7000 J. Mack Robinson College of Business

Undergraduate programs in the Robinson College of Business are described in detail in this chapter. See subsections for specific program information as well as policies and procedures.

General Information

Office of the Dean

7th floor, Robinson College of Business Building
35 Broad Street
404-413-7000
robinson.gsu.edu

Richard Phillips, Dean
Sanjay Srivastava, Associate Dean for Strategy and Special Projects
Todd Maurer, Associate Dean for Research Strategy
Brian Jennings, Associate Dean for Graduate Programs and Executive Education
Anne Dries, Assistant Dean for Administration and Finance
Dave R. Forquer, Assistant Dean for Executive Programs
Jacobus Boers, Assistant Dean for International Engagement
Tracy A. Widman, Assistant Dean for Accreditation and Faculty Data Management
Craig Ruff, Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs
Satish V. Nagundkar , Assistant Dean for Professional and Flexible MBA Programs
Jason Aldridge, Assistant Dean for Strategic Partnerships and Career Advancement

Mission of the J. Mack Robinson College of Business

The J. Mack Robinson College of Business of Georgia State University is committed to academic excellence through advancing the creation and dissemination of knowledge in business and management. Moreover, the college seeks to prepare its students for the practice of management with the knowledge and skills needed to remain effective in a global, culturally diverse, and technologically advanced world that is characterized by rapid change and complex interdependencies. As an academic unit of Georgia State University, the Robinson College seeks to add value to private, public, and not-for-profit organizations through excellence in its research, education, and outreach programs. The college enjoys a location that is distinctive among business schools and is committed to taking full advantage of its proximity to multinational corporations, entrepreneurial enterprises, federal, state, and city agencies, and not-for-profit organizations.

Mission of the B.B.A. Program

The mission of the Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) program is to provide a broad general education and the core business knowledge and skills to prepare both traditional and nontraditional students for entry-level positions in private, public, and not-for-profit organizations and to stimulate in students a desire for lifelong learning. The program relies on a complement of full-time and part-time faculty using the most effective educational methods and technology to meet this mission.

Objectives of the B.B.A. Program

The faculty seeks to fulfill the mission of the B.B.A. program by accomplishing the following objectives:

Students will demonstrate effective communication skills.
Students will effectively and efficiently use computer technology.
Students will effectively and efficiently analyze and solve business problems.
Students will function effectively as team members.
Students will demonstrate a desire for lifelong learning.

Accreditation

The J. Mack Robinson College of Business is accredited by the AACSB International, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The accounting programs of the college also hold accounting accreditation granted by the AACSB. The Institute of Health Administration is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education. The program in hospitality administration is accredited by the Accreditation Commission on Programs in Hospitality Administration.

Bachelor’s Degree Offered

The Robinson College of Business offers the Bachelor of Business Administration with ten majors. The requirements for the B.B.A. degree are shown later in this chapter. A degree is awarded only after admission to and completion of the prescribed program in accordance with the specific degree requirements and academic regulations of the college and the university.

Tutorial Facilities

Tutorial facilities are available to students who may need assistance with writing or mathematics and are described in section 3000, College of Arts and Sciences.

Academic Regulations

Students seeking a degree in the Robinson College of Business are encouraged to become familiar with the academic regulations of the university that are given elsewhere in this catalog. The sections concerning transfer requirements and the university degree policies, including the residence requirement, the core curriculum, the constitutions and histories requirement, application for graduation, academic recognitions, withdrawal from classes, incomplete grades, and scholastic discipline, are of particular importance. (Consult the index for the page numbers of these sections.) The college regulations discussed below should also be read carefully.

Credit Transferred from Other Institutions

Some majors require that transfer credit for upper-level major courses be no more than five years old at the time the student enrolls in the B.B.A. program. Contact the Office of Undergraduate Academic Assistance for further information.

Course credit transferred from two-year colleges shall apply only toward freshman- or sophomore-level credit.

No more than 27 semester credit hours of course work earned through correspondence or extension will be accepted toward the B.B.A. degree. Courses completed through correspondence or extension may not apply toward junior- or senior-level credit.

