The School of Management offers degree programs for approximately 1,900 students at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels. Undergraduates choose between a BS degree in either business administration or accounting. At the graduate level students may select an MBA (STEM), an MS in accounting or a PhD (STEM) in management.
Undergraduate Programs
Binghamton University’s School of Management (SOM) is one of five professional schools on campus. The BS Business Administration and BS Accounting programs focus on students developing a broad-based foundation in the key functional areas of business, yet provide enough flexiliby for students to specialize in particular disciplines of interest. When combined with the general education coursework all Binghamton University students complete in Harpur College of Arts and Sciences, SOM students graduate with a well-rounded understanding of the internal and external factors affecting strategic decision-making in organizations. Both the BS Business Administration and the BS Accounting programs ensure students learn the soft skills, such as teamwork and communication, and technical and analytic skills necessary to become leaders in an economy driven by disruption and innovation. The curriculum offerings are diverse; preparing students for professional careers as well as advanced academic work. As part of their graduation requirements, all undergraduate SOM students take a captstone course in management policy and strategy.
The undergraduate accounting curriculum provides students with strong pre-professional training in the theory and practice of accounting. Accounting students also complete core business courses spanning the key disciplines of business and liberal arts general education requirements. The program serves students interested in careers in public and corporate accounting, as well as students who intend to pursue advanced studies in various graduate and professional schools.
Graduate Programs
The MBA program at Binghamton University is designed to prepare students to be flexible, adaptable and stategic managers. Students complete core coursework in the functional areas of business as well data analytics. Emphasis is also placed on student becoming excellent communicators, adaptable team members, and socially minded citizens. Graduates leave prepared to thrive in professional roles within the corporate, public and non-profit business sectors. Woven throughout the curriculum are elective requirements which give students the freedom to explore fields of interest or pursue areas of specialization.
The MS Accounting program prepares students for work in the areas of public accounting and management accounting. Like the BS in accounting, the MS program may be used as the basis for satisfying the educational requirements for taking the CPA examination and licensure as a certified public accountant. New York state requires completion of a 150 credit-hour program of study as a condition for sitting for the CPA exam and licensure. The SOM recommends students complete both the BS Accounting and MS Accounting degree programs to satisfy the credit-hour and courswork requirements.
The SOM STEM-designated doctoral program emphasizes theory and research methodology to prepare students for careers in academia at top-tier institutions. Coursework heavily emphasizes developing students’ quantitative and qualitative research skills. PhD students may pursue specializations in the areas of finance, marketing, management information systems and organizational behavior. Students also may combine an interest in management information systems with one of the other concentration areas by designing an interdisciplinary program.
Students in SOM are subject to all general regulations listed in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of the Academic Guide. In addition, the policies outlined below apply to all School of Management students.
Courses Taken in Other Schools
Cross-disciplinary study is encouraged. Students are required to take approximately one-half of the coursework for their degrees outside of the School of Management (e.g., Harpur College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Community and Public Affairs, the Decker School of Nursing, and the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science).
Grading System
The following are valid grades in SOM undergraduate courses: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D, F, W, WF and I. The grade of P (Pass) may be given only in an internship, teaching practicum, independent study or readings and research course. The P grading option is available for independent study and readings and research courses only with consent of both the instructor and the school’s academic advising office. The P grading option is the default grading option for internship and teaching practicum experiences. Students matriculated in SOM must adhere to this grading system in all courses taken within SOM.
When taking courses in other schools at Binghamton University, SOM students are permitted to take the grading option of those schools if they wish. They may also petition to be graded according to the SOM system, if the instructor is willing and if the school offering the course permits such petitions. Grades earned in other schools at Binghamton University by SOM students are entered into the student’s record and printed on transcripts as they are given.
Undergraduate students from other schools at Binghamton University who register for SOM courses may petition their instructors to be graded by the system existing in the school in which they are enrolled.
