The Business Honors experience is built around a three-tier curriculum structure that includes business foundation courses, integration courses, and a practicum seminar.

Foundation

Foundation courses provide students with the basic tools of business knowledge. The foundation is composed of 8 eight-week classes in business law, business data analysis, business communication, finance, human resource and organizational behavior, marketing, management information systems, and operations management, and a full-semester class in presentational speaking (19 units).

Integration

Integration courses challenge students and focus learning on critical thinking, problem solving, decision making, integration of business resources and understanding business as an enterprise. The six full-semester courses include (18 units):

• Business intelligence
  
• Value Chain and Supply Chain Management
  
• Enterprise Resource Planning and Infrastructure
  
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation
  
• Project Management
  
• Strategy and Leadership (capstone)

 

Practicum

The practicum seminar brings executive managers into the classroom for discussions that focus on practice (1 unit).

Business Honors students will complete the 8 foundation and presentational speaking classes during their first semester.  Students will begin their integration classes in the second semester and continue through the fourth semester.  In their last semester, students will meet business professionals to tie academics to practice in a practicum seminar.

The Business Honors program is a full-time program. Business Honors students will be immersed in a cohort-based learning experience where they will work and learn from others in their cohort group. 

 

Admission to the Business Honors program is based on academic achievement. Eligible candidates will need to have completed all their pre-business major requirements, achieved junior class standing, and met other admission requirements, including a minimum GPA and SAT (or ACT) score.

Our proposed admission requirements include a SAT score of 1800 or greater (ACT 27 or greater), an overall GPA of 3.5 or greater, a 500-word statement of career and professional aspirations, and a demonstration of past leadership activities. These requirements are pending approval.

Applications will be accepted beginning February 1, 2013 for admission to the Fall 2013 semester.

What are the advantages of enrolling in Business Honors program (BHON)?

The BHON is aimed at developing successful business leaders and entrepreneurs.

• A cohort based structure: Students take classes with other highly motivated and capable undergraduates, thus increasing the interplay of ideas among those with similar goals. Instructors are highly motivated and will work to ensure the highest quality lectures and discussions within the classroom.
  
• A high caliber program: Compared with regular business courses, students will be much more challenged by the high level of competition within the courses, and will be required to perform at a higher level.
  
• An interdisciplinary and integrated program: Students will better understand the interdisciplinary nature of business and learn the core principles of the various sub disciplines as they affect each other. BHON promotes a holistic approach to learning that emphasizes a breadth of understanding which can be accomplished only through learning how the various sub-disciplines interact to achieve the mission of a business enterprise.
  
• A problem solving emphasis: Students will be especially challenged in the areas of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students will learn not only from their instructors but also from their classmates.
  
• Networking opportunities Students have a much greater chance to network with similarly motivated students. It is expected that some of the resulting relationships will last a lifetime.
  
• Support from business communities: Business leaders have embraced this program and have indicated a preference for students who complete BHON.
  

 

Are Honors programs popular at other universities?

Many universities and programs have honors programs including other CSU campuses; in general they are highly sought-after by the most accomplished students.

The CSUS University honors program has paved the way for BHON and is a popular program. University and College administration has encouraged the formation of BHON.

How is the Business Honors program different from the regular program?

Only the business core (30 units) is different. The pre-business courses and concentration courses are not affected.

Rather than only taking core courses in separate business disciplines as is the case with the regular business program, the BHON core consists of (a) 9 Foundation courses in business sub disciplines which are shorter in duration, (b) 6 Integration courses, and (c) a Business Practicum.

The Foundation courses provide the basic tools in data analysis, MIS, communication, finance, operations management, marketing, business law and human resources.

The Integration courses focus on interdisciplinary issues. Each course stresses the interaction of at least two to three major areas within business.

The Business Practicum brings top level managers into the classroom for discussions that focus on practice.

The result is that students will spend much more time on understanding how a business works and less time on separate disciplines within business.

What is a general road map of BHON program?

The Business Honors curriculum is designed as a 4 semester program. During the first semester, students would complete their principles courses and COMS 103 (19 units). For the second and third semesters, the number of units would be six, and for the fourth, seven units. Please keep in mind that during the first semester, students would be taking four 2-unit classes during the first 8 weeks and another four 2-unit classes in the second 8 weeks. Typically, an honors student working to complete at least a 21-unit concentration would enroll in 3 concentration units in the first semester, and 6 units in each of second, third and fourth semesters.

Why do BHON students need to take 38 credit hours of business core, instead of 30 credit hours?

In order to maximize the purpose of BHON, the program has a slightly increased credit unit requirement to cover business cores; 30 units for the regular program and 38 units for BHON. However, the program is well streamlined and it would not adversely affect your graduation timeline.

Do I still need a concentration?

Yes, concentration choices and requirements are unaffected by BHON.

However, we believe that students will have a stronger understanding of business in general after completing the BHON core, and as such will benefit more from, and bring more to, the concentration.

Do I have to be a fulltime student to be in the Business Honors program?

Yes, the BHON is an intensive program that requires a high level of energy, focus, commitment and effort. The synergies that develop require the student to be fully involved in the program.

BHON is not the type of program that can be taken a little at a time. This program immerses the student immediately into a learning environment that requires a significant commitment of time.

How large are the classes?

Class size typically average 25-30 students, which is smaller than many of the sections in our regular program.

The class size is designed to maximize the opportunity for interaction and networking among students. Classes neither are large lectures nor are they very small seminar groups.

What’s a cohort group?

The student enters the program and stays within a relatively fixed group throughout the program. Students get to know each other very well and make lifelong friends. Being comfortable with others in the group facilitates classroom discussion and interaction.

The cohort nature of the program greatly increases the possibilities for networking within the group.

Must I stay with my cohort group?

Yes, we expect students to stay within the entering cohort to ensure consistency and sustainability of the networking advantages.

Although each cohort is unique, we expect each to be composed of very highly committed and motivated students.

Can I join another cohort group?

No, again this would defeat a feature that promotes the networking and interacting advantages of this program.

Can I opt out of the Business program to join the regular program and still receive credit for the coursework I’ve completed?

Yes, students who are subject to external constraints and unanticipated changes in their lives will not lose credit toward the regular undergraduate business program.

The program provides a roadmap for applying completed BHON coursework to the regular program requirements should that transition be necessary.

What are the minimum admission standards?

The college’s faculty will be setting the admission standards in the fall 2011 semester. You can expect the Business Honors admission requirements to be similar to those of the university’s Honors program. Currently, they require entering students to have a total SAT score of 1800 or higher, a cumulative college GPA of 3.5 or above, and an academic commitment as determined through interviews and essay questions. Because the College is a professional school, students who enter the Business Honors program should embrace aspirations to professionally excel in business management.

Who do I contact for more information?

Undergraduate Program Office at Sacramento State
6000 J Street
Sacramneto CA 95819-6086
Tahoe Hall Roon 1030

Tel: 916-278-BIZZ (2499)
Email: cba-ugrad@csus.edu

Is financial aid available?

This is no particular financial aid program available just for BHON. However, BHON students can apply to the regular financial aid programs from University.