Do you need a bachelor's degree in business if you want to pursue an MBA?

Question

I am a high school senior debating what I should major in next year.

I want to double major in Communications and Economics, however both majors are offered in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences as opposed to the College of Business Administration.

Does it hurt your chances of getting into Business School if your major is not from the College of Business Administration?

When it is all said and done I would like to receive a Bachelor's degree in Communications and Economics and a Master's degree in Business Administration, but first I need to know if this is possible.

Answer 1

No, you don't need a bachelor's degree in business to pursue an MBA and it won't hurt your chances of getting in at all. In fact, the degree was designed to "finish" those who graduated in other fields as they moved into management, so it is really better suited to those whose earlier degrees were in something else. The only downside is that in some programs, you can waive basic courses if you took two undergraduate courses in the same subject matter and got a decent grade in them, so you might take a little longer to finish than would a business graduate, but that isn't true at all schools, especially the better ones (I waived 7 courses, but had to take more advanced courses in their place, rather than graduating early).

Answer 2

At the top B-Schools most students do NOT have a BS in business administration. The top schools even try to get a student body with diverse backgrounds.

Economics is an excellent choice for someone who wants to eventually get an MBA.

Answer 3

I think you can. I am about to get my engineering degree and I am planning on getting a Master's in Business Administration.Your MBA will help you get a managing position on the future.

Good luck

Answer 4

No it does not hurt your chances at all. COMM and ECON will probably have you be better prepared anyways.


Most people do not have undergrad business degrees when they pursue and MBA.

Your BS/BA degree can be in art and you can still get an MBA.