Degree Programs

All majors in the department require satisfactory completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours, including:

• General education requirements of the College

• Core requirements of the Department

• 15 hours of required major-discipline courses

• 15 hours of restricted elective courses selected by students from a menu of upper-division courses in each major

• Sufficient unrestricted electives to reach a minimum total of 120 hours for the baccalaureate.

Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree must include 12 semester hours of courses in the humanities (English, history, foreign language, literature, philosophy, or visual and performing arts) at the 300-level or higher as part of the minimum 120 hours required for the baccalaureate. Foreign language courses numbered 201 and 202 may also be counted to meet part of the 12-hour requirement.

The Department also offers minors in economics, accounting, and business administration. Minors require 18 hours concentrated in the minor discipline with at least 12 hours at the 300-level or higher through UVa's College at Wise.

Students are required to meet with the Department Chair to design an appropriate course of minor study. Departmental core requirements cannot be counted as part of the 18 hours requirement in a minor if you have a major in accounting, business or economics.

Departmental Core Requirements

All majors in the Department must complete a minimum of six hours of mathematics courses numbered MATH 101 or above; this requirement satisfies, but is not in addition to, the General Education requirement of the College in mathematics. Additional departmental core requirements comprise the following eight courses:

Students should generally complete all lower-division courses (numbered 100 through 299) in the departmental core before attempting upper-division courses (numbered 300 through 499) in the major disciplines.

Students must complete each course in the departmental core with a grade of "C-" or better before enrolling in the required departmental capstone course. Required major-discipline courses for the Department's majors are listed on the major sections of this website.

*ECON 205 and ECON 206 also satisfy three hours of the nine-hour requirement in the social sciences that is part of the General Education Core of the College.

Departmental Capstone Requirement

Students majoring in the Department must complete a capstone course during their final spring semester at UVa's College at Wise. The senior capstone course is an integral part of the Department's major-program assessment activities. Each departmental major must complete the capstone course with a grade of "C-" or better to be eligible for graduation.

As part of the capstone course, each student must complete a comprehensive examination of knowledge in their major discipline, which will count 20 percent of the capstone course grade. The exam covers material in the departmental and major core requirement areas.

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Major in Accounting

Accounting majors must complete each required major-discipline course with a grade of "C-" or better to be eligible for graduation.

Students must complete at least six hours of the required major-discipline courses with a grade of "C-" or better before enrolling in the departmental capstone course.

In addition to the required major-discipline courses, accounting majors must complete 15 hours of restricted electives selected from the Department's upper-division accounting course offerings.

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Major in Business Administration

Business Administration majors must complete each required major-discipline course with a grade of "C-" or better to be eligible for graduation.

Students must complete at least six hours of the required major-discipline courses with a grade of "C-" or better before enrolling in the departmental capstone course.

In addition to the required major-discipline courses, business administration majors must complete 15 hours of restricted electives selected from the Department's upper-division business administration (BUAD) or economics (ECON) course offerings.

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Major in Economics

Economics majors must complete each required major-discipline course with a grade of "C-" or better to be eligible for graduation.

Students must complete at least six hours of the required major-discipline courses with a grade of "C-" or better before enrolling in the departmental capstone course.

In addition to the required major-discipline courses, economics majors must complete 15 hours of restricted electives selected from the Department's upper-division economics (ECON) or business administration (BUAD) course offerings.

Double Majors

Students may earn a double major in the Department by completing all requirements for both majors specifically, the 15-hour requirement of required major-discipline courses plus the 15-hour requirement of upper-division, restricted electives.

No course in the combined 30 hours for the major or the departmental core can be double-counted to satisfy requirements for a double major, but students who double major are required to take only one capstone course.

Students majoring outside the Department may complete a second major in the Department of Business and Economics. All requirements must be met, including the Departmental Core and a capstone course.

The Department offers certain courses only in fall semesters or spring semesters. Other courses may be available less frequently, such as once every other year. Course descriptions specify offering frequencies. Students are responsible for planning carefully and scheduling required courses when they are offered.

The Department does not offer "independent study" for regularly scheduled courses at any time, although advanced students are encouraged to include independent study in their college work in accordance with the academic policies of the College (see page 76 of the 2000-2001 Catalog).

Certificate in Accounting (Non-Degree Option)

The Certificate in Accounting addresses the continuing education needs of those already employed in accounting fields and those wishing to enter accounting. The certificate requires 30 credit hours, with each course providing three semester hours of undergraduate college credit. Credit toward the certificate may be allowed for work completed in an accredited college or university, with a transfer limit of six credit hours. Students must also have completed six hours of accounting coursework: Principles of Accounting I (ACCT 201) and Principles of Accounting II (ACCT 202) in order to enter the certificate program.

ELECTIVES
12 hours should be selected from the following:

Teacher Education, CPA Certification & Pre-Law

The Department's faculty will advise students pursuing licensure in teacher education, public accounting, law, or public administration to help them select appropriate electives that support certification or preparatory work for additional professional study.

Students who seek licensure in teacher education may major in any of the Department's majors but must also comply with requirements and policies for admission to and retention in the Teacher Education Program, which are presented in detail in the UVa-Wise 2000-2001 Catalog on page 106.