Business Foundations for non-business majors

About the Program

• MIS 302F has replaced MIS 311F. However, MIS 311F taken BEFORE Fall 2008 satisfies certification requirements
• The Math requirement has changed to “any 3 hours of statistics”. Previously acceptable Math courses taken BEFORE Fall 2008 will still satisfy certification requirements
• IB 320F is now offered on-campus during Spring semesters
• Texas BFP academic advising services are now available during the academic year. Walk-ins only, Mondays – Thursdays from 4:00pm to 5:00pm in CBA 2.400 (sorry, no appointments available)

Request for Certification is available on-line. Students may request certification at any time.

The Texas Business Foundations Program (Texas BFP) at UT’s top-rated McCombs School of Business can supplement any undergraduate field of study. Students can equip themselves with the business fundamentals necessary to turn passions into successful careers.

The Texas BFP offers seven business courses (two lower-division and five upper-division) for non-business majors, which can be taken in any combination as a supplement to any undergraduate program. Students may take as many or as few classes as desired to fulfill electives or satisfy a student’s college requirements for a minor.

All students, except business majors, who are in good academic standing at the university (2.0 overall UT GPA), may enroll in Texas BFP courses. Students need to simply register for the courses when ready, paying close attention to course prerequisites. THERE IS NO APPLICATION FORM NEEDED TO BEGIN REGISTERING AND TAKING THE CLASSES.

PLEASE NOTE: IT IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA TO CHECK WITH YOUR OWN ADVISOR IN YOUR MAJOR FIELD OF STUDY REGARDING THE APPLICABILITY OF TEXAS BFP TO YOUR DEGREE REQUIREMENTS.

Still have questions? Please email texasbfp@mccombs.utexas.edu

Student-Submitted Videos About the Business Foundations Program

This video was produced by a team in the Halliburton BFP Institute for their final “Marketplace” presentation.

These videos were submitted via the McCombs Next Top Major contest, which pitted student-produced films about all McCombs School majors against each other to voted on by students, family and friends. Watch all of the McCombs Next Top major films here.

Coursework

A General and Global Track are available to allow students to tailor their studies to better fit their total university experience.

The General Track includes six BFP courses—two lower-division and four upper-division.

The Global Track includes 4th semester proficiency in a modern foreign language, one semester of study abroad and six BFP courses—two lower-division and four upper-division (one of which must be IB320F).

To complete either Track and receive certification for the program, a student must also complete coursework in Economics and Statistics. These additional classes may be transferred to UT from other colleges and universities or accepted as placement credit.

All upper-division BFP courses must be taken in residence, through University Extension, or through an approved study abroad program. All courses should be taken for a grade to qualify for the Certificate, but may be taken pass-fail for those students not seeking the Certificate. Please note, although students who earn credit for statistics or economics through placement tests will only have the option of credit for these courses, they will still satisfy the Texas BFP requirement.

Individual Texas BFP courses are offered each fall, spring and summer semester as well as during the evening (evening classes are offered through University Extension). Even after graduation, students may continue to work on their Foundations coursework, either through University Extension or as a re-admitted student. Only 6 hours of Texas BFP coursework may be taken through University Extension unless the student is a participant in the Halliburton Summer Business Foundations Institute.

Economics and Statistics Requirements

One class in Economics and one in Statistics are needed for BPF Certification and the BFP Summer Institute. Advanced placement or transfer credit is allowed for these requirements.

• 3 hours of Microeconomics or Macroeconomics
• 3 hours of Statistics: for a list of approved courses see Course Schedule, keyword search on statistics

Lower-Division Courses

• MIS 302F Foundations of Information Systems or its equivalent.
• ACC 310F Foundations of Accounting (or both ACC 311 & 312) or their equivalents at other schools.

Upper-Division Courses

Global Track Requirements

FIN 320F Foundations of Finance (prerequisites: ACC 310F, Statistics and upper-division standing)

I B 320F International Business - offered in approved study abroad programs and on campus each Spring semester (prerequisite: upper-division standing)

Foreign Language (4th semester proficiency in a modern language)

Two of the following three courses:

• LEB 320F Foundations of Business Law (prerequisite: upper-division standing)
• MAN 320F Foundations of Management (prerequisite: upper-division standing)
• MKT 320F Foundations of Marketing (prerequisite: upper-division standing)

General Track Requirements

FIN 320F Foundations of Finance (prerequisites: ACC 310F, Statistics, and upper-division standing)

Three of the following four courses:

• LEB 320F Foundations of Business Law (prerequisite: upper-division standing)
• MAN 320F Foundations of Management (prerequisite: upper-division standing)
• MKT 320F Foundations of Marketing (prerequisite: upper-division standing)
• I B 320F International Business - offered in approved study abroad programs and on campus each Spring semester (prerequisite: upper-division standing)

Halliburton Summer Business Foundations Institute

June 1 – July 30th, 2010

In addition to the regular single course format, students may complete the program by taking courses in the McCombs’ exclusive BFP Summer Institute. The Institute allows students to complete five (5) BFP courses within one 9-week summer session. Applications are available October 1st, 2010. Apply early to guarantee availability.

Students wishing to attend the Institute will need to meet the following criteria:

• Both Economics and Statistics classes completed
• MIS 302F or equivalent credit earned
• 3.0 GPA

Classes offered during the nine-week summer session:

• ACC 310F Foundations of Accounting
• FIN 320F Foundations of Finance
• LEB 320F Foundations of Business Law
• MAN 320F Foundations of Management
• MKT 320F Foundations of Marketing

In addition to enjoying small classes—limited to 50 students each—Summer Institute participants benefit from experiential learning opportunities through team projects and simulations. In addition, the Institute offers career services support, including

• Resume and business communication workshops
• Mock interviews to enhance job interviewing skills
• Etiquette luncheons to improve networking skills

Students can take their prerequisites during the academic year, and then spend the summer at McCombs. This program allows students to complete the BFP in one nine-week summer session and receive certification.

Students must apply for this competitively selective program. Scholarships are available. UT Student Application or Non-UT Student Application

Requirements for Texas BFP Certification

Students who meet Texas BFP Certificate requirements enjoy the following benefits:

• Meet prerequisites for most graduate business programs
• Demonstrate business knowledge to prospective employers

Certification requirements include:

• Maintain a 2.0 or higher overall UT GPA
• Complete the required Economics and Statistics courses (either at UT, through transfer, or placement credit)
• Complete six Texas BFP courses as required for either the General or the Global Track
• Maintain a 2.0 or higher GPA in all BFP courses
• Take all courses for a letter grade (except those completed via credit by exam)
• Complete no more than two BFP courses through University Extension (University Extension offers its own certificate to students who complete the requirements through their program)

Honors Designation

For students with excellent foundations course GPA's, the faculty has authorized, consistent with and parallel to The University's "Honors" designations, BFP Certificates to be awarded "With Highest Distinction" for those earning A's in all six BFP courses, "With High Distinction" for those earning five A's and one B, and "With Distinction" for four A's and two B's. A grade of C in any BFP course will disqualify any student for "Distinction" designation, even if the other five grades were A's.

Request for Certification is available on-line. Students do not need to request certification until their final semester of study but can submit the form at any time.