School of Business Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find a tutor for my class and what courses tutors have?

https://www.geneseo.edu/business/tutoring-schedule

How can I balance the workload for all the courses I have?

You should set up an appointment with the dean of Academic Planning and Advising (DAPA) if you are struggling in this area. DAPA@geneseo.edu

How do I balance school, work, and life?
  • The GOLD program offers many sessions on time management and life balance.
  • The Health & Counseling Office also has valuable information at this webpage: https://www.geneseo.edu/health/faq
I'm feeling stressed, who can I talk to?
  • You should speak with our student advocate, Liz Felski
  • You can also speak with the director of Student Services: Del Brown
  • You can also speak to the dean of students.
  • If you feel it is an emergency, you should go to Health Services.
What is Cengage Unlimited?

Cengage Unlimited is a subscription-based model that gives you full access to all of Cengage's existing digital content no matter how many Cengage course materials you use, based on the length of the subscription purchased.

What is Mindtap?

MindTap is a Cengage online learning platform that gives instructors complete course control. Craft personalized, engaging experiences that boost performance and deliver access to eTextbooks, study tools and more. Students can read and practice anywhere, anytime with the Cengage mobile app. They can access the full ebook online or offline, have the text read aloud to them, set reminders, study flashcards, take practice quizzes, and view grades.

When and how to submit a graduation application?

On the Office of Academic Planning and Advising (DAPA) website, there is a link called “Graduation Application.” This link will have deadlines and application information:

How do you change your expected graduation date?

  • Sign into your Knightweb account.
  • Click on "Student Menu."
  • Click on "Student Records."
  • Click on "Update Expected Graduation Date."
Is there an opt out for excel tutorial?

If you have a transfer course that focused solely on excel or if you have earned an excel certification, you may qualify for an exception.

Degree Works

What is Degree Works?

DegreeWorks is a web-based planning tool to help students and advisors monitor student's progress toward degree completion. DegreeWorks provides a more accessible, convenient, and organized way for students to know where they are academically and how they can plan the rest of their college careers. DegreeWorks is not a substitution for consultation with an academic advisor.

Who has the ability to access DegreeWorks?

DegreeWorks is available to advisors and students through MyGeneseo.

Where can I access DegreeWorks?

DegreeWorks is accessible by logging into Banner Web/ MyInfo.

Can I register for classes in DegreeWorks?

No. DegreeWorks is a snapshot of courses in progress, planned, and in academic history. Registration will continue to be handled through KnightWeb.

I just registered for next semester, and the courses I registered for aren’t in DegreeWorks yet. How current is my information?

The information in DegreeWorks is refreshed each night. Any changes made in our student information system, such as course registration and final grades, will be seen in DegreeWorks the next business day.

How do I know what classes I need to take?

Your worksheet/audit will outline for you courses still needed to meet program/major requirements within each specific block. You can use this information to discuss your plan with your academic advisor. However, it is important to remember that DegreeWorks is not a substitution for consultation with an academic advisor.

Can I see a list of all the classes I've taken?

Yes. On the worksheet tab, click the 3 dots and then select the Class History link at the top for a printable list of courses taken as well as transfer courses. Please reference your KnightWeb for unofficial transcript for further details.

I am a new transfer student and I do not see any of my transfer work in DegreeWorks. When can I expect to see it?

DegreeWorks runs hand-in-hand with our student information system (Ellucian Banner). All transfer work must be entered manually into our student information system before it appears in DegreeWorks. Transfer work is being entered every day by staff in the Registrar’s Office and it takes time to input each data element for every student. If you have submitted official copies of all your transfer work, you can expect to see it entered by the end of your first term in attendance. Once entered, it will be viewable in DegreeWorks.

I have transfer work that shows in electives, but my advisor told me it fulfilled degree requirements. How do I remedy this concern?

You should speak with the Director of Student Services who is responsible for assessing course work that may substitute for course requirements.

What do I do if I believe my academic information is incorrect?

You should speak with your advisor.

I am thinking of changing my major or my major is wrong – can DegreeWorks help?

If your major is incorrect or you wish to change your major you should complete the change of major form on the DAPA website.

Where can I see my second program/major?

If you have declared an additional program/major, they are broken out into individual requirement blocks within the Student View worksheet.

Where can I see my audit for my second degree?

You can access your second degree audit by using the Degree drop down menu at the top of the screen for the Student View worksheet.

What is the What-If feature?

What-If allows an advisor or student to see a worksheet/audit for a new or second major, or the addition of a minor; whether they are currently undeclared or thinking about changing their major. The What-If allows students to view how their progress changes with a new major, which classes can still be applied towards the new major or minor, which classes will not count, and which new classes need to be taken.

Can my advisor see my What If scenario?

Since What If scenarios are not stored in DegreeWorks, your advisor can only see your results if the two of you work through a What If procedure together.

Can I save a What If scenario?

No. What If plans are not saved in DegreeWorks. You would need to run a new What If scenario next time you log in to see it again. However, you can print a copy of the What If results.

