Bachelor of Business Administration

Note: Current UPEI students should refer to Student Planning in myUPEI and the UPEI Academic Calendar governing their entry year, and speak to an academic advisor about course requirements. The course structure presented for this program is a recommended, unofficial progression for prospective students.

An Honours concentration in Business Administration provides an opportunity for BBA students to pursue advanced studies in Business. It is available to students with a strong academic background who intend to continue studies in Business at the postgraduate level, or to students who intend to pursue a career where research experience would be of value.

Admission

For admission to the Honours program, students must have a minimum average of 75% in all previous courses. Permission of the School is required and is contingent on the student finding a faculty supervisor. Students interested in pursuing the Honours program should seek admission as early as possible, not later than the end of the third year.

Course Requirements

A total of 126 semester hours of credit is required for the BBA Honours.  In addition to the requirements of the regular BBA, Honours students must complete Honours Thesis 510 (six semester hours). This thesis would normally be completed in the semester following Business Research 4950. A committee of three faculty members, including the supervisor, will review the Honours thesis. An oral examination conducted by the committee will also be included in the evaluation process. A minimum average of 75% must be maintained to remain in the Honours program.

The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree is a four-year degree consisting of 120 semester hours.

NOTE: As per Academic Regulation #1h), all undergraduate degree programs require successful completion of IKE-1040, one of UPEI-1010, 1020 or 1030, and a Writing Intensive Course.

Required Courses

1000-Level Courses

• Accounting 1010 (Introduction to Financial Accounting) (formerly 201)
• Business 1410 (Marketing) 
• Business 1710 (Organizational Behaviour)
• Economics 1010 (Introductory Microeconomics)
• Economics 1020 (Introductory Macroeconomics)
• Math 1110 (Finite Mathematics)
• UPEI 1010 (Writing Studies) (see note 3)
• IKE 1040 (Indigenous Teachings of Turtle Island) (see note 4)

2000-Level Courses

• Accounting 2210 (Managerial Accounting) 
• Business 2120 (Business Presentations and Communications)
• Business 2310 (Corporate Finance) 
• Business 2410 (Management Information Systems)
• Business 2510 (Introduction to Management Science)
• Business 2720 (Human Resource Management) 
• Business 2880 (Research and Evidence-Based Management)

3000-Level Courses

• Business 3010 (Business Law – Part I)
• Business 3330 (Integrated Cases in Corporate Finance) OR Business 3340 (formerly 421) (Personal Finance)
• Business 3430 (Integrated Cases in Marketing) 
• Business 3510 (Operations Management)
• Business 3710 (Entrepreneurship and New Ventures)
• Business 3910 (Strategic Management)

4000-Level Courses

• Business 4850 (Developing Management Skills)
• Business 4950 (Business Research I)

Elective Courses

In addition to the 23 required courses, students must take 17 elective courses. At least three electives must be business courses and at least eight electives must be non-business courses. The other six electives (“free electives”) may be either business or non-business courses.

For students pursuing one of the seven specializations, the courses prescribed for the particular specialization will fulfill electives on the degree.

Students must obtain at least 60% in at least 14 of the 18 required business courses in order to qualify for the degree of Bachelor of Business Administration.

Notes

1. Accounting courses are considered to be business courses.
2. All courses will not necessarily be offered each year.  Students should consult the current timetable before registration.
3. The completion of UPEI 1010 is a required course for the BBA, but the course also meets the general UPEI requirement of taking UPEI 1010, 1020 or 1030.
4. As per Academic Regulation 1h, all undergraduate degree programs require successful completion of IKE-1040 (new for students beginning or returning after re-application in Fall 2022); one of UPEI-1010, UPEI-1020, or UPEI-1030, and a Writing Intensive Course.

The Minor in Business Administration is designed for students in faculties other than Business Administration. The Minor consists of at least twenty-one semester hours. 

Completion of the Minor in Business Administration requires successful completion of the following courses:

Required

• Accounting 1010 - Introduction to Financial Accounting
• Business 1410 - Marketing
• Business 1710 - Organizational Behaviour

Four of the following courses:

• Accounting 2210 - Managerial Accounting
• Business 2510 - Introduction to Management Science
• Business 2650 - Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
• Business 2880 - Research and Evidence-Based Management
• Business 2310 - Corporate Finance
• Business 2720 - Human Resource Management
• Business 3010 - Business Law – Part I
• Business 3330 - Integrated Cases in Corporate Finance or Business 3340 (formerly 421) - Personal Finance
• Business 3430 - Integrated Cases in Marketing 
• Business 3510 - Operations Management
• Business 3710 - Entrepreneurship and New Ventures
• Business 4850 - Developing Management Skills

A specialization in accounting is intended for business students wishing to pursue a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation after graduation.

