Undergraduate Specializations
Undergraduate Kogod students can select one or more areas of specialization from several approved programs or design a custom specialization with the assistance and approval of a Kogod academic advisor. If you’re a business administration student, you’ll be required to complete a specialization to enhance your degree and graduate with expertise in one main area of business.
Choose from a variety of classes in your chosen specialization.
Complete a minimum of 12 credit hours in a second specialization.
Design your own unique specialization with the approval of your academic advisor.
Expand each section to learn more about the specialization and its requirements.
The accounting specialization provides a thorough understanding of financial and management accounting, giving you the skills you’ll need to make financial decisions for your business.
Elective courses:
Complete 12 credit hours from the following:
- ACCT-340 Intermediate Accounting I (3)
- ACCT-341 Intermediate Accounting II (3)
- ACCT-345 Advanced Managerial Accounting and Strategy (3)
- ACCT-391 Internship in Accounting (1-6)
- ACCT-396 Selected Topics: Non-Recurring (1-6)
- ACCT-443 Federal Income Taxation of Individuals (3)
- ACCT-447 Advanced Financial Reporting (3)
- ACCT-449 Contemporary Assurance and Audit Services (3)
- ACCT-451 Forensic Accounting: Fraud Examination and Litigation Support (3)
- ACCT-477 Financial Statement Analysis (3)
- ACCT-480 Advanced Forensic Accounting and Fraud Investigation (3)
- ACCT-496 Selected Topics: Non-Recurring (1-6)
- ACCT-550 Accounting Information Systems (3)
- ACCT-560 Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting (3)
An understanding of analytics allows you to extract meaningful insights from data in order to make intelligent and effective business decisions.
Required courses:
- ITEC-300 Programming Tools for Analytics: R (3)
- ITEC-321 Advanced Business Analytics (3)
- ITEC-470 Database and Big Data (3)
Elective courses:
Complete 6 credit hours from the following:
- ITEC-334 Online Application Development (3)
- ITEC-400 Programming Tools for Analytics: Python (3)
- ITEC-423 Organizational and Social Network Analytics (3)
- ITEC-455 Business Process Analysis (3)
- ITEC-460 Business Intelligence (3)
- ITEC-468 Cybersecurity Analytics (3)
In this specialization, you’ll learn the entrepreneurial mindset, knowledge, and skills needed to start your own business or increase the effectiveness of the organization you work for.
Required courses:
- MGMT-380 Introduction to Entrepreneurship: Foundations for Success (3)
- MGMT-382 Entrepreneurship for Innovation: Starting a Company (3)
- MGMT-483 Entrepreneurship Business Plans: Creating and Launching Ventures (3)
Elective courses:
Complete 3 credit hours from the following:
- BIO-489 Biotechnology (3)
- IBUS-471 Peace through Entrepreneurship and Global Business Practicum (3)
- MGMT-471 Peace through Entrepreneurship and Global Business Practicum (3)
- ISCI-450 AU I-CORPS Venture Development (3)
- MGMT-360 Social Purpose Innovation and Entrepreneurship (3)
- MGMT-361 Global Entrepreneurship and Micro Enterprises (3)
- MGMT-396 Selected Topics: Non-Recurring (1-6) (approved topic)
- MGMT-409 Leading High Performance Teams (3)
- MGMT-465 Negotiation (3)
- MGMT-469 New Venture Startup: Operational, Financial, and Legal Strategies (3)
- MGMT-490 Independent Study Project in Management (1-3) (maximum 3 credit hours)
- MGMT-496 Selected Topics: Non-Recurring (1-6) (approved topic)
Through case studies and company projects, the finance specialization prepares you to make sound financial and investment decisions in real-life business situations.
