2011-2012 Archived Catalog Information

Honors Programs

The Sawyer Business School’s Honors Programs offer students with exceptional academic promise and motivation a uniquely creative program of study and provide innovative challenges within a community of committed scholars.

Honors curricula include:

• over 20 honors sections of core, major, and special topics business courses; and 16 tuition-free challenge courses
• honors internships
• honors study abroad 
• honors independent study research
• honors tracks within majors
• honors consulting projects 
• honors community service
• strong alumni connections; and 
• case analysis and business campaign competitions

The Honors Programs also feature outstanding mentoring, and recognition events from orientation through graduation. Academic and social events are designed to promote leadership and public service while also developing valuable networking and other skills.

Honors Scholarship Programs

The Business School administers three honors programs: Honors Scholars, Griffin Honor Society, and Sawyer Ambassadors.

Honors Scholars

Honors Scholars are eligible for up to a full tuition scholarship based upon need. Scholars are required to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 (effective Fall 2008) or better, and are expected to participate in program activities.

Honors Scholars complete 25% or more of the BSBA program in honors courses, seminars, internships, and honors study abroad. Effective Fall 2011, Honors Scholars will take MGT H429 and one honors majors course. They participate in freshmen seminars, (especially) designed for honors scholars. Selected benefits include guaranteed first-year housing and priority registration every semester.

Scholars typically participate in global travel seminars, internships in Boston companies, case study competitions, professional association activities and service projects of their own choosing. They plan academic, social and service events to shape the learning experience to their own needs and interests.

To be considered for the Honors Scholars Program, entering freshmen must meet at least two of the following criteria: academic GPA of 3.75– 4.0, class rank within upper fifteen percent, SAT scores of 1850, ACT scores of 28, TOEFL scores of 600. For more information on the application materials and process please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission, 617-573-8460. Continuing students with a 3.7 GPA and 30 credits completed at Suffolk, maximum of 44 credits may apply to the Honors Scholars Program by completing the application. Continuing students are not eligible for the tuition scholarship.

Griffin Honor Society

The Griffin Honor Society provides a stimulating and engaging environment for students of intellectual curiosity and academic distinction. Each year the Business School invites highly motivated and academically promising new full-time students to participate in this prestigious honor society.

Griffins receive a merit based scholarship of $500 per year. In addition, Griffins may use six credits of tuition free challenge courses to fulfill a maximum of two free elective courses. They are required to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or better and are expected to participate in program activities. To graduate with Griffin status a student must complete a minimum of three credits of challenge courses and six honors courses(effective Fall 2011), including SBS H101and the senior honors capstone course MGT H429. In their first semester at Suffolk, Griffins register for at least one honors course. Freshmen who enroll in Suffolk Madrid will turn SBS 101 into an honors course by completing the SBS Honors Course Form and additional requirements. Transfer Griffins entering the program will enroll in at least one SBS honors course in their first semester. Griffins are expected to enroll in a minimum of one honors course per year, and plan to complete all program requirements prior to the last semester of their senior year. Continuing students with a 3.3 GPA and 30 credits completed at Suffolk may apply to become Griffins through their second semester sophomore year.

Griffins participate in exceptional academic opportunities, mentoring, and recognition events. They select honors seminars and courses that give them the unique opportunity to customize their learning experience. Students may choose to compete in case analysis competitions and business campaigns. They plan and participate in academic, social and service events designed to promote leadership, offer intellectual challenge and develop networking skills with faculty, alumni and business leaders. A strong alumni network connects Griffins with professionals in their field. Griffin alumni participate in social and professional events with current students.

Sawyer Ambassadors

The Ambassador Scholarship awards $4,200 a year, half of which is allocated to tuition, and half to ten hours of student employment per week within the Sawyer Business School’s Undergraduate Programs Office.

The Sawyer Ambassadors, a dynamic resource for undergraduate students, build community among undergraduates, identify and address unmet student needs, and function as student ambassadors in the Suffolk and external communities. They create new programs and activities to support a wide range of student interests, support faculty and administrative student oriented projects, and represent the Sawyer Business School at campus activities and special events.

Requirements include maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.5, attending bi-weekly meetings and submitting project reports. Students are selected based on academic success, team building and leadership skills, completed application and an interview. A student may not work more than ten hours on campus in addition to the Ambassador position.

Failure to achieve the minimum GPA in any of the three Honors Programs will place a student on probation in the Honors Program for one semester. At the end of the probationary semester, if a student has not achieved the minimum GPA specified by the Honors Program, then the student will no longer be eligible to participate in the Honors Program, nor will they receive any financial benefits. Registration in any Honors course, Challenge course, or Honors experience requires a minimum GPA of 3.2, unless stated otherwise.

Beta Alpha Psi
Beta Alpha Psi is a national honor society and professional accounting fraternity that recognizes outstanding academic achievements in the field of accounting, promotes the study and practice of accounting, and provides leadership and social/networking opportunities for members and practicing accountants. The activities of this Chapter strongly emphasize the Business School’s mission and role in developing student leaders who will excel in the accounting profession.

Active leadership by the Accounting Faculty in Beta Alpha Psi has strengthened students’ professional experience and reputation in the community. Student members of Beta Alpha Psi participate in professional meetings, career presentations and field trips to learn real-world, current accounting practices, and to prepare for on-campus recruiting and job interviews.

The Suffolk Chapter of Beta Alpha Psi has received national awards (Distinguished Chapter in 1999) and has been recognized as a Superior Chapter for the last five years. Our substantial community service contribution is recognized in chapter awards. Students have participated in National Case Study Competitions since 1998. Ongoing participation by faculty and other interested parties has resulted in increased on-campus recruiting by the major accounting firms, several large regional and local accounting firms as well as major consulting firms.

Beta Gamma Sigma
This national honor society recognizes business and management undergraduate and graduate students in the top 5 percent of the junior class, upper 10 percent of the senior class, or upper 20 percent of the master’s class. Beta Gamma Sigma is the national honor society for business and management, and this recognition is only given to students who attend AACSB International-accredited schools.

The purpose of Beta Gamma Sigma is to encourage and reward scholarship, to promote the advancement of high quality education in business, to provide networking opportunities for members and to foster integrity in the conduct of business operations.

Financial Management Association
The Financial Management Association rewards scholarship and achievement by undergraduate and graduate students majoring in Finance through its National Honor Society. Undergraduate Finance majors must have earned 61 credit hours and achieved an overall cumulative grade point average of 3.3 or higher, and completed at least three designated finance courses. Selection for this Honor Society is during the first month of the fall and spring semesters each year.