In addition to the core courses required to fulfill the BBA requirements, the following additional courses will be required to obtain the specialization:

• Accounting 2020 (Introductory Financial Accounting – Part II)
• Accounting 3010 (Intermediate Accounting – Part I)
• Accounting 3020 (Intermediate Accounting – Part II)
• Accounting 3120 (Cost Accounting)
• Accounting 4010 (Advanced Financial Accounting – Part I)
• Accounting 4020 (Advanced Financial Accounting – Part II)
• Accounting 4150 (Auditing)
• Accounting 4160 (Auditing, Accounting and Society)
• Accounting 4310 (Income Taxation)

In addition, students planning to pursue their CPA designation must take Business 3330 (Integrated Cases in Corporate Finance), as it is a required course for entry into the CPA program.

To qualify for a specialization in accounting, students are required to have an overall average of 70% in the required courses above.

Students who already hold a certificate in accounting will not receive additional recognition for a specialization in accounting.

The courses and experiences related to specializing in entrepreneurship provide students with the knowledge and the experiential learning to start up a business or manage one in an entrepreneurial manner. Students will study the various types of entrepreneurship including business, social, and innovation within existing organizations.

The key learning outcomes for students will be to gain knowledge, confidence, skills, and practice in both entrepreneurial thinking and leading entrepreneurial initiatives. They will think analytically, ask questions, research the market, solve problems, start a new venture, launch new products/services/ideas, and develop other entrepreneurial skills.

In addition to the core BBA program, completion of the specialization in entrepreneurship requires successful completion of the following courses:

Required:

• Business 2650 (Introduction to Small Business and Entrepreneurship)
• Business 3650 (Small Business Management: Opportunity Analysis & Development)
• Business 3660 (Entrepreneurial Finance)
• Business 4460 (Personal Selling and Sales)
• Business 4680 (Self-Employment – Behind the Scene)

Any four (4) of the following courses:

• Business 2870 (International Business)
• Business 4610 (Communications)
• Business 4650 (Project Management)
• Business 4710 (Organizational Development and Change)
• Business 4750 (E-commerce)
• Business 4760 (Intercultural Management)
• Philosophy 1110 (Critical Thinking)
• Psychology 3310 (Creativity)
• Sociology 2920/Diversity and Social Justice Studies 2920 (Work and Society)
• Sociology 3110 (Small Groups)

Some of the above-listed courses have prerequisites. For example, many non-business courses that are 2000-level and above, require 1000-level introductory courses (such as Sociology 1010 or Psychology 1010 and 1020) and may have additional 2000-level or 3000-level prerequisites. Students are advised to plan ahead accordingly.  To qualify for a specialization in entrepreneurship, students are required to have an overall average of 70% in the nine courses of this specialization.

Management of financial resources is critical to the success and sustainability of both private and public organizations. An understanding of financial concepts, qualitative and quantitative problem-solving skills, and rational decision-making practices are important learning outcomes of the courses in the specialization in finance.

The courses in the specialization in finance focus on both corporate finance and personal finance with the intent of preparing the student for a career or further education related to finance. 

In addition to the core BBA program, completion of the specialization in finance requires successful completion of the following courses:

Required:

• Accounting 2020 (Introductory Financial Accounting – Part II)
• Business 3330 (Integrated Cases in Corporate Finance) (see note below)
• Business 3340 (Personal Finance) (see note below)
• Business 3660 (Entrepreneurial Finance)
• Business 4390 (International Finance)

Any five of the following courses:

• Business 2870 (International Business)
• Business 3020 (Business Law – Part II)
• Business 4320 (Applied Investment Management)
• Economics 2030 (Intermediate Microeconomics)
• Economics 2040 (Intermediate Macroeconomics)
• Economics 2310 (Mathematical Economics)
• Economics 3710 (Economics of Sports)
• Economics 2910 (Managerial Economics)
• Economics 4050 (Financial Economics)
• Economics 4120 (Public Finance)

Note: regarding Business 3330 and 3340: The core BBA program requires students to take Business 3330 or 3340, but students taking the specialization in finance must take both courses.  

