Major and Career Selection
Majors
The College of Business Administration offers nine undergraduate majors. The 24 hours of major coursework combine two areas of empahsis. Students have a choice between a "collateral" option and a "dual concentration" option. The collateral option consists of 15 hours in the primary emphasis and 9 hours in the secondary emphasis. The dual concentration option consists of 12 hours in each emphasis. Click here to view all possible combinations for majors, collaterals, and dual concentrations.
Accounting
The University of Tennessee has one of the leading accounting programs in the nation. The program emphasizes the conceptual and applied understanding of business information and prepares students for careers in accounting and business. The program has separate accounting accreditation from AACSB International and is one of the first accounting programs to have earned this designation. As an accredited program, the UT accounting program continuously meets or exceeds a rigorous set of international accreditation standards and is peer reviewed on a regular basis.
The accounting department prepares students for entry into careers in general accounting or internal auditing and provides preparation for the Master of Accountancy (MAcc) program. Students who desire to become Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) are encouraged to continue their formal education in UT’s one-year MAcc program.
Economics
Economics is the study of how people choose to use resources. Economists study changes occurring in specific countries or individual sectors of an economy; some ask fundamental questions about the nature of economic decisions; some address proposals to change government policies. The basic principles of economics explain the structure of markets and the impact of the aggregate economy on production, consumption, and trade. The economics major provides an opportunity to apply the theoretical and analytical rigor of basic managerial and macroeconomic tools to contemporary issues in economics and business.
Finance
Finance is the study and practice of making decisions involving money in a variety of contexts. Finance is studied so that people can allocate their scarce resources over time under conditions of uncertainty. Through the finance major, students will gain an understanding of the principles of financial management, including investment and portfolio management, financial markets and institutions, and financial theory and practice. Students may choose courses to suit their particular career goals, such as insurance and financial planning management, real estate finance and investment analysis, and international finance.
Human Resource Management
How an organization manages its human assets- its talent- may be the single most important factor in sustained competitive success. Human resource management requires attracting, developing, and maintaining an effective workforce within an organization. Human resource management professionals forecast human resource needs and recruit and select individuals to match job needs. They also develop training programs, performance appraisal procedures, and compensation systems. Human resource management education provides one the technical knowledge and training to immediately assume a position in Human Resources in a modern business. Human resource management professionals may also hold positions in government agencies or non-profit organizations.
Logistics
Logistics has the responsibility for the movement of raw materials and component parts into and within a business firm and for the distribution of finished products and services to customers. Because having products and/or services in the right place at the right time is critical for success in any business, logistics plays a critical role in a firm’s comprehensive supply chain. A career in logistics offers students the opportunity to make a significant contribution to corporate effectiveness in this area. The internationally recognized logistics program at UT is currently regarded as one of the most comprehensive and contemporary programs in the nation.
Management
Managers motivate and coordinate people in order to achieve organizational goals. Management involves the critical functions of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. Professional managers think strategically and work with others to lead organizations or departments to successful outcomes. Management education enables one to pursue varied career opportunities in organizations. Whether entering a management training program in a large organization, or working in a smaller organization assisting a department manager or supervisor, a career in management can start in many different parts of an organization. People who move into management positions are generally effective problem solvers and communicators. They are successful at organizing work and motivating others to accomplish tasks.
Marketing
Marketing in an organization has responsibility for identifying who customers are, what they need and want, and how best to meet those needs/wants by creating and delivering superior value to them. Marketing professionals use strategy tools to target customers, create value propositions and positioning for each target, and deliver and communicate value to these customers through product design, pricing, advertising, personal selling, promotion, and distribution.
Public Administration
Public administration is a joint program sponsored by the Departments of Economics and Political Science. It is designed for students interested in government, namely in the formation of public policy and the practice of public sector management among many other areas of the interface between the public and private sectors. Public Administration as a discipline combines key elements of business administration, economics, and political science. Specifically, it involves the application of business administration principles in areas that are not characterized by the profit motive (government agencies and non-profit organizations), all within the context of existing political institutions. Public administration majors study such things as the management of governmental organizations, the art and science of public budgeting, and the design and implementation of effective public policies. The public administration major is ideally suited for students who enjoy economics, politics, and business administration, but who also have strong interest in public policy and public service.
Statistics
Statistics is the science of learning from data. Statisticians determine how to collect and how to manage this necessary information. They interpret the data and present the results in a clear fashion so that wise decisions can be made. There are two basic types of statisticians: applied and theoretical. The focus of the undergraduate program is on applied statistics. Applied statisticians help to improve processes and solve real-world problems. Prospective statisticians must have a strong aptitude for mathematics, a solid computing background, and an earnest curiosity to explore the practical application of statistics.
More Information
UT Career Services offers a variety of resources for interest and aptitude assessment, as well as major and career exploration. Professional career counselors are available to help students gain meaningful work experience, learn job search skills, and make the transition from the university to the professional world.
Contact Us
Undergraduate Programs
College of Business Administration
The University of Tennessee
342 Haslam Business Building
Knoxville, TN 37996
Phone: (865) 974-5096
Fax: (865) 974-6106
Email: busad@tennessee.edu