Business is the engine of progress—it transforms ideas into innovation, fuels growth with opportunity, and drives development that shapes our futures. 

Why study Business at Sewanee?

As part of the Wm. Polk Carey Pre-Business Program, Sewanee's business minor embraces the idea that a liberal arts education is the best foundation for a business career. It sharpens critical thinking, deepens cultural awareness, and strengthens ethical decision-making—key traits of successful leaders. With an emphasis on creativity and adaptability, Sewanee's business minor program prepares students to tackle business challenges with confidence.

The business minor combines required courses in economics, accounting, finance, and business ethics with electives from psychology, politics, computer science, history, forestry, international and global studies, and business. In choosing elective courses, students focus on one of five tracks: managerial, international, finance, environment and sustainability, or accounting. The business minor is ideal for navigating your way to a new career in any industry.

FIRST DESTINATIONS: Business minors

Sewanee graduates secure positions in a variety of fields. Here is a sampling of recent graduates' first jobs. 

  • Environmental, Health, Safety, and Sustainability Associate, GSK, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
  • Development Analyst, Surgical Care Affiliates, Birmingham, Alabama
  • Client Financial Management Analyst, Accenture, Arlington, Virginia
  • Analyst, Goldman Sachs, Atlanta, Georgia
  • Data Scientist, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Dallas, Texas
  • EVS, Valuation Associate, M&A, KPMG, New York, New York
GRADUATE SCHOOL & PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS: Business Minors

Sewanee graduates enjoy extraordinary acceptance rates to top graduate and pre-professional programs:

  • MBA, Goizueta Business School, Emory University
  • Master of Accountancy, Corporate Valuation, Owen Graduate School of Management, Vanderbilt University
  • MBA, sports business, Charles H. Lundquist College of Business, University of Oregon
  • MBA, Columbia Business School, Columbia University
  • Masters in Environmental Management, Business and the Environment, and Climate Change Science and Solutions, Yale School of the Environment, Yale University

Featured Student

Sage Cookerly, C'26

"As an economics major, the business minor will supplement the knowledge I will acquire from my economics classes. My interest in gaining valuable business skills will allow me to apply what I have learned to real-world situations and scenarios that I will encounter in the business world during internships and after graduation. As I move toward a professional career, I know the skills learned from the business minor will be helpful in my work and my daily life. A general knowledge of business and business practices is important for everyone, even if they will not necessarily be using it directly in their professional life."

Liberal Arts: The Best Preparation for Success in Business

The Business Minor

The business minor complements a student’s education in the liberal arts. Students in any major may choose to minor in business. To meet the requirements of the business minor, students complete four core courses—in economics, finance, accounting, and ethics—and choose two electives from one of five tracks: managerial, finance, international, accounting, and environment and sustainability.

Babson Center for Global Commerce

The Babson Center for Global Commerce, a key component of the Pre-Business Program, prepares Sewanee students for business careers through skills training, experiential learning, internships, and co-curricular opportunities. It offers scholarships for summer programs at top business schools, conferences, and partial funding for the cost of the CFA level one exam. Throughout the year, the Center hosts lectures and discussions featuring global business leaders.

Business Honors

Students seeking a more intensive pre-business experience may apply to become Carey Fellows, Sewanee's business honors program. Carey Fellows complete requirements beyond the normal coursework—such as a semester-long, paid internship, a pro-seminar, and exposure to cross-cultural businesses—that prepare them for leadership positions in business, consulting, and finance.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

A key component of the Pre-Business Program is that it supports Sewanee students aiming for careers in business. It supports business organizations and offers conference scholarships, skills training, and co-curricular and experiential learning opportunities.

A Sampling of Courses

Business

Programs of Study & Related Programs

Students select one of five minor tracks in Business:

  • Managerial
  • International
  • Finance
  • Environment and Sustainability
  • Accounting

Requirements for the Major and the Minor in Economics | Website

Requirements for the Major in Finance | Website

Meet Some Professors

Contact

Eric Zinn
Director, The Business Minor

ejzinn@sewanee.edu
Carnegie Hall 217, Ext. 1822

Myles elledge
Director, The Babson Center

Myles.Elledge@sewanee.edu
Babson Center for Global Commerce, Carnegie Hall 107, Ext. 1307

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