E. J. Ourso College of Business

Departments and Curricula

Undergraduate Programs

Since its establishment in 1928, the E. J. Ourso College of Business has served as the flagship business college of Louisiana, playing an essential role in uplifting the economy of the state and the well-being of its citizens. Each year, the college graduates more than 1,000 exceptional men and women who are the business leaders and entrepreneurs of the future.

The E.J. Ourso College serves its constituents in the following ways:

• Making significant contributions to the advancement of knowledge in related business disciplines;

• Delivering high-quality degree programs that produce graduates who will excel in their respective fields of business;

• Providing programs that strengthen the business skill sets of firms and institutions;

• Making valuable contributions to the practice of business in related business disciplines; and

• Engaging in other academic or applied programs and activities that advance business development in the state of Louisiana, the nation, and worldwide.

The Ourso College is committed to excellence in fostering learning and pursuing discovery in an intellectually diverse environment that prepares our students for rewarding lifelong careers.

All undergraduate degrees in the E. J. Ourso College of Business are bachelor of science degrees. The following majors are offered:

• Accounting
• Business Analytics
• Economics
• Entrepreneurship
• Finance
• General Business
• Information Systems & Decision Sciences
• International Trade & Finance
• Management
• Marketing

Each curriculum is constructed to ensure that students receive a broad general education and a sound foundation in the basic areas of business knowledge. At the same time, students may obtain limited concentration in a particular area of business. The objective of the college is to provide expertise in the functional fields of business so students will be qualified to hold positions of leadership, trust, and responsibility in business and industry.

The E. J. Ourso College of Business is a member school of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Its academic programs have been accredited continuously by the AACSB since 1931.

Graduate Programs

Master’s and doctoral degrees are offered through the LSU Graduate School by the various departments within the college. For information about these degrees consult “The Graduate School ” section. Business graduate students are supported by the Office of Graduate Business Programs (OGBP). Through this centralized hub, graduate students can receive training in résumé building, interviewing, and interpersonal skills. OGBP provides opportunities for domestic and international study trips, networking events, and experiential learning projects.

Undergraduate Admission Requirements

Students in good standing may apply for admission to the E. J. Ourso College of Business. Students transferring from another institution must also meet university transfer admission requirements. Application forms are available in Suite 2000 Business Education Complex or online (lsu.edu/business). Students who are denied admission may reapply for admission in a subsequent semester.

Students are eligible for admission to the E. J. Ourso College of Business once they have successfully completed the following requirements:

• Complete a minimum of 30 hours of university coursework (to include 12 hours of coursework on the LSU A&M campus, of which at least 9 hours must be from the E. J. Ourso College of Business).
• Complete the Pre-Business Core classes (ENGL 1001 , MATH 1021  and MATH 1431 , ECON 2000 , ISDS 1102 , and ACCT 2001 ) with a “C” or better in each course. Students who place or test out of any of the Pre-Business Core classes will be given credit for successfully completing those classes.

Students majoring in finance must meet the following GPA requirements at the time of their application for admission to the major:

• A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
• A minimum 3.0 LSU GPA
• A minimum 2.5 business GPA
• A minimum 2.5 LSU business GPA

Students majoring in accounting must meet the following GPA requirements at the time of their application for admission to the major:

• A minimum 2.7 cumulative GPA
• A minimum 2.7 LSU GPA
• A minimum 2.5 business GPA
• A minimum 2.5 LSU business GPA

Students majoring in business analytics, economics, entrepreneurship, general business, international trade & finance, information systems & decision sciences, management, or marketing must meet the following GPA requirements at the time of their application for admission to the major:

• A minimum 2.6 cumulative GPA
• A minimum 2.6 cumulative LSU GPA
• A minimum 2.3 business GPA
• A minimum 2.3 LSU business GPA

Maintenance Requirements

Continued enrollment in the E. J. Ourso College of Business is dependent upon satisfying the following requirements:

• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 on all university coursework.
• Maintain a minimum LSU cumulative GPA of 2.0 on all coursework in the university (all LSU campuses).
• Maintain a minimum 2.0 business GPA.
• Maintain a minimum 2.0 LSU business GPA.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress towards the completion of the degree.

