Planning a career in business? Find your perfect program at IU!
One of the best parts of college is having the freedom to explore so you can find what makes you happy. Take business, for example. You know you’re headed in this direction, but what do you really want to do in business? Work with people? Manage an arts venue? Lead a nonprofit?
At Indiana University, we’ve got all that—and more. It’s the benefit of studying business at a liberal arts institution: you can explore other areas of study to find the programs that will form the perfect complement to a business degree or lead you to what is simply the perfect degree—all while making yourself more marketable to potential employers.
You already know about the world-class education offered by the Kelley School of Business, but don’t stop there. Learn more about IU’s business options on this page.
If you’re an admitted student, reserve your space in the class before the admissions deadline. If you’re a junior, keep exploring and get ready to apply!
More ways to study business at IU
You might want to earn a degree in human resource management through the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs.
Human resource management combines the latest concepts in organization strategy with the dynamic and interesting process of managing people. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, demand for human resources professionals grows by leaps and bounds each year. In your future career, you could work in one of these areas:
Recruitment and staffing
Employee benefits design and administration
Employee training
Payroll and human resources information systems
You’ll gain an understanding of the keys to successful hiring, complex compensation systems, the value of diversity, and fundamental issues in employment law through classes such as:
Human Resource Management(SPEA-V373)
Managing and Leading Organizations(SPEA-V236)
Managing External Collaboration and Networks(SPEA-V336)
Check out the informatics major in the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering.
If you love technology and want to apply it in a business setting, you’ll have plenty of options at IU. Consider informatics, where you won’t just study information technology—you’ll be putting technology to work to solve complex problems and influence strategies and decision making. In informatics, you’ll learn how to apply technology to another field you’re interested in, like business, through the program cognates. You’ll learn logical reasoning, basic programming, and data visualization, as well as human-computer interaction design and other skills that will help you put technology to use. It’s a great combination if you’re interested in working in private industry, starting your own business, or pursuing a graduate business degree.
The informatics degree also offers specializations in media, web design and development, arts, computer art, graphic design, business, and public and environmental affairs.
Informatics students take courses like:
Exploring Informatics and Computer Science(INFO-Y 100)
Introduction to Informatics(INFO-I 101)
Data Fluency(INFO-I 123)
The Information Society(INFO-I 222)
Organizational Informatics(INFO-I 303)
Legal and Social Informatics of Security(INFO-I 330)
You might also consider a degree in cybersecurity and global policy, which is offered in a collaborative partnership between the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies.
Studying cybersecurity and global policy at will provide you with an in-depth understanding of the technology behind cyber and networked systems, and its global social policy implications. In this program, you will learn about programming, data structures, networked systems, and security protocols while also learning about the wide range of privacy, cultural, economic, legal, security, and diplomacy issues surrounding the field of cybersecurity.
You may also be interested in a degree in intelligent systems engineering from the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering.
Driven by artificial intelligence and computing, this project-based program teaches you to design and build computerized devices and the systems that work with them to become a forward-thinking engineer. You will also work closely with faculty on research. This degree also gives the you the opportunity to select a concentration in bioengineering, computer engineering, cyber-physical systems, or molecular and nanoscale engineering.
Consider a degree in game design through The Media School.
Study a systems-based approach to game development, and transform your ideas into a compelling virtual reality. Many game design professionals work for game software and developer companies, but there are also opportunities with content providers such as marketing and advertising firms, educational and wellness providers, and even the government.
Consider a major in arts management through the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs.
It takes more than just passion to successfully lead an arts organization. It takes business acumen, marketing expertise, and management skills. You’ll also be able to tailor your degree to your passions and career goals by pursuing a specialization in the type of organization you would most like to manage. Completing an internship in the area you’re studying—whether that’s with a record label in Nashville or a museum in Chicago—will provide you with real-world experience to put on your resume and give you a head start on your career.
Some recent graduates are currently working in these positions:
Senior iTunes Producer with Apple in San Francisco, CA
Junior Talent Buyer for Festivals with React Presents in Chicago, IL
Concert Promoter for Outback Concerts in Nashville, TN
Individual Giving Manager with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra in Indianapolis, IN
Marketing and Operations Associate with the Chicago Philharmonic in Chicago, IL
As an arts management student, you will prepare for your career by taking courses such as:
Introduction to Arts Management(SPEA-A163)
Arts Marketing Fundamentals(SPEA-A354)
Nonprofit Management and Leadership(SPEA-V362)
Elements of Governmental and Nonprofit Financial Accounting Cycles(SPEA-V246)
Consider pursuing a degree in journalism or media through The Media School.
