School of Management | 2023-24 | Binghamton University (2024)

About the School of Management

School of Management Undergraduate Information

Admission to the School of Management

School of Management Graduate Information

About

The School of Management offers degree programs to approximately 1,900 students at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels. Undergraduates choose between BS degree programs in either business administration or accounting. At the graduate level, an MBA, an MS in accounting and a PhD degree are offered.

Both undergraduate programs offered by the School of Management stress breadth of educational experience combined with an opportunity for some level of specialization. They require liberal arts study in Harpur College of Arts and Sciences and a sound foundation in basic management disciplines, and promote an awareness of the legal, environmental and societal factors that affect decision-making in organizations. The two programs include prominent coverage of ethical and international issues and the use of computers as a decision-making tool. Students receive valuable pre-professional training as well as preparation for study in graduate or professional school.

The MBA program at Binghamton University is designed to meet the needs of today’s managers who are continually challenged by the dynamic changes occurring in the corporate, public and non-profit sectors. The MBA program, in addition to offering training and background in the traditional functional areas of business administration, emphasizes interdisciplinary decision making, teamwork, internationalization and social responsibility.

The MS program in accounting prepares students for work in the areas of public accounting and management accounting. Like the BS in accounting, the MS program may be used as the basis for satisfying the educational requirements for taking the CPA examination and licensure as a certified public accountant. New York state has adopted the policy that exists in other states and now requires completion of a 150 credit-hour program of study as a condition for sitting for the CPA exam and licensure. The School of Management recommends that the combination of the BS in accounting and the MS in accounting be chosen to satisfy the new 150 credit-hour requirement.

The school’s PhD students may pursue concentrations in the areas of finance, marketing, management information systems and organizational behavior. Students also may combine an interest in management information systems with one of the other concentration areas by designing an interdisciplinary program. The School of Management offers BS/MS and BS/MBA combined-degree programs that satisfy the 150 credit-hour requirement.

School of Management Undergraduate Information

Binghamton University’s School of Management (SOM) is one of five professional schools on campus. Its programs allow students to appreciate the complexity of modern organizations, the intricate relationships that exist between organizations and the social frameworks of which they are a part, and the challenges of administration at its broadest levels. The curriculum offerings are diverse, and they prepare students for professional careers as well as for undertaking advanced academic work.

The undergraduate programs of the school have a pre-professional orientation and stress breadth of knowledge while allowing limited specialization. They provide students with a comprehensive management education aimed at developing and expanding their capacity for dealing with an increasingly complex business environment, on both a national and international level, and they familiarize students with the computer and its applications to the functional areas of management. As part of their graduation requirements, students take a course in management policy and strategy, which acts as a capstone experience.

The undergraduate business administration curriculum provides students with a strong liberal arts background; a sound foundation in the basic disciplines and functional areas of management; and an awareness of the legal, environmental and societal factors that affect decision making in organizations. In addition, the undergraduate business administration student has the opportunity to acquire greater depth of understanding in one or more functional areas by electing concentrations in those areas.

The undergraduate accounting curriculum option provides strong pre-professional training in the theory and practice of accounting, within the context of a sound general education that exposes the student both to the liberal and to the management arts. The program serves students interested in careers in public and corporate accounting, as well as students who intend to pursue advanced studies in various graduate and professional schools.

The School of Management also offers a PwC Scholars program or the EY Leaders program to which highly qualified entering first-year students are offered entrance at the time of their admission to the School of Management.

Academic Policies

Students in SOM are subject to all general regulations listed in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of the Bulletin. In addition, the following policies also apply to management students.

Courses Taken in Other Schools

Cross-disciplinary study is encouraged, and students are required to take approximately one-half of the coursework for their degrees in the other undergraduate components of the Binghamton campus (the various departments of Harpur College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Community and Public Affairs, the Decker School of Nursing, and the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science).

