Jul 22, 2025  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Allen W. and Carol M. Schmidthorst College of Business


Introduction

Schmidthorst College of Business
114 Maurer Center, 419-372-2747

bgsu.edu/business 

The Schmidthorst College of Business offers academic programs and resources that provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in today’s competitive business environment.

  • The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree offers a variety of areas of specialization. The college also offers a Bachelor of Science in Economics degree and several business-related minors.
  • The International Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accredits undergraduate and master’s business programs, an honor bestowed on approximately 1,000 schools worldwide.
  • Students received over $800,000 in scholarships at the college and department levels.
  • Numerous student business organizations, 18 in total, have received outstanding regional and national recognition as well as awards.

Academic Objectives

Mission

Our mission is to transform lives, enhance the economic vitality of our region, and benefit society through exceptional, holistic, learner-centered business education; thought-leading research; and valuable service. (https://www.bgsu.edu/business/about/mission-statement.html)

The Schmidthorst College of Business provides an environment that supports our faculty, staff, and students in reaching their fullest potential through learning, discovery, and service. Through an interactive educational experience that includes classroom and experiential learning, the graduates will have extensive business knowledge and the ability to communicate clearly and to identify and solve problems critically, creatively, and ethically. Faculty and staff strongly encourage student engagement in all aspects of academic life.

Accreditation

To meet the challenges of the business world, the academic programs of the Schmidthorst College of Business require high-performance standards. Programs are designed to provide an intellectual challenge to a student who wishes to assume the responsibility for tomorrow’s business leadership. The Schmidthorst College of Business is a fully accredited member of the AACSB International Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, placing us in the top 6% of all business schools. Businesses and graduate schools widely recognize degrees granted by such accredited colleges. Additional AACSB accreditation is held for the accounting program in the college.

Departments and programs

The Schmidthorst College of Business consists of six departments participating in degree programs:

  • Accounting and Information Systems
  • Applied Statistics and Operations Research
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Management
  • Marketing

Areas of Study

The college and its departments offer the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) degree with a variety of areas of specialization, the Bachelor of Science degree in Economics, and several minors.

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA)

Students completing the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration will demonstrate their ability to:

  1. Apply business knowledge to solve practical problems and make informed business decisions.
  2. Analyze business problems to evaluate different perspectives, propose effective solutions, and justify choices using critical thinking and evidence-based decision-making.
  3. Develop persuasive business presentations and reports that effectively convey information and ideas to diverse audiences showcasing your adaptability and effective communication skills in the business world.
  4. Evaluate ethical dilemmas in business situations, considering multiple perspectives, and justify choices based on ethical principles and professional standards.
BSBA Degree Overview: 

All students pursuing a BSBA degree will start their journey in BA 1500, which introduces the various business structures, functions, and environmental factors in changing global and tools for successful professional development and ethical decision making.  Working closely with the Radbill Center for Life Design (https://www.bgsu.edu/life-design/radbill-center.html), students gain tools for shaping their college and career journey.

Areas of Specialization:

Bachelor of Science in Economics, BSE  

Minors:

Academic Advising

Students Entering the College

First-year entrance
New freshmen may apply for admission to the college with their university application. To be considered for entrance to the College as a Business (BSBA) or Economics (BS) student, new BGSU students must have achieved a minimum ACT Math score of 18 and a minimum ACT composite score of 18 (or the equivalent SAT scores)or test optional 3.0 GPA and C or better in all math classes (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II-or equivalent); international students 3.5 GPA or above.

Transfer from other institutions
Students who are transferring from another institution may apply for entrance to the college with their application for university admission. To be considered for entrance as an economics or pre-business student, the student must have achieved a minimum ACT Math score of 18 and a minimum ACT composite score of 18 (or the equivalent SAT scores).

For transfer students who have not taken either the ACT or SAT, minimum requirements for college entrance are:

  • A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50 from all colleges and universities attended, with successful completion of at least 12 hours toward the degree, and
  • Current enrollment or completion with a letter grade of C or higher in MATH 1260 BA 1600 , or MATH 1310 , or both MATH 1340  and MATH 1350 .

Students seeking transfer to BGSU and the Schmidthorst College of Business should contact the Office of Admissions. Prospective transfer students are encouraged to meet with academic advisors for the College of Business for information regarding the college’s programs.

Credit by transfer from a four-year, fully AACSB accredited institution is accepted for most courses. Credit by transfer from a two-year or non-AACSB accredited institution is not accepted for most business courses that are junior or senior level at BGSU. However, transfer students with sufficient background in the subject matter of a course may seek credit by examination or credit through the College Level Examination Program (see Credit by Examination). These validation options are given at the discretion of the appropriate department, with approval of the student’s dean, and may result in BGSU credit for the course.

Transfer from other BGSU colleges
BGSU students who do not apply or qualify for entrance to the Schmidthorst College of Business as new freshmen or new transfer students may enroll in other BGSU colleges or deciding student programs and apply for entrance to the college upon completion of at least 12 BGSU credit hours toward the degree. Students must apply for college entrance before completing 45 credit hours toward the BSBA or BS in Economics degree or, if 45 or more credit hours are transferred from another institution, upon completion of 12 BGSU credit hours toward the degree. The requirements for college entrance are:

  • A minimum cumulative BGSU grade point average of 2.50 with successful completion of at least 12 BGSU hours toward the degree, and
  • Current enrollment or completion with a letter grade of C or higher in BA 1600  or equivalent.