To qualify for a specialization in finance, students are required to have an overall average of 70% in the ten courses of this specialization.

The international opportunities in today’s world are vast. Doing business internationally is also challenging.

The specialization in international business includes four business courses that provide an overview of those opportunities and challenges, as well as five electives to be chosen from a large multi-disciplinary set of courses that can enrich a student’s understanding of the world beyond our borders. The specialization also includes an international exchange term or an international work term.  

In addition to the core BBA program, completion of the specialization in international business requires the successful completion of the following:

1. Completion of an approved international academic or international co-op work term. To document that they have completed this requirement of the specialization, students must register in Business 3860 (a zero-credit hour course) for an academic exchange term, or Business 3940 (also a zero-credit hour course) for an international co-op work term. International students are deemed to have already met this requirement by virtue of having travelled from their home country to study at UPEI, but they too should register for Business 3860 to document that they have met this requirement.

2. Completion of the following four required courses:

• Business 2870 (Introduction to International Business)
• Business 4760 (Intercultural Management)
• Business 4770 (International Marketing)
• Business 4390 (International Finance)

3. Completion of any five of the following courses:

• any course designated as Business 3870 (International Business Elective)
• any courses offered by the Department of Modern Languages
• any courses offered by Asian Studies
• any History courses listed under the US, British, European, Global or Greek & Roman streams
• any Political Science courses listed in the Comparative Politics field of courses or the International field of courses
• Anthropology 1050 (Introduction to Anthropology I)
• Anthropology 2010 (Cultural Anthropology)
• Anthropology 4040 (Applied and Public interest Public Policy)
• Economics 3310 (International Trade)
• Economics 3320 (International Monetary Economics)
• Economics 3410 (Economic Development Theory)
• Economics 3420 (Economic Development Policy)
• Psychology 4720/Diversity and Social Justice Studies 4720 (Social Justice in Psychology)
• Religious Studies 1010 (Religions of the World – Western Traditions)
• Religious Studies 1020 (Religions of the World – Eastern Traditions)
• Religious Studies 1050 (World Religions)
• Sociology/Anthropology 2120 (Peoples of South Asia)
• Sociology/Anthropology 2420 (Peoples of Oceania)
• Sociology/Anthropology 2510 (Peoples of Africa)
• Sociology/Anthropology 2610 (Sex, Gender and Society)
• Sociology/Anthropology 2630 /Diversity and Social Justice Studies 2630 (Global Youth Cultures)
• Sociology/Anthropology 3550 /Diversity and Social Justice Studies 3550 (Globalization)

Many of the above-listed courses have prerequisites. For example, many non-business courses that are 2000-level and above, require 1000-level introductory courses (such as Sociology 1010 or Psychology 1010 and 1020) and may have additional 2000-level or 3000-level prerequisites. Students are advised to plan ahead accordingly.

To qualify for a specialization in international business, students are required to have an overall average of 70% in the nine courses of this specialization.

The Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a specialization in marketing is designed to introduce students to the core marketing function within the spectrum of business and further develop students’ theoretical and practical understanding of a full range of marketing activities. In addition to the core business curriculum, students pursuing a marketing specialization will take courses dedicated to marketing communications, brand management, market research, consumer behaviour, personal selling and sales, and international marketing.

The marketing specialization is intended to help prepare students for entry-level positions in both small and large organizations ranging from account managers to marketing coordinators to brand managers and much more.

In addition to the core BBA program, completion of the specialization in marketing requires the successful completion of the following:

Required:

• Business 4810 (Integrated Marketing Communications)
• Business 4430 (Consumer Behaviour)
• Business 4440 (Market Research)
• Business 4450 (Brand Management)
• Business 4460 (Personal Selling and Sales)
• Business 4770 (International Marketing)

Any three of the following courses:

• Business 4650 (Project Management)
• Psychology 2220 (Psychology of Personal Experience)
• Psychology 2420 (Introduction to Social Psychology)
• Psychology 3030 cl with Diversity and Social Justice Studies 3030 (Psychology of Aging)
• Psychology 3050 (Adolescent Development and Adjustment)
• Psychology 3080 (Child Development)
• Psychology 3090 (Adult Development)
• Psychology 3210 (Learning and Motivation:  Basic Processes)
• Psychology 3310 (Creativity)
• Psychology 3510 (Theories of Personality)
• Psychology 3910/ Diversity and Social Justice Studies 3910 (Psychology of Women)
• Sociology 2710 (Self and Service)
• Sociology 3920 (Media and Society)
• Anthropology 3100/Diversity and Social Justice Studies 3110/English 3140 (Identity and Popular Culture)
• Family Science 2210 (Family Resource Management)
• Family Science 2410 /Kinesiology 2410 (Human Development)
• Theatre Studies 2440 (Introduction to Theatre Study)
• Sociology/Anthropology 2610/Diversity and Social Justice Studies 2610 (Sex, Gender and Society)

Many of the above-listed courses have prerequisites. For example, many non-business courses that are 2000-level and above, require 1000-level introductory courses (such as Sociology 1010 or Psychology 1010 and 1020) and may have additional 2000-level or 3000-level prerequisites. Students are advised to plan ahead accordingly.

To qualify for a specialization in marketing, students are required to have an overall average of 70% in the nine courses of this specialization.

The leadership and management of organizations can promote or undermine organizational effectiveness, the well being of organizations’ members, and outcomes for other stakeholders. Management-related courses such as organizational behaviour, human resource management, and leadership and management skills are important components of the core BBA program.

The specialization in organizational management allows students to delve deeper into the broad, interdisciplinary domain of management and organizational studies by combining additional management courses with relevant courses in social science and liberal arts. Substantive issues relating to organizations as well as social and behavioural research methods are features designed to help students take an evidence-based approach to management.  This specialization promotes development of thoughtful, ethical, and productive members, managers, and leaders of organizations.

In addition to the core BBA program, completion of the specialization in organizational management requires successful completion of the following courses:

Three courses from the following list of business courses (“List A”):

• Business 3720 (Industrial Relations)
• Business 4610 (Communications)
• Business 4650 (Project Management)
• Business 4710 (Organizational Development and Change)
• Business 4760 (Intercultural Management)
• Business 4880 (Management in Perspective)
• Business 4070 (Special topics in Organizational Management)
• University 2030 (Introduction to Leadership Studies)
• University 3030 (Leadership Theory and Practice)

Two courses from the following list of non-business research courses (“List B”):

• Anthropology 3210 (Field Methods)
• Anthropology 4040 (Applied and Public Interest Anthropology)
• Information Technology 3710 (Applied Databases)
• Philosophy 1110 (Critical Thinking)
• Philosophy 3710/Diversity and Social Justice Studies 3710 (Community-Based Ethical Enquiry I)
• Psychology 3710 (Advanced Statistics)
• Psychology 3740 (Advanced Qualitative Research)
• Sociology 4010 (Doing Social Research)
• Sociology 4090 (Evaluation)
• Sociology 4620 (Approaches in Applied Sociology)
• Sociology/Anthropology 2080 (Developing the Socio-Cultural Imagination)     

Four courses from of the following list of other non-business courses (“List C”):

• Economics 3240 (Labour Economics)
• Education 3090 (Introduction to Learning in the Workplace)
• History 4260 (A History of the Canadian Working Classes)
• Philosophy 1020 (Introduction to Ethics and Social Philosophy)
• Psychology 2420 (Introduction to Social Psychology)
• Psychology 3310 (Creativity)
• Psychology 3510 (Theories of Personality)
• Psychology 3620 (Ergonomics)
• Psychology 3810 (Human Learning and Memory)
• Psychology 3820 (Cognitive Psychology)
• Sociology 1050 (Civility and Society)
• Sociology 2750/Diversity and Social Justice Studies 2750 (Social Inequality)
• Sociology 2920/Diversity and Social Justice Studies 2920 (Work and Society)
• Sociology 3110 (Small Groups)
• Sociology 3910 (Sociology of Organizations)

Many of the above-listed courses have prerequisites. For example, many non-business courses that are 2000-level and above, require 1000-level introductory courses (such as Sociology 1010 or Psychology 1010 and 1020) and may have additional 2000-level or 3000-level prerequisites. Students are advised to plan ahead accordingly.

To qualify for a specialization in organizational management, students are required to have an overall average of 70% in the nine courses of this specialization.

The Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a specialization in tourism and hospitality is designed for students who plan to work in the tourism and hospitality industry in a management capacity or as an entrepreneur. 

