Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours) - Accounting, Audit and Information Technology

2023/24 | Conestoga College

Program Code: 1241C
Business

Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning

This is a companion document to the current Conestoga College Student Guide

Program Handbook Introduction

​The purpose of this handbook is to provide students with program-specific details and other important information. The material in this handbook is accurate at the date of posting and is applicable for the current academic year. Students will be informed of handbook changes that occur, if any, through college email. Program handbooks are updated yearly, and students must check their program handbook for the current edition.

This handbook must be read in conjunction with general information about Conestoga College found on the website and in the Student Guide. The information in the Student Guide and on the college website​ applies to all students, regardless of program.

The Student Guide provides details regarding Student ServicesSafety and SecurityStudent Rights and Responsibilities and more. 

If there are any questions or concerns regarding the content in this handbook, please contact the School of Business, at businessschool@conestogac.on.ca.

We wish you all the best in your studies!

Welcome

​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Executive Dean's​​​ Welcome​

Welcome to the School of Business! You're on your way to a successful career as a business professional.  

As one of Ontario's premier business schools, Conestoga's School of Business provides a high-quality educational and student experience, preparing our graduates to become leaders in their chosen fields. We offer many options to complete, expand or specialize your education in a variety of business disciplines, through full-time or part-time, online and in-person programs.

The world of business evolves rapidly, as do our programs. Our curricula extend beyond basic business acumen and theory to include ample opportunities for applied learning and skills development that prepare graduates for today's job market and career advancement. Our faculty have extensive industry experience to help you acquire the valuable hands-on experience you need to succeed.

What you do here, counts out there – and what you do in our School will prepare you for an exciting future as a business professional.

Sincerely,

Michelle Grimes Signature

Dr. Michelle Grimes 

Executive Dean
School of Business
Conestoga College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning ​

Program Staff Contact Information

For all School of Business contacts, please use the following link:  School of Business Contacts | Conestoga College

Program Coordinator

Choose the coordinator drop down menu on the School of Business contact page to find the coordinator for your program.

Student Success Advisors

No matter your campus, school, or program, there is a Student Success Advisor (SSA) available to support you. Your SSA is there when you don't know where to start, are experiencing challenges affecting your learning experience, or need help succeeding in your program.

You can sign in to the Student Success Portal to book an appointment.

Placement/Co-op Officer (for applicable programs only)

Co-operative Education Office

For all other inquiries, please contact the School of Business directly - businessschool@conestogac.on.ca

​College Email Communication Requirements

Conestoga College student email accounts are used for all official communication with students. All students and faculty are assigned a Conestoga e-mail account. Students are expected to regularly check their student email accounts. 

Faculty and staff are only expected to communicate through your educational/professional profile as it relates to a specific course project and or assignment.  All official course information is to be communicated through the use of Conestoga College e-mail.

 If you experience issues accessing your college email, please visit the IT support page for assistance. 

Managing Stress

Attending post-secondary and completing studies can be exciting, but at the same demanding. Juggling school and life will no doubt be stressful at times. Stress is a normal aspect of life. How you handle stress can make a difference. If you're feeling overwhelmed at any time, talking to someone helps! A conversation with your Faculty or Program Coordinator can help identify and alleviate stress associated with assignments or course content. For more serious stress-related issues, Conestoga also offers free counseling services  to students.

If your stress is caused by health issues that are getting in the way of your academics, notify Faculty, and seek help as soon as possible.

College Hours

The College is open and offers classes seven days a week.

Program Overview

​​Program Overview

This unique degree program, delivered at the honours level, provides a comprehensive education in accounting, audit, and information technology to produce graduates who possess the skills needed in the global business environment. The program addresses the need for professional accountants and auditors with information technology expertise and combines theory, integrated applied projects, and paid co-op work terms.

Our degree meets the undergraduate educational requirements for direct entry into the Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) Professional Education Program (PEP) which is part of an individual's path to obtaining their full CPA designation. There are also opportunities for graduates of accounting diploma programs.

Conestoga College is pleased to announce that our AAIT degree has received exemption accreditation with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). Upon graduation of our BBA Honours degree, you will have earned Modules F1 to F9, which are part of an individual's path to obtaining their full ACCA designation. ACCA has over 188,000 members and 480,000 students in 181 countries.

