- Laptop use is restricted to course-related (and possibly session-related) content and applications only.
- If there is no course-related content that students can reasonably be expected to need during class sessions, laptop use can be restricted to note-taking use only.
- If in-class tests are provided in electronic form, students may be allowed to take the test on their laptops.
- If none of the above uses is desired, the use of laptops can be prohibited during class sessions.
Admission of SMU Students to a Business Major/B.B.A. Degree Program
Admission to the Cox undergraduate program may be earned by current SMU students via the admission requirements below, or at the time a student is admitted to SMU via the BBA Scholars Program or the Business Direct Program (under Applying for Admission as a First-Year Applicant). Regular admission to any B.B.A. major requires
- Completion of a minimum of 39 credit hours.
- A minimum all-college cumulative GPA of 3.500.
- Successful completion of the business subset courses:
ACCT 2301
DISC 1312orDISC 2305 ; DISC 1313 or DISC 2306
ECO 1311 , ECO 1312
ITOM 2305 , orSTAT 2331 , orEMIS 3340 , orCSE 4340 /STAT 4340
MATH 1309orMATH 1337orMATH 1340
Notes
- For admission purposes to the Cox B.B.A. program, the all-college cumulative GPA is recorded at the end of the term the student completes the business subset courses AND has at least 39 cumulative credit hours. The all-college cumulative GPA includes all SMU coursework and courses completed at all other colleges if these courses have content-based equivalents at SMU. If credit is nontransferable because the grade earned is below C-, but the course is equivalent in content to an SMU course, the grade will count toward the all-college cumulative GPA.
- Once a student enrolls at SMU, all remaining subset courses must be completed through enrollment at SMU.
- All subset courses must be taken for a grade (not taken pass/fail), with the exception of those courses in which the student has test credit.
- Students must have passing grades in all subset courses before entering the Cox School.
- Current University grading policy, as summarized under Academic Forgiveness in the General Policies section of this catalog, permits forgiveness of academic work taken 10 or more years prior to the term of admission. Academic work forgiven under this policy will not be included in the all-college cumulative GPA.
Admission via the Extended Subset
Students who do not achieve a 3.500 all-college cumulative GPA and/or 39 credit hours completed may seek admission to Cox through the extended subset option by adding the first graded attempt of ACCT 2302 to the original subset. Students who have completed at least 39 credit hours and who earn a minimum 3.500 all-college cumulative GPA as of the term in which the extended subset is completed will be admitted to the Cox B.B.A. degree program. Once a student enrolls at SMU, ACCT 2302 must be completed through enrollment at SMU.
Applying for Admission as a First-Year Applicant
First-year applicants submit an application for admission to the SMU Division of Enrollment Services and follow the University requirements for admission (under the Admission to the University section in this catalog). Applicants who are admitted to SMU and who indicate business as their primary academic interest on the application for admission are automatically reviewed for admission to the Cox BBA Scholars Program or the Business Direct Program. More information is available in the BBA Scholars and Business Direct programs sections.
Admission to the Cox BBA Scholars Program and to the Business Direct Program is by invitation only to students entering SMU directly from high school. Transfer students are not considered for admission in either the BBA Scholars Program or the Business Direct Program. First-year students invited to join either program must accept their invitation no later than the University’s deposit deadline (typically May 1) prior to SMU matriculation in the following fall. Students who accept admission to the Cox BBA Scholars Program may enter Cox during their first year at SMU. Students who accept admission to the Business Direct Program may enter Cox after completion of the subset courses with good academic standing.
Declaring a Business Major as a Current SMU Student
Students who meet the Cox admission requirements should complete a Change of Degree Program form at the records office of their current school. This form will be forwarded with the student’s academic record to the Cox School. Business majors normally enter Cox after three terms of full-time enrollment; students who take longer to complete the admission requirements may need additional time to complete degree requirements.
