School of Business

Administration of the School of Business:
Dean of School of Business: Raj Devasagayam
Assistant Dean of School of Business: Joel Feiner
Director of Graduate Programs: Shalei Simms
Director of Career Services, External Relations & Administration: Lorraine Todisco
Department of Accounting, Taxation and Business Law: Kenneth Winkelman, Chair
Department of Management, Marketing & Finance: Albert Murphy, Chair

Mission:

The School of Business provides access and support to empower our learners (students and alumni) with the knowledge, skills, and values to think critically, communicate effectively, and act responsibly achieved through a committed faculty devoted to teaching excellence and relevant scholarship.

Vision:

To be a respected business school in the region, offering quality undergraduate and graduate programs, with a commitment to student success through engagement, impact, and innovation.

The School of Business will achieve this Vision through:

Continuous improvement in teaching, research, and service.
Input from learners, faculty, business practitioners, and community.
Learner centeredness provided by personalized attention in a supportive environment with small classes, ongoing academic and career advising, and effective interaction with administration, faculty, and staff.

We are committed to the following core values:

Integrity promoted by professionalism supported by ethical behavior, teamwork, mutual respect, and appreciation for our diverse world.
Inclusion and diversity through enhanced recruitment and retention strategies.
Learner success throughout and after their college experience.

Evening Students

The School of Business offers required and elective courses on a rotating basis from 5:30 p.m. to 10:20 p.m. to accommodate evening students. However, evening majors should note that not all courses are offered every semester in the evening; therefore, completion of their degrees may take longer than normal.

Admission to the School of Business

Admission to any of the academic departments within the School of Business is a separate process from that of admission to the College. The College admission process is conducted through the Office of Enrollment Services and requires that official copies of all prior transcripts be sent directly to the Office of Enrollment Services.

Students who are seeking admission must have completed at least 32 undergraduate credits and are required to submit unofficial or student copies of transcripts of all previous study to the Assistant Dean, School of Business. First-time to college students who have been admitted into the College’s Honors College may be admitted directly into the School of Business without needing to satisfy the minimum credit requirement. Admission into any of the business degree programs will be granted to students who have earned a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.00, (beginning in Spring 2019). Students who wish to major in Accounting must have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00. The admissions cumulative GPA will be based on courses completed at Old Westbury and on all transfer transcripts submitted to Enrollment Services, and the Transfer Services Office. Students who do not have the minimum entry GPA may apply directly to the Office of Enrollment Services for an application for Special Consideration admission to the School of Business.

All students who are granted admission to the School of Business will have an entry interview with the Assistant Dean to discuss the following:

Determine which degree program within the School would be most appropriate to achieve their educational and career goals
Analyze previous academic transcripts to establish course equivalencies and waivers for departmental and college Liberal Education Curriculum requirements
Delineate all departmental and college course and credit requirements for the degree selected and provide students with a comprehensive advisement guide that will enable them to fulfill course prerequisites and degree requirements in an orderly manner
As part of our on-going advisement system students will be assigned a faculty advisor in their chosen discipline who will mentor and assist them in the interpretation of College, School of Business and departmental regulations, graduation requirements and the selection of an appropriate sequence of courses.

Non-Matriculated Students

Students who wish to continue their education by taking credit courses, without pursuing a degree, may elect to attend the college under a non-matriculated status. This option may be used by students who currently hold a bachelor’s degree in a field of business and wish to take undergraduate courses needed to either enter the graduate program or to complete the courses that are required by the State Education Department to sit for the CPA examination. Such students should meet with the Assistant Dean to have their previous academic records evaluated and to determine what course/credit requirements need to be satisfied.

School of Business General Requirements

A minimum of 120 credits for the B.S. in Business Administration and 126 credits for the B.S. in Accounting
Sixty (60) credits in liberal arts
A minimum residence of 40 credits (BS in Business Administration) and 46 credits (BS in Accounting) at the College at Old Westbury, with at least 50% of the major curriculum courses completed at Old Westbury.
To graduate with a B.S. degree from the School of Business, a student must achieve both a 2.50 cumulative GPA in Old Westbury business curriculum courses and a cumulative GPA of 2.50 for all Old Westbury course work.

Academic Standing

All students in the School of Business are expected to maintain a minimum 2.50 cumulative grade point average (GPA) in BOTH their business curriculum and in overall OW residence courses in order to continue in any major within the School of Business. If a student’s overall GPA falls below this level, he/she is placed on academic probation within the School of Business. Two (2) successive semesters with a GPA below 2.50 may lead to dismissal from the School of Business. Appeals of such dismissals must be made directly to the School of Business Academic Review Committee.

School of Business Internship

The School of Business offers an optional internship program for academic credit to those students who meet the eligibility requirements. lt is designed to help students gain practical experience and explore career possibilities. Students who are interested in pursuing an academic internship are responsible for finding an internship in their major and getting approval from the School of Business one semester prior to the semester during which the internship is to commence.