Undergraduate Programs

Honors Program

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

The program 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 Program provides students with improved public speaking, critical thinking and computer skills through workshops, seminars and special events.

Students who successfully complete the SBA Honors Program 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 - Business Outreach Capstone Part I and II (typically offered in fall/winter and winter/spring term pairs)
BA 495 - Business Strategy [Honors section] (typically offered in spring term)

Required Workshops/Classes

Toastmasters - practice and hone public speaking skills for one term at club of your choice
Executive Briefings (MGMT 407, one credit) - participate in two Friday afternoons (four hours each) during fall or spring terms
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: participate for one day in either fall, winter, or spring terms

Additional Workshop Requirements

Students complete three workshops of their choice. Examples include:

Negotiations
Mock interviews
Systems thinking
Negotiating compensation
Improvisation in business
Business Briefing Breakfast Series
Demystifying data
A leadership position in a student professional organization

Optional workshops typically are offered on Saturday mornings or weekday afternoons each term and run from one to four hours long.

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

Admission Criteria

The SBA Honors Program 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 Program Application (pdf) 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.

Progress Requirements

Graduation from the SBA Honors Program requires the following:

3.5 PSU GPA
3.5 PSU Business GPA
Participate in at least four consecutive active terms

Students whose GPA falls below 3.5 are put on probation for one term. After the probation term, if the GPA is still below 3.5, the student is ineligible for Honors.

Advising is available from the program director, Haley Holmes. She can be reached at 503-725-4742 or haleyh@sba.pdx.edu.