All graduate students taking an undergraduate course in SOM are graded according to the grading policies of the Graduate School.
Academic Standing
To remain in good academic standing, students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.0. Students must also maintain a 2.0 minimum SOM GPA. The SOM GPA will be calculated only after 12 credits of SOM coursework has been completed.
Probation
Students who fail to meet a cumulative GPA and/or SOM GPA of 2.0. but have cumulative GPAs above the Academic Dismissal Index (see below) will be placed on probation. Students on probation are expected to raise their cumulative GPA to a 2.0 level or better within a maximum of two full-time semesters of study. Students who fail to raise their cumulative GPA will be subject to contract or dismissal (see next section). Students who find themselves on academic probation are encouraged to utilize University resources including, but not limited to, Success Coaching offered by the Student Success and Transition Office, University Tutorial Services, Academic Advising and/or the University Counseling Center.
Probation does not necessarily preclude a student from registering or receiving financial aid. Standards for financial aid eligibility are described in the Financial Information section of the academic guide.
Contracts
Students will be asked to sign a contract if:
1. The student’s cumulative GPA falls below the Academic Dismissal Index (see below).
2. The student’s cumulative GPA has remained below 2.0 for two consecutive semesters.
3. The student is currently on probation and receives a term GPA below 2.0.
The contract will be sent to the student via their Binghamton University email address and to the permanent mailing address on record for the student. Failure to agree to the terms of the contract (by signing and returning the contract to the SOM academic advising professional staff) within the time dictated in the contract will result in permanent dismissal from Binghamton University.
If a student formally withdraws from the University in the semester they are on contract, they will be held to the conditions of the signed contract in the semester they elect to return to the University.
Dismissal
If a student fails to meet the terms of the signed contract, this will result in permanent dismissal from Binghamton University. Students who meet contract requirements, but have a cumulative or SOM GPA that falls below a 2.0 in subsequent semesters, will be permanently dismissed from Binghamton University
Academic Dismissal Indexes
| Credits Completed (including advanced minimum standing) |
Cumulative GPA |
| 1-34 |
1.440 |
| 35-51 |
1.625 |
| 52-68 |
1.715 |
| 69-85 |
1.800 |
| 86-102 |
1.875 |
| 103-119 |
1.950 |
| 120+ |
2.000 |
Grade point averages are calculated by assigning the following point values to the respective grades:
A = 4.0 A- = 3.7 B+ = 3.3 B = 3.0 B- = 2.7
C+ = 2.3 C = 2.0 C- = 1.7 D = 1.0 F = 0.0
P, AU and W notations generate no grade points and are not included in the GPA calculation.
A student who has been dismissed for academic reasons for the first time may apply for immediate readmission. In some instances this may be granted; however, the school has the discretion to refuse immediate readmission and ask for additional contingencies to be met. Students will only be immediately readmitted after signing a readmission contract. Failure to achieve the level of performance indicated in the contract, or a GPA of less than a 2.0 in future academic semesters, will result in a final dismissal with no opportunity for readmission. A student may petition the Office of the Dean of the School of Management regarding their standing.
Incomplete Policy
A notation of Incomplete (I), rather than a grade, may be reported by the instructor when a student has made substantial progress in a course but has not been able to complete the course. The student must have a valid reason, such as prolonged llness or other justifiable circumstance, in order to request an Incomplete. Factors such as if substantial progress in the course has been made by the student, the potential of the student to pass the course, and the reason for the request are ealuated by the course instructor when making a determination of if a student should be given theh option of an Incomplete.
When giving student’s an Incomplete, the instructor must also complete an academic contract with the student. The academic contract must:
- Be signed by the instructor and the student.
- Specify clearly the work the student needs to do in order to complete the course and receive a grade.
- Specify the dates by which each component of the work or deliverables must be turned in by the student to the instructor.
- Specify any extenuating circumstances (e.g., sabattical)
- If applicable, include the signature of any additional instructor needed for successful completion of the course (signature should be obtained by the originating faculty member, not the student).