Students currently enrolled in other BGSU colleges or in deciding student programs are encouraged to meet with academic advisors for the College of Business for information regarding the college’s programs and course schedules before applying for entrance to the college.

To transfer, students should email business@bgsu.edu to request a transfer application.

Advising

Student advising is available through the Office of Academic and Career Planning. Students are responsible for arranging advising appointments and for meeting all graduation requirements. To assist students with planning, computerized degree audits are accessible to all students each year. This provides an indication of their progress towards meeting graduation requirements. The college’s website, www.bgsu.edu/business.html, provides additional information and advice; students may view their degree audits via the My BGSU web portal.

Business academic advisors
BGSU has a centralized academic advising system. All undergraduate advisors are located in Central Hall and are divided into major areas called teams. All Schmidthorst students are assigned to one of the 4 business team members. Advisors also meet with students from other universities or students in other BGSU programs who are interested in transferring into Schmidthorst College of Business. Advising is typically by appointment only, with 30-minute time slots available. However, the advisors do offer drop-in advising on Wednesday afternoons. Students may make an appointment with their advisor by calling 419-372-8943 or by using the online appointment scheduling option through Navigate. Academic advisors are available for appointments throughout the calendar year (even when classes are not in session).

Faculty mentors
Schmidthorst students are assigned faculty mentors in the students’ BSBA specializations or for BS Economics. Students meet with faculty mentors to discuss careers, internships, job opportunities, and student organizations. It is the student’s responsibility to arrange an appointment with a faculty mentor, but faculty are encouraged to reach out to their advisees as well.

Academic appeals
Business administration students who want to appeal for exceptions to academic requirements, policies, or procedures may submit a written appeal to the college’s Board of Appeals. For further information, contact the Student Success Center, 114 Maurer Center, 419-372-2747.

For information concerning grade appeals, see Grading Policies.

Special Programs and Student Activities

Education Abroad
The Schmidthorst College of Business has an exchange program with AUDENCIA Nantes Ecole de Management in France where students from BGSU participate in summer, fall, or spring programs. The summer program includes spending several days visiting European Union institutions in Brussels, Belgium.

Students also have the opportunity to participate in a dual degree exchange program with Ecole de Management Strasbourg, France and culminating in the participating students from both universities earning their BS in Business Administration from BGSU and BA in European Management from EMS Strasbourg. 

Also available to BGSU Schmidthorst College of Business students is a semester long study abroad program with Hong Kong Baptist University, Ecole de Management Strasbourg, France, Rennes School of Business, France, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid in Spain, The University of the West of England, The University of Essex, England, BI Norwegian Business School, Norway, Artevelde University College Ghent, Belgium, VU Amsterdam, Netherlands, and University of Macau, China. In each of these programs, BGSU students take a full course load to progress toward graduation while immersing themselves in local culture and businesses.

For additional information, contact Lindsay Czech, Student Success Coordinator, 114 Maurer Center (419-372-6515), see www.bgsu.edu/business.html, or the Education Abroad Office, 301 University Hall, 419-372-0479, edabroad@bgsu.edu

Internships and Cooperative Education
Opportunities for business administration students to gain practical experience in a work setting are provided through internships and cooperative education. Students in all programs are encouraged to participate and may receive credit if taken in conjunction with an internship course. For further information, contact the Schmidthorst College of Business Career Design Coach, 114 Maurer Center, 419-372-3850 or the Kuhlin Hub for Career Design & Connection Services, 225 Bowen-Thompson Student Union, 419-372-2356

Student Organizations
Schmidthorst College of Business students participate in various college, department, program, and university student organizations. Approximately 18 student organizations in the college provide development, service, and social activities for business, economics, and other students. For more information, contact the department and program offices in the college or see bgsu.edu/business/students/student-organizations.html.

College Administration

bgsu.edu/business

Dean’s Office, 239 Maurer Center

Dean: Jennifer Percival, Ph.D., Schmidthorst College of Business, jpercival@bgsu.edu
Associate Dean for Graduate Programs, Faculty Affairs and Research: Mo Zolfagharian, Ph.D.,  mzolfa@bgsu.edu
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs and Accreditation: Karen Eboch, Ed.D., eboch@bgsu.edu

Student Success Office, 114 Maurer Center

Student Success Coordinator: Lindsay Czech, lczech@bgsu.edu
Career Design Coach: Kat Williams, kwilliams@bgsu.edu

Departments

Accounting and Information Systems, Joseph Zhang, Ph.D., Chair, 240 Maurer Center, 419-372-2646
Applied Statistics and Operations Research, Kyle Moninger, MS, Chair, 241 Maurer Center, 419-372-2363
Economics, Peter Vanderhart, Ph.D., Chair, 240 Maurer Center, 419-372-2324
Finance, Sung Bae, Ph.D., Chair, 240 Maurer Center, 419-372-2520
Management, Bill Sawaya, Ph.D., Chair, 241 Maurer Center, 419-372-6963
Marketing, Fei Weisstein, Ph.D., Chair, 240 Maurer Center, 419-372-2041

Centers and Institutes

Paul J. Hooker Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, Courtney deVaudreuil, Director, 114 Maurer Center, 419-372-7345
Supply Chain Management Institute, Amelia Carr, Ph.D., Director, 324 Maurer Center, 419-372-2543
Center for Business Analytics, 240 Maurer Center, 419-372-2363
Insurance and Risk Management Institute, Sung Bae, Ph.D., Director, 240 Maurer Center, 419-372-2520