​Conestoga is a member of AACSB International—The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Current Program Design

Students can find their program design on the Student Portal by following the steps below:

  1. Log in to Student Portal
  2. Click on 'My Courses' tab
  3. Select 'View Progress Report' button

Courses are listed by level/semester. Please be aware that General Education electives and program option courses are listed at the bottom of the student's progress report and indicate the specific level/semester in which they are to be completed.  ​

​​Program Learning Outcomes

The following program learning outcomes identify what students will know and learn by the end of their program:

  1. Prepare financial statements using domestic or international generally accepted accounting principles.
  2. Recommend to management appropriate accounting and financial techniques for planning and control in domestic or international settings.
  3. Assess operating and financial policies that are legally compliant, adhere to accounting and control standards, and are ethically, culturally, and economically appropriate.
  4. Plan effective external, internal, or information systems audits.
  5. Assess employee and organizational information and administration systems through the effective use of information technology, which is culturally, legally, and ethically appropriate.
  6. Assess management's application of risk-management techniques to specific business situations.
  7. Recommend initiatives geared towards improving effectiveness, efficiency and economy of processes, functions, employees, or businesses.
  8. Assess programs, policies, and practices for alignment with overall organizational goals and objectives in both domestic and global contexts.
  9. Assess the effect of domestic federal taxation on planning and decision-making for individuals and corporations.
  10. Communicate effectively in both domestic and global contexts.
  11. Collaborate with others using the ability to integrate information cross-functionally, critical, and creative thinking, self-evaluation of own performance and professional development needs, and leadership.
  12. Develop an appreciation of the concepts and values required to enhance the quality of life for self and others in the home, workplace, and the local and global community through an exploration of selected areas of aesthetics, civic life, culture, personal development, society, work or science and technology.

​​​​Program Expectations

Expectation 1
A student entering year 1 must successfully complete all courses including two co-op work terms. This is a graduation requirement. Students will pay co-op fees for both opportunities. Students with Advanced Standing must successfully complete all requirements as identified through their specific program design.

Expectation 2
A student is expected to apply theory and skills in an ethical, competent and professional manner in accordance with the level identified in the course learning outcomes.

Expectation 3
A significant amount of group work is required in this program. Individual students are expected to be full participants in, and contributors to, each group-based project/assignment within the program coursework. Individual students who fail to meet this expectation, without documented extenuating circumstances may receive a failing grade in the project/assignment. Guidelines will be provided outlining the requirements of group work by individual faculty members. Expectations will vary among faculty members, and students are expected to ask questions if they are not clear. Marks may be adjusted by the faculty member for group members if for example, a peer evaluation was completed by all members or if members were to indicate their work/contributions through the course eConestoga site.

Case Study Format

Case studies are used extensively in this program. According to Mauffette-Leenders, Erskine, and Leenders (2007), "A case is a description of an actual situation, commonly involving a decision, a challenge, an opportunity, a problem or an issue faced by a person (or persons) in an organization" (p. 2). The purpose of a case is for the student to step into the role of one of the decision makers.

As the focus of each course is different, the format for the case studies will vary. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure they fully understand the requirements set by the individual Instructor. Instructors will provide details on the evaluation of the case.​

Program Technology Requirements

Program technology requirements are posted on the program web page. Students in hybrid delivery courses will require a device, webcam functionality, and reliable Internet access. 

Required Supplies and Texts

Please see course outlines and instructional plans for details on course supplies and textbooks. 

Required supplies, textbooks and other materials for a course are listed on the course outline. Students are responsible for purchasing other supplies, etexts or hard-copy texts as required by the course. Get your personalized booklist through the Conestoga College Bookstore

​Co-operative Education

The academic requirements to be eligible for a co-op work term in a degree program are as follows:

  • Minimum 65% session weighted average in the eligibility term two academic semesters prior to any co-op work term.
  • Maximum two failures or withdrawals during the academic semester that occurs in the eligibility term two academic semesters prior to any co-op work term.
  • Must have successfully completed all but two core courses, according to the program design, by the eligibility term prior to any given work term (regardless of the level the student was placed in advanced standing).
  • Students (even those on special timetables) will not be permitted to complete a co-op work term until conditions above are met and all but two core course deficiencies, according to the program design, are cleared.
  • Co-op work terms may need to be re-sequenced to allow academic deficiencies to be cleared or in the event a student changes cohorts (i.e. graduation is delayed by one year or more). Students may not repeat a passed work term.
  • Should a student's academic performance decline considerably (including cumulative missed courses) during the term just prior to any work term, the college reserves the right to withdraw the student from the upcoming work term.
  • In the case of back to back work terms eligibility to participate in consecutive work terms will be granted upon approval to participate in the initial work term.
  • Where two or more work terms occur back to back, should a student fail to achieve academic eligibility for the first work term, their eligibility for the second work term will be based on the term that occurs two terms prior to the second work term.
  • Students in degree programs may only fail/defer each work term in their program design once. 

