The Cox curriculum provides BBA students with a broad foundation in business fundamentals plus in-depth coursework in their individual majors. Our Faculty combine industry experience with academic research, ensuring that our students receive an education that is both academically rigorous and relevant to their futures. Cox students apply their knowledge in many ways, from performing research with renowned professors to solving real-world case studies. Our small classes create a personal setting where you can get to know your professors and classmates. Additionally, our Cox Academic Advisors are there to guide students in their academic pursuits.

Curriculum

SMU Cox offers seven business majors: Accounting, Finance, General Business, Management, Marketing, Real Estate Finance, and Business Analytics and Supply Chain Management. We also offer four supplemental concentrations, a specialization in alternative asset management within Finance, a minor in business, and a minor in business administration.

Most students select their business major after completing introductory courses in the various business disciplines as part of the core courses common to all business majors. Cox strongly encourages students to seek additional majors and minors in areas outside of business, and to take advantage of the many study abroad opportunities available through SMU.

Honors in Business

Honors business courses are designed to challenge students' intellectual abilities and sharpen their professional skills. The smaller class environment in honors courses promotes greater interaction between students and professors.

Many of the honors courses in business are core business courses, which are common to all business majors. Additionally, senior-level honors practicum courses are also offered, including the Practicum in Portfolio Management where students manage the $2M Ann Rife Cox Investment Fund and the Marketing Practicum, a course that has partnered with Fox Sports since 2012 to develop real marketing campaigns.

Cox majors with at least a 3.500 GPA (in the business subset) and 3.500 SMU GPA overall are eligible to take most honors business courses, although some require a separate application. Students must maintain a 3.500 GPA in their business honors courses to remain in the program. Students that complete at least six business honors courses equaling at least 18 credit hours (12 hours of which must be at the junior or senior levels) with a 3.50 business honors GPA and a 3.50 cumulative SMU GPA will receive the “Honors in Business” distinction on their transcript and diploma.

Business Leadership Institute

The Business Leadership Institute (BLI) is where academic theory and real-world experience converge and is one of the most highly regarded features of the Cox School. Students participate in classes and seminars that go beyond traditional textbook theories and into real-life business situations. Taught by industry practitioners, BLI 3302-Business Communication and Leader Development is a course taken by all Cox undergraduates to develop skills for effective career management, business presentations, business writing, teamwork and more.