Department website: http://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/bba

Red McCombs School of Business

Bradley Staats, PhD, Dean
Ethan Burris, PhD, Senior Associate Dean, Academic Affairs
Ty Henderson, PhD, Associate Dean, BBA Program
Arthur T. Allert, BBS, Assistant Dean, BBA Program
Charles Enriquez, BA, Assistant Dean, BBA Program

Mission

To be a premier source of future business leaders and ideas that will positively transform industry and society. Our research and discoveries will help leaders prepare for the opportunities of tomorrow, and the world-class education we provide will produce entrepreneurial, innovative, analytical, and ethical thinkers to solve the challenges of today and prepare for the challenges of tomorrow

History

In April 1912, the first professor of the new “business training” program was hired and business classes were first offered in the fall of 1912 with a total of nine courses and two faculty.  The School of Business Training was originally started as a part of the College of Arts and Sciences and by 1916 the program name had changed to Business Administration.  With the continued growth of the program a new Bachelor of Business Administration degree was approved by the Regents in 1916 and the first BBA degrees were awarded to nine graduates in spring 1917. The business program at The University of Texas at Austin became a charter member in 1916 of the American Association of Collegiate Schools of Business, the accrediting agency for business schools, where it has remained fully accredited for both business and accounting. The Masters of Business Administration degree was approved in 1917 and graduate courses were started shortly thereafter. The first woman on the business faculty was hired in 1919 and the first women graduates in business received their degrees in 1920. 

With increasing student interest in business education and continued growth of the program the Regents approved a new and separate School of Business Administration in 1922. In 1925, a research division of the school was established with the Bureau of Business Research which published the “Texas Business Review” in spring 1927, the first of its kind in Texas. A Ph.D in Business Administration was approved by the Regents in 1930 and was the first to be offered in the Southwest. 

Given the growth of academic offerings and continuing increases in enrollment Waggener Hall was built in 1932 as a dedicated building for the business school.  In 1945, the school was reorganized as the College of Business Administration with five academic departments: accounting; finance, real estate and insurance; general business; management; and marketing. In 1962, a new building for the College of Business was created with the Business-Economics Building. In 2000, the College of Business Administration and the Graduate School of Business were renamed the McCombs School of Business in honor of University alumnus and benefactor Red McCombs.

Financial Assistance Available through the School

Students who are enrolled in the McCombs School of Business are eligible for scholarships and awards funded by industry, foundations, and individuals. Some of these awards are available school-wide, while others are restricted to students in one department. Students selected to receive an award are selected based on their academic performance, leadership and donor specific criteria which may include financial need.

Most scholarships are for continuing students who have declared a business major. Generally, scholarships are awarded annually with some being renewable. Scholarships are awarded based on various criteria, as outlined in scholarship agreements and approved by the U.T. System Board of Regents. The deadline for submission is the end of the spring semester for scholarships in the following academic year. Recipients are selected by the BBA Program Office of the school and are usually notified during the summer.

Departmental scholarships are generally reserved for juniors and seniors majoring in a program of the department. Because departmental scholarships are normally funded by annual contributions, the number of scholarships and the amounts awarded vary among departments and over time. Departmental scholarships are awarded based on various criteria, as those established for school-wide awards; deadlines and other elements of the selection process also vary among departments. Interested students should contact the major department for further information.

Student Services

The BBA Program Office provides administrative support and a wide array of student services for the school, including academic advising, career management, study abroad, and leadership development.  These student services are offered to all enrolled BBA students to enhance their academic experience and professional development.

Academic Advising

Academic advisors in the BBA Program Office provide individualized, comprehensive advising and serve as a referral resource for students to ensure timely progress toward degree completion.  Every McCombs undergraduate student is assigned to a professional academic advisor prior to their first semester enrolled in school.  Faculty advisors are also available in each academic department to help students explore their educational and career goals.

