General Business

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The general business major is designed for students interested in obtaining a broad background in business administration without obtaining a high degree of specialization in any one area. It offers the student, with the consent of the adviser, a flexible program that can be tailored to the student's needs. The major requires exposure to insurance and at least five other areas of business in addition to the traditional business core. It is particularly recommended for students who anticipate management of a small business.

DEGREE OPTIONS
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in general business

FACULTY
The general business major is multidisciplinary, with courses taught by faculty in accounting, actuarial science, business law, economics, finance, information systems, insurance, management, marketing and statistics. Thus students in the general business major are exposed to a wide variety of experts, the vast majority of whom have advanced degrees and real-world business experience.

ACADEMIC PREPARATION
There are no special courses or other requirements for the general business majors. High school students are encouraged to take courses that help them develop good written and oral communication skills and to begin an early familiarity with computer technology and world events.

SAMPLE COURSES
General Business students usually take economics and accounting in their freshman year. Business law and business statistics are taken in the sophomore year. In the junior year students take fundamentals courses in marketing, management, finance, insurance, and information systems. Elective courses to support the career interests of the student begin in the junior year and continue throughout the senior year. The program is capped with an integrative course in business strategy.

DRAKE CURRICULUM
The Drake Curriculum, required of all undergraduates, is designed to help students meet personal and professional goals as they acquire fundamental knowledge and abilities in ten Areas of Inquiry, including communication, critical thinking, artistic experience, historical consciousness, information and technology literacy, international and multicultural experiences, scientific and quantitative literacy, values and ethics and engaged citizenship. Students work closely with their academic advisers to craft a program of study in general education that prepares students for civic and professional leadership.

The Drake Curriculum also requires first-year seminars, which foster development of critical thinking and written and oral communication skills through a topical focus; and a Senior Capstone, in which students demonstrate the capacity to bring information, skills and ideas to bear on one project.

INTERNSHIPS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Paid internship opportunities are available during the school year and summer. Internships help students gain valuable on-the-job experiences and a competitive edge in today's market. A number of internships are available with organizations in the Des Moines area. Faculty work closely with the students as advisers and mentors concerning students' programs and career interests.

CAREER OPTIONS
The College of Business and Public Administration's approach to general business exposes students to a multidisciplinary methodology with background in leadership, operations of businesses, work cultures and functions. It is particularly appropriate for students who anticipate management of a small or family-owned business.

ORGANIZATIONS
Many general business students take the opportunity to exercise their leadership abilities and begin a personal professional network by participating in business-oriented student organizations on campus. Organizations available to general business majors include Alpha Kappa Psi and Delta Sigma Pi, national professional business fraternities; and Beta Gamma Sigma, a national professional business society.

NOTED ALUMNI

Hon. Robert Ray, BN'52, LW'54, former Iowa Governor, former president of Drake University, Des Moines, IA
Donald Fletcher, BN'67, president, North American Personal Expression Business, Hallmark Cards Inc., Kansas City, MO