Frequently Asked Questions

Advising

• What do I need for an advising meeting?
• Who do I talk to if I have a question?
  

Adviser

• Who is my adviser?
  

Registration

• What should I do to register for next semester?

Admission to the Business Administration (BUAD) major

• What are the requirements for Admission to the Business Administration major?
• What is the deadline to apply to the major?
• When am I eligible for admission to the Business Administration major?
  
• Why is my major listed as PBUA?
  

Catalog year

• How can I determine my catalog year?
• If I change my catalog, will my requirements change?
  
• May I use the catalog year when I started at my transfer institution?
• Why should I know my catalog year?
  

CBE Core Courses

• Can a CBE course also count as a GenEd?
  
• When am I eligible for Upper- Level (U/L) CBE Core courses for my Accounting, Business Administration, e-Business major?
  
• Will a “D+,” “D” or “F” grade count for major credit?

Graduation Requirements

• What requirements do I need to complete to graduate?
  
• When and how can I apply for graduation?

Prerequisite Checking

• Online Prerequisite Checking

Transfer Courses

• Are additional GenEd courses needed with a Transfer Package?
• Are there other policies pertaining to transfer courses?
  
• How do I petition a transfer course?
  
• What are some of the most important Web sites for Transfer students?
• What does "validation required" mean?
  
• What is a Transfer Package and how can I determine if I have one?
• What is an "Evaluation of Transfer Credits" report?

Advising

What do I need for an advising meeting?

• Make an appointment with your adviser before the registration rush.  Be on time
• Bring your most recent advising form, degree progress report, which includes your current semester classes, Evaluation of Transfer Credit report (if applicable), accepted petition(s), and your semester-by-semester plan of courses. Be Prepared!
• Become familiar with your program requirements, course prerequisites and course sequencing as listed in the current catalog and on CBE’s website. Tip: Keep all your advising material in your Advising Portfolio.

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Who do I talk to if I have a question?
Contact your FYE or faculty adviser.  To find out who your adviser is, refer to question "who is my adviser?"

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Adviser

Who is my adviser?

You can find out who your adviser is by going to Online Services. 

Once you are in Online Services, go to SA Self Service>Learner Services>Academics>View My Adviser
If you don't see an adviser assigned, visit to your intended major concentration department.

If you are changing your major to Business or Pre-Business and need advising, visit ST 301.
Tip: Introduce yourself to your adviser by calling, e-mailing, or stopping by his/her office.

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Registration

What should I do to register for next semester?

• Make an appointment with your adviser before the registration rush. Be on time. Bring the information listed under the question, “What do I need for an advising meeting?”
• To see when you will be able to register, check Towson Online Services and follow  SA Self Service>Learner Services>Academics> view enrollment appointment.  Improve your chance of getting course(s) and times you want by registering during the time assigned to you.

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Admission to the Business Administration (BUAD) major

What are the requirements for Admission to the Business Administration major?

Requirements for Admission to the Business Administration Major :
Students are admitted to the major in Business Administration (BUAD) on a competitive basis after first being admitted to the university. Admission to the university does not guarantee admission to the major. Each semester, the College of Business and Economics (CBE)considers applications for admission to the major in the following semester. In order to be admitted, students must satisfy the following requirements:
      1. Formal admission to TU as a degree candidate
      2. Minimum cumulative quality point average (QPA) of 2.00 or higher for all course work
      3. Completion of most of the lower-level General Education requirements (GenEds)
      4. Grade equivalent of 2.00 or higher in each lower-level CBE Core prerequisite course
      5. Minimum average (QPA) of 2.70 for ALL seven lower-level CBE Core prerequisites
The minimum quality point average (QPA) will be reviewed each year and may be adjusted as space availability dictates. Candidates for the major must fulfill the requirements in effect at the time of application.
Lower-Level CBE Core Prerequisites (21 credits)

Degree candidates intending to major in Business Administration are designated as “pre-Business Administration” (PBUA) until admitted into the BUAD major. Students are encouraged to meet each semester with their assigned faculty adviser to evaluate their progress in completing the requirements for admission to major and the degree.

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What is the deadline to apply to the major?
The deadline is October 15 for Spring admission and March 15 for the Summer and Fall admission.

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When am I eligible for admission to the Business Administration major?
You are eligible for admission to the BUAD major when you have successfully completed the seven lower-level BUAD Core prerequisites with a minimum QPA of 2.7 or higher. Please refer to the TU catalog or your advising form for a list of the prerequisite courses.
Note: To apply, submit a completed Application for Admission to the BUAD major, change of major form, unofficial transcript, and advising form signed by a faculty adviser by October 15 for Spring admission or March 15 for Summer or Fall admission.

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Why is my major listed as PBUA?
If your catalog is 2001/02 or later, you are classified as a pre-Business Administration (PBUA) student until you are accepted to the Business Administration (BUAD) major. You must submit an application for admission to the BUAD major.

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Catalog Year

How can I determine my catalog year?
The catalog year is on your transcript, degree progress report and other academic records, such as the Evaluation of Transfer Credit Report.

