Undergraduate

Advising

• Mission and Strategic Goals

  The Mission of the Office of Undergraduate Business Programs:

  • To be the destination of first choice for a diverse population of academically talented undergraduate business students;
  • To deliver advising services and solutions that retain and assist our students to graduate in a timely manner and exceed their academic and career goals; and
  • To support academic, leadership, and student development programs so that our graduates become employees of choice for the business community, loyal alumni, and responsible citizens.

  Strategic Goals:

  • Recruit a diverse population of motivated, academically talented students.
  • Improve the undergraduate retention rate.
  • Improve the four and six year undergraduate graduation rates.
  • Create opportunities for students to build a sense of community and develop leadership skills.

• Advising Services Overview

  Bauer College is committed to providing quality professional academic advising services to current and prospective business majors. For a list of undergraduate business academic advisors, populations served, direct contact information, and locations, see: http://www.uh.edu/provost/students/advising/#business.

  Additional resources may be found on the Office of the Provost advising website: http://www.uh.edu/provost/students/.

  Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. General advising questions are answered via email (bba@uh.edu), phone (713-743-4900, option #6), or in person at the front desk in 262 Melcher Hall. Pre-business and declared business majors may make an appointment via the mobile phone app called Navigate (see instructions at: https://www.uh.edu/provost/navigate) or via their "myUH" account. Appointment schedules become available on a daily basis for appointment times 7 days in advance. Prospective students may email bba@uh.edu to schedule an appointment.

  Students are encouraged to complete a follow-up email survey to evaluate their advising experience in order to help us improve our services. For advising concerns and unresolved issues, students may contact the following:

  Name	Position	Phone	Dept.	Email	Room
  Frank W. Kelley	Associate Dean, Undergraduate Business Programs	713-743-4912	Office of Undergraduate Business Programs	fwkelley@uh.edu	MH 223A
  Brent Spraggins	Director, Pre-Business	713-743-4903	Office of Undergraduate Business Programs	bspraggins@uh.edu	MH 262A
  Asha Thomas	Director, Major Advising	713-743-8963	Office of Undergraduate Business Programs	asha@uh.edu	MH 223D
  Joyce Williams	Program Director, Prospective Students	713-743-3908	Office of Undergraduate Business Programs	joycewilliams@uh.edu	MH 262G
  Sarah Gnospelius	Administrative Director of Bauer Honors Program	713-743-5205	Office of Undergraduate Business Programs	sjgnospelius@uh.edu	MH 250A
  Tiffany Woods	Accounting	713-743-5004	Accountancy & Taxation	tmwoods@bauer.uh.edu	CBB 304E

• How to Contact an Advisor & Appointments

  Advising Transactions Many advising services such as Filing a Degree Plan & Petitions do not require an appointment, and are listed below under "Online Services."

  Email an Advisor: UH Academic Advisor emails are listed at: https://uh.edu/provost/students/advising

  Appointments through Navigate: For an online appointment, advisors post availability through Navigate. For details on how to use Navigate: https://uh.edu/ussc/navigate.

  Chat with an Advisor with Microsoft Teams: Current UH students can use Teams for quick questions with UH Academic Advisors. In Teams, go to "Chat" and type in your Advisor's name.

  How to Download MS Teams:

  • Download MS Teams for your desktop, iOS, or Android, at https://teams.microsoft.com/downloads.
  • Sign in with your Cougarnet ID and password (append @cougarnet.uh.edu after your username).

• Prospective business students

  Freshmen, Transfer, and International: Prospective business students who have never taken courses at UH are encouraged to visit our comprehensive prospective student website, which includes step-by-step application guides, downloadable degree plans, transfer equivalency information, mandatory orientation and academic advising information, and more! Current UH students who want to become business majors: Current UH students who wish to become business majors are encouraged to view the change of major requirements listed online or for additional information contact an advisor at bba@bauer.uh.edu.

