College of Business and Administration

• General Information
• Student Organizations
• Learning Outcomes
• General Academic Policies
• Undergraduate Academic Polices
• Graduate Academic Policies

Thomas Aicher, Dean
Dwire Hall, Room 310
Phone: (719) 255-3113
Fax: (719) 255-3494
www.uccs.edu\business

The College of Business and Administration and the Graduate School of Business Administration were established in 1965. The College serves the needs of the Pikes Peak Region and Southern Colorado by developing professional and responsible managers, for continued education of those already in such positions, and for advancing research in business. It also serves the need for business education throughout the world with its online education options.

The College works closely with the local business community in the professional development of its students.

Mission

The UCCS College of Business delivers a future-oriented business education to support workforce and economic development for southern Colorado, the state, nation, and world. We prioritize and empower learners at every stage of their educational journey, develop innovative research that contributes to scientific discovery and effective business practice, and serve as a hub for our community in productive discourse, practical learning, and social responsibility.

Vision

We are in the business of building successful futures.^TM 

Core Values

Learners First:

• Deliver a curriculum for lifelong learning to meet the challenges of a changing business environment.
• Leverage technology to deliver innovative and adaptable educational programs.
• Provide a supportive, challenging, collaborative, and experiential learning environment.

Build Community:

• Serve as a hub connecting students, alumni, local businesses and organizations, and the broader community.
• Expand engagement with new stakeholders, emphasizing connection, respect, and encouragement that help individuals thrive and feel a sense of belonging.
• Cultivate a brand and culture that supports the success of all stakeholders.

Make a Difference:

• Produce high‐quality, impactful research.
• Pursue competitive and collaborative opportunities that further our mission.
• Emphasize principle‐based, ethical decision‐making and societal impact in our programs.

Accreditation

The UCCS College of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Faculty

Dean: Thomas Aicher. Associate Dean: Brianna Newland. Professors: Andrew Czaplewski, Ying Fan, Tracy Gonzalez-Padron, Spencer Harris, T. Martin Key, Dahui Li, Karen Markel, Brian McAllister, Eric Olson, Venkateshwar Reddy, and Morgan Shepherd. Associate Professors: Dustin Bluhm, Jill Bradley-Geist, Carol Finnegan, Robert Hirschfeld, Jian (James) Ma, Matthew Metzger, Lawrence (Larry) Plummer, Sameer Prasad, James Van Scotter, and Yang Xu. Assistant Professors: May Bantan, Thomas (Bryant) Cassidey, Robina Ghosh, Dayna Herbert Walker, Wei Hsu, Mona Jabbari, David Kocsis, Zhe (Cliff) Li, Shujia (Sue) Mei, Jin Peng, Assma Sawani, Sandeep Suntwal, and James Whitbeck. Associate Teaching Professors:  Angus Chassels, Todd Endres, Carolyn Gery, Lauren Hallaron DeSutter, Gordon Stringer, and Kimberly Swetz. Assistant Teaching Professors: Gregory Augspurger, Cristal Breitbeil, Robert Cook, Kirk Danielson, Corinne Harmon, Carolayne Henry, Theresa (Terri) Johnson-Akse, Madeline Kurcz, Bradford Monson, Lauren Nelsen, Gail Richards, Daniel Stanforth, Sarah Wilhelmi, and Paul Yankey. Emeritus Professors: Richard Discenza, Thomas Duening, Rebecca Duray, Jeffery Ferguson, Monique French, Donald Gardner, Lexis Higgins, Charles Hinkle, Robert Keeley, Gary Klein, Robert Knapp, Paul Miller, John Milliman, James Rothe, Donald Warrick, Kirkland Wilcox, Robert Zawacki, and Thomas Zwirlein.

Business Academic Advising

Undergraduate Academic Advising
Main Hall, 2nd Floor
1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
(719) 255-3260
1-800-990-UCCS ext 3260
email: advising@uccs.edu

Graduate Academic Advising
Graduate School of Business Administration
Dwire Hall 333
1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
(719) 255-3408, 1-800-990-8227, ext. 3408
Fax: (719) 255-3100
email: gsba@uccs.edu

College of Business Initiatives

UCCS Ethics Initiative at the College of Business

The UCCS Ethics Initiative at UCCS College of Business is a resource for principle-based ethics education serving students, educators and the business community.  The Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Principles provide a framework for personal and organizational decision-making and leadership that College of Business students can utilize both in the classroom and in their future careers. 

Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Principles

Integrity - Act with honesty in all situations

Trust - Build trust in all stakeholder relationships

Accountability - Accept responsibility for all decisions

Transparency - Maintain open and truthful communications

Fairness - Engage in fair competition and create equitable and just relationships

Respect - Honor the rights, freedoms, views, and property of others

Rule of Law - Comply with the spirit and intent of laws and regulations

Viability - Create long-term value for all relevant stakeholders

© 2016 Daniels Fund. All rights reserved.