- Be turned in by the instructor to the SOM Academic Advising Office immediately after it is signed by both parties, along with the submission of the Incomplete grade.
The student must be in compliance with SOM rules regarding the number of Incompletes a student may carry at one time (a student may not carry more than eight credits of Incompletes at any time without the specific approval of the dean’s office).
An Incomplete grade becomes a grade of “F” 72 hours after the last scheduled final in the next regular semester following the issuance of the Incomplete unless a change of grade is submitted by the instructor. It is the student’s responsibility to ascertain that the coursework has been completed according to the contract and that a new grade is submitted. An extension of this deadline must be approved by the instructor and the dean’s office, and is approved only in highly unusual circumstances. Contracts and other required forms may be obtained from the SOM Academic Advising Office by the instructor.
Withdrawal Regulations
The following regulations govern withdrawals from the University for a particular semester:
As indicated in the University records and registrar regulations, the action of a semester withdrawal is noted on a student’s record as an Official Withdrawal and, in place of a regular grade, all courses will have a “W” on the student’s transcript. Students may withdraw from courses without restriction and with no recorded grade until the end of the second week of class. If a semester withdrawal is submitted and processed prior to the semester add/drop deadline, all courses will be deleted and not marked with a “W” on a student’s transcript; no grades are recorded for students who formally withdraw from the University before the add/drop deadline.
Students who withdraw from the University must follow a formal withdrawal procedure. Mere absence from class does not constitute due notice of withdrawal.
Withdrawal applications may be obtained from the SOM Academic Advising Office. When students withdraw entirely from SOM, and also simultaneously withdraw from all courses for which they are registered, there is no academic penalty associated with the withdrawal from courses.
Formal readmission is necessary for any student who has not been in attendance for three or more semesters. Students who officially withdraw during the regular academic year are eligible to register for the next academic semester without requesting formal readmission.
For additional information, students should consult the full semester withdrawal procedures provided by the University Registrar.
The following regulations govern withdrawals from individual SOM courses:
As indicated in the University records and registrar regulations, the action of a course withdrawal is noted on a student’s record as an Official Withrawal and, in place of a regular grade, the course will show a “W” on the student’s transcript. Students may withdraw from a course without restriction and with no recorded grade until the end of the second week of class. If a course withdrawal is submitted and processed prior to the semester add/drop deadline, the course will be deleted and not marked with a “W” on the student’s transcript; no grades are recorded for students who formally withdraw before the add/drop deadline.
Students wishing to withdraw from a course after the withdrawal deadline and still receive a grade of “W,” rather than a failing grade, are required to provide evidence, in a timely manner, that extraordinary circumstances beyond their control occurred after the withdrawal deadline. Poor class performance and/or poor judgment are not considered appropriate reasons for a late withdrawal. Petitions for late withdrawals should be submitted to the Director of Undergraduate or Graduate Academic Advising, who will review them with the respective instructor and obtain final approval from the SOM Dean’s Office. Individual course withdrawals will not be considered after the last official day of classes in the semester in which the course was taken.
Transcript Policy
The Registrar’s Office maintains a single transcript for all Binghamton University students, which serves both internal and external purposes. As an external transcript, it is the official record of the student’s performance and is forwarded to prospective employers and graduate schools. As an internal transcript, in conjunction with a degree audit report, it is used by the University and SOM for administrative and academic advising purposes.
The following reflects SOM’s policy on transcripts:
- The semester and cumulative grade-point averages recorded on the transcript are based on the student’s academic work in all units of Binghamton University.
- SOM students who complete all of their academic work at Binghamton University are limited to 16 credits of “Pass,” “Satisfactory” or similar grades in non-SOM coursework during their undergraduate programs. Those who transfer from other institutions are limited to the equivalent of one such grade for each year of attendance at Binghamton University. Courses with a mandatory Pass/Fail grade option are excluded from this limit.
