UGA Terry College BBA Prerequisites: Every Course You Need and When to Take Them

Getting into a Terry College BBA major is one of the most consequential academic milestones at UGA, and the prerequisite coursework is where most students either set themselves up for success or quietly fall behind. Terry doesn’t admit you when you arrive at UGA. You apply to your specific major after completing a set of eligibility requirements, typically in the second semester of your sophomore year.

This guide breaks down every prerequisite course, when to take it, and what actually matters for your application.

The BBA Core Curriculum: Areas I Through VI

The BBA requires completion of the UGA General Education Core Curriculum, organized into six areas. Here’s what each area includes and what to prioritize.

Area I: Foundation Courses (9 hours)

• ENGL 1101 (English Composition I) — a grade of C or better is required
• ENGL 1102 (English Composition II) — combined with 1101, you need a 2.0 average across both
• MATH 1101 or MATH 1113 — if you place into MATH 1113 (Precalculus) and use it here, you’ll need a different course for Area III

MATH 1113 is a hard prerequisite for the Terry application. A passing grade or exemption must be posted to your record before you can apply. If math isn’t your strongest subject, do not push this off. Take it early and give yourself time to retake if needed.

Area II: Sciences (7 to 8 hours)

One physical science and one life science, with at least one including a 1-hour lab. Course selection here is flexible. Choose based on your strengths and schedule—there is no Terry-specific preference for which sciences you take.

Area III: Quantitative Reasoning (3 to 4 hours)

If you used MATH 1113 in Area I, you’ll need a different course here. Options include STAT 2000, MATH 2200, MATH 2250, CSCI 1301, and several others listed in the UGA Bulletin.

Area IV: World Languages, Global Culture, Humanities, and the Arts (12 hours)

Four courses from approved lists. No Terry-specific requirements here, but International Business co-major applicants should note the foreign language requirement: you must be enrolled in or have completed the third level or higher of the same language (e.g., SPAN 2001), with a minimum B in each language course.

Area V: Social Sciences (9 hours)

Three courses from approved lists. Terry recommends POLS 1101 and HIST 2111 or 2112 because they double-count toward Georgia’s legislative graduation requirements (the Georgia and U.S. Constitution and history requirements). Taking them here means you won’t need to satisfy those requirements separately later.

Area VI: Major-Related Courses (18 hours)

This is where the Terry-specific coursework lives:

• ACCT 2101 (Principles of Accounting I) — must be completed before you apply. This is a gatekeeper course.
• ACCT 2102 (Principles of Accounting II) — prerequisite: ACCT 2101
• ECON 2105 (Principles of Macroeconomics)
• ECON 2106 (Principles of Microeconomics)
• LEGL 2700 (Legal and Regulatory Environment of Business)
• MIST 2090 (Introduction to Information Systems in Business)

Additional Eligibility Requirements

Beyond the core curriculum, three specific requirements serve as hard gates for your application:

MATH 1113 (Precalculus): Passing grade or exemption posted by the application deadline. Higher-level math courses (MATH 2200, 2250, or 2260) also satisfy this requirement, and grades in those courses will be evaluated if taken.

ACCT 2101 (Principles of Accounting I): Passing grade posted to your UGA record by the application deadline. This is non-negotiable.

BUSN 3000 (Applied Statistics and Data Analysis for Business): Must be completed or in progress during the semester you apply. Formerly known as MSIT 3000.

Minimum GPAs: 2.0 UGA GPA (good academic standing) and 2.6 overall GPA (transfer and UGA coursework combined). These are floors, not targets. Competitive applicants typically have significantly higher GPAs.

ACT or SAT Scores: Must be on file with UGA. If you haven’t taken either, you’ll need to take the E-Proficiency Profile (EPP). If your ACT/SAT scores are weaker than your college performance suggests, the EPP can supplement your application.

What Actually Drives the Admissions Decision

Meeting eligibility requirements gets you into the applicant pool. What gets you admitted is a different question. Terry evaluates:

Your grades in ACCT 2101/2102, ECON 2105/2106, and MATH 1113 carry heavy weight. These are the courses that most directly predict performance in upper-level business coursework. Strong grades here matter more than a high overall GPA carried by easy electives.

The Statement of Purpose (300 to 400 words) is your chance to articulate genuine interest in your chosen major and realistic career goals. Generic essays about “wanting to succeed in business” don’t distinguish you.

For Accounting and Finance applicants, the Accounting Exam is mandatory. It covers ACCT 2101 material as taught at UGA, so if you took accounting elsewhere, study the UGA-specific curriculum before sitting for the exam.

A Practical Semester-by-Semester Approach

Semester 1 (Fall of First Year): ENGL 1101, MATH 1113 (or place out), one science with lab, one Area IV course, FYOS

Semester 2 (Spring of First Year): ENGL 1102, one science, ECON 2105, one Area IV course, one Area V course

Semester 3 (Fall of Sophomore Year): ACCT 2101, ECON 2106, MIST 2090, Area III (if not satisfied), Area V course

Semester 4 (Spring of Sophomore Year): ACCT 2102, BUSN 3000, LEGL 2700, Area IV or V courses. Apply to Terry major during this semester.

This is a template. Adjust based on AP credits, transfer work, and course availability. The non-negotiable sequencing constraints are: MATH 1113 before application, ACCT 2101 before application and before ACCT 2102, ECON 2105 before ECON 2106 is recommended (though not strictly required), and BUSN 3000 at least in progress during the application semester.

Common Mistakes That Delay Your Terry Application

Pushing off MATH 1113. Students who struggle with precalculus often delay it, which delays their entire application timeline. Take it early. Get help if you need it.

Not understanding the two-application process. You apply to UGA first, then to Terry separately. Students who assume they’re “in” the business school upon arriving at UGA are often surprised when they discover the internal application.

Ignoring the EPP. If your ACT/SAT scores are weak, the EPP is a way to supplement. Don’t leave this tool on the table.

Taking ACCT 2101 pass/fail or at a school where grading is lenient. Terry evaluates the grade itself. A strong grade from a rigorous setting carries more weight.

Withdrawing from required courses. Students who withdraw from ACCT 2101, BUSN 3000, or other required courses after being admitted to a Terry major risk having their admission rescinded.