Required courses:
- FIN-368 Intermediate Corporate Finance (3)
- FIN-369 Investment Analysis (3)
Complete 6 credit hours from the following:
- FIN-450 Investment Banking: Valuation Tools and Techniques (3)
- FIN-451 Private Company Valuation (3)
- FIN-460 Financial Modeling (3)
- FIN-461 Behavioral Finance (3)
- FIN-462 Private Wealth Management (3)
- FIN-463 International Finance (3)
- IBUS-463 International Finance (3)
- FIN-464 Financial Markets and Institutions (3)
- FIN-465 Derivative Securities (3)
- FIN-470 Alternative Assets (3)
- FIN-472 Fixed Income (3)
- FIN-496 Selected Topics: Non-Recurring (1-6) (approved topic)
- FIN-573 Corporate Valuation and Financial Strategy (3)
- FIN-575 CFA Level I Intensive Review (3)
- FIN-576 Student-Managed Investment Fund (1-3) (maximum 3 credit hours)
- REAL-467 Mortgage Finance (3)
Elective courses:
Complete 3 credit hours from the following if not taken to fulfill Finance:
- ACCT-340 Intermediate Accounting I (3)
- ECON-301 Intermediate Macroeconomics (3)
- ECON-322 Applied Econometrics I (3)
- ECON-341 Public Economics (3)
- ECON-345 Introduction to Game Theory (3) / MATH-345 Introduction to Game Theory (3)
- ECON-346 Competition, Regulation, and Business Strategies (3)
- FIN-450 Investment Banking: Valuation Tools and Techniques (3)
- FIN-451 Private Company Valuation (3)
- FIN-460 Financial Modeling (3)
- FIN-461 Behavioral Finance (3)
- FIN-462 Private Wealth Management (3)
- FIN-463 International Finance (3) / IBUS-463 International Finance (3)
- FIN-464 Financial Markets and Institutions (3)
- FIN-465 Derivative Securities (3)
- FIN-470 Alternative Assets (3)
- FIN-472 Fixed Income (3)
- FIN-496 Selected Topics: Non-Recurring (1-6) (approved topic)
- FIN-573 Corporate Valuation and Financial Strategy (3)
- FIN-575 CFA Level I Intensive Review (3)
- FIN-576 Student-Managed Investment Fund (1-3) (maximum 3 credit hours)
- REAL-466 Real Estate Principles and Transactions (3)
- REAL-467 Mortgage Finance (3)
- REAL-470 Real Estate Investment Trust (3)
- REAL-475 Real Estate Management and Development (3)
Specializing in IT will give you the skills to understand an organization’s technology needs, innovate products and processes, and manage the implementation of technical solutions.
Required courses:
- ITEC-455 Business Process Analysis (3)
- ITEC-470 Database and Big Data (3)
Complete 6 credit hours from the following:
- ITEC-300 Programming Tools for Analytics: R (3)
- ITEC-334 Online Application Development (3)
- ITEC-350 Digital Leadership and Strategy (3)
- ITEC-400 Programming Tools for Analytics: Python (3)
- ITEC-460 Business Intelligence (3)
- ITEC-466 Cybersecurity Risk Management (3)
- ITEC-467 Cybersecurity Governance (3)
- ITEC-496 Selected Topics: Non-Recurring (1-6) (approved topic)
- ITEC-596 Selected Topics: Non-Recurring (1-6) (approved topic)
Understanding and appreciating the differences in political economies and cultures across countries will allow you to make informed business decisions that take both national and international considerations into account.
Students who choose the specialization in International Business must demonstrate proficiency in a second language at the intermediate level. For options and more information, see the KSB Office of Undergraduate Programs.
Students who choose the specialization in International Business must also satisfy a global experience requirement. This can be met either through completion of an approved study abroad program, an international internship, or successful completion of a comparable American University global immersion course. Exceptions to this requirement may be granted on a case by case basis by the Office of Undergraduate Programs. International students are exempt from this requirement.
Required courses:
- IBUS-350 Global Emerging Markets (3)
Complete 6 credit hours from the following:
- FIN-463 International Finance (3) / IBUS-463 International Finance (3)
- IBUS-301 International Marketing (3)
- IBUS-401 Cultural Environment of International Business (3)
- IBUS-402 International Human Resource Management (3)
Complete 3 credit hours from the following:
- FIN-452 Microfinance and Financial Inclusion (3) / IBUS-452 Microfinance and Financial Inclusion (3)
- FIN-473 Alternative Finance: Islamic Finance in the Global Economy (3) / IBUS-473 Alternative Finance: Islamic Finance in the Global Economy (3)
- FIN-476 Alternative Finance: Islamic Capital Markets and Sukuk (3) / IBUS-476 Alternative Finance: Islamic Capital Markets and Sukuk (3)
- IBUS-303 Learn from Failure: The Key to Successful Decision Making (3)
- IBUS-396 Selected Topics: Non-Recurring (1-6) (approved topic)
- IBUS-408 Export-Import Management (3)
- IBUS-471 Peace through Entrepreneurship and Global Business Practicum (3) / MGMT-471 Peace through Entrepreneurship and Global Business Practicum (3)
- IBUS-490 Independent Study Project in International Business (1-3) (maximum 3 credit hours)
- IBUS-496 Selected Topics: Non-Recurring (1-6) (approved topic)
- MGMT-361 Global Entrepreneurship and Micro Enterprises (3)
The management specialization prepares you to be an effective leader throughout your career by understanding best practices to manage both yourself and others.
Required courses:
- MGMT-381 Managing Human Capital (3)
- MGMT-409 Leading High Performance Teams (3)
Elective courses:
Complete 6 credit hours from the following:
- IBUS-303 Learn from Failure: The Key to Successful Decision Making (3)
- IBUS-402 International Human Resource Management (3)
- MGMT-360 Social Purpose Innovation and Entrepreneurship (3) or MGMT-382 Entrepreneurship for Innovation: Starting a Company (3)
- MGMT-396 Selected Topics: Non-Recurring (1-6) (approved topic)
- MGMT-465 Negotiation (3)
- MGMT-484 Consulting and Project Management (3)
- MGMT-490 Independent Study Project in Management (1-3) (maximum 3 credit hours)
- MGMT-496 Selected Topics: Non-Recurring (1-6) (approved topic)
Learn how to identify your audience, predict consumer behavior, and create integrated campaigns that will get their attention with a specialization in marketing.
Required courses:
- MKTG-301 Consumer Behavior (3)
- MKTG-302 Marketing Research (3)
Complete 6 credit hours from the following:
- IBUS-301 International Marketing (3)
- MKTG-311 Foundations of Digital Marketing (3)
- MKTG-396 Selected Topics: Non-Recurring (1-6) (approved topic)
- MKTG-405 Race in the Marketplace (3)
- MKTG-411 Advertising and Marketing Communications Management (3)
- MKTG-412 Advertising and Promotion Campaigns (3)
- MKTG-421 Brand Management (3)
- MKTG-431 Direct Response Marketing (3)
- MKTG-471 New Product Management (3)
- MKTG-472 Entertainment Marketing (3)
- MKTG-496 Selected Topics: Non-Recurring (1-6) (approved topic)
- MKTG-541 Sports Marketing Management (3)
- MKTG-551 Marketing for Social Change (3)
With a specialization in real estate, you'll understand the different sectors of the industry—from commercial development to mortgage financing and beyond—and be able to see connections to the larger business landscape.
Required courses:
- REAL-438 Real Estate Modeling and Valuation (3)
- REAL-466 Real Estate Principles and Transactions (3)
- REAL-467 Mortgage Finance (3)
- REAL-475 Real Estate Management and Development (3)
Prepare yourself for today’s careers in sustainability and business focused on corporate sustainability strategy, ESG investing, sustainability metrics and reporting, risk management, marketing, or entrepreneurship.
Required courses:
- IBUS-340 Sustainability and Global Strategy (3)
- MGMT-230 Global Sustainability (3)
- MGMT-444 Managing for Climate Change (3)
Complete 6 credit hours from the following:
- ECON-379 Economics of Environmental Policy (3)
- FIN-489 Environmental, Social, and Governance Fund Investing (3)
- IBUS-401 Cultural Environment of International Business (3)
- MGMT-360 Social Purpose Innovation and Entrepreneurship (3)
- MGMT-396 Selected Topics: Non-Recurring (1-6) (approved sustainability topic)
- MGMT-417 Sustainability Systems and Innovation (3)
- MGMT-443 Water, Energy and Sustainable Enterprise (3)
- MGMT-496 Selected Topics: Non-Recurring (1-6) (approved sustainability topic)
- SISU-350 Topics in Environmental Sustainability and Global Health (3)
- SISU-370 Topics in Justice, Ethics, and Human Rights (3) : American Environmental Policy and Politics