All McCombs students are required to meet with an academic advisor before their first semester, which is part of new student orientation.  After that, all students are encouraged to meet with their assigned advisor regularly. Students who elect to self-advise are responsible for knowing the requirements of the degree program they have chosen, enrolling in courses appropriate to that degree program, meeting the prerequisites of the courses selected, and taking courses in the proper sequence to ensure timely progress towards their degree. See Student Responsibility section for more information. 

Career Management

BA Career Management is a key resource for business students navigating their career journey — whether exploring career paths, preparing for interviews, securing internships, or pursuing full-time roles. Through individualized career coaching, a required career course, specialized programs, and career events, students gain the tools and insights needed to achieve their professional goals.

To help students take meaningful steps toward their careers, the department offers services to build essential skills and connections. Students learn job search strategies, resume-building techniques, interview preparation, and offer evaluation methods. Career workshops and employer events also provides exposure to diverse industries and job functions, helping students make informed career decisions.

The BBA Career Coaching team also teaches Business Administration 111: Professional Development & Career, a required course for freshmen and transfer students. This course lays the foundation for lifelong career management by introducing job search fundamentals and career exploration strategies.

Engagement with career resources from the start of the BBA program is highly encouraged. While many students secure internships between their junior and senior years, valuable opportunities exist earlier across a variety of fields. Early participation helps students explore available opportunities, build experience, expand their professional network, and position themselves for success in their carer journey.

McCombs maintains strong employer engagement, with over 800 employers actively recruiting students annually. Each year, hundreds of unique employers hire students for full-time roles and internships, reflecting the breadth of opportunities available across a wide range of industries.

RecruitMcCombs is the exclusive platform for both current McCombs students and alumni, providing access to job opportunities, career events, and recruiting research tools. It serves as a hub for current students with internships and full-time roles while also providing alumni with career advancement opportunities. Additionally, McCombs alumni have access to Alumni Career Management, a lifelong career resource offering professional development support beyond graduation.

For more information, visit the McCombs School of Business websit

Student Organizations

Student organizations play a vital role in the educational experience offered by the University. Students who become involved in organizations gain experience in leadership, teamwork, networking, time management, and other practical areas. This experience, when combined with the theoretical knowledge gained in the classroom, helps students develop a well-rounded set of skills for use academically, professionally, and personally.

Study Abroad

BBA International Programs offer McCombs School of Business students the opportunity to study abroad in the following ways: on an exchange or affiliated program (summer, semester or academic year) at one of our many partner schools around the world; and on short-term, faculty-led programs, offering pre-determined McCombs courses which are taught abroad in various international locations. These types of study abroad opportunities enable students to make progress toward their University degree requirements while gaining valuable intercultural experiences. More information is available at https://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/undergraduate-programs/bba/academics/international-programs/ https://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/undergraduate-programs/bba/academics/international-programs/.

Student Programs

Programs

Financial Analyst Program 

The Financial Analyst Program (FAP) is a competitive program to which finance majors with GPAs of at least 3.5 can apply in the Fall of their junior years.  Students admitted to the program take two courses that are only open to FAP students.  The first course, which students take in the Spring of their junior years, is FIN 377 (Topic 3: Security Analysis).  In this course, we do a deep dive into the foundations of finance and financial analysis and the implications for the practice of finance.  We also learn about the nuts and bolts of financial markets and how these markets interact with the broader economy.  The second course, which students take in the Fall of their senior years, is FIN 366P.  In this course, we bring in outside speakers and study topics relevant to the practice of financial analysis in areas such as private equity, venture capital, and hedge funds.  The program also provides opportunities for engagement with members of the FAP advisory council, who serve as mentors for the program, and other members of the financial community.  

Real Estate Investment Fund 

The McCombs Real Estate Investment Fund (REIF) is a two-semester commitment, covering the spring of the junior year and the fall of senior year.  Students must plan to be enrolled in UT both semesters to apply for the fund. Undergraduate analysts are in class with the MBA associates evaluating both a publicly traded Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) portfolio, and private equity opportunities conducted in a professional setting with private companies. Applications are due each fall for the following spring; only juniors are accepted. Contact the McCombs Real Estate Center to apply. 

McCombs Summer Institute 

The McCombs Summer Institute (MSI) is an immersive, in-person, eight-week summer program designed for non-business majors eager to complement their primary disciplines with essential business knowledge. MSI participants earn 15 credit hours in accounting, business law and ethics, finance, marketing, and management, applicable toward the Business Foundations Minor or Elements of Business Certificate. Guided by distinguished McCombs faculty and industry leaders, students engage in interactive learning, skill-building workshops, and professional seminars within a cohort-based model, fostering both personal and professional growth. 

Summer Entrepreneurship Academy 

The Blair and Bubba Moffett Summer Entrepreneurship Academy (SEA) is an intensive, in-person, cohort based, 8-week summer program. SEA participants will learn to lead, work efficiently with peer team members, develop solutions, and create innovative products. Students will also work with local startups, corporate  sponsors, McCombs alumni, and entrepreneurial mentors. By investing time in SEA, students will develop a foundational understanding of entrepreneurship, through terminology, case-based learning, key theories, and empirical-based practices. Students will engage in experiential learning— learning by doing—to implement creative and innovative strategies across all four courses. Students who successfully complete SEA earn 12 credit hours toward the 15-hour requirement for the McCombs Entrepreneurship Minor.

Requirements and Policy

Academic Standards

Students are expected to make continuous progress toward the degree while maintaining the University minimum scholastic requirements. A student is placed on academic warning if his or her grade point average falls below 2.00. University regulations on academic warning and dismissal are given in the General Information Catalog.

Students in the Integrated MPA or the Canfield Business Honors Program must maintain the scholastic requirements of those respective programs. Please refer to the Academic Standards sections for iMPA and BHP.

Any student having academic difficulty should discuss his or her status with an academic advisor in the BBA Program Office, CBA 2.400. Call (512) 471-0690 to set up an appointment with an academic advisor.

Students on academic warning attempting to register after the sixth class day in a fall or spring semester, or the second class day in a summer term, will not be approved to register late.

Graduation

Special Requirements of the School

All students must fulfill the minimum General Requirements for graduation given in The University section. Business students must also fulfill the following requirements:

Degree Audit

All McCombs students are advised to monitor their degree progress through regular use of the online Interactive Degree Audit. IDA provides the student with a report of his or her progress toward completion of requirements for a specific degree program. In addition to using IDA, students are encouraged to meet regularly with their academic advisor in the BBA Program Office. The degree audit is not a substitute for individual advising.

Applying for Graduation

A degree candidate must apply for the degree no later than the date given in the official academic calendar. No degree will be conferred unless the diploma application form has been properly filed. Further information, resources, and a link to the graduation application are available at https://my.mccombs.utexas.edu/bba/advising/graduation/. Freshmen are expected to complete their degree within four years, and transfer students are expected to complete their degree in a timely manner.

Portable Computing Devices

Students enrolled in a degree program at the McCombs School of Business will be expected to own a portable computing device suitable for use in the classroom and on the University wireless network.

Repetition of a Course

The official grade in a course is the last one made; however, if a student repeats a course and has two or more grades, all grades and all semester hours are used to calculate the University grade point average and to determine the student’s scholastic eligibility to remain in the University and his or her academic standing in the McCombs School of Business.

A student may not repeat for credit or grade points any course in which he or she has earned a grade of C- or higher (or the symbol CR, if the course was taken on the pass/fail basis).

Applicability of Certain Courses

Physical Activity Courses

Physical activity (PED) courses are offered by the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education. They may not be counted toward the Bachelor of Business Administration degree. However, they are counted among courses for which the student is enrolled, and the grades are included in the grade point average.

ROTC Courses

No more than 15 semester hours of air force science, military science, or naval science coursework may be counted toward the Bachelor of Business Administration degree. ROTC courses may be used only as non-business or free electives.

