The John A. Walker College of Business
Kenneth E. Peacock, Dean
Timothy H. Burwell, Associate Dean
MISSION
The mission of the John A. Walker College of Business is to offer the highest
quality educational experiences preparing our students for life-long learning
and leadership responsibilities in a dynamic, global environment. To accomplish
this, our focus is on academic excellence, technological competencies, and the
practical application of business principles. Through research and service, the
Walker College of Business contributes to the growth and progress of the
business discipline and the broader community.
VISION
The Walker College of Business will cultivate and maintain a broadly recognized
reputation as providing exemplary service to multiple constituencies in an
effort to achieve excellence.
VALUES
In fulfilling this mission and pursuing our vision, the college will:
- Champion a continuing commitment to honesty, integrity, and ethical
behavior;
- Cultivate meaningful student-faculty relatioships so that each can learn,
grow, and be fulfilled in their work;
- Foster a willingness to share ideas and efforts with others in a spirit of
teamwork;
- Maintain a supportive, collegial learning environment that respects
individuals and their uniqueness, preserves academic freedom, and promotes
interdisciplinary efforts;
- Provide opportunities for multicultural learning and exchange;
- Fulfill our social responsibility by pursuing quality, innovation, and
efficiency in all that we do.
DISTINCTIVE COMPETENCIES
The Walker College of Business has a number of distinctive competencies with
some of the most important being:
1. Individual attention for students through a high level of student-faculty
collaboration;
2. Student success;
3. Global perspective;
4. Involvement of business leaders in instruction;
5. Infusion of technology in instruction;
6. Practical experience.
DEPARTMENTS
The College of Business consists of the following six departments:
Accounting
Economics
Finance, Banking and Insurance
Information Technology and Operations Management
Management
Marketing
NOTE: Although the requirement for most degree programs at Appalachian can
be met within the minimum of 122 semester hours, the student should be aware
that certain programs of study require additional hours. Students are advised
to check with the department of their intended major early in their studies.
Meeting graduation requirements is the student's responsibility.
DEGREES OFFERED
Through the College of Business, students can obtain the following degrees:
1. Bachelor of Science in business administration (BSBA), with majors in
accounting; economics; finance and banking; health care management;
hospitality and tourism management; information systems; international
business; management; marketing; risk and insurance.
2. A Master of Business Administration (MBA).
3. A Master of Science in accounting.
The Department of Economics offers the following degrees through the College of
Arts and Sciences:
1. Bachelor of Arts in economics.
2. Bachelor of Science in social sciences, education (with teaching licensure)
with a concentration in economics.
ACADEMIC ADVISING SERVICES
Academic Advising for declared business majors is available through the College
of Business Undergraduate Advising Office to assist students with academic
planning. Students should come by the College of Business Undergraduate
Advising Office to pick up a College of Business Student Handbook and to
make arrangements to meet with an advisor once their records have been
transferred to the College of Business.
Students are not assigned a specific advisor but rather may sign up to see any
available advisor; however, neither advisement by a representative of the
College of Business nor transference of records to the College constitutes
admission to the College.
Although academic advising is provided for all students, the final
responsibility for meeting requirements for graduation remains with the
student. Students should arrange to have a graduation audit with the College
of Business Undergraduate Advising Office the semester before expected
graduation (or the semester prior to the last semester of course work for
students planning an internship during their last semester). Applications for
graduation should be completed in the Registrar's Office at the beginning of
the term in which graduation requirements will be met.
To transfer records to the College of Business, a student must:
1. Obtain credit for at least 30 semester hours.
2. Obtain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.0.
3. Obtain credit for ENG 1000 and 1100.
4. Contact the Office of General Studies (or the College of Business
Undergraduate Advising Office if enrolled in a degree-granting college).
To be admitted to the College of Business, a student must:
1. Obtain credit for at least 60 semester hours.
2. Obtain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.5 based on at least
twelve graded hours at Appalachian State University.
3. Remove all grades of "I" (incompletes) from her/his academic record.
Students with outstanding grades of "I" will NOT be admitted to the
College of Business.
4. Obtain credit for:
a. ENG 1000 with a minimum grade of "C".
b. ENG 1100.
c. MAT 1030.