• Pre-business students

  Pre-business majors may make an appointment via the mobile phone app called Navigate (see instructions at: https://www.uh.edu/provost/navigate) or via their "myUH" account. Appointment schedules become available on a daily basis for appointment times 30 days in advance. Pre-business advisors provide assistance with course selection and registration advising, printing of degree audits, troubleshooting, and information about all other undergraduate business programs and services.

• Declared Major students

  Declared business majors may make an appointment via the mobile phone app called Navigate (see instructions at: https://www.uh.edu/provost/navigate) or via their "myUH" account. Appointment schedules become available on a daily basis for appointment times 30 days in advance. Declared Major advisors provide assistance with course selection and registration advising, graduation checks and requirements, printing of degree audits, troubleshooting, and information about all other undergraduate business programs and services.

• Bauer Honors students

  Bauer Honors students may make an appointment via the mobile phone app called Navigate (see instructions at: https://www.uh.edu/provost/navigate) or via their "myUH" account. Appointment schedules become available on a daily basis for appointment times 30 days in advance. Bauer Honors Advisors provide assistance with course selection and registration advising as it relates to Honors College curriculum, printing of degree audits, troubleshooting, and information about all other undergraduate business programs and services.

• Degree Plans, Academic Maps & Transfer Guides

   

  Degree Plans with course numbers effective Fall 2021

  • 2021-2022 Degree Plan
  • 2020-2021 Degree Plan
  • 2019-2020 Degree Plan
  • 2018-2019 Degree Plan

   

  Degree Plans with course numbers prior to Fall 2021

  • 2020-2021 Degree Plan
  • 2019-2020 Degree Plan
  • 2018-2019 Degree Plan

   

  Four-Year Maps for Freshman Students

  Transfer Guides for Transfer Students

   

• Course Number Changes

   

  Some course numbers are changing at UH to match the Texas Common Course Numbering System (TCCNS), in line with the numbering system at many area two-year institutions. Click here for details.

   

• Interim Grading Policy Impact on Policies and Prerequisites

   

  The Interim Grading Policy that applied to undergraduates for the Spring, Summer, and Fall 2020 semesters has been extended to also apply for the Spring 2021 semester, as explained on the Provost's website.

  UH and Business Policies in the published Undergraduate Catalog will continue to be enforced. Consult the Undergraduate Catalog for UH and business policies: http://publications.uh.edu. For policies that require a grade point average (GPA), a grade of “S” (Satisfactory) counts as passing, and does not impact the GPA. How a grade of “S” impacts various policies such as change of major, filing a degree plan, and GPA for graduation, see Policies.

  For 4000-level SCM course prerequisites and exceptions, click here.

  Business Course Prerequisites in the published Undergraduate Catalog will continue to be enforced. Consult the Undergraduate Catalog>Courses for prerequisites: http://publications.uh.edu. For courses with prerequisites that only require a passing grade, a grade of “S” (Satisfactory) counts as passing. Prerequisites for courses that require a grade higher than a passing grade for the prerequisite will be enforced.

   

  Do you have an advising question and don’t know where to get the answer? Email us at bba@uh.edu.

   

• BUSI 2305 and STAT 3331 Prerequisites and Requirements

  BUSI 2305 Business Statistics:

  • Prerequisites for BUSI 2305 are MATH 1313 (TCCN MATH 1324) Finite Math and BCIS 1305 (or MIS 3300) Business Computer Applications. Non-business majors not planning to major in business may take MATH 1310 (TCCN MATH 1314) College Algebra in place of MATH 1313.
  • BUSI 2305 (or STAT 3331 for the pre-Fall 2019 degree plans) is required for the BBA degree.
  • BUSI 2305 meets the state-mandated Business Administration and Management Field of Study business statistics requirement.
  • Students who took a business statistics course at a private school or a school outside of Texas may petition for BUSI 2305 credit if the course was taught by business faculty as part of a requirement for a business degree and it covers the topics required by the Texas state syllabus.

