2022-2023 Academic Catalog

Walter E. Heller and Alyce DeCosta

The Heller College of Business prides itself on preparing students for future professional and personal success through a cutting-edge curriculum that builds fundamental business knowledge, hand-on projects that develop in-demand professional skills and foster critical-thinking, and experiential learning opportunities that provide exposure to the metropolitan Chicago business community.  Our faculty are a mix  pf award winning scholars and highly successful industry practitioners who challenge students to realize their potential and support their journey to success.  Our faculty, staff, advisory board members, and network of alumni work collaboratively to ensure the College delivers a world-class education for a diverse student body, preparing them for future roles as business leaders and socially-conscious citizens.

The Heller College of Business (HCB) is named after Walter E. Heller, a preeminent Chicago businessman in the mid-1900’s.  A resourceful, hard-working, and meticulous entrepreneur, Heller’s business empire grew to include food manufacturing, jewelry, and finance (including commercial lending and private equity).  Walter E. Heller died in 1969, but with the generous support of his widow, Alyce DeCosta, and the Walter E. Heller Foundation, a substantial naming gift of $2 million was made to Roosevelt University.  The College proudly carries the Heller name to this day, continuing the legacy of entrepreneurialism and excellence that defined Walter E. Heller's career.

Mission

The Heller College of Business designs and delivers quality programs and services that meet current and future educational needs of students in a dynamic, global business environment; and promote a climate of integrity and social responsibility while developing critical business skills.

Accreditation

The undergraduate programs of the Heller College of Business (HCB) are accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). University business programs worldwide pursue this recognition, and ACBSP accredits approximately 10 percent of business programs in the United States and a few outside the United States. ACBSP accreditation is a mark of distinction in that accredited programs must meet national and international standards for teaching excellence, achieving learning outcomes, mission-based strategic planning, and continuous improvement.  All programs of the University are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Degree programs

The HCB grants the degree of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA). Each student chooses a major from among Accounting, Finance, Human Resource Management, Management, Marketing, Real Estate, or Social Entrepreneurship.  The HCB also grants the degrees of Bachelor of Science In Hospitality and Tourism Management (BSHTM) and Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership (BAOL).

Transfer credit

Credits are accepted from community, junior or senior colleges that are accredited by a regional accreditation organization. Up to 70 credits can be accepted from a community college. All community college courses are accepted as lower level credits.  Up to 90 credits can be accepted from a four-year college or university.  All business core and major requirements are taken at the 300-level. 

All transfer students must satisfy the University Writing Requirement which may include taking English 100 (see the University Writing Requirement).  No exceptions are made. Each transfer course is evaluated to confirm that it includes all topics included in the corresponding Roosevelt course. Regardless of title, courses considered inappropriate or not equivalent will not be accepted. Students should consult with a Roosevelt University advisor and the transfer guide pages when transferring courses to Roosevelt University.

Grade requirements

Specific requirements for individual majors are listed under each discipline. All courses in the major must be passed with grades of C- or higher. Each major has additional course(s) which require a grade of C- or higher.

Course Grading

Undergraduate courses in the HCB are graded on a standard letter grade scale (A through F).  All HCB courses taken as a part of a business major, business minor, business core course, or specific course requirement will be graded in this manner.  The only exception to this standard letter grade policy are for non-business-major students who are taking HCB courses as elective courses as a part of a non-business degree program.  In this circumstance, a student may formally request to be graded as a Pass/Fail arrangement.  The request must not conflict with any other university or college-level policy, and approval of this request must be obtained from their academic advisor in consultation with the appropriate department chair.

Double major

Students who want a double major, within the Heller College of Business, must complete 18 separate credit hours in each discipline. Students may declare a double major while completing the first bachelor’s degree. Usually a double major requires students to complete more than 120 credit hours for the degree. See an advisor for specific information.

Second bachelor’s degree

Applicants who have received a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States are eligible for admission as second bachelor's degree candidates. Applicants with international credentials which are the equivalent of a bachelor's degree from a four-year accredited U.S. university (as determined by an evaluation agency approved by Roosevelt University) are also eligible for admission as second bachelor's degree candidates. Official transcripts from each college previously attended are required along with the admission application and fee.

The residency requirement for the second bachelor's degree is a minimum of 30 credit hours earned at Roosevelt University that have not been counted for any other degree.

In all University colleges, degree requirements in general may be met with transfer credit, Roosevelt University courses, or a combination of both. However, specific degree requirements differ from college to college. In the College of Business, all degree requirements (including residency, grade requirements, and required courses in general education, liberal studies, junior/senior core, and the major) must be satisfied. 

Students with international credentials must consult with the appropriate college to discuss possible deficiencies in major or general education requirements.

Students with a bachelor's degree from a four-year accredited U.S. university have met the University Writing Requirement, and do not need to take the English portion of the Roosevelt University Assessment (RUA). However, if the degree being sought is related to areas such as science, math, business, or computer science, the student may be asked to take the mathematics portion of the RUA.

Requirements for students earning a double major are different from those earning a second bachelor's degree. Please refer to the appropriate college section of the catalog for details.

Business minors for business majors

Students may also complete a business minor in an area outside their business major. The requirements, for Heller College of Business students, are four courses in one area at the 300 level without overlap with the major requirements. At least three of the courses must be taken at Roosevelt University, and all courses must be passed with grades of C- or higher. Students must complete all prerequisites for courses in their chosen minor area.

Business minors are available to non-business major students outside of the Heller College of Business.

General business minor (for non-business majors)

A Business minor is available to students from the other colleges of Roosevelt University. The requirements are seven courses in business, including three required courses and four upper-level (300 level) business courses approved by the student’s advisor. A student may choose courses from different business areas such as Management, Marketing, Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, etc.

Discipline minors (for non-business majors)

A student may take a  more specialized business minor in an area such as Accounting, Finance, Human Resource Management, Management, or Marketing. Students must complete all prerequisites for courses in their chosen minor areas, including junior standing for 300-level courses. At least three courses in the minor must be taken at Roosevelt University.  See the Assistant Dean for specific course information.

Graduation

A regular student in good standing may become a degree candidate when he/she has completed a minimum of 120 credit hours of credit with a minimum grade point average of 2.0. At least 18 credit hours in the major must be passed with grades of C- or higher, including transfer work. MGMT 380 must be passed with a grade of C- or better and must be taken at Roosevelt University.  All business core class requirements must also be passed with a C- or better.

Advising

Business majors should contact HCB for advising  at (312) 281-3293, Chicago campus or (847) 619-4850 Schaumburg campus. In order to facilitate graduation on a timely basis, all students should see an advisor each semester. Any course waivers or substitutions should be approved in writing and placed in the student’s file both in the College and the Registrar’s Office.

Student services

The Heller College of Business is committed to the success of our students.  We offer internships, mentoring programs and student professional development worksheets in order to emphasize the focus on learning through the classroom and applying knowledge and theory gained in the real world. 

Internship opportunities

Well-qualified juniors and seniors may be eligible for internship positions at local firms. These internships provide practical professional experience to complement classroom learning. Students are encouraged to look for opportunities on their own, and the Office of Career Development can also help with internship placement.  Academic credit for these internships may be available, so please consult with your adviser.  In the Heller College of Business, up to a maximum of six credits are allowed for internships.  Credits may be used for free elective credit.. 

Career Services

The Heller College of Business offers a variety of career services to help students land great jobs during or after completing their academic programs.  We host a business career fair each fall to match the standard business recruiting cycle.  At the career fair we host numerous employers from various industries recruiting for full-time, part-time, and internship job opportunities.  Additionally, we also host on-campus and virtual corporate presentations from firms who are actively recruiting HCB students.  Finally, our Office of Career Development hosts a general career fair each Spring, as well as manages a jobs board where firms can post job openings year-round.

Professional development workshops

The Heller College of Business provides many professional development workshops throughout the academic year at both campuses.  Topics that are covered include: resume building and cover letter writing, the perfect elevator pitch, Excel for business basics and advanced, financial planning, survival skills for the corporate world and much more.