The BCIT Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree provides students the opportunity to enhance the skills developed in their diploma programs. By earning a BBA, graduates are better prepared for career advancement. Students broaden their knowledge in the BBA, which focuses on critical and strategic thinking skills. Regardless of the area of specialization, the combination of a BCIT diploma and the BBA gives students much richer opportunities along their career paths.
Since 1964, BCIT has produced diploma graduates that employers ask for by name. The BBA program builds directly on the variety of diploma programs offered in the School of Business. By starting with the diploma program of your choice, you will begin learning the skills necessary for your chosen field right from the first day of classes. At the end of your second year, you will have a diploma that is highly valued by industry. The BBA program then gives you the flexibility to complete your degree full-time within 8 to 12 months (depending on previous transfer credits from other institutes), or you can choose to begin your career and finish your degree part-time, usually within two to three years.
- Business Management
- Human Resources
- Finance & Accounting1
- General Insurance and Risk Management
- International Business Management
- International Business Management - Global Supply Chain
- Marketing, Tourism, Real Estate, Sales
- Business Operations Management and Logistics
- Business Information Technology Management
- Students with non-business credentials start by taking one of our nine month Business Management or Human Resources Post-diplomas or the Sustainable Business Leadership Advanced Specialty Certificate2.
1For those interested in an advanced Accounting degree, BCIT also offers the Bachelor of Technology in Accounting.
2Students that have taken the Sustainable Business Leadership program must also complete ECON 2200 Macroeconomics and OPMT 1197 Business Statistics (unless taken in previous diploma)Upon completion of the second year, you are "job ready," having earned a diploma that is highly valued by industry. Now you are ready to apply to the BBA program and either:
Ready to apply? Excellent choice! However, it's important to be prepared for this challenging and competitive program.
You'll significantly improve your chances of admission and success if you are well-prepared. Spend some time researching the program, and assessing and preparing for the upcoming curriculum.
***Bookmark this page for up-to-date program information.
The BBA provides opportunities for individuals who are planning to complete, or have completed, specific BCIT diplomas, and who wish to further their education. NOTE: The BBA is an internal program that allows BCIT diploma students to complete their degree. There is NO direct entry for external applications (see below).
Successful candidates must meet the program's entrance requirements, and should apply to the BCIT BBA program after completing or when nearing completion of one of the BCIT School of Business diploma or post diploma programs below.
As a full-time student, you'll be immersed in a highly structured and demanding environment for the duration of the program. All full-time courses are scheduled at the Burnaby campus. The full-time program begins in September and ends in either April or August, depending on the number of general education electives any student needs to complete.
| Fall Term (Sep - Dec) |
Winter Term (Jan - Apr) |
Summer Term (May - Aug) |
|---|---|---|
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Complete General Education Electives (If Necessary) |
You'll be one of 50 students accepted into the program. Like yourself, everyone will have completed a BCIT business diploma or post-diploma program, and many will have work experience. Students come from many disciplines and fields of study, leading to a rich, dynamic, and varied learning environment.
Your schedule will be busy, with 15 in-class hours per week, plus homework. In the computer labs, you'll have your own computer workstation to complete all assignments. You'll have regular, usually weekly, class assignments to complete for most courses, so it's important to manage your time well and perform consistently throughout the school year.
Once accepted into the BBA part-time program, you'll register and complete classes on a course-by-course basis. This option usually allows students to complete the program in 18-36 months while working. Course information and availability is listed below.
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
You'll explore the world of business administration through case studies and group projects, all the while obtaining the analytical skills you need to build your career.
• In operations management courses, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how data is synthesized into cohesive management information and integrated into the strategic decision-making process. You’ll also gain extensive hands-on experience using industry-standard software, and grasp the critical importance of data modeling and management.BBA graduates represent the program in many different industries, working in small companies and large corporations, including some of the top employers in British Columbia. As of 2008 Government survey results, our grads had a 83% placement rate and average salary of $51,420 (3 months after graduation). The following BBA job bank consists of some the companies where our alumni work in BC and abroad.
BCAA - British Columbia Automobile Association
BCIT - British Columbia Institute of Technology
B.C. Sash & Door Co.Ltd.
BMO Investments Inc.
Canaccord Capital
Canada Post Corporation
C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.
Citizens Bank of Canada
Coca-Cola Bottling Company
Dynamic Architectural Windows & Doors
FIDO
HSBC Bank Canada
IKON Office Solutions
Ipsos Canada
MC Freight Systems
MD Management
LEAVITT Machinery
PMC-SIERRA
Purolator Courier Ltd.