If I use the What-If feature, does this mean that I have changed my major?

No. The What If function is for information purposes only. Official changes of major should be done through the DAPA Office.

If I like what I see in a What If Scenario, how do I initiate the changes?

The What If function is for information purposes only. It is a good idea to visit directly with an academic advisor before making a decision about officially changing your major.

What does the GPA Calculator show?

The Term Calculator will show you your estimated cumulative GPA after you fill in hypothetical grade information.

Is this calculated GPA guaranteed?

No. This is an estimate only. The Term Calculator shows your estimated cumulative GPA after you fill in hypothetical grade information. By putting in your current earned units and GPA and placing your in-progress courses in the table (populated by default for you) along with the grade you anticipate receiving for each course; you will see a revised cumulative GPA based on the estimates you provide. The results are intended as a guide and are not guaranteed. Certain courses have unique impacts on certain transcripts which will not be reflected in these calculations.

Major and Changing My Major Information

How do I change my major?

Change my major/minor/concentration 

Who do I meet with if I want to switch to a different business major?

You should speak with the Director of Student Services.

Can I double major?

You can double major with any major that is outside of the School of Business. Within the School of Business: economics is the only major that can be double up with another business major.

How does having a business major help me to attain a law degree?

How will a major within the SUNY Geneseo School of Business help me get into law school?

A key mission of our School of Business - across all 5 majors - is to equip our students with “strong quantitative, analytical, and communication skills.” That’s what we do in the School of Business, and that’s exactly what law schools are looking for.

Law school admissions officers agree that your actual choice of major is less important than whether, over your undergrad career, you took progressively more challenging courses in an area that interested you and whether the experience developed your skills in research, reading, writing, communications, problem solving and critical thinking.

As UB Law School’s Admissions Office has said, “Here’s the secret: there’s no undergraduate major that will guarantee entry into OR rejection from the school, nor assure your success once you get in.  Your choice of major will not improve performance on the LSAT, the bar exam, or in a courtroom.  Bottom line: If you’re planning to go to law school after undergrad, choose the major that best fits your goals and/or interests.”

The subject matter knowledge you gain from studying business-related subjects will give you valuable tools to use someday in practicing law of any type. Plus, you’ll always have credentials and tools that will prove very useful if you decide to delay or forego attending law school.

So, if you are considering law school someday and have an interest in studying Accounting, Business Administration, Data Analytics, Economics or Finance come join us.

What business clubs exist and how do I get information about them?

Business Clubs

What are the required courses for each major?

DegreeWorks will show all your required coursework. You can also see major courses by going to this website: https://www.geneseo.edu/business/programsandminors

What are the required courses for each minor?

DegreeWorks will show all your required coursework. You can also see major courses by going to this website: https://www.geneseo.edu/business/programsandminors

Who do I talk to if I want a major that doesn’t exist?

You can speak to the Individual Studies Major Director: George Goga

Internship and Job Information 

Who do I talk to about internships?

Students in the SUNY Geneseo School of Business interested in pursuing an internship should reach out to the School of Business Internship Director (Jeff Donlon, jdonlon@geneseo.edu). Jeff is available to meet with students to discuss their career goals and assess their interests,  review their resumes and cover letter, and provide answers to common questions about internships, such as:

  • How Do I Find an Internship?
  • When Should I Start Thinking About an Internship?
  • Should I Pursue an Internship for Credit?
How easy is it to find a job after college?

Post-Covid developments in the global economy have resulted in many businesses finding it increasingly difficult to meet their talent needs. This has created a favorable environment for skilled, eager graduates to find opportunities aligned with their interests. With this backdrop in mind, students are encouraged to plan early and develop a job search strategy before graduation (ideally prior to the start of their senior year) that includes at minimum the following steps:

  • Achieving clarity on what kinds of positions they prefer, what industries interest them most, what kind of organization they would like to work in, and where they want to be geographically.
  • Researching potential employers, particularly in industries and geographies the student is most interested in.
  • Finalizing a professionally formatted, detailed, and critiqued resume and cover letter
  • Attaining competency with the numerous resources, connections, and events available to SUNY Geneseo students to help them uncover job opportunities

School of Business students are strongly encouraged to work in tandem with the Jeff Donlon (jdonlon@geneseo.edu) and / or the Career Design Center to learn about the resources available to them and augment their job search efforts.

How can I better network with alumni?

The SUNY Geneseo School of Business has a very active and engaged alumni base. The importance of frequent networking with SUNY Geneseo alumni and businesses with connections to the college cannot be understated, especially when it comes to finding an internship or a job after graduation. Students are encouraged to engage in proactive alumni outreach and networking throughout their academic journey.

