Preparing future business leaders: The Broad College of Business launches strategic curriculum updates

In today’s fast-changing business environment, staying ahead requires more than just knowledge — it demands agility, analytical skill and technological fluency. To meet these expectations, the Broad College of Business is implementing bold, thoughtful updates to its undergraduate curriculum. Designed to align with the evolving needs of employers and students alike, these changes reflect the qualities found in the best undergraduate business school programs: innovation, relevance and a focus on real-world readiness. The goal is simple but ambitious: to ensure every Broad graduate is prepared to compete in a dynamic job market and contribute meaningfully from day one.

Broad is committed to preparing graduates who can navigate today’s complex business world and make meaningful contributions from the start.

Curriculum changes are a normal and necessary part of any forward-looking academic program. At Broad, they are driven by direct feedback from employers, alumni and industry advisory boards. Their message is clear: today’s business graduates must be more fluent in data analytics, better prepared for cross-functional collaboration and equipped with the life skills needed to transition successfully from college to career.

The latest changes address these expectations head-on by modernizing technical education, standardizing foundational knowledge and embedding real-world preparation throughout the program.

One of the most significant updates involves replacing two existing technical courses, CSE 102: Computer Science and Engineering and ITM 209: Business Analytics and Information Systems, with two new offerings designed specifically for business students.

ITM 208: Information Systems and Algorithmic Thinking for Business is a new four-credit course that merges Python and Excel into a unified business analytics curriculum. With Python now integrated directly into Excel in Microsoft’s latest releases, this course offers students the opportunity to build algorithmic thinking skills in a business-specific context. It also introduces Microsoft tools such as Copilot AI, Power Automate and Teams, helping students gain hands-on experience with technologies they are likely to encounter in the workplace.

ITM 210: Business Analytics carries forward key content from the previous ITM 209 course, focusing on relational databases, SQL programming, data visualization and ethical data use. At two credits, it complements ITM 208 and ensures that students develop a data-driven mindset and the technical skills to answer complex business questions.

By moving programming instruction within Broad and tailoring it to business applications, the college is ensuring that technical training is not only rigorous but also relevant to the changing needs of the business job market. Teagan Dixon, fixed-term faculty in the Department of Accounting and Information Systems and instructor of the new courses, explains: “We’ve heard consistently from alumni, employers and advisory boards that students need stronger, more advanced skills in data analytics, particularly in Excel. At the same time, Microsoft has begun integrating Python directly into Excel, which created a unique opportunity for us to rethink how we teach programming and data analysis in a business context.

“With ITM 208, we’re combining Excel and Python into one course that’s tailored specifically to business students, allowing them to develop algorithmic thinking through practical, business-relevant applications. It also gives us the chance to incorporate tools like Copilot AI, Power Automate and Microsoft Teams — resources they’ll use in both their coursework and careers. The goal is to help students build a deeper, more transferable skillset that prepares them to thrive in a data-driven business environment.”

Another major update is the addition of BUS 200: Foundations of Business: Cross-Functional Perspectives and Practices. This three-credit course introduces students to core concepts across all business disciplines early in their academic journey. The objective is to ensure that all students, regardless of major, understand how marketing, finance, accounting, supply chain management, HR/organizational behavior and other areas interconnect.

This course responds to employer concerns that business graduates often have deep knowledge in one area but lack cross-functional awareness. It also addresses faculty concerns about inconsistent knowledge levels among students in upper-division courses. By establishing a shared foundation, BUS 200 will help student cohorts move through the curriculum more cohesively and confidently.

Academic knowledge is vital — but it’s not enough. That’s why Broad is introducing BUS 400: Preparing for Professional Success: Transitioning From University to Career, a one-credit course focused on the transition from university to professional life. The pilot course is currently being led by Marla McGraw, assistant dean for career services in the Russell Palmer Career Management Center, and Shannon Brecheisen, assistant dean for undergraduate academic operations and student experience at Broad.

Topics include personal finance, professional etiquette, wellness and stress management and post-graduation planning. The course features guest speakers, alumni panels and practical workshops to help students develop a personalized plan for career and life success.

Employers and alumni have emphasized the importance of professional readiness, and BUS 400 is a direct response to that feedback. It aims to give students the confidence and skills to navigate early-career challenges, manage adult responsibilities and continue learning well beyond graduation.

McGraw explained, “Students spend years developing technical skills and academic knowledge, but many enter the workforce unsure of what’s expected of them professionally. BUS 400 is designed to bridge that gap. This course helps students build confidence in navigating workplace dynamics, managing personal finances and planning for life after graduation. By bringing in alumni voices and real-world perspectives, we’re preparing our students not just to land a job but to thrive in their careers and lives beyond college.”

In addition to new courses, several program-level changes will better align Broad with peer institutions and current market expectations:

• Transition from B.A. to B.S. in Business: Beginning with the Fall 2025 class, the college will offer a Bachelor of Science in Business instead of a Bachelor of Arts. This aligns Broad with 96% of top-ranked business programs in the United States, where the B.S. or BBA is standard. This change positions students more competitively and reflects the program’s growing emphasis on quantitative and analytical rigor.
• Removal of the nine-credit outside requirement: Students were previously required to take nine credits outside the business college. That requirement is being dropped, allowing students to take more targeted business courses aligned with their career goals, such as accounting electives for finance majors or marketing strategy for supply chain students.
• Updated integrative requirement: The revised requirement now embeds global mindset, ethics, community engagement and leadership into the curriculum. Students can fulfill it through international experiences and co-curricular activities, providing more flexibility and relevance. Student participation is tracked through the Broad 360 powered by Suitable app, providing students with curated calendars of events and opportunities to foster meaningful connections with mentors and industry professionals as well as earn additional rewards for engagement.

The curriculum updates reflect five core objectives:

1. Add targeted analytics material to better prepare students for data-centric roles.
2. Create course sequencing and cohorts to build community and continuity.
3. Ensure all students enter advanced courses with a shared knowledge base.
4. Promote cross-functional understanding across business disciplines.
5. Expand experiential learning opportunities inside and outside the classroom.

These changes are more than just tweaks — they represent a holistic, forward-looking redesign. Richard Spreng, associate dean for undergraduate programs, said, “These curriculum updates reflect our commitment to continuously evolving the undergraduate experience at Broad to meet the needs of today’s business world. Our goal is to ensure every student develops targeted analytical skills, gains a shared foundation of knowledge early in the program and learns how different business functions work together. We’re also building more opportunities for experiential learning and creating intentional course sequencing that fosters a strong sense of community among students.

“Together, these changes are designed to better prepare our graduates to lead with confidence, to think critically and to adapt in an ever-changing global marketplace.”

Change in curriculum is constant and necessary. At Broad, these updates are part of an ongoing effort to ensure students are prepared not just for their first job but for lifelong success in a rapidly evolving business landscape.

As the business world grows more complex, interconnected and data-driven, so too must the education that prepares students for it. These changes help ensure that Broad graduates leave not only with a degree but also with the confidence, tools and experience to lead.