With a diverse array of interests and career aspirations, students are coming from all corners of Kansas University fueled by the same idea: It’s a business world out there.

Powered by student demand, Kansas University’s Business Minor program began in August to give nonbusiness students an opportunity to learn the basics of business.

As anticipated, it’s been immensely popular.

“We’re at room capacity for all the minor classes,” said Ted Boone, director of the program. “We’re going to have to move into even bigger rooms for the fall semester.”

Demand for the program existed for a long time, and as minor programs cropped up at campuses across the country, administrators in KU’s School of Business knew it was time to act. A committee spent a year surveying other universities’ programs and developing a plan. After receiving confirmation that other schools at KU would recognize the minor classes, the program was brought to life.

“The demand came because students, parents and recruiters understand that no matter a student’s primary domain, there’s a high probability that that student will work in a business capacity and even run a business,” said Keith Chauvin, associate dean for academic affairs at the business school.

High demand

Thus far, more than 250 students officially have declared the minor, but Boone believes the number of students seeking the minor actually is much higher, considering those who haven’t yet taken the formal steps to declare it.

Boone anticipates that those numbers will continue to grow.

“Students are clamoring for it,” said Tammara Durham, director of the Freshman-Sophomore Advising Center. “They’ve been enrolling in it just as I expected they would, considering it was in such high demand.”

Completion of the minor requires that a student take six three-credit courses that cover primary topics in business, including management, marketing, finance and accounting.

Faculty members said the variety and knowledge base these courses offer is attracting a variety of students.

“It’s changed the way I think and plan because I’m dealing with students with such different perspectives and different knowledge bases,” said Lisa Bergeron, a finance lecturer. “Similar concepts are met differently by people with different backgrounds.”

Adds Joyce Claterbos, a marketing lecturer: “It’s different than teaching major courses because students in the minor program come from every degree program and from every point in their degree. There’s everyone from first-semester freshmen to seniors in their last semester, and even graduate students.”

Claterbos said her students come from all areas – the arts, science, literature – and seek business backgrounds for different reasons. But they all share the vision that learning the basics of business will benefit their careers in the long run.

Boone agrees.

“I can’t think of a degree that wouldn’t benefit from adding the minor,” Boone said. “I anticipate that parents will also encourage it and see it as a valuable pursuit.”

Learning valuable skills

Chauvin said the purpose of the program is not to prepare students to become certified public accountants or financial officers in major corporations, but rather it is to allow students to pursue their own fields of interest while learning valuable skills.

Libby Harmon, a senior, is majoring in political science and planning to attend law school. She added the Business Minor because she saw the potential benefits.

“There’s a business side to everything, so it will help me to become more familiar with business situations, terms and philosophy,” Harmon said.

Bergeron and Claterbos said employers in any field would be more likely to hire a student with a business background than one without.

“Employers will know that students have the professional and technical skills, as well as the basics of how business operates, which will make for better employees,” Claterbos said. “It’s something that was needed for a long time, and it’s a fantastic program for the university.”