Admission of External Transfer Students to a Business Major/B.B.A. Degree Program
Admission of external transfer students to a B.B.A. major requires
- Admission to SMU.
- Completion of a minimum of 39 credit hours of transferable college credit.
- Minimum all-college cumulative GPA of 3.500.
- Successful completion of the business subset courses:
ENGL 1301orDISC 1311 ; ENGL 1302 or DISC 1312 ; DISC 1313 (if required)
ECO 1311 , ECO 1312
MATH 1309orMATH 1337orMATH 1340
ACCT 2301
ITOM 2305, or STAT 2331 , orEMIS 3340 , orCSE 4340 /STAT 4340
Notes
- For admission purposes to the Cox B.B.A. program, the all-college cumulative GPA is recorded at the end of the term the student completes the business subset courses AND has at least 39 cumulative credit hours. The all-college cumulative GPA includes all SMU coursework and courses completed at all other colleges if these courses have content-based equivalents at SMU. If credit is nontransferable because the grade earned is below C-, but the course is equivalent in content to an SMU course, the grade will count toward the all-college cumulative GPA.
- Current University grading policy, as summarized under Academic Forgiveness in the General Policies section of this catalog, permits forgiveness of academic work taken 10 or more years prior to the term of admission. Academic work forgiven under this policy will not be included in the all-college cumulative GPA.
- Students must have passing grades in all subset courses before entering the Cox School.
- When evaluating courses taken at other colleges or universities, the Cox School will use the grades and credit hours designated by the school at which the courses were taken. Business Elective Transfer Credit (BETC) is used to award transfer credit for transferable courses where there is not an equivalent business course prefix. The Cox School will not recalculate grades earned at schools that use grading systems different from SMU’s nor change the number of credit hours for a course. (*updated* 1/4/2018)
Transfer students who have not completed the business subset courses may be eligible for admission to SMU as prebusiness majors and will then follow the admission requirements outlined above for current SMU students. Those who have completed the subset courses but who do not meet Cox admission requirements may be eligible for admission to SMU via the extended subset option or for admission to SMU to pursue a nonbusiness major.
Transfer Admission via the Extended Subset
Students who do not achieve a 3.500 all-college cumulative GPA and/or 39 credit hours completed may seek admission to Cox through the extended subset option by adding the first graded attempt of ACCT 2302 to the original subset. Students who have completed at least 39 credit hours and who earn a minimum 3.500 all-college cumulative GPA as of the term in which the extended subset is completed will be admitted to the Cox B.B.A. degree program. Once a student enrolls at SMU, ACCT 2302 must be completed through enrollment at SMU.
Admission to Minors
SMU students who are NOT seeking a major in the Cox School may select from two business minors. The minor in business administration provides a comprehensive introduction to business for SMU students who have majors outside the Cox School. Students in this minor take specified B.B.A. core courses, which are offered throughout the academic year. The minor in business offers non-Cox students a foundation in business concepts to complement their primary areas of academic interest. Courses in this program are offered during summer and intersession terms at SMU’s three campuses (Dallas and Plano in Texas and Taos, New Mexico). These courses are open to all non-Cox majors or students not enrolled in the minor in business administration.
Admission to the Minor in Business Administration
The minor in business administration operates concurrently with the B.B.A. degree program and includes seven courses that can apply toward either the B.B.A. degree or the minor in business administration (Minor Requirements section). Students in this minor must meet the same admission requirements as students in the Cox B.B.A. program as described above and will be enrolled in the same sections of business courses as business majors.
Admission to the Minor in Business
The minor in business is open to all SMU students who are NOT pursuing a B.B.A. major or the minor in business administration. The minor in business does not have prerequisite courses or GPA-based admission requirements. The minor in business offers courses designed to provide a general overview of business topics to complement a variety of academic interests. Students may pursue this minor by enrolling in the appropriate courses and completing a minor declaration form with the academic adviser for their major.