Grading System

The following are valid grades in SOM undergraduate courses: A, A–, B+, B, B–, C+, C, C–, D, F, W, WF and I. The grade of P (Pass) may be given only in an internship, teaching practicum, independent study or readings and research coursework. This grading option (P) is available for independent study and readings and research courses only with consent of both the instructor and the school’s advising office; whereas it is the default grading option for internship and teaching practica experiences. Students matriculated in SOM must adhere to this grading system in all courses taken in SOM.

When taking courses in other schools at Binghamton University, SOM students are permitted to take the grading option of those schools if they wish. They may also petition to be graded according to the SOM system, if the instructor is willing and if the school offering the course permits such petitions. Grades earned in other schools at Binghamton University by SOM students are entered into the student’s record and printed on transcripts as they are given.

Undergraduate students from other schools at Binghamton University who register for SOM courses may petition the respective instructors to be graded by the system existing in the school in which they are enrolled.

All graduate students taking an undergraduate course in SOM are graded according to the grading policies of the Graduate School.

Academic Standing

To remain in good academic standing, students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.0. Students must also maintain a 2.0 minimum SOM GPA. The SOM GPA will be calculated only after 12 credits of SOM coursework has been completed.

Probation

Students who fail to meet a cumulative GPA and/or SOM GPA of 2.0 but have cumulative GPAs above the Academic Dismissal Index (see below) will be placed on probation. Students on probation are expected to raise their cumulative GPA to a 2.0 level or better within a maximum of two full-time semesters of study. Students who fail to raise their cumulative GPA will be subject to contract or dismissal (see next section). Students who find themselves on probation are encouraged to utilize University resources including, but not limited to, Success Coaching offered by the Student Success and Transition Office, University Tutorial Services, Academic Advising and/or the University Counseling Center.

Probation does not necessarily preclude a student from registering or receiving financial aid. Standards for financial aid eligibility are described in the Financial Information section of this publication.

Contract

Students will be asked to sign a contract:

1. If a student’s cumulative GPA falls below the Academic Dismissal Index (see below).

2. If a student’s cumulative GPA has remained below 2.0 for two consecutive semesters.

3. If a student is currently on probation and receives a term GPA below 2.0.

The contract will be sent to the student via Binghamton email and to the permanent address of the student. Failure to agree to the terms of the contract by signing and returning the contract to the SOM advising staff within the time dictated in the contract will result in permanent dismissal from Binghamton University.

If a student formally withdraws from the University in the semester that they are on contract, they will be held to the conditions of the signed contract in the semester that they elect to return to the University.

Dismissal

Failure to meet the terms of the student's contract in the term of the contract will result in permanent dismissal from Binghamton University. Students who meet contract requirements, but have a cumulative or SOM GPA that falls below a 2.0 in subsequent semesters, will be permanently dismissed from Binghamton University

Academic Dismissal Indexes

Grade point averages are calculated by assigning the following point values to the respective grades:

A = 4.0 A- = 3.7 B+ = 3.3 B = 3.0 B- = 2.7

C+ = 2.3 C = 2.0 C- = 1.7 D = 1.0 F = 0.0

P, AU and W generate no grade points and are not included in the GPA calculation.

A student who has been dismissed for academic reasons for the first time may apply for immediate readmission. In some instances, this may be granted; however, the school has the discretion to refuse immediate readmission and ask for additional contingencies to be met. Students will only be immediately readmitted after signing a readmission contract. Failure to achieve the level of performance indicated in the contract, or a GPA of less than a 2.0 in future academic semesters, will result in a final dismissal with no opportunity for readmission. A student may petition the Office of the Dean of the School of Management regarding their standing.

Incomplete Policy

A notation of Incomplete, rather than a grade, may be reported by the instructor when a student has made substantial progress but has not been able to complete a course. The student must have a valid reason, such as illness or other justifiable circ*mstances, for requesting an Incomplete. The issues of substantial progress, the potential to pass the course, and the reason for the request are decided by the instructor. When giving an Incomplete, the instructor must:

• complete a contract, which is signed by the instructor and the student, which specifies the work needing to be done in order to complete the course and receive a grade;
• submit the contract to the SOM Advising Office, along with the submission of the Incomplete grade;
• specify in the contract how and when the course will be completed. The student must be in compliance with SOM rules regarding the number of Incompletes a student may carry at one time (a student may not carry more than eight credits of Incompletes at any time without the specific approval of the dean’s office);
• indicate in the contract, any extenuating circ*mstances (e.g., sabbatical), the signature of any additional instructor needed for successful completion of the course. This signature is to be obtained by the originating faculty member, not the student.