5. Obtain credit for the following College of Business lower level core
courses with an overall grade-point average of at least 2.0:
ACC 1100
BUS 1050
CIS 1025
ECO 2030, 2040, 2100
LAW 2150
SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT ENROLLMENT IN UPPER LEVEL BUSINESS CLASSES:
----------------------------------------------------------------
Unrestricted enrollment by undergraduates in 3000 and 4000 level courses in the
College of Business is limited to students admitted to the College of Business.
Other undergraduates, including declared business majors not admitted to the
College of Business, may take at most five courses at the 3000 or 4000 level
(unless more is specified by a required minor, required concentration, or
non-business major) under the following conditions: the student has a
cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 and has completed all course prerequisites. Only
juniors or seniors may enroll in 3000 level courses and only seniors may enroll
in 4000 level courses.
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (BSBA)
In order for a student to earn the Bachelor of Science in Business
Administration degree, the following requirements must be met:
1. Complete a minimum of 122 semester hours (128 s.h. for the BSBA degree in
International Business).
2. Meet the following grade-point average requirement:
-- All majors are required to obtain a cumulative grade-point average of at
least 2.5 in order to be admitted to the College of Business.
-- All majors are required to obtain an overall cumulative grade-point
average of at least 2.00 in order to graduate.
-- All majors are required to obtain a grade-point average of at least 2.00 in
all work attempted in the College of Business in order to graduate.
-- Marketing majors are required to obtain a 2.0 grade-point average in the
18 semester hours of required marketing courses above MKT 3050 in order to
graduate.
-- Accounting majors are required to obtain a 2.0 grade-point average in the
27 hours of required accounting courses above the sophomore level in order
to graduate.
-- Information Systems majors are required to obtain a 2.5 grade-point average
in the 24 hours of required computer information systems courses above the
sophomore level in order to graduate.
-- International Business majors are required to obtain a 2.0 grade-point
average in the 15 hours of foreign language required in the major in order
to graduate.
3. Obtain credit for the University-wide core curriculum and special designator
requirements outlined in the Core Curriculum section. Students
should complete 4 "W" and 2 "S" courses taught within the College of
Business. Students should include ECO 2030 and MAT 1030 to meet the
core curriculum requirements.
4. Obtain credit for the following 20 hours of lower level core courses
required for college admission with a 2.0 grade-point average: ACC 1100;
BUS 1050; CIS 1025; ECO 2030, 2040, 2100; LAW 2150.
5. Obtain credit for the following 23 hours of additional core courses:
ACC 2110; CIS 2990; ECO 2200; FIN 3680; MGT 3630; MKT 3050; POM 3650;
MGT 4750.
6. Obtain credit for 24-36 hours of major requirements including business
electives which are described in detail in each departmental section of
this bulletin.
7. Obtain credit for 8-14 hours of electives (Hospitality and Tourism
Management, and International Business require 8 hours; Accounting and
Information Systems require 11 hours; all other business majors require
14 hours). Electives must include the following:
-- Six hours of 3000-4000 level courses for all majors except Accounting and
Information Systems, which require three, and Hospitality and Tourism
Management, and International Business which require none.
-- Eight hours of courses taken outside the College of Business for all majors.
8. No minor is required for the BSBA degree (except International Business,
which requires a Foreign Language minor). However, a minor in international
business (see index) is available for all business majors (except
International Business majors). Also, a minor can be completed outside the
College of Business.
9. Completion of all University residency requirements and at least 50 percent
of the business credit hours required for the BSBA degree must be completed
IN RESIDENCE at Appalachian.
10. Compliance with regulations concerning the settlement of all expense
accounts.
11. Recommendation of the faculty.
SAMPLE PROGRAM OF STUDY FOR B.S.B.A.
(Majors in Accounting, Health Care Management, Hospitality and Tourism
Management, and International Business will have a somewhat different order of
courses in the junior and senior years.)
FRESHMAN
Fall Spring
ENG 1000 3 ENG 1100 3
Science Core 4 Science Core 4
HIS 1101 3 HIS 1102 3
CIS 1025 2 MAT 1030* 4
BUS 1050 3 ACC 1100 3
15 17
*Students who do not place into MAT 1030 should start the recommended math
sequence the first semester.
Note: International Business majors should begin the prerequisites for the
required foreign language courses in the first semester unless they earn credit
by examination.