To participate in a co-op work term, students must:

  • Successfully complete the Co-op and Career Preparation modules (CEPR/CDEV71050).  Students who fail Co-op and Career Preparation will not be permitted to search for co-op employment nor will they be able to participate in a co-op work term.  Students who fail Co-op and Career Preparation more than twice will not be permitted to continue in their co-op program (exceptions may be granted for degrees).
  • Be enrolled full-time (full-time = 70% of the hours, or 66 2/3 % of the courses in the current session/level of the Program Design.)  Exceptions will apply to those students who have been granted special timetabling based on formal identification of barriers or challenges for which accommodation is required. Academic eligibility requirements must still be met prior to being granted access to seek a co-op work term.
  • Must have successfully completed all but two core courses, according to the program design, by the eligibility term prior to any given work term (regardless of the level the student was placed in advanced standing).
  • Students (even those on special timetables) will not be permitted to complete a co-op work term until conditions above are met and all but two core course deficiencies, according to the program design, are cleared.
  • Co-op work terms may need to be re-sequenced to allow academic deficiencies to be cleared or in the event a student changes cohorts (i.e. graduation is delayed by one year or more). Students may not repeat a passed work term.
  • Should a student's academic performance decline considerably (including cumulative missed courses) during the term just prior to any work term, the college reserves the right to withdraw the student from the upcoming work term.
  • Meet program specific co-op work term eligibility requirements.

For additional information please refer to the Co-operative Education Regulations & Guidelines: Student Regulations, Procedures & Supports found by:

  • Login to MyCareer
  • Select Co-op
  • Select Co-op Resources
  • Select Co-op Policies
  • Select Co-operative Education Regulations, Procedures and Supports for Students

Please Note:

  • Co-op programs add value to your education. Earn money while you apply what you've learned in a real workplace environment. Visit Co-operative Education for more information. 
  • The College cannot guarantee co-op employment.  All co-op students are required to conduct an independent co-op job search in addition to the supports and services provided by the Department of Co-op Education.
  • Students are responsible for their own transportation and associated costs in order to complete work term requirements. Work locations may not always be readily accessible by public transportation.
  • In order to participate in a WIL experience/Co-op work term, students must be legally eligible to work in Canada.
  • Students who are not eligible for co-op or​ do not secure the first work term by the start of the work term semester will be offered the option to enrol in the 15 credit Career Management in Canada GCM70000 co-op alternative.  This co-op alternative involves guided activities involving approximately 2 hours of coaching and advising time per week and additional project work.
  • If GCM70000 is selected, students cannot transfer back into the co-op stream and cannot complete a co-op term for their first work term.
  • GCM70000 is delivered online with virtual group coaching/advising session of 2 hours per week.
  • GCM70000 is only an alternative for the first co-op work term of the program, students will still complete at least one mandatory co-op work term if they choose GCM70000.

Academic Information

Academic Dates

It is the student's responsibility to be aware of various important academic dates throughout the year. These academic dates are posted on the college website.

Please note that Continuing Education courses and Apprenticeship programs may have different start dates and exam dates for courses. 

Course Add/Drop

Students may add/drop courses through the student portal when timetables are made available - if their program allows it. If a student is unable to make course change(s) through the student portal, then the student must meet with their program co-ordinator, a Student Success Advisor via the Student Success Portal or by contacting the School of Business, at businessschool@conestogac.on.ca.

Extra course fees will apply for additional courses (above the normal course load for the session). Part-time students will be expected to pay for courses at the time of registration.

Students who are on Academic Probation may have additional restrictions placed on course registration/enrollment. Please refer to the program coordinator and/or the student success advisor with any questions.

By adding/dropping courses, the student's status (full-time/part-time) may be affected. For students receiving financial aid, a status change may affect the student's entitlement. (It is the student's responsibility to consult with Student Financial Services for clarification.)
  1. The student can meet with the program co-ordinator or student success advisor to discuss course load. This process needs to be completed by the deadline dates for the session. See Academic Dates
  2. Requests for adding a course will be processed only if space is available in the section requested, applicable pre-requisites are met and no timetable conflicts exist. 
  3. The Course Change Request Form (available on the student portal) must be completed and submitted online for any changes that the student cannot make on their own. 

Note: A course may be repeated in the case of a failure or to improve competency or upgrade a course grade. However, the original grade remains on the student record.

Timetable Information

Students within the School of Business have the ability to access their timetable through the Student Portal. Students are able to add or drop courses, provided the course fits into their timetable, and there is space in the section they wish to join. The School has the right to maintain control over section sizes, class times and the room locations.

Students who wish to adjust their timetables for personal reasons (employment, family obligations, etc.) can do so themselves, if the courses/sections are available.

Timetabling assistance is available for adjusting timetables for academic requirements. If a student is not able to make the required changes on their own, they can contact the Program Coordinator or Student Success Advisor for assistance. 

Students do not have access to Continuing Education, OntarioLearn, or other courses outside of their program design. If a student wants to take one of these courses, they will be required to pay the fee for those courses, which is over and above their regular daytime tuition fees.  ​

Prearranged Timetables

Students registered into a School of Business degree program are provided with a prearranged conflict-free timetable. These timetables are created based on a variety of factors such as section sizes, number of sections created, room availability, etc. with limited opportunity for adjusting timetables for any personal requirement.

Students who attempt to alter their original timetable on their own incur the responsibility of losing their seat in a required course. Students must drop a course section before they can add a different section to their timetable. However, once a student drops a particular course section, the dropped section will be made available to other students to select, which may result in the course registration closing for that section. When a course is full, the student will no longer be able to access space in that course. If there are no other sections available in that course and the student cannot get back into the dropped section, they will be unable to take that course in that semester. It is always best to consult with the Program Coordinator or a Student Success Advisor before dropping any courses.

Program block changes are also available in some programs, if there is space within the block the student wishes to join. Course sections and blocks that are full are not accessible to students.

​Student Timetabling Assistance

Students who are out of sync with their program design may require assistance in planning and selecting courses for their next semester in order to meet program requirements. Some courses are a pre-requisite for a subsequent course. Student Success Advisors are available throughout the academic year to meet with students to review their course and program options. Please book an appointment via the Student Success Portal for assistance.

Interdisciplinary Electives

Students are required to complete interdisciplinary elective courses. Interdisciplinary elective requirements are listed at the bottom of the progress report, which is found on the Student Portal under My Courses. The progress report indicates the level/semester in which the course must be taken. Students are responsible for adding interdisciplinary electives into their schedule for the designated semester. Eligible courses are posted each semester by the School of Interdisciplinary Studies on the College's elective website. For more information and to view the current elective course offerings, visit https://www.conestogac.on.ca/electives/degree. Questions regarding interdisciplinary electives can be directed to the School of Interdisciplinary Studies: genedfaq@conestogac.on.ca.

Degree Minors

Conestoga College's degree students may be able to apply their interdisciplinary electives toward a minor within their degree program. A minor acknowledges additional learning within a specific discipline that a student achieves while completing their degree. A minor can help recognize the additional interests a student may have and can help differentiate a job seeker from their competitors. Successful completion of a minor will be identified on the student's official transcript.

For more information, please click here: https://www.conestogac.on.ca/electives/degree/minors

​Course Outlines

Course outlines state the learning outcomes that will be covered during the course. Details about the evaluation method, the weighting of assessments, and any other specific criteria required to successfully complete the course are also listed on the course outline. Students are responsible for reviewing the outline and the requirements to pass each individual course. Evaluation requirements vary from course to course. The passing grade and specific course stipulations are listed under the evaluation section of the course outline.

Course outlines are available on the Student Portal and posted on eConestoga. Students are required to review the course outline to acquire the correct resources/textbooks (i.e. edition, volume, etc.).

​Instructional Plans

Instructional plans will be provided to students on eConestoga. All assessment dates and deadlines will be posted on the instructional plan, including assignments, tests/quizzes, midterms, presentations, etc. This information acts as a guide to the course and will include a course schedule, which may be subject to change by faculty. Students are expected to review these documents, in coordination with the course outline, on a regular basis and note all key dates and deliverables.