Re-enrollment after Transferring Elsewhere: Undergraduate students who enroll at another institution as regular students (as opposed to transient- or visiting-student status) will be considered as having transferred to that institution. If such students later re-enroll in the B.B.A. program, regardless of the length of the absence, they will be subject to the curricular degree requirements in effect at the time of their return. Such students are encouraged to discuss their transfer to the other institution with their academic advisor in advance if they intend to apply this work toward a degree of the Robinson College of Business.

Students may not take courses for degree credit at another institution during the semester they expect to graduate from Georgia State University.

Policy on Allowing Undergraduates to Take Graduate Courses

Students with a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher who have at least 18 semester hours of credit at Georgia State University and who are in their senior year may petition to take up to two graduate courses in the Robinson College of Business in lieu of undergraduate courses. Students interested in petitioning should contact the Office of Undergraduate Academic Assistance for a statement of restrictions and procedures pertaining to this policy.

Minimum Grade Requirements for B.B.A. Students

A grade of C- or higher is necessary to receive degree credit in the following required courses in the B.B.A. degree program: All BBA Area F courses; all the courses in the junior-year business core; the upper division communication requirement; all the courses in the major; BUSA 4001, BUSA 4002, BUSA 4980 ; and the student’s junior or senior RCB electives.

In addition to the minimum grade requirements in these courses, a grade of C- or higher must be earned by actuarial science majors in MATH 2215 .

Students transferring from business programs within the University System of Georgia with credit earned for Business Area F courses not included in the Robinson College BBA Area F, must have earned a C- or higher in any course they wish to satisfy the Robinson College BBA’s Area F requirement.

Minimum GPA Requirement for All Students Enrolled in RCB Courses

Students seeking admission into the Robinson College of Business BBA program will complete the following Area F courses prior to entry. The courses listed below will also be included in the six-course Grade Point Average (GPA) calculation used for initial eligibility requirements described in subsequent sub-sections.

Students transferring from other Business programs within the University System of Georgia should refer to sections of this catalog for information on satisfying these requirements. Students attending Perimeter College at Georgia State University intending to transfer into the Robinson College and earn the four year BBA degree may complete some or all of these courses at Perimeter College at Georgia State University. All students must earn course grades in their Area F courses consistent with Minimum Grade Requirements for B.B.A. Students section of this catalog and a GPA consistent with Minimum GPA Requirement for All Students Enrolled in RCB Courses section of this catalog

Initial Eligibility Requirements for Students Admitted to Georgia State University as Freshman (i.e. a native Georgia State University student with no transfer credit)

Students in this category, regardless of degree program or status, may not enroll in upper-level courses (those numbered 3000-4999) offered by the Robinson College of Business unless they meet the following requirements:

Earned at least 45 semester hours of college-level credit.
Completed the six Area F required courses listed in Minimum GPA Requirement for All Students Enrolled in RCB Courses section of this catalog, with an aggregate GPA of 2.8 or better. In attempting to satisfy this requirement each of the six courses listed in Minimum GPA Requirement for All Students Enrolled in RCB Courses section may be attempted only twice at Georgia State University. The six course GPA will be computed using the grade awarded in the student’s last attempt in each course. A WF counts as an attempt.

Initial Eligibility Requirements for Students not covered by section 7020.41

Students in this category, regardless of degree program or status, may not enroll in the Junior Business Core courses or other upper-level courses (those numbered 3000-4999) offered by the Robinson College of Business unless they meet the following requirements:

The following rules will be used in determining the Area F GPA that applies for students under their subsection:

Earned at least 45 semester hours of college-level credit.
Students must complete the Robinson College of Business Area F courses through approved transfer credit or at either Georgia State University prior to seeking enrollment in upper-level courses offered by the Robinson College of Business.
Students must have earned an Area F GPA, as per the six courses listed in Minimum GPA Requirement for All Students Enrolled in RCB Courses section of this catalog, that meets or exceeds 2.80. Each of the six courses may be attempted only twice at Georgia State regardless of previous attempts at other institutions. The six course Area F GPA will be computed using the grade awarded in the student’s last attempt in each course. A WF counts as an attempt.