College of Business Career Development Center

Our mission is to support careers by bridging the gap between students and the business community through professional development, internships, and employment opportunities. The Career Development Center assists business students and alumni in all majors and at all levels (undergraduate and graduate).

The College of Business recognizes the need to produce graduates who are prepared, experienced, knowledgeable, and able to relate the skills they have learned in class to daily business operations. By utilizing the services and events offered through the Career Development Center, students will receive a rich, meaningful introduction to the professional business world.

Services offered through the Career Development Center include resume and cover letter reviews, mock interviews, networking events, internships for credit, career development workshops, and career fairs. These events allow you to improve your business skills while connecting with local employers and organizations. The Career Development Center also advertises job postings on our online job board and can assist students in navigating other resources for finding internships or employment opportunities.

We welcome your questions and look forward to helping you reach your career goals. Please schedule your appointment by phone at 719-255-3120 or by email at cobplace@uccs.edu. Our office is located in Dwire Hall, Room 333.

The College of Business Center for Entrepreneurship

The Center for Entrepreneurship in the College of Business is dedicated to providing leadership in scholarship and education in entrepreneurship for the College and the University.  The Center offers an emphasis in entrepreneurship for the Bachelor of Science in Business program and the minor in entrepreneurship that is open to every student on the UCCS campus.  It also supports the on-campus incubator-the Garage spearheaded by EPIIC-which is a unique student venture laboratory that provides space, mentoring, support, and other resources to student entrepreneurs. The Center hosts numerous on-campus entrepreneurial events and is the administrative home of the student Entrepreneurship Club.

UCCS Economic Forum

Mission Statement:

The UCCS Economic Forum is a community resource for data and analysis to help citizens, businesses and civic leaders understand the economic and business conditions affecting the Pikes Peak Region and make better-informed decisions.

The UCCS Economic Forum:

• Provides and tracks key economic metrics to help gauge the economic health of the region.
• Applies economic and statistical principles to analyze trends in local and national data.
• Is a trusted source for informed interpretations of economic news and data.

The UCCS College of Business Alumni Network

The UCCS College of Business Alumni Network facilitates a valuable, lifelong connection for our alumni to the college.

Our nearly 10,000 members are involved in everything from mentoring current students and advising academic departments and programs, to offering the practitioner’s perspective in the classroom. For more information regarding alumni, visit business.uccs.edu/alumni.

UCCS College of Business Academy (COB Academy)

The UCCS COB Academy program offers non-degree education,professional development and training seminars. These programs offer professionals and alumni the opportunity to learn broad business concepts and skills in a relatively short timeframe. COB Academy offers a range of online education products from mico-credentials, courses, and certificates aimed to support the upskilling, reskilling, career transtions and/or life long learning. COB Academy also offers in-person executive education facilitated by UCCS professors, focused on current business theory, research, and application within an interactive learning environment. Drawing on evidence-based strategies and faculty expertise, COB Academy programs provide unparalleled opportunities for growth and transformation. 

COB Academy’s programs are offered through two different channels: Open Enrollment (for individuals) and Custom (for organizations). Open enrollment programs are available for individuals to enhance their career path by gaining business skills and strategies. Custom Programs provide organizations the option of private, in-house, customized training for selected groups of employees. Custom Programs are collaboratively designed with an organization to meet specific business priorities and goals.

Student organizations, which provide opportunities for professional development and for recognition of scholastic achievement of students, are supported by the College of Business.  The following are student organizations in the College of Business:

Accounting Society:  The Accounting Society is a professional organization for students of accountancy. Its stated purpose includes the promotion of the study and practice of accounting, provision of opportunities for self-development and association among members, and encouragement of a sense of ethical, social, and public responsibility. The organization seeks to develop its members’ professionalism through career-oriented, social, and community activities.

Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS): Membership in BGS is an honor, which must be earned through outstanding scholastic achievement.  Students are invited to apply for membership.  Such membership is one of the highest scholastic honors that a student in a business or management program can attain. To be eligible for Beta Gamma Sigma membership, undergraduate students must rank in the top 10 percent of their graduating class and graduate students must rank in the top 20 percent of their graduating class.  BGS chapters may be chartered only in those schools of business and management accredited by AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Delta Sigma Pi:  International fraternity for business students. Delta Sigma Pi is a professional, co-ed fraternity open to all business and economics students, of any standing or emphasis. Through this organization, members will meet others with similar interests, strengthen their networking skills, give back to the community, and prepare for the business world.

Finance Club: The mission of the Finance Club is to provide a resource for current students to successfully pursue careers in finance and finance-related fields.  The club seeks to fulfill its role to our members by developing not only technical skills needed in the field but also to develop our members socially and academically. 

The Impact Marketing Club is a dynamic, business-focused student organization that equips members with real-world marketing experience through interactive, hands-on meetings, client consultation projects, and professional development workshops. Whether you’re passionate about digital marketing, branding, content creation, or strategic consulting, the Impact Marketing Club offers practical skills, leadership opportunities, and a supportive network to help you stand out in the competitive business world.

