COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

Accounting  |  Business Information Systems & Operations Management  |  Economics  |  Finance
International Business  |  Management  |  Marketing

Mission Statement
The mission of the Belk College of Business at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is to develop future generations of business leaders through high quality graduate, undergraduate, and executive educational programs; to conduct significant academic and applied research consistent with that of a research university; and to benefit the citizens of North Carolina and beyond through professional service.

Vision Statement
The vision of the Belk College of Business is to be nationally and globally recognized for the high quality of our research and educational programs, and to be valued for our efforts to foster economic, social, and cultural development.

Values Statement
In carrying out our mission, the Belk College of Business is committed to the following shared values:

Integrity: We foster and expect the highest level of professionalism from our faculty, staff, and students, achieved through a commitment to the highest ethical standards.

Intellectual Curiosity and Innovation: We seek to build an atmosphere which encourages free and open inquiry, leading to significant advances in both theoretical and applied knowledge.

Excellence: We seek to continuously improve performance in our educational programs, research output, service, and other activities undertaken to accomplish our mission.

Globalization: We seek to infuse all of our activities with a global perspective.

Diversity and Inclusion: We foster and support an environment that appreciates and values differences across individuals and groups, and strive to treat all students, faculty, and staff with dignity and fairness.

Accreditation. All of the degree programs offered by the Belk College of Business are accredited by AACSB International, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. AACSB International is the premier accrediting agency for bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs in business administration and accounting.

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.

Admission. Students majoring in the Belk College of Business must complete an Application for Admission to the Business Honors Program and conduct an interview with the Director of Undergraduate Student Affairs and/or the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs. Admission to the program is based on the student's demonstrated Honors potential (determined by examining GPA, SAT scores, courses completed, academic and other distinctions, and other factors), the personal interview, and availability of space in the program. All admitted students must earn and maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA to be an active member of 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 the following 21 semester hours including BUSN 1701, 1702, 2701, 2702, 3701 and 3702; and at least one University honors course Honors courses cannot be repeated. A grade of “D” or “F” in any honors course results in automatic dismissal from the program.

Senior Thesis. Students are required to complete a senior thesis and will work closely with a faculty member
for the duration of the project.

Graduation with Honors. To graduate with "Honors in Business," a student must complete the required Honors courses, submit an application for Honors Candidacy at least two semesters prior to graduation, receive a grade of at least A in BUSN 3702, and present a GPA of at least 3.5 overall and 3.5 in all Honors courses for which a grade was assigned.

BUSINESS LEARNING COMMUNITY

The Business Learning Community (BLC) is a distinct approach to learning that inspires students to become active in their own educational experiences – to truly become a “community of learners”. Students in the BLC interact closely with their peers, faculty and staff to create the ultimate college experience: the opportunity to take their learning beyond the classroom and apply it in a practical sense to the business world. Participants in this one-year program live on campus together, enroll in common courses, and fulfill business-related extracurricular activities. Freshmen reside in Charles F. Lynch Hall which is designed for learning community students.

Admission. Freshmen who are accepted into the Belk College of Business are encouraged to apply for admission to the BLC. Admission to the program is based on the student's high school GPA, SAT scores, courses completed, other factors, and availability of space in the program. Applications can be submitted online at: www.lc.uncc.edu.

Courses. Students in the BLC must complete specialized courses designed for learning community students. Once students are admitted to the Business Learning Community, they are required to complete all sections offered unless they receive permission from the Business Learning Community Coordinator.

Field Trips, Events, and Other Extracurricular Activities. Students in the BLC are required to participate in all field trips, events, and other extracurricular activities offered by the Business Learning Community during the academic year.