Statute of Limitations
If a student is readmitted to SMU after an absence of three years or longer, the student will be readmitted under the University catalog in effect at the time of readmission and will be subject to degree and admissions requirements in that current catalog.
Acceptance of Transfer Credit Prior to Enrollment
A prospective transfer student must present to the Division of Enrollment Services official transcripts containing a full record of all previous college work attempted. Failure to provide full records of all work is grounds for dismissal from the Cox School. To avoid delay, students should forward transcripts to the SMU Division of Enrollment Services no later than July 1 for the fall term and December 1 for the spring term.
In general, transfer credit will be accepted for business major or minor credit only if the courses completed are equivalent in content to those offered at SMU and if the university’s school of business at which the courses were completed is accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). In the case of transfer credit completed at a junior/community college, only those courses with equivalents at the first-year and sophomore level at SMU (1000- and 2000-level courses) will be accepted for business major or minor credit.
Prior to matriculation, the Cox School will accept transfer business credit toward the B.B.A. degree from schools accredited by AACSB International regardless of the student’s classification if there are equivalent/appropriate courses at SMU.
Courses completed with a grade of D+ or less or those completed without letter grades (pass/fail or satisfactory/unsatisfactory) will not be transferred for any degree credit. Grades earned elsewhere will be considered for admission purposes and in determining graduation with honors. When evaluating courses taken at other colleges and universities, the Cox School will use the grades designated by the school at which the courses were taken. The Cox School will not recalculate grades earned at schools that use grading systems different from SMU’s.
Transfer Credit for Current SMU Students
Students enrolled in the Cox School who are seeking to fulfill any portion of their degree requirements through transfer credit must file a petition for approval of their intentions with the B.B.A. Academic Advising and Records Office in 252 Maguire prior to enrollment for such courses. With the approval of the appropriate SMU departmental chair, SMU students may complete a maximum of 30 transfer credit hours for degree credit. Students are cautioned to check the current SMU catalog before enrolling in courses at other institutions and to verify transferability with the appropriate offices. Matriculated students must complete all required business courses through enrollment at SMU. Exceptions to this policy require concurrent approval of the associate dean for undergraduate studies, the appropriate department chair, and the director of B.B.A. academic advising and records.
Regardless of the number of acceptable transfer credit hours, at least 60 of the total 122 baccalaureate credit hours must be completed through enrollment at SMU. Of the required business credit hours, a minimum of 30 must be completed through enrollment at SMU or SMU-approved international programs.
Detailed information regarding University-wide policies is provided in this catalog in the Admission to the University section and the Academic Records and General and Enrollment Standards section, and topics for the latter are listed in the table of contents.
Academic Regulations
B.B.A. Degree Requirements
The Edwin L. Cox School of Business adheres to the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) standards of accreditation. Students will be awarded the Bachelor of Business Administration degree upon successful completion of the following requirements:
- Admission. Detailed information regarding admission to the Cox School of Business is found in the Admission section above.
- Grade Requirements. An overall GPA of at least 2.000 on all SMU work attempted and on all SMU business coursework attempted. Students must earn at least a 2.000 GPA in all business coursework attempted within the student’s declared major to graduate with that major.
- Pass/Fail Requirements. Business students may elect the pass/fail option in business elective courses only after satisfactory completion of the previous term, all Cox core course requirements and all requirements of the student’s declared major. The exception is courses within Cox that are designated as pass/fail only.
