Most universities offer several basic business courses, which are available to students regardless of their chosen major. The most basic of these courses is often called Business 100 or Business 101, and is intended as an introduction to the world of business. Other basic-level courses often combine business with politics or economics, and attempt to provide different perspectives on business in the modern world. These courses often focus on topics such as globalization and international corporations. These courses are almost always a prerequisite for taking future business courses.
For students who are pursuing a business major, there are a number of courses concerning accounting and finance. Taking at least one of these courses is typically a prerequisite for most MBAs, and many schools require more than one course in this area. These courses typically cover topics such as managerial accounting, budgeting, financial analysis and the mathematical processes used in business accounting.
Business management is a popular area for business majors, and most schools offer a number of classes in management. There are many types of management, and therefore many types of courses on management are available. Entrepreneurial management courses teach the basics of starting a new business, and the entrepreneurship skills required to maintain a business. These courses cover a broad spectrum of business topics, such as finance, economics, operations management, marketing and other relevant subjects. General management courses are geared more toward individuals wishing to find a management position in a well-established business, and they teach management skills as well as other topics related to a business enterprise. These courses are typically mandatory for students pursuing a major in Business Administration. Strategy courses deal with other strategies involved in business administration, and are often associated with entrepreneurship or management.
Most business schools offer a large selection of courses based around marketing, and many students studying Business Administration choose to combine their studies with marketing as a specialization. Marketing courses deal with making products or services appealing to consumers. They cover topics such as advertising, product development and different types of marketing strategies.
There are a number of other college-level courses that cover topics that are related to business. Most business schools offer courses in business specialization, such as sports management, public relations, real estate, technology operations, negotiation and foreign markets. Check the course catalog and consult with the head of the Business Education Department at your chosen university to help determine which courses or academic focus might be right for you.