What Business Courses Should You Take? A Guide for Future Business Students

If you're considering a business degree (or already committed to one), you might wonder: Which courses will truly matter? Whether you're studying on campus or earning your business degree online, your course path can help you explore different potential career directions and build practical skills.

Business degree programs tend to be broad by design, so early courses are intended to help you explore different paths. As you progress, your electives–or specialization–can help you lean into what fits your interests.

Core Business Courses You to Build On

These foundational courses are common across most business programs. They're designed to establish broad skills and expose you to key functional areas.

• Intro to Business
• Economics (Micro & Macro)
• Principles of Accounting
• Financial Management
• Marketing
• Statistics / Business Analytics
• Business Ethics / Legal Environment
• Organizational Behavior / Human Resources

These courses can help you build both hard skills and soft skills.

Specializations: Tailor Your Path

Once you've completed your core courses, specializations let you dive further into your interests. Here are some popular options:

• Entrepreneurship – For those who aspire to launch businesses or innovate within organizations
• Operations Management – Focus on how goods and services flow, logistics, process optimization
• Project Management – Planning, scheduling, risk management, execution

Which specialization you pick can influence your potential career path options and your ability to speak credibly on that topic.

Skills to Cultivate – Beyond the Classroom

Business courses can help amplify these skills:

1. Analytical & Quantitative Reasoning

Whether it's financial modeling or analyzing datasets, businesses value professionals who can interpret numbers and trends.

2. Collaboration & Teamwork

Group projects and case studies mirror real business problems that rarely come with solo solutions.

3. Problem Solving & Critical Thinking

Companies want team members who can ask the right questions and propose solutions–even in ambiguity.

4. Adaptability & Lifelong Learning

Business landscapes shift fast. Your ability to learn new tools or pivot quickly matters.

Ready to learn more? Explore online business degree programs at AIU.

AIU cannot guarantee employment, salary, or career advancement. Not all programs are available to residents of all states.

REQ2171070 – 10/2025