An Incomplete grade becomes a grade of “F” 72 hours after the last scheduled final in the next regular semester following the issuance of the Incomplete unless a change of grade is submitted by the instructor. It is the student’s responsibility to ascertain that the coursework has been completed according to the contract and that a new grade is submitted. An extension of this deadline must be approved by the instructor and the dean’s office, and is approved only in highly unusual circ*mstances. Contracts and other required forms may be obtained from the SOM Advising Office by the instructor.

Withdrawal Regulations

If they wish for their records to indicate good standing, students who withdraw from the University must follow a formal withdrawal procedure. Mere absence from class does not constitute due notice of withdrawal. Withdrawal applications may be obtained from the School of Management Dean's Office. When students withdraw entirely from SOM, and also simultaneously withdraw from all courses for which they are registered, there is no academic penalty associated with the withdrawal from courses. A grade of W is assigned to each course, and a notation indicating withdrawal from the University is placed on the transcript.

Formal readmission is necessary for any student who has not been in attendance for three or more semesters. Students who officially withdraw during the regular academic year are eligible to register for the next academic semester without requesting formal readmission.

The following regulations govern withdrawals from individual SOM courses:

As indicated in the University regulations section on the subject, students may withdraw from a course without restriction and with no recorded grade until the end of the second week of class. After that, and until the end of the official University withdrawal deadline, a grade of “W” is recorded. Students wishing to withdraw from a course after the withdrawal deadline and still receive a grade of “W,” rather than a failing grade, are required to provide evidence, in a timely manner, that extraordinary circ*mstances beyond their control occurred after the withdrawal deadline. Poor class performance and/or poor judgment are not considered appropriate reasons for a late withdrawal. Petitions for late withdrawals should be submitted to the SOM undergraduate advisor who will review them with the respective instructor and obtain final approval from the dean’s office. Individual course withdrawals will not be considered after the last official day of classes in the semester in which the course was taken.

Transcript Policy

The Registrar’s Office maintains a single transcript for all Binghamton University students, which serves both internal and external purposes. As an external transcript, it is the official record of the student’s performance and is forwarded to prospective employers and graduate schools. As an internal transcript, in conjunction with a degree audit report, it is used by the University and SOM for administrative and academic advising purposes. The following reflects SOM policy on transcripts:

The semester and cumulative grade-point averages recorded on the transcript are based on the student’s academic work in all units of Binghamton University.

SOM students who complete all of their academic work at Binghamton University are limited to 16 credits of "Pass," "Satisfactory" or similar grades in non-SOM coursework during their undergraduate programs. Those who transfer from other institutions are limited to the equivalent of one such grade for each year of attendance at Binghamton University. Courses with a mandatory Pass/Fail grade option are excluded from this limit.

All grades are recorded on the student’s transcript as they are received in courses.

Independent Study, Teaching Practica and Internships

While independent study is a useful and important adjunct to a student’s academic preparation, no student is allowed to apply more than eight credits of independent study, internship and/or practicum in college teaching coursework in fulfillment of SOM degree requirements. Independent study, internships and practicum in college teaching generally are taken on a Pass/Fail basis.

Physical Education

Physical education for SOM students is governed by the General Education policies in place at the time of matriculation. At this time, all SOM students are required to complete a minimum of two credits of physical education, one credit of which must have a wellness component and one credit that must have an activity component. No student is allowed to present more than six credits in physical education, health and wellness, and/or outdoor pursuits in fulfillment of their SOM degree.

