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Discover Business

Explore Your Undergraduate Business Options

The Discover Business program at the University of Dayton's School of Business Administration is designed for you if you want to launch a career in business before choosing a specific major. Rather than delaying your progress, this supportive path allows you to dive into business core courses and immersive hands-on experiences right away. Through personalized, holistic academic advising, you can confidently explore diverse professional pathways—ensuring you find the perfect major while remaining entirely on track to graduate in four years.

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Fast Facts

9 business majors

to choose from

Weekly Meetings

with your academic advisor during your first year

About the Discover Business Program

Why start in Discover Business at UD?

Not knowing exactly what to study is more common than many students think. The University of Dayton's Discover Business program gives you the time, support and flexibility to explore business majors while staying on track to graduate in four years, whether you discover your path after the first semester or take the full two years to fully explore your interests and strengths.

A Supportive Path for Exploring Students

Discover Business is designed for students who are:

  • Undecided on a business major.
  • Choosing between multiple interests.
  • Reconsidering their current major.
  • Looking for guidance in finding the right fit.

Personalized Support From Day One

In this program, you'll work closely with a dedicated holistic academic advisor who helps students explore majors, register for classes and navigate college life. Connect with peer mentors, faculty and business micro-mentors for career and academic guidance. All business courses are taught by faculty — never graduate assistants.

Explore Business Before Choosing a Major

Take introductory business courses that help identify your strengths, interests and career goals. Learn about all business pathways within UD's AACSB-accredited School of Business Administration. As a Discover Business student, you'll connect to a variety of business careers in courses designed for first-year exploration.

Career Preparation Built Into the Experience

Complete the Career Flight Plan curriculum focused on career exploration, professional development and leadership skills. You'll also build confidence through mock interviews, business etiquette training, AI specialization opportunities and networking experiences.

AACSB Dual-Accredited

The University of Dayton School of Business Administration is dual-accredited by AACSB International — the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business — with additional specialized accreditation for our accounting program. Fewer than 2% of business schools worldwide hold this prestigious dual-accreditation of accounting and business.

Want to Learn More?

Read the Discover Business program FAQ for information on careers, student involvement, skills gained and more.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Explore admission options or schedule an academic visit to learn more about business analytics at UD.

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How do I apply to the Discover Business program?

At the University of Dayton, applying is free and test scores are optional. When you apply, you'll automatically be considered for a merit scholarship.

Learn about our admission process, then apply using UD's application or the Common App.

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What is the tuition cost and is financial aid available?

Rooted in our Catholic, Marianist traditions, the University of Dayton is dedicated to being transparent and ensuring student success. And with high graduation and success rates, UD is an excellent value.

To help you cover your costs, a variety of scholarships, grants, loans and part-time work study are available. The University also accepts transfer credits and credit by exam for undergraduates, giving you more flexibility to add a double major or minor or participate in a transformational experience like study abroad or co-op.

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Program Requirements and Curriculum

Discover Business Requirements and Information
Requirements

You should be prepared to declare a major by the end of your second year, and will follow the plan for the selected major.

A Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree requires a total of 120 credit hours. See the Academic Catalog for official major requirements, prerequisite(s), course descriptions and more.

About the Program

In the Discover Business program, you'll work toward a degree and attend courses like BIZ 101 (Launching Your Business Career and Foundations for Success) and BIZ 103 (Develop Your Vocation and Career Flight Plan) during your first year while deciding their major. These courses cover the curriculum and careers of each program, as well as ways you can achieve other academic goals, like finding complementary minors, double majors and abroad and away opportunities. Holistic academic advisors teach these courses to provide you with additional support outside of the classroom and can make referrals to faculty micro-mentors for added academic and industry insights.

Once a major is declared, that will determine the coursework required and degree awarded upon graduation.

Program Outcomes
  • You will articulate the idea of vocation and demonstrate progress in the vocational discernment process.
  • You will make successful and timely progress toward a degree.
  • You feel a sense of belonging at the University.
Transfer and Exam Credits
Learning Resources
Honors Program

Sample Plan of Study

This is a sample plan of study for students starting at UD in the 2025-26 academic year. This is a recommended course sequence, but your schedule may vary depending on previously earned college credits, course availability, advisor recommendations, and your personal goals and interests. Please contact your holistic advisor if you have any questions.

