Four students seated around a table, smiling as they examine a tablet one of them is holding

Admissions to the Business: Management and Human Resources BBA will be suspended in fall 2025 and discontinued in fall 2029. If you have any questions, please contact the department.

Students in the Management and Human Resources major can choose from various options. Students in human resources study how organizations attract, motivate, develop, and retain employees, and how they interact with organizations representing employees. Management studies focus on the activities of leadership, power, decision-making, organizational structure and change, strategy and policy, and the integration of organizational functions. Studies in entrepreneurship are designed for students who are interested in bringing new ideas to the marketplace.

Related Student Organizations

Collegiate DECA
Enactus
Sigma Iota Epsilon (SIE)
Society for Human Resource Management
Sports Business Club
Wisconsin Consulting Club (WCC)
Transcend Madison
 

Admissions to the Business: Management and Human Resources BBA will be suspended in fall 2025 and discontinued in fall 2029. If you have any questions, please contact the department.

Students wishing to pursue this major on campus must be admitted to the School of Business. Once admitted, students are able to pursue any business major they choose. To find out more about the school's admissions process for undergraduate students, please see Entering the School.

University General Education Requirements

All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. Various schools and colleges will have requirements in addition to the requirements listed below. Consult your advisor for assistance, as needed. For additional information, see the university Undergraduate General Education Requirements section of the Guide.

General Education
  • Breadth—Humanities/Literature/Arts: 6 credits
  • Breadth—Natural Science: 4 to 6 credits, consisting of one 4- or 5-credit course with a laboratory component; or two courses providing a total of 6 credits
  • Breadth—Social Studies: 3 credits
  • Communication Part A & Part B *
  • Ethnic Studies *
  • Quantitative Reasoning Part A & Part B *

* The mortarboard symbol appears before the title of any course that fulfills one of the Communication Part A or Part B, Ethnic Studies, or Quantitative Reasoning Part A or Part B requirements.

School of Business Requirements

The Wisconsin Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree program is based on a broad educational foundation combined with courses in business and economics. This curriculum is designed for those students who wish to prepare for careers in business. Students completing any School of Business major are required to satisfy a common set of Pre-Business Requirements, Liberal Studies Requirements, Business Preparatory Requirement, Business Core Requirement, Business Breadth Requirement, and Credits for BBA Degree.

School of Business BBA Requirements
Complete requirements:
Pre-Business
Liberal Studies
Business Prep
Business Core
Business Breadth

Management and Human Resources (MHR) Major Requirements

The management and human resources major has six different options to choose from, as outlined below. Credit requirements vary based upon the option(s) students choose. Students may only declare one named option. 

Students may complete a major in management and human resources in multiple different ways:
Complete the requirements for the Management option only12
Complete the requirements for the Human Resources option only12
Complete the requirements for the Entrepreneurship option only12
Complete the requirements for Management & Entrepreneurship18
Complete the requirements for Management & Human Resources18
Complete the requirements for Entrepreneurship & Human Resources21

Management and Human Resources: Named Options

University Degree Requirements

Total Degree To receive a bachelor's degree from UW–Madison, students must earn a minimum of 120 degree credits. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 degree credits. Students should consult with their college or department advisor for information on specific credit requirements.
Residency Degree candidates are required to earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at UW–Madison. "In residence" means on the UW–Madison campus with an undergraduate degree classification. “In residence” credit also includes UW–Madison courses offered in distance or online formats and credits earned in UW–Madison Study Abroad/Study Away programs.
Quality of Work Undergraduate students must maintain the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, or academic program to remain in good academic standing. Students whose academic performance drops below these minimum thresholds will be placed on academic probation.
  1. (Human Resources and Management Tracks) Understand that the management of human resources is vital to a successful business strategy and organizational effectiveness.
  2. (Human Resources Track) Analyze organization compensation strategy to identify problems and develop solutions that support the organization's strategy.
  3. (Human Resources Track) Discern which staffing techniques are poor, fair, and good predictors of employees' future job performance.
  4. (Human Resources Track) Identify and address the various challenges currently facing labor and employment relations.
  5. (Human Resources Track) Apply appropriate tactics in competitive and cooperative negotiations individually and as part of a negotiation team.
  6. (Human Resources Track) Design work systems and roles that allow employees to contribute to organizational performance.
  7. (Entrepreneurship Track) Develop innovative solutions to challenging problems and generate economic and socially valuable outcomes.
  8. (Entrepreneurship Track) Create, assess, shape, and act on opportunities in a variety of contexts and organizations.
  9. (Entrepreneurship Track) Make decisions based on mindfulness of relevant stakeholders, ethical reflections, and an attempt to create and sustain social, environmental, and economic value.
  10. (Entrepreneurship Track) Incorporate cultural context and complexities when managing in a global environment.
  11. (Entrepreneurship Track) Exercise appropriate leadership, value diverse perspectives, and work collaboratively to accomplish organizational objectives in a dynamic environment.
  12. (Management Track) Develop successful team structures that mitigate decision-making pitfalls and interpersonal conflict while maximizing team performance.
  13. (Management Track) Design successful organization structures to achieve strategic objectives and execute operational plans within a global business environment.
  14. (Management Track) Diagnose management and organizational problems from an internal or external consultant's perspective and design interventions to enhance organizational effectiveness.
  15. (Management Track) Evaluate an organization's internal capabilities and external pressures and maximize its competitive advantage within an industry.

