Students take an intensive course load of business fundamentals, as well as credits devoted to traditional liberal arts degrees. That course load is indicative of the standard four- year degree which is standard for other academic disciplines. That said the emphasis for the undergraduate business major is clearly designed to provide students with an education that is valuable to employers from day one. "Driven by the recession and one of the largest incoming freshman classes in the nation's history, the business major is experiencing a surge in popularity among students" (Damast. a. September 24, 2009). Yet, the increased popularity of the business administration major underscores the long-term trend of the business degree.

Business has always been a popular major among undergraduates. In academic

year 2006-07, the largest number of bachelor's degrees conferred was in business (21%), followed by social sciences...

(Damast. a. September 24, 2009).
The business administration student upon graduation can expect an extremely competitive salary. "According to a July report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the average starting salary for 2009 college graduates with bachelor's degrees in business increased less than 1%, to $47,239" (Damast. a. September 24, 2009). As the recession's lingering effects recede and economic growth returns, the job market for business school graduates should be one of the faster growing hiring segments. "The undergraduate business degree is now clearly on the path to respectability" (Bloomberg-Businessweek. May 8, 2006).

In discussing the business administration major it would be remiss not to mention the