SMU Cox Executive Education

Summer Business Institute
An Intensive Course in Business Essentials for Non-Business Majors

Frequently Asked Questions

The Summer Business Institute is a challenging and comprehensive exposure to the most essential topics of business led by a team of exceptional faculty members from one of the top business schools in the nation.

In a month-long, non-credit business boot camp, students explore concepts in key topic areas like Accounting, Finance, Marketing, and Operations Management. Students will broaden their business skill sets, strengthen their resumes, and gain confidence in their ability to compete effectively in the job search process.

This won't be a passive learning experience. It will be intense, and it will be hard work. But the pay-off will be immense for non-business majors who will be better able to present themselves to potential employers as well-rounded candidates ready to make a contribution on the job from day one.

The Summer Business Institute presumes no prior knowledge of business topics. We'll start from the beginning and help students build their skills and knowledge one step at a time. And we'll give career counseling and advice that will allow students to interview more effectively and draft a stronger resume.

Who Is It For?

The Summer Business Institute is designed primarily for non-business majors with strong academic backgrounds who are completing their junior or senior year in college or are recent graduates. Drawing students from many colleges and universities, the program attracts students from liberal arts and sciences, engineering, fine arts, communications and public relations - actually from any field other than business. Applicants must have completed at least three years of college prior to attending.

This intensive exposure to business may also prove useful to those who have recently entered the job market but feel they lack the business skills necessary to reach their full potential. It will also be beneficial to anyone who is considering an MBA but wishing to get a taste of business school before making a two-year commitment to earn a graduate degree.

The Summer Business Institute attracts students from a variety of schools including the following: Abilene Christian University, Baylor University, Colorado College, Duke University, Emory University, Hampden-Sydney College, Princeton University, Rice University, Rollins College, Southern Methodist University, Texas A&M University, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University, The Citadel, Trinity University, Tulane University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Tennessee, University of Texas at Austin, University of the South, New York University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Oklahoma, University of Arkansas and Vanderbilt University.

What's In It For Me?

The Summer Business Institute will provide you with a solid dose of business knowledge delivered in just one month. It will help you build practical skills and will introduce you to many of the key functional responsibilities within corporations.

The program will deliver a working knowledge of business concepts that may seem mystifying to you now - things like financial statement analysis, customer relationship management, management control systems, investment decision making, and supply chain management. But these and other concepts presented in the Institute curriculum are the life-blood of corporations.

This investment in your knowledge base will increase your marketability in the job market. Earning a Summer Business Institute Certificate from the Cox School of Business identifies you as a job candidate who has taken the initiative to develop a business skill set that complements the specialization you've chosen in your major field of study.

Am I Going to Like This?

Yes! This program makes business learning interesting and approachable - even for business phobic students.

The Institute makes use of a wide variety of learning methods. We know you aren't used to sitting in class for six hours a day, so we'll keep the program engaging. Throughout each day you'll be actively involved, participating in spirited class discussions and meeting occasionally in small student groups to address topics even more interactively.

As in any boot camp experience, you'll form strong bonds and friendships with other members of the class. You'll be a part of a diverse group of students - most between 20 and 22 years of age - who represent a variety of colleges and universities.

What will I learn (Key Topics)?

Institute Faculty

Institute faculty members are among the best teachers in the Cox School's degree programs. They have been selected for their specific subject area knowledge and their past success in teaching undergraduates. Each has a broad understanding of the business environment and is skilled in providing practical tools in an engaging manner.

Program Format & Location

The Summer Business Institute is a four-week course of study requiring great commitment from participants. Class attendance is mandatory. Classes meet Monday through Friday from 9AM - 4.30PM, with generally a three-hour class each morning and another three-hour class each afternoon. An average of two hours of homework will be assigned most evenings. Students have free time on weekends, though some optional social events will be held.

Classrooms and Course Materials

The Institute is held on the campus of Southern Methodist University in the heart of Dallas, Texas. Daytime classes will be held in state-of-the-art classrooms in the Cox School of Business. General sessions are in tiered, amphitheater-style classrooms. Students will also make use of breakout rooms, computer labs, and social areas.

Students will receive numerous course materials that serve as valuable reference tools long after the program ends. This includes a weekly binder of cases, readings and handouts.

Certificates

Those who successfully complete the program through attendance andfinal project participationwill earn a non-credit SMU Cox Summer Business Institute Certificate. This certificate indicates to potential employers that you have mastered the essentials of the "hard skills" of business. Certificates are awarded based on active attendance and participation as well as mastery of the material as measured by midterm and final exams.

Recreation

Program participants will have use of most recreational facilities on the SMU campus. Details will be provided upon arrival.

Meals

Students who live in the Dallas area or will be providing their own housing will attend on a non-residential basis. They will be provided occasional group meals and social events.

Housing

Students who opt to attend on a residential basis will be provided with double-occupancy hotel rooms in a nearby hotel. (Housing in a single room is available for an additional fee.) Breakfast will be provided daily at the hotel. Occasional group meals and special events will be held throughout the program. No other meals are provided as part of the residential package.

Registration

Application to the Summer Business Institute may be made by mail, fax, or online. Criteria for admission will include: general strength of academic background, GPA, and answers to short essay questions on the application form. Applicants should have completed a minimum of three years of college prior to the program. Admissions decisions will be made on a first-come, first-served basis. To be formerly admitted into the program, applicants must submit a copy of their college transcript. Early application is recommended as space in the program is limited. No application fee is required, however, once accepted, the student will have three weeks to submit a $750 non-refundable deposit to secure space in the program. The balance of the program fee is due by May 5, 2006.

Cancellation

Upon committing to attendance by submitting a deposit, the student has reserved a space in the program and is responsible for full payment. Should cancellation occur prior to May 5, 2006, the full program fee less the $750 deposit will be refunded. If cancellation occurs between May5 and June 2, 2006, only 50% of the program fee will be refunded. Students who are registered but fail to attend, as well as students who drop out during the program, will not be eligible for refunds.

Fees

Students may attend the Summer Business Institute on either a residential or a non-residential basis. Program fees are:

Non-Residential Package (on or after March 31) $6,495

The Non-Residential Package includes:
Tuition and course materials
Occasional group meals and special events
Access to most SMU recreational facilities

Residential Package (on or after March 31) $7,495
Single Room Request (additional fee) $1,000

The Residential Package includes:
Tuition and course materials
Double-occupancy room at Radisson Hotel Central
Occasional group meals and special events
Access to most SMU recreational facilities

A 10% discount is given for any referrals that register for and attend the Summer Business Institute.