SOPHOMORE - COMPLETE LOWER-LEVEL CORE COURSES FOR ADMISSION
Fall Spring
ECO 2030 (Soc. Sci. Core) 3 ECO 2040 3
ACC 2110 3 Social Science Core 3
LAW 2150 3 ECO 2100 3
Humanities 3 CIS 2990 2
Humanities 3 Humanities 3
PE/Wellness 1
15 15
Note: International Business majors should continue to work on prerequisites
for the required foreign language courses, if needed.
**JUNIOR
Fall Spring
ECO 2200 3 POM 3650 3
FIN 3680 3 MGT 3630 3
MKT 3050 3 Major Course 3
Humanities 3 Major Course 3
3000/4000-Level Elec. 3 3000/4000-Level Elec. 3
PE/Wellness 1
16 15
Summer
Internship/Study Abroad - recommended
**SENIOR
Fall Spring
Major Course 3 Major Course 3
Major Course 3 Major Course 3
Major Course 3 Major Course 3
Non-Business Elec. 3 Non-Business Elec. 2-3
Non-Business Elec. 3 MGT 4750 3
15 14-15
Total 122 s.h.
**International Business majors will not follow this plan. International
Business majors should meet with a College of Business advisor early in order
to outline academic plans beyond the sophomore year.
BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE
In cooperation with the Department of Economics, the College of Arts and
Sciences offers the Bachelor of Arts degree in economics. For the requirements
for this major see the Department of Economics. For the requirements for this
degree, refer to that section in the index.
TRANSFER POLICY
Courses substantially equivalent to those numbered 1000-2999 in the College of
Business at Appalachian may be acceptable for equivalent transfer from an
accredited institution. Transfer of 3000 level or above courses may be accepted
for equivalent credit only upon approval of department chairperson. The College
of Business will regularly review such factors as the content of courses and
student performance in determining course equivalency.
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS HONORS PROGRAM
The College of Business offers an upper level honors program for selected
students who have distinguished themselves during the freshman and sophomore
years with a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.4. The program
consists of a minimum of 15 semester hours of upper division core courses and
an honors project during the senior year. Its purpose is to provide honors
students with a more intellectually stimulating and broader range of
academic experiences in a small classroom setting than can be provided in a
traditional academic program.
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS STUDIES
The Walker College of Business has an extensive program of study in
international business which includes specialized courses, study abroad
opportunities, and international internships. It is designed to assist
students in developing skills needed to compete in world markets and to
contribute to their preparation for careers in export marketing and export
sales management, global sourcing, international finance and banking,
international economics, international accounting and management of the
multinational firm.
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MAJOR
The BSBA degree in International Business is available to students
interested in pursuing a more intensive, internationally focused curriculum
which includes developing foreign language competency with the completion of a
language minor, heightened cultural awareness and multi-disciplinary business
training with an international focus. In addition to completing the
requirements of the BSBA degree and 128 semester hours, the major may be
obtained by fulfilling the following requirements:
1) A student must complete at least 15 s.h. of course work in foreign language
at or above the 2000 level including 2005, 2010, one business language course,
and one culture/civilization course in one of the following languages: French,
German, or Spanish. A student must complete all language course work at or
above the 2000 level with an average GPA of at least 2.0. All students
enrolling in courses on the 2000 level or above must pass proficiency tests or
complete course work through the intermediate level of the chosen language
(1050). Please note that this can require as much as 12 s.h. of 1000 level
course work.
2) A student must participate in an international experience approved by the
College in a country whose native language is the same as the language chosen
by the student to fulfill the language requirement above. The experience must
have a duration of at least 10 weeks. Generally, this will be satisfied through
an international internship or semester abroad.
3) A student must complete 24 s.h. according to the following format:
Required (9 s.h.)
FIN 3350, International Business Transactions 3 s.h.
ECO 3410, International Economics 3 s.h.
MGT 4760, International Business Policy 3 s.h.
(Note: MGT 4760 will satisfy the MGT 4750 requirement of the BSBA degree.)
Business Electives in International Business (select 9 s.h.)
ACC 4730, Accounting & International Business 3 s.h.
CIS 4610, Issues in Global/International Information Technology 3 s.h.
ECO 4640, International Economic Policy 3 s.h.
FIN 4750, International Business Finance 3 s.h.
MGT 3800, International Management 3 s.h.
MKT 4550, International Marketing 3 s.h.
Other approved selected topics
Approved Electives (select 6 s.h.)
A student will select 6 s.h. of electives with the approval of the College in
support of the student's international business training. Typically, the
courses which will meet the approval of the College are in the following
categories:
1) Additional 3000/4000 level business classes.