Courses Taken on the Pass/Fail Basis

A business student may count toward the degree up to four one-semester courses in elective subjects outside the major taken on the pass/fail basis; only free electives (any level/subject), non-business electives, and upper-division non-business electives may be taken on the pass/fail basis. Business courses taken on the pass/fail basis cannot be counted toward the major, unless they are offered only on the pass/fail basis. Credit earned by examination is not counted toward the total number of courses that the student may take pass/fail.

Complete rules on registration on the pass/fail basis are given in the General Information Catalog.

University Extension Self-Paced and Semester-Based Courses

Students planning to take self-paced or semester-based University Extension courses should consult with the BBA Program Office before doing so to ensure compliance with the following restrictions:

1. Credit that an in-residence University student earns simultaneously through University Extension or similar means from another institution should be discussed in advance with the student's academic advisor to determine business degree applicability.
2. A student may not be enrolled concurrently for courses from University Extension or another institution during his or her last semester without jeopardizing graduation eligibility.
3. With regard to registration on the pass/fail basis, extension courses are subject to the same restrictions as courses taken in residence; these restrictions are given in the section Courses Taken on the Pass/Fail Basis.

Concurrent Enrollment

To ensure degree applicability, students are urged to consult with their academic advisor before registering concurrently at another institution, either for resident coursework or for a distance education course, and before enrolling in University Extension self-paced or semester-based coursework. A student may not be enrolled concurrently during his or her last semester in any course to be counted toward the degree without jeopardizing graduation eligibility.

Minor Policy

Students admitted to transcript-recognized minors must contact their academic advisors to have approved minors added to their degree audit profiles.  This allows progress toward the credential to be tracked and ensures that minors are added to official transcripts upon graduation, if all requirements are met.

The following requirements must be met:

1. Minors for Business Majors – discipline-specific minors available only to degree-seeking McCombs School of Business students, in seven individual business fields of study
2. The Business Foundations Minor – restricted to degree-seeking non-business students, a multidisciplinary exposure to the primary fields of study in business
3. Accounting Minor for Business Economics Option Program, and Finance Minor for Business Economics Option Program – available only to degree-seeking Economics majors who have been admitted to the BEOP
4. Specialized Business Minors - available to all undergraduate students

Minors for Business Majors

While a minor is not required as part of the BBA degree program, a degree-seeking BBA student may choose to complete one minor in conjunction with the degree, which must be in a different field of study from the student's major. A student who wishes to pursue more than one transcript-recognized minor per degree is required to consult with their academic advisor and obtain permission from the School. 

The business school offers several minors that are available only to students enrolled in the McCombs School of Business.  Eight of these are offered in academic disciplines in which undergraduate majors are also available: Accounting, Business Analytics, Finance, Management, Management Information Systems, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, and Wealth Management.

To fulfill a minor for business majors, students must complete 15 to 18 semester hours of coursework as described below in the requirements of the selected minor. The University requires at least nine hours of the minor to be coursework not used to satisfy requirements of the student’s major.  This means that only B A 324/B A 324H and the business/specific major course(s) required for the minor (i.e. ACC 312/ACC 312H, B A 110G, BAH 110G, FIN 357/FIN 357H, MAN 336/MAN 336H, MIS 301/ MIS 301H, MKT 337/MKT 337H, O M 235/O M 235H; STA 235/STA 235H, D S 235/D S 235H, MIS 304; ACC 364, ACC 372T (Topic 11: Financial Planning for Wealth Management), FIN 367) can satisfy both BBA degree requirements and business minor requirements simultaneously; the remaining nine hours for each business minor cannot be coursework used to satisfy other BBA degree requirements, except free or non-business electives. 

Certificate Policy

Certificates for Business

Certificate programs in the McCombs School are designed to allow undergraduate students to develop an area of expertise in addition to their major program. Undergraduate students who complete transcript-recognized certificate requirements in conjunction with their degree requirements or within one year after earning the degree receive recognition on the University transcript.

The following requirements must be met:

• A student may not earn any transcript-recognized certificates in the same field of study as their major.
• At least one certificate course must be outside the requirements of the major. However, certificate courses outside the major may be counted toward other degree requirements.
• At least half of the coursework must be completed in residence at The University of Texas at Austin.
• A maximum of nine hours of certificate coursework may be taken after the student has earned the undergraduate degree.
• All coursework must be taken on a letter-grade basis.
• The student must earn a combined grade point average of at least 2.00 in the certificate coursework.

Students admitted to transcript-recognized certificates must contact their academic advisors to have approved certificates added to their degree audit profiles. This allows progress toward the credential to be tracked and ensures that certificates are added to the official transcript upon graduation, if all requirements are met.

Admission 

Admission Policies of the School

Admission and readmission of undergraduate students to the University is the responsibility of the University director of admissions. Information about admission to the University is given in the General Information Catalog.

Freshman Admission Requirements for Texas Residents

To be considered for admission to the school, Texas-resident high school students must be granted regular admission to the University. However, because enrollment is limited by the availability of instructional resources, admission requirements for business degree programs are more restrictive than those of the University. High school rank, SAT Reasoning Test or American College Testing Program (ACT) scores, extracurricular activities, and essays are among the factors used in making admission decisions. A student who is admitted to the University but denied admission to the school may seek admission to another academic program at the University.

Freshman Admission Requirements for Nonresidents

Because of enrollment restrictions dictated by the availability of faculty and facilities in the school and by the limitations on nonresident enrollment imposed by the Board of Regents, nonresident applicants may find the admission process extremely competitive.

Application Procedures for Freshman Admission

Students may apply for admission through the Office of Admissions website, http://admissions.utexas.edu/. To be considered for admission to the McCombs School of Business, the student should specify business as his or her intended major. All application materials must be submitted to the Office of Admissions by the deadline to apply for admission to the University for the summer semester or fall semester; these dates are given in the General Information Catalog.

Transfer Admission

Internal Transfer

Students enrolled in other programs at the University who wish to enter a degree program described in this catalog must submit an application for a change of major to be considered for admission in the following long semester. The following minimum requirements for consideration are in addition to the requirements to transfer from one division to another that are given in the General Information Catalog.

External Transfer

A student seeking to transfer to the McCombs School of Business from another university should list unspecified business as his or her intended major on the admission application. Because students are not admitted to the school for the spring, application materials must be submitted to the Office of Admissions by the appropriate deadline for the student to be considered for admission in the following fall semester. The following minimum requirements for consideration are in addition to the requirements for transfer admission that are given in the General Information Catalog.

Registration

The General Information Catalog gives information about registration, adding and dropping courses, transfer from one division of the University to another, and auditing a course. The Course Schedule, published before registration each semester, includes registration instructions, advising locations, and the times, places, and instructors of classes. The Course Schedule and the General Information Catalog are published on the registrar’s website, http://registrar.utexas.edu/. Registration information specific to BBA students can be found online.

Honors

University Honors

The designation University Honors, awarded at the end of each fall/spring semester, gives official recognition and commendation to students whose grades for the semester indicate distinguished academic accomplishment. Both the quality and the quantity of work done are considered. Criteria for University Honors are given in the General Information Catalog.

Graduation with University Honors

Students who, upon graduation, have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement are eligible to graduate with University Honors. Criteria for graduation with University Honors are given in the General Information Catalog. Historical honors information for the McCombs School of Business BBA Program can be found on the college website.

School Honors Program

The Canfield Business Honors Program is available to outstanding students who have distinguished themselves inside the classroom and out by superior performance during high school or in their first year at the University. The program is described in the Canfield Business Honors Program.

Facilities

The McCombs School is housed in the George Kozmetsky Center for Business Education. This three-building complex includes modern classrooms and offices, lecture rooms with multimedia equipment, conference and communal study rooms, as well as lounges for informal student and teacher interaction. Computer classrooms, computer laboratories, the Financial Trading and Technology Center, and a behavioral science laboratory are also available. Computer and computer-access facilities are available to students, faculty members, and staff members.