Business Leadership Program (BA)

The Business Leadership Program (BLP) is a four-year program for students selected on the basis of intellectual abilities, motivation, and demonstrated potential for organizational leadership in business. In addition to the learning outcomes outlined above, key objectives of the program are for students to develop leadership and managerial skills and to develop the ability to think logically and analytically.

The BLP is distinguished by a unique curriculum that blends coursework in business and the liberal arts, and features multiple BLP cohort classes. BLP students must participate in regional business field trips, an evening leadership speaker series, a professional internship, and a formal mentorship program.

Application to the program should be made during the senior year in high school. More information about the BLP and application forms are located at pugetsound.edu/blp. Sophomore-level admission to the BLP is possible, but contingent on space availability. Interested first-year students should contact the BLP Director during the first or second semester at Puget Sound.

Continued participation in the program is subject to academic performance as well as acceptable participation in all aspects of the program. See "Special Considerations for Business Leadership Program Students" below.

Thirteen units to include:

1. Politics and Government (1 unit): PG 101, 102, or 103

2. Quantitative (2 units): MATH 160 or MATH 260, and one additional unit numbered MATH 150 or higher. Students planning to pursue a graduate degree in business, such as an MBA, are encouraged to take Calculus. CSCI 161, ECON 284, PSYCH 201 or PHIL 240 can be used to satisfy the additional math requirement. BLP students must take at least one MATH unit in residence.

3. Economics (1 unit): ECON 101.

4. Business and Leadership (9 units): BUS 205, 305, 310, 315, 340, 385; two business electives at the 300-400 level (excluding BUS 240, 241, 300 and 316; CONN 387, 390, and 478); and a Senior Research Seminar.

   1. Courses used to satisfy the business elective and senior research seminar requirements may not also be used to satisfy university core requirements.

   2. Students must complete the foundational courses and have senior standing before taking the Senior Research Seminar. Courses approved: BUS 432, 439, 476, 478, 482, 480, and 485.

5. Business Leadership Seminars (BUS 101, 201, 301, and 401) (no credit)

6. Internship (no credit)

Notes on the Major (Business Leadership Program)

1. Once admitted to the BLP, students can continue in the program as long as they:

   1. Register for, regularly attend, and earn a passing grade for BLP seminars (BUS 101, 201, 301, and 401) both semesters, every year;

   2. Regularly meet with their mentor, as required by the program;

   3. Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all university work. Only courses for which the student has received a C or better count for the major (In addition, students must earn a grade of C- or better in all prerequisite courses.) In cases where performance falls below this level, students may apply for a probationary period to bring the cumulative GPA back up to 3.0 or be dismissed from the program.

   4. Enroll in special sections of cohort courses for the BLP major with higher implicit expectations and standards. There will be at least six cohort courses during any four-year period; and

   5. Demonstrate adherence to the highest standards of academic integrity and conduct. Any violation of the University Student Integrity Code may result in dismissal from the BLP.

2. Courses used to satisfy the elective and senior research seminar requirements may not also be used to satisfy university core requirements.

3. A minimum of five BUS courses towards the major must be completed in residence at Puget Sound, or a waiver must be approved.

General Requirements for the Major or Minor

General university degree requirements stipulate that 1) at least four units of the major or three units of the minor be taken in residence at Puget Sound; 2) students earn at least a cumulative GPA of 2.0 in courses taken for the major or the minor; and 3) all courses taken for a major or minor must be taken for graded credit. Any exceptions to these stipulations are indicated in the major and minor degree requirements listed below.