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 12 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 Services Research. 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.
- Mission, Purpose, and Values - hankamer.baylor.edu/about/mission-values
- History and Accreditation - hankamer.baylor.edu/about/history
- Technology Center - hankamer.baylor.edu/technology-center/about
Visit hankamer.baylor.edu for additional information regarding the Hankamer School of Business.
Hankamer School of Business Leadership:
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| Vacant | Dean |
| Mitchell J. Neubert, Ph.D. | Senior Associate Dean of Research and Faculty Development |
| Cindy Wu, Ph.D. | Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion |
| Patricia M. Norman, Ph.D. | Associate Dean, Graduate Programs |
| Bradley E. Lail, Ph.D. | Associate Dean, Undergraduate Programs |
| Krista M. Howell, M.S.Ed. | Assistant Dean, Undergraduate Programs |
| Anthony G. Lapes, M.S.Ed. | Assistant Dean for Operations |
A full list of the Faculty and Staff working in the Hankamer School of Business can be found here - https://hankamer.baylor.edu/faculty-reserach/directory.
Professional Centers:
- John F. Baugh Center for Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise
- Business and Innovation Living-Learning Community
- Institute for Family Business
- Center for Professional Selling
- Center for Sales Strategy in Sports & Entertainment (S3E)
- Keller Center for Research
- McBride Center for International Business
- Robbins Institute for Health Policy and Leadership
- Hodges Financial Markets Center
Cooperative Programs:
- Accounting Intern Program
- Baylor Angel Network (BAN) Practicum
- B.E.S.T. - The Business Excellence and Scholarship Team
- Entrepreneurship Intern Program
- Information Systems Intern Program
- Management and Human Resource Management Intern Program
- Marketing Intern Program
- ProSales Intern Program
- Sales Strategy in Sports & Entertainment Intern Program
- Supply Chain Management Intern Program
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.
Admission to the Hankamer School of Business
All entering freshmen and transfer students who wish to study business will be required to begin in the Pre-Business major (unless they are accepted to the Baylor Business Scholars program or Baylor Business Fellows). Upon fulfilling the requirements shown below, they may apply for admission to one of the business majors.
To declare a major within the Business School, Pre-Business students must:
- complete the 1000-level and 2000-level requirements with a "C" or higher,
- earn a minimum 3.0 GPA, and
- have credit for 12 Baylor hours.
1000-Level Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BUS 1101 | Pre-Business New Student Experience | 1 |
| BUS 1201 | Introduction to Business | 2 |
| BUS 1350 | Software Applications for Business Productivity and Decision-Making | 3 |
| ENG 1310 | Research Writing: Writing and Academic Inquiry Seminars | 3 |
| 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 | |
Pre-Business students should complete the 1000-level admission requirements with a “C” or higher during their first year. Students must complete these requirements by the end of their third semester (excluding summer), or they are required to change degree programs and cannot return to the BBA degree.
2000-Level Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ACC 2303 | Financial Accounting | 3 |
| ACC 2304 | Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| ECO 2306 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECO 2307 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| QBA 2302 | Business Data Analysis I | 3 |
Pre-Business students should complete the 2000-level admission requirements with a “C” or higher during their second year. Students may complete 2000-level requirements earlier than the end of their second year depending on incoming course credits and/or through summer courses.
Application for admission to the Business School is made whenever Pre-Business students are in the process of completing their final set of admission requirements.
Pre-Business Academic Deficiency Policy
Pre-Business students’ cumulative GPAs are reviewed at the end of each semester. The first time a student’s cumulative GPA falls below 3.0, the student is placed on academic deficiency. Pre-Business students are permitted to have a cumulative GPA less than 3.0 only once, and a second occurrence requires a change in degree programs. The semesters do not have to be consecutive.
Course Repetition
A student may repeat a course for which his or her highest earned grade is a “C-” or below. The course should be repeated during the following semester in which the student is enrolled at Baylor. No BBA student may retake a grade of “C” or higher.
A student who has declared (or desires to declare) Pre-Business who earns three or more grades below a “C” in the admission requirements may no longer follow the BBA degree. A grade of “W” does not count as a repeat for this policy. However, the University course repetition policy limits the total number of attempts of a course, including “W”s, to three.
See school or departmental major/minor requirements for policies governing the repetition of courses in specified academic areas and specific major requirements.
