School of Business

  • John Elliot, Ph.D., Dean
  • Nora Madjar, Ph.D., Associate Dean

Undergraduate education in business is designed to impart a broad base of general knowledge within which students pursue additional knowledge to become exceptional managerial and business leaders. The curricula seek to expand capacities, perspectives, and skills of students who wish direct preparation for careers in either business firms or the public service.

In addition to the business programs leading to the Bachelor of Science, a Management and Engineering for Manufacturing bachelor’s degree program is offered jointly with the College of Engineering and is described at the end of the list of business majors in this section of the Catalog.

Credit Limitation Policy for Non-Business Majors

Students not admitted to a School of Business major are limited to enrolling in no more than 18 credits of 3000 and 4000 level coursework offered by the School of Business. The 18 credit limit applies to all 3000 and 4000 level Business coursework in ACCT, BADM, BUSN, BLAW, FNCE, HCMI, MEM, MENT, MKTG, and OPIM, with the exception of the following course numbers in any department: 3882, 3892, 4881, 4891, 4882, 4892, 4893, and 4899. Coursework at the 1000 and 2000-level are not counted toward the 18-credit limit.

Business Minor Limitation Policy

Minors in business disciplines are described in the Minors section. Students may earn only one minor that includes coursework in a business discipline at the 3000- or 4000-level. (Coursework in a business discipline is defined as any course offered using subject code ACCT, BADM, BUSN, BLAW, FNCE, HCMI, MEM, MENT/MGMT, MKTG, or OPIM.) A student may earn a second minor offered by the School of Business only if it does not include School of Business coursework at the 3000- or 4000-level. Thus, an additional minor may be earned if it is offered jointly by the School of Business and another School or College, and all coursework used to satisfy that second minor is from non-Business coursework. The Personal Brand Entrepreneurship minor can be earned in combination with any other School of Business minor(s) because it does not require any coursework at the 3000- or 4000-level.

Minors open to some business majors include: Accounting; Analytics; Digital Marketing & Analytics; Entrepreneurship; Entrepreneurship and Technology Innovation; Healthcare Management and Insurance Studies; Information Assurance; Management; Personal Brand Entrepreneurship; Professional Sales Leadership; Real Estate; and Social Responsibility and Impact in Business. Please see the minor description to know which minors are restricted for particular majors. Minors open to non-business majors include: Accounting; Analytics; Business Fundamentals; Construction Engineering and Management; Digital Marketing & Analytics; Engineering Management; Entrepreneurship; Entrepreneurship and Technology Innovation; Healthcare Management and Insurance Studies; Information Assurance; Personal Brand Entrepreneurship; Professional Sales Leadership; Real Estate; Social Responsibility and Impact in Business; Software Design; and Supply Chain. Please see minor descriptions to know which minors are restricted to particular majors.

Regional Plan

In conformity with plans approved by the Board of Trustees of the six New England land grant universities for regionalization of certain fields of specialized education, three majors in the School of Business at the University of Connecticut are identified as regional programs. The Real Estate and Urban Economic Studies major is open to students from all the New England states; the Health Care Management major is open to students from all the New England states except New Hampshire; the Management and Engineering for Manufacturing major is open to students from all the New England states except Vermont. To implement this policy, first priority in admission to the School is given to qualified applicants from those New England states that are members of the compact. Regional students will pay a reduced tuition. Consult the New England Board of Higher Education website for information.

Accreditation

The School of Business is fully accredited by the AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.

Admission and Degree Requirements

Admission Requirements

See Admission to the University. The School of Business admits qualified students into a major in the School directly as first-year students. Students not admitted into the School of Business at the time of entry to the University may apply for admission to a major through School of Business procedures. Admission is competitive. Decisions will be based on several criteria including the applicant’s academic record, courses completed, and space availability at the campus to which they are applying.

Current School of Business students may request a change to another business major offered at their campus by submitting an application to the School of Business Office of Undergraduate Advising and meeting the admission criteria for that major. For the 2023-2024 academic year, only first year student applications will be accepted to the Financial Technology major. Individuals who have already completed a bachelor’s degree should contact the M.B.A., the M.S. in Accounting, the M.S. in Business Analytics and Project Management, the M.S. in Financial Risk Management, or the M.S. in Human Resource Management programs to consider a graduate degree rather than another undergraduate degree.