This is a sample four-year plan for students directly admitted into the School of Business from high school. We encourage all students to consult with their academic advisor to develop an individualized plan that meets their specific needs. 

There are three named options for the MHR major from which students must choose. Students may also select any combination of two options. There are six plans below representing these options. 

Management

Freshman
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
MATH 2115ECON 1014 
GEN BUS 1101PSYCH 2023 
Communications A3Science 3 
Ethnic Studies 3Humanities, Social Science, or Literature 3 
 12 13 
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ECON 1024GEN BUS 3073FINANCE/​ECON  3003
GEN BUS 3063ACCT I S 2113 
ACCT I S 1003OTM 3003 
M H R 3003MARKETNG 3003 
GEN BUS 3603M H R 305, 399, 401, 403, or 4123 
 16 15 3
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
M H R 4233M H R 305, 399, 401, 403, or 4123 
Ethics13-4Business Breadth 3 
Communications B3-4Elective 3 
Elective 3Elective 3 
 12-14 12 
Senior
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
GEN BUS 3013M H R 305, 399, 401, 403, 412, 310, 365, 422, 427, or 6283 
Humanities, Social Science, or Literature 3Business Breadth 3 
Humanities, Social Science, or Literature 3Elective 3 
Elective 3Science 3 
 12 12 
Total Credits 107-109

Human Resources

Freshman
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
MATH 2115ECON 1014 
GEN BUS 1101PSYCH 2023 
Communications A3Science 3 
Ethnic Studies 3Humanities, Social Science, or Literature 3 
 12 13 
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ECON 1024GEN BUS 3073FINANCE/​ECON  3003
GEN BUS 3063ACCT I S 2113 
ACCT I S 1003OTM 3003 
M H R 3003MARKETNG 3003 
GEN BUS 3603M H R 3053 
 16 15 3
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
M H R 610 or 6112-3M H R 6123 
Communications B3-4Business Breadth 3 
Ethics 13-4Elective 3 
Elective 3Elective 3 
Elective 3  
 14-17 12 
Senior
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
GEN BUS 3013Business Breadth 3 
Elective 3Science 3 
Humanities, Social Science, or Literature3Elective 3 
Humanities, Social Science, or Literature 3M H R 612, 365, 399, 423, 628, or R M I 6203 
 12 12 
Total Credits 109-112
1

 Students must choose one of the following courses: PHILOS 241 Introductory EthicsPHILOS 243 Ethics in BusinessPHILOS 341 Contemporary Moral IssuesPHILOS/​ENVIR ST  441 Environmental Ethics

Entrepreneurship

Freshman
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
MATH 2115ECON 1014 
GEN BUS 1101PSYCH 2023 
Communications A3Science 3 
Ethnic Studies 3Humanities, Social Science, or Literature 3 
 12 13 
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
M H R 3003GEN BUS 3073FINANCE/​ECON  3003
GEN BUS 3063ACCT I S 2113 
ECON 1024OTM 3003 
ACCT I S 1003M H R 4343 
GEN BUS 3603MARKETNG 3003 
 16 15 3
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
M H R 4223M H R 399, FINANCE 457, M H R 305, M H R 310, M H R 365, M H R 401, M H R 403, M H R 412, M H R 423, M H R 441, or M H R 6283 
Ethics 13-4Business Breadth 3 
Communications B3-4Elective 3 
Elective 3Elective 3 
Elective 3  
 15-17 12 
Senior
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
GEN BUS 3013M H R 4273 
Humanities, Social Science, or Literature 3Business Breadth 3 
Humanities, Social Science, or Literature 3Science 3 
Elective 3Elective 3 
 12 12 
Total Credits 110-112
1

 Students must choose one of the following courses: PHILOS 241 Introductory EthicsPHILOS 243 Ethics in BusinessPHILOS 341 Contemporary Moral IssuesPHILOS/​ENVIR ST  441 Environmental Ethics

Management & Human Resources

Freshman
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
MATH 2115ECON 1014 
GEN BUS 1101PSYCH 2023 
Communications A3Science 3 
Ethnic Studies 3Humanities, Social Science, or Literature 3 
 12 13 
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ECON 1024GEN BUS 3073FINANCE/​ECON  3003
GEN BUS 3063ACCT I S 2113 
ACCT I S 1003OTM 3003 
M H R 3003MARKETNG 3003 
GEN BUS 3603M H R 3053 
 16 15 3
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
Communications B3-4M H R 4233 
Ethics13-4Business Breadth 3 
Elective 3Humanities, Social Science, or Literature 3 
M H R 401, 399, 403, or 4123Humanities, Social Science, or Literature 3 
 12-14 12 
Senior
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
GEN BUS 3013M H R 6123 
Elective 3Business Breadth 3 
M H R 610 or 6112-3Science 3 
Elective 3M H R 401, 399, 403, 412, 310, 365, 422, 427, or 6283 
 11-12 12 
Total Credits 106-109
1

