McIntire’s innovative specialized business graduate degrees and its hallmark undergraduate program are designed to create a wealth of opportunities for students. Immersive, hands-on courses offer transformative educational experiences that provide immediate value. Our faculty-led programs provide key business skills and fluency in many business areas.
McIntire faculty inspire students to lead with integrity and purpose when confronting today’s grand challenges in business. Our bold and brilliant professors are also committed scholars who conduct cutting-edge research through seven active centers that serve as the School's nexus of collaboration and interdisciplinary exploration.
In addition to the lifelong benefits that come from an innovative McIntire business education, Commerce School students enjoy an enhanced UVA experience on Grounds and around the globe. From insightful student services that help connect you with your passion to specialized career support that provides real-world employment opportunities, there are countless ways to make the most of your present while investing in your future.
What is the difference between the General Business Minor and the B.S. in Commerce?
The General Business Minor is a 15-credit minor designed to complement any major. The purpose of the minor is to provide fundamental business knowledge and skills that will prepare students to make a positive impact at work and in society. The expansive list of electives includes courses from multiple schools across Grounds, providing an exciting opportunity for students to tailor the program to best complement their major area of study. In contrast, the B.S. in Commerce Program is a three-year intensive program in which students participate in the Integrated Core curriculum and concentrate in one or more study areas: Accounting, Finance, Information Technology, Management, and Marketing.
When can I declare the General Business Minor?
Students may declare the General Business Minor after they have (1) declared their major in SIS, (2) completed COMM 1800, and (3) completed two of the four core courses. Submit the minor declaration form when you have completed these requirements.
Is there an application for acceptance into the General Business Minor?
There is no application for the minor. It is simply a declaration process that occurs after students have declared their major. Students must fulfill all the requirements of the minor and earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 in the 15 unique credits taken for the minor in order to graduate with the credential.
When can I start the coursework for the General Business Minor?
There is a great deal of flexibility as to when you need to start the General Business Minor. COMM 1800 is a prerequisite for CGBM 2110, 2210, 2310, and 2710. COMM 1800 can be taken beginning in your first year. You must be at least a second-year to take any of the CGBM courses. As for the electives, many of these courses do not have prerequisites. Hence, they can be taken at any time (i.e., before, concurrently, or after your CGBM coursework).
Can I combine the minor with the B.S. in Commerce?
No. Students who are admitted to the B.S. in Commerce Program may not also pursue the minor.
What counts as an elective for the General Business Minor?
The list of courses that count as electives continues to grow. The most up-to-date listing can be found at this site. Please note that there may be limitations on whether a given course can count as electives based on your major (e.g., ECON 2010 cannot count for both the General Business Minor and Econ major). Students are responsible for checking with their major.
A class I want to take a UVA course that is not currently listed as an elective. What should I do?
You may request a course count as an elective for the General Business Minor. This system allows you to see what UVA courses have been previously approved as electives, as well as to select additional courses to be considered.
For a course to be considered as an elective, it must meet the following criteria:
Taken for a grade (as opposed to C/NC)
Conveys foundational business knowledge
Employs professional skills (critical thinking, teamwork, etc.)
Applied learning experience
You will need to submit a syllabus for the specific course before a final decision can be made. Approval is up to the discretion of the Director of the General Business Minor Director. All decisions are final.
A course is approved for the General Business Minor. Does that guarantee I can take the class?
Approval given through this site only confirms that the course will count towards the minor’s requirements if the student completes the course. Students must work with the instructor of record for any course to make sure that they meet the prerequisites for the course and that there is room available in the course for the student to enroll.
I plan to study abroad during my time at UVA. Is it possible for any of the courses I take while studying abroad to count toward the General Business Minor?
It is highly recommended that students first discuss any study abroad courses with their adviser in their UVA school of enrollment to make sure that:
The course will be accepted by the school of enrollment (e.g., College of Arts & Sciences, Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy), and
The adviser confirms with the student how the number of credits for the course will convert from the abroad institution to UVA’s course credit system.
After confirming the information above, the following is possible through a UVA-approved study-abroad program:
Up to 1.5 credit hours of core courses for the General Business Minor may be satisfied with study-abroad courses.
Up to 3.0 credit hours of electives for the minor may be satisfied with study-abroad courses.
All requests regarding study-abroad courses and the General Business Minor should be made at this site.
I took one or more courses prior to joining UVA that overlap with the General Business Minor coursework. Do these courses count towards the minor?
In general, COMM 1800 and the core courses must be taken at UVA. However, we will accept credit for COMM 1800 and CGBM 2110 taken at another university before joining UVA as long as those courses would count for credit in the admittance process for the B.S. in Commerce Program. We will also allow students to transfer up to 3 credit hours of electives if those courses were taken at another university before joining UVA and are accepted for credit in the application process to the B.S. in Commerce Program (e.g., credit for either COMM 2020 or ECON 2010). Please reach out to our advising team with any course-specific questions.
Can I take classes at another university over the summer and apply those classes toward the minor?
No. All coursework for the minor needs to be taken at UVA or through a UVA-approved study-abroad program. The only exception to this policy relates to coursework taken prior to joining UVA.