Getting to Graduation

We are here to help you accomplish your goals and support you along the path towards earning your degree. Along the way, there are resources and tools that can assist in your success.

Mandatory Advising

Our intention is to meet with all students early and often to establish our office as a resource and answer any questions. We require mandatory advising for incoming first-time or transfer students within their first year.

First-time freshmen: All incoming first-time freshmen business students are required to meet with an advisor in the fall semester in either a workshop or one-on-one appointment. We will cover spring course planning, options within the business majors, involvement opportunities in the College of Business, resources on campus, as well as helpful tools within your Student Center. More info is emailed to student's Wildcat email account in September. 

Transfer students: All incoming transfer students will be required to meet with an advisor in the spring semester in either a workshop or one-on-one appointment. We will go over course planning, option exploration, building your resume, and how to make sure you are on track for timely graduation. More information is emailed to student's Wildcat email account in February.

Major Academic Plans (MAPs)

At Chico State, major departments have created suggested plans for how to graduate in four years. These are a great guide but may not be the exact order that you will take courses or be what makes sense for you as a student. There are many factors that go into your specific degree timeframe, so we recommend you come in and see us for course planning every semester.

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION:

• Accounting
• Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
• Finance
• Human Resources
• Management
• Marketing
• Project Management

BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEMS:

• Management Information Systems
• Operations and Supply Chain Management
• Business Analytics

Finding Your Option

Some students know exactly what they want to study and continue that path all the way to graduation. For others, deciding a major requires taking courses and trying things out. We often have students who know they want to pursue Business Administration or Business Information Systems, but are still unsure of the option within those majors. Here are three suggestions to start with to find which option is right for you.

1. Use the upper-division core courses as an opportunity to try out options. Most options have a core survey course to introduce you to that discipline. Additionally, read the course descriptions in each option to see if they sound interesting. Meet with Business Student Advising for help with course planning to try out options.
2. Utilize the Career Center or visit their office on campus (SSC 270). They can help identify career paths, job postings, and how to market your option. The Career Center also offers assessments at low or no-cost to explore personality and interest preferences and how those might tie into careers or majors. You can find information about career fairs, resume workshops, and a lot more to help in your major, option, and career research. 
3. Get involved in a student organization that interests you. Volunteer, take on a leadership role, network, try new things, and make friends.

Honors in the Major

Students can earn honors if you have a GPA of a 3.5 or higher both cumulatively and in the major. Additionally students must take two business honors courses designated with an H suffix. Currently BADM 499H, Honors Seminar in Business and BADM 495H, Seminar in Applied Strategic Decision Making (major capstone) are the two courses required. Options in human resource management, entrepreneurship and small business management, management and project management can use BADM 499H as one of their option course electives. Options in accounting, finance, marketing, operations management, and management information systems cannot use BADM 499H for specific requirements in your option. Contact Business Student Advising in the Glenn 321, or call 530-898-4480, for more information. See Business Student Advising for course planning strategies.

Applying for Graduation and Commencement

Students are expected to apply a year before their anticipated graduation date. Students who apply one year in advance of their anticipated graduation may be reviewed before their last semester starts. If you are missing an individual course or are short total units, this information is useful in planning out your last semester. Applying a year in advance is the best way to assure you will complete the degree on time, as well as avoid a late fee.

Review the Graduation Advising website and FAQ page for more information on filing for graduation.

Commencement is held in the spring semester only. More information including dates and schedules can be found on Commencement's website. Note: participating in commencement does not automatically mean that you have graduated and will be receiving a diploma. You must file for graduation and complete all of the requirements for your degree to be awarded your diploma.