Capitol Federal Hall where students receive academic support from TAs
ACCOUNTING
REQUIRED COURSES
ACCT 320/323: Intermediate Accounting I
ACCT 325: Managerial Accounting II
ACCT 410/411: Intermediate Accounting II
ACCT 425: Accounting Information Systems
3 ACCT electives (not including ACCT 230 or ACCT 599)
Continue your education with a KU MAcc
Many School of Business accounting students continue on to earn their Master of Accounting (MAcc) at KU. The 30-credit-hour program’s curriculum is designed to fully prepare students to enter the accounting profession and to meet the educational requirements for CPA certification in most states.
• Students wanting to pursue a MAcc and/or CPA licensure should take ACCT 330 and ACCT 543 as two of their three elective choices.
The opportunities for accounting professionals are diverse and limitless. An accounting skillset opens doors to jobs with public accounting firms, corporations, governmental entities and more.
$63K
MEDIAN STARTING SALARY
97.5%
OF STUDENTS EMPLOYED WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF GRADUATION
2022–23 employment data for accounting BSB graduates
TYPICAL CAREER AREAS
Advisory and consulting
Cost accounting
Digital assurance
External and internal audit
Financial planning and analysis
Financial reporting
Forensics/investigative accounting
Tax compliance and consulting
Transaction planning and consulting
VIEW ACCOUNTING DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Studying business administration provides a broad business background through high-level exposure to all business disciplines.
REQUIRED COURSES
Seven courses (21 credit hours) of advanced business electives (320+) across at least three of the following prefixes, with a minimum of 3 hours in each of the three prefixes selected:
ACCT BE
BLAW BSAN
DSCI ENTR FIN IBUS
IST MGMT
MKTG
SCM
90% $56K
MEDIAN STARTING SALARY OF STUDENTS EMPLOYED WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF GRADUATION
TYPICAL POSITIONS
Branch manager
Customer service manager
Fundraiser/development officer
Human resource administrator
Industry relations specialist
Insurance agent
Property/real estate manager
Small business owner
Personnel manager
Personnel recruiter
2022–23 employment data for business administration and management + leadership BSB graduates VIEW BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
BUSINESS ANALYTICS
Gain the requisite knowledge, skills and experience to instill a data-driven mindset. The degree brings together fields of data management, computer science, statistics, data mining, and data visualization.
REQUIRED COURSES
BSAN 326: Database Management Systems
BSAN 415: Data Analysis and Forecasting
BSAN 440: Foundation in Business Analytics
BSAN 450: Data Mining and Predictive Analytics
BSAN 480: Business analytics capstone
6 hours of BSAN electives (BSAN 320+)
TYPICAL POSITIONS
Business intelligence analyst
Clinical data analyst
Computer systems analyst
Marketing analyst
Data analyst
Database architect
Quantitative analyst
$64K
2022–23 employment data for business analytics BSB graduates OF STUDENTS EMPLOYED WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF GRADUATION 88%
VIEW BUSINESS ANALYTICS DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
FINANCE
Finance serves the decision-makers outside of the organization, like banks, government agencies, stockholders, customers and suppliers. A KU finance degree prepares you to work in a variety of fields by developing strong analytical, accounting and communication skills.
REQUIRED COURSES
ACCT 321: Intermediate Accounting for Finance or
ACCT 410: Intermediate Accounting II
FIN 410/411: Investment Theory & Applications
FIN 413/414: Financial Markets & Intermediaries
FIN 415/416: Corporate Finance
9 hours of FIN electives (FIN 400+)
$68K 89%
MEDIAN STARTING SALARY OF STUDENTS EMPLOYED WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF GRADUATION
2022–23 employment data for finance BSB graduates
TYPICAL CAREER AREAS
Asset management
Corporate finance
Investment banking
Commercial banking
Real estate
Financial planning/wealth
management
Insurance
Consulting
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Learn how to efficiently manage databases and information systems to help businesses or organizations achieve strategic goals and operational objectives.
REQUIRED COURSES:
IST 320: Fundamentals of Software Development
IST 325: Systems Analysis + Design
IST 326: Database Management Systems
IST 330: Fundamentals of Business Computer Networking
IST 410: IT Project Management
6 hours of IST electives (IST 320+)
TYPICAL CAREER PATHS
Information systems/technology
Consulting/sales
Technology management
$72.5K
MEDIAN STARTING SALARY OF STUDENTS EMPLOYED WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF GRADUATION
69%
2022–23 employment data for information systems graduates
Supply chain
Business analytics
Operations/production
VIEW INFORMATION SYSTEMS DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
The business school offers a co-major in international business in response to a growing number of employers valuing international business competency.
REQUIRED COURSES
IBUS 410: Introduction to International Business
IBUS 462: Comparative and Cross-Cultural Management
IBUS 480: International Management
Language requirement: Four semesters of foreign language study or demonstrated intermediate-level proficiency
Study abroad requirement: Summeror semester-long study abroad experience lasting at least six weeks
1 or more electives
2 regional/functional knowledge courses from the following:
IBUS 415: Business in Latin America
IBUS 425: Business in East Asia
FIN 420: International Finance
MKTG 440: Global Marketing
MGMT 434: International Human Resource Management
This co-major encourages KU Business students to develop a highly valuable and marketable resume of competency in both international business issues and language skills as well as a functional skillset.
MANAGEMENT and LEADERSHIP
Gain a mix of theoretical and practical management knowledge and skills to work as a professional manager and leader. Degree electives allow students to specialize in specific areas of interest.
REQUIRED COURSES
MGMT 405: Ethical Decision Making in Business
MGMT 410: Human Resources Management
MGMT 440: Advanced Organizational Behavior
MGMT 470: Leadership in Business Organizations
9 hours within selected elective track:
• MGMT 400+ (excluding MGMT 498/499)
• ENTR 400+
• IBUS 400+
TYPICAL CAREER PATHS
Consulting
Human resources
Entrepreneurship
Sales
Retail
General management
Project management and event planning
90% $56K
MEDIAN STARTING SALARY OF STUDENTS EMPLOYED WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF GRADUATION
2022–23 employment data for business administration and management + leadership graduates
VIEW MANAGEMENT + LEADERSHIP DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
MARKETING
Marketing combines both analytical capabilities and creativity, preparing students for job opportunities across a range of industries.
REQUIRED COURSES
MKTG 310/311: Marketing
MKTG 415: Marketing Research for Managers
MKTG 435: Marketing Strategy
MKTG 443: Digital Marketing and Social Media
12 hours of marketing electives (MKTG 400+)
$57.5K
TYPICAL CAREER PATHS
Advertising and marketing communications
Brand management
Marketing analyst
Sales
86%
MEDIAN STARTING SALARY OF STUDENTS EMPLOYED WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF GRADUATION
2022–23 employment data for marketing BSB graduates
VIEW MARKETING DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
Learn a set of approaches to efficiently integrate the flow of materials, finances and information from suppliers, manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, retailers and the final customer.
REQUIRED COURSES
SCM 401: Intro to Supply Chain Management
SCM 402: Procurement and Supplier Management
SCM 403: Logistics, Transportation and Warehouse Management
SCM 404: Management of Integrated Information Systems/ERP
9 hours of supply chain electives
TYPICAL CAREER PATHS
Sourcing and procurement
Supply chain, demand and inventory planning
Warehousing and distribution operations
Transportation
$60K
MEDIAN STARTING SALARY OF STUDENTS EMPLOYED WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF GRADUATION
85%
2022–23 employment data for supply chain management graduates
VIEW SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS