Business Administration
www.ufv.ca/busadmin

Bachelor of Business Administration

UFV offers a program leading to a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. The objective of this program is to produce graduates who are well-equipped to function in and adapt to the rapidly changing business environment. The program provides students with the opportunity to obtain a general background in business. Students are also expected to gain a strong general educational background and are required to meet course requirements in the areas of English, social science, science, and the humanities. The overall emphasis in the program is on applied business studies.

Students complete several categories of business and business-related courses. These include diploma lower-level foundation courses (such as management, human resource management, marketing, accounting, mathematics, economics, and computing) that provide students with the tools they need for more advanced courses at the upper level. A set of core courses in business, mathematics, and economics is required of all students at the upper and lower levels to ensure that they have a solid understanding of all the key functional areas in business.

Students have the option of concentrating in a functional area of business by taking a selection of specialized upper-level business courses. Students also complete advanced courses designed to integrate and provide context for the knowledge gained in earlier business courses. These courses develop comprehensive analytical skills, which prepare graduates to cope with the complex, multi-dimensional problems faced by the modern business manager. For details on concentrations, see this section.

Entrance requirements

Note: An option for direct entry to year one of the Bachelor of Business Administration program is being developed for Fall 2010 implementation. When final approval for the changes have been received, the program changes will be published to the UFV 2010-11 draft calendar. Students should consult with an educational advisor. The changes are expected to be done in November 2009.

The Bachelor of Business Administration degree is a four-year program that uses the two-year Business Administration diploma as its foundation. The diploma represents the first two years of the degree and is a requirement for entrance into the degree program. 1. Business Administration diploma graduates
• Completion within the last 10 years of either the UFV Business Administration diploma or a Business Administration diploma from another Canadian college or institute that is considered equivalent to the UFV Business Administration diploma.
• At least a C grade must be obtained in all diploma courses.
• A Business Administration diploma grade point average of at least 2.67 (B- average at UFV).
• Principles of Mathematics 12 (C+ or better); or MATH 110 (with a C+ or better; or a MATA score of 67% or better (see Note 1) or equivalent. MATH 111 and 115 also meet this requirement but have Math 12 as a prerequisite.
• English 12 (C+ or better) or a CPT score of 48 or better or UFV ENGL 081 and 091 or UFV ENGL 099 (C+ or better) (see Note 2).

Note 1: The Math 12 Ability Test (MATA) is available for students to determine their proficiency in Mathematics for UFV Business programs only. Students who receive a passing grade on the MATA will be considered to have met the Math 12 admission requirement for UFV Business programs (but will not receive Math 12 credit). Students considering taking this test should contact the Business department for procedures, exam dates, and permission to write.

Note 2: As of September 2009, students must meet the prerequisite to CMNS 125.

2. Departmental discretionary admission (also see Note below):

The Business Administration department will also consider applications from Business Administration diploma graduates with at least five years of significant and relevant business experience after completion of the diploma even though they may not possess the required grade point average, course grades, or course currency necessary for entry into the degree program. The department will exercise its discretion in such cases and, where warranted, accept students on a conditional basis (see note below). Students accepted to the program under this applicant category may be required by the department to refresh their academic background by completing one or more lower-level business courses, as determined by the department, in addition to satisfying any course deficiencies.

Students applying under this category must contact the program chair prior to submitting a formal application in order to obtain a written statement of permission to apply. Permission given for this purpose does not imply acceptance; it only facilitates the application process.

Note: Applicants missing a limited number of specific course requirements may, at the discretion of the Business Administration department, be considered for conditional admission.

Program re-entry

For re-entry to a Business Administration program, GPA will be calculated based on the courses that will be used to fulfill the program requirements only (program GPA). Limitations on the number of courses retaken will apply.

Students who do not meet these requirements might consider the Business Studies program path.

When to apply

Applications are accepted for entrance to the Fall semester only. For application deadlines, see Specific intake application process.

How to apply

1. Submit the application fee, along with your UFV application for admission form, to the Admissions and Records (A&R) office. Application forms are available from any A&R or Student Services office. You can also print an application form from our website at www.ufv.ca/ar, or you can apply directly through the internet at www.pas.bc.ca.

Additional documents required for a complete application:
• Official transcripts (or interim transcripts) of all post-secondary institutions attended showing grade/course achievement as per program entrance requirements.