Several resources are available to students to help them connect with alumni:

  • The SUNY Geneseo Alumni Career Advising Network is an online mentoring platform accessible through the SUNY Geneseo website. The platform connects students to hundreds of SUNY Geneseo alumni for one-on-one conversations to discuss career paths, job search advice, networking, etc.
  • The School of Business Internship Director (Jeff Donlon) maintains a full database of School of Business alumni with latest employer, title, and contact information, and can help facilitate student introductions on a case-by-case basis.
  • The Career Design Center and Jeff Donlon maintain rosters of employer connections, Business Advisory Council members, and past SUNY Geneseo internship host sites. In many cases, warm introductions of students to these community partners can be facilitated.
  • Students can use services such as LinkedIn to search for alumni working in their field of interest.

Professional Development Workshops

Are the PD workshops Mandatory for business majors?
How many workshops should we attend each year?

This link shows the recommended schedule. If you are a transfer student you may need to do more in order to catch up.

Professional development certificate

What is LinkedIn? Why do we need it?
  • LinkedIn is a popular business-related social networking website for professionals. The network contains more than 500 million members in more than 200 countries. A well-written LinkedIn profile gets more visibility which helps in grabbing more opportunities and networks.
  • Why? Because it hosts more than 600 million professional profiles, which means nearly an unlimited supply of network connections and job opportunities. From seeking a new job to maintaining your personal brand, using LinkedIn is an important part of being a full-fledged professional in any industry these days.
Why do I have to take the excel tutorial and why do I need it?

Students can learn many essential things from Excel, such as data visualization, faster calculations, organization and reconstruction, filtering, planning, and many more. It is necessary for them in future. In their career, Excel will help to manage the bulk amount of data and information effortlessly.

Academic Advising

What is academic advising?

Advising is a process in which advisor and advisee enter a dynamic relationship respectful of the student's concerns. Ideally, the advisor serves as teacher and guide in an interactive partnership aimed at enhancing the student's self-awareness and fulfillment.

Who is my academic advisor?

Your faculty advisor can be found by going to myGeneseo and clicking on Student Profile.

New students are assigned to the Director of Student Services as their advisor at the beginning of their first semester, until they meet proficiency. Incoming students who have advisement related questions or concerns can schedule an appointment with the Director of Student Services.

Am I required to meet with my academic advisor?

It is always recommended that you meet regularly with your academic advisor. Certain conditions will make meeting with you advisor:

1. An advisement hold (this is automatic your first two semesters)

2. A required pre-graduation check.

3. You are on academic probation.

How do I schedule an appointment with my academic advisor?
  • The Director of Student Services uses NAVIGATE to schedule appointment and has a link on their webpage.
  • Faculty use various means and you should receive information from them each semester on how to schedule an appointment.
Will my academic advisor contact me?

To be discussed. 

What is SOBP?

SOBP stands for School of Business Proficiency. You must meet the proficiency requirements to take 300 level courses. Proficiency requirements for each major are as follows:

1. Business Administration 2.50

2. Data Analytics 2.50

3. Economics 2.75

4. Finance 2.50

5. Accounting 2.85

Non-Business majors must meet the GPA requirement for the subject course they wish to take. Any questions should be directed to the Director of Student Services.

Our schedule is made for us our first semester. How does it work our second semester?

During your second semester you will meet with a peer mentor and the Director of Student Services who will save a list of suggested courses on your NAVIGATE account. You will then register for those courses on KnightWeb during your registration time.

Why did get a registration hold for required advising?

Per college policy all new first-time students are required to meet with an advisor two times. Transfer students are required to meet with an advisor one time. In the School of Business, you will continue to be required to meet with an advisor until you meet proficiency.

How and when can I meet with my advisor to discuss my course registration?

During the advisement period follow the instruction under the “How do I schedule an appointment with my academic advisor?”

Who do I meet with if I’m having difficulty in a course?
  • You should first meet with the instructor
  • If not satisfied with your meeting with the instructor, you can meet with the Director of Student Services.
What is the policy if you have multiple finals on the same day?

The policy states that you can have no more that 2 finals on the same day.

Classes and Registration 

When can I register for my classes?
  • Students can view their registration times on their MyGeneseo portal
  • Faculty can view an advisee’s registration time by going to the Student Advising. Profile on KnightWeb and clicking on Registration Notices.
Can I take a course at a community college and what procedures must I follow?
  • Yes, it is permitted. For a general education course, the student must complete the Course Pre Approval Form A this form must then be turned in to the DAPA Office for review
  • For a course within the major or minor the student must complete the Course Pre Approval Form B this form must be turned in to the SoB and the Director of Student Services will review.
Do I have to take a minimum number of credits each semester?

It is the student decision on how many credits they take each semester. They must keep several things in mind, however.

  • To be considered full time you must take at least 12 credits.
  • Financial aid and some scholarships are based on the number of credits you take, so if either apply, the student they should meet with Financial Aid.

Credit thresholds to keep in mind.

  • 12 credits are full time
  • A student must average 15 credits a semester to graduate in 4 years.
  • During early registration a student’s registration limit is 17 credits.
  • The first day of classes the limit is raised to 19 credits.
Where can I find information about the waitlist process?

On the registrar's waitlist FAQ page.