Hankamer School of Business
General Information
At Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business, top-ranked programs combine rigorous classroom learning, hands-on experience in the real world, a solid foundation in Christian values and a global outlook. Making up approximately 25 percent of the University’s total enrollment, undergraduate students choose from 13 major areas of study. Graduate students choose from full-time, executive or online M.B.A. or other specialized master’s programs, and Ph.D. programs in Information Systems, Entrepreneurship or Health Research and Policy. The Business School also has a campus located in Dallas, Texas.
The Hankamer School of Business has resided in the Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation since Fall 2015. The Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation provides approximately 275,000 square feet of classroom, office, conference and collaborative spaces including a 10,000 square foot atrium (with café), innovative classroom designs, and thirty-six team meeting rooms.
Visit hankamer.baylor.edu for additional information regarding the Hankamer School of Business.
Honor Societies:
Beta Gamma Sigma (The National Honor Society for Collegiate Schools of Business) - Election to membership in Beta Gamma Sigma is the highest scholastic honor that a business student can achieve. Election is based upon outstanding scholastic achievement and is available to juniors, seniors, and graduate students. The Delta of Texas Chapter was established at Baylor in 1960. Detailed information on the society can be obtained in the Dean’s office of the Hankamer School of Business.
Omicron Delta Epsilon - The Alpha Chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon, national honor society in economics, received its official charter in 1951. The aim of the honor society is to stimulate interest and discussion in economic affairs, to bring worthwhile and authoritative speakers to the campus, and to cooperate in the common cause of the Hankamer School of Business and of Baylor University.
Bachelor of Business Administration Degree at the Hankamer School of Business
Upon admission to Baylor University, first-time freshmen may choose to pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree through the Business designation. No specific test score or an additional application is required to select this option. The Business Scholars program and the Business Fellows major require a separate application process and are alternative routes to earn the BBA degree. Transfer students may select the Business designation if they have earned a minimum 3.0 GPA in their transfer coursework.
Business students must complete the following to declare a specific major within the Business School:
- Maintain a 3.0 cumulative Baylor GPA
- Have credit for at least 12 Baylor hours, and
- Earn a “C” or higher in the Business Foundation courses:
Business Foundations
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BUS 1101 | Business New Student Experience | 1 |
| BUS 1201 | Introduction to Business | 2 |
| BUS 1350 | Microsoft Excel for Business | 3 |
| ENG 1310 | Research Writing: Writing and Academic Inquiry Seminars | 3 |
| or ANT 1313 | Research Writing: Anthropology | |
| or CLA 1304 | Research Writing: From Ancient Rhetoric to Modern Research Writing | |
| or GTX 1301 | Research Writing: Issues in Great Texts | |
| or PHI 1301 | Research Writing: Introduction to Philosophy | |
| MTH 1311 | Mathematics for Business Analysis | 3 |
| or MTH 1321 | Calculus I | |
| ACC 2303 | Financial Accounting | 3 |
| ACC 2304 | Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| BUS 2315 | Business Communications | 3 |
| ECO 2306 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECO 2307 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
Business students must complete the 1000-level Foundation courses with a “C” or higher by the end of their third semester at Baylor (excluding summer), or they are disqualified from continuing in the BBA degree plan. Business students may not enroll in courses within a specific major until they have completed all Business Foundation requirements.
GPA and Grade Policies:
Before declaring a specific BBA major, Business students have their cumulative GPAs reviewed at the end of each semester. A cumulative GPA below 3.0 for one semester places the Business student on Academic Deficiency. If the cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 again in any later semester (the semesters do not need to be consecutive), the student is disqualified from continuing in the BBA degree plan. Using Academic Forgiveness does not remove a student’s Academic Deficiency status from a prior semester. In addition, Business students with a cumulative Baylor GPA below 3.0 or with an Incomplete grade may not enroll in 3000-level or higher business courses.
Once Business Foundation requirements have been met, students must continue to meet the University academic standards.
Business students may earn no more than two grades below a “C” in their Foundation courses. Earning a third grade below a “C” in these courses disqualifies a student from continuing in the BBA degree plan. Withdrawals (“W”) do not count as grades below a “C” for the purposes of this policy. Additionally, BBA students may not repeat courses in which they earn a “C” or higher.
Internal Transfer Students
Current Baylor students must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative Baylor GPA and at least 12 hours in residence to request a change to Business. Students must internally transfer by the end of their third semester at Baylor (excluding summer) and are not permitted to do so if they have earned more than two grades below a “C” in the Business Foundations courses. Students must follow the catalog in effect at the time of transfer to the BBA degree; summer transfers will follow the subsequent fall catalog.
Current Baylor students may change to Business in-between semesters through the end of the 3rd day of class in the fall and spring semesters.