- Minimum Credit hours and SMU Credit Requirement. University policy requires a minimum of 122 approved credit hours. Detailed information is found in the Curriculum section below. Of the 122 minimum required credit hours for a degree, at least 60 academic credit hours must be earned as SMU credit in SMU courses or SMU-approved international programs. No more than two credit hours of Wellness or PRW courses can count toward the 122 minimum credit hours. A minimum of 30 business credit hours must be completed through enrollment at SMU or SMU-approved international programs. The maximum number of business credit hours a student may take is the sum of the number of credit hours required to complete the student’s major, plus up to 12 credit hours in one concentration if the student is pursuing a concentration (under Concentrations for Majors below), plus up to six credit hours of unrestricted business electives. Students may not exceed six credit hours of unrestricted business electives. Students are not required to take courses in a concentration or unrestricted business electives. The maximum limit on business credit hours does not include business courses taken abroad, business internship courses not required for a major, business-directed studies or credit hours needed to meet the business degree requirements related to the minimum credit hours taken at or through SMU. Business majors are limited to one major within the Cox School.
| Major | Minimum Number of Business Credit Hours |
| Accounting | 54 |
| Finance | 57 |
| Financial Consulting | 57 |
| All other business majors | 51 |
Application for Graduation
In order to graduate, students must file an application for candidacy to graduate with the B.B.A. Academic Advising and Records Office of the Cox School (in 252 Maguire) before the final term of coursework. Students should consult the Official University Calendar for graduation application deadlines.
In addition to requiring students to fulfill all academic requirements, the Cox School may consider any judicial or disciplinary matters before any degree may be conferred. Students must meet all financial obligations to the University in order to receive their diploma and transcript(s).
Commencement Activities Prior to Completion of Degree Requirements
Participation in May graduation activities is allowed for students who are August graduates provided they are enrolled to complete all graduation requirements during the summer following May graduation activities.
Curriculum Requirements
The requirements summarized below must be satisfied to earn the Bachelor of Business Administration degree. In addition to the University-wide requirements, a core of required business fundamental courses has been designed by the faculty of the Cox School as specified below. Each core course must be passed for a student to be eligible for graduation. Generally, Discernment and Discourse, calculus, and economics courses should be completed in the student’s first year; accounting, managerial statistics, business communications and information systems requirements in the sophomore year; finance, legal environment and ethics, marketing, management, and operations management requirements in the junior year; and the business strategy requirement (STRA 5370 or CISB 5397 , also known as capstone courses) in the senior year. Students must be enrolled in BLI 3302 in their first semester in the Cox School.
Students are responsible for designing their own degree programs with assistance from the Cox academic advisers. Coordination with the Cox Career Center is highly advantageous for students who want to align major and course selection with their career aspirations. Close attention should be given to course and knowledge prerequisites as well as course content to maximize the value of each course and to avoid enrolling in a course for which a student has insufficient preparatory background. It is expected that students will consult with faculty and academic advisers in determining their course selections.
Each student’s file, reflecting his or her total academic record, is located in the B.B.A. Academic Advising and Records Office, 252 Maguire. Transcripts of the student’s official record should be requested from the Office of the Registrar.
Advising
The undergraduate program of the Cox School of Business is strongly committed to the academic advising process and believes that advising is effective only if the student actively participates in, and assumes responsibility for, the advising process. Cox academic advisers are available in 252 Maguire for student appointments. All students admitted to the Cox School are required to complete a two-part orientation session, which includes the B.B.A. Academic Advising and Records Office, the Cox Career Center and the Business Library. After the initial orientation, students are required to consult with a B.B.A. adviser prior to enrollment every term until graduation.
Prior to each advising appointment, students are expected to examine their electronic degree progress report carefully, as it is the student’s responsibility to help assure the eDPR’s accuracy. Students enroll, swap and drop courses on my.SMU. The director of B.B.A. academic advising and records will add a student to a closed class only if the student is a graduating senior and there are no other course options for completing a degree requirement.
Cox faculty members provide assistance in the areas of their professional expertise, offering guidance in selecting and sequencing courses appropriate for meeting specific academic and career goals.
Education Abroad
Cox students may take no more than six credit hours of B.B.A. business core courses (out of 33 total credit hours of business core courses) in SMU Abroad programs. Students may take no more than six credit hours of courses required for their business major in SMU Abroad programs. Students may take no more than six credit hours of business courses that do not count for the business core or for the major in SMU Abroad programs.