Landmarks for Every Semester
Meet with your Holistic Academic Advisor • Complete 30 credit hours per year • Maintain overall and major GPAs of 2.0 or above • Successfully complete all business core classes with no more than 2 Ds
Semester 1
  • BIZ 101 – Launching Your Business Career: Foundations for Student Success
    1
  • ECO 203 – Principles of Microeconomics
    3
  • HUM 101 – Chaminade Seminar: Reading and Responding to the Signs of the Times
    3
  • MGT 101 – Entrepreneurial, Innovative and Creative Mindsets
    3
  • MGT 201 – Legal and Ethical Environment of Business
    3
  • CAP Natural Science and Lab
    4
  • Total Credit Hours 17
Semester 2
  • BIZ 103 – Develop Your Vocation and Career Flight Plan
    1
  • BIZ 201 – Business Cases and Communications
    3
  • ECO 204 – Principles of Macroeconomics
    3
  • HUM 102 – Marie Thérèse Seminar: Human Dignity and the Common Good
    3
  • MTH 129 – Calculus for Business
    3
  • CAP Arts Study
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 16
Semester 1-2 Required and Recommended Milestones
  • Develop your plan of study
  • Complete MTH 129 and 17 hours of business courses
  • Plan your BWISE and UD EL, including considering developing intercultural competencies through study away
  • Discover student organizations across campus (BIZ 101)
  • Attend the Career Fair to learn (BIZ 103)
  • Explore campus employment opportunities
Semester 3
  • ACC 201 – Accounting Information for Business Decisions I
    3
  • BAN 210 – Statistics for Business Analytics I
    3
  • BIZ 202 – Career Flight Takeoff
    1
  • MIS 301 – Information Systems in Organizations
    3
  • ENG 200 – Writing Seminar II
    3
  • CAP Diversity and Social Justice
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 16
Semester 4
  • ACC 202 – Accounting Information for Business Decisions II
    3
  • BAN 211 – Statistics for Business Analytics II
    3
  • MKT 301 – Principles of Marketing
    3
  • OPS 301 – Survey of Operations and Supply Management
    3
  • CAP Faith Traditions
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 15
Semester 3-4 Required and Recommended Milestones
  • Determine your major(s) and any minors
  • Complete BAN 210/211, ACC 201/202, BIZ 202
  • Get involved in student organizations (BIZ 202)
  • Serve your community (BWISE) in BIZ 202
  • Attend the Career Fair/interview for internships (BWISE)
  • Revisit your plan of study
  • Connect with a faculty micro-mentor to discuss career paths and internships

Students should be prepared to declare a major by the end of their second year, and will follow the plan for the selected major.

Note: A Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree requires a total of 120 credit hours. See the Academic Catalog for official major requirements, prerequisite(s), course descriptions and more.

At the University of Dayton, our flexible undergraduate curriculum, known as the Common Academic Program (CAP), encourages you to integrate knowledge — and put it to use.

Wondering how college credits you've already earned (e.g., transfer credit, CCP, AP/IB/CLEP exams) will apply to your undergraduate degree? Use our online Transfer Credit Evaluation tool to find out.

Transfer and Exam Credits
Learning Resources
Honors Program

Transfer and Exam Credits

Wondering how college credits you've already earned (e.g., transfer credit, CCP, AP/IB/CLEP exams) will apply to your undergraduate degree? Use our online Transfer Credit Evaluation tool to find out.

Transfer and Exam Credits

Success After Graduation

Get more than your foot in the door — get ready for success. At our School of Business Administration, you will have the opportunity to combine the classroom and business world together in a way that allows you to further sharpen your skills. It’s a key reason why employers love hiring our students — they can hit the ground running.

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Fast Facts

$66,715 average

starting salary for School of Business Administration majors

99% success rate

after graduation for School of Business majors

Your Academic Path: The UD Discover Business Experience

Holistic Academic Advising

Advisors in the Mittelstaedt Center for Academic Advising and Business Student Success will help you successfully navigate through the business school and plan for your future success. 

Explore Advising for Business Students

BWISE

To really excel as a business professional, you'll need to gain additional business wisdom outside the classroom. That's where BWISE (Business Wisdom through International, Service, and Experiential education) comes in.