Real Estate & Property Management Club supports student success by preparing them for ethical, skilled careers in the growing REPM industry. Through industry partnerships, experiential events, networking between students and with industry experts, professional development, and community-focused initiatives, the club fosters workforce readiness, promotes a cooperative business mindset, and strengthens regional economic ties while enhancing university prestige.

SHRM:  Student Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management. SHRM provides its members with educational and informational services, conferences and seminars, government and media representation, and publications that equip human resource professionals for their roles as leaders and decision-makers within their organizations.

Business, BS - Bachelor of Science & BI - Bachelor of Innovation

Please see the Innovation Program website for more information: innovation.uccs.edu

As future business leaders, our graduates will:

• Demonstrate knowledge and practical application of core business concept
• Exhibit readiness to advance or transition in their professional careers
• Engage in productive discourse to generate socially responsible decisions
• Analyze information to make effective business recommendations

Business, MBA - Master of Business Administration

Our graduates are prepared to be:

1.  Strategic leaders who meet the challenges of a global and dynamic business environment
2.  Business professionals who apply state-of-the-art business knowledge and technology
3.  Ethical decision makers who positively impact organizations and society
4.  Skilled team players who communicate effectively
5.  Lifelong learners willing to pursue continuous growth

Business, MSA - Master of Science in Accounting

Our students will:

1. Apply professional knowledge in financial accounting, auditing, and taxation.
2. Analyze and interpret accounting information.
3. Engage in ethical decision making.
4. Demonstrate professional communication.

The college uses several methods to assess these learning outcomes, which may include a required end-of-program assessment in each degree program.

The following academic policies are applicable to all students enrolled in the College of Business and Administration or the Graduate School of Business Administration. All students are responsible for knowing and following the provisions set forth in this Catalog and in the Registration Handbook. Any questions concerning these provisions are to be directed to Academic Advising (undergraduate inquiries) or the Graduate School of Business Administration Advising Office (graduate inquiries). It is the responsibility of the student to know and observe program requirements and deadlines.

In an effort to incorporate new business techniques and paradigms into business programs, as well as to meet the needs of students on a timely basis, the College of Business periodically makes changes to curricula. The academic policies and regulations stated herein are in effect at the time this Catalog is published but may be subject to change; these changes may not be reflected in this Catalog. We therefore encourage students to visit our website. Any questions should be directed to the undergraduate or graduate Academic Advising Offices.

Academic Dishonesty

The College of Business follows and enforces the student conduct rules and policies that are set forth by the university and are listed in the Student Rights and Responsibilities  section of the Academic Catalog.

Students caught engaging in academic dishonesty may receive a zero on the assignment in question, an “F” in the class, or be suspended from the College of Business and/or university.

Academic Policies

Administrative Drop
Through the semester census date, individual faculty, program directors or the dean may initiate the process to drop students who do not have the proper course prerequisites and/or class standing for courses. Students who fail to meet written class attendance policies may be administratively dropped. Students who do not attend the first class without receiving prior permission from the instructor may also be dropped. 

Attendance Policy

Campus Courses: It is the expectation of the College of Business and Administration that students will attend all classes. However, classroom attendance policy is left to the discretion of the faculty member. Students are responsible for knowing the attendance policies of individual instructors. Business faculty may drop students who do not attend the first class (students who miss class without prior permission from the faculty). This policy allows the adding of waitlisted students who attend the first class. Students registering after the first class meeting must obtain approval from the instructor prior to enrolling and are responsible for all assignments, notes materials, etc. given during missed instructional time.

Online Courses: All online courses open on the first day of the semester. In some instances, certain instructors may open a course earlier. Starting with the first day of class, students enrolled in online courses are expected to maintain ongoing engagement. Students who fail to make prior arrangements with the instructor may be dropped at the end of the first week of class if they do not log into Canvas or if they do not engage with course content, course tools, course instructor and with other students. This policy allows the adding of waitlisted students into the course section. Students registering after the first week of the semester (prior to Census) must obtain approval from the instructor prior to enrolling and are responsible for all assignments, notes materials, etc. given during missed instructional time.

Students enrolled in the online program or online courses are required to meet and follow all College of Business rules and policies including academic misconduct enforcement, student code of conduct, and classroom behavior guidelines.  
 

Credit for Prior Learning: Portfolio Assessment

The College of Business allows for students to earn credits through a portfolio assessment for work experience. 

The first step is to complete the Portfolio Application Form to ensure your experience is eligible. Once eligibility is determined, you’ll meet with the UCCS COB Associate Dean who will provide you with resources so you can learn how to compile the required portfolio, which consists of:

• A narrative essay describing your previous experience in the context of your academic and professional goals
• A learning assessment for each prior learning area, including the course title as it will appear on the transcript
• The number of credits you are requesting for this experience
• A description of the setting of your prior experience, and your role and responsibilities
• Self-reflective writing on the skills and knowledge you acquired
• Appropriate documentation to substantiate and verify the experience for which credit is requested.