2) Additional foreign language classes at the 3000/4000 level.
3) Internship.
4) Selected non-business electives in the areas of anthropology, geography,
history, or political science.
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MINOR
The International Business minor is available to all majors, except
International Business majors, provided course prerequisites have been
completed. The minor provides multidisciplinary business training designed to
complement the student's functional major. This allows students the opportunity
to develop their functional skills while utilizing their elective hours to
study the international aspects of business. Students must demonstrate
language proficiency in one foreign language or participate in at least one
study abroad program. At most, 6 s.h. of study abroad courses may count toward
the requirements of the minor. A minimum overall GPA of 2.0 is required for
the courses included in the minor.
Students may demonstrate language proficiency by successfully completing or
testing out of the equivalent of 12 s.h. of one foreign language. Students who
demonstrate foreign language proficiency without taking language courses are
required to complete 15 s.h. according to the format below. Students who take
one or more courses to demonstrate language proficiency must only complete the
6 s.h. of required courses and 6 s.h. of business electives in international
business.
Required (6 s.h.)
FIN 3350 International Business Transactions 3 s.h.
ECO 3410 International Economics 3 s.h.
Business electives in International Business (select 6-9 s.h.)
ACC 4730 Accounting & International Business 3 s.h.
CIS 4610 Issues in Global/International Information Technology 3 s.h.
ECO 4640 International Economic Policy 3 s.h.
FIN 4750 International Business Finance 3 s.h.
MGT 3800 International Management 3 s.h.
MGT 4760 International Business Policy 3 s.h.
MKT 4550 International Marketing 3 s.h.
Study Abroad courses
Other approved selected topics
Non-Business Electives - 3 s.h. may be selected
A student may select 3 s.h. of non-business electives with the approval of the
College in support of the student's international business training. Typically,
the courses which will meet the approval of the College are in the following
categories:
1) Foreign Language classes at the 3000/4000 level
2) Courses taken while on Study Abroad
3) Selected classes in the areas of anthropology, geography, history,
or political science. A list of approved classes in these areas may be
obtained in the Undergraduate Advising Office of the College of
Business.
4) Other approved selected topics
For additional information, contact the College of Business Undergraduate
Advising Office.
Students may choose to enter a program jointly administered by the Departments
of Economics and Foreign Languages. This program combines a major in economics
and a major or minor in a foreign language. Interested students should consult
with these academic departments.
BUSINESS STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS
The interdependence of the U.S. economy with economies of other nations has
made today's business environment global. Changes in worldwide communications
and distribution technologies have made the delivery of products and services
from virtually any place in the world competitive on a time and cost basis with
local businesses. Consequently, business leaders must incorporate an
international dimension in their decision-making to be successful in this
rapidly changing world. Therefore, the Walker College of Business strongly
encourages its students to broaden their global vision through study abroad
programs.
Students may complete one or two sessions of summer school in business study
abroad. The College offers programs on a demand basis in China, England,
France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, and Scandinavia. Before departure, students
meet regularly to study the country's geography, economic, demographic and
political trends, cultural differences and, where required, to learn simple
expressions in a foreign language. While overseas, students have the
opportunity of visiting foreign firms, government agencies and international
banking, insurance and commercial centers besides cultural and historical
attractions.
The College promotes interdisciplinary study abroad programs and has conducted
programs in partnership with foreign languages and art. More important, the
College's study abroad programs are dynamic. We are constantly exploring and
developing new opportunities for studying in other countries or jointly with
other disciplines.
Since international study produces students with greater flexibility and
adaptability in meeting the challenges of today's economic environment, the
College wants to make available this opportunity to as many students as
possible. Therefore, the business study abroad programs are designed to be
affordable alternatives to summer school for Appalachian students and the
College provides a limited number of scholarships to help students participate
in these programs.
WILLIAM R. HOLLAND FELLOWS PROGRAM FOR BUSINESS STUDY IN ASIA
Established in 1997, the Holland Fellows Program provides a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity for Walker College students to join students from Fudan University
(Shanghai, PRC), in classes and on project assignments, as a way of learning
about Chinese business practices and culture. Twelve students are selected in
October and, after intensive study during the spring semester, travel to China
in May.