Career Education and Services
The undergraduate Cox Career Center fosters the development of lifelong career management skills, providing exposure to various careers and developing skills that will help students secure employment. Students learn career planning, personal marketing, resume and professional correspondence development, and interview and job search skills. Career management fundamentals are taught in the required BLI 3302 course. The career coaches meet with students one-on-one to develop individualized career plans and assist them with their internship or job search. Internships are strongly encouraged and are considered a key component of the undergraduate experience at Cox. SMU’s location in Dallas allows students to pursue part-time internships during the academic year as well as part- and/or full-time internships during the summer worldwide. In addition, the Cox Career Center provides opportunities for B.B.A. students to interact with employers at career-related events such as career fairs, workshops, panels and seminars focused on specific industries, professions or companies. Students are encouraged to start this process early and make an appointment with a career coach during the term they are accepted to Cox. Ongoing meetings with career coaches are important for students to continue polishing the professional skill sets necessary for a successful job search. The Cox Career Center is located in 254 Maguire.
BBA Mentoring Alliance
The BBA Mentoring Alliance is a professional mentoring experience that pairs business undergraduates one-on-one with executives in the Dallas-area business community. The Mentoring Alliance enhances a student’s collegiate experience by providing firsthand insights into the business world while teaching the value of effective networking. Eligibility for the mentoring program requires a declared major in business, junior or senior status, and good academic standing. B.B.A. students on academic probation are not eligible to participate. After acceptance into the program, students are matched with a mentor for an academic year.
Honors Program
The Cox B.B.A. Honors Program offers an enhanced curriculum to outstanding business students. B.B.A. students admitted to this program have the opportunity to take rigorous courses that challenge their intellectual abilities and sharpen their professional skills. These courses are taught by some of the outstanding professors at the Cox School and are similar to M.B.A. courses. Honors courses are structured to provide students with a greater understanding of current business practices and the academic theories that will help create the business practices of the future. In addition to honors courses, students in the Cox B.B.A. Honors Program have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities that complement their business education. Enrolling in the Cox B.B.A. Honors Program does not preclude participation in other honors programs at SMU.
Types of Honors Classes
The Cox School offers two types of undergraduate honors courses:
Core Courses. The B.B.A. program has 11 required core courses that introduce students to the basic disciplines in business, such as accounting, finance, marketing, management, communication, law and strategy. Honors sections of the B.B.A. core courses are open only to students in the B.B.A. Honors Program. It is expected that honors students will enroll in as many honors core courses as possible.
Electives. Business elective courses teach advanced concepts in one area of business. A number of honors sections of advanced electives are offered each year. Students in the B.B.A. Honors Program may apply to enroll in honors sections of elective courses. These sections are also open to business majors who are not in the B.B.A. Honors Program. Students in the B.B.A. Honors Program are encouraged to enroll in electives related to their major.
Admission to the B.B.A. Honors Program
Students who are accepted into the B.B.A. Honors Program must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.500 in their SMU GPA and their B.B.A. Honors Program courses to remain in the program; this GPA requirement begins once a student has at least six credit hours of honors courses. Students whose GPA falls below 3.500 have a one term grace period to meet the requirement. There are two paths to entering the Cox B.B.A. Honors Program:
Entry by Invitation. High school students who apply for admission to SMU and who indicate business as their primary academic interest are automatically reviewed for admission to the Cox B.B.A. program as BBA Scholars. Admission to the Cox BBA Scholars Program is by invitation only. Selected BBA Scholars will be invited to join the B.B.A. Honors Program at the time of admission to SMU. There are no additional admissions materials that a student needs to complete to be considered for the B.B.A. Honors Program. BBA Scholars who are not selected for the B.B.A. Honors Program at the time of admission to SMU may apply to join the B.B.A. Honors Program at the time of completion of the business subset courses.