​​Assessments - Late Submissions

Each faculty member will inform students of their guidelines for submitting assessments and any late submission rules in their Instructional Plan. It is the responsibility of the student to be aware of the course requirements for each of their courses. If an extension of time is required, the student must make the request to the appropriate faculty member in advance of the due date. Approval of the request is at the discretion of the faculty member.

Credit Transfer, Pathways & PLAR

Conestoga recognizes you may have formal post-secondary education that may allow you to enter a program at an advanced level or provide for individual course exemptions. To ensure your credits are eligible for transfer, please contact our Credit Transfer Office at: credittransfer@conestogac.on.ca. 

The Credit Transfer Policy and Procedure are available on the college website.

For more information, visit the Credit Transfer webpage and the PLAR webpage.

If you are currently a Conestoga student and want to continue studying at Conestoga, there are a number of different pathway opportunities available to you.

Whether you wish to transfer to another program or apply to a new program after graduation, Conestoga has established pathways, to help you meet your goals.

Conestoga College has articulation agreements with many domestic and international institutions. These agreements allow students to transfer into a specific program with advanced standing. Students must meet the academic requirements stated in the agreement.

For more information regarding pathways at Conestoga, contact the Credit Transfer Officer at 519-748-5220 ext. 2166.

​Awards, Scholarships and Bursaries

Conestoga has more than 400 awards, bursaries, scholarships and academic grants available to Conestoga students. These funds are made available to students through the partnerships Conestoga has established with local business and industry leaders.

Students must complete and submit the online General Application if they wish to be considered for an award, scholarship or bursary for which they meet the criteria. If students require assistance or detailed information while completing the online application, please contact Student Financial Services.

In addition, the School of Business hosts an annual award ceremony in April. This event recognizes the award winners from various Business programs. The awards ceremony gives students an opportunity to network with various donors and to celebrate their accomplishments. Further details regarding this annual event will be provided to students through their college email.

Attendance and Program Expectations

Working Together to Plan Your Success

Your success matters!  Regular, punctual attendance, and active participation in scheduled classes, field and clinical placements, labs and any on-campus and off-campus activities scheduled by your program will help you to understand and master the learning complexities of your program.

If extenuating, unplanned circumstances require you to miss a class or an assessment, please note that it is your responsibility to follow up with individual faculty members prior to the class/assessment and access any missed information.

Attendance for Evaluations

Evaluations are critical components of each course and your overall success in your program. It is your responsibility to attend all evaluations (e.g. test, exam, presentation, etc...). If there is a concerning pattern of absence from evaluations across your program, you may be asked to meet with the Program Coordinator and/or Student Advisor to discuss strategies for success.

While circumstances such as religious holidays and academic accommodations may necessitate rescheduling of evaluations and will be accommodated, please note that there will be no special arrangements made for rescheduling evaluations due to personal conflicts such as work, commuting, or vacation plans.  

Faculty Responsibilities

  • To communicate the dates of each evaluation at the beginning of each semester through the Instructional Plan.
  • To communicate, in writing, any unplanned extenuating circumstances that may require changes to the course schedule.
  • As per the Religious Holiday Procedure, provide alternative evaluation arrangements for missed evaluations due to recognized religious holidays as defined by the College Employer Council.
  • To provide all accommodations requested by Accessible Learning.
  • To consider alternative evaluation requests in good faith and examine the unique circumstances (e.g., unexpected family obligations, personal emergencies, etc...) and collaboratively determine an appropriate solution.
  • Note, do not request doctor's notes from students.

Student Responsibilities

  • To review the instructional plan and familiarize with the dates of evaluation.
  • As per the Religious Holiday Procedure, inform your faculty member in writing that the religious holiday defined by the College Employer Council will occur during the semester and may require considerations for evaluations to be rescheduled.
  • If you must be absent from any scheduled evaluation, report your absence on the Student Portal using the procedure below. You must do this prior to the start of the evaluation or risk receiving a mark of zero.

How to Report Absences on the Student Portal

  1. Log into the Student Portal and click on the 'Absence tab'.
  2. Indicate whether or not there is an assessment scheduled on that day by clicking 'Yes or No', as well as the reason for the absence (illness or other).
  3. Click 'Continue' to report the absence.
  4. Click 'I agree' to confirm the absence.
  5. You will receive a confirmation email that your absence has been recorded.