Writing Requirement

The writing requirement consists of the completion of two composition courses from within Harpur College or equivalent courses transferred from other colleges or universities. Such courses carry a General Education indicator of C . One of these C courses serves as the General Education Composition course. Joined courses (Gen Ed J) are also acceptable as these courses combine the Composition component with an Oral Communication component. If a student has taken one C or J course for a letter grade, thus completing the General Education Composition course requirement, then they can fulfill the second C requirement with 2 or more writing initiative courses (W attribute).

Academic Honors

Graduation Honors

Undergraduate students with outstanding academic records are awarded graduation honors at Commencement. Determinations are made in accordance with the following guidelines:

• Selections are made on the basis of the student’s entire academic career at Binghamton University.
  • Individual designations are determined as follows:
  • Students with cumulative grade-point averages of 3.85 or greater (on a 4.0 scale) receive the designation summa cum laude;
  • Students with cumulative grade-point averages of between 3.70 and 3.84 receive the designation magna cum laude;
  • Students with cumulative grade-point averages of between 3.50 and 3.69 receive the designation cum laude.
• Students who have entered Binghamton University after completing a portion of their degree requirements at another institution must present cumulative GPAs of at least 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) for all coursework taken at other institutions, and must complete at least 60 credits in residence at Binghamton University, with GPA equivalent to those specified above, in order to be eligible for graduation honors.
• As indicated above, four-year students may present no more than 16 credits of Pass (“P”) grades. Transfer students are limited to four credits of Pass grades per full year of attendance at Binghamton University.
  Students who fail to satisfy any of the above criteria are not considered for graduation honors unless an exception is granted through the dean’s office.

Dean’s List

At the end of each regular semester, SOM students who have earned exceptional grades during that semester are accorded Dean’s List recognition. Such recognition is limited to those students having the highest semester grade-point averages while completing at least 14 credits for letter grades. A minimum grade-point average of 3.75 is required.

Awards

See the Scholarships, Awards, and Fellowships section of the University Bulletin.

PwC Scholars Program

The PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Scholars Program is focused on developing future leaders through academic excellence, professional development, community service/fundraising and unique networking opportunities. The goal is to attract superior students and challenge them to reach their full potential. PwC Scholars augment the normal SOM curriculum with additional requirements geared to better prepare them to excel in their careers. PwC Scholars are provided with special opportunities to enhance both their written and oral communication skills. To facilitate oral communication skills, Scholars are required to participate in reading and discussion sections each semester.

PwC Scholars are required to complete additional coursework in their primary field of management concentration, complete a second concentration in another management area or minor in another University discipline. Additional benefits of the program include the opportunity to participate in the Scholars Junior Level International Experience and the Sophom*ore Level Case Competition. In addition, the scholars have the opportunity to hear from a variety of successful speakers as part of the Scholars Speaker Series.

Completion of the PwC Scholars Program is noted on the student's official transcript and through a PwC Scholars Program Certificate issued by SOM.

Admission to the program is competitive and is limited to no more than 10% of the entering first-year class. Students are invited to participate in the program when they are accepted for admission to the University. Those first-years who are not admitted upon entry to the University are offered a chance to apply as sophom*ores if their first-year Grade Point Average is 3.6 or higher.

Additional SOM Requirements for PwC Scholars students:

SOM requirements that are unique to the PwC Scholars Program are designed to further enhance students' breadth and depth of knowledge in management and their area of specialization. While it is not required, it is expected that many of the participants in the PwC Scholars Program will have earned college credit prior to their enrollment at Binghamton University. These credits may partially or fully offset the additional credit requirements.

PwC Scholars students augment their programs with the following additional requirement:

• Scholars Seminars: Students must participate in the PwC Scholars seminars during each semester in which they are enrolled in the PwC Scholars Program.
• Additional writing course: Students are required to take at least one additional writing course (Gen Ed C or J) beyond the standard two-course SOM requirement.
• Scholars courses: MGMT 251 Scholars Case Competition and MGMT 350 Community Service Project are required of all PwC Scholars.