- All grades are recorded on the student’s transcript as they are received in courses.
Independent Study, Teaching Practica and Internships
While independent study is a useful and important adjunct to a student’s academic preparation, no student is allowed to apply more than eight credits of independent study, internship and/or practicum in college teaching coursework in fulfillment of SOM degree requirements. Independent study, internships and practicum in college teaching generally are taken on a Pass/Fail basis.
Writing Requirement
The writing requirement consists of the completion of two composition courses from within Harpur College or equivalent courses transferred from other colleges or universities. Such courses carry a General Education indicator of C . One of these C courses serves as the General Education Composition course. Joined courses (Gen Ed J) are also acceptable as these courses combine the Composition component with an Oral Communication component. If a student has taken one C or J course for a letter grade, thus completing the General Education Composition course requirement, then they can fulfill the second C requirement with 2 or more writing initiative courses (W attribute).
Graduation Honors
Undergraduate students with outstanding academic records are awarded graduation honors at commencement. Determinations of honors recognition are made in accordance with the following guidelines:
- Selections are made on the basis of the student’s entire academic career at Binghamton University.
- Students with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.85 or greater (on a 4.0 scale) receive the designation summa cum laude.
- Students with a cumulative grade-point average of between 3.70 and 3.84 receive the designation magna cum laude.
- Students with a cumulative grade-point average of between 3.50 and 3.69 receive the designation cum laude
Students who have entered Binghamton University after completing a portion of their degree requirements at another institution must present cumulative GPAs of at least 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) for all coursework taken at other institutions, and must complete at least 60 credits in residence at Binghamton University, with GPA equivalent to those specified above, in order to be eligible for graduation honors.
As indicated above, four-year students may present no more than 16 credits of Pass (“P”) grades. Transfer students are limited to four credits of Pass grades per full year of attendance at Binghamton University.
Students who fail to satisfy any of the above criteria are not considered for graduation honors unless an exception is granted through the dean’s office.
Dean’s List
At the end of each regular semester, SOM students who have earned a 3.75 cumulative GPA or higher, and who have completed at least 14 credits of letter graded coursework, are accorded Dean’s List recognition.
Honors Programs
PwC Scholars Program
The PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Scholars Program is focused on developing future leaders through academic excellence, professional development, community service/fundraising and unique networking opportunities. PwC Scholars augment the normal SOM curriculum with additional requirements geared towards preparing them to excel in their careers. Completion of the PwC Scholars Program is noted on the student’s official transcript and through a PwC Scholars Program Certificate issued by SOM.
Admission to the program is competitive and is limited to no more than 10% of the entering first-year class. Students are invited to participate in the program when they are accepted for admission to the University. Those first-years who are not admitted upon entry to the University are offered a chance to apply as sophomores if their first-year Grade Point Average is 3.6 or higher.
PwC Scholars augment the traditional BS Business Administration or BS Accounting programs with the following:
- PwC Scholars seminars during each semester in which they are enrolled in the PwC Scholars Program.
- At least one additional writing course (Gen Ed C or J) beyond the standard two-course SOM requirement.
- Enrollment in MGMT 251 - Scholars Case Competition and MGMT 350 - Community Service Project.
PwC Scholars students are also required to complete one of the following:
- (4) additional experiential learning course credits as defined by theA DegreeWorks audit. This additional coursework may include independent studies or courses not listed on the DegreeWorks audit with the approval of the program director.
- A concentration in business for accounting majors (must meet 3.7 GPA requirement in order to declare).
- A second concentration for business administration majors.
- A minor.
While it is not required, it is expected that many of the participants in the PwC Scholars Program will have earned college credit prior to their enrollment at Binghamton University. These credits may partially or fully offset the additional credit requirements.
