1. What programs does SOM offer?
2. What courses should new SOM freshmen take?
3. How are AP and college credits earned while in high school used?
4. Can I do an internship during my program at BU?
5. Can I Study Abroad? Can I take business courses abroad?
6. How can I connect to SOM as a freshman if I’m not taking many SOM courses?
7. How and when do I declare my concentration?
9. How do I get advised for my first semester?
10. How can I contact someone in SOM for assistance?
1. What programs does SOM offer?
A:The undergraduate degree programs of the School of Management are designed to prepare students for management positions in both the private and not-for-profit sectors. The curriculum encompasses a broad Liberal Arts exposure in the first two years with a general education in the various management disciplines during the 3rd and 4th years.
The School of Management offers 2 Bachelor degrees. One is a BS in Accounting that prepares the student to take the Uniform CPA Exam upon graduation. The other is a BS in Management that allows specializations in Entrepreneurship, Finance, Financial Engineering, Consulting & Leadership, Global Management, Marketing and Management Information Systems. Students may also minor outside of the School of Management.
SOM also offers a FastTrack MBA program that allows admitted students to complete a BS and an MBA in 5 years. Accounting majors may complete the BS and either an MS in Accounting or the FastTrack MBA in 5 years. Neither option requires changes to the BS program selected. Accounting majors who graduate after August 2009 will be required to have completed 150 credits in order to take the CPA exam. Either of these options will satisfy that requirement. Each program requires completion of the GMAT exam during the senior year and acceptance into the Graduate School. Details on gpa and GMAT requirements are available from the Graduate Advisor.
2. What courses should new SOM freshmen take?
A: There is only one required business course for SOM freshmen. All new freshmen take CQS 111 during their first semester. This course introduces students to the curriculum and the School plus greatly expands upon computer skills which will be needed in future SOM courses. All freshmen should be primarily focusing on GenEd and general liberal arts electives. They may include some of the following courses, although only CQS 111 is required to be taken during the first term:
3. How are AP and college credits earned while in high school used?
A:Any AP course where you earned a score of 3 or better will grant you 4 credits at BU. They will be applied as specifically as possible, but will always be accepted as electives at least. College credits for freshman or sophomore level courses generally transfer easily also. Again, they will be applied as specifically as possible. Courses offered by SOM at the Junior or Senior level must be taken at similar schools (not community colleges) in order to transfer. See below for information on taking courses elsewhere once you are enrolled at BU.
4. Can I do an internship during my program at BU?
A:SOM has an active internship program, both locally during the school term and over the summer. Many SOM students undertake internships after the junior year with the Big 4 Accounting firms as well as Wall Street firms. Students may receive credits for internships done with local firms or unpaid internships taken over the summer. Students are required to have completed the introductory course most pertinent to the internship before registration for credit is permitted.
5. Can I Study Abroad? Can I take business courses abroad?
A: SOM students are strongly encouraged to study abroad and can go at any time. The easiest coursework to get approved is non-SOM coursework, so sophomore year is the easiest time to go. Students who prefer to go later when they are taking mostly SOM coursework must go to schools that are equivalent to BU and all business coursework is carefully evaluated. SOM has set up programs with several foreign schools to allow transfer of business coursework. Information on these programs are available in SOM Advising and through the Office of International Programs. The structure of the curriculum makes study abroad during Spring semesters easier than Fall semesters.
6. How can I connect to SOM as a freshman if I’m not taking many SOM courses?
A: In addition to the required CQS 111 course that all new freshmen take, SOM offers a freshman mentoring program early in the first semester which matches up small groups of freshman with juniors and seniors to get advice on our programs, coursework, internships and study abroad. In addition, SOM has many student-run clubs that actively encourage freshmen to participate. There are also many events within the school which freshmen should take advantage of. Recruiters come to campus and hold general interest meetings. This is a great time to do some early research into possible career choices. The Faculty hold Concentration Nights where they meet with students to explain the various major options. There is also a Student Lounge near the Advising Office where students meet to work on projects or just hang out.
7. How and when do I declare my concentration?
A: Concentrations may be declared at any time. The most common time is during the junior year as the various introductory 311 courses are taken but students often declare as early as freshman year. SOM Management majors may declare 1 or 2 concentrations. Accounting majors do not declare concentrations.
8. Can I transfer Management courses from another institution to fulfill SOM course requirements or non-mgmt courses?
A: After matriculation, all courses taken at another college must be pre-approved by the SOM Advisor. Most non-mgmt coursework and lower level SOM coursework is approved from any accredited college, although courses being used towards minors or for specific requirements are looked at carefully and may need approval by appropriate faculty. Upper level SOM courses may only be taken at other AACSB accredited schools. A list of NYS AACSB schools is available in Advising.
9. How do I get advised for my first semester?
A: Advising starts at the summer orientation program, Beginnings. At that time you will be introduced to many important offices and functions at BU. Included in that orientation are 2 academic advising sessions where you will learn the curriculum and get advice on your first semester schedule prior to registering at the end of the second day. Once you arrive at BU, your advising will be handled in the SOM Advising Office and you are encouraged to come to the office or contact us electronically whenever you have an issue or question. Appointments are never needed.
10. How can I contact someone in SOM for assistance?
A: The School of Management Academic Advisor, Brian Perry, can be found in Academic A, Room 142 Monday-Friday from 8:30-5:00. Appointments are not necessary. The Advising Office also has a staff of peer assistants who can assist students with routine questions about policies and the curriculum also. In addition, you can reach him electronically via email or Instant Messaging:
Email: bperry@binghamton.edu
IM: somadvising
Phone: (607) 777-2316
Assistance with career planning, job searches and summer internships can be obtained from the SOM Placement Director, Jillian Kroll (jkroll@binghamton.edu). Her office is AA-128 and can be reached at (607) 777-6849.
Faculty have posted office hours when students may visit for help in course assignments and many have graduate assistants who also hold office hours for students. Faculty offices are on the second and third floor of Academic A.