Shelley Morris Business Services
Select Medical Connections
Sunrise Soya Foods
Sutton Group
TD Waterhouse Canada Inc.
The Artona Group Inc.
Uniserve Communications Corporation
United Way of Lower Mainland
Vancouver Parks & Recreation
Vancity Credit Union
Vancouver Coastal Health
Vancouver School Board
Visiphor Corporation
Vitran Express Canada Inc.
When should I apply to the BBA program? How important is the Letter of Intent? I am currently a BCIT Diploma student in the School of Business but I haven't graduated yet. Can I still apply? I have a BCIT Diploma but not from a Business Program. Can I get my BBA degree? I have a BCIT Business Diploma but I only want to do the BBA part-time. Are the rules different? I just finished my Diploma program. Can I get a FEE deferral?
How many credits of general education do I have to complete in order to get my BBA degree? Can I transfer general education courses completed outside BCIT towards my BBA degree? What is the process? Can I take general education courses at another institution?
If I am not a BBA student at BCIT, can I still register for a BBA course? What is the difference between the BBA and the ASTB (Advanced Studies in Business) Programs? How long it will take me to complete my BBA Program?
The full-time admission process is competitive, so for your best chances for acceptance into the limited full-time option seats, apply as soon as possible after October 1 (in term 4 of your BCIT diploma program) to begin the next September.
Full-time and part-time applications are treated separately. Part-time applications are accepted year-round, and accepted students may take the next available course. See our entrance requirements page for the details and criteria.
Applicants who meet the minimum requirements are ranked. Acceptance or provisional acceptance is based on the ranking and available seats. [top]
This letter is the equivalent of an interview; please view the "entrance requirements" section on the program entry page for detailed information. [top]
You may apply in the fourth term of your diploma, based on your grades in the first three terms and be provisionally accepted until fourth term grades are calculated. [top]
Applicants with a diploma from outside of BCIT School of Business can apply based upon the regular entrance requirements after completing the Business Administration Post Diploma program (9 months), the Human Resource Management Post Diploma program (9 months), or a part-time non-credential BBA Bridging Path at BCIT. [top]
The minimum admission standard is the same whether part-time or full-time, however, there is no limit on the number of part-time students admitted each term. [top]
Yes, contact financial aide and identify yourself as a BBA student. [top]
In order to earn your BBA degree, you have to complete 24.0 general education credits. [top]
Yes, you can transfer general education courses from the different post-secondary institutions towards your BBA degree if they meet BBA general education requirements. Each course has to be a lower or upper-level university 3-credit course in the following subject areas:
3.0 credits English Literature or Composition
6.0 credits Social Science or Humanities
3.0 credits Natural Science
6.0 credits of Arts or Science
6.0 credits unspecified creditsOnce you complete the general education courses, you have to send the official transcript to BCIT Admissions, Attn: Frishta Safi, at 3700 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby, BC, V5G 3H2 [top]
Yes, as long as they meet the requirements listed on the general education information page. It is best to discuss any potential courses with the program head or an advisor in the Registrar’s Office. In general, an acceptable transfer course must be a university-level course (first year or higher). If taken at a college, it must be transferable to any of the universities in the province. [top]
Yes, you can register for part-time BBA courses once you’ve completed required prerequisites and received department approval. Please contact the degree programs administrator at 604-412-7486 to obtain the approval. [top]
The BBA is a BCIT business degree that allows BCIT diploma students to further their education and receive a degree conferred by BCIT.
The ASTB is an advanced certificate offered in partnership with Thompson Rivers University (formerly Cariboo College), which confers the TRU-OL degree. It is made up of eight advanced part-time business courses that fulfill the business component of the TRU degree completion program. Currently these courses are the same as the eight core business courses required by the BCIT BBA program.
As of September 2005, BCIT BBA program students do not qualify for the ASTB certificate. Application to the BBA is separate from application to the ASTB. [top]
The maximum time to complete the program is seven years but please view the program details page for specific information on part-time (2 years for completion) and full-time program (1 year or three terms for completion) lengths.
BBA related questions:
Please review our frequently asked questions before contacting:
Mark Nakamura
BBA, Program Administrator
School of Business
604-412-7486
Kevin Wainwright
Program Head
604-451-6839
General Inquiries:
bba@bcit.ca
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