Business Administration
ufv.ca/busadmin

Bachelor of Business Administration

Students complete several categories of business and business-related courses. These include lower-level foundation courses (such as 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, communications, 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 options and concentrations, see this section.

Entrance requirements

The Bachelor of Business Administration degree is a four-year program. Students may enter the program directly from high school, or they may ladder into the program from the two-year Business Administration diploma.

Option 1: High school (for students with high school graduation only)

1. B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent.

2. Prerequisites for ENGL 105.

3. Prerequisites for MATH 141 (including a C+ or better in one of Foundations of Mathematics 12, Pre-calculus 12, or Principles of Mathematics 12).

4. One other Approved Grade 12 course with a minimum B grade.

Option 2: University students

1. A minimum of 30 credits transferrable to the BBA, with a minimum GPA of 2.67 calculated over all credits attempted that would be applicable to the BBA.

2. Prerequisites for ENGL 105.

3. Prerequisites for MATH 141.

Option 3: Departmental discretionary admission

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 GPA, 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.

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.

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. You can apply online or download an application form at ufv.ca/ar/admissions/apply. Application forms are also available from any A&R or Student Services office.

Additional documents required for a complete application:
• For university entrance, official transcripts (or interim transcripts) of all post-secondary institutions attended (other than UFV) showing grade/course achievement as per program entrance requirements. To be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly to UFV from the originating institution; see the Transfer Credit section for details.
• For high school entrance, a final official transcript (if you have graduated). For students currently in Grade 12, interim grades are required by March 30, with final grades due by August 3.

The following must be included:

a. Official transcript (or interim transcript) from high school
b. B.C. English 12 or equivalent with a minimum C+
c. B.C. Principles of Math 12 or equivalent with a minimum C+
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 or 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 50% of the course work must be completed at UFV, including at least 10 of the business courses numbered 300-499.

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 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 Canadian Credit Union Institute, the Institute of Canadian Bankers, the Purchasing Management Association of Canada, and Sales and Marketing Executives International. (See information on transferability in the Business course descriptions section.)

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 $1000–1500 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. 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).

BBA program requirements consist of a minimum of 15 courses at the 300/400 level in business and economics. General requirements consist of four general education electives at the 100/200 level (including one natural science lab, one social science, and one humanities); plus a variety of other required courses in math, English, and communications. Students should consult with the program chair or program assistant for eligible courses that meet the general education elective requirements.

Program regulations

Standing required for continuance

Students in the Business Administration degree program must maintain a program GPA and semester average of 2.67 (B- average).

Academic warning

Students whose program GPA or semester GPA falls below 2.67 during their program are subject to academic warning for the next semester (see this section for details). A student on academic warning may not register in a course overload. Students who do not achieve a semester GPA of at least 2.67 while they are on academic warning will be required to withdraw from the program.

A student on academic warning who achieves a single semester GPA of at least 2.67 will continue on academic warning until the minimum program GPA of 2.67 is achieved.

Required to withdraw

Students who have been required to withdraw from the BBA program may have the opportunity to continue as General Studies students, but may not register for any upper-level courses that require admission to the BBA program.

Appeals for readmission

Students who are required to withdraw from the program must submit an appeal for readmission if they wish to resume studies in the program.

In general, students who have been required to withdraw will be advised to complete a further nine credits of academic work, or to repeat a similar amount of academic work taken previously, in order to demonstrate their academic abilities. Appeals must be received at least three months before the start of the semester applied for. Re-admission is not automatic.

Standing on readmission

If readmitted, students will be placed on academic warning again, subject to the conditions for academic warning as described above.

Graduation requirements

a) 2.67 program GPA in years one to four of the BBA.
b) Successful completion of all core and elective courses of 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.

Students who complete the first two years of the BBA and meet the GPA and program requirements for the Business Administration diploma may apply for that credential.

Length and location

Students can complete the BBA degree program in four years if five courses are taken 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.

First- and second-year business courses are offered at both the Abbotsford and Chilliwack campuses; most first-year courses are also offered at the Mission campus. Third- and fourth-year business courses are normally only offered at the Abbotsford campus. However, 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 UFV's Course Withdrawal policy (81).

Addition of Arts and Science extended minor and minor

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 Business Administration program assistant.

Program outline

First year

Semester I

Semester II

Second year

Semester III

Semester IV

Third year

Semester V

Semester VI

Fourth year

Semester VII

Semester VIII

Note: Students in the BBA program must meet the following general education requirements:
a) One natural science (lab) course.
b) One humanities course.
c) One social science course.
d) One other general education elective other than business. (This includes any university-level course of three credits or more.)

Options and concentrations

The following options and concentrations are available in the BBA:

• Accounting option
• Finance option
• Human Resource Management option
• Marketing option
• Financial Management concentration
• Operations Management/Management Information Systems concentration
• Organizational Studies concentration

See this section for option and concentration 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 or options listed in the UFV calendar.

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.