After reviewing the materials provided by the Associate Dean, you will understand the requirements of the portfolio and how to complete it. To submit a portfolio, students pay a minimal PLA portfolio assessment fee to cover the costs of the faculty review. Students can submit more than one portfolio if their experience allows. Students must pay a fee for each PLA Portfolio they wish to submit for review.

Grading Policies

Audit/No Credit
The College will not approve business courses taken as audit or for no credit.

Failed Courses
Although failed courses may be repeated, the earned F will remain on the student’s transcript and will be included in their grade point average.

Undergraduate degree-seeking students are eligible to request grade forgiveness for a limited number of courses with grades of C- or below after repeating the same course at UCCS. Refer to Academic Policies, Course Registration, and Student Records - Grade Forgiveness  for policy details, process, and procedure.

Graduate students may follow the Graduate School Policy regarding grade replacement: “A student who receives a grade below B (< 3.0) in a course may repeat the course once, with the approval of the program director, provided the course has not been previously applied toward a degree. The grade received in a repeated course may substitute for the original grade and only the latter grade will be used in calculating the graduate program grade point average required for graduation; however, all grades received during the student graduate school experience will appear on the student’s transcript and will be used in calculating the student’s University grade point average.”

Grade Appeals
Final grades as reported by faculty are to be considered permanent and final. While it is the sole prerogative of the faculty to award grades, it is also a student’s right to appeal a course grade that they feel was awarded in error or unfairly.

In any appeal, it is understood that the burden of proof justifying a change of grade is upon the student. Each step in the appeal process should be completed in a timely manner. The academic year consists of three semesters, summer, fall, and spring. A student should initiate a grade appeal no more than one semester after the initial grade was assigned. For each course, a student may appeal only once.  It is the student’s responsibility to produce all materials that have been returned to the class relevant to the determination of the grade. It is the faculty member’s responsibility to produce all materials relevant to the grade which have not been returned to the student. If group project materials were part of the student’s grade, it is the student’s responsibility to produce all those materials that were returned to the group that are relevant to the grade. At all stages of this process, the faculty of record shall be kept informed of the appeal and be provided with copies of all written records. Furthermore, the faculty shall be notified of any proposed grade change.

Step I: The student must first appeal directly to the course instructor. It is expected that most disagreements will be resolved at this level. In extraordinary circumstances (absence or death of the faculty member or in instances involving formal complaints of harassment or discrimination in the award of a grade) this step can be bypassed and the student can move on to Step II.

Step II: If a student cannot resolve the disagreement with the course instructor, then they may appeal to the team lead. If the course instructor is the team lead, the associate dean will act as the team lead. The team lead has the discretion to handle the issue verbally or to ask the student to put the complaint/issue into writing including why the grade was unfair or in error.  If the team lead asks for the issue in writing, the time limit will be two weeks for the student to do so. If the appeal is found to be justified, a recommendation will be made to the course faculty member to change the grade.

Step III: The student may appeal the team lead’s finding to the dean’s level of the College of Business. The dean may consult or refer appeal to the graduate or undergraduate team, whichever is appropriate. At the dean’s level, all appeals must be in writing. In cases where formal allegations of harassment or discrimination accompany the appeal, the dean will consult the director of affirmative action. The decision of the dean is final, and the dean has the authority to change the grade.

Incomplete Grades
In special circumstances, a student may be awarded an incomplete grade (I). Incomplete grades (I) are only appropriate for students who have completed a substantial portion of the semester but then become ill, or encounter other documentable extenuating circumstances beyond their control, preventing them from completing their coursework.

Instructors have the sole discretion to award an incomplete grade. The purpose of an incomplete grade is to allow students to make up missing work or exams. To resolve an incomplete grade, the student must meet with their instructor to develop a plan for completion and must submit the specified work by the deadline established. Students may not attend any part of the course a second time to complete a pending incomplete without re-enrolling. If a student elects to re-enroll before resolving the incomplete, the most recent grade, in addition to the (I), will remain on the student’s permanent academic record. In all cases where an incomplete is not remedied within one calendar year, the (I) grade will automatically convert to an F on the student’s permanent academic record. Students are responsible for ensuring that all incomplete grades are resolved at least four weeks prior to their scheduled graduation date.

Pass/Fail and Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Course Registration
With the exception of BUAD 3010, 3020, 3030, 3100, 3200, 3300, internships numbered 2960, 4960 and 6960, credit for prior learning, and certain experimental courses, students in the College of Business and Administration may not use non graded classes to satisfy required classes. Only open electives may be taken on a pass/fail or satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis and applied toward the undergraduate degree. No pass/fail or satisfactory/unsatisfactory courses may be taken and applied toward the graduate degree program. For students electing for pass/fail grading on a course, that determination must be made within the first two weeks of the semester and is irreversible.

Independent Study

Junior, senior and graduate business students desiring to explore business topics beyond regular business course coverage may take variable credit independent study courses (1-3 semester hours) under the direction of a full-time member of the faculty who approves the project. The student must also have the prior approval of the dean. Information and request forms are available in the College of Business graduate and undergraduate offices. To receive degree credit for independent study and experimental studies courses in non-business areas, students must obtain the approval of the College of Business and Administration Dean prior to registering for the course. The College of Business and Administration does not grant credit for work experience or cooperative education programs. Tutoring of lower division courses is considered a form of work experience and is not accepted for academic credit. A maximum of 6 hours of pre-approved independent study credit may be applied to undergraduate or graduate business degrees.

Internships

The College of Business and Administration offers the opportunity for business students, undergraduate and graduate, to obtain internships both for credit and not for credit. Information on business internships is available in the College of Business Career Development Center. A maximum of 6 credit hours of internship may be applied to an undergraduate business degree. A maximum of 3 credit hours of internship may be applied to a graduate business degree.

Listening In

The College of Business participates in the campus-wide Listening In program for lifelong learners aged 55 and older.  Participants may sit in on regular-session classes on a space-available basis with the permission of the course instructor and academic program director.  No academic credit is earned.  Participants do not submit assignments, complete exams, or engage in group projects.  Online classes are not available for Listening In. Program application and details are on the Online and Academic Outreach website.  

Petitions

A business student can request a modification or exception to the academic program requirements or policies that are in place for the College of Business. The process to request a modification or an exception is done via a College of Business Petition Form (available from an academic advisor). The forms must be typed and must be accompanied by documentation to warrant a modification or exception. Once a petition is received by the appropriate advisor, the petition is then reviewed by the appropriate college designee. Once a petition has been reviewed the student will be notified about the status of the petition. Students who wish to submit a subsequent petition may be required to meet with a member of Administration within the College of Business.

Transfer Credit

Credit from regionally accredited institutions will be considered for transfer.  

Technology Requirements

The College of Business follows the technical requirements approved by campus. Many College of Business courses require the use of a webcam. Additional hardware/software requirements, which may include accessing a VPN, may be required for specific courses and/or faculty. Students should check with their course faculty and the course syllabus during the first week of class to determine specific technology requirements for the specific course.

Students are held to basic standards of performance established for their classes with respect to attendance, active participation in coursework, promptness in completion of assignments, correct English usage - both in writing and speech, accuracy in calculations, and general quality of scholastic workmanship. In general, examinations are required in all courses for all students.

To be in good standing, a minimum scholastic cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 is required for all coursework attempted, a 2.0 GPA for all business courses attempted, and a 2.0 term (semester) GPA. These grade point averages apply to work taken at all University of Colorado campuses. Remedial coursework is not included in the overall average. Students are responsible for knowing their academic status at all times; late posting of grades and/or late notification by the College does not waive this responsibility.

A student’s business program/catalog year is the one in effect at the time the student is admitted to the UCCS College of Business and Administration.

Undergraduate Admission Procedures

Freshman Admission

Students who rank in the upper 50th percentile of their high school graduating class with at least a 3.25 high school GPA and who satisfy the Colorado Department of Higher Education’s (CDHE) Higher Education Admissions Recommendation (Hear) courses are assured admission. Students who do not meet assured admissions requirements may use ACT or SAT scores to help with their admission eligibility.

Higher Education Admissions Requirements

• English - 4  years
• Mathematics - 4 years (must include Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II or equivalents)
• Natural Science - 3 years (two units must be laboratory science courses)
• Social Science - 3 years
• Foreign Language - 1 year
• Academic electives - 2 years

Transfer Admission

To be eligible for admission to the College of Business, transfer students must have earned a cumulative GPA of at least 2.7 and have successfully completed, with a C grade or better, a college-level composition course and at least college algebra. Applicants with less than 24 semester hours of college-level work will need freshman admissions criteria.   Applicants with 30 semester hours or more of college-level work may or may not be required to submit high school transcripts and/or test scores for admission purposes, but a high school transcript is required to be on file per the Admissions Guidelines. Additional credentials may be required in individual cases. The College of Business and Administration does not allow students who already possess a bachelor’s degree in a business area to pursue a second bachelor’s degree in business. Students who already have a bachelor’s degree in business are encouraged to inquire about admission criteria for the College of Business and Administration graduate programs.

Intra-University Transfer (IUT)

Students who wish to transfer to the College of Business are admissible when the following set of requirements outlined below are completed:

1) Completion of Rhetoric & Writing I course (ENGL 1310 or equivalent) with C grade or better

2) Completion of College Algebra course (MATH 1040, MATH 1030, or equivalent) with C grade or better

3) Completion of 15 credits taken at UCCS

4) 2.7 or higher cumulative University of Colorado GPA

Transferring into the College of Business is recommended early in the degree plan. College of Business admittance should occur prior to the sophomore course levels. Business courses numbered 4000 and above are reserved for College of Business students. 