  STAT 3331 Statistical Analysis for Business Applications:

  • BUSI 2305 with a grade of "C" or higher is a prerequisite for STAT 3331.
  • STAT 3331 with a passing grade is a requirement for Finance majors, and with a grade of "C" or higher for Supply Chain Management majors.
  • For students with credit for BUSI 2305, STAT 3331 is not required for majors in Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Management, Marketing, or MIS.

   

• Academic and Career Development Timeline

   

  FIRST YEAR

  • Meet with your pre-business advisor.
  • Take required UH Core and pre-business Courses. See the Academic Map for the major you plan to pursue at: http://www.uh.edu/provost/students/new-coogs/uhin4/maps.
  • Transfer students make sure all courses are on your UH record, and complete any required Transfer Course Equivalency petitions if necessary. For transfer credit information, see: https://www.bauer.uh.edu/undergraduate/advising/transfer.php.
  • Plug into academic resources and workshops to maximize your potential: https://www.bauer.uh.edu/undergraduate/advising/resources.php
  • Unsure about your major? Consider assessments and a meeting with a career counselor in the Rockwell Career Center at hirebauer.com.
  • Research and join student organizations and other leadership development programs at Bauer: bauer.uh.edu/leadership.
  • Complete BUSI 3302 as soon as you meet the prerequisites to explore majors and career options.

  SECOND YEAR

  • Explore The Rockwell Career Center at hirebauer.com located in Cemo Hall, 2nd floor with 18 interview rooms and 13 interview overflow rooms.
  • Upload your resume onto Bauer Career Gateway at hirebauer.com.
  • Check out the UH Library System offering real-world resources at guides.lib.uh.edu. Also, take advantage of CashCourse and other financial literacy resources. at guides.lib.uh.edu/financialliteracy.
  • Research majors relating to your career interests that you are passionate about.
  • Meet with your Pre-Business advisor prior to registration for junior level business courses to request a Mixed Program (a one semester transition as students complete freshman-sophomore courses needed to file a degree plan).
  • Request an advising referral to meet with a major advisor.
  • Meet with your career counselor in The Rockwell Career Center.
  • Attend Internship Mixer.
  • Attend Rsumé ER/Round-Up.
  • Attend Volunteer Fair.
  • Attend Career Fair.

  Note: Transfer Students need to “fast-track” the actions listed for First and Second Year.

  THIRD YEAR

  • Consider an internship to gain experience.
  • Consider volunteering to build your résumé.
  • Get involved with a student organization that interests you.
  • Develop your network with past colleagues, friends, family, professors, and employers.
  • Update your resume and schedule an appointment with your career counselor for any concerns or questions.
  • Meet with a major advisor to go over advising tracks and options within the major, and the most appropriate electives or combinations of majors and minors and determine your anticipated graduation date.
  • Attend Internship Mixer.
  • Attend Résumé ER/Round-Up.
  • Attend Volunteer Fair.
  • Attend Career Fair.
  • Participate in Mock Interview Days.
  • Apply for On-Campus Recruiting position on Bauer Career Gateway.
  • Explore learning abroad opportunities at uh.edu/learningabroad.

  FOURTH YEAR

  • Continue to research and apply for positions on Bauer Career Gateway.
  • Apply for graduation and complete all requirements as you meet with your academic advisor.
  • Attend Graduation Orientation with UBP.
  • Update your résumé and schedule a mock interview with your career counselor.
  • Participate in Mock Interview Days.
  • Attend Internship Mixer.
  • Attend Résumé ER/Round-Up.
  • Attend Volunteer Fair.
  • Attend Career Fair.
  • Update and continue to build your network. Brand yourself as a recent college graduate.

• Dean's List

  To qualify for this recognition, undergraduate business students must earn a 3.50 minimum grade point average (the grade of S is not counted) on twelve or more semester hours completed during the semester. Students who earn a grade of I (except in a senior honors thesis course), D, F, or U during the semester are excluded from consideration for the Dean's List. Students are recognized by a letter from the Dean.