Entry by Application. All Cox students may apply for admission into the program at the end of the term in which the business subset courses are completed. In order to apply, students must have at least a 3.500 GPA in the six-course subset and have at least a 3.500 SMU GPA. Admission approval is obtained in the B.B.A. Academic Advising and Records Office. Admission criteria for the B.B.A. Honors Program are updated periodically and are based on academic achievements and potential. Admission may not be offered to all students who apply.
The Honors Curriculum
The following is a sample schedule of honors sections for an honors student:
| First Year | ITOM 2305 | BLI 3302 | ||
| Sophomore Year | ACCT 2301 | ACCT 2302 | ITOM 2308 | |
| Junior Year | FINA 3320 | ITOM 3306 | MKTG 3340 | MNO 3370 |
| Senior Year | BL 3335 | STRA 5370 | Honors Electives |
Additional information about the courses is in the Course Descriptions section.
Honors Notation on the Diploma
Students who are in the Cox B.B.A. Honors Program will receive an honors notation (“Honors in Business”) on their transcript and diploma if they complete at least six honors courses (18 credit hours), at least four (12 credit hours) of which must be at the junior or senior level, and have both an SMU GPA and a Cox Honors Program GPA of at least 3.500. The Cox Honors distinction is separate from the cum laude distinctions awarded at graduation.
BBA Scholars Program
The BBA Scholars Program affords numerous special opportunities, including networking with Cox faculty and the Dallas business community, invitations to special events, and tailored academic advising and career services. Participation in this program enhances students’ educational experience and helps develop the skills and connections necessary for professional success. BBA Scholars are encouraged to participate in honors-level business courses to enhance their education experience in the Cox School.
Business Direct Program
The Business Direct Program offers admission to the Cox School by invitation only based on students’ high school performance and after completion of the Cox required subset courses with good academic standing (2.000 minimum GPA). The list of subset courses is found under Admission of SMU Students to a Business Major/B.B.A. Degree Program. Business Direct students may enter the Cox Honors Program if they qualify by their subset grades and SMU GPA; additional information is found under Entry by Application.
Directed Studies
Business students may pursue independent studies, a research-based project, in a specified department under the sponsorship of a full-time Cox faculty member. This project may involve further study by the student in some aspect not covered in regularly scheduled business courses. B.B.A. students must first complete the basic required course in the field of study. Business elective or free elective credit will be granted to a maximum of six credit hours and cannot be used to fulfill major requirements. Directed studies courses may be taken pass/fail without completion of the business major. Independent studies will be exempted from the maximum credit hour limit. Students on academic probation may not register for independent studies.
Internships
Business students may take up to three credit hours of general internship courses for work experience. With the exception of students in the marketing major, students cannot use the credit hours toward the B.B.A. major or minor requirements. Internships are for pass/fail credit only.
Concurrent Degrees
B.B.A. students may simultaneously complete additional major(s) and/or minor(s) outside of business. Interested students should contact the B.B.A. Academic Advising and Records Office in the Cox School in 252 Maguire and the appropriate representative of the dean of the school in which the additional major/minor will be earned.
Programs of Study and Business Courses
The Cox School offers seven business majors, a specialization within one major, a minor in business administration and a minor in business. Declared business majors may also choose to add one of four concentrations.
Majors
Concentrations
Specialization (Finance Major)
Alternative Asset Management
All business courses have been approved by the faculty of the Edwin L. Cox School of Business. It should be noted that not all courses described in this catalog are necessarily offered in any given academic year. Students should check published course schedules to see which courses are offered. From time to time, some courses may be changed and new courses added. Students should use caution in selecting courses to avoid repetition of courses previously taken.
Concentrations for B.B.A. Students
SMU students who are declared business majors may choose to add one of four concentrations: energy management, entrepreneurship, real estate finance, or risk management and insurance. Each concentration consists of four courses (12 hours).
Courses for the concentrations will not double count toward the business core or the majors with the exception of the general business major. No courses may be substituted for concentration courses.