Transfer Students

Students at other post-secondary institutions, who are not currently attending or who have never attended the University as an undergraduate degree seeking student, must file a separate University application with the Transfer Admissions Office, 2131 Hillside Road, Unit 3088, Storrs, CT 06269-3088. Students who have completed a minimum of 40 credits may submit an application. Students wishing to transfer directly into the School of Business must have made substantial progress toward completing first year-sophomore, 1000-2000 level requirements; particularly courses which are prerequisites for Common Body of Knowledge/Entry Level Business courses (ENGL 1007 or 1010 or 1011; ACCT 2001; MATH 1070Q and 1071Q; ECON 1201 and 1202, or 1200; STAT 1000Q or 1100Q) and must successfully complete these courses by the end of the term in which they complete 54 credits (or the term after they are admitted to the School of Business). Number of credits earned, grade point average in all courses taken, and space availability are key considerations in admissions decisions.

Transfer applicants not accepted directly into the School of Business at the time of entry to the University may apply for admission following the Current UConn Students procedures outlined below once they meet the minimum criteria. For transfer students applying in the first semester at UConn, decisions are made on a space-available basis after completion of one full semester at the University.

Current UConn Students

Current University of Connecticut non-business undergraduate students who are seeking admission to business majors, and current business students seeking admission to a business major not at their campus, must submit an application. Students seeking admission to School of Business majors have met the following minimum criteria at the time of application:

  • Earned at least 40 credits (as represented on a University of Connecticut transcript);
  • Successfully completed, or be currently enrolled at the University of Connecticut in, ENGL 1007 or 1010 or 1011; ACCT 2001; MATH 1070Q and 1071Q; ECON 1201 and 1202, or 1200; STAT 1000Q or 1100Q, or their approved equivalents (pass/fail courses do not meet minimum requirements);
  • Met all other School of Business Scholastic Standing Requirements. If an applicant has previously placed any business course on pass/fail, then the earned letter grade for those courses will be considered in the application process. If admitted, the course will be returned to letter graded status for applications to be reviewed.
  • Made substantial progress toward completing first year-sophomore, 1000-2000 level requirements;
  • Be a currently enrolled undergraduate student at the University of Connecticut.

Number of credits earned, grade point average in all courses taken, grades earned in prerequisite and business courses, and space availability at the campus where a student is applying are key considerations in admission decisions. Students who do not successfully complete the semester of application will have their admission rescinded, as outlined in the School of Business Scholastic Standing Requirements.

Campus Designation for Business Majors Policy

Students are guaranteed access to business courses at the campus where their major is offered and the campus for which they were admitted into the School of Business. Upper division requirements for all business majors are designed to be accomplished in four semesters on the campus where the major is offered. Students are not permitted to enroll in business courses at other campuses without Dean’s Designee approval. Students admitted as Undecided Business majors by campus can only change into majors offered at their campus of admission and must do so by the end of their third term. Generally, students seeking to change to a business major offered at another campus may participate in the internal admissions process at the start of each academic semester.

Exceptions to these policies are limited and may be approved on a case-by-case basis by the Dean’s Designee.

Overview of University of Connecticut, School of Business major offerings by Campus

  • Hartford campus majors include Business Data Analytics, Financial Management, and Marketing Management. Students admitted into Hartford-Business-Undecided must declare into a major offered at Hartford by the end of the student’s third semester at UConn.
  • Stamford campus majors include Business Data Analytics, Financial Management, Financial Technology, and Marketing Management. Students admitted into Stamford-Business-Undecided must declare into a major offered at Stamford by the end of the student’s third semester at UConn.
  • Storrs campus majors include Accounting, Analytics and Information Management, Finance, Health Care Management, Management, Management and Engineering for Manufacturing (offered jointly with the College of Engineering), Marketing, and Real Estate and Urban Economic Studies majors. Students admitted into Storrs-Business-Undecided must declare into a major offered at Storrs by the end of the student’s third semester at UConn.
  • Waterbury campus majors include Business Administration and Business Data Analytics. Students admitted into Waterbury-Business-Undecided must declare into a major offered at Waterbury by the end of the student’s third semester at UConn.

Scholastic Standing Requirements

Students admitted to the School of Business will be reviewed at the end of each Fall and Spring semester (defined as “term” below) to determine if their academic achievement meets the requirements as established by the faculty and outlined below. Newly matriculated college students, transfer students from outside of the University of Connecticut, and current University of Connecticut students conditionally admitted to the School of Business have additional GPA standards as outlined below. Students who reach the credit calculations at the end of a summer or intersession term will be held to that GPA requirement at the conclusion of the semester immediately following. For students who reach a different GPA requirement by the end of that semester, they will be held to the higher GPA of the two requirements. All credits used to determine when a student is reviewed by credit standing as described below for a particular grade point average include course work at the University of Connecticut and course work accepted by the University of Connecticut as reflected on a student’s University of Connecticut transcript.  Students who fail to maintain the minimum grade point average in any of these areas or fail to complete specified courses as noted below are subject to dismissal from the School of Business.

Minimum School of Business Requirements for all School of Business Students

  • Students must always maintain a minimum 2.000 term grade point average.
  • Students must always maintain a minimum 2.000 cumulative Business grade point average which includes all School of Business courses numbered at the 3000 level or higher plus ACCT 2001 and ACCT 2101/BADM 2101.
  • Students must always maintain a minimum 2.500 cumulative grade point average, except where higher standards are required per the Additional Standards outlined below.
  • Students must show substantial progress toward meeting the first year-sophomore course requirements, and must successfully complete those courses (or equivalents) that are prerequisites for the 3000/4000-level business courses (ACCT 2001; ECON 1201 and 1202, or 1200; ENGL 1007 or 1010 or 1011; MATH 1070Q and 1071Q; STAT 1000Q or 1100Q) by the end of their fourth semester.

Newly Matriculated College Students – Additional Standards

  • In addition to the Minimum School of Business Requirements, all newly matriculated college students must meet the following GPA requirements beginning at the end of their second term at the University of Connecticut:
  • Students must earn a 2.790 CGPA in any semester in which a student achieves less than 40 cumulative credits.
  • Students must earn a 2.930 CGPA in any semester in which as student achieves 40 or more cumulative credits (but less than 54).
  • Students must earn a 3.000 CGPA in the semester in which a student achieves 54 or more credits.

Transfer Students from Outside of University of Connecticut – Additional Standards

  • In addition to the Minimum School of Business Requirements, all students who transfer directly into the School of Business from an outside higher education institution must meet the following GPA requirements beginning at the end of their first term at the University of Connecticut:
  • Students must earn a 2.790 CGPA in any semester in which a student achieves less than 40 cumulative credits.
  • Students must earn a 2.930 CGPA in any semester in which as student achieves 40 or more cumulative credits (but less than 54).
  • Students must earn 3.000 CGPA in the semester in which a student achieves 54 or more credits.

Current University of Connecticut Students Conditionally Accepted – Additional Standards

In addition to the Minimum School of Business Requirements, all current University of Connecticut students conditionally accepted to the School of Business on the basis of successful completion of courses for which they have indicated they were registered at the time of application must pass all of those courses by the end of that term. At the end of that term, conditionally admitted students must also earn a semester, cumulative, and business grade point average of at least a 3.000, or be subject to having their acceptance rescinded.

Bachelor’s Degree Requirements

Upon recommendation of the faculty, the degree of Bachelor of Science is awarded by vote of the Board of Trustees to students who have met the following requirements: (1) Earned a total of 120 credits; (2) earned at least a 2.0 CGPA; (3) earned at least a 2.0 grade point average for all credits in School of Business courses numbered 2000-level and above for which they have been registered; (4) earned at least 50 percent of the business credit hours required for the business degree while a student at the University of Connecticut; (5) earned at least 24 credits in 3000-4000 level courses including MENT 4900 or 4902 and a required business course satisfying the “writing in the major” general education requirement in the School of Business at the University of Connecticut, with no more than three of these 24 credits in independent study courses and no more than three of these 24 credits in field study internship courses, and no credits from UConn Education Abroad; (6) achieved a cumulative 2.0 grade point average for the total of all departmental major courses for which they have been registered at the University of Connecticut, excluding grades and credits for independent studies and internships; (7) met all the requirements of the School of Business. See specific Bachelor of Science requirements, including courses which must be taken in residence, in each major. The Management and Engineering for Manufacturing program, jointly offered by the School of Business and the College of Engineering, has its own specific requirements. Please refer to that section.