PwC Scholars students are also required to fulfill one of the following options:

• Major area requirement (four additional credits): Experiential learning course as defined by DegreeWorks audit. This additional coursework may include independent studies or courses not listed on the DegreeWorks audit with the approval of the program director.
• Concentration in business for accounting majors (must meet 3.7 GPA requirement in order to declare) or second concentration for business administration majors: see above concentrations for options and requirements.
• Minor: A minor may be completed without taking extra courses by careful utilization of liberal arts electives. See the Bulletin section for the department offering the desired minor for requirements.

Participants in the PwC Scholars Program are expected to maintain and graduate with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.6. If the student's cumulative GPA is below 3.6 for two consecutive semesters, the student may not continue in the program. Scholars' coursework may also be counted toward the traditional SOM degrees, therefore discontinuation of participation in the program does not normally result in additional coursework requirements or delay the completion of a degree program in the School of Management.

For more information about the program, contact the SOM Advising Office at 607-777-2316.

EY Leaders Program

The EY Leaders Program is intended to recognize and provide opportunities for emerging leaders. The program focuses on developing transformative leaders with a focus on technology and innovation. This is driven by the skills desired by industry to be successful in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The emphasis is on statistical and data-driven decision making, data visualization, programming, modeling, machine learning, and other advanced analytic methods.

Students will develop a mindset to analyze, innovate and think and act globally. The program will provide opportunities to develop leadership skills through purpose discovery and professional networking. EY’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion will be reflected in education and mentoring among other activities.

Admission to the program is competitive and is limited to no more than 10% of the entering first-year class. Students are invited to participate in the program when they are accepted for admission to the University. Those first-years who are not admitted upon entry to the University are offered a chance to apply as sophom*ores if their freshman Grade Point Average is 3.6 or higher.

Completion of the EY Leaders Program is noted on the student's official transcript and through a certificate issued by SOM.

EY Leaders students augment their programs with the following additional requirement:

• Scholars Seminars: Students must participate in the EY Leaders seminars during each semester in which they are enrolled in the EY Leaders Program.
• Additional writing course: Students are required to take at least one additional writing course (Gen Ed C or J) beyond the standard two-course SOM requirement.
• EY Leaders courses: MGMT 261 Technical Case Competition and MGMT 360 Analytics Project are required of all EY Leaders students.

EY Leaders students are also required to fulfill the following:

• Major Area Requirement (eight additional credits): Two technical learning courses beyond the required core classes, as defined by DegreeWorks audit. This additional coursework may include independent studies or courses not listed on the DegreeWorks audit with the approval of the program director.
• MGMT 411 section that is analytics focused. A section is reserved for EY Leaders.

Participants in the EY Leaders Program are expected to maintain and graduate with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.6. If the student's cumulative GPA is below 3.6 for two consecutive semesters, the student may not continue in the program. Leaders' coursework may also be counted toward the traditional SOM degrees, therefore discontinuation of participation in the program does not normally result in additional coursework requirements or delay the completion of a degree program in the School of Management.

For more information about the program, contact the SOM Advising Office at 607-777-2316.

Special Opportunities for SOM and Non-SOM Students

SOM offers opportunities to further students’ understanding of, and exposure to, the arena of international management.

Opportunities for study in England, Australia, Italy, Scotland, China, Korea and other countries have provided students in accounting and in business administration with an opportunity to study management practices at prestigious business schools in these countries. Students interested in any of these programs should contact the school’s advising office or the Office of International Education and Global Initiatives.

SOM students are permitted to take up to two upper-level business courses while studying abroad from an AACSB- or EQUIS-accredited school.

SOM international students who wish to study abroad in their home country are limited to taking one upper-level business course from an AACSB- or EQUIS-accredited school.

Admissions

The procedure for individuals applying for admission to the School of Management, as either first-year or transfer students, is the same as for other undergraduate schools of the University. Specific information may be found in the Admissions section of the University Bulletin.

