The request to revise the Business Honors Program
Date: October 31, 2014
To: Belk College of Business
To: Honors College
From: Office of Academic Affairs
Approved On: October 22, 2014
Approved by: Undergraduate Course and Curriculum Committee
Implementation Date: Spring 2015
Note: Deletions are strikethroughs. Insertions are underlined.
Catalog Copy
Business Honors Program
The Business Honors Program (BHP) provides students with access to a range of opportunities designed to stimulate their thinking and broaden their exposure to topics related to business.
The Business Honors Program is committed to the highest principles of professionalism that guide our actions. We aspire to be a community of learners actively engaged in academic scholarship while demonstrating a high regard for others by modeling excellent ethical standards. We seek to promote service above the self and will learn to support and encourage, educate and mentor, value and empathize with others. We advocate these core values among the membership. The core values of the Business Honors Program are based upon a commitment to academic merit, integrity, respect, service above self and honor.
Admission
Students interested in being admitted to the Business Honors Program must complete an Application for Admission and conduct an interview with the Director of the Business Honors Program and/or the Assistant Director of the Business Honors Program Director of Undergraduate Special Programs. Admission to the program is based on the student’s demonstrated Honors potential, the personal interview and availability of space in the program. Honors potential is determined by examining GPA (minimum 3.5 for currently enrolled students and transfer students), SAT or ACT scores (for new freshmen), courses completed, academic and other distinctions, activities, community service, and other related factors.), the personal interview, and availability of space in the program. All admitted students must earn and maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA at UNC Charlotte to be an active member of the program. Students failing to meet the minimum requirements of the 3.5 GPA, attendance at BHP meetings, and community service events, will not be eligible to continue in the program. If the GPA of an admitted student drops below a 3.5 for two continuous semesters, the student will be dismissed from the program.
Required Courses
Students in the Business Honors Program must complete a variety of all Business Honors courses offered and at least one Honors section of a Liberal Studies course or a University Honors College course. Honors courses cannot be repeated. A grade of D or F in any honors course results in automatic dismissal from a student not being eligible to continue in the program.
Other Requirements
Business Honors students must also participate in (1) monthly meetings, (2) community service, and either (3) study abroad or an internship.
Senior Thesis
Students are required to complete a Senior thesis in BUSN 4701 or a Senior Team Project in the Honors section of MGMT 3280, Strategic Management. Students will work closely with a faculty member for the duration of the thesis or project. The approval of a thesis proposal through the Honors College Application to Candidacy process is required the semester prior to taking BUSN 4701 or the Honors sections of MGMT 3280.
Graduation with Business Honors
To graduate with “Honors in Business,” a student must (1) complete the minimum required honors courses and other requirements, (2) submit an Application for Honors Candidacy at least two semesters prior to graduation, (3) receive a grade of at least A in BUSN 3790, BUSN 4701 or on the Senior Project in the Honors section of MGMT 3280, Strategic Management, and (4) present a GPA of at least 3.5 overall and 3.5 in all honors courses for which a grade was assigned.
Course Descriptions Section:
BUSN 1701 – Practicum I: Corporate Citizenship. (1) Prerequisite: Requires permission of the Director of Undergraduate Special Programs. An experiential learning course which examines the relationship between corporate citizenship and service to one’s community. Lectures, readings, and seminars explore the historical, ethical, and economic foundations of service in business, highlighting issues such as corporate giving, environmental impact of business decisions, and industry professionalism. Prepare for 40 hours non-profit service. (Spring)
BUSN 2701 – Practicum II: Professionalism & Service Seminar. (1) Prerequisite: Requires permission of the Director of Undergraduate Special Programs. An examination of acceptable industry norms, values, and ethics in the workplace. Simultaneously students will complete a 40 hour service project with an approved non-profit. (Fall)
BUSN 2702 – Practicum III: Leadership & Group Dynamics. (1) Prerequisite: Requires permission of the Director of Undergraduate Special Programs. Students will plan and implement a group service project using the fundamentals of communication, planning, organizing, financing, and marketing. Concurrently students will explore and develop their leadership profile by engaging in thoughtful discussions, reflection, and exercises. (Spring)
BUSN 2400 3400. Business Honors Internship. (1) (3) Prerequisites: Sophomore, junior or senior students in good standing in the Business Honors Program, and the completion of INFO 2130 or equivalent. Requires permission of Assistant Director of the Business Honors Program the Director of Undergraduate Speical Programs and the Assistant Director of the Student Center for Professional Development. May be taken for repeat credit with different companies for up to a maximum of three (3) semester hours of credit. Provides a meaningful work experience, appropriate for the level of completed coursework of the student. Requires 50 150 hours of supervised employment. for each credit hour of academic credit. Requires a portfolio and summary paper describing the business issues and processes learned through the experience. Internship proposals may must be initiated by the student. or by the Director or Assistant Director of the Business Honors Program. Students should consult with the Director or Assistant Director of the Business Honors Program Director of Undergraduate Special Programs in advance of registration to verify acceptability of work experience. Proposal forms must be completed and approved prior to registration. Graded on a Pass/No Credit Basis. (Fall, Spring, Summer)
BUSN 3780. Business Honors Seminar. (3) Prerequisites: permission of the Assistant Director of the Business Honors Program. Exploration of current topics in business and the methods of research appropriate to them. Development of research project proposal for Business Honors Thesis (BUSN 3790). (Spring)
BUSN 3790 4701. Business Honors Thesis. (3) Prerequisites: BUSN 3780 and Permission of the Assistant Director of the Business Honors Program Director of Undergraduate Special Programs; approval of a thesis proposal through the Honors College Application to Candidacy process the semester prior to taking the course. Honors project directed by Business Honors committee or assigned faculty member. One faculty contact hour per week and independent research. (On demand Fall, Spring, Summer)