Core Curriculum
The Dolan School of Business has two components to its student undergraduate core curriculum. Fairfield’s Magis Core, common to all undergraduates, provides a solid grounding in liberal arts skills and habits of mind: critical thinking, oral and written communications, and reflective practice, to name a few. The Dolan Business Core provides a solid foundation in the business disciplines while preparing them to delve deeply into their chosen major.
The plan of study below presents a typical four-year schedule of courses in the program.
Dolan School of Business Curricula
Applies to Class of 2025 and later. Students in the Class of 2024 and earlier should consult the catalog for the year in which they matriculated.
| Courses | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| A. Magis Core Requirements | 15 | 45 |
| B. Business Core Requirements | 11 | 33 |
| C. Major Field Courses | 6 | 18 |
| D. Free Electives | 8 | 24 |
| Total | 40 | 120 |
Magis Core Curriculum
15 courses, 45 credits.
Students in the Dolan School of Business will fulfill certain areas of the Magis Core by taking specified courses as outlined below. Please refer to the Curricula section of this catalog for full requirements and a detailed explanation of the Magis Core.
Tier I: Orientation
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | ||
| Select one Calculus course 1 | 3 | |
| MATH 2217 | Statistics I | 3 |
| Modern or Classical Language | ||
| Select one language course based on placement | 3 | |
- 1
Students will take MATH 1121, MATH 1122, MATH 1141, MATH 1142, MATH 1171, or MATH 1172, based on placement.
Tier II: Exploration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Behavioral and Social Sciences | ||
| ECON 1011 | Introduction to Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECON 1012 | Introduction to Macroeconomics | 3 |
Business Core Requirements
11 courses; 33 credits.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ACCT 1011 | Introduction to Financial Accounting 1 | 3 |
| ACCT 1012 | Introduction to Management Accounting 1 | 3 |
| AETH 2291 | Business Ethics | 3 |
| BUSN 1101 | Messaging and Persuasion: Effective Business Communication 1 | 3 |
| BUSN 3211 | Legal Environment of Business | 3 |
| DATA 1101 | Business Analytics | 3 |
| FNCE 2101 | Introduction to Finance 2 | 3 |
| INTL 2101 | Introduction to International Business | 3 |
| MGMT 2101 | Introduction to Management 2 | 3 |
| MGMT 4300 | Business Strategies in the Global Environment 3 | 3 |
| MKTG 1101 | Principles of Marketing 2 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
- 1
These courses should be primarily taken in the first year.
- 2
These courses should be primarily taken in the second year.
- 3
This course may not be taken until the senior year.
Business Major Requirements
6 courses; 18 credits.
Some concentrations may require additional courses. Descriptions and requirements of each of the seven majors are detailed in the respective departmental sections that follow. Course descriptions are also included.
All Business Majors must maintain a GPA of at least a 2.50 in their Dolan major.
Free Electives
8 courses; 24 credits.
All business students must complete a minimum of eight free electives totaling 24 credits. A free elective is a three- or four-credit course chosen by students without any restrictions related to their majors. Students can use the free electives toward the completion of a double major, a minor, or Magis core signature elements.