Dual Major in Business Administration and Foreign Languages
Find your place in the world of business and foreign languages!
“If I’m selling to you, I will speak your language; if I’m buying, then you must speak mine!” – Willy Brandt, former German Chancellor
The degree Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) is offered with a dual major in foreign languages. The second major may be in French, German or Spanish. Students will follow the business curriculum.
Why choose the dual business-language program?
- Over the past 15 years global direct investment has risen from $47 billion to over $827 billion and the number of non-US companies trading on the NYSE has more than tripled. The belief that competition is merely or even mainly domestic is no longer valid (Domke-Damonte, 2002).
- Over 75% of the US firms face import competition but only 10% export. As US firms work to correct this imbalance, the need for business leaders who possess multilingual and multicultural competencies will skyrocket (Loghrin-Sacco, 2003).
- Today’s competitive and global marketplace has created a need for leaders who understand the challenges involved in conducting business on an international scale, including an understanding of other languages and cultures.
- There is an increasing number of expatriate assignments and overseas travel required of businesses.
- It is increasingly common that new hires be expected to be bi- and tri- lingual, and be familiar with other cultures.
How do I complete this program?
Academic Advising
A student can begin a language without any prior experience and still complete the dual major program within a four-year period with regular academic advising. Students will need to meet with advisors both areas.
- To schedule an appointment with a foreign language advisor stop by Arts and Sciences Hall, room 301 or call 554-2862.
- To schedule an appointment with a business advisor call
554-3419 or stop by Roskens Hall, room 310.
A Sample Schedule:
The following is an example of course selection for freshman and sophomore years. Each student’s schedule will differ based on results of the Math, English, and Foreign Language Placement Exams, and other scheduling factors. At least one foreign language course must be taken every semester.
First Freshman Semester
(minimum 15 credit hours)
credits course # course name
3 ENGL 1150 English Composition I
3 MATH 1310 Intermediate Algebra
3 FRENCH/SPANISH/GERMAN
(assumes testing into sophomore level)
4-5 elective Natural Science with lab
Second Freshman Semester
(minimum 15 credit hours)
3 ENGL 1160 English Composition II
3 MATH 1320 College Algebra
3 SPCH 1110 Public Speaking
3 FRENCH/SPANISH/GERMAN
3 elective Social Science
First Sophomore Semester
(minimum 15 credit hours)
3 ACCT 2010 Principles of Accounting I
3 ECON 2200 Principles of Economics: Micro
3 FRENCH/SPANISH/GERMAN
3 elective Natural Science
Second Sophomore Semester
(minimum 15 credit hours)
3 ACCT 2020 Principles of Accounting II
3 ECON 2220 Principles of Economics: Macro
3 BSAD 3160 Managerial Statistics for Bus.
3 FRENCH/SPANISH/GERMAN
3 elective Social Science
Junior/Senior Year
Upper Division Business Core required of all business students (28 hrs.)
Business Specialization (18-24 hrs.)
Choose one:
Accounting 24 hours
Economics 18 hours
Finance 18 hours
Management 18 hours
Marketing 18 hours
A four-year total of 30 hours at the 3000- 4000-level in a foreign language are required.
Summer study abroad opportunities for French German and Spanish are available. Students may earn 6 credits in a foreign language in as little as 4-5 weeks.
Foreign Language Requirements
Students with prior language study or experience must take a Foreign Language Placement Exam through the UNO Testing Center 554-4800. To fulfill requirements for the Foreign Language major, students must complete 30 hours of a language at the 3000-4000 level.
Distribution Requirements (30 hours)
Natural Sciences – minimum, 8 hours
Social Sciences – minimum, 8 hours, which must include one U.S. racial course
and one cultural diversity course
Humanities – Foreign language courses will also apply as international dimension, and as electives.
Note: Check with an academic advisor for the approved list of courses to satisfy each requirement.
Note: Distribution requirements should be selected from the approved list of courses, which must also include satisfying six hours of cultural diversity and nine hours of international dimension.
Note: Students may only enroll in each required business core course twice. A 2.0 (C ) or above is required for each fundamental and business course.