Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA)

Program Overview

Interdisciplinary Themes

The Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration provides a distinctive focus on three interdisciplinary strategic themes. All students must choose one theme by the end of their sophomore year. All students must complete four (4) courses within their chosen theme, including one interdisciplinary "capstone" course in the fourth year.

Students who complete our undergraduate program receive a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with an interdisciplinary theme in one of the three areas. The available themes are:

Global Business
Sustainable Business
Entrepreneurship

Concentrations

In addition to completing the requirements for the interdisciplinary theme, all students must complete four (4) courses within a selected concentration (for students who matriculated into UVM starting in fall 2016, five (5) courses within a selected concentration are required). The concentration should be declared in the junior year. The available concentrations include:

• Accounting
• Finance
• Marketing
• Business Analytics

Curriculum

Major Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with Interdisciplinary Themes of:

• Entrepreneurship
• Global Business
• Sustainable Business

And, Business Concentrations of:

• Accounting
• Business Analytics
• Finance
• Marketing

Basic Business Core Requirements

Thirty-six to thirty-seven credits (twelve courses). The Basic Business Core courses should be completed by the end of the sophomore year as they serve as the prerequisite requirements for upper-level Business Field, Interdiscplinary Theme, and Business Concentration requirements. All Basic Business Core courses must be completed with a grade-point average of at least 2.25 and no single course grade lower than C-.

Business Field Requirements

Twelve credits (four courses). In general, students must successfully complete the Basic Business Core before enrolling in Business Field courses. The Business Field courses must be completed with an overall grade-point average of at least a 2.00.  At least two of the four Business Field courses must be completed at UVM.

Interdisciplinary Theme Requirements

All students must complete twelve credits (four courses) within their chosen theme, including one interdisciplinary “capstone” course, BUS 4910, BUS 4920, or BUS 4930, in their Senior year (students with a declared Sustainable Business theme who are graduating at the end of the summer or the Fall semester should plan to complete the capstone course in the preceding spring semester due to the course generally only being offered in the Spring semester; for students with a declared Entrepreneurship or Global Business theme, the capstone course is generally offered both Fall and Spring semesters). Students are required to earn an overall grade-point average of at least 2.00 in these four courses. One course can double-dip between the Interdisciplinary Theme and the Business Concentration. Students who select a second Interdisciplinary Theme can double-dip one applicable course between the two themes. Students enrolled in BUS 4996 Business Admin Honors Thesis can petition the Undergraduate Studies Committee to apply three thesis credits to their Interdisciplinary Themes. At least two of the four Interdisciplinary Theme courses must be completed at UVM (some exceptions may apply to the Global Business Theme with respect to the applicability of study abroad credits). The interdisciplinary "capstone" course, BUS 4910, BUS 4920, or BUS 4930, must be completed at UVM and will not be considered as degree applicable through transfer or study abroad credit. Students must select one of the Interdisciplinary Themes by the end of their Sophomore year.

Students who plan to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) may complete the Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an Accounting concentration plus the Master of Accountancy (MAcc). The MAcc curriculum can fulfill the 150-credit requirement of State Boards of Accountancy (see the Graduate Catalogue for additional information on the MAcc). The specific requirements to sit for the CPA examination vary among states. Students who plan to sit for the CPA exam are advised to contact the Board of Accountancy for the state in which they plan to practice.

Professional Development Series

Students are required to complete three credits of Professional Development Series:

• Professional Development Series I, generally completed in the first year (BUS 1102)
• Professional Development Series II, generally completed in the second year (BUS 2102)
• Professional Development Series III, generally completed in the third year (BUS 3102)

Catamount Core Curriculum

Grossman School of Business students are required to complete at least 42 credits in the Catamount Core Curriculum Requirements.

Credit Hours Outside of the Grossman School of Business

Students need to take at least 40 credits outside of the Grossman School of Business. 

Optional Undergraduate Minor or Undergraduate Certificate

A student may complete an undergraduate minor in a discipline outside the Grossman School of Business, or an undergraduate certificate outside the Grossman School of Business to help fulfill the required 40 outside credits.  The requirements for each undergraduate minor or undergraduate certificate are specified by the department or program supervising those programs. Up to two minor courses or two certificate courses may apply to Basic Business Core/Business Field/Interdisciplinary Theme/Business Concentration requirements. Please consult with an advisor in the Grossman School of Business to select an appropriate undergraduate minor or undergraduate certificate.

The student must contact the appropriate department to obtain more specific information. To declare a minor, students submit a major-minor request online through their myUVM portal. Some minors are not available to declare as they require an application and permission from the supervising department. The minors in Business Administration and Accounting are only open to majors outside of the Grossman School of Business. However, Business majors are permitted to minor in Sports Management. The following minors through Community Development and Applied Economics (CDAE) are restricted: Consumer and Advertising, Consumer Affairs, Community Entrepreneurship, and Public Communications.

