Business Foundations

The Business Foundations Program (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 BFP offers six business courses (two lower-division and four 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 BFP courses. Students need to simply register for the courses when ready. THERE IS NO APPLICATION FORM NEEDED TO BEGIN REGISTERING AND TAKING THE CLASSES.

For students who wish to receive a Business Foundations Certificate, there are two additional required classes: one in Economics and one in Math. These classes can be taken at any time before certification and are not prerequisites for registration in BFP classes. These classes are already required across UT for many students in their degree programs and may not add any additional hours to the program.

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 the series of six BFP courses—two lower-division and four upper-division.

The Global Track includes 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, the Math and Economics classes must be completed. These additional classes may be transferred into UT from other colleges and universities or accepted as placement credit.

All upper-division BFP courses must be taken in residence, through UT 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.

Individual 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.

MATH AND ECONOMICS REQUIREMENTS

One class in Math and one in Economics are needed for BPF Certification and the BFP Summer Institute.

• ECO 304K or 304L (or direct equivalent)
• MATH 303D or 305G (or higher)

LOWER-DIVISION COURSES

• MIS 311F Foundations of Information Systems and Statistics. This class is half statistics and half computer applications. Please note that many students complete a computer applications class and a statistics class as a part of their major degree program. In that case, there is no need to take the MIS 311F class, credit is given for the equivalent classes and applied to fulfill the Certificate requirement.
• ACC 310F Foundations of Accounting (or both ACC 311 & 312) or their equivalents.

UPPER-DIVISION COURSES

BUSINESS FOUNDATIONS PROGRAM SUMMER INSTITUTE- JUNE 1-AUGUST 1, 2008

In addition to the regular single course format, beginning in Summer 2008, 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.

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

• Both Math and Economics classes completed
• MIS 311F 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 career services support, including

• Resume 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.

Apply for the BFP Summer Institute

REQUIREMENTS FOR BFP CERTIFICATION

Students who meet 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 math and economics courses (either at UT, through transfer or placement credit)
• Complete all six 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
• Complete no more than two BFP courses through UT Extension (UT 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 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.

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

Still have questions? Please refer to our FAQ.

Contact

Business Foundations Program
Regina Wilson Hughes, Director
Phone: 512-471-4764
Web: www.mccombs.utexas.edu/udean/major/foundations
E-mail: regina.hughes@mccombs.utexas.edu