BGA Major

The Dikran Izmirlian Program in Business and Global Affairs (BGA) is a joint degree program designed and delivered by the McDonough School of Business and the School of Foreign Service (SFS). The BGA major is distinguished by an innovative and integrated approach to understanding the complex interactions among a myriad of forces that operate at the intersection of business and international affairs. The jointly delivered signature course sequence extends first year through senior year, including multiple on-location experiential units.

Business and Global Affairs Core Requirements

Core requirements expand on the university core with coursework that relates to the specific missions and traditions of McDonough and SFS and of the interdisciplinary BGA:

  • ACCT-1101: Accounting I
  • BGAF-1001: Global Markets and Politics (Signature Course 1)
  • ECON-1001: Microeconomic Principles
  • ECON-1002: Macroeconomic Principles
  • ECON-2542 International Economics or ECON-2543: International Trade
  • FINC-2101: Business Financial Management
  • GOVT-1400: Comparative Political Systems or GOVT-1600: International Relations
  • INAF-1000: Map of the Modern World
  • MATH-1350: Calculus I or equivalent or ECON-1357: Essential Math for Econ
  • MARK-1101: Principles of Marketing
  • Quantitative methods (select from list)
  • Regional history (select from list)

In addition to BGAF Signature Course 1, it is recommended that the following BGA core requirements be met before the beginning of the sophomore year:  MATH-035; ECON-001; ECON-002; and quantitative methods.

Courses designed and delivered by the BGA program are labeled “Business and Global Affairs” (prefix “BGAF”). The coursework for the core and for the major also draws on the offerings of McDonough, SFS, and College departments. Upon enrollment in the BGA degree program, students have the same eligibility and opportunity to enroll in courses offered by both their home school and MSB or SFS as applicable.

Business and Global Affairs Major Requirements

The Business and Global Affairs major coursework begins in the sophomore year. 

  • BGAF 2020: Global Organizations and Culture (Signature Course 2)
  • BGAF 3031 & 3032: Global Business and Operations (Signature Course 3)
  • BGAF 4040 & 4041: Business, Policy, and Society (Signature Course 4)
  • BGAF 2001 & 2003: Washington, Business, and the World (Thread Course)
  • History of globalization (select from list)
  • International law, policy and governance (select from list)
  • Quantitative analysis (select from list)

Note: An international, on-location experience is associated with each Signature Course (see the Signature Course Descriptions).

Modern Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement

The BGA program incorporates the School of Foreign Service modern language proficiency requirement.

Students are required to be proficient in at least one modern language other than English prior to graduating. Typically, a student learning a new language needs about four years of training at Georgetown to reach this level. Students who already know a language, either through personal or previous school experience, might place into advanced language study or pass the language proficiency test during their first year.

Major, Minors, and Certificates

There is one major within the BGA joint degree program. Along with the BGA major, students are eligible, schedules permitting, to pursue minors or certificates consistent with their home school policies (either McDonough or SFS, as applicable). Students are not eligible to double major with a major delivered through a different degree program.