Continuing Eligibility Requirements for Students

Once a student is eligible to take 3000/4000 RCB courses under either Initial Eligibility Requirements for Students Admitted to Georgia State University as Freshman or Initial Eligibility Requirements for Students not covered by section 7020.41 of this catalog they may remain eligible to take 3000/4000 level RCB courses as long as they maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher and remain in good standing. If the student’s GPA falls below the 2.0 required he or she will remain one semester to raise the GPA to the standard. If unable they will be ineligible to enroll in additional 3000/4000 level RCB courses and will be advised into another degree program.

Course Sequencing Requirements

Students are expected to proceed through the B.B.A. program in proper sequence to receive maximum benefit from their studies. Courses that are intended for the freshman through senior years are indicated by the course numbering system (1000 level through 4000 level, respectively). The lower-level courses taken in the freshman and sophomore years provide a foundation of general education on which the junior and senior years are based.

Sequencing requirements for all students and specifically for B.B.A. students follow. Students who violate any of the course sequencing requirements are subject to disenrollment by the college regardless of performance or time lapse and will be allowed a tuition refund in accordance with the university’s refund schedule.

Upper Division Sequencing for All Students Enrolled in RCB

Students may not register for any 3000/4000-level course taught by the Robinson College of Business until they have earned at least 45 semester hours of college-level credit and satisfied the Area F and the GPA requirements set out in either Sections Initial Eligibility Requirements for Students Admitted to Georgia State University as Freshman or Initial Eligibility Requirements for Students not covered by section 7020.41 of this catalog.

Business Residence Requirement

At least 50 percent of the business credit hours required for the B.B.A. degree must be taken in residence at Georgia State University. This regulation is a requirement of the college’s accrediting body. These are the courses in the B.B.A. program that are considered “business credit hours:” ACCT 2101 , ACCT 2102 , BUSA 1105 , CIS 2010 , FI 3300 , LGLS 3610 , MGS 3100 , MGS 3400 , MK 3010 , BUSA 4001, BUSA 4002, BUSA 4980 , courses in the major (18-21 semester hours, depending on the major chosen), RCB electives (9-12 hours).

Core Curriculum

As stated in the “Core Curriculum” section of the “University Degree Requirements and Graduation” section of this catalog, the university complies with the requirements of the core curriculum of the University System of Georgia. The 60 semester hours of course work for the freshman and sophomore years of the B.B.A. program are designed to conform to that core.

Transfer students from institutions in the University System of Georgia who followed the core curriculum at their previous institution and earned sufficient grades in courses listed in areas A through E of the core curriculum will be granted transfer credit for those relevant courses. This may mean that credit will be granted for courses that differ from those which would be taken at Georgia State University, as shown in the curriculum listed below.

Transfer credit will be given in Core Area F of the B.B.A. program for students who were following the business transfer program at a two-year college or the business curriculum for a bachelor’s degree at a four-year college or university in the University System of Georgia.

If a portion of a core area has been completed, then transfer credit for the corresponding portion at Georgia State will be granted.

Information Technology Access and Skill Requirements

Access Requirements: Because information technology is an integral part of business decision-making, courses in the Robinson College of Business frequently incorporate assignments that require computing skills. Consistent with university policy. The Robinson College requires students to be responsible for providing computer and Internet access for all RCB courses and programs.

Hardware and Software Requirements: Georgia State has standardized on the Microsoft Office Suite in the student computer labs. Students may consult the university’s Office of Student Financial Aid for information about possible funding opportunities for computer and Internet access expenses.

Office of Undergraduate Academic Assistance

Delta Student Success Center
55 Park Place, NE
Suite 1201
404-413-7115, Fax: 404-413-7119
robinson.gsu.edu/undergraduate/contact-us/

M. Colleen Joyce, Director
Carmen Owens, Assistant Director
Tracy Mitchell, Assistant Director
Kim Bagneris, Senior Academic Advisor
Vanessa Jones, Senior Academic Advisor
Marchey Brown, Senior Academic Advisor

Students should regularly consult the website for updates and changes to the B.B.A. program and college regulations that occur after publication of this catalog and for other notices of interest to undergraduate students.

The Robinson College of Business provides the Office of Undergraduate Academic Assistance for the benefit of its students.

Mission: This office supports the college’s mission of and commitment to academic excellence by assisting enrolled students in the development of meaningful educational plans that are compatible with their life goals. The office helps undergraduate students become knowledgeable about academic programs, pertinent regulations, and services available throughout the university.