Baylor Business Scholars Program
The purpose of the Baylor Business Scholars Program is to allow high-achieving students interested in pursuing a BBA degree to complete the business curriculum in a more rigorous and condensed timeline. Business Scholars are required to maintain a 3.4 GPA to remain in the program and retain the advantages of the program. Business Scholars can declare their major(s) one year early at the beginning of their second year. This accelerated program is only available to first-time Freshmen entering Baylor in the summer or fall semesters.
Students must apply to the program through their goBaylor Account. Application requirements can be found here.
Curriculum Guidelines
The following courses are required for Scholars to be able to declare a major within the Business School:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BBS 1101 | New Student Experience for Business Scholars | 1 |
| BBS 1102 | Seminar for Business Scholars | 1 |
| BUS 1350 | Microsoft Excel for Business | 3 |
| ENG 1310 | Research Writing: Writing and Academic Inquiry Seminars | 3 |
| or ANT 1313 | Research Writing: Anthropology | |
| or CLA 1304 | Research Writing: From Ancient Rhetoric to Modern Research Writing | |
| or GTX 1301 | Research Writing: Issues in Great Texts | |
| or PHI 1301 | Research Writing: Introduction to Philosophy | |
| MTH 1321 | Calculus I | 3 |
| ECO 1380 | Introduction to Economic Analysis and Policy | 3 |
| ACC 2303 | Financial Accounting | 3 |
| ACC 2304 | Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| QBA 2302 | Business Statistics | 3 |
Requirements for Maintaining Status in the Scholars Program
- Scholars must complete the above courses in-residence post-matriculation with a grade of “C” or higher including all cohort-specific sections of the required courses.
- Scholars must earn and maintain a minimum 3.4 GPA.
- If a Scholar does not complete the above requirements by the end of the first year at Baylor, then he/she will be transitioned to the traditional BBA curriculum.
Minimum Standards to Remain in BBA Degree
- All BBA students, including Scholars, are permitted to have a cumulative GPA less than 3.0 only once prior to declaring a major, and a second occurrence requires a change in degree programs. The semesters do not have to be consecutive.
- All BBA students who earn three or more grades below a “C” in the Foundation requirements (including ECO 1380 Introduction to Economic Analysis and Policy for Scholars) may no longer follow the BBA degree.
Curriculum Adjustments From Traditional BBA Degree Plan
- Business Scholars are not required to complete BUS 1201 Introduction to Business, BUS 3101 Career Management (Strategy & Success) for Undergraduate Students, and courses from the Fine Arts and Literature Distribution Lists for the BBA degree.
- Business Scholars complete ECO 1380 Introduction to Economic Analysis and Policy in place of ECO 2306 Principles of Microeconomics and ECO 2307 Principles of Macroeconomics.
- Business Scholars must qualify to take MTH 1321 Calculus I in their first semester at Baylor thereby skipping MTH 1320 Precalculus.
Scholars will complete all other degree requirements specified for the BBA degree.
The Business Curriculum
The Bachelor of Business Administration curriculum is composed of liberal arts requirements, business core courses, and major-specific studies to prepare students for professional and civic life. It is designed to develop understanding of business operations, analytical tools, leadership, and social responsibility within economic, political, and social contexts. Key learning goals include organizational literacy, problem-solving, communication, teamwork, global awareness, ethics, and hands-on experience, along with strong written, oral, and data analytics skills. These objectives are achieved through active learning and scholarly exploration in a community guided by Christian values.
In addition to general education requirements, BBA students will complete 49 hours of business core courses. Students must also select at least one major (at least 15 hours) from the HSB major options to earn a BBA degree. Students are given the opportunity to customize their degree through choices of certain requirements and of electives that broaden their understanding of business. Electives may be needed to reach the 124 hour minimum to graduate.
Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Total Hours Requirement | 124 | |
| Minimum Hours in Residence | 60 | |
| Minimum Advanced Hours (for UG: 3000- or 4000-level courses) | 36 | |
| Minimum Business Courses In-Residence Requirement | 30 | |
| Minimum GPA - 2.0 ("C") Overall, in Business Core, and in Major coursework completed at Baylor. | ||
| Arts & Sciences Requirements | ||
| Chapel 1 | Complete 2 semesters | |
| REL 1310 | The Christian Scriptures | 3 |
| REL 1350 | The Christian Heritage | 3 |
| HIS 1300 | The United States in Global Perspective | 3 |
| PSC 1387 | The U.S. Constitution, Its Interpretation, and the American Political Experience | 3 |
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Research Writing: Writing and Academic Inquiry Seminars | ||
| Research Writing: Anthropology | ||
| Research Writing: From Ancient Rhetoric to Modern Research Writing | ||
| Research Writing: Issues in Great Texts | ||
| Research Writing: Introduction to Philosophy | ||
| Select one of the following: 2 | 3 | |
| Mathematics for Business Analysis | ||
| Calculus I 3 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Public Speaking for Business and Professional Students | ||
| Argumentation and Debate | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| The Science of Thriving | ||
| Health and Human Behavior | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 1 | |
Lifetime Fitness | ||
| Leadership Laboratory | ||
| Leadership Lab I | ||
| Marching Band | ||
| Contemporary Social Issues Distribution List (BBA) | 3 | |
| Fine Arts Distribution List (BBA) | 3 | |
| Literature Distribution List (BBA) | 3 | |
| Scientific Method 1: Course with Laboratory Experience Distribution List (BBA) | 4 | |
| Language/Communication Option Area (BBA) | 6 | |
| Business Core | ||
| ACC 2303 | Financial Accounting | 3 |
| ACC 2304 | Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| BL 3305 | Legal Environment of Business | 3 |
| BUS 1101 | Business New Student Experience 4 | 1 |
| BUS 1201 | Introduction to Business 4 | 2 |
| BUS 1350 | Microsoft Excel for Business | 3 |
| BUS 2315 | Business Communications | 3 |
| BUS 3101 | Career Management (Strategy & Success) for Undergraduate Students 5 | 1 |
| BUS 4385 | Strategic Management | 3 |
| ECO 2306 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECO 2307 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| FIN 3309 | Introduction to Finance 6 | 3 |
| or FIN 3310 | Introduction to Corporate Finance | |
| MGT 3305 | Leadership & Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| MGT 3325 | Operations Management | 3 |
| MIS 3305 | Information Systems and Emerging Technologies | 3 |
| MKT 3305 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| QBA 2302 | Business Statistics | 3 |
| QBA 3305 | Introduction to Business Analytics | 3 |
| Major 7 | 15-18 | |
| One required from the list of majors in HSB; additional BBA majors may be elected, but no course may count in more than one BBA major unless specifically stated in the major pages. All major courses must be completed at Baylor. | ||
| Minor/Secondary Major | ||
| Optional; may elect one more more minors/secondary majors outside of the Business School. Specific requirements in departmental sections of this catalog. | ||
| Electives | ||
| May be needed to reach 124 hours to graduate. | ||
| Maximum Credit | ||
| Within the minimum of 124 hours required for a degree, the following maximum credits are applicable: | ||
| (1) four courses of Lifetime Fitness, and | ||
| (2) ten hours of applied music and/or ensemble | ||
- 1
Students who transfer to Baylor and are classified as juniors or seniors only need to complete one semester of Chapel.
- 2
Students selecting a major in Economics or Finance must complete MTH 1321 Calculus I.
- 3
-
Students must qualify to take MTH 1321 Calculus I with an ACT math score of 27 or higher, a SAT math score of 650 or higher, or an ALEKS placement exam score of 80 or higher. Some students may need to complete MTH 1320 Precalculus and earn at least a "B-" in order to qualify to take MTH 1321 Calculus I. There are also qualifying scores to be able to register for MTH 1320 Precalculus.
- 4
Must be taken in-residence
- 5
Students majoring in Accounting may complete ACC 3101 Accounting Career Management Seminar in place of BUS 3101 Career Management (Strategy & Success) for Undergraduate Students. Students major in Finance may complete FIN 3101 Foundations in Finance Careers in place of BUS 3101 Career Management (Strategy & Success) for Undergraduate Students.
- 6
Students selecting a Finance or Economics major must complete FIN 3310 Introduction to Corporate Finance.
- 7
All courses taken in the major field, including those permitted in a different discipline (whether excess or not), will calculate into the GPA for that major.
