UNB has an excellent reputation in the business community for educating future business leaders. Our business programs, under the Faculty of Administration at UNB Fredericton and under the Faculty of Business at UNB Saint John, are recognized for their quality in academic value, the diversity in our classrooms, the success of our graduates, and the innovation in our curriculum.
In our BBA program, work is carried out individually, and in group projects and assignments so that graduates build the skills required to be successful and adaptable in any business environment. Students work with peers from other countries and learn about how different cultures react to different strategies and business tactics - a valuable resource to have in an age where borders seem to be vanishing and business is conducted on a global scale.
As students work toward their degree, they obtain the knowledge and skills needed to meet the challenges of the fast-paced world of business, learning to exercise judgment, make decisions, and take responsibility. All UNB business students develop communication and presentation expertise, learn how to manage group projects and work in teams, and are computer literate.
A Bachelor of Business Administration
BBA students can choose to pursue a general degree, a BBA with a concentration or a BBA with honors, which involves choosing a major and completing an extra six credit hours of study. Students also have the option to earn a Bachelor of Education degree concurrently with a BBA, graduating with both degrees in five years.
Whichever program students choose, they are sure to find a balance between theory-oriented and case-oriented components, computer literacy, communication skills and teamwork.
Areas of Specialization
Although the BBA program may be completed as a general degree without a concentration, students may also choose to complete majors in a wide range of subjects including Accounting, Economics, Electronic Commerce, Finance, French Communication and Culture, Marketing, Human Resource Management, International Business, Operations Management, and e-Business.
In addition to their major, honors candidates may take a concentration in a area of Business, or complete a supplementary major in Economics or Law. Students may also decide to concentrate in an area outside of traditional business courses. Minors may be taken in a variety of areas, including Economics, Fine Arts, French, Sociology, and Computer Science.
What Makes UNB’s Program Unique
Virtually all required courses in the BBA program are offered during Intersession and summer sessions, as well as during the Fall and Winter terms. This gives students the flexibility to start their degree at any time, rather than just the typical September admissions period. Students also have the opportunity to complete their degree in less than the traditional four year time frame.
Faculty teaching in the BBA program represent almost twenty different nationalities and over 25 different languages providing a valuable global perspective. In addition to academic advising, the BBA program operates a Faculty Peer Mentor Program which helps new students make the adjustment from high school to university. Each new student is paired with a senior student who will help them to become familiar with the university and the program during orientation, and will be a source of support and guidance throughout the first year.
On the Fredericton campus, students will find the Faculty’s two in-house centres - the Centre for International Business Studies and the Centre for Entrepreneurial Leadership - to be valuable resources as they progress through their degree program. As well, in the Student Investment Fund Course, students learn to invest real money in bonds, stocks and other securities in a variety of financial markets. Under the guidance of faculty advisors, students in the course are responsible for managing pension assets valued at over $1.3 million.
UNB Saint John is the official centre that prepares students for the prestigious Certificate in Business French. This certificate, “Certificat practique de français commercial et économique” de la chambre de commerce et d’industrie de Paris, enhances employment prospects in the global marketplace and allows students to enter into top business schools in France.
The Co-op Option
Cooperative education is a “hands-on” educational experience designed to promote self-understanding while developing workplace skills and knowledge by integrating classroom study with professional, paid work experience. The Co-op Program alternates academic semesters with four-month work terms. This provides students with meaningful work exposure during the academic program and an opportunity to earn money. During the work terms, students receive feedback on job performance and learn how to identify career goals.
Admission to the Co-op Program is based on a student’s first year BBA program grades, with a B average required. Students whose first language is not English must also present a TOEFL score of minimum 600 with a 5 in the written component to ensure that international students will be successful in obtaining a co-op job placement. Participants in the program are also required to pay a Co-op Fee during the work terms (approximately $700), but do not pay academic tuition during that time.
Business Students Beyond the Classroom
To provide a balance between studies and social life, BBA students can join one of the student associations which participate in national undergraduate business events and organize end of term socials. In addition, there are literally hundreds of extracurricular activities ranging from rock climbing and student radio to honors societies and student newspapers - not to mention an abundance of social activities!
After Graduation
From Accountants to Presidents and CEO’s, UNB's BBA graduates are in demand. The most exciting aspect of the BBA program may in fact be the number of doors it can open. Our grads have become successful entrepreneurs, top corporate executives, and influential members of governments regionally, nationally, and internationally.
Career opportunities exist in the fields of accounting, finance, banking, investments, advertising, marketing, human resource management, corporate training, union relations, and economics. The BBA program also paves the way for graduate level studies.