Business Honors Track

The SBA Honors Track is a series of academic, career and co-curricular activities designed to challenge and polish outstanding business majors.

The track provides eligible and interested students with many opportunities. Honors students

  • Pursue more academic depth and rigor in their degree studies,
  • Engage in special career-improving workshops,
  • Are publicly recognized for outstanding academic achievement,
  • Are differentiated in the marketplace by their honors designation, and
  • Gain exposure to more and better employment opportunities.

The SBA Honors Track provides students with improved public speaking, critical thinking and computer skills through workshops, seminars and special events.

 

Students who successfully complete the SBA Honors Track receive the Honors designation on their diploma for the business major. Those who also complete the University Honors Program earn cum laude honors for their degree as well as honors for the business major, so the diploma would read Bachelor of Science cum laude, Business Administration with Honors.

Academic Enhancements

Honors students participate in each of the following:

  • UNST 421 - Choose from pre-approved list for University Studies Senior Capstone
  • BA 495 - Business Strategy [Honors section] (typically offered in spring term)
  • Executive Briefings (MGMT 407/410, one credit) - participate in two Friday afternoons (four hours each, typically offered fall, winter & spring terms)

Required Workshops/Classes

  • One required workshop near the beginning of each term (fall, winter and spring)
  • Toastmasters - practice and hone public speaking skills for one term at club of your choice
  • Writing for Executives - participate in one three-hour session in either fall or winter terms
  • Honors Book Group - participate for one term (fall, winter or spring); meetings are typically every other Wednesday, depending on student schedules
  • Executive Day in Residence: Meet with executives in a small roundtable setting, participate for one day (approximately one hour, fall, winter or spring term)
  • Advanced Microsoft Excel Workshop - approximately four hours on Saturday, fall or spring term

Other Co-Curricular Opportunities

Examples include:

  • Lunch with the dean - typically scheduled once a term, lunch involves pizza and conversation with Dean Scott Dawson
  • Honors gatherings - meet other Honors students at one of three scheduled gatherings throughout the academic year
  • Meeting with SBA executives-in-residence and corporate associates
  • Career development
  • Recognition at Awards Dessert
  • Invitation to the Graduate Hooding Ceremony
  • Interview coaching
  • Business Briefing Breakfasts

Admission Criteria

The SBA Honors Track is open to any student who meets the following criteria:

  • 3.5 PSU GPA
  • 3.5 PSU Business GPA
  • 16 credit hours completed at PSU
  • Admitted status in the School of Business Administration

How to Apply

Complete the SBA Honors Track Application (.doc) by the appropriate deadline and return to the School of Business Administration, Undergraduate Programs Office, SBA 240.

Deadline

Applications are accepted four times per year on the day that grades post for each term and are typically due by the end of the second week of the term. Please contact the Honors Track Director, Haley Holmes, at haleyh@sba.pdx.edu for deadlines or questions.

Progress Requirements

Graduation from the SBA Honors Track requires the following:

  • 3.5 PSU GPA
  • 3.5 PSU Business GPA
  • Participate in three to four consecutive active terms

Students whose GPA falls below 3.5 are put on probation for one term. If the GPA is still below 3.5, the student is ineligible for the honors designation.

Advising is available from the Honors Track Director Haley Holmes. She can be reached at 503-725-4742 or haleyh@sba.pdx.edu.

Fees

There is no cost to join the SBA Honors Track but there are some required and optional events that will have a fee assessed for each of those events.