Major Code BB1926
Honors Tutorial College
35 Park Place
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.2723
Fax: 740.593.9521
honors.college@ohio.edu
www.ohio.edu/honors
Raymond Frost, director of studies/contact person
frostr@ohio.edu
Program Overview
The Honors Tutorial College (HTC) program in business offers exceptional students the opportunity to study the many aspects of business in one-on-one small seminar and conventional class relationships with business faculty. Maximum opportunities are afforded for the student in progress beyond the material found in the standard business curriculum. The program develops students’ research, writing, and presentation skills and provides excellent preparation for the job market or for graduate study. Graduates receive a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. HTC students take a mix of conventional classes and tutorials. The mix tightly integrates students into both the College of Business and the Honors Tutorial College, rather than existing in an honors silo. To promote flexibility, students are exempt from many of the distribution requirements required of other business students. They are also exempt from course prerequisites and are given preferential scheduling.
Business Tutorials
Students are required to complete eight tutorials within the College of Business. Generally, all entering tutorial students take a tutorial seminar during their first semester of study which will introduce them to a variety of important business concepts and functions. The second and third semesters focus on research methods. The next three tutorials are apprenticeships working one-on-one with faculty on a research project. The last two tutorials focus on the creation of a thesis. Throughout the program, the student and the director of studies work closely to plan a customized academic program. A student will normally select tutorials from his or her major area of interest but may select tutorials from other business disciplines or disciplines outside the College of Business. In addition to the tutorials, the student must complete a freshman seminar, the Tier I English requirement, ECON 1030, ECON 1040, MATH 1350, MATH 2500, an approved upper level ECON course, all core courses not covered by tutorials, and an appropriate number of approved electives. Internships and/or study abroad may be included within the program with special permission from the director of studies (credit will only be given once). Honors Tutorial students take a minimum of 15 hours per semester.
Advising and Monitoring
Each student receives initial advice from the director of studies regarding selection and sequencing of courses, choice of a thesis advisor, and other procedural matters. A committee composed of the director of studies and the advisor will monitor the thesis work. A typical tutorial will meet on a weekly basis for a minimum of one hour. The student and the tutor will discuss the current reading and written assignments, discuss problems and solutions, debate and offer critical analysis, and the tutor continuously evaluates the progress of the student. A final grade is made based on many facets of evaluation available to the tutor: written assignments, written exams, oral exams, discussions, presentations by the student, field work, etc.
The Honors Thesis
The honors thesis is a reflection of the student’s special interests. Its acceptance, dependent upon an appropriate mixture of research and analysis, relies upon the judgment of his or her director of studies. It is expected that this major paper will constitute work of the highest quality in investigating a problem of concern to both scholars and practitioners. Although an intensive study of relevant theoretical and research literatures is the underpinning of the thesis, students are encouraged to augment this scholarly base with field data whenever possible.
Evaluation
Students throughout the program earn letter grades consistent with the University grading system and are expected to maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher. In addition to letter grades, tutors complete narrative evaluations of the student’s work each semester addressing both the student’s academic standing and academic attitude.
Admissions Information
Freshmen/First-Year Admission
Students are selected by the director of studies of the business tutorial program and the Honors Tutorial College on the basis of superior ability and sustained motivation. We look for good scores on standardized tests (30 composite score on the ACT or a combined score of 1300 on the SAT), but we also require a good high school record (class standing in the top 10%). An interview with the director of studies is required for acceptance into our program. Two letters of reference and a writing sample from a high school assignment are required. The personalized aspects of the tutorial system occasionally make it possible for us to accept students who have not performed well on standardized measures of ability but who demonstrate exceptional aptitude in other ways. The deadline for application for admission is December 1st, and admission interviews are held in January.
Change of Program Policy
Transfer opportunities are limited. Students are admitted only as freshmen. Current freshmen must apply by December 1st. They are urged to contact the HTC office for guidance.
External Transfer Admission
Transfer opportunities are limited. Students are admitted only as freshmen. Freshmen from other institutions must apply by December 1st and are urged to contact the HTC office for guidance.
Opportunities Upon Graduation
Most students graduating from the program go directly into business careers in their chosen field. Many students subsequently pursue an M.B.A. or other master’s degree. We have also had students pursue law degrees or Ph.D.’s.
Requirements