Pre-Business Program

Students are expected to work with an academic advisor to develop a planned program of study. Any entering or transfer student planning to pursue a B.B.A. degree must apply to the professional B.B.A. program. Typically, this application occurs during the student’s second-semester sophomore year, or upon entrance to WMU if transferring the equivalent of the entrance requirements. During the first two years of the student’s program, students are expected to complete several WMU general education requirements as well as the following pre-B.B.A. requirements for application to the professional B.B.A. program:

Additional Hours

Additional hours should be taken in the following areas to complete minimum pre-B.B.A. requirements:

General Education Distribution Program Areas 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8

Admission

After successful completion of the pre-B.B.A. program requirements listed above, students will be accepted into the professional B.B.A. program. A formal application is required for acceptance.

Students must visit the Haworth College of Business Office of Academic Advising and Admissions located in 2130 Schneider Hall and meet with an advisor to submit an application. Applications should be submitted in September if the student plans to start taking B.B.A. courses in the following spring semester, or January if the student plans on taking B.B.A. courses in the following fall semester.

Admission decisions are made as the grades of the Pre-B.B.A. courses become available. Students will be notified of the status of their application via their WMU email account.

Admission of transfer students from accredited two- and four-year institutions will be made on a similar basis. The same criteria for admission listed above will apply.

Students not meeting admission requirements are able to work with an academic advisor to develop a plan to earn future admission.

The Haworth College of Business Advising Office of Academic Advising and Admissions will provide advising services for business students throughout their academic careers. Students will complete their major forms and apply to the professional B.B.A. program through this office, after meeting with an academic advisor. Faculty advisors can provide expertise in the area of the chosen major; however, the academic advising office provides guidance about meeting all graduation requirements of the professional B.B.A. curriculum.

Professional B.B.A. Curriculum

In order to graduate from the professional B.B.A. program, a student must complete a minimum of 122 non-repeated semester hours. In addition to the University requirements of general education and the specific requirements noted above, students must complete the following:

Baccalaureate-Level Writing Requirement

Students who have chosen to major in any area of business will satisfy the Baccalaureate-Level Writing Requirement through successful completion of the following course:

• BCM 3700 - Integrated Communication in Business Credits: 3 hours

Transfer Courses

With departmental approval, transfer courses from four-year schools (and appropriate lower division courses from junior or community colleges) may be included in majors and minors. However, 50 percent of all required Haworth College of Business courses must be completed through Western Michigan University, including at least 50 percent of any business major and 50 percent of any business minor completed at Western Michigan University. Note that courses taken through approved WMU study abroad partners count as courses completed at Western Michigan University for the International Business minor. Transfer work toward B.B.A. Core Requirements must meet the following criteria:

• Approval by the Haworth College of Business Office of Advising and Admissions and the major department 
• Minimum grade of “C”
• Minimum grade of “CB” in ACTY 2100 and ACTY 2110 or equivalents before enrolling in ACTY 3100, 3220, or 3240. 

Business Minors

To declare a minor in any business area, the student must meet with an advisor in the Haworth College of Business Office of Academic Advising and Admissions. The requirements and restrictions for declaration of a minor are:

• Completion of a minimum of 56 credit hours
• A 2.5 overall grade point average
• Non-business majors are limited to a maximum of 30 credit hours of business courses at the time of graduation

Advising

For questions regarding B.B.A. curriculum requirements and transfer credit equivalencies, contact the Haworth College of Business Office of Academic Advising and Admissions (269) 387-5075.

Special Notes

1. All students who complete the B.B.A. requirements, excluding General Business majors, will automatically graduate with a minor in General Business.
2. Enrollment in Haworth College of Business courses requires that students meet the following program restrictions: