Degree Requirements for Business & Leadership

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General Requirements for the Major or Minor

General university degree requirements stipulate that 1) at least four units of the major or three units of the minor be taken in residence at Puget Sound; 2) students earn at least a cumulative GPA of 2.0 in courses taken for the major or the minor; and 3) all courses taken for a major or minor must be taken for graded credit. Any exceptions to these stipulations are indicated in the major and minor degree requirements listed below.

Requirements for the Major in Business Administration (BA)

The Business Administration degree provides students a solid foundation in the areas of accounting, finance, marketing, management, and law and ethics. The flexibility of this degree allows students to explore a breadth of courses in business or to focus on a functional area, a Concentration, or pursue a course of study that meets individual interests.

Business Administration students engage in a variety of learning styles and approaches, from highly experiential to theoretical. Critical thinking is the cornerstone of this program. Graduates learn to ask relevant questions, locate and synthesize evidence, and communicate findings in oral and written form. Students learn to work with others and communicate informally as well as formally. Meaningful work experience is strongly recommended, though not required. Upon completion of the Business Administration degree, students will be prepared for entry-level business positions and will gain the critical thinking and soft skills to develop fulfilling careers.

Eleven units to include:

Preparatory courses (2 units): ECON 101 (this course may also be used to satisfy the core requirement in Social Scientific Approaches) and MATH 160 or 260 (these courses may also be used to satisfy the core requirement in Mathematical Approaches).
Foundation Courses (5 units): BUS 205, 305, 310, 315, 340.
Business Electives (3 units) at 300-400 level (excluding BUS 240, 241, 300, and 316; CONN 387, 390, and 478).
Senior Research Seminar (1 unit). Students must complete the foundation courses and have senior standing before taking the Senior Research Seminar. Courses approved: BUS 432, 476, 478, 482, and 485.

Notes on the Major (Business Administration)

Courses used to satisfy the elective and senior research seminar requirements may not also be used to satisfy university core requirements.
Only courses for which the student has received a C- or better count for the major.
Students must earn a grade of C- or better in all prerequisite courses.
A minimum of five BUS courses towards the major must be completed in residence at Puget Sound, or a waiver must be approved.
All business majors must select and meet with a Business faculty advisor.
Transfer students choosing to major in the School of Business and Leadership consult with the Registrar to determine transferability of business courses completed elsewhere. The SBL Director may be consulted for additional input.
Students planning to pursue a graduate degree in business, such as an MBA, are encouraged to take Calculus (Math 180, 181).
Students may pursue one or more Concentrations. See "Business Major Concentrations" below.

Requirements for the Major in Business: Business Leadership Program (BA)

The Business Leadership Program (BLP) is a four-year program for students selected on the basis of intellectual abilities, motivation, and demonstrated potential for organizational leadership in business. In addition to the learning outcomes outlined above, key objectives of the program are for students to develop leadership and managerial skills and to develop the ability to think logically and analytically.

The BLP is distinguished by a unique curriculum that blends coursework in business and the liberal arts, and features multiple BLP cohort classes. BLP students must participate in regional business field trips, an evening leadership speaker series, a professional internship, and a formal mentorship program.

Application to the program should be made during the senior year in high school. More information about the BLP and application forms are located at pugetsound.edu/blp. Sophomore-level admission to the BLP is possible, but contingent on space availability. Interested first-year students should contact the BLP Director during the first or second semester at Puget Sound.

Continued participation in the program is subject to academic performance as well as acceptable participation in all aspects of the program. See "Special Considerations for Business Leadership Program Students" below.

Thirteen units to include:

Politics and Government (1 unit): PG 101, 102, or 103
Quantitative (2 units): MATH 160 or MATH 260, and one additional unit numbered MATH 150 or higher. Students planning to pursue a graduate degree in business, such as an MBA, are encouraged to take Calculus. CSCI 161, ECON 284, PSYCH 201 or PHIL 240 can be used to satisfy the additional math requirement. BLP students must take at least one MATH unit in residence.
Economics (1 unit): ECON 101.
Business and Leadership (9 units): BUS 205, 305, 310, 315, 340, 385; two business electives at the 300-400 level (excluding BUS 240, 241, 300 and 316; CONN 387, 390, and 478); and a Senior Research Seminar.
1. Courses used to satisfy the business elective and senior research seminar requirements may not also be used to satisfy university core requirements.
2. Students must complete the foundational courses and have senior standing before taking the Senior Research Seminar. Courses approved: BUS 432, 476, 478, 482, and 485.
Business Leadership Seminars (BUS 101, 201, 301, and 401) (no credit)
Internship (no credit)

Notes on the Major (Business Leadership Program)

Once admitted to the BLP, students can continue in the program as long as they:
1. Register for, regularly attend, and earn a passing grade for BLP seminars (BUS 101, 201, 301, 401) both semesters, every year;
2. Regularly meet with their mentor, as required by the program;
3. Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all university work. Only courses for which the student has received a C or better count for the major (In addition, students must earn a grade of C- or better in all prerequisite courses.) In cases where performance falls below this level, students may apply for a probationary period to bring the cumulative GPA back up to 3.0 or be dismissed from the program.
4. Enroll in special sections of cohort courses for the BLP major with higher implicit expectations and standards. There will be at least six cohort courses during any four-year period; and
5. Demonstrate adherence to the highest standards of academic integrity and conduct. Any violation of the University Student Integrity Code may result in dismissal from the BLP.
Courses used to satisfy the elective and senior research seminar requirements may not also be used to satisfy university core requirements.
A minimum of five BUS courses towards the major must be completed in residence at Puget Sound, or a waiver must be approved.
Students may pursue one or more Concentrations. See "Business Major Concentrations" below.

Business Major Concentrations

Students may pursue one or more Concentrations, but are not required to pursue a Concentration. The Concentrations in Accounting, Finance, International Business, Legal Studies, and Sustainability provide paths to investigate speciality areas in greater breadth and depth, and promote a sense of community among students with similar interests.

All Concentrations require students to complete Business Administration or Business Leadership Program major requirements. Additionally, specific courses must be completed and students must earn a minimum 3.0 GPA in Concentration courses. If students take more related courses than required, only their highest grades in those courses will be counted for the Concentration GPA requirement. Each Concentration is described below.

Accounting Concentration

The Accounting Concentration prepares students to continue studies in Master’s of Accounting programs and/or to earn a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation, and to work in the accounting field. Students must take BUS 314, BUS 339 (or 439), BS 363 (or 463), and BUS 437. Students must complete an internship.

Finance Concentration

The Finance Concentration prepares students to work in the finance field. Students must take ECON 102, MATH 170 or MATH 180, BUS 416, BUS 432 and three courses from BUS 431, BUS 434, BUS 435, BUS 437 and BUS 493 (derivatives). Additional recommended courses include CONN 308; MATH 181, MATH 260, MATH 280 and/or MATH 290; and ECON 270, ECON 284, ECON 301, ECON 380 and/or ECON 391.

International Business Concentration

The International Business Concentration prepares students to work internationally as well as to work domestically within international organizations. Students must take two additional foundation courses: BUS 270 and BUS 370. Students must also take two international business-
focused electives 300+ from: BUS 361, BUS 435, BUS 452, BUS 471, BUS 472, BUS 474, BUS 475 and BUS 493 (with international focus). A Senior Research Seminar with an international focus. Students must complete an International Experience, typically study or intern abroad (an International Concentration Advisor may approve other experiences). Completion of the 202 level of a foreign language is highly recommended, but not required.

Legal Studies Concentration

The Legal Studies Concentration prepares students to engage in work and further studies that require an understanding of the role of law in business and society. Its objectives are to allow students to examine law and legal processes within a liberal arts context and to develop high-level critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students must complete one unit from BUS 330, BUS 331, BUS 365, BUS 473. Students must complete an additional unit from BUS 330,BUS 331, BUS 365, BUS 473, CONN 387, CONN 478. Students must fulfill their senior research seminar through BUS 476 or BUS 478.

Sustainability Concentration

The Sustainability Concentration prepares students to engage in careers that consider the triple bottom line of people, planet and profits. The focus on systems thinking, experiential learning, and interdisciplinary studies further distinguish this track. Students must complete at least one semester of BUS 240. Students must complete two courses from BUS 330, BUS 355, BUS 442 or BUS 493 (sustainable marketing, course number may change), or another BUS 300-400 course with a significant sustainability project. Students must fulfill their senior research seminar through BUS 478, or BUS 482 or BUS 485 with a sustainability focus to the project/thesis. Students must meet the Improve Sustainability learning goal, as approved by a Sustainability Concentration Advisor. The Improve Sustainability learning goal requires active involvement in improving sustainability within an organization.

Requirements for the Minor in Business

Six units to include:

Economics: ECON 101 (this course may also be used to satisfy the core requirement in Social Scientific Approaches).
Statistics: MATH 160 or 260 (this course may also be used to satisfy the core requirement in Mathematical Approaches).
Any four business courses (excluding BUS 240, 241, 300 and 316; CONN 387, 390, and 478).

Notes on the Minor

Only courses for which the student has received a C- or better can count for the minor.
Students must earn a grade of C- or better in all prerequisite courses.
A minimum of three BUS courses toward the minor must be completed in residence at Puget Sound, or a waiver must be approved.
Students minoring in Business may consult with the SBL Director for business advising.