Undergraduate Handbook

Frequently Asked Questions

Search below to find answers to common questions asked by VSB undergraduate students. Should you or your family have any questions about the Clay Center at VSB or the undergraduate business program, please contact us at any time by phone at 610-519-5532 or email at claycenter@villanova.edu, or—better yet—stop by and visit us in person in Bartley Hall.

Questions by Topic:

• The Clay Center
• Majors/Minors
• Curriculum and Programs
• Degree Requirements
• Advising
  
• Registration and Scheduling
• Academic and Grading Policies
• Miscellaneous

The Clay Center

What is the Clay Center at VSB?

The Clay Center at VSB is dedicated to facilitating the academic and professional growth of undergraduate business students by providing:

• Educational planning and academic advising
• Experiential learning opportunities (internships and CoOps)
• Professional development programming and resources

The Clay Center, located in Bartley Hall Room 1054, is a “one-stop shop” resource for students—where all VSB academic support and information are available in one place.

Majors/Minors

What degrees and majors does VSB offer?

• Bachelor of Science in Accountancy
• Bachelor of Business Administration, with majors in Economics, Finance, Management, Management Information Systems (MIS), and Marketing

Students may also co-major in International Business (IB) and/or Real Estate, taken in conjunction with a major in another business discipline.

Students declare a major in their sophomore year. Students will receive information regarding major selection and related events throughout their freshman and sophomore years.

May I major in more than one discipline in VSB?
Students have the opportunity to double major. Students may declare a double major during the initial major selection process or later in their academic career.

May I select a minor as well?
VSB students are not required to select a minor. However, interested students may select from VSB minors in Accounting, Business Law and Corporate Governance, Business Analytics, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Finance, International Business, MIS, Marketing, and Real Estate. Students may also choose to minor in a liberal arts or sciences discipline. Students need to contact the appropriate department in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for more information.

Curriculum and Programs

What courses will I take Freshman year?

• VSB 1000: Information Technology (1 credit)
• VSB 1001 & VSB 1002: Business Dynamics I and II (3 credits each)
• ACS 1000: Ancients (3 credits)
• ACS 1001: Moderns(3 credits)
• MAT 1400: Business Calculus (4 credits)
• MAT 1430: Business Statistics (4 credits)
• ECO 1001 & ECO 1002: Micro and Macroeconomics (3 credits each)
• ENG 1050: Literary Experience (3 credits)
• PHI 1000: Knowledge, Reality, Self (3 credits)
  

Am I required to take a foreign language?
Although the school does not require students to take a foreign language, it is strongly encouraged. If a student has completed two years of a language in high school, credit for introductory courses in that language taken at the college level will not satisfy degree requirements. Students who choose the IB co-major must satisfy a language requirement.

May I study abroad?
VSB encourages all students to participate in an overseas experience while at Villanova. The IB co-major requires that students participate in an overseas experience. The Clay Center at VSB collaborates with The Office of International Studies to coordinate student participation in study abroad programs. VSB students have studied in locations all over the world, including: Australia, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, England, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Spain, and Switzerland.

May I participate in an internship or CoOp?
All VSB students are encouraged to participate in at least one academic internship or CoOp during their college career. Internships and CoOps provide opportunities for students to engage in professional business activities/settings on a part-time or full-time basis. VSB students must meet specific academic requirements to earn credit for an approved internship or CoOp. To begin the process of earning academic credit for an internship or CoOp, students must meet with the Clay Center Internship/CoOp Coordinator. 

May I participate in the University Honors Program?
VSB students in the Class of 2015 may apply to earn an Honors Concentration. Students who are interested in the Honors Concentration should contact the University Honors Program Office located in Garey Hall.

Degree Requirements

How many credits do I need to take to satisfy degree requirements?
All VSB majors require 123 credits.

What is the minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) I need to graduate?
Students need a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 and a minimum technical GPA of 2.0 to satisfy graduation requirements. The academic records of VSB students falling below a 2.0 GPA in any semester will be reviewed by the college’s Academic Standing Committee for appropriate action, which may include placement on academic probation or dismissal from VSB.

I took Advanced Placement (AP) courses in high school. May I get credit for these courses?
Students may receive credit for AP courses completed in high school provided that a score of 4 or 5 has been achieved in the College Board Advanced Placement Tests. No limit is placed on the number of AP credits awarded. However, VSB accepts a maximum of 60 transfer credits (including AP credits). AP score reports must be submitted no later than May of freshman year.

I took a college course in high school. May I receive credit for the course?
To earn Villanova credit for a college course taken while a high school student, the following must be submitted to the Clay Center at VSB no later than May of freshman year:

• An official letter from the college or university stating that the courses were taught on its campus by a member of the regular faculty; open to enrollment by, and graded in competition with, regularly matriculated undergraduate students at the college; and a regular part of the normal curriculum published in the college course catalog. Courses may not be taken in a distance learning format.
• An official, seal-bearing transcript from the college or university.
• An official letter from the high school principal, guidance counselor or other educational professional describing the college-level program of study.

While a student at Villanova, may I take courses at another institution during the summer?
Students may take non-business courses during the summer at another four-year accredited institution if they have a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA). Approval is required prior to course registration. A grade of “C” or better (not “C-”) is required to receive transfer credit. Only credits, not grades, may be transferred.

What is Web CAPP?
Curriculum, Advising, and Program Planning (CAPP) is a web-based degree auditing program. It tracks a student’s academic progress toward the completion of degree requirements. Using this program, a student is able to compare his/her current academic record with degree requirements. CAPP reports are available online for both students and their advisors through myNOVA or NOVASIS.  

Advising

Will I have an advisor?
All freshmen are assigned both a VSB peer advisor (usually a junior or senior) as well as a Clay Center advisor. During New Student Orientation, there will be an opportunity to meet with your peer advisor and Clay Center advisor. Peer advisors and Clay Center advisors assist students with social and academic transitions from high school to college, course scheduling, and answers to VSB-related questions. Once a student declares a major during his/her sophomore year, a faculty advisor in his/her major is assigned.

When will I meet with my peer advisor and Clay Center advisor?
During New Student Orientation, there will be an opportunity to meet with your peer advisor and Clay Center advisor. Each semester, prior to the university’s pre-registration period, freshmen and first semester sophomores must meet with their peer advisor and/or Clay Center advisor to discuss course selection and to receive their PIN for online registration. In addition to the individual sessions with advisors, there will also be a mandatory group advising session each semester. Second semester sophomores must meet with their faculty advisors. Students are responsible for initiating other contact with their advisors as needed. Students are encouraged to meet with their Clay Center advisor to explore professional development opportunities and major/minor selection.

Registration and Scheduling

How do I register for classes each semester?
The Office of the Registrar creates a fall semester class schedule for each incoming freshman. Final schedules will be available through NOVASIS in mid-August.

Pre-registration for the spring semester takes place in October. All freshmen are required to meet with their VSB peer advisor and/or their Clay Center advisor to review the curriculum requirements and to receive their registration PIN. Using this PIN, students register online through NOVASIS at a designated time.

May I change my schedule?
Incoming freshmen may change their schedules once they have met with their peer advisor or Clay Center advisor during orientation. However, neither the ACS nor the Business Dynamics course sections may be changed. Courses may not be dropped or added after the drop/add deadline, which is generally the fifth day of the semester. If a course is dropped before the end of the drop/add period, the course will not be part of a student’s permanent record and will not appear on the student’s transcript.

What if I want to register for a course and the section is closed?
Students are not permitted to enroll in closed sections. In extenuating circumstances, an exception may be made by the chairperson of the academic area offering the course. Faculty members teaching the course cannot make exceptions.

May I withdraw from a class after the drop/add period?
The last day for authorized withdrawal without academic penalty (WX period) is indicated on the academic calendar for each semester. The course, with a grade of “WX,” will appear on the student’s permanent record; the grade is not calculated into the student’s GPA. If a student withdraws from a course after the authorized deadline (an authorized withdrawal with academic penalty), a grade of “W” will appear on the student’s permanent record. A grade of “W” is the equivalent of an “F” grade and is calculated into the student’s GPA and technical GPA (technical GPA is based on business courses only). Withdrawal forms, available in the Clay Center, require the signature of the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Business Programs.

Academic and Grading Policies

Does Villanova have an Academic Integrity Policy?
Inspired by the spirit of Saint Augustine, academic honesty and integrity lie at the heart of the values expressed in the university mission statement. Villanova has adopted a Code of Academic Integrity that applies to all students. The university does not tolerate any form of academic dishonesty or misconduct. Dishonesty (including plagiarism) in any assignment, test, or examination may result in zero points for the given assignment and is reported by the faculty member to the Associate Dean. In addition, the student will be expected to complete an academic integrity education program. A second offense will result in dismissal from the university with the reason noted on the student’s official transcript. All incoming students are required to complete the Academic Integrity Gateway exercise included in the online Freshman Booklet.

Does the school have an attendance policy?
Regular class attendance is expected of all students. Freshmen are required to be present at all class sessions and will receive a grade of “Y” (failure) whenever the number of unexcused absences in a course exceeds twice the number of weekly class meetings for that course. If an emergency arises and it is necessary to leave campus or miss classes, you must notify your Clay Center advisor and appropriate documentation may be requested.

How will I receive my grades?
Grade reports are not mailed to students at the end of each semester. Students may check their midterm and final grades online through NOVASIS.

Miscellaneous

What if I need help with course work or writing a paper?
There are a number of VSB and university resources available to provide academic support. Gamma Phi Honor Society provides group and individual free tutoring services to VSB students. For more information on this service, please visit the Clay Center. The Office of Learning Support Services (LSS), located in Vasey Hall Room 202, offers workshops on study skills, time management, and self-motivation. For more information, contact LSS at 610-519-5636 or visit www.learningsupportservices.villanova.edu/. Students are also encouraged to visit the Math Learning Resource Center (610-519-MLRC) and the Writing Center (610-519-4604). Both centers are located in Old Falvey.

As a business student, will I have access to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ)?
All VSB students have an account for the interactive edition of the WSJ. User names and passwords are sent via email from the WSJ to all enrolled students during the summer. Hard copies are also available at various locations throughout Bartley Hall and in the Connelly Center.

Are there clubs and organizations specifically for business students?
There are many clubs and organizations that are supported by VSB. Some include:

• Accounting Society
• Business in Entertainment Society
• Business without Borders
• Economics Society
• Entrepreneurship Society
• Equity Society
• Financial Management Association
• Fixed Income Society
• Gamma Phi Honor Society
• International Business Society
• Management Information Systems Society
• Marketing Society
• Real Estate Society
• Villanova Technical Analysis Group
• Villanova Women in Business Society

We encourage all students to get involved with groups that are of interest to them. Students should plan to attend the Fall Activities Fair and the VSB Student Business Society Fair to learn more.