Admission Requirements
Before applying to the program, students are encouraged to consult with an advisor in the School of Business Student Services Office to discuss the application process and plan a program of study.
Pre-Business Status
Before applying to the School of Business, students may enter pre-business status after completion of English 101 and Mathematics 120 and Economics 111 (or Economics 112) all with grades of C or higher and attaining a 2.25 collegiate grade point average. Once students are classified as pre-business students, they will be advised in the School of Business Student Services Office unless a student changes to a different program. Students do not have to be in pre-business status to apply for admission to the School of Business.
Retention
In order for a student to remain in pre-business status, a 2.25 cumulative grade point average must be maintained. Pre-business students who fail to maintain at least a 2.25 cumulative grade point average at SIUE will be placed on pre-business probation. Students will be notified when they are not meeting the cumulative grade point average retention standard and will be informed of the timeframe allowed to improve their grade point average. Students who do not meet retention requirements for two consecutive terms will be removed from the School of Business. Retention requirements for each major program appear within the academic programs section. Students are strongly encouraged to progress toward degree completion each semester.
Application to Major Program
To be admitted to the Bachelor of Science in business administration, students must:
- Complete all Academic Development courses required by the University
- Complete any courses required to address high school deficiencies
- Apply for admission and be accepted into the School of Business. Students who are not accepted into a program will not be allowed to enroll in 300- or 400- level business courses, and will not be eligible to declare a major in business administration.
Application Deadlines
- Summer Term and Fall Semester: March 1
- Spring Semester: October 1
Review of Applications
The Undergraduate Admissions Committee in the School of Business will review all applications and students will be notified of their status within 45 days of the application deadline of the term for which they are seeking admission. An application to the School of Business is ready to be reviewed when all of the following criteria are met:
- Admission to SIUE.
- Submission of a completed undergraduate program application received by the School of Business Student Services Office by the stated deadline. Applications are available from the School of Business website, or in Business Student Services, on the third floor of Founders Hall. Applicants also must ensure that all transcripts from all community colleges and four-year institutions have arrived at the Service Center, Registrar’s Office, Campus Box 1080, Edwardsville, IL 62026-1080 by the application deadline. Early completion of the application file is strongly encouraged.
- Sophomore status (30 hours earned). Successful completion (grade of C or higher) of any seven of the nine prerequisite courses. (Note: Students who apply for summer admission must have all nine prerequisite courses completed by the end of the preceding spring semester. Students who apply for fall admission must have all nine prerequisite courses completed by the end of the preceding summer term. Students who apply for spring admission must have all nine prerequisite courses completed by the end of the preceding fall semester).
Prerequisite courses required for the School of Business:
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- ENG 101 and 102
- ACS 101
- CMIS 108
- ECON 111 and 112
- MATH 120
- ACCT 200
- MS 250 (students may substitute MATH 150 for both MATH 120 and MS 250)
- Minimum prerequisite GPA of 2.25 on a 4.0 scale
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25 on a 4.0 scale
Admission Decision
The admission decision will be based primarily on the student’s performance in collegiate-level work and the required essay. Other factors that may be considered in the admission decision include, but are not limited to:
- courses taken
- pattern and trend of grades
- institutions attended
- co-curricular activities
- career- or work-related experience
The School of Business intends to admit students who demonstrate the greatest likelihood of academic success while also ensuring the diversity of the student body.
Admission to School of Business programs is competitive, and not all students who apply to the School of Business will be admitted. Since the number of students being admitted depends on the capacity of the school, applicants cannot be guaranteed admission to the School of Business based on a given GPA.
Transfer Students
The application process described above must be followed. Transfer students may contact the School of Business Student Services Office with questions regarding transferability and equivalency of business coursework completed at other institutions. The School of Business accepts lower-division courses taken at other institutions only as lower-division (100- and 200-level) courses.
Students who Already Hold a Bachelor’s Degree
Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree (seniors with degree) are not required to submit a separate application to the School of Business; rather, they should meet with an academic advisor in the School of Business Student Services Office after they have been admitted to SIUE for program advisement and planning.
Declaration of Major
Once students are admitted to the School of Business, they may declare a business administration major if they have also earned at least a 2.25 or higher cumulative GPA.