College Probation

A student will be placed on college probation and will be required to meet with an academic counselor in the Office of Business Student Success for the following reasons:

• The student’s cumulative GPA falls below a 2.0 at the end of any academic semester.
• The student’s LSU GPA falls below a 2.0 at the end of any academic semester.
• The student’s business GPA falls below a 2.0 at the end of any academic semester.
• The student’s LSU business GPA falls below a 2.0 at the end of any academic semester.
• The student fails to make satisfactory academic progress towards the completion of the degree.

A minimum 12-hour load is expected in the probationary semester. Students on college probation will have a college hold placed on their registration, which will require them to schedule an appointment with a college academic counselor to register for classes for the next semester. The registration flag will be automatically removed after the student is taken off college probation. Students will be dropped from the college if they are not removed from college probation after one probationary semester.

Removal from the College

Students will be dropped from the E. J. Ourso College of Business for the following reasons:

• Students placed on college probation and who fail to improve their GPA to the minimum maintenance standard after one probationary semester. Minimum maintenance standards are a 2.0 cumulative GPA, a 2.0 LSU GPA, a 2.0 business GPA, and a 2.0 LSU business GPA.
• Students placed on college probation for failure to make satisfactory academic progress and who fail to make satisfactory academic progress during the probationary semester.

Readmission to the College

Students who have been dropped from the E. J. Ourso College of Business for any reason, may reapply for admission to the college. Students who were not registered at LSU for the preceding regular semester must also file a formal application for readmission. All students applying for readmission will be subject to the admission requirements at the time of the readmission. Readmission to the E. J. Ourso College of Business is not automatic. Students seeking readmission are encouraged to schedule an appointment with a college academic counselor.

Degree Requirements of the College

The degree of Bachelor of Science will be conferred on E. J. Ourso College of Business students who complete one of the approved curricula with a 2.0 or better GPA on all work taken and a 2.0 or better GPA on all business courses. The requirements above apply both to the total coursework taken and to LSU coursework.

A 2.0 or better GPA is required in all accounting coursework in order to graduate with a major in accounting. This requirement applies both to the total accounting coursework taken and to LSU accounting coursework.

A 2.0 or better GPA is required in all economics coursework in order to graduate with a major in economics or international trade & finance. This requirement applies both to the total economics coursework taken and to LSU economics coursework.

Twenty-four of the last 30 hours taken toward the degree must be earned in residence as a registrant in the E. J. Ourso College of Business at LSU. The university requires that all candidates for the bachelor’s degree must fulfill a minimum residence requirement of at least 25% of the total number of hours required for the degree at this university.

Business students may earn and apply up to six hours of internship coursework toward the bachelor’s degree. Students may not receive credit from multiple academic departments for the same internship experience.

Students majoring in accounting must earn 24 hours of upper level (3000 or higher) ACCT courses at LSU to establish residency in accounting.

The AACSB Standards for Accreditation state that “the school should require that at least 50% of the business credit hours required for the business degree be earned at the degree-awarding institution.”

The student must complete a minimum of 120 semester hours in accordance with the following regulations:

Academic Work: 120 Semester Hours

All 3000/4000 level business courses, except ACCT 3001 , ACCT 3025 , ACCT 3233 , FIN 3716 , GBUS 3061 , ISDS 3115 , MGT 3200 , and MKT 3401 , are restricted to students who have completed 60 hours of college-level coursework. Many 3000/4000-level business courses have prerequisite requirements. Students are responsible for ensuring they have completed the necessary course prerequisites as stated in the most recent catalog prior to registration for a course.

All business majors must complete six hours of oral and written communication courses. See “Departments and Curricula” for more details.

