Business at UChicago without a business major

You can still build business into a UChicago degree in four ways. Take the Economics major with the business economics specialization, add the Entrepreneurship and Innovation minor, apply to Career Advancement's Trott Business Program in first year, or take Booth's undergraduate courses.

Business economics, the closest thing

The degree is called a BA in Economics with Specialization in Business Economics. It is one of four options in the Economics major, next to the standard track, data science and politics and policy.

It asks for less math than the standard track. The College catalog says the full calculus sequence isn't required, though the department still encourages you to keep taking math at the highest level you qualify for.

The core is three courses. You take microeconomics and macroeconomics at either the principles level or the 200 level, plus one business course from Booth such as Financial Accounting, Corporation Finance or Competitive Strategy.

You then take two micro and two macro methods courses, an empirical analysis sequence and a perspectives requirement. Booth courses fill the rest. The Econ department's curriculum FAQ says the specialization needs four Booth courses in total, from at least three of Booth's eight course bundles. Booth classes don't count toward your economics electives.

Business economics or the standard track

From the 2026-27 College catalog and the Econ curriculum FAQ, checked October 2026.

The department's own advice is to keep your options open. Finish first-year calculus, then take ECON 20000, 20100 and 20200. That path leaves the standard track and every specialization available. The major is designed to start in second year, and the catalog says to talk to the undergraduate program early in first year if business economics is the plan.

The Entrepreneurship and Innovation minor

The minor started in 2025-26 and is Chicago Booth's first undergraduate minor. It is open to every College major. It is six courses, or five if you major in Economics, plus a short reflection paper. The minor guide has the full list.

The Trott Business Program

Trott is Career Advancement's business career program. It includes skills training and Chicago Booth coursework, and Career Advancement says more than 3,200 alumni have come through it.

It is open to first-years. You apply on Handshake with your transcript, a resume, a personal statement and two recorded interview answers. Once you're in, you keep a 3.0 cumulative GPA and finish its Core workshop sequence in the spring of first year. The application deadline falls in November, so check the Trott page early in the quarter for this year's info session and date.

Booth courses as an undergraduate

Booth teaches undergraduate versions of its courses, numbered BUSN 20000 and up. Those follow some College rules. The graduate versions, BUSN 30000 and up, follow Booth's rules, and you can't take both versions of the same course. Some BUSN courses need the instructor's consent before you register.

The downside

None of these is a business degree. The degree is a BA in Economics. The minor's courses can't double count with your major, other minors or general education, so it adds real courses to your schedule. Trott takes first-years only, and its deadline is in November, so you decide in your first fall.

Clubs and recruiting

Business recruiting runs through clubs and Career Advancement. The finance clubs guide, the consulting clubs guide and the startup and VC clubs guide cover who recruits when, and the recruiting guide has the internship calendar.

About Pool

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