Residency Requirement

A minimum of 30 hours of business coursework must be completed after admission to the College of Business and Administration, including 18 -24 hours in the area of emphasis and BGSO 4000 & STRT 4500. Coursework taken prior to admission to the College will not be accepted toward area of emphasis requirements.

Undergraduate Academic Policies

Course Load
The normal scholastic load for a full-time undergraduate business student is 15 semester hours. 18 hours is the maximum during the fall/spring semesters and 12 hours in the summer session. An approved College of Business Petition is required to take courses in excess of the stated maximum.

Minimum Grade Requirements
All Business students are required to attain a grade no lower than C- for all Skills Courses (ACCT 2010 & 2020, ECON 1010 & 2020, ENGL 1310 or equivalent, INFS 1100, MATH 1040 or equivalent (note: MATH 1040 or equivalent requires a C or higher), and QUAN 2010 & 2020), Junior Core Courses (FNCE 3050, INFS 3000, MKTG 3000, OPTM 3000 & MGMT 3300), Area of Emphasis/Major courses and Capstone courses (BGSO 4000 & STRT 4500). Students may petition the College of Business to have one skills or junior core grade below C- accepted so long as the course is passed (a D grade is passing) and not in their major field of study and if the student has attempted the course at least twice and if the student has successfully passed subsequent courses that require the course in question as a prerequisite. 

Course Repetition
Repetition of College of Business coursework is permitted only with prior permission from the College.

President and Dean’s List Criteria
To qualify for semester honors, students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 graded hours during a regular semester (Fall or Spring). Students who achieve a 3.75-3.99 grade point average will be placed on the Dean’s List. Students who achieve a 4.0 grade point average will be placed on the President’s List.

Online Courses and Program
The online program at UCCS follows the same format as our on-campus classes - each course is offered in the “regular” semester format - the courses are not correspondence courses.  Students enrolled in the online program or in any online course are required to meet and follow all College of Business rules and policies that are in place for the College including classroom attendance, academic misconduct enforcement, student code of conduct, and classroom behavior guidelines. 

Internship
To apply for an undergraduate internship for academic credit, students must be in good academic standing in their sophomore, junior, or senior year, with a 2.5 overall CU GPA. Internships are 1-3 credit hours, satisfactory/unsatisfactory only (a satisfactory grade for an internship is a C or better; an unsatisfactory grade for an internship is a C- or below), and may be used as open elective credit, business elective credit, or as an area of emphasis credit (if internship credit is approved for the area of emphasis). Internships are approved through an application process obtained from the College of Business Career Development Center. Students must apply prior to beginning their internship duties and should register for credit during the semester in which the internship is being completed. A maximum of 6 credit hours of internship may be applied to a business degree.

Academic Probation and Suspension

Academic Probation
Any College of Business and Administration student who has attempted 12 or more hours at any CU campus, and/or has attempted 12 or more hours of College of Business coursework, shall be immediately placed on academic probation when their University of Colorado, Business and/or Semester Term GPA falls below a 2.0. In the case where a student’s semester GPA falls below a 2.0 for the first time, the student will be given a one semester warning before being placed on academic probation.

During their entire academic career in the College of Business and Administration a student may be on academic probation for a maximum of four semesters; probationary terms are not necessarily consecutive (summer is considered a semester only if 6 or more credits are attempted). Students on academic probation will have their registration blocked for subsequent semesters until grades are posted and minimum standards (2.25 term GPA and no grade below a C-) are achieved.

• A student is removed from academic probation when the cumulative University of Colorado GPA and/or the Business GPA are a 2.0 or above.
• Failure to meet academic probationary provisions will result in Indefinite Academic Suspension.

Academic Suspension
Students placed on Indefinite Academic Suspension are not eligible to enroll in College of Business and Administration courses at any University of Colorado campus for one calendar year from the time of their Indefinite Academic Suspension.

A student who has been under indefinite academic suspension for one calendar year may apply for readmission to the College of Business and Administration.  The student must submit the College of Business Petition and a formal letter for consideration for readmission to the College of Business. If readmitted, that readmission will be on a probationary status. After being readmitted under such probationary status, students who fail to comply with the requirements of their probation will be subject to Permanent Academic Suspension.

Any student who is placed on suspension more than once will be placed on Permanent Academic Suspension from the College of Business and Administration and may not attend any campus of the University of Colorado as a business student.

Students who have been on Indefinite Suspension at any time by the College of Business and Administration will automatically be placed on Permanent Academic Suspension if their cumulative CU or Business GPA falls below 2.0.

All suspended College of Business and Administration students who transfer into another degree program will not be eligible to enroll in any business courses offered by the College of Business and Administration and will be subject to administrative drops.

