Special Issue on 'Rethinking Undergraduate Business Education: In the Classroom & Beyond'

摘要

Business is the most popular undergraduate field of study in universities in the United States, with 21% of graduates receiving degrees in its various disciplines. In contrast, in 1970 only 14% of undergraduates received degrees in business. Despite this growth, critics contend that undergraduate business education is anti-intellectual, provides a 'skate-through' experience, and is too focused on career preparation. Research suggests that compared to students in other fields of study, undergraduate business students spend less time preparing for classes, and after two years of college have the weakest gains in writing and reasoning skills. Some educators also argue that that undergraduate business education does not have a distinct identity from MBA education. As a result, it has failed to acknowledge that students need a holistic academic education in addition to professional preparation.