UNDERGRADUATE MINOR IN BUSINESS
(for non-business majors)
Students not majoring in the College of Business may earn a business
minor by completion of the following 20 s.h. of coursework with a minimum
overall GPA of 2.0:
BUS 1050 Introduction to Business 3 s.h.
CIS 1025 Computer Skills for Business 2 s.h.
ACC 1100 Principles of Accounting I 3 s.h.
ECO 2030 Principles of Economics-Price Theory 3 s.h.
MGT 3010 Survey of Management 3 s.h.
MKT 3050 Principles of Marketing 3 s.h.
FIN 3010 Survey of Finance 3 s.h.
(or FIN 3680, Introduction to Finance, 3 s.h.)
TOTAL 20 s.h.
All 1000 and 2000-level courses should be taken prior to the 3000-level courses
in the minor. ECO 2030 can also be used as a social science credit for the core
curriculum education requirements.
Minors for non-business majors are also available in accounting, economics,
computer information systems, and marketing. These minors are described in the
appropriate departmental sections of this bulletin. For a more specialized
minor or additional information, see the appropriate department chairperson.
GRADUATE DEGREES
The College of Business offers two master's degrees: the Master of Business
Administration (MBA) and the Master of Science in accounting. In addition, the
College participates in a program leading to the Master of Arts degree in
Industrial-Organizational Psychology and Human Resource Management.
Students interested in graduate work in the College of Business are encouraged
to talk with the Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies and External Programs in
the College of Business. Specific requirements for these degree programs are
found in the Graduate Bulletin.
SCHOLARSHIPS
The Walker College of Business offers several scholarships to entering freshmen
business students. For all renewable business scholarships with a value of
$1000 per year or greater, a student must maintain a 3.25 grade-point average
to retain the scholarship. In addition to the freshmen awards, other annual
scholarships are available to upperclassmen.
The College of Business scholarship committee considers factors such as the
SAT score, high school grade-point average, class rank, extracurricular
activities, interest in a business career and evidence of leadership and
maturity in making its selection for each of the freshmen scholarships.
Freshmen finalists will be invited to campus for an interview.
Information about these scholarships may be obtained from the Walker College
of Business scholarship coordinator.
INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS
The College of Business offers internship opportunities for juniors and seniors
admitted to the College of Business. Internships are designed in the areas of
accounting, economics, finance and banking, health care management, information
systems, insurance (actuarial science), management, hospitality and tourism
management, and marketing, and must be approved by the department advisor and
internship coordinator. An internship is required for students majoring in
health care and hospitality and tourism management. Students participating in
the internship program must register for an internship course (see courses
listed as 3900) and pay registration and tuition fees.
EXECUTIVE-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM
An executive with a business firm serves as instructor in the College of
Business for a semester or shorter period of time. Through special classes and
seminars, students can interact with these business leaders to gain valuable
insight into the "real world" of business.
HARLAN E. BOYLES DISTINGUISHED CEO LECTURE SERIES
Each October and April, a chief executive officer from a corporation with a
strong presence in North Carolina is invited to present a lecture to faculty,
administrators, and students. During the reception which follows the lecture,
students have the opportunity to interact with some of North Carolina's leading
business leaders in an informal setting.
BUSINESS ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Council is composed of a group of business men and women who meet twice a
year to advise College administrators on matters relating to the needs of the
business community. The businesses represented by the members are diverse and
include major accounting, manufacturing, real estate, law and pharmaceutical
firms. Council members are given opportunities to meet with students in small
focus groups.
BETA GAMMA SIGMA
Membership in Beta Gamma Sigma is the highest national recognition a student
can receive in an undergraduate or master's program in business or management
accredited by AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate
Schools of Business.
This national honorary society for business administration students was founded
in 1913. The Appalachian chapter was established in 1977. Membership is limited
to outstanding students who rank in the upper seven percent of the junior
class, upper ten percent of the senior class, or upper twenty percent of their
graduate class. Detailed information can be obtained from the College of
Business Dean's office.
CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS
Nineteen professional organizations and honor societies are represented in the
College of Business. Membership offers students the opportunity to join with
other students in their specific areas of interest.
DEAN'S COUNCIL OF STUDENT ADVISORS
The Dean's Council is comprised of the president and vice president of each of
the student organizations within the College. The Council members meet twice a
semester to advise the Dean of their organization's activities, to express
student concerns and to be apprized of upcoming events within the College.
Members are also invited to participate in activities involving the business
community and the College's Business Advisory Council.