Credit for Prior Learning

Transfer Credit

The college limits transfer credit for business courses taken at a lower division level to such courses as the College offers at that level. A maximum of 60 semester hours of credit may be accepted from a community or junior college.Student transfer agreements between the UCCS College of Business and Administration and the two-year public institutions in the Colorado system of higher education have been established and may be accessed through the advising offices of each institution. The College adheres to the Business Statewide Articulation Agreement. This agreement varies depending on the student’s specific catalog year.

Information systems courses older than five years will not apply toward any Bachelor of Science in Business degree requirement, but those course credits can be applied toward open elective requirements.

Accounting courses in transfer need to be current (less than 10 years old).

Current business students who wish to take coursework at another institution or another campus of the University of Colorado and apply the work toward the degree must have prior approval from the College via a College of Business Petition.

Correspondence Credit
Area of emphasis courses may not be taken by correspondence. All correspondence courses are evaluated to determine their acceptability. Approval for degree credit is required prior to registration.

Credit by Examination
See the Admissions section of this catalog for information about Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and College Level Examination Program (CLEP) credit.

Portfolio Assessment
Students can apply for additional credit considerations through the Portfolio Assessment. Undergraduate students can earn up to 30% of their total credit via portfolio assessment. If students have additional experience, they can petition the Associate Dean for further consideration.

Graduation Requirements

 A minimum CU GPA of 2.5, with no grade below a C- is required for all business courses including Skills Courses, Junior Core, BGSO 4000 & STRT 4500, and Emphasis Courses, as is a 2.0 overall CU GPA (note: MATH 1040 or equivalent requires a grade of C or higher). Students who graduate with an area of emphasis and/or business grade point average from 2.0 to 2.49 will not earn a Professional Area of Emphasis and will graduate as General Business majors.

Degree Credit: To be considered for the degree, students must report all academic credentials to the Office of the Registrar, and credentials must appear on the student’s official University of Colorado transcript. The credit listed on these documents is then evaluated by the appropriate office for degree applicability.

Senior Audit: By the beginning of the first semester of their senior year, students must schedule a senior audit with a business academic advisor to determine their status with respect to graduation requirements. Failure to complete the senior audit in a timely manner may delay a student’s graduation.

Commencement: Students seeking to participate in commencement and other academic ceremonies will need to complete ALL academic requirements in advance. Participation in academic ceremonies that recognize or honor students for the completion of an academic program or specific academic accomplishment is based on the understanding that all requirements have been completed. Every effort will be made to determine eligibility in advance, and only students who have met the requirements will be permitted to participate.

Latin Honors: Upon recommendation of the faculty, undergraduate students who demonstrate superior scholarship are given special recognition at graduation. To qualify for Latin Honors, students must have a minimum of 60 hours at the University of Colorado. Students must achieve an overall CU grade point average of 3.7 and a grade point average of 3.9 in all business courses taken at the University of Colorado to be considered for summa cum laude. Those who achieve an overall CU grade point average of 3.5 and a grade point average of 3.7 in all business courses taken at the University of Colorado will be considered for magna cum laude. An overall CU grade point average of 3.3 and a business course average of 3.5 qualify a student to be considered for cum laude.  

The Graduate School of Business Administration offers graduate program designed for working professionals that may be completed on campus, online, or through a combination of both modalities. The programs are designed for students to complete their degree as a full-time student in as little as 12 months. Students have six (6) years to complete the masters degrees and three (3) years to complete certificates. Students choose their pace of completing the program to meet their personal and professional goals. Students may begin taking classes in the fall, spring, or summer semesters. 

Admission Criteria

Students must submit official transcripts from regionally accredited institutions attended.

All applicants whose native language is not English must meet a minimum standard of English proficiency (i.e. TOEFL or IELTS scores). It is expected that students understand how to read, write, and communicate effectively in English to be successful in the Graduate School of Business Administration. In addition, applicants with any foreign college coursework are required to submit a course-by-course with GPA foreign degree evaluation by a NACES or AICE member. 

Provisional Admits
At the discretion of the admissions committee, an applicant not meeting the criteria for regular admission may be admitted as a provisional student. Students who are offered provisional admissions to the program will receive a letter from the College of Business outlining the conditions that must be met to become a regular degree-seeking student. When the student meets the conditions of their provisional admissions, the College of Business will reclassify the student’s status to be fully admitted to the program. Provisional students have all the rights and privileges and are subject to the same standards of performance required of regularly admitted students.

The Graduate School of Business Administration programs adhere to policies set by the College of Business and Administration  and the UCCS Graduate School.  In addition, students should understand the following guidelines and policies: 

Graduate Academic Advising
It is recommended that graduate students meet with an advisor during their first semester of attendance to prepare a degree plan. Students should meet periodically with an advisor thereafter.

Degree Audit
Degree Audit is an online system used to track a student’s degree progress. These reports allow students and advisors to see how courses apply to requirements and what requirements remain to graduate.  Students may access their degree audits through their myUCCS portal.