The degree in business requires a minimum of 120 degree credits of coursework. At least 60 credits presented for the degree must be composed of courses other than business, including general education and elective coursework. Any non-business course that is cross-listed with a business course is not permitted to count towards the 60-credit non-business requirement. Coursework in or cross-listed with ACCT, BADM, BUSN, BLAW, FNCE, HCMI, MEM, MENT, MGMT, MKTG, and OPIM is restricted. Those intending to major in Accounting may face additional restrictions on non-business courses, particularly with respect to Economics courses, and should consult with the Accounting Department for additional information.

EUROBIZ

The School of Business and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offer a four to five‐year, dual‐degree EUROBIZ program leading to degrees in Business Administration in any business major and a B.A. in German. The program includes language courses specially designed to include business content, business courses taught partly in German, a study abroad semester in Germany, and a four- to six‐month internship in a company in Germany.

This program requires the completion of all requirements in both majors, including a minimum of 138 credits. Students must be admitted to the School of Business to participate in this program and maintain the academic standards required.

Regional Campus Majors

The requirements for majors in Business Administration and in Business Data Analytics may be completed at the Hartford, Stamford or Waterbury campuses. The requirements for majors in Financial Management may be completed at the Hartford or Stamford campuses. The requirements for majors in Digital Marketing & Analytics may be completed at the Hartford and Stamford campuses. Students in other business majors may complete their General Education Requirements and most of their Business Common Body of Knowledge requirements at the regional campuses before transferring to the Storrs campus.

Exemptions and Substitutions

Students who desire to be excused from course requirements, or to substitute other courses for those prescribed, should consult the Office of Undergraduate Advising. Such exemptions or substitutions must be approved by the dean of the school.

Transfer Credits

The transfer of credits for 3000-4000 level courses offered by the School of Business on the basis of work done at schools that do not offer the baccalaureate or schools not accredited by the AACSB International, with the exception of specific agreements with the Connecticut Community Colleges, is permitted only by validation procedures established by academic departments within the School. Typical validation procedures may include successful completion (C or better) of additional prescribed course work at the University of Connecticut or the completion of a departmental examination. Students must receive departmental approval before beginning any validation procedures.

Grades of Pass/Fail or Audit

In the School of Business, students may not elect the Pass/Fail or Audit option for any course used to meet the general education distribution requirements, the course requirements for a major, or any course taken within any of the departments of the School.

Plan of Study

Major requirements are outlined in the plan of study current at the time of the student’s entry or readmission into the School of Business, whichever is later.

Curricula in Business

I. University General Education Requirements

The University has adopted General Education requirements in a variety of curricula areas that must be satisfied as part of every bachelor’s degree program. These requirements are listed in the General Education Requirements section of this Catalog.

II. Business Critical Required Courses

Business students must complete the following requirements in order to prepare for professional studies that will begin in the junior year. Students should note that many of these courses also fulfill University General Education requirements.

Note: Please refer to the Curricula in Management and Engineering for Manufacturing listed later in this section.

ACCT 2001; ECON 1200 or both 1201 and 1202; ENGL 1007 or 1010 or 1011 or 2011; MATH 1070Q and 1071Q; or MATH 1131Q and 1132Q; or MATH 1131Q and 1070Q; or MATH 1125Q and 1126Q and 1070Q; or MATH 1125Q and 1126Q and 1132Q; or MATH 1151Q and 1152Q; or MATH 1151Q and 1132Q; or MATH 1151Q and 1070Q; or MATH 2141Q and 2142Q; or MATH 2141Q and 1152Q; or MATH 2141Q and 1132Q; or MATH 2141Q and 1070Q; STAT 1000Q or 1100Q.

