2011-2012 Archived Catalog Information

Academic Procedures and Policies

Attendance and Class Obligations

Business students are expected to attend all class sessions. Missing class meetings can often result in academic difficulty. Attendance in class, accompanied by an ongoing dialogue between student and professor, is essential to college success.

Academic Advising

Among the many advantages of Suffolk University is its relatively small size. This allows for optimal teaching and learning and enables students to maintain extensive personal contacts with faculty and administrators. The Undergraduate Programs Office collaborates with faculty in an active academic advising program and monitors student academic progress. Advising is recognized by the Business School as a critical factor in the educational and professional development of its students, and begins when students attend orientation.

Students should meet with their faculty advisor to discuss academic, personal and professional goals, to review the academic regulations and requirements of the Business School, to plan a specific program of study, and to have registration forms approved and signed. When meeting with an advisor, students should bring a recent copy of their Program Evaluation and Program of Study.

The Program of Study Form outlines the BSBA degree requirements specific to the student’s selected major, upon entry to Suffolk University. Students should carefully follow the degree requirements outlined in their program of study. Students must petition the Business School Undergraduate Programs Office to make changes to their Program of Study.

A Program Evaluation is the record of a student’s progress toward completion of the BSBA degree requirements. Students can access the most up-to-date version online.

Students are responsible for meeting academic goals and requirements and are expected to know the requirements for their degree program. They are urged to take full advantage of the help and information that advisors offer.

Students admitted as freshmen or sophomores who initially do not declare a major are admitted as open business majors.

Open majors must declare a major by the end of the second semester of the sophomore year.

Transfer students who have earned 54 credits and attained junior status are expected to declare a major at this time.

Faculty advisors are available in each major field of study to assist students in selecting the major that is right for them.

In some instances, students may change majors several times during their academic career.

• Business School students changing their major within the Sawyer Business School complete a “Change of Major” form and bring this form to the Undergraduate Programs Office within the Sawyer Business School for approval and advisor assignment.
• Business School students who wish to transfer to the College of Arts and Sciences should complete a “Change of Major” form and bring it directly to the department in the College offering the major they want to change to.
• College of Arts and Sciences students who desire to transfer to the Business School or enroll in a Business Minor must meet with an advisor in the Business School’s Undergraduate Programs Office. The Business School determines whether direct transfer credit may be granted for courses completed in the College of Arts and Sciences. This policy applies to students in degree and non-degree programs, including ELI and ESL programs. English as a Second Language (ESL) students or other students who complete developmental courses will receive no credit for courses with the prefix “00” and limited, if any, credit for courses with the prefix “0.”

Pre-Law Advising

A Pre-Law Advisor from the Business School who provides students with access to current information concerning preparation for and admission to law school. The Business School offers a combined Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Juris Doctor (BSBA/JD) degree to eligible students. Contact Lauren Mahoney, Assistant Dean, for more information. lmahoney@suffolk.edu.