Oct 06, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog 2023-24 
    
Undergraduate Catalog 2023-24 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Bachelor of Business Administration Program (B.B.A. Degree)


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B.B.A. Learning Goals and Objectives:

Through coursework, hands-on instruction, and experiential learning opportunities, students will have effective:

 Professional interpersonal skills

  •  Use inclusive communication methods in current and emerging spaces
  •  Develop skills to foster effective teams
  •  Engage in professional development activities

 Critical thinking skills

  • Identify and solve business challenges using a critical thinking framework
  • Apply ethical principles to business decisions

 Technology and data analytic skills

  • Identify, analyze, and interpret data using suitable methods
  • Evaluate business situations using current and emerging technologies
  • Assess organizational performance using appropriate metrics

 Knowledge of current and future issues facing business leaders

  • Understand sustainable business practices
  • Comprehend issues related to diversity and inclusion
  • Recognize global business challenges

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 essential study or general education requirements as well as the following pre-B.B.A. requirements for application to the professional B.B.A. program.

1. Completion of 48 total hours


2. A minimum grade point average of 2.50


3. A minimum grade of “C” in each of the pre-B.B.A. courses or approved alternatives shown below


4. Meet the requirements of the foundational segment of the Haworth College of Business Student Professional Readiness Series program. (Details about requirements may be obtained by contacting the SPuRS Program Director.)


Additional Hours


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

  • WMU Essential Studies for catalog years 2020-present
  • General Education for catalog years 2012-2019

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 meet with an advisor to apply. 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. Students completing the pre-B.B.A during the summer sessions can apply in May (summer I) or July (summer II).

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 Office of Academic Advising and Admissions will provide advising services for business students throughout their academic careers. Students will apply to the professional B.B.A. program through this office, after meeting with an academic advisor. Faculty advisors provide expertise in the area of the chosen major. 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, and meet the requirements of the Haworth College of Business Student Professional Readiness Series program (details about requirements may be obtained by contacting the SPuRS Program Director). In addition to the University requirements of WMU Essential Studies and the specific requirements noted above, students must complete the following:

1. B.B.A. Core Requirements:


Note: A grade of “C” (2.0) or better is required in each of the higher-level BBA core courses listed below:

Experiential/Global Learning Bucket


Choose one of the following courses:

Required:


B.B.A. Capstone Requirement


Note: All courses listed above except BUS 2200, LAW 3800, BUS 4000, and BUS 4500 must be completed prior to taking the capstone course, BUS 4750.

2. A Business Major consisting of at least 24 hours


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:

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, at least 50 percent of any Haworth College of Business major and at least 50 percent of any business minor, with the exception of the General Business minor which requires 33 percent, must be completed through Western Michigan University. Note that courses taken through approved WMU study abroad partners count as courses completed at Western Michigan University. 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” 

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
  • The Human Resource Management minor requires a 3.0 overall grade point average

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 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:

B. Courses open only to:


Pre-B.B.A. and B.B.A. students, declared business minors (see above), and students enrolled in non-business programs that require these courses:

  • All other 1000- and 2000-level business courses which are required for a major or minor.

C. Courses open only to


B.B.A. students accepted into the B.B.A. curriculum:

  • All 3000- and 4000-level business courses except:
    • Declared business minors (see above) will be eligible for those 3000- or 4000-level business courses that are required in their minors once they have achieved Junior status (completion of 56 credit hours).
    • Students enrolled in non-business programs which require 3000- or 4000-level business courses will be eligible to enroll in these courses once they have achieved Junior status (completion of 56 credit hours). 

 

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