The specialization in tourism and hospitality includes four required courses that focus specifically on the tourism and hospitality industry, as well as five electives to be chosen from a large multi-disciplinary set of courses that can enrich a students’ understanding of international business and international peoples.

In addition to the core BBA program, completion of the specialization in tourism and hospitality requires successful completion of the following courses:

Required:

• Island Studies 2110/Sociology/Anthropology 2110 (Island Tourism: The Search for Paradise)
• Business 4540 (Tourism and Hospitality Management)
• Business 4550 (Sustainable Tourism Development)
• Economics 2420 (The Economics of Tourism)

Two courses from List A below, and another three courses from List A or List B:

List A:

• Business 4650 (Project Management)
• Business 4760 (Intercultural Management)
• Business 4770 (International Marketing)
• Sociology/Anthropology 3740/Island Studies 3740 (Tourism)
• any courses offered by the Department of Modern Languages

List B:

• Anthropology 1050 (Introduction to Anthropology I)
• Anthropology 2010 (Cultural Anthropology)
• Religious Studies 1010 (Religions of the World – Western Traditions)
• Religious Studies 1020 (Religions of the World – Eastern Traditions)
• Religious Studies 1050 (World Religions)
• Sociology/Anthropology 2120 (Peoples of South Asia)
• Sociology/Anthropology 2420 (Peoples of Oceania)
• Sociology/Anthropology 2510 (Peoples of Africa)
• Sociology/Anthropology 2630/ Diversity and Social Justice Studies 2630 (Global Youth Cultures)
• Sociology/Anthropology 3550/Diversity and Social Justice Studies 3550 (Globalization)

Many of the above-listed courses have prerequisites. For example, many non-business courses that are 2000-level and above, require 1000-level introductory courses (such as Sociology 1010 or Psychology 1010 and 1020) and may have additional 2000-level or 3000-level prerequisites. Students are advised to plan ahead accordingly.

To qualify for a specialization in tourism and hospitality, students are required to have an overall average of 70% in the nine courses of this specialization.

The UPEI Co-op Program is an integrated approach to university education which enables students to alternate academic terms on campus with work terms in suitable employment. The success of such programs is founded on the principle that students are able to apply theoretical knowledge from course studies in the workplace and return to the classroom with practical workplace experience. Students who successfully complete all the requirements of the program will have the notation entered on their transcripts and on the graduation parchment.

Students accepted into the program, complete at least three 14-week paid work terms and three professional development courses. Credits earned through completion of work terms are counted as general electives (i.e. free or non-business electives).

The Co-op option is available to full-time students in any specialization within the Faculty of Business. Applications to the Co-op Education Program are normally made after completion of the first year of study.

See the Co-operative Education Program website for more information.

High School Graduates

Canadian High School Equivalency Chart

Successful completion of Grade 12 examinations in a University Preparatory Program with an overall average of at least 70% (75% for Quebec Secondary V students) in the following subjects:

• English,
• Mathematics,
• any two Social Studies, Languages or Sciences,
• and one other academic course.

Please refer to the UPEI Academic Calendar for complete admissions information.

UPEI's undergraduate tuition is the second-lowest in the Atlantic region, and we offer millions of dollars in scholarships and awards. 

Tuition

$7,170 per year, based on 30 credit hours ($717 per 3 credit course).
International students pay $8,410 per year in addition to full-time student tuition.

For a complete breakdown of part-time or full-time study as a student in the Faculty of Business, visit our Tuition and Fees page.

Scholarships and Awards

UPEI supports you and your educational goals. We administer millions of dollars in scholarships and awards to our undergraduate and graduate students every year. Depending on your faculty or program, and year of study, you may be eligible for available awards.

Search the complete list of scholarships for information and application forms.  

Celebrating Student Achievement

Including Guaranteed Entrance Scholarships and Academic Excellence Awards, these awards recognize the academic achievements of all students who meet the eligibility criteria while studying towards their first undergraduate degree.

Visit the Scholarships site for complete information.

UPEI has about 250 faculty members—exceptional scholars, teachers, and mentors, with more being hired each year as we open new, progressive, and unique programs. But the story isn’t just in the numbers. It’s in the quality of our people. Award-winning faculty from around the globe have made UPEI home. Here, you’ll learn directly from these world-class professors and researchers in small classes where you’ll have easy access to them.