Pre-Business Students in Business Courses
A Pre-Business student who has a cumulative Baylor GPA less than 3.0 will not be permitted to enroll in 3000-level or above business courses. An incomplete grade will affect a student's eligibility to enroll in 3000-level or above business courses.
Pre-Business students can progress into 3000-level business core courses if recommended to do so by their Business School academic advisor. However, under no circumstances will a Pre-Business student be allowed to take a course in a major.
Internal Transfer Students
Current Baylor students must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative Baylor GPA and 12 hours in residence to request to change to the Pre-Business major. Students must internally transfer no later than the end of their third semester at Baylor (not including summer). Students will not be allowed to transfer internally if they have already exceeded the School of Business course repetition policy. Internal transfers must follow all of the policies of the current catalog at the time they change to the BBA degree with the exception that students changing to Pre-Business in the summer will be placed on the following fall catalog.
External Transfer Students
External transfers desiring to enter Baylor as a Pre-Business student must have a minimum 3.0 external GPA.
Baylor Business Scholars Program
The purpose of the Baylor Business Scholars Program is to allow high-ability 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 high academic performance to remain in the program and retain the advantages of the program. Business Scholars can be admitted to the Business School one year early at the beginning of their sophomore year. This program is only available to first-time Freshmen entering Baylor.
Admission to the Program
Recommended minimum test scores:
- Overall: 1340 SAT or higher
- Overall: 29 ACT or higher
(For test-optional students, a holistic review from Admissions certifies their eligibility.)
Required qualifying math score (or credit for MTH 1321 Calculus I):
- 80 or higher on ALEKS Math
- 650 SAT math score or 27 ACT math score
- MTH 1320 Precalculus Mathematics departmental approved credit pre-matriculation
Documents required:
- Essay (how would you benefit from the program)
- Updated resume
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 | Software Applications for Business Productivity and Decision-Making | 3 |
| ENG 1310 | Research Writing: Writing and Academic Inquiry Seminars | 3 |
| 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 Data Analysis I | 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.
- Scholars must earn and maintain a minimum 3.4 GPA.
- If a Scholar does not complete the above admission requirements by the end of the first year at Baylor, then he/she will be transitioned to the traditional BBA curriculum for admission.
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 admission, 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 admission 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, or a Fine Arts course.
- 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 Mathematics.
Scholars will complete all other degree requirements specified for the BBA degree.
The Business Curriculum
The curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Business Administration degree is built on a broad foundation of courses in the liberal arts, the business core, and courses in a major(s). The Hankamer School of Business seeks to provide its students the opportunity to develop into rational, productive individuals by designing a curriculum that advances their knowledge of the business, economic, political, and social environments in which they will live and work. More specifically, the curriculum endeavors to help students understand the interrelation and coordination necessary among the various elements of business operations and the relationship of each of these elements to the overall operations of the organization. It further seeks to cultivate students’ understanding of the primary analytical tools and business systems to develop in them a capacity for objective analysis and leadership and to make them aware of their social responsibilities. Specific learning goals include organizational literacy, problem solving skills, leadership and teamwork, communication and interpersonal skills, global awareness, business ethics, and hands on, practical experiences.
The Hankamer School of Business also believes that its curriculum should develop the student in three personal-skill areas: written communication, oral communication, and data analytics skills with business technology. The business core course BUS 4385 Strategic Management and certain required “major field of study” courses have designated as a course objective the development of these personal-skill areas.
The Hankamer School of Business attempts to achieve all of the preceding objectives by engaging participants in both active learning and scholarly exploration within a community guided by Christian values.
Summary of Requirements and Courses Needed for the B.B.A. Degree
The requirements for the B.B.A. degree are divided almost equally between general arts and sciences courses and business courses. The business curriculum comprises a core of required basic business subjects, plus a minimum of fifteen hours in a major. The student is given the opportunity to customize the degree through choices of certain requirements and of electives that broaden the student’s understanding of business. Electives may be needed to reach 124 hours minimum to graduate. No course can count in more than one major. No more than four lifetime fitness courses may be taken for credit.
Students entering as freshmen or who transfer as freshmen or sophomores are required to attend two semesters of Chapel. Students who transfer to Baylor and are classified as juniors or seniors must attend one semester of Chapel.
The minimum residence requirement at Baylor University is sixty semester hours of full-time work. At least thirty semester hours of residence work must be done in business courses. All hours required for the major must be earned in residence.