The following must be included:

a. Official transcript (or interim transcript) from high school
b. B.C. English 12 with C+ or better or equivalent.
c. B.C. Principles of Math 12 with C+ or better or equivalent.
d. B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent

Note: Students making an early application must provide evidence of courses in progress as soon as available.

2. In April/May an orientation will be offered for all Business Administration programs. Attendance at the orientation is mandatory.

3. Upon admission, you will be provided with registration information. A deposit is required when you register (see the Fees and Other Costs section). This money will be applied toward your tuition fees. Final payment of all course fees is due the end of the second week of classes.

4. In cases where interim transcripts are submitted, an admission decision may be made conditional upon completion of academic requirements. Proof of completion of entrance requirements must be submitted by the date stated on your acceptance letter.

Basis for admission decision

Applicants who meet the entrance requirements will be admitted in order of their application date. This date is set when an application, all required documentation, and the application fee have been submitted.

Residency requirements

At least 25 percent of the course work must be completed at UFV. In the BBA program, ten of the 300-499 business courses must be completed at UFV.

Transferring courses to other institutions and associations

Students intending to pursue commerce or business administration studies at UBC, SFU, UVic, or UNBC are advised to study those institutions’ calendars carefully before enrolling in any UFV courses which have a BUS designation. Students should consult an educational advisor in Student Services or at the institution to which they intend to transfer, or refer to the Provincial Transfer Guide at www.bctransferguide.ca for transfer details.

Many business administration courses are transferable to B.C. colleges and institutes. To obtain maximum transfer credit, students should ensure that electives chosen are transferable and appropriate for the desired program.

Most accounting and finance-related business administration courses offered at UFV have transferability with the professional accounting associations — the Institute of Chartered Accountants (CA), the Society of Management Accountants (CMA) and the Certified General Accountants Association (CGA). A number of the department’s courses are also recognized by the Municipal Administrators’ Education Council, the Canadian Credit Union Institute, the Institute of Canadian Bankers, and the Purchasing Management Association of Canada. (See ‘Transfer’ in course descriptions.)

Distance education

A number of courses applicable to the degree, diploma, and certificate programs are available by distance education through TRU-OL. If your work schedule, or UFV’s timetable, prevents you from taking a course when needed, or you find it impossible to obtain a seat in a course because it is full, you may be able to arrange to take an equivalent course through the publicly funded TRU-OL. Contact the Business Administration department to get information about equivalent courses available on this basis, and to request a Letter of Permission (written authorization) to include them in your program.

Recognition of previously completed Business Administration courses

Former UFV business administration students who finished their studies more than 10 years ago and students who completed courses in other programs and/or at other post-secondary institutions prior to starting a UFV Business Administration program should contact the Business Administration department to determine whether any courses/credits can be recognized for or transferred to the desired UFV Business program. Applicability of courses and/or transfer credits is determined on an individual student basis.

The following criteria are used:

• Relevance and suitability of the course to the program as determined by the Business Administration department
• Generally, courses taken more than 10 years ago will not be considered applicable; courses taken more recently may not be considered applicable if there has been significant change in the course subject matter since the course was taken.
• Grades received (a C grade is the minimum acceptable if the course was taken at another institution)
• Courses taken at other institutions may not be used to meet the program residency requirements.

Fees and additional costs

See the Fees and Other Costs section.

Textbooks and supplies cost approximately $750–900 per year. Textbooks should be considered an investment and become part of your business library. You may be required to purchase one or more computer software packages. Software costs should not exceed an average of $200 per year and are in addition to the textbooks costs cited above. You should also consider purchasing or arranging access to an industry-compatible computer.

Program requirements

Business Administration degree students are required to complete a minimum of 40 three- or four-credit courses with a cumulative value of at least 120 credits (in most cases the credit value of courses will exceed this total). First- and second-year requirements are met by completion of the Business Administration diploma. Degree-bound students should complete one of their general education electives as an elective in the diploma program.

Third- and fourth-year program requirements consist of a minimum of 15 courses at the 300/400 level in business and economics. General requirements consist of two English courses at the 100-level; four general education electives at the 100/200 level (including one natural science lab, one social science, and one humanities); plus calculus. Two of the general education electives will usually be completed as diploma electives. Students should consult with the program chair or program assistant for eligible courses that meet the general education elective requirements.