Foreign Language

All students must have (1) Passed the third year level course in high school in a single foreign language, ancient or modern; or (2) Two units/levels of a single foreign language in high school PLUS an added year of college courses at a more advanced level in a single foreign language; or (3) Completion of two years (four semesters) through the college Intermediate Level.

III. Business Required Courses

Complete at least one course from each of the following four categories:

Business Arts and Humanities: ECON 2102/W1; HIST 1201, 1400, 1501/W2, 1502/W2, 1600/LLAS 1190, 1800, 3705

Business Philosophy: PHIL 1101, 1102, 1103, 1104, 1105, 1106, 1107, 1175

Business Communication: COMM 1000 or 11003

Business Psychology: PSYC 1100

Business International and Diversity and Multiculturalism: Complete at least one course from the “International” category and one more course from either the “International” or “Diversity and Multiculturalism” category.

International: ANTH 1000/W; ANTH/HRTS 3153W; CLCS 2201; GEOG 1700, 2000; HRTS 1007; NRE 2600; PHIL 1106; POLS 1202/W4, 1207; WGSS 2124.

Diversity and Multiculturalism: AFRA/ANTH 3152; AFRA/POLS 3642; AMST 1201/ENGL 1201/HIST 1503; INTD 2245; PHIL 1107; SOCI 1501/W

  • 1 Students choosing ECON 2102/W must take care to meet the University requirement of completing Content Areas 1, 2, and 3 courses from six different departments.
  • 2 HIST 1501/W or 1502/W recommended for students who have not completed high school level courses in American Government and American History.
  • 3 COMM 1100 does not fulfill Content Area 2, but is recommended for accounting majors. COMM 1000 is recommended for students interested in pursuing a COMM minor.
  • 4 POLS 1202/W recommended for students who have not completed a High School level course in American Government.

Additional Requirements

A minimum of 60 credits used toward graduation requirements must be comprised of non-business courses, including general education course work. COMM 1100 is recommended for Accounting majors.

Common Body of Knowledge

The following Common Body of Knowledge courses are prescribed for all students in this school and should be completed in the junior year: ACCT 2101 (to be taken no later than fifth semester); BLAW 3175; FNCE 3101; MENT 3101; BUSN 3004W (BUSN 3003W for Business Administration, Business Data Analytics, Financial Management, Financial Technology and Marketing Management majors only); MKTG 3101; OPIM 3103, 3104.

Capstone Requirement

All students are required to complete a capstone course sequence. Business Administration, Business Data Analytics, Financial Management, Financial Technology, and Marketing Management majors must take MENT 4902. All other majors must take MENT 4900. All majors will complete a course in career development. Accounting majors take ACCT 3005. Financial Technology majors take BUSN 3006. All other majors take BUSN 3005.

Competency Requirements

All students majoring in Accounting, Analytics and Information Management, Business Administration, Business Data Analytics, Digital Marketing & Analytics, Finance, Financial Management, Financial Technology, Health Care Management, Management, Marketing, and Real Estate/Urban Economics must also fulfill the requirements in the two following competency categories.

Information Literacy

The core courses in the School will require students to acquire information about markets and companies. This empirical research is fundamental to sound decision making in a business career. This advanced level of information literacy will specifically be included in FNCE 3101, MKTG 3101, OPIM 3103 and MENT 4900 or 4902, which are all required.

Writing in the Major

Students are required to complete BUSN 3004W or BUSN 3003W depending on major requirements and one elective “W” course.

Students majoring in Management and Engineering for Manufacturing should consult the competency information listed with the other major requirements.

Other Educational Opportunities

Field Study Internships

Internship experiences provide students an opportunity for supervised field work in areas of business and government. Regular internship programs are available on a limited basis in accounting, analytics and information management, real estate, healthcare systems management, and management. Individual internships may be arranged in other departments and majors within the School of Business; these are subject to availability and departmental restrictions.

Pre-Law Studies

Business students who plan to apply for admission to a school of law may arrange for pre-legal curricular counseling through the Undergraduate Programs Office in the School of Business.

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