General information
The Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree prepares graduates with strong employability skills and the foundations for excellence in managing business corporations.
Organizations are examined from a number of perspectives, including how they are managed and the changing environments in which they operate. National and international contexts of business are explored, along with relevant issues facing managers in business, labour and the public sector.
Students receive extensive practice in applying theory to the processes of decision-making and problem solving through computer-based exercises and simulations, case study analyses, problem-based learning activities and field-based projects.
Year 2, the core year, is an introduction to each of the functional areas of business – accounting, finance, marketing, organizational behaviour and human resources – and an examination of the ways in which these are integrated within an operation. In Years 3 and 4, students may apply to major or major and minor in one or more functional areas.
In Year 4, students benefit from Capstone Study Project and Strategic Management courses. These unique courses provide an opportunity to consolidate learning from earlier years of the program on the site of a partnering organization and under the supervision of both university faculty and the organization’s management team. In lieu of Capstone Study Project, qualified students may also enrol in the Internship program (details below).
Accounting major
Our university’s Accounting major is designed for students interested in becoming a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), and for students who want to develop a strong foundation in accounting. The program provides all the courses needed to meet the requirements of the CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP). In addition to covering all the knowledge requirements for the CPA, our Accounting major places heavy emphasis on the skills and abilities needed to obtain a CPA and to be a successful professional accountant. The university’s Bachelor of Commerce Accounting major combined with the graduate diploma in Accounting has been accredited by CPA Ontario for advanced standing in the CPA PEP. Completing the minimum requirements for the Accounting major does not make a student eligible for admission to the CPA Professional Education Program. Admission to the CPA PEP requires completion of the requirements set out by CPA Ontario.
Admission requirements
Admission is competitive. The specific average or standing required for admission varies from year to year. Students are selected by taking into consideration a wide range of criteria including school marks, distribution of subjects taken, and performance in subjects relevant to the academic program. Possession of the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance. Preference will be given to applicants with the best qualifications.
Current Ontario secondary school students must complete the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with six 4U or 4M credits including English (ENG4U) with a recommended minimum average of 60 per cent and one of Advanced Functions (MHF4U) or Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U) or Mathematics of Data Management (MDM4U) with a recommended minimum average of 60 per cent. All other applicants should refer to admissions for the requirements for their specific category of admission.
Internship program
This program offers students who have successfully completed two years of study, achieved a minimum 2.3 GPA (C+ average on a 4.3 scale) and who are in good academic standing an opportunity to engage in a contracted learning partnership with businesses locally and globally. Faculty members may provide links to various internship placement opportunities or a student may secure an employer who meets the criteria as prescribed by the Faculty of Business and Information Technology.
The internship program not only gives students an opportunity to apply classroom concepts to the challenges of organizational life but also helps them to gain valuable and relevant work experience to promote networking and life-long career success. Participating employers are given the opportunity to bring the motivated learners, thinkers, and doers of tomorrow into their workplaces, as well as provide valuable mentoring to students.
The internship program placement equates to a minimum of 560 hours of progressive business and management experience. The intern’s wages (stipulated in a contract) are paid by the sponsoring business over a contracted period. Successful work placement completion and both a verbal and written final report will result in the intern receiving a letter grade and three credits toward their undergraduate degree requirements. Students who have successfully completed the Internship program are not required to take the Capstone Study Project.
Admission to the internship program is competitive. While students are participating in an internship program, they may enrol in one course (3 credits) per semester. This course must not interfere with the internship schedule outlined by the employer.
Academic requirements to major/minor in a Bachelor of Commerce program
In order to remain in their major or minor, students must hold a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA (or 2.3 for the Accounting major or minor). Students falling below a 2.0 (or 2.3 in the case of Accounting), will be enrolled in the General Commerce program.
Program details and degree requirements
To be eligible for the honours Bachelor of Commerce degree, students must successfully complete 120 credit hours, including all courses outlined in the following program map.
Although reasonable efforts will be made to adhere to the following program map, course requirements and term offerings may change. For the most up-to-date list of course offerings, please visit the faculty website at businessandit.ontariotechu.ca.
Accounting major courses and electives
Accounting major students MUST take the following Accounting major courses:
Electives
Students in the Accounting major must complete 10 elective courses as a part of their degree requirements. The electives are divided as follows:
- Three general electives (9 credit hours). A general elective is considered a course outside of business (i.e., without the BUSI prefix).
- Three business electives (9 credit hours) in business courses outside of one’s major.
- Four open electives* (12 credit hours). Open electives can be either general or business electives.
*A maximum of two (6 credit hours) of these electives can consist of courses within one’s major.
Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation
To be eligible for admission to the CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP) students must meet the following minimum standards:
- 60 per cent minimum in each core course.
- 65 per cent average GPA in core courses.
- 50 per cent minimum in each non-core course.
Accounting major graduates have two options:
- Students who complete all 19 courses (see the list below) will be eligible to apply to the graduate diploma in Accounting. Students who successfully complete the diploma program will receive credit for four CPA PEP modules (Core 1, Core 2 and two electives (the diploma program will cover all four CPA PEP electives)) and enter CPA PEP at Capstone 1.
- Students who complete all 19 courses are eligible to enrol in the CPA PEP and complete the modules through CPA Canada.
Core courses (60 per cent required in each course and 65 per cent GPA)
Non-core courses (50 per cent required in each course)
Students starting the program before September 2017 have different requirements and the courses required would be as follows:
Cores courses (60 per cent required in each course and 65 per cent GPA)
Non-core courses (50 per cent required in each course)