Through The Media School’s integrated degrees, you’ll develop the skills needed to pursue your career goals with public relations and advertising agencies, corporations, or nonprofit organizations. Courses focus on principles, concepts, research, and application of best practices in developing and managing effective communication campaigns.
Courses may include:
Advertising and Consumer Culture(MSCH-A 315)
Media Management(MSCH-J 409)
Advertising Concepts and Copywriting(MSCH-A 420)
Public Relations Planning and Research(MSCH-R 428)
You might also consider studying media advertising through The Media School.
This program equips you with the skill set needed to create compelling advertising messages and the theoretical foundation necessary to adapt in this ever-changing industry. You’ll leave with a mix of time-tested theoretical knowledge and cutting-edge skills, prepared to find your niche in the advertising world.
You could also study public relations through The Media School.
Through a series of introductory-level journalism courses and public relations offerings specifically tailored to make you an expert in your field, you’ll learn the ins and outs of what it takes to create and mediate a message, and how those messages function for brand representation and in society at large.
Courses may include:
Visual Communication(MSCH-C 226)
Public Relations Planning and Research(MSCH-R 348)
Consider studying media management, law, and policy at The Media School.
Focus on the business, legal, economic, and managerial aspects of the media industry in the media management, law, and policy concentration at The Media School. Learn about commercial and non-commercial broadcasting; cable systems and networks; production firms; marketing, promotion, and advertising agencies; government agencies; and consulting firms.
Courses may include:
Economics of Communications Industries(MSCH-M 421)
Business Applications in Telecommunications(MSCH-M 422)
You can major in nonprofit management and leadership through the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs.
Are you interested in learning the skills to make a difference? A major in nonprofit management and leadership will prepare you for careers in the nonprofit sector, with coursework specific to your goals and passions. You’ll learn how to manage people, projects, and communication. You’ll study cost-benefit analysis, fund development, and financial management in order to graduate with the managerial tools necessary to lead healthy organizations, while also advancing a cause or mission that you’re passionate about.
You’ll graduate prepared to start your career in an organization like the following:
Charitable organization
Foundation
Advocacy and interest group
Health and wellness organization
Volunteer organization
Arts organization
Nonprofit management and leadership majors take courses such as:
Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector(SPEA-V 221)
Nonprofit Management and Leadership(SPEA-V 362)
Fund Development for Nonprofit Organizations(SPEA-V458)
Grant Writing for Public and Nonprofit Organizations(SPEA-V481)
You may also be interested in the O’Neill School’s Living Learning Center—theCivic Leaders Center(CLC). Students in the CLC are interested in leadership, public policy, and making the world a better place. The CLC is open to students of all majors who are dedicated to leading for the greater good.
Or you could consider a major in parks, recreation, and the outdoors through the School of Public Health.
Students who pursue a degree in parks, recreation, & the outdoors, explore relationships between outdoor resources, recreation, and human health. Students in this major develop leadership skills, gain experience in management, programming, marketing, and evaluation methods. Hands-on, practical experiences through service-learning projects and internships are required. Many students graduating with this major have careers in national, state, and city parks, nonprofit organizations like the Boys & Girls Club and the YMCA, or military recreation as part of a branch of the U.S. military.
Students majoring in parks, recreation, and the outdoors take classes such as:
Health & Happiness by Design(SPH-R 200)
Human Health & Natural Environments(SPH-O 360)
Inclusion in Recreation, Parks, & Tourism(SPH-R 210)
Management in Recreation, Parks, & Tourism(SPH-R 413)
Strategic Planning for Recreation Organizations(SPH-R311)
Consider a major or minor in law and public policy through the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs.
Do you want to know how the law works and how you can use it to solve difficult problems? A law and public policy major is ideal preparation for anyone interested in tackling complex issues like social justice, data privacy, education reform, tax and health care policy, or intellectual property rights. You’ll explore how legal institutions and their leaders shape public policy and learn how to use the law to accomplish your goals, whether you work for a government agency, a nonprofit, or a business.
You could turn your major into a career in:
Human rights and social justice advocacy
Social entrepreneurship
Diplomacy and foreign service
Community organizing
Law and public policy students take courses such as:
Law & Public Affairs(SPEA-V184)
Negotiation and Alternative Dispute Resolution(SPEA-V435)
Topics in Public Law(SPEA-V456)
You may also be interested in SPEA’s Living Learning Center—theCivic Leaders Center(CLC). Students in the CLC are interested in leadership, public policy, and making the world a better place. The CLC is open to students of all majors who are dedicated to leading for the greater good.
You can major in health care management and policy through the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs.