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If I change my catalog, will my requirements change?
The courses required to complete your degree will depend on the catalog you select. If you select a catalog before 1996/97, you will need to complete the GUR's instead of the GenEds. Approximately 57 credits are required for GUR's while the GenEds require approximately 46 credits. Your major requirements may change. Contact your faculty adviser or the CBE Student Academic Services to evaluate your courses using the new catalog.

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May I use the catalog year when I started at my transfer institution?
Yes. You may elect to use the catalog that was in effect at the time of your initial matriculation at your transfer institution provided you will complete your graduation requirements within 10 years.
How: Obtain a Catalog Selection Petition from the CBE Student Academic Services office, ST 104. The completed form must be returned to this office for approval.

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Why should I know my catalog year?
There are different programs for different catalog years. All graduation requirements including the GenEds and your major requirements must be fulfilled according to the catalog assigned to you within 10 years. Following the incorrect catalog year may result in taking the wrong courses.

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CBE Core Courses

Can a CBE course also count as a GenEd?
Yes, few courses which count towards both the GenEds and the CBE courses are:

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When am I eligible for Upper- Level (U/L) CBE Core courses for my Accounting, Business Administration, e-Business major?
You may enroll in the major (U/L) courses when you have completed the prerequisites and admission requirements according to your assigned Catalog. All course and QPA prerequisites must be met or you will be disenrolled from the course(s).

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Will a “C-,” “D+,” “D” or “F” grade count for major credit?
No. A grade of 2.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) is required for a major course. Repeat the course for a grade equivalent of 2.0 or higher at TU. If the C-/D+/D grade was earned in a transfer course, the repeat of the course will result in ”Duplication of Transfer Credit." An additional 3 credits will be required for graduation (i.e., 123 minimum) to replace the duplication of the transfer course.

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Graduation Requirements

For a Bachelor of Science degree, you need:

• The GenEd requirements (GenEd I.A. and I.D. requires a QPA of 2.0 or higher),
• A minimum of 120 earned credit hours,
• A cumulative QPA of at least 2.0,
• A grade equivalent of 2.0 or higher in all courses required for the major.
• At least 32 upper-level (300-400) credits (includes transfer and TU credits),
• At least 30 credits completed at TU.

For a Bachelor of Arts degree, you need to complete all the requirements for Bachelor of Science degree and:

• Complete two or more years of the language in high school plus intermediate levels I and II (201-202) in college
• OR,  complete the elementary and intermediate-level courses of the language in college
• OR, successfully complete one term of any course beyond the intermediate level
• OR, successfully complete a Credit for Prior Learning Exam in any language offered at the 301-302 level at Towson University administered each November by the Department of Foreign languages.

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When and how can I apply for graduation?
Click here to go to registrar's Web site for more information.

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Prerequisite Checking

Online Prerequisite Checking
Prerequisites are checked when you register for CBE courses.
Only BUSX 460, independent research and internship courses require a Special Permit.
Online checking of prerequisites while you register replaces the need to obtain a special permit for the following CBE upper-level courses: BUSX 301, EBTM 311, EBTM 367, EBTM 411, EBTM 421, EBTM 431, EBTM 469, FIN 331, FIN 439, MKTG 485, and MNGT 481.
Most College of Business and Economics (CBE) courses will have their prerequisites checked during registration. Check the list of courses and their prerequisites on the CBE website.

Expectations
When you select a class to enroll in, the system checks your academic record to ensure that you have met the prerequisites for the course. It will determine whether you are currently enrolled in or have completed the prerequisite course(s) with a grade of “C” or higher, and whether you are a major and not a pre-major.
If you are currently enrolled in a prerequisite, you are allowed to register on the condition that you complete the prerequisite with a “C” or higher grade. If you do not pass the prerequisite course, you must drop the class requiring this prerequisite and add the prerequisite. If you fail to do this, you are at risk of being disenrolled from the class.

If you see:

• SUCCESS message: You are registered.
• ERROR message:     You are not registered. Click on "ERROR" to find out why.

If you receive a prerequisite ERROR message but are certain that you meet all course prerequisites, go to the department offering the course to request permission to enroll in a specific section of that course.

• Present a copy of your unofficial transcript. Highlight the grade for each prerequisite course(s), your total credits and current major. (Your current major is printed above the current semester on your transcript.)
• If a transfer course was accepted to fulfill a prerequisite, also bring a copy of your Transfer Credit Report with the transfer course and grade highlighted and a photocopy of the “Petition for Acceptance of Transfer Credits for CBE Major/Minor” form.