  Dean's List Reception for Students with a 4.0 Semester GPA

  Students on the Dean's List with a 4.0 semester grade point average who have not yet graduated are invited to a dean's reception and receive a certificate of recognition. In order to encourage timely graduation and recognize academic excellence for part-time students, students who have not yet graduated who complete 9 or more hours in each of the previous two regular semesters and 6 or more hours in summer for a total of 24 semester hours with a 4.0 are also invited to the reception and receive a certificate of recognition.

  

• Business Writing Evaluation (BWE) Requirement

  Because effective business writing is critical for academic and professional success, Bauer College requires a minimum score (currently a score of 2 out of a possible score of 4 points) on a business writing evaluation (BWE) prior to filing a degree plan and declaring a specific major in business. For students applying to the Professional Program in Accountancy (PPA), a minimum score of 3 is required (contact the Accounting Programs Office for a re-take if required). The BWE is administered as part of a required course, BUSI 3302. The prerequisite for BUSI 3302 and the BWE is successful completion of ENGL 1303 or the Honors College alternative, ENGL 1370. The UH Writing Center provides guidelines and an informational video on how to prepare for the BWE through the BUSI 3302 Blackboard shell (students re-taking the BWE are loaded into a BWE Blackboard shell with the same materials and receive email instructions during the first week of the fall or spring semesters in order to re-take the BWE). Evaluation of the BWE is provided by the UH Writing Center.

  Students Who Do Not Clear the BWE on the First Attempt

  Students who do not clear the BWE through BUSI 3302 are expected to re-take the BWE the following fall or spring semester (the BWE is not administered during the summer). Students who meet all degree plan filing requirements except the BWE will be allowed to file, but are expected to re-take it the following fall or spring semester, when instructions are provided. Students should prepare for a re-take of the BWE by attending two BWE writing consulting sessions with the UH Writing Center (the limit of two sessions is only for the BWE consultations; students would still have unlimited sessions for general consulting throughout their time as UH students). In the first consulting session, students have an opportunity to go over their BWE and areas they could improve, along with recommendations for free online resource guides to study. Students would also be given a sample topic for a practice paper. In the second follow-up session the writing consultant would go over the practice paper to see if they improved, and provide additional feedback before a re-test. For students with more serious writing issues, it may be recommended that they take ILAS 3350 Power Writing before they re-test (ILAS 3350 is a non-business course which prepares students on effective business writing, and which may be used in the student's degree plan as an advanced elective). Students are limited to one re-test per semester, and a total of three attempts unless approved by the Office of Undergraduate Business Programs.

  Instructions for Taking the BWE Online in Fall 2020

  The BWE will be offered online using Respondus Monitor from September 28th – October 9th. By the second week of classes, you will be loaded into a BWE Blackboard shell available on your student account, which will have instructions on how to take the BWE remotely, along with additional resources to prepare.

  Writing Center Online instructions: Starting Monday, September 14th, 2020, students may go online to the Writing Center’s website at writingcenter.uh.edu and then click “schedule appointments” on the left side of the page. Toward the bottom of the page, click on and read the online usage policies.

  • Choose "Schedule Your Appointment Here".
  • If you have not logged on to the Scheduler before, register as a first-time user.
  • Log-in and choose "Online Undergrad Consultations FA20" from the drop-down menu.
  • Click on a timeslot that works with your schedule. Confirm the appointment by filling in the required fields with “BWE” and clicking “Save Appointment” in the pop-up window.
  • Once the appointment is confirmed you will receive an automated email and the timeslot will appear in orange on the schedule.

  For assistance in the UH Writing Center, you may contact:
  Mark Sursavage, Writing Center, Executive Director
  mdsursav@central.uh.edu; 713.743.3017; writingcenter.uh.edu

  For all other questions, you can contact me at:
  Frank Kelley, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Business Programs
  713-743-4912; fwkelley@uh.edu

• Students on Probation, Suspension, or College Academic Notice

  Advisors provide information by appointment only about the requirements and limitations of probation, suspension or CAN status, as well as related support services.  Advisors also provide general advising for course selection and registration, degree audit printing, troubleshooting, and general information.