BBA Distribution Lists
Contemporary Social Issues Distribution List (BBA)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ANT 1306 | Cultural Anthropology in Global Context | 3 |
| ANT 1325 | Introduction to Global Health | 3 |
| AS 4302 | Preparation for Commissioning | 3 |
| BUS 3319 | Women at Work | 3 |
| ENV 2376 | Environment and Society | 3 |
| EST 2300 | Introduction to Ethnic Studies | 3 |
| LING 1305 | Language in Society | 3 |
| MILS 4302 | Advanced Leadership II | 3 |
| MST 1300 | Introduction to Museums | 3 |
| PHI 1308 | Contemporary Moral Problems | 3 |
| PHI 1309 | Introduction to Medical Ethics | 3 |
| PHI 1391 | Introduction to Moral Philosophy | 3 |
| SOC 1305 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| SWO 2320 | Human Diversity and Leadership | 3 |
| WGS 1300 | Women's and Gender Studies: An Introduction | 3 |
Fine Arts Distribution List (BBA)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ARTH 1300 | Introduction to Art (for non-art majors only) | 3 |
| ARTH 2302 | Survey of Western Art I | 3 |
| ARTH 2303 | Survey of Western Art II | 3 |
| FDM 1309 | Introduction to Film | 3 |
| MUS 1321 | Engaging with Music | 3 |
| THEA 1301 | Acting I: Realism | 3 |
| THEA 1306 | Introduction to Theatre | 3 |
Literature Distribution List (BBA)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CLA 2301 | Literature of Ancient Greece | 3 |
| CLA 2302 | Literature of Ancient Rome | 3 |
| CLA 2306 | Greek and Roman Mythology | 3 |
| ENGL 2301 | British Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 2306 | World Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 2310 | American Literary Cultures | 3 |
| FRE 3312 | Children's Literature in French | 3 |
| FRE 3315 | Panorama of French Theatre | 3 |
| GTX 2301 | Intellectual Traditions of the Ancient World : Literature and Thought | 3 |
| GTX 2302 | Medieval Intellectual Traditions: Literature and Thought in Context | 3 |
| GTX/THEA 3341 | Master Works in Drama | 3 |
| PHI 2303 | Philosophy in Literature | 3 |
| REL 3301 | Psalms and Wisdom Literature | 3 |
| REL 3308 | The Literature of the Pentateuch: Narrative, Poetry, Genealogy, and Law | 3 |
| SPA 3305 | Introduction to Hispanic Literature | 3 |
| Other Foreign Literature course | 3 | |
Scientific Method I (with Lab) Distribution List
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ANT 1404 | Introduction to Human Evolution | 4 |
| ANT 1407 | Introduction to Archaeology | 4 |
| BIO 1305 & BIO 1105 | Modern Concepts of Bioscience and Modern Concepts of Bioscience Laboratory | 4 |
| BIO 1306 & BIO 1106 | Modern Concepts of Bioscience, continued and Modern Concepts of Bioscience Laboratory | 4 |
| BIO 1401 | Current Issues in Human Biology | 4 |
| BIO 1405 | Investigations of Modern Biology Concepts I | 4 |
| BIO 1406 | Investigations of Modern Biology Concepts II | 4 |
| CHE 1301 & CHE 1101 | Basic Principles of Modern Chemistry I and General Chemistry Laboratory I | 4 |
| CHE 1302 & CHE 1102 | Basic Principles of Modern Chemistry II and General Chemistry Laboratory II | 4 |
| ENV 1301 & ENV 1101 | Exploring Environmental Issues and An Introduction to Environmental Analysis (Lab) | 4 |
| ENV 1303 & ENV 1103 | Wildlife Ecology and Wildlife Ecology Laboratory Exercises | 4 |
| GEO 1305 & GEO 1105 | The Dynamic Earth and Dynamic Earth Laboratory | 4 |
| GEO 1401 | Earthquakes and Other Natural Disasters | 4 |
| GEO 1402 | World Oceans | 4 |
| GEO 1410 | Gems and Minerals | 4 |
| NSC 1306 & NSC 1106 | Introduction to Neuroscience and Introduction to Neuroscience Laboratory | 4 |
| PHY 1404 | Light, Vision and Optics | 4 |
| PHY 1405 | Great Ideas in Physics | 4 |
| PHY 1407 | Sound and Acoustics | 4 |
| PHY 1408 | General Physics for Natural and Behavioral Sciences I | 4 |
| PHY 1409 | General Physics for Natural and Behavioral Sciences II | 4 |
| PHY 1420 | General Physics I | 4 |
| PHY 1430 | General Physics II | 4 |
| PHY 1455 | Descriptive Astronomy | 4 |
| PHY 2455 | Foundations of Astronomy with Laboratory | 4 |
Language/Communication Option Area (BBA)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select two courses, one from each area: | ||
| Area A | 3 | |
Foreign Language (including American Sign Language) | ||
| Business Communication and Practices Across Cultures | ||
| Study Abroad Internship in Business | ||
| Writing for Media Markets | ||
CW 3000-4000 level | ||
ENG 3000-4000 level | ||
ENGL 3000-4000 level | ||
PWR 3000-4000 level | ||
| Area B | 3 | |
Foreign Language (including American Sign Language) | ||
| Leading People and Communicating Effectively II | ||
| Business Communication and Practices Across Cultures | ||
| Study Abroad Internship in Business | ||
| Entrepreneurship: Living and Learning | ||
| Perspectives on Global Culture | ||
| Intermediate Leadership II | ||
Any additional CSS, CW, ENG, ENGL, FDM, GTX, JOU, LDS, PWR course | ||
Minors/Secondary Major
Non-business majors have 3 different minors to select from within the Hankamer School of Business - the Business Administration Minor, Economics minor and Entrepreneurship minor. Students must have a 2.75 Baylor GPA to enroll in the Business Administration minor courses and select Entrepreneurship minor courses.
Students not earning a degree within the Hankamer School of Business or College of Arts and Sciences may also seek to complete a Secondary major in Economics.