Participants in the PwC Scholars Program are expected to maintain and graduate with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.6. If the student’s cumulative GPA is below 3.6 for two consecutive semesters, the student may not continue in the program. Scholars’ coursework may also be counted toward the traditional SOM degrees, therefore discontinuation of participation in the program does not normally result in additional coursework requirements or delay the completion of a degree program in the School of Management.
EY Leaders Program
The EY Leaders Program is intended to recognize and provide opportunities for emerging leaders. The program focuses on developing transformative leaders with a focus on technology and innovation. The emphasis is on statistical and data-driven decision making, data visualization, programming, modeling, machine learning, and other advanced analytic methods. Students will develop a mindset to analyze, innovate and think and act globally.
Admission to the program is competitive and is limited to no more than 10% of the entering first-year class. Students are invited to participate in the program when they are accepted for admission to the University. Those first-years who are not admitted upon entry to the University are offered a chance to apply as sophomores if their freshman Grade Point Average is 3.6 or higher.
Completion of the EY Leaders Program is noted on the student’s official transcript and through a certificate issued by SOM.
EY Leaders students augment the traditional BS Business Administration or BS Accounting programs with the following:
- Scholars Seminars during each semester in which they are enrolled in the EY Leaders Program.
- At least one additional writing course (Gen Ed C or J) beyond the standard two-course SOM requirement.
- Enrollment in MGMT 261 - Technical Case Competition and MGMT 360 - Analytics Project.
- (8) additional technical course credits as defined by the DegreeWorks audit. This additional coursework may include independent studies or courses not listed on the DegreeWorks audit with the approval of the program director.
Participants in the EY Leaders Program are expected to maintain and graduate with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.6. If the student’s cumulative GPA is below 3.6 for two consecutive semesters, the student may not continue in the program. Leaders’ coursework may also be counted toward the traditional SOM degrees, therefore discontinuation of participation in the program does not normally result in additional coursework requirements or delay the completion of a degree program in the School of Management.
Transformational Leaders Program
The nationally-recognized Transformational Leaders Program is designed to promote successful professional trajectories for students who are facing academic and/or economic barriers by providing unique personal, academic, and career development opportunities tailored to individual needs. With a focus on short-term and long-term goals, students are guided through several levels of leadership development and are equipped with the skills to make a difference on campus and in the communities they are a part of. To be considered for the program, applicants must be a first-year, sophomore or transfer student who is facing social or economic barriers.
The three-year program provides:
- An environment for students to grow and thrive.
- Customized services and mentorship opportunities to enhance personal growth, decision-making skills, and awareness of civic responsibility.
- Experiential opportunities to develop leadership skills and abilities through instruction, workshops and training.
- A rich undergraduate experience that allows students to explore different career paths and potential graduate school options.
SOM offers opportunities to further students’ understanding of, and exposure to, the arena of international management.
Opportunities for study in England, Australia, Italy, Scotland, China, Korea and other countries have provided students in accounting and in business administration with an opportunity to study management practices at prestigious business schools in these countries. Students interested in any of these programs should contact the Office of International Education and Global Initiatives.
SOM students are permitted to take up to two upper-level business courses while studying abroad from an AACSB- or EQUIS-accredited school.
SOM international students who wish to study abroad in their home country are limited to taking one upper-level business course from an AACSB- or EQUIS-accredited school.
The procedure for applying for admission to the School of Management as either first-year or transfer student is the same as for other schools at the University. Specific information may be found in the Admissions section of the Academic Guide.
Transfer Students
In order to maximize credit transfer, students who have taken two years of undergraduate education at another college or university, and who wish to transfer into the School of Management for their junior and senior years, should have concentrated their first two years of academic work in arts and sciences courses (attaining at least 30 hours of credit in such subjects with grades of C or better).
- The student’s first two years of education should consist of work in the following areas: English and literature (including at least one course in compositional techniques); economics (including one course each in microeconomic and macroeconomic theory); mathematics (including at least one course in calculus); and elective coursework in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences - with special attention to courses that fulfill the University’s General Education requirements.