In order to maximize credit transfer, students who have taken two years of undergraduate education at another college or university, and who wish to transfer into the School of Management for their junior and senior years, should have concentrated their first two years of academic work in arts and sciences courses, attaining at least 30 hours of credit in such subjects with grades of C or better. The student’s first two years of education should therefore consist of work in the following areas: English and literature (including at least one course in compositional techniques); economics (including one course each in microeconomic and macroeconomic theory); mathematics (including at least one course in calculus); and elective coursework in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences — with special attention to courses that fulfill the University’s General Education requirements. Students may also choose to further supplement their first two years of undergraduate education with courses in the principles of financial accounting, statistics and business law. Such courses are an important foundation for the professional coursework that composes the School of Management student’s final two years of study. Students whose two-year curriculum closely follows the pattern above will have completed coursework that maintains the course sequence adhered to by School of Management students during their first and sophom*ore years.

While students are able to transfer courses and/or credit for the specific business administration and accounting courses indicated above, in accordance with the school’s transfer credit policy, transfer credit for upper-division accounting and business administration coursework is not granted without ample evidence of its basic equivalency to analogous coursework taught in the School of Management, unless these courses are taken at AACSB-accredited business programs during the junior or senior year of study. Thus, students completing upper-division accounting and business administration coursework as part of their first or sophom*ore years of study must formally “validate” all such courses for which transfer credit is requested. Normally this requires (at a minimum) completion of a detailed proficiency examination in each course area for which transfer credit is requested. The coverage of such examinations is based on the appropriate coursework as it is taught in the School of Management.

Although most transfer students have completed two years of college work, students may be accepted for transfer at any time during their college careers, if space permits. School of Management transfer spaces are very limited and consequently admission is highly competitive. Admission is granted primarily on the basis of academic proficiency in appropriate courses; candidates generally need above a 3.2 average for admission. Advanced-standing credit is generally granted for all work comparable to that offered by Binghamton University. In addition, up to 16 hours of free elective credit may be granted for courses not comparable to any offered by Binghamton, provided that the work was theoretical/analytical rather than applied in nature. Courses falling within this category may not include business or accounting courses. Advanced standing is not granted for courses completed with a grade lower than C.

Graduate Information

The School of Management's (SOM) graduate programs challenge students to appreciate the complexity of modern organizations, the intricate relationships that exist between organizations and the social frameworks they are a part of, and the responsibilities of administration at its broadest levels. Curricular offerings are diverse and prepare students for professional careers, as well as advanced academic work.

Admission

Although it may be helpful if students have basic knowledge in micro-economics and statistics, any undergraduate major is appropriate for admission to the MBA or MS Accounting programs. However, to be admitted an applicant must:

• Hold a bachelor's degree or the equivalent from a college or university of recognized standing
• Achieve an acceptable undergraduate cumulative grade-point average of at least a 3.0

In support of their applications, students must submit:

• Official transcripts of all previous college work
• Two letters of recommendation from faculty or employers
• Résumé
• International students must also submit proof of English proficiency (such as TOEFL, IELTS or PTE Academic scores) and immigration and financial documentation. See the Graduate School website for more information about the additional requirements for international students.

Scores on the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are not required but accepted. Official test scores must be sent electronically directly to the Graduate School.

• GMAT registration materials and test center locations can be obtained by visiting https://www.mba.com or calling 1-800-GMAT-NOW.
• GRE registration materials and test center locations can be obtained by visiting http://www.ets.org/gre or calling 1-866-473-4373.

All application materials should be submitted online through the Graduate School website. Inquiries on the application process should be sent directly to gradsch@binghamton.edu.

The School of Management accepts applications on a rolling basis; however, the preferred application deadline is March 15 for the fall semester or December 1 for the spring semester. The School of Management reserves a limited number of spaces for outstanding applicants whose life or career situations prevent them from applying earlier.

Academic Programs

Below you will find information for all of the School of Management's academic programs. Click on the + sign to reveal our undergraduate, 4+1/combined, and graduate programs.

• Undergraduate
  • Accounting
  • Business Administration
• Combined
  • 4+1 Accounting Program
  • 4+1 Business Administration Program
• Graduate
  • Accounting
  • Business Administration
  • Management