Arts & Sciences Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Humanities and Fine Arts | ||
| REL 1310 | The Christian Scriptures | 3 |
| REL 1350 | The Christian Heritage | 3 |
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Art (for non-art majors only) | ||
| Survey of Western Art I | ||
| Survey of Western Art II | ||
| Introduction to Film | ||
| Engaging with Music | ||
| Acting I: Realism | ||
| Introduction to Theatre | ||
| Select three semester hours from the following: | 3 | |
| American Literary Cultures | ||
Any course from the Literature in Context Distribution List 1 | ||
Foreign Literature | ||
| Mathematics and Natural Sciences | ||
| Laboratory Science from the Scientific Method I Distribution List 2 | 4 | |
| Select one of the following: 3 | 3 | |
| Mathematics for Business Analysis | ||
| Calculus I 4 | ||
| Personal Development | ||
| PUBH 1145 | Health and Human Behavior | 1 |
| Select one course from the following: | 1 | |
Lifetime Fitness | ||
| Leadership Laboratory | ||
| Leadership Lab I | ||
| Marching Band | ||
| Social Sciences | ||
| HIS 1300 | The United States in Global Perspective | 3 |
| or BUS 3319 | Women at Work | |
| PSC 1387 | The U.S. Constitution, Its Interpretation, and the American Political Experience | 3 |
| Select three semester hours from the following: | 3 | |
| Cultural Anthropology in Global Context | ||
| Introduction to Global Health | ||
| Preparation for Commissioning | ||
| Environment and Society | ||
| Introduction to Ethnic Studies | ||
| Language in Society | ||
| Advanced Leadership II | ||
| Contemporary Moral Problems | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Human Diversity and Leadership | ||
| Women's and Gender Studies: An Introduction | ||
| Written and Oral Communication | ||
| Select three semester hours from the following: | 3 | |
| Research Writing: From Ancient Rhetoric to Modern Research Writing | ||
| Research Writing: Issues in Great Texts | ||
| Research Writing: Writing and Academic Inquiry Seminars | ||
| Research Writing: Introduction to Philosophy | ||
| Select three semester hours from the following: | 3 | |
| Fundamentals of Public Communication | ||
| Speech for Business and Professional Students | ||
| Argumentation, Discussion, and Debate | ||
| Select one of the following options: | 3-6 | |
| Option 1 | ||
Complete one Foreign Language (including classical languages and American Sign Language) through the second level, either 1302, 1306 (for ASL) or 1412 | ||
| Option 2 | ||
Select two courses, one from each area: | ||
Complete one course from: Foreign Language (including American Sign Language) | ||
| Business Communication and Practices Across Cultures | ||
| Writing for Media Markets | ||
CW 3000-4000 level | ||
ENG 3000-4000 level | ||
ENGL 3000-4000 level | ||
PWR 3000-4000 level | ||
Complete one course from: Foreign Language (including American Sign Language) or | ||
| Leading People and Communicating Effectively II | ||
| Managerial Communications | ||
| Business Communication and Practices Across Cultures | ||
| Entrepreneurship: Living and Learning | ||
| Perspectives on Global Culture | ||
| Intermediate Leadership II | ||
Any additional JOU, FDM, ENG, ENGL, CW, PWR, CSS, LDS, or GTX course | ||
| Total Hours | 39-42 | |
- 1
- 2
- 3
Students must complete MTH 1321 Calculus I to declare a major in Economics or Finance.
- 4
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 Mathematics and earn at least a "B-" in order to qualify to take MTH 1321. There are also qualifying scores to be able to register for MTH 1320 Precalculus Mathematics.