- Students may also choose to further supplement their first two years of undergraduate education with courses in the principles of financial accounting, statistics and business law. Such courses are an important foundation for the professional coursework that composes the School of Management student’s final two years of study. Students whose two-year curriculum closely follows the pattern above will have completed coursework that maintains the course sequence adhered to by School of Management students during their first and sophomore years.
- Transfer students who have taken an introduction to management course AND an excel based course at their previous institution(s) will be awarded credit for MGMT 111 - Introduction to Decision Making in Management. Nonetheless, these transfer students must take s zero-credit MGMT 211 - Transfer Career Seminar offered by the School of Management.
While students are able to transfer courses and/or credit for the specific business administration and accounting courses indicated above, in accordance with the school’s transfer credit policy, transfer credit for upper-division accounting and business administration coursework is not granted without ample evidence of its basic equivalency to analogous coursework taught in the School of Management, unless these courses are taken at AACSB-accredited business programs during the junior or senior year of study. Thus, students completing upper-division accounting and business administration coursework as part of their first or sophomore years of study must formally “validate” all such courses for which transfer credit is requested. Normally this requires (at minimum) completion of a detailed proficiency examination in each course area for which transfer credit is requested. The coverage of such examinations is based on the appropriate coursework as it is taught in the School of Management.
Although most transfer students have completed two years of college work, students may be accepted for transfer at any time during their college careers, if space permits. School of Management admission is highly competitive. Admission is granted primarily on the basis of academic proficiency in appropriate courses. Candidates generally need above a 3.2 average for admission. Advanced-standing credit is generally granted for all work comparable to that offered by Binghamton University. In addition, up to 16 hours of free elective credit may be granted for courses not comparable to any offered by Binghamton University, provided that the work was theoretical/analytical rather than applied in nature. Courses falling within this category may not include business or accounting courses. Advanced standing is not granted for courses completed with a grade lower than C.
Master’s Programs
The School of Management’s (SOM) graduate programs challenge students to appreciate the complexity of modern organizations, the intricate relationships that exist between organizations and the social frameworks they are a part of, and the responsibilities of administration at its broadest levels. Curricular offerings are diverse and prepare students for professional careers, as well as advanced academic work.
Although it may be helpful if students have basic knowledge in micro-economics and statistics, any undergraduate major is appropriate for admission to the MBA or MS Accounting programs. However, to be admitted an applicant must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent from a college or university of recognized standing.
- Achieve an acceptable undergraduate cumulative grade-point average of at least a 3.0.
In support of their applications, students must submit:
- Official transcripts of all previous college work.
- Two letters of recommendation from faculty or employers.
- A résumé.
Scores on the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are not required but accepted. Official test scores must be sent electronically directly to the Graduate School.
Note: International students must also submit proof of English proficiency (such as TOEFL, IELTS or PTE Academic scores) and immigration and financial documentation. See the Graduate School website for more information about the additional requirements for international students.
All application materials should be submitted online through the Graduate Admissions website. Inquiries on the application process should be sent directly to gradsch@binghamton.edu.
The School of Management accepts applications on a rolling basis; however, the preferred application deadline is March 15 for the fall semester or December 1 for the spring semester. The School of Management reserves a limited number of spaces for outstanding applicants whose life or career situations prevent them from applying earlier.
Doctoral Program
Students must apply to the Management PhD program through the Graduate School at Binghamton University.
To be considered for admission, applicant must submit:
- One official transcript of all prior college work. Typically, applicants should have a GPA of at least 3.2 in undergraduate work and 3.5 in graduate work. The average GPA for those admitted to the program is 3.71.
- Three letters of recommendation from people acquainted with them.
- A resume detailing their educational and work experience.
- A personal statement describing their career goals.
- Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores. International applicants - TOEFL with a minimum score of 600 (paper), 250 (CBT), 100 (IBT), 7.5 (IELTS).
Below you will find information for all of the School of Management’s academic programs.