You’ll study the complex economic and political factors affecting an issue that is critical to all of us—our health. And, you’ll be taught by faculty who understand the issues firsthand, are conducting pioneering research, and bring years of professional health care experience into their classrooms. For example, you may learn about health care law from a practicing attorney, about long-term care from the administrator of a 300-bed facility, and about strategic planning from a hospital CEO. You’ll graduate with the organizational, managerial, and leadership skills necessary to help people access to the health services they need—and the analytical skills to reform health care from the inside out.
Health care management and policy majors take courses like:
Consider a major in public financial management in the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs.
The public financial management major is all about finance and budgets—big budgets. You’ll learn how to tackle and manage the billion-dollar budgets of cities, states, and the federal government. You’ll also study government and nonprofit accounting, auditing, taxes, and other topics you need to build solid financial management skills, and graduate ready to balance budgets—a necessary skill in the private and public sectors.
Public financial management majors take courses such as:
Introduction to Public Budgeting and Finance for Public Affairs(SPEA-V186)
Elements of Governmental and Nonprofit Financial Accounting Cycle(SPEA-V246)
Consider earning a degree in sport marketing and management through the School of Public Health.
Sport marketing and management focuses on the business processes of sport. While most people only see the on-field activities of players and coaches, there are many jobs and activities taking place behind the scenes that allow sports fans to enjoy the experience of being a fan. In this major, you will gain an understanding of the jobs and functions that comprise the front offices of collegiate and professional sports organizations through classes such as:
You might also consider a concentration in sports media through The Media School.
Learn how sports media messages are distributed and consumed and how consumers of sports media are influenced by sports news and organization messaging, and gain a foundational knowledge of sports writing, broadcasting, online media, advertising and video production. This program builds a broad multimedia foundation and provides advanced hands-on training.
Check out international studies or any of the 70 languages offered in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies.
IU offers more languages than any other university in the United States. If you’re interested in an international career, a new language is a powerful tool. There are three Flagship Language Programs available to students who wish to undertake intensive language study: Arabic, Chinese, and Turkish.
HLS prepares students to communicate, collaborate, and work across national, cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic boundaries. Thematic concentrations include global development; human rights and international law; global health and the environment; international communication and the arts; identity and conflict; and diplomacy, security, and governance.
Students who wish to pursue international studies may take the following courses:
Global Health and Environment(INTL-I 202)
Global Development(INTL-I 203)
Human Rights and International Law(INTL-I 204)
International Communication and the Arts(INTL-I 205)
You can major in merchandising or fashion design within the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture, and Design.
Students in merchandising learn about the ins and outs of the fashion and retail industry. They study everything from fibers, weaves, and finishes to creating a six-month business plan, branding, product development, sustainability, technology, finance, and marketing. Merchandising students are also required to complete a minor, and many students seek a minor in marketing or fashion design.
The fashion design major is intended to educate students in the art, process, and product of fashion design in the 21st century. Coursework concentrates on traditional and experimental techniques. Fashion design students finish their degree by creating a mini collection of four to five pieces for our annual fashion show every spring.
Recent graduates are working as:
Assistant buyers
Associate show planners
Brand managers
Business analysts
Merchandise analysts
Product developers
Stylists
Students planning a career in retail and fashion may take classes like:
Apparel Industries(SOAD-M 109)
Manufacturing and Quality Analysis(SOAD-M 204)
Brand Management and Advertising(SOAD-M 308)
Product Development(SOAD-M 327)
Materials for Merchandising and Fashion Design(SOAD-F 203)
Fashion Studio I(SOAD-F 207)
Fashion Design I: Research and Illustration(SOAD-F 213)
Consider a major in political science or a certificate in political and civic engagement through the College of Arts and Sciences.
Political scientists study the distribution of power in groups, parties, institutions, governments, and international organizations. If you are interested in government, law, or policy, you might consider political science as a major. An additional option is the political and civic engagement certificate, which can be earned in conjunction with any major in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Students majoring in political science take courses such as:
Leadership and Public Policy(PACE-C 250)
Politics and Citizenship in the Information Age(POLS-Y 202)
Or you may be interested in a major in public management and leadership through the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs.
As a public management and leadership major, you’ll develop solid managerial skills to help you lead government organizations at the local, state, or federal level. You’ll study public finance and budgeting, urban development and planning, and contract management while gaining unique insight into public sector challenges. When you graduate, you’ll be ready to manage people and projects in positions related to government and governmental agencies.