Literature in Context Distribution List
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CLA 2301 | Literature of Ancient Greece | 3 |
| CLA 2302 | Literature of Ancient Rome | 3 |
| CLA 2306 | Greek and Roman Mythology | 3 |
| ENG 2301 | British Literature | 3 |
| ENG 2306 | World Literature | 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 |
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 1401 | Earthquakes and Other Natural Disasters | 4 |
| GEO 1402 | World Oceans | 4 |
| GEO 1305 & GEO 1105 | The Dynamic Earth and Dynamic Earth Laboratory | 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 | Everyday 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 |
Business Courses
Business Core
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ACC 2303 & ACC 2304 | Financial Accounting and Managerial Accounting | 6 |
| BL 3305 | Legal Environment of Business | 3 |
| BUS 1101 | Pre-Business New Student Experience 1 | 1 |
| BUS 1201 | Introduction to Business 1 | 2 |
| BUS 1350 | Software Applications for Business Productivity and Decision-Making | 3 |
| BUS 3101 | Career Management (Strategy & Success) for Undergraduate Students 2 | 1 |
| BUS 3315 | Business Communications | 3 |
| BUS 4385 | Strategic Management 3 | 3 |
| ECO 2306 & ECO 2307 | Principles of Microeconomics and Principles of Macroeconomics | 6 |
| FIN 3309 | Introduction to Finance | 3 |
| or FIN 3310 | Introduction to Corporate Finance | |
| MIS 3305 | Information Systems and Emerging Technologies | 3 |
| MGT 3305 & MGT 3325 | Leadership & Organizational Behavior and Operations Management | 6 |
| MKT 3305 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| QBA 2302 & QBA 3305 | Business Data Analysis I and Introduction to Business Analytics | 6 |
| Total Hours | 49 | |
- 1
BUS 1101 and BUS 1201 must be taken in residence by all students on the 2025-2026 catalog. This includes:
- any student admitted to Baylor (as a first-time freshman or transfer student) for Summer 2025 or later
- any student admitted to Baylor in a previous term if changing to a business major in Summer 2025 or later
- 2
Students majoring in Accounting will complete ACC 3101 Accounting Career Management Seminar in place of BUS 3101 Career Management (Strategy & Success) for Undergraduate Students.
- 3
It is strongly recommended that FIN 3309 Introduction to Finance or FIN 3310 Introduction to Corporate Finance, MGT 3305 Leadership & Organizational Behavior, MKT 3305 Principles of Marketing, and MGT 3325 Operations Management be taken in the junior year. These courses must be completed before BUS 4385 Strategic Management, the business capstone course.
Major
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major field of study | 15-18 | |
| Total Hours | 15-18 | |
Free Electives
Elective hours must be taken for a grade and are only needed to reach the 124 hour minimum to graduate. It is recommended that a student use electives to pursue a double major in the Business School or a minor or secondary major outside of the Business School.
Note: 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.
Requirements for Graduation with B.B.A. Degree
Students are responsible for all degree requirements described in the General Information section of this catalog.
The Bachelor of Business Administration degree may be obtained by completing a minimum of 124 semester hours of prescribed work. Ordinarily this can be expected to take eight semesters; however, students with superior scholastic capability may complete the requirements in seven semesters.
In order to graduate, a student must attain a “C” average cumulatively, including a “C” average in the courses for the major field, and a “C” average in the business core.
Requirements for Accelerated B.B.A./Graduate Degrees in Accounting
Those individuals preparing for the Certified Public Accounting professional certification should follow the B.B.A. undergraduate major in Accounting followed by the Master of Accountancy or The Master of Taxation Program described in the Graduate Catalog.
Majors on the B.B.A. Degree
A student in the B.B.A. degree program must complete the required course work in at least one major. A major is defined as fifteen to eighteen hours of specified course work in a particular field. A student may have a double major by completing the required semester hours in each majors’ area.
B.B.A. as a Second Bachelor’s Degree
A student who has been awarded another bachelor’s degree (other than a B.B.A.) may obtain the B.B.A. degree by completing a minimum of sixty semester hours (less any required courses already completed) in the Hankamer School of Business, including forty-nine hours of the business core, and the fifteen-hour minimum for a major. In no case will the degree be granted on the basis of less than thirty hours of residence work at Baylor (sixty hours if the first degree was awarded elsewhere).
Minors/Secondary Major
Non-business majors have two choices to complete a minor in business administration – the traditional Business Administration minor (18 hours) or the Business Administration Summer Experience (BASE) minor (15 hours). The traditional Business Administration minor can be completed throughout a student’s academic career at Baylor. Students need to have a 2.75 Baylor GPA to enroll in the Business Administration minor courses. The BASE minor is completed in one summer long experience. Students must apply and be accepted to participate in the BASE minor – https://hankamer.baylor.edu/undergraduate/base.
Non-business majors may also complete minors in Entrepreneurship and Economics. Select classes in the Entrepreneurship minor require a 2.75 cumulative GPA.
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.