Expected Software Skills
Graduate students are expected to be proficient with word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. If students are deficient in any of these skills, it is their responsibility to mitigate the deficiency before enrolling in the program.

Technical Requirements & Recommendations
The College of Business follows the technical requirements approved by the campus.  Faculty may use Respondus LockDown Browser & Monitor for virtual proctoring of online tests in Canvas.  A webcam is required for monitoring.

Students may be unable to install Respondus LockDown Browser & Monitor on some computers (i.e. work computers, library computers) due to firewalls, content filters, proxy servers, and/or other security software with similar functions.  For students without a personal computer, Respondus LockDown Browser is installed on every computer in open computer labs on campus.

Academic Policies

Access to Graduate Courses
Students must be UCCS graduate students to take College of Business graduate courses. All course prerequisites must be met.

Course Load
The typical course load is 3-6 credit hours (1 to 2 classes) for a working graduate student and 9-12 credit hours (3 to 4 classes) for those attending school full-time. In the fall and spring semesters, the maximum number of credits a student can take is 15. In the summer semester, the maximum number of credits a student can take is 9.

Completion Time Limits
Although students are normally expected to complete a master’s degree in one to three years, candidates for the masters degree in the College of Business must complete their requirements within six years. Certificate students must complete certificates in three years. 

Leave of Absence
Students who need to take a leave of absence for longer than one semester should discuss their decision with the Graduate School of Business Administration Graduate Office and complete the Request for Leave of Absence Form. A leave of absence may occur for one year (3 continuous semesters including summer). Students who do not return within a year need to reapply for admission. A leave of absence does not extend the prescribed time limit to complete the degree requirements (students are still required to complete the degree in 6 years).

A program may also place a student on administrative leave of absence if the student is not making satisfactory academic progress in the program. An administrative leave of absence cannot be used in place of academic probation but may be used simultaneously. The program may request that students meet certain conditions before returning.

Standards of Performance

Course Repeat Policy

Any grade below C (2.0) is not a passing program grade for graduate students.

A student may repeat a course once for which they have received a grade below a B.

The grade received in a repeated course may substitute for the original grade with an approved petition, and will change the graduate program GPA. However, all grades received as a graduate student will appear on the official student transcript and in the overall cumulative CU GPA. 

Grade Point Average (GPA)
No individual grade below a C will count towards graduate requirements. To remain in good academic standing and to earn a masters degree or graduate certificate, a student is required to maintain at least a B (3.0) GPA in the program.  

Academic Probation & Suspension
The academic performance of each student will be reviewed at the end of each semester. Any student who has a cumulative grade point average of less than a B (3.0) in their degree audit will be placed on academic probation.

In general, students will not be placed on probation until a minimum of nine (9) semester hours has been attempted. After a student has been placed on probation, the student has a maximum of one calendar year to raise their grade point average to 3.0. Courses taken to raise the cumulative grade point average must apply to the degree and must be taken in the three semesters (including summer) immediately following the semester in which the cumulative grade point average fell below 3.0. Failure to raise the cumulative grade point average to 3.0 in the time frame outlined will result in immediate suspension. 

While on academic probation, failure to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress, (meaning the cumulative GPA must improve each semester that classes are taken), toward a degree may result in academic suspension. In the event a student attains probationary status more than one time, the same time limits shall apply.

Students pursuing a Graduate Certificate in the College of Business must maintain a 3.0 GPA once admitted to the certificate program. Students falling below a 3.0 GPA will be placed immediately on probation regardless of the number of credits taken.

If a student’s cumulative GPA drops below 2.0, they may be suspended immediately. A suspended graduate student is eligible to petition for readmission after one calendar year.

Credit for Prior Learning

For graduate students, 30% of transfer and 20% of portfolio assessment credit can be earned toward the master’s degree. If graduate students have additional experience, they can petition the Graduate School for further consideration.

Transfer Credit Policy
Transfer credits may apply to the College of Business graduate programs with departmental approval. The minimum criteria for transfer:

• All transfer courses must have a minimum grade of B or above.
• Courses applied toward another master’s degree (or bachelor’s degree) may not be used.
• All work accepted for transfer must have been completed within the approved degree time limit (6 years).
• Equivalent courses from AACSB-accredited business programs may be eligible to substitute core or elective courses in the curriculum.
• All other coursework from non-AACSB accredited programs may be approved for transfer toward elective coursework.

Graduate Internships

At the graduate level, internships are 3 credit hours, satisfactory/unsatisfactory only, and may be used as business elective credit. Internships are approved through an application process, which can be obtained through the College of Business Career Development Center. Students must apply before beginning their internship duties and should register for credit during the semester in which the internship is being completed. A maximum of 3 credit hours of internship may be applied to a graduate business degree.

Internships are not available for students pursuing College of Business Graduate Certificates as non degree students.