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS

Bachelor’s Programs. The Belk College of Business offers eight undergraduate majors for students at UNC Charlotte. Students must have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, and a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the Progression Requirements, in order to be accepted into one of the major programs. These majors include:

• Accounting
• Economics
• Finance
• Industrial & Operations Management
• International Business
• Management
• Management Information Systems
• Marketing

Minor Programs. The Belk College of Business offers three minors for students at UNC Charlotte. Students must have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in order to be accepted into one of these minor programs. Students must take all prerequisites for the courses required in the minor programs. These minors include:

• Economics
• Industrial & Operations Management
• Management Information Systems

Belk College of Business Degree Composition. All business degrees are composed of (1) General Education Requirements (2) Progression Requirements (3) Core Requirements and (4) Major Requirements. To graduate from UNC Charlotte, students must attain a minimum 120 earned credit hours. “Non-Business Elective” and “General Elective” credit hours may be required to address any shortfall needed to meet the 120 earned hours. A Non-Business Elective can be any course offered by the University outside the Belk College of Business. A General Elective can be any course offered by the University that is not already fulfilling a degree requirement.

Academic Advising in the Belk College. The Business Advising Center advises students designated as Pre-Accounting (PACC), Pre-Business (PBUS), and Pre-Economics (PECO). Once students have attained certain course requirements during the junior year, they may officially declare a major program in the Belk College. To declare a major, students will complete a Program of Study form and Change of Major form with their assigned Academic Advisor. When the required forms are complete, students will transition to a Faculty or Staff Advisor in the major department for subsequent advising.

Course Level and Course Prerequisite Restrictions. The Belk College restricts the registration of upper-division business courses (3000 level) to majors only who have attained junior or senior standing. Course pre-requisites are strongly enforced and cannot be waived. Pre-Accounting, Pre-Business, and Pre-Economics students may register for 3000 level Core courses provided that all necessary prerequisites have been met. The Belk College reserves the right to remove students from any courses for which prerequisites (including minimum GPA requirements) have not been successfully met. Students enrolling in MGMT 3280, Business Policy, must have achieved senior level status and have completed all core classes. Pre-Accounting, Pre-Business, and Pre-Economics students may not enroll in MGMT 3280.

Grade Replacement Policy & Repeat Policy. Students are permitted two attempts at any course in the Belk College of Business. This includes all (1) Progression Requirements, (2) Core Requirements, and (3) Major Requirements. Students that earn less than a grade of “C” within two attempts in any of these required courses will be ineligible to continue in the major. Students are permitted to invoke the Grade Replacement Policy for business courses, but the repeated course(s) will still count as an attempt.

Belk College Residency Requirements. In addition to meeting University residency requirements, all students seeking undergraduate degrees in the Belk College must complete at least 50% of the Core and Major Requirements at UNC Charlotte. This will vary depending on the major program requirements.

Furthermore, at least half of the hours required for an undergraduate degree in the Belk College of Business must be taken outside of the Belk College in order to have a well-rounded and balanced university education and experience. These 60 hours are designated as “Non-Business” electives. In addition to the General Education requirements, the following courses are designated as Non-Business: ECON 2101, ECON 2102, ECON 3125, MATH 1120, and STAT 1220.

Transfer Students & Second-Degree Students. The Belk College of Business major programs are designed to allow transfer students from community colleges and other institutions to enter the program and complete their degree requirements at UNC Charlotte. It is very important that students meet with an advisor at their community college or other institution to plan courses that will be accepted into the Belk College of Business. Due to AACSB accreditation standards, equivalency for upper-division business courses may be denied. Transfer equivalencies are granted upon application to UNC Charlotte. Once a student is admitted into the Belk College, they are prohibited from transferring in additional business coursework (Progression, Core, and Major courses) from other institutions.

Catalog Policies. The Belk College reserves the right to impose new curriculum changes at any time. Students not admitted to the upper division majors are subject to any changes to major requirements regardless of General Education catalog or matriculation term. Readmitted students are automatically considered under the new business requirements unless approved by academic petition to the Director of Undergraduate Affairs in the Belk College of Business.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Students are encouraged to participate in professional work experiences that support academic and career development through the cooperative education, 49ership, service-learning, and internship programs offered to them. The College is working with the University Career Center to expand experiential learning offerings to enable more students to graduate with career related experience. For more information about experiential learning opportunities, please see the University Career Center section of this Catalog.

COOPERATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM

Students majoring in accounting, economics, finance, management, management information systems & industrial operations management, and marketing may obtain practical work experience related to their major by participating in the cooperative education program. To be eligible for cooperative education, students must be juniors who have an overall GPA of at least 2.5 and have completed the progression courses required by the department. Transfer students must complete at least 12 hours at UNC Charlotte to be eligible for cooperative education. Completion of courses related to the co-op position may be required prior to the co-op work experience. These courses will be established by the Co-op Advisor and must be approved in advance. Students must complete either two full-time alternating semesters of work or three consecutive part-time work semesters while taking a reduced academic load of no more than nine credit hours. Accounting students selected to work in a public accounting firm or for an internal audit position may complete program requirements by working one semester and either writing a paper or making a formal presentation before faculty and students. Economics students must complete eight additional progression courses as identified by the Department of Economics prior to making application to the Cooperative Education Program. For more information, contact the Co-op Advisor or the University Career Center.

SCHOLARSHIPS

There are several scholarships available for students in the Belk College of Business. Some of the scholarships are designated to recognize academic excellence in the junior and senior years. Further information can be obtained from the Financial Aid Office and the Belk College of Business Advising Center. Several scholarships are also designated for business students interested in studying in a foreign country. Additional information can be obtained from the International Programs Office in the Belk College of Business.

PRE-ACCOUNTING, PRE-BUSINESS, AND PRE-ECONOMICS (Business Administration Emphasis)

Students who apply and are accepted into the Belk College of Business are initially classified as Pre-Accounting (PACC), Pre-Business (PBUS), or Pre-Economics (PECO) majors. Once a student meets the criteria for the designated Pre-program, he/she may officially declare an upper-division major in the following areas: Accounting, Economics, Finance, International Business, Industrial & Operations Management, Management Information Systems, Management, or Marketing.

Progression Requirements. Pre-Accounting, Pre-Business, and Pre-Economics(Business Administration emphasis) students seeking admission to the upper division majors must have met the following criteria:

(1) attained junior standing (60 hours or more)
(2) earned a minimum, overall GPA of at least 2.5 for all academic work
(3) completed the following Progression Courses: ACCT 2121 and 2122, ECON 2101 and 2102, MATH 1120, STAT 1220, and INFO 2130 with a minimum grade of C
(4) earned a minimum GPA of at least 2.5 for these Progression Courses and
(5) completed an approved “Program of Study” and “Change of Major Form” with their Academic Advisor in the Belk College of Business Advising Center

Students may attempt each of the Progression Courses, listed in (3) above, a maximum of two times. Courses repeated under the Grade Replacement Policy are excluded from the GPA computation, but will count as an attempt. Students who are not successful in earning the required minimum 2.5 GPA overall or in the Progression Courses are ineligible for continuation in the Belk College of Business.

SUGGESTED CURRICULUM for PRE-ACCOUNTING, PRE-BUSINESS, and PRE-ECONOMICS (Business Administration Emphasis)  

*Select from LBST 1101, 1102, 1103, 1104 or 1105
* Select from LBST 2211, 2212, 2213, 2214, or 2215
***Non-Business Electives are courses offered outside the Belk College of Business

PRE-ECONOMICS (Liberal Arts Emphasis)

Pre-Economics students, with an emphasis in Liberal Arts, seeking admission to the upper division major must have met the following criteria:
(1) attained junior standing (60 hours or more)
(2) earned a minimum, overall GPA of at least 2.5 for all academic work
(3) completed the following Progression Courses: ENGL 1101 and 1102, ECON 2101 and 2102, MATH 1120, STAT 1220, and INFO 2130 with a minimum grade of C
(4) earned a minimum GPA of at least 2.5 for these Progression Courses, and
(5) completed an approved “Program of Study” and “Change of Major Form” with their Academic Advisor in the Belk College of Business Advising Center.

Students may attempt each of the Progression Courses, listed in (3) above, a maximum of two times. Courses repeated under the Grade Replacement Policy are excluded from the GPA computation, but will count as an attempt. Students who are not successful in earning the required minimum 2.5 GPA overall or in the Progression Courses are ineligible for continuation in the Belk College of Business.

SUGGESTED CURRICULUM for PRE-ECONOMICS (Liberal Arts Emphasis) 

*Select from LBST 1101, 1102, 1103, 1104 or 1105
**Select from LBST 2211, 2212, 2213, 2214, or 2215
***Non-Business Electives are courses offered outside the Belk College of Business.
 

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