Areas of responsibility: To support the undergraduate aspects of its mission, the Office of Undergraduate Academic Assistance and the University Advisement Center work with B.B.A. students in these areas:

to provide programs of study for each major offered by the college
to indicate to transfer students the specific credits for work done at other institutions which can be applied toward the BBA degree
to assist students in course selections and schedule revisions each semester;
to explain catalog regulations;
to administer policies for the college and the university;
to refer students to other sources of help in the university.

Students advised by the Office of Undergraduate Academic Advisement are seen by appointment except during walk-in times that are provided for brief questions that can be resolved in ten or fewer minutes. Walk-in advisement is 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. Additional walk-in hours are available during some phases of registration. Contact the Office of Undergraduate Academic Assistance for dates and times. Appointment hours are 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday and 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Thursday.

Advisement

To ensure orderly progression through the degree program, students are urged to keep their catalogs and evaluations of credits readily available and to refer to them frequently as they schedule courses each semester. Students’ familiarity with their degree requirements is the foundation for advisement provided by the college.

B.B.A. students can be advised by academic advisers in the Office of Undergraduate Academic Assistance and the University Advisement Center as described in the preceding section. Advisement from these offices is not mandatory for the B.B.A. program, but the college encourages students with questions about their degree requirements or the academic regulations of the college or university to contact their adviser.

All students also may consult faculty members in the academic units of the college with questions about course content or for help in selecting major courses after reviewing the description of the major in the catalog. Students should contact the academic unit in advance to arrange a conference with a faculty adviser.

Robinson Career Advancement Center

J. Mack Robinson College of Business
Delta Student Success Center
Career Advancement Center
55 Park Place, 12th Floor
404-413-7155
robinson.gsu.edu/cac/

Mission

The Robinson Career Advancement Center is committed to pro-actively help Robinson College of Business students and alumni manage their career, develop excellent job search skills and connect with high quality job opportunities, while providing employers with an outstanding recruiting experience. In addition, we provide employers with a central gateway for recruiting out current students and alumni.

Undergraduate Career Counselors

La’Kesha Hughes, Senior Career Counselor, Undergraduate
404-413-7161, lhughes@gsu.edu

Serves students pursuing degrees in the following areas of study: Actuarial Science, Hospitality, Marketing, Managerial Sciences and Risk Management and Insurance. Assists students with career exploration and development, including but not limited to, resumes, interviewing skills, offer negotiation, CareerLeader assessments, and job search. Also serves as a BCOM 3950 Lab Instructor.

Ali’Yah Martin, Career Counselor, Undergraduate
404-413-7164, amartin114@gsu.edu

Serves students pursuing degrees in the following areas of study: Accounting, Business Economics, CIS, Finance and Real Estate. Assists students with career exploration and development, including but not limited to, resumes, interviewing skills, offer negotiation, CareerLeader assessments, and job search. Also serves as a BCOM 3950 Lab Instructor.

Handshake

Our online platform for connecting employers and students, is the place where students have access to over 2000 internship, co-op and full-time career opportunities. In addition, Handshake serves as out portal to access a variety of on-line tools and databases to support student career advancement. Access Handshake at robinson.gsu.edu/cac/

Services

The following services are available to undergraduates in the Robinson College of Business:

Individual career advising and assessment
Resume and cover letter critiques
Mock interviews
Workshops pertaining to all aspects of the job search process.
Panthership- Job Shadowing.
Job and internship postings
Campus interviews
Career EXPO’s and networking events are sponsored to give students exposure to employers.
These events offer an excellent opportunity to make personal contact and gather information concerning specific companies, internship programs, staffing needs and industry trends.

Career Advancement Center Leadership

Jason Aldrich, Ed.D, Assistant Dean Strategic Planning and Career Advancement
404-413-7156, jaldrich@gsu.edu
As a member of the Dean of the Robinson College of Business’ leadership team, Jason provides leadership and oversight to the graduate and undergraduate career advancement centers and develops and maintains internal and external strategic partnerships.