Important! Please note the following:

  • The earliest you can record an absence for a particular day, is after 8:00 p.m. the day before. You must report each day you are absent.
  • The Absence Recording System will show you as being absent for the day, starting from the time that you recorded the absence. For example, if you record your absence on a specific day at 11:00 a.m., the system will show you as being absent for all classes starting after 11:00 a.m. that day.
  • If you are going to be present for any other classes on the day for which you recorded an absence, please let the faculty member know by attending or following up by eConestoga or college email.
  • As soon as possible, email the faculty member associated with the evaluation you missed and arrange for appropriate follow-up. 

Documentation for Absences

Conestoga recognizes that unexpected circumstances, such as brief illness, do arise during the term. As a visit to a health practitioner may not be necessary or possible, we do not ask you to provide a doctor's note except in exceptional circumstances.       

If the evaluation cannot be rescheduled, (e.g., experiential activity, lab, or a group presentation) your professor may provide you with a revised assignment or allocate its marks to another evaluation item, so long as the combined total does not exceed 40% of the course grade. This will be communicated to you by email.

Reasons for Absence 

Illness

If a student is suffering from any condition that would impair their ability to perform their academic work or the nature of the health issue would also place other students/employees at risk, it is generally recommended that the student take a day or several days off until the illness is resolved.

Compassionate Leave 

Request for leaves of absence to attend to family illness, death or family problems are usually granted. These requests will be submitted to faculty who will consult with the Program Coordinator/Chair if necessary. 

Jury Duty 

Any student who receives a summons for jury duty must submit the document to their respective faculty as soon as possible. The faculty will consult with the Chair to determine what arrangements can be made to have the student excused from submission of assignments, if such duty interferes with the progress in the program. Students may also be required to engage in activities in the evening or weekends using eConestoga. 

Religious Holidays

Students are permitted by Conestoga policy to be absent from class to observe a recognized religious holiday. The student must seek accommodation for religious observances in writing within the first three weeks of the semester and prior to the date of assessment that falls on the religious holiday. Exceptions based on extenuating circumstances must be approved by the Chair.

Other Absence(s) 

Student absence(s) must be supported by formal, original documentation.​

​​Examination Procedures

Final examinations are usually held in Week 15. 

For online asychronous exams, please consult with your faculty for further details.

Faculty will review testing and exam expectations with students ahead of the test or exam date. 

Accommodations are made for students registered with Accessibility Services. Faculty reserve the right to request special accommodations for students, if required. For further information regarding Accessibility Services, please contact them directly.

Exam Conflicts 

An examination conflict is when two exams are scheduled at the same time on the same day or with less than one hour in between two different exams. If this occurs, than one exam will be moved to an alternate exam date. 

In the event of an exam conflict, students must:

  1. Contact both faculty by email to arrange an alternate time for one of the two exams
  2. The alternative exam time must be arranged prior to the start of the exam week.
  3. It is the student's choice as to which exam will be written on the alternate exam date.

Student Identification Requirements for Exams

Full-time and part-time students enrolled in a full-time program are required to obtain their ONE Card from the ONE Card office . ONE Cards are required as identification for midterm and final exams in all courses. 

Please note that students will be charged a replacement fee if they are obtaining a replacement ONE Card.

Part-time students not enrolled in a full-time program are permitted to provide valid government photo ID, such as a driver's license in place of a ONE Card as they are not eligible to obtain a ONE Card.

​​​Bad Weather Conditions and Testing

If the college is closed due to extreme weather, all assessments to be administered during a regularly scheduled class will be postponed until the next class.

If the college is closed in an examination week, the exams scheduled for that day will be added to the end of the examination schedule, which will be extended by an additional day.

Students who cannot travel to the college due to extreme weather (e.g. travel advisories or road closures) in their local area are responsible for notifying their faculty of their inability to write on the day of the assessment in advance, or as soon as possible. Please refer to the Attendance at Evaluations section for more details. Students must record their absence through the Student Portal and email faculty. Students who fail to provide notice will receive a grade of zero. Students must make arrangements to write the assessment immediately upon their return to the college.

Notice of college closure will be posted on the college website by 6:00 a.m. Notