On the surface, choosing a liberal arts undergraduate school may not be the most obvious choice for students who are interested in business. But for some, it may be an ideal one.

The emphasis King's places on cultural and societal understanding, as well as the abilities to think and write critically, to question and be questioned and to communicate with passion, will uniquely prepare students for their future careers in business. This is particularly true if that interest is in a business setting where a deep understanding of Western culture and thought is a significant asset. The curriculum and teaching style presented in the Foundation Year Programme and in the College's upper-year honours programmes will provide you with a logical and thoughtful framework on which to later base business decisions.

At King's, you can explore your interests and develop key skills in business by taking a Minor in Business as part of your undergraduate arts or science degree. Minor in Business courses are offered through the innovative Dalhousie Faculty of Management and are drawn from the undergraduate Bachelor of Commerce programme and departments of math and economics. The Minor in Business will introduce you to the core functional areas of business and then provide the flexibility to delve more deeply into the areas that interest you the most. At the end of your degree, you will benefit from having a broadly based undergraduate degree combined with knowledge and skills in commerce, providing an extra edge for entering the job market or an advanced degree.

Another option is to apply to King's-Ivey, a unique affiliation between King's and the Richard Ivey School of Business, detailed below. King's students can also apply to complete their Masters in Business Administration following their undergraduate degree.

Richard Ivey School of Business and King's

Imagine completing one of the most challenging first-year liberal arts programmes in Canada, continuing the fascinating interdisciplinary exploration in your second year, and then segueing into business school. This is King's-Ivey, an exciting affiliation between the University of King's College and Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario. Through King's-Ivey, students earn more than a highly respected honours business degree; they gain a broad understanding and specific skills vital to solving the complex problems facing today's and tomorrow's business leaders.

King's and Ivey take an integrated approach to learning, where boundaries disappear and questions are considered from different perspectives. They offer learning environments where you are encouraged to bring your energy, talents and leadership to a host of extracurricular and community activities.

Your degree

The acclaimed Foundation Year Programme traces Western civilization from its ancient-world beginnings to contemporary times. You will grapple with the great books, think and write critically, communicate with passion, question and be questioned.

In your second y ear, we strongly recommend that you explore courses that allow you to build on cultural and societal insights gained through FYP. This exploration will increase your ability to develop a thoughtful and logical framework on which to base business decisions.

You can also select from a wide array of electives at Dalhousie University—a neighbour at King's and a leading teaching and research institution. At Dalhousie, you may take prerequisite business courses to prepare you for Ivey. You may also take the prerequisite course during the summer prior to enrolment in the HBA. Please consult with the Registrar's Office concerning your course selection.

In Ivey's HBA, you'll be part of a close-knit class of highly-motivated students eager to cover the essentials of what every good manager needs to know and be able to do. Areas include leadership, finance, managerial accounting, marketing and operations. Career management is also built into the curriculum to help you define career goals and develop a job search strategy.

Ivey offers the only undergraduate program in the world committed to the case study method of teaching. You will dive into real issues, make and defend real decisions, feel the pressure and take action. It's a true reflection of the realities of business.

Upon successful completion of the HBA program, a Bachelor of Arts (Honors Business Administration) degree is awarded by the University of Western Ontario.