General Education Requirements for a Degree in Business

• English Composition (6 hours)- ENGL 1001  with a grade of “C” or better; and ENGL 2000  with a grade of “C” or better.
• Analytical Reasoning (6 hours)– MATH 1021  and MATH 1431  with a grade of “C” or better; MATH 1023  may be substituted for MATH 1021 . MATH 1550  or MATH 1551  may be substituted for MATH 1431 . Students should refer to their chosen curriculum to determine the specific mathematics requirements. No student may receive more than nine semester hours of mathematics courses numbered below 1550.
• Natural Sciences (9 hours)–Students must take three general education natural science courses, two of which must be in a two-semester sequence from the approved list of general education natural science courses. A minimum of six hours must be in a physical or a life science course sequence, and the remaining hours must be in an area other than that previously selected (i.e., both physical and life sciences must be taken). See those courses listed as General Education Natural Science  courses in the catalog.
• Arts (3 hours)–See those courses listed as General Education Arts  courses in the catalog.
• Humanities (9 hours)–See those courses listed as General Education Humanities  courses in the catalog.
• Social Sciences (6 hours)– ECON 2000  with a grade of “C” or better and ECON 2010 .

Electives

Students may choose any degree credit courses offered by the university consistent with their specific degree requirements. However, no more than six hours may be selected from kinesiology activity courses, band, chorus, or music skills courses. Up to six semester hours in ROTC may be used as electives in all business curricula.

Transfer of Credit from Other Institutions

In the E. J. Ourso College of Business, transfer credits accepted by the Office of Enrollment Management shall be valid for degree credit only to the extent to which they represent courses acceptable in the curricula of the college. The extent to which credit earned in other colleges and universities is accepted toward fulfilling degree requirements is determined by the dean’s office.

Transfer credit in which grades of “F” or “U” have been earned is not accepted toward fulfilling the degree requirements. For business courses, only transfer credit of a “C” or higher may be applied towards the degree. Students enrolled in this college who wish to obtain credits from other colleges or universities (including other campuses of LSU) and who plan to use such credits toward degree requirements should obtain prior approval in writing on a course-specific basis from the Office of Business Student Success.

The E. J. Ourso College of Business has 2+2 agreements with Baton Rouge Community College and LSU Eunice. Students can send inquiries to advisor@lsu.edu.

Distance Learning Programs Credit

Students must have permission from the Office of Business Student Success prior to scheduling Distance Learning Programs (DLP) coursework.

Students who are taking classroom courses at the university may not take DLP courses. Students not enrolled in classroom courses during a given semester may be approved for DLP courses through the Office of Business Student Success (Business Education Complex, Suite 2000) and may enroll at the Distance Learning Programs Office (1225 Pleasant Hall; 578-3171). Enrollment in DLP courses must be completed by the final date for adding courses for any semester, including the summer term.

Students taking DLP courses must complete 50 percent of their business courses through the regular LSU course offerings; no more than 12 semester hours of DLP credit may be applied toward the degree requirements of the college, and the DLP courses will not count toward college residency. General Education courses taken via DLP are limited to 6 hours.

The deadline for completion of all DLP coursework is the last day of final examinations for the semester during which the student is enrolled. A student must complete all DLP coursework before registering to receive a degree, and no degree may be awarded during a semester in which a student is enrolled in a DLP course.

Graduation Requirements

Each student must see an academic counselor for a final degree checkout when there are approximately 30 hours remaining to complete the degree requirements. Students who complete degree requirements during spring intersession should plan to graduate in August and must inform the Office of Business Student Success of this intention. Such students should see a counselor and register in the summer for “degree only.” Students who complete degree requirements during winter intersession should plan to graduate in May and must inform the dean’s office of this intention. Such students should see a counselor and register in the spring semester for “degree only.” Students who complete degree requirements during summer intersession should plan to graduate in December and must inform the Office of Business Student Success of this intention. Such students should see a counselor and register in the fall semester for “degree only.”

Students who have completed courses at another college or university must have an official transcript covering this work on file in the Office of the University Registrar before registering for the degree.

Requirements for a Second Bachelor’s Degree

Business students may earn a second degree within the Ourso College provided the following conditions are met:

• Students must meet all requirements for both degree programs.
• Students must earn 30 hours beyond what is required for the first degree; thus, a total of 150 hours must be earned to receive a second business degree.
• Of the 150 hours, students must earn a minimum of 15 hours of 3/4000 level business coursework beyond what is required for the first business degree.

Minor Field Requirements

Minors may be selected from any of the minors approved by the Faculty Senate Courses and Curricula Committee and the Office of Academic Affairs, with the exception of the business administration minor. Students in the E. J. Ourso College of Business must obtain permission from the Office of Business Student Success to pursue a minor.

Analytics Minor

For information regarding the Analytics Minor, click here . 

Business Administration Minor

The business administration minor provides marketable skills to students who are not majoring in business. This minor is not available to students in the E. J. Ourso College of Business.

The E. J. Ourso College of Business also offers a minor in business administration. To graduate with a minor in business administration, students must complete 18 hours consisting of the following courses: ACCT 2000  or  ACCT 2001 ; ECON 2030 ; FIN 3715 ; ISDS 1100 ; MGT 3200 ; MKT 3401 . Students must have a 2.0 GPA in the courses used to satisfy the minor. At least nine semester hours must be taken on this campus and, of the nine hours, three must be at the 3000- or 4000-level. This minor is NOT available to students in the E. J. Ourso College of Business.   

Energy Minor

The energy minor prepares students to work in one of the world’s most vital industries. The curriculum includes energy economics, geology, petroleum accounting, energy trading, and real estate. The minor is open to all LSU undergraduate students.

To graduate with a minor in energy, students must complete 15 hours consisting of the following courses: GEOL 1001 ; GEOL 1003  or GEOL 2020 ; FIN 3351 ; and six hours chosen from: ACCT 4501 , ECON 4320 , ECON 4325 , ENVS 4261 , FIN 3718 , ENTR 4050 , ISDS 4160 , or a faculty advisor approved energy elective. 

Students must have a 2.0 GPA in the courses used to satisfy the minor. At least nine semester hours must be taken on this campus. 

Entrepreneurship Minor

For information regarding the Entrepreneurship Minor, click here . 

Information Technology Management Minor

For information regarding the Information Technology Management Minor, click here . 

Internal Auditing Minor

For information regarding the Internal Auditing Minor, click here . 

International Business Minor

For information regarding the International Business Minor, click here.  

Office of Business Student Success

The first office of its kind at LSU, the Office of Business Student Success (OBSS) takes a holistic approach to student support. This team of professional, skilled advisors prepares Ourso College undergraduates to succeed academically and, ultimately, launch rewarding careers. OBSS offers academic advising and counseling, career and professional development coaching, study abroad opportunities, and Business Residential College programming. As a result, our students are business-minded, professional, globally aware, innovative, and proactive. Students are encouraged to visit the OBSS office, located on the second floor of the BEC Rotunda, early and often during their time at LSU. 

Navigate: By using the free Navigate mobile app, all LSU undergraduate students can keep up with their responsibilities through a customized list of important deadlines and upcoming events. Students schedule advising appointments through Navigate.

Handshake: This is a free student resource for job postings, on-campus interviews, recruiting events, career-planning resources and workshops, networking, and job search management tools. Handshake is offered through the LSU Olinde Career Center.

Events: Use the college’s events to make valuable contacts, practice networking skills, and learn valuable lessons that will help you stand out in a crowded job market.

Internships: One of the college’s biggest initiatives is to promote and coordinate internships. Our professional development team will help students with all facets of their internship experience. This can include résumé preparation, interview skills, or professionalism coaching. Beyond that, our staff will provide support during internships and help students leverage their experience in their search for full-time employment. Each department has a dedicated internship advisor who directs the internship course.

Professional Development Course - Successful completion of GBUS 3061 Business Communication & Professional Development ; will instill timeless communication skills needed to succeed in any environment. This is a certified Communication-Intensive (C-I) course. It is recommended that students consider taking this course during their junior year.

International Experience: Business students can earn course credit for a variety of international study programs, including short programs offered during winter and spring break.

Undergraduate Career Plan: Students are encouraged to enrich their studies and prepare for their careers by using the Four-Year Career Plan in addition to their academic course of study.

Programs

• Business Administration Minor
• Energy Minor
• International Business Minor