Students studying public management and leadership will take courses such as the following:
Management of Public Problems and Solutions(SPEA-V185)
Managing and Leading Organizations(SPEA-V236)
Urban Government Administration(SPEA-V340)
Urban Development and Planning(SPEA-V365)
You may also be interested in SPEA’s Living Learning Center—theCivic Leaders Center(CLC). Students in the CLC are interested in leadership, public policy, and making the world a better place. The CLC is open to students of all majors who are dedicated to leading for the greater good.
Consider biotechnology in the College of Arts and Sciences.
The Bachelor of Arts in Biotechnology was designed for students interested in the sales, marketing, or finance areas of the life sciences. You’ll develop the skills necessary for a business career while pursuing an in-depth study of the growing field of biotechnology. Students frequently combine a major in biotechnology with a minor in business, and take courses such as:
Societal Issues in Biotechnology(BIOT-T 312)
Biotechnology Laboratory(BIOT-T 315)
Biotechnology Writing and Communication(BIOT-T 322)
Laboratory in Macromolecular Production, Purification, and Characterization(BIOT-T 425)
Structure, Function, and Regulation of Biomolecules(BIOT-T 440)
Check out the tourism, hospitality, and event management program through the School of Public Health.
Students in this major learn how to market and manage tourist facilities and destinations, deliver hospitality services, and manage large and small events, all with an emphasis on sustainable business practices. Students choose one of three focal tracks: event management, hospitality services, or global tourism. Graduates often work in government tourism divisions, hotels, resorts, convention centers, theme parks, visitor centers, cruises, and airlines.
Students majoring in tourism, hospitality, and event management take classes such as:
Introduction to Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Management Industries (SPH-T 201)
Entrepreneurship in Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Management(SPH-T335)
International Tourism (SPH-T 211)
Resort Management (SPH-T 321)
Green Operations in Hospitality Management (SPH-T 431)
Consider a major in economics in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Economics majors study and analyze social and economic behavior, including the ways in which societies manage scarce resources and produce and distribute goods and services. Students are prepared for a career in any number of fields—financial analysis; actuarial science; and a wide variety of jobs requiring capability in logic, math, data analysis, and quantitative reasoning. They also receive excellent preparation for graduate or professional school, including law school.
Economics majors may choose to add depth to their degrees by completing up to two concentrations:
Financial and Monetary Economics
International and Development Economics
Economics of the Public Sector and Labor Markets
Strategic Interaction
Advanced Computation/Econometrics Tools
Economics students take courses such as:
Fundamentals of Economics I(ECON-E 251)
Fundamentals of Economics II(ECON-S 252)
Statistical Analysis for Business and Economics(ECON-E 370)
Consider a major in management and human organization in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Located within the Liberal Arts and Management Program (LAMP), this major is a great option for students interested in boosting their leadership and business skills.
Through courses in the College of Arts and Sciences and theIU Kelley School of Business, you’ll develop expertise in a particular area of the liberal arts while developing technical business skills. Pursuing this degree involves completing a minor in the Kelley School of Business or the School of Public and Environmental Affairs.
Through an exciting classroom environment that emphasizes teamwork and community building, this major prepares graduates to question the status quo, consider problems from many perspectives, and prepare to be a leader.
Courses in this major include such options as:
Critical Thinking Lab(LAMP-X 215)
Liberal Arts Management Program Sophomore Seminar(LAMP-L 216)
The Indiana UniversityCollege + Kelleyprogram is a 4 + 1 program that combines an undergraduate degree in the arts and sciences with a master’s degree in business. No undergraduate business courses are required—the program provides a summer boot camp to prepare you to enter a full-time or part-time degree program, depending on your needs.
Consider a major from the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture, and Design.
Options include comprehensive design, interior design, or studio art (with opportunities to study ceramics, digital art, fibers, graphic design, metals and jewelry design, painting, photography, printmaking, or sculpture).
Comprehensive design allows students to explore the links between many different areas of art and design, including architecture, objects, furniture, public art, and the urban environment. The interior design program helps students develop their knowledge in a range of subject areas including aesthetics, building systems and technologies, environmental psychology, materials, and regulatory codes. The studio art program is designed to enable students to see, formulate, and articulate visual concepts through the manipulation of forms, materials, and ideas.
Or you might want to study interactive and digital media at The Media School.
This concentration will provide you with a thorough understanding of the intersection of code, data, research, design, and storytelling. You won’t just learn how to produce the content—you’ll also learn the theory behind it. Learn to design for an experience, conceptualizing your work as interactive, data-driven web content.
You might also consider a concentration in film, television, and digital production at The Media School.
Learn how to create original works in cinematography, editing, film production, field and location production, documentary production, scriptwriting, studio production, audio and many other media by honing essential technical and professional skills.