Prepare Now for Registration  
 
1. Verify Your Course Prerequisites
Check your transcript today to make sure you have the prerequisites for the course(s) in which you intend to enroll. Each prerequisite course on your transcript must match exactly; otherwise the online system won’t recognize it and you won’t be able to register for that class.
If your transcript does not show the TU equivalency of a transferred prerequisite course, which was successfully petitioned, you must bring verification of acceptance to the department offering the course. The department will authorize permission for you to enroll in a specific section of the course if you meet all prerequisites. Present the following documents for review:

• A photocopy of the  “Petition for Acceptance of Transfer Credits for CBE Major/Minor” form. 
• Your Transfer Credit Report. Highlight the transfer course and grade.
• Your unofficial transcript. Highlight the grade for each prerequisite course(s), your total credits and current major. 

If you didn’t petition to have a transfer course evaluated as advised during TU CARES, immediately you need to:

• submit a “Petition for Acceptance of Transfer Credits for CBE Major/Minor” form to Student Academic Services in Stephens Hall, room 104.
• A copy of the course description must accompany the form.
• A copy of the course syllabus is required for COSC 111/CIS 115 and LEGL 225 and is desirable for all EBTM courses. This information is generally available on the website of your transfer institution.      

2. Verify Your Major
Your current major is printed above the current semester on your transcript and by following the path: Home > SA Self Service > Learner Services > Academics > View My Academic Summary. 
To change your major, submit a Declaration of Major form along with a copy of your Unofficial Transcript to:

• Accounting Department, ST 102, for Accounting (ACCT) or Pre-Accounting  (PACT.)*
• Economics Department, ST 103, for the Economics major or minor.
• CBE Student Academic Services, ST 310, for the Business Administration (BUAD) major or minor, or Pre-Business (PBUA)*.
• e-Business Department and Technology Management (EBTM) Department, ST 314, for e-Business (EBUS) or pre-e-Business (PEBU)*

Note: Accounting, Business Administration and e-Business majors have admission requirements. 
To apply for admission to a CBE major, immediately submit a completed application form for the appropriate major to:

• Accounting Department, ST 102, for Accounting (ACCT.)
• CBE Student Academic Services, ST 301, for Business Administration (BUAD.)
• e-Business and Technology Management (EBTM) Department, ST 314, for e-Business (EBUS) 

3. Schedule An Advising Appointment With Your Academic Adviser
You must see your assigned adviser in order to register. Your assigned faculty adviser’s information is available on Online Services. Click on the path:

Home > SA Self Service > Learner Services > Academics > View My Advisors.
To read more, click on the link below:
Online Prerequisite Checking Information

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Transfer

Are additional GenEd courses needed with a Transfer Package?
The GenEds that must be completed depend on the Transfer Package granted. Refer to your TU Catalog or Evaluation of Transfer Credit report.

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Are there other policies pertaining to transfer courses?
Other policies of importance are:

• Only one transferred course will be accepted to fulfill a concentration/track requirement.
• At least 30 credits of CBE upper-level courses must be completed at TU.
• Economics majors must complete at least 15 credits in ECON at TU.
• Maximum of 64 credits are allowed from a two year institution. Maximum of 90 credits are allowed from four a four year institution or from a combination of two and four year institutions.

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How do I petition a transfer course?
Submit a Petition for Acceptance of Transfer Credits for CBE Major/Minor to the CBE Student Academic Services office, Stephens Hall 104. Attach a catalog description of the course from the other institution for evaluation (the course syllabus must be provided if petitioning COSC 111/115). If a course is not accepted as equivalent, you must complete the course at TU.

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What are some of the most important Web sites for Transfer students?
Important websites to access transfer information within the state of Maryland, including course descriptions and transfer equivalencies:

ARTSYS © - The Articulation System:  artweb.usmd.edu

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What does "validation required" mean?
A course taken at lower level (100 - 200) at a community college or four-year educational institution is not equivalent to TU upper-level major course.  In order to fulfill an upper-level major course requirement, the content of the transfer work must be validated.  A transfer course requiring validation is identified with a "T" instead of the 200-number code, e.g., MKTG T41 for MKTG341, EBTM T61 for EBTM 361, etc.
How: Complete a advanced course as specified  below with a grade equivalent of 2.0 of higher at TU.

Validate the Transferred course, don't repeat it.  If you enroll in a course with the same course content as the transferred course, the units earned in the transfer course will not count towards graduation because it will be treated as a repeat.

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What is a Transfer Package and how can I determine if I have one?
The Transfer Package is the way you received credit for having satisfied General Education (GenEds) requirements at your sending institution(s). See your TU Catalog for details.
The notation Transfer Package A-B-C or 01-06 is located on the Evaluation of Transfer Credit report on the bottom center. If you are not eligible for a transfer package, complete the remaining GenEds as indicated on your Degree Progress Report.

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What is an "Evaluation of Transfer Credits" report?
The Evaluation of Transfer Credits from the Transfer Evaluation Service Office shows which transfer courses are accepted as fulfilling a GUR/ GenEd requirement or for "Free Electives/ Potential Major credit.”
Tip: Check the Evaluation of Transfer Credit report, found on online services under: Home > SA Self Service > Learner Services > Academics > View Degree Progress Report

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College of Business and Economics
Stephens Hall, Room 218

Phone: 410-704-3342
Fax: 410-704-3664