 Students must choose one of the following courses: PHILOS 241 Introductory EthicsPHILOS 243 Ethics in BusinessPHILOS 341 Contemporary Moral IssuesPHILOS/​ENVIR ST  441 Environmental Ethics

Management & Entrepreneurship 

Freshman
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
MATH 2115ECON 1014 
GEN BUS 1101PSYCH 2023 
Communications A3Science3 
Ethnic Studies 3Humanities, Social Science, or Literature 3 
 12 13 
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ECON 1024GEN BUS 3073FINANCE/​ECON  3003
GEN BUS 3063ACCT I S 2113 
ACCT I S 1003OTM 3003 
M H R 3003MARKETNG 3003 
GEN BUS 3603M H R 305, 399, 401, 403, or 4123 
 16 15 3
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
M H R 4223Business Breadth 3 
M H R 4233Humanities, Social Science, or Literature 3 
Communications B3-4Elective 3 
Ethics 13-4Elective 3 
Elective 3M H R 305, 399, 401, 403, or 4123 
 15-17 15 
Senior
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
M H R 434, 399, or FINANCE 4573M H R 4273 
Humanities, Social Science, or Literature 3Business Breadth 3 
GEN BUS 3013Science 3 
Elective 3Elective 3 
Elective 3  
 15 12 
Total Credits 116-118
1

 Students must choose one of the following courses: PHILOS 241 Introductory EthicsPHILOS 243 Ethics in BusinessPHILOS 341 Contemporary Moral IssuesPHILOS/​ENVIR ST  441 Environmental Ethics

Entrepreneurship & Human Resources 

Freshman
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
MATH 2115ECON 1014 
GEN BUS 1101PSYCH 2023 
Ethnic Studies 3Science 3 
Communications A3Humanities, Social Science, or Literature 3 
 12 13 
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ECON 1024GEN BUS 3073FINANCE/​ECON  3003
GEN BUS 3063ACCT I S 2113 
ACCT I S 1003OTM 3003 
M H R 3003MARKETNG 3003 
GEN BUS 3603M H R 3053 
 16 15 3
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
M H R 4223M H R 434, 399, or FINANCE 4573 
Ethics 13-4Business Breadth 3 
Communications B3-4Humanities, Social Science, or Literature 3 
Elective3Elective 3 
Elective 3Elective 3 
 15-17 15 
Senior
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
M H R 610, 611, 365, 399, 423, or 6283M H R 6123 
M H R 610 or 6112-3M H R 4273 
GEN BUS 3013Business Breadth 3 
Humanities, Social Science, or Literature 3Science 3 
 11-12 12 
Total Credits 112-115
1

 Students must choose one of the following courses: PHILOS 241 Introductory EthicsPHILOS 243 Ethics in BusinessPHILOS 341 Contemporary Moral IssuesPHILOS/​ENVIR ST  441 Environmental Ethics

Advising

Advising is an integral part of any student’s educational journey in the School of Business Undergraduate Program. Starting at Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR), we encourage all students to connect with academic advisors. Business academic advisors have a wealth of knowledge about courses on campus, as well as policies and procedures.

Business career coaches help students with career exploration, internships, resumes, job search, interviewing and more. We encourage students to connect with their career coach once they arrive on campus.

Business academic advisors and career coaches are passionate about student success. Students experiencing academic difficulty or personal struggles are encouraged to talk to their advisor about how their individual situation may affect their academic performance.

Assigned Academic and Career Coaches

Admitted business students will have one assigned academic advisor.  Career coaches are assigned by academic major to be able to provide industry-specific career guidance.  If a student has more than one major, they may have more than one assigned career coach.  Students can find their assigned advisor and coach by logging into the Starfish portal through MyUW.

For students not yet admitted to the School of Business, there is a team of pre-business advisors available.

Accessing Advising

Drop-in advising and scheduled appointments are available for admitted business students. Pre-business students may also schedule an appointment with a pre-business academic advisor or utilize drop-in academic advising. 

For more information on accessing academic advising, please see our academic advising page.

For more information on accessing career coaching, please see our career coaching page.

Careers

Students who pursue a major in management go on to careers in a wide range of fields. To find more information about common industries that management majors work in following graduation, please visit our website.

More information on Career Pathways.

Faculty and Staff in Management and Human Resources

For more information about the faculty and their research interests, please visit the directory.

Accreditation

AACSB International—The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Accreditation status: Accredited. Next accreditation review: 2026–2027.