Denise Holmes, M.S., Director Undergraduate Career Advancement Center
404-413-7169, dholmes17@gsu.edu
Undergraduate Career Advancement Programming; Undergraduate Recruiting liaison; Career EXPO (fall and spring)

Marielle Thomas, Career & Employer Relations, Undergraduate
404-413-7116, mthomas125@gsu.edu
All undergraduate recruitment events. Fall and Spring Career EXPO; Interview Days/Schedules;
Information Sessions; Resume Books and Handshake Employment Postings.

Sharry Conroy, Associate Director, Undergraduate Career Management
404-413-7160, sconroy2@gsu.edu
Leads our Panthers on Wall Street, Panthers in the Valley and Panthers in D.C. signature programs.

Clare Higgins, Assistant Director, Employer Relations
404-413-7157, chmorton@gsu.edu
Serves as the point person for the Joiner Achievement Academy and supports employers recruiting across our undergraduate and graduate populations. Also serves as the point of contact for all CAC technical infrastructure.

Student Complaints, Petitions for Policy Waivers and Variances, and Appeals

The appeals procedure for students in the J. Mack Robinson College of Business will follow different courses depending on the nature of the student’s appeal. Please refer to University Information Student Complaints, Petitions for Policy Waivers and Variances, and Appeals under Polices and Disclosures in this catalog for details.

College Honors Day

Each spring semester a College Honors Day is observed to recognize students in the Robinson College of Business for their academic excellence.

Beta Gamma Sigma

Membership in Beta Gamma Sigma is the highest general scholastic honor a business student can receive at Georgia State University, and it is recognized as such throughout the academic and business communities. Nominations for membership in this national honorary business fraternity occur early in spring semester. Second-semester juniors who are in the upper seven percent of their class and seniors in the upper ten percent of their class are eligible for nomination.

Honors Program

Robinson College of Business
Delta Student Success Center
Signature Programs Office
55 Park Place, NE
Suite 1226
or
35 Broad Street
Suite 1001
404-413-7555

robinson.gsu.edu/programs/undergraduate-programs/honors-program/

Ryan Grelecki, J.D., Faculty Associate for the Honors Experience in Business

Robinson will no longer maintain a separate honors program. Instead, Robinson students admitted through the University Honors College will be part of a newly-designed Honors Experience in Business.

Business Communication Programs

Jan Costello, Coordinator

Effective communication allows individuals to understand each other, encourages people to take action, and motivates others to think creatively and critically. Business Communication Programs offer undergraduate and graduate classes that prepare students to effectively handle the demanding communication tasks of the twenty-first century. Students develop professional communication skills and learn how culture, ethics, and technology affect communication. Faculty members bring experience to Business Communication Programs from academic disciplines, as well as corporations, and address communication issues based on diversity and globalization. Strong communication skills are vital for all disciplines today. The program continues to evolve to meet the advanced communication requirements of business students at Georgia State University.

Graduate Programs Offered by the J. Mack Robinson College of Business

Georgia State University offers through the J. Mack Robinson College of Business graduate programs leading to the following degrees:

Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration
Master of Business Administration
Master of Business Administration/Juris Doctor
Master of Business Administration/Master of Health Administration
Master of Business Administration/Master of Health Administration/Juris Doctor
Master of Actuarial Science
Master of Science in Quantitative Risk Analysis and Management

Master of International Business
Master of Global Hospitality Management
Master of Professional Accountancy
Master of Professional Accountancy/Juris Doctor
Master of Science in Analytics
Master of Science in Business Economics

Master of Science in Managerial Science
Master of Science in Marketing
Master of Science in Health Administration
Master of Science in Information Systems
Master of Science in Information Systems Audit and Control
Master of Science in Commercial Real Estate
Master of Taxation

Information concerning the programs leading to the graduate degrees is contained in the university’s graduate catalog. Inquiries concerning masters’ programs should be directed to the Office of Graduate Recruiting and Student Services of the J. Mack Robinson College of Business (605 RCB Building, 404-413-7167) at least six months in advance of the desired time of entry. Inquiries concerning the doctoral program should be directed to the Doctoral Program Office, 831 RCB Building, 404-413-7070.

The J. Mack Robinson College of Business also offers graduate certificate programs in accounting, enterprise risk management, information systems, brand and customer management and strategic sales leadership.