• Learning Abroad

  Students interested in learning abroad may begin their journey by visiting the Learning Abroad "Start Here" website to learn about program options, application processes, and funding resources. Students should also be aware of current travel restrictions in place due to COVID-19. Students may check the UH Learning Abroad Office website for their advising service options, and begin conducting research and narrow down program choices. Business students may schedule an online appointment in Navigate (selecting the *Business Learning Abroad option) to discuss courses and the credit petition process.

 

Online Services

• Request to Become a Business Major

  All currently non-business UH students who wish to switch their major to business must fill out an online form (available during specific time periods each semester) and meet all requirements in order to be officially declared as “Pre-business”.  Approved requests are effective for the semester following application.

• Request to file Degree Plan

  All current Pre-business majors who wish to declare their specific major must fill out a degree plan form (available during specific time periods each semester) and meet all requirements in order to be officially declared.  Approved requests are effective for the semester following application.

• Request to make Degree Plan changes

  Current business majors with degree plans on file who wish to make changes to their declaration must fill out a degree plan form (available during specific time periods each semester) for the change to occur. Approved requests are effective for the semester following application.

• Course Prerequisites

  All individual course prerequisites for business course are listed in the University Catalog.

• Application for Graduation

  Business students who wish to graduate in a given semester must meet all requirements to graduate and should consult the online graduation checklist.

• VA Paperwork

  Business student veterans in need of required signatures and paperwork related to their VA benefits should email their paperwork to bba@uh.edu Please allow at least 5-10 business days for processing.

• Financial Aid and/or Scholarship Appeals

  Business students in need of required signatures and paperwork related to financial aid or scholarship appeals should email their paperwork to bba@uh.edu. Please allow at least 5-10 business days for processing.

• General Petition Process for Policy Exceptions

  Students requesting a policy exception must fill out a General Petition (at: https://uh.edu/academics/forms) with any other necessary documentation, and email a scanned copy or photo of it to bba@uh.edu. Please allow 5-10 business days for processing.

• Request for Consideration of Transfer Course Equivalency

  Business students with domestic or international transfer work that needs to be petitioned for business course equivalency must fill out a Transfer Credit Petition with additional necessary documentation (including course description and complete syllabi), and email a scanned copy or photo of the documents to bba@uh.edu. Please allow 4-6 weeks for processing. For more information concerning transfer equivalency credit, please visit our transfer page.

• Enrollment in Independent Study courses

  Independent study courses (called “Special Problems” courses on the General Petition form) are available to juniors and seniors with the approval of the instructor, the department chair and the Office of Undergraduate Business Programs. It is the student’s responsibility to seek a faculty member to help design the independent study course and supervise it. No more than six semester hours of independent study courses may count toward the business administration degree plan; only three of these hours may be in the student’s major. The other three semester hours of independent study course work may count as elective credit.

  To take an independent study course, the student must first obtain a General Petition form, complete the form, and have it signed by the faculty member who will be supervising the course and the department chair. The petition must include a description of the course and indicate the term and year in which the study will take place, along with the number of credit hours. Email a scanned copy or photo of the form to bba@uh.edu or turn it into the Office of Undergraduate Business Programs at least five working days prior to the enrollment (registration) or add/drop period of the term in which the course will be taken in order to assign a section number, which is required for enrollment (registration).

• OPT/CPT Forms

  International business students who wish to participate in OPT/CPT must fill out appropriate paperwork and present all paperwork to our front desk at 262 Melcher Hall.  Please allow 3-5 business days for processing.

• Internship for Credit

  Business students who wish to participate in BIP should consult the Rockwell Career Center website for details on the process and required forms. RCC will coordinate with your academic advisor for their approval. An appointment is not required. Please allow 3-5 business days for processing.