Academic performance requirements

Students in the third and fourth years of the Business Administration degree program must maintain a cumulative degree program grade point average of 2.67 (B-average) in order to be awarded the degree. Students whose cumulative grade point average and/or semester grade point average falls below 2.67 during their program are subject to academic warning (see this section for details).

The maximum number of courses applying to Business Administration programs that can be retaken is five, whether for repeating or upgrading. This maximum applies to any one program and cumulatively to all Business programs taken at UFV.

Graduation requirements

a) 2.67 cumulative program GPA in years one to four of the BBA.
b) No grade less than a C in any course applicable to the diploma (years one to two of the BBA).
c) No more than five courses may be repeated through years one to four leading to the BBA.

Students must meet the department’s specific core and elective course requirements described for this program as well as the department’s academic expectations described under Academic Performance Requirements in order to be awarded the degree.

Length and location

You can complete the third and fourth years of the degree program in two years if you take five courses each fall and winter semester. A reduced course load is permitted but a longer period of time will be needed to complete the program. The department requires years one to four to be completed within 10 years if the program is taken on a part-time basis. Students returning to Business Administration at UFV after an absence will be allowed seven years to complete years three and four of the degree.

Third and fourth-year business courses are normally only offered at the Abbotsford campus. Some of the non-business courses are available in Abbotsford, Mission, or Chilliwack. All students should expect to travel between campuses during their program.

Course withdrawal deadlines

Course withdrawal deadlines follow university policy.

Co-operative Education option

The Co-operative Education option offers students in the Business Administration diploma and degree programs the opportunity to obtain paid, career-related work experience in their field of study during their education at UFV. After completing their first year of study, Co-op students alternate between semesters of full-time study and full-time paid employment. See the Co-operative Education section of the calendar for further details.

CGA stream

The Business Administration department and the Certified General Accountants Association of B.C. have determined a process by which students working towards their CGA designation can also complete a Bachelor of Business Administration degree at UFV.

Students who are accepted by the CGA association, and who have a two-year Business diploma or its equivalent (60 credits and CGPA of 2.67 or higher) from a recognized post-secondary institution, will ladder into our BBA degree program. Thirty of the 60 credits required in the degree program will be given transfer credits for courses taken with the CGA Association and the remaining 30 credits will be earned by courses taken at UFV. For further information, please contact the program at 604-854-4551.

Program outline

The Business Administration diploma is the foundation of the Bachelor of Business Administration degree program. The diploma represents the first two years of the degree and is a prerequisite for entrance into the actual degree program, which begins in third year and continues into fourth year.

Third Year

Semester V

Semester VI

Note 1: MATH 115 is recommended for business students.

Fourth Year

Semester VII

Semester VIII

Note: General Education elective: Degree students in the course of the four-year program must meet the following general education requirements: a) one natural science (lab) course; b) one humanities course other than English; c) one social science course other than economics; d) one business or general education elective. Students must consult with the program assistant or program chair regarding acceptable electives.

In the Business Administration department general education is defined to include university-level course work from most traditional academic disciplines and to exclude courses from applied programs. Included, therefore, are courses from the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and English. For purposes of this degree program the humanities general education requirement must be met by a course other than English, and the social science requirement by a course other than economics.

Concentrations

The following concentrations are available in the BBA:

• Financial Management
• Accounting and Financial Management
• Organizational Studies
• Operations Management/Management Information Systems

See this section for concentration requirements.

Options

The following options are also available in the BBA:

• Accounting
• Marketing
• Human Resource Management

See each section for option requirements.

Bachelor of Business Administration Honours degree

Students in the Bachelor of Business Administration program have the option of completing a Bachelor of Business Administration Honours degree. The following conditions apply to this program:

• Students must formally apply for entry to the program after completing no fewer than 60 credits and no more than 90 credits applicable to the BBA. The program chair’s approval is required for admission. Applications after completion of more than 90 credits will only be considered under extenuating circumstances.
• A minimum CGPA of 3.5 on all courses applicable to the degree is required for admission, continuance and graduation.
• Students must complete an additional 12 credits beyond the 120 credits required for the BBA degree. These credits must come from upper-level (numbered 300-400) Business courses; upper-level courses from other areas may be counted toward this total with the program chair’s approval.
• Students must also complete the requirements of at least one of the Business concentrations listed in the UFV calendar.

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.