Explore BWISE

Bachelor's Plus Master's Program

With UD's Bachelor's Plus Master's (BPM) program, you can earn your bachelor's degree and a master's degree at an accelerated pace — often completing your master's degree within just one year of earning your bachelor's degree.

Explore the Bachelor's Plus Master's Program

Vocation at UD

We integrate vocational exploration into the curriculum through the first-year experience seminar, experiential learning and co-curricular opportunities within our centers and programs.

Learn About Vocation
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Ready to Enroll in the Discover Business Program?

Let’s explore the possibilities. Now you know what we’re about: community, personal attention, hands-on learning, integrity and global thinking. Take the next step and connect with us today.

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Discover Business Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Discover Business program, and how does it help students explore different business majors?

The Discover Business program is a pathway designed for students who know they want a career in business but are still deciding on a specific field. You're directly admitted into the School of Business Administration with a clear plan of study for the first few semesters so you can stay on track to graduate.

Can students enter college as a Discover Business student and still graduate on time in business?

Yes, absolutely. The curriculum is intentionally structured so that your first-year coursework satisfies general education and core business requirements. As you transition into your second year, you can easily tailor and modify your coursework to align with the specific majors you are considering. This flexible approach ensures you can explore your options deeply while still graduating in four years, just like students who declared their major on day one.

How does the program help students figure out which business major fits their interests and strengths?

This exploration is built directly into the core coursework completed by all first-year business students, specifically through foundational classes, where you'll engage in structured self-assessments to identify your unique strengths and professional interests. You'll hear directly from faculty, alumni and industry professionals to gain a realistic, practical understanding of career paths.

Will students receive personalized support while exploring majors?

Yes. Every Discover Business student is paired with a dedicated holistic academic advisor who specializes in helping students navigate their options. Because we believe in consistent, personal connections, you'll also see your holistic academic advisor in the classroom; they teach BIZ 101 (Launching Your Business Career) during the fall of your first year and BIZ 103 (Develop Your Vocation and Career Flight Plan) in the spring, allowing them to truly get to know you and support your journey from day one.

Can Discover Business students keep the same holistic academic advisor once they declare their business major?

Yes! Relationships are important at UD. All holistic academic advisors in the School of Business Administration can support your pathway to any business major.

What kinds of business classes will students take in their first year?

During your first year, you will build a solid foundation with BIZ 201 (Business Cases and Communications), ECO 203 (Principles of Microeconomics), ECO 204 (Principles of Macroeconomics), MGT 101 (Entrepreneurial, Innovative and Creative Mindsets) and MGT 201 (Legal and Ethical Environment of Business). Designed to maximize your degree path, three of these courses also satisfy requirements under the Common Academic Program (CAP), meaning you fulfill general education and business core elements simultaneously.

You will also complete Career Flight Plan courses BIZ 101 (Launching Your Business Career) during the fall of your first year and BIZ 103 (Develop Your Vocation and Career Flight Plan).

Can students still access internships, clubs and experiential learning opportunities while Discover Business?

Definitely. From your very first semester, you'll have full access to all School of Business Administration resources, since you have been directly admitted. This includes professional student organizations, business-specific networking events, case competitions,and career services to help you secure internships.

How easy is it to switch between business majors after starting college?

Because our business majors share a common core curriculum during the first two years, transitioning from Discover Business to a declared major rarely impacts your graduation timeline, if you declare your major by your third semester. We always recommend discussing your plans with your holistic academic advisor as early as possible to ensure you stay on schedule for your specific goals.

What makes this Discover Business program different from general undecided or exploratory programs at other universities?

Unlike general undecided programs, you are a fully admitted business student from day one. You will take business courses immediately, learn from business faculty and participate in business-specific professional development, all within a highly supportive, close-knit community.

When do I need to decide on my major?

Most Discover Business students declare their specific major by the end of their first year, though you have until the middle or end of your sophomore year to make a formal decision, depending on the business major you plan to pursue.

What if I decide business is not the right discipline for me?

If you discover your passions lie elsewhere, your holistic academic advisor will help you transition smoothly to another unit within UD.

What if I am torn between a couple of business majors?

That is incredibly common, and our curriculum is flexible enough to accommodate your interests. Your advisor can help you explore options like declaring a double major or adding a specialized minor or certificate that allows you to study both fields.