University of Vermont Degree Requirements for Undergraduates

In addition to the requirements for the Major, all undergraduate students must successfully complete Degree and University Requirements.

Electives

Students often need elective credits to bridge the gap between the required courses and the 120 total credit hours needed to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Restrictions on Electives

1. Up to three credits of PEAC (physical education activity courses) can apply as elective credit towards the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree. This includes PEAC courses, and credit granted for intramural, club, and varsity sports.
2. No more than six credits of internship can apply to the degree. This includes all internship related course offerings from any UVM School or College.
3. No credit will be granted for a course that substantially duplicates material in courses offered in the Grossman School of Business or in other previously completed courses. 
   • Students cannot receive credit for a course that is prerequisite knowledge for a course already completed, for example FREN 1100 after FREN 1200.
   • Students cannot earn credit for both EC 170 and STAT 1410.
   • Students cannot earn credit for both CDAE 2680 and BUS 2500.
   • Students cannot earn credit for both CDAE 2270 and BUS 3530.
   • Students cannot earn credit for both  CDAE 2280 and BUS 3555.
   • Students cannot earn credit for both CDAE 2670 and BUS 2800.
   • Students cannot earn credit for CDAE 3660.

Minors

Catalogue year 2019 and earlier

Business students are required to have a minor and must complete 30 credits outside of BSAD coursework. The declared minor must be outside of the School of Business. Restricted Minors: Consumer and Advertising, Consumer Affairs, Community Entrepreneurship, Public Communication, Business Administration, and Accounting.

Catalogue year 2020 to present

Business students are not required to have a minor, but it is encouraged.  Business students are required to complete 40 credits outside of BSAD coursework and pursuing a minor is a great way to meet this requirement. If you decide to pursue a minor, it must be outside of the School of Business.  Restricted Minors: Consumer and Advertising, Consumer Affairs, Community Entrepreneurship, Public Communication, Business Administration, and Accounting.

Minors for Non-Business Majors

• Business Administration
• Accounting

Deadlines

Spring - November 1
Early Action - November 1
Early Decision - November 1
Regular Decision - January 15

Applications received after deadlines will be considered on a space-available basis.

Students should submit their Common App or Coalition App by the stated application submission deadline. Other supplemental materials, to complete the application, should arrive by this priority completion deadline. Applications completed after this date are not guaranteed a decision by the posted decision release date.

Admissions Requirements

• All students must meet the Degree and University Requirements.
• All students must meet the Catamount Core Curriculum Requirements.
• All students must meet the College Requirements.

Outcomes

The Grossman School of Business (GSB) cultivates the ability to create and manage sustainable businesses that address ethical, social, and environmental challenges and opportunities in the complex and dynamic global environment. We develop graduates who are professional, technically competent, and entrepreneurial. The School's faculty create impact through teaching, research, and scholarship.

The School contributes to the mission of the University through its Strategic Plan and Learning Outcomes.

Learning Goals and Objectives

The faculty, staff, and alumni are committed to developing leaders prepared for a dynamic, global workplace. The GSB curriculum is designed to support the following learning goals, objectives, and outcomes.

1. Professional skills

   Ability to:

   1. Communicate informatively and persuasively through written, oral or visual modes.
   2. Collaborate effectively to analyze business performance.
       

2. Technical skills

   Ability to analyze business performance by:

   1. Acquiring, synthesizing, and interpreting data.
   2. Applying foundational business concepts.
       

3. Thematic application skills

   Ability to apply and integrate professional and technical skills in one or more of the themes:

   1. Sustainable business
   2. Global business
   3. Entrepreneurship

During the first two years, students build the conceptual and analytical base for studying the art and science of management. Students complete Catamount Core Curriculum requirements and learn required skills for upper-level business courses by the end of their second year.  At the end of the second year, students will declare their interdisciplinary theme and concentration. In addition, students may add a minor or certificate outside of business, though this is optional. These choices determine their remaining curriculum sequence. Students will complete a culminating theme capstone in their senior year.

The Grossman School of Business collaborates with the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences to offer a B.S. in Engineering Management. For students pursuing a major outside of the Grossman School of Business, the School offers a Business Administration Co-Major and two minors: a minor in Accounting, and a minor in Business Administration. In addition, a minor in Sports Management is offered as a cross-college minor and is open to all majors. 

The undergraduate and graduate programs offered by the School are accredited by AACSB International: the International Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Costs and Scholarships

Financial Information

Financial Aid and Scholarships

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Study Abroad

Students in the Grossman School of Business are strongly encouraged to participate in a study abroad experience. UVM partners with a number of exchange and external programs around the world to provide a rigorous academic experience while also exploring new cultures, cuisine and geographic locations. Students interested in the study abroad experience begin the process early in their career. It is advantageous to meet with the GSB study abroad academic advisor to discuss curriculum sequence and program options.