BBA Options

The BBA has an open admissions policy where all qualified applicants are accepted. Students who have completed all or a portion of a business diploma or a university transfer program at another institution can ladder into the BBA and likely receive credit for most of the courses taken.

Fewer transfer credits will be awarded for business-related programs such as tourism or computing, but every attempt will be made to minimize the time required to complete the degree.

Transfer credit is determined on a course-by-course basis. Equivalent courses taken at approved two-year colleges will be awarded credit for lower level courses only. Lower and upper level credit will be granted if an equivalent course is taken at an acceptable university. Normally, the course must be 80 percent equivalent to receive transfer credit. Students must have received at least "C-" (GPA of 1.67 on a scale of 4.33) in the equivalent course.

Course equivalency charts have been established for business diploma programs across Canada and selected universities so students can clearly see what transfer credit they will receive. BC students can also consult the online BC Transfer Guide to assess the equivalency of their courses.

If neither of these sources provides the information students want, an academic advisor can evaluate individual courses based on course outlines submitted by the student.

Please contact an academic advisor if you have any questions about transfer credit.

The School of Business and Economics offers a number of certificates and diplomas that prepare students for entry-level positions in office administration, accounting, general administration, and sales. All these programs ladder into the BBA and MBA with minimal, if any, loss of credit.

Transfer students from other colleges and universities can also ladder into the BBA and receive credit for most of their courses. Graduates with non-business degrees can ladder into post-baccalaureate diplomas in business or pursue the MBA.

The School's philosophy is to allow students to transition into or out of post-secondary education over their lives as their professional and family commitments and educational needs change. This is accomplished through an open admissions policy, laddered curriculum with a progressive credential structure, and a commitment to active prior learning assessment and recognition (PLAR) and generous transfer credit.

This chart illustrates the flexible program structure and how credits gained in one credential can count towards the next credential.

Business Foundations Certificate → Accounting Technician Diploma → Bachelor of Business Administration → Master of Business Administration

Business Foundations Certificate → Management Diploma → Bachelor of Business Administration → Master of Business Administration

Business Fundamentals Certificate → Administrative Assistant Certificate → Executive Assistant Diploma → Bachelor of Business Administration → Master of Business Administration

Business Fundamentals Certificate → Legal Administrative Assistant Certificate → Executive Assistant Diploma → Bachelor of Business Administration → Master of Business Administration

Transfer Student → Bachelor of Business Administration → Master of Business Administration

Non-business Degree → Post-Baccalaureate or Master of Business Administration

International exchanges offer students the chance to experience different cultures, develop their language skills, and make personal and business contacts that may last a life time. In the BBA, students have the opportunity to study abroad for a semester or two with one of our exchange partners and earn credits towards the degree.

For students who are unable to relocate for an extended period of time, the BBA also offers IBUS 4590-3: International Business Field Study. In this course, students examine the business, management and cultural practices of a selected country or region in class before travelling overseas for a two-week tour to meet industry executives and visit different commercial operations.

The co-operative education option is voluntary but is strongly recommended as it provides students with the opportunity to combine academic studies with paid, career-related work experience. This will help them:

• Build a greater appreciation of the curriculum being studied.
• Develop practical business skills in their area of specialization.
• Enhance their communication and critical thinking skills and self-confidence.
• Develop a career focus and important job search skills.
• Establish employment and business contacts for after graduation.

Co-op job placements are competitive so students are not guaranteed a position in any given work term. Many co-op employers are located outside the Kamloops region so students may have to temporarily relocate for four, eight, or twleve months. Co-op time patterns vary depending on student priorities and market conditions.

To graduate with a Co-op designation students must complete three Co-op Work Terms. Students are still encouraged to graduate with just one or two work terms to gain the experience. Students earn three upper-level credits for each completed work term to a maximum of nine credits. Note: Co-op work term credits can only be applied to the Bachelor of Business Administration program if you are not completing a minor. 

Further Information

For more information and how to apply for a Co-op Work Term, please visit TRU's Co-operative Education page.

Service learning provides an opportunity for third and four year BBA students to share their knowledge and skills with the community through approved community-based projects.

These projects may be initiated by students, faculty, or community organizations, but to qualify for service learning credit, a faculty member must first authorize the course and then agree to both supervise and evaluate the project.

Students may receive service learning credit by working individually or in cohorts of up to 5 students on the same community project. Normally, students meet with the faculty supervisor for initial consultation and/or training during the first week of classes; after the initial meeting, students are expected to keep the faculty supervisor informed about the project on a regular basis.

At the end of the course, students will present the faculty supervisor with an evaluation form completed by the community group, agency, or organization served and some combination of the following: a research paper, or report; a student journal, or activity log; a presentation, performance, or exhibition.

Two different service learning courses can be taken in the third and fourth years of the BBA:

These courses involve individuals or groups of students engaging in independent study, research, or practice related to a topic in business administration or economics under faculty supervision. The supervisor(s) will determine the appropriate curriculum, evaluation methods, and credit assignment in consultation with the student and subject to the approval of the department chairperson and dean. Once the course is approved, students will work independently completing the requirements, but will meet with their supervisor on a regular basis, usually weekly, for assistance and to have their progress assessed.

Directed studies courses can take many forms. Students may prepare a formal research paper. Others may complete a list of prescribed readings in a particular subject area and write a mid-term, final and term paper just like in their face-to-face classes. Finally, some may choose to apply their knowledge in a consulting role for a local company solving a particular business problem or prepare a business plan for a new venture.

Interested students will enrol in BUSN 4960: Directed Studies in Business Administration or ECON 4960: Directed Studies in Economics, which are either three or six credit courses depending on the amount of work involved in the course as determined by the faculty supervisor. This course can be taken more than once and there is no limit on the number of directed studies credits a student can apply towards the business or economics elective requirements of the BBA.

Selected Topics Courses

The subject matter in these courses varies from semester to semester depending on the interests of students and faculty. They are generally taught by visiting professors from other academic institutions or regular faculty who want to address an emerging topic in their discipline, share research or teaching interests, or test potential new courses. Selected topics courses add variety to the curriculum and thus greatly enhance the student learning experience.

Selected topics courses are at the 3000 or 4000-level depending on their level of difficulty and the prerequisites required. The title of each course is recorded by the institution and appears on the student’s transcript. The shell courses include:

• BUSN 3990-3: Selected Topics in Business Administration
• BUSN 4990-3: Selected Topics in Business Administration
• ECON 3990-3: Selected Topics in Economics
• ECON 4990-3: Selected Topics in Economics

Students may take an unlimited number of selected topics courses in meeting their degree requirements. The availability of these courses will be dependent on sufficient student demand and funding.

The honours option offers students the opportunity to gain recognition for their superior academic performance.

To earn this distinction, students must maintain a GPA of 3.00 (B) or higher in third or four year while either (i) completing four additional upper level courses or (ii) writing a thesis. No upper level grade can fall below B- (GPA 2.67), although students can re-take courses once to meet the necessary grade requirement. To be admitted, students must have a GPA of 3.00 or higher in Years 1 and 2.

Those interested in the Thesis Route must take three courses:

• BUSN 3980-3: Business Research Methodology
• BUSN 4960-3: Direct Studies in Business Administration or ECON 4960-3 – Directed Studies in Economics
• BUSN 4980-6: Honours Thesis

Business Research Methodology is taken in the Winter Semester of Year 3 and provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct academic research in one of the business disciplines or economics. Students will learn how to conduct literature reviews and prepare research proposals, and study the statistical methods that might be used in preparing a thesis.

In the Fall Semester of Year 4, students will take a directed studies course in the area of their proposed thesis and begin work on their research proposal after a suitable thesis supervisor is approved.

Honours Thesis is another directed studies course taken in the Winter Semester of Year 4 where the student finalizes their research proposal in the first few weeks and then prepares a thesis. Students confer regularly with their supervisor who provides helpful advice on the direction of the research project. In addition to researching and writing the thesis, students will have to formally present it to the academic community. This will not only include their fellow classmates, but accomplished academics in the area found right here at TRU. The availability of the Thesis Route will be dependent on sufficient student demand and funding.

The Honours Option, particularly the Thesis Route, would be an excellent choice for a student wanting to go on to graduate school after completing their degree. The research skills acquired will be developed further at the masters and PhD levels and will prepare students for a research career in industry or as an academic in a college or university.

Becoming a professor is a rewarding career choice. Not only do they play a major role in developing the next generation's business leaders, they also work with colleagues advancing the knowledge in their discipline. Currently, there is a major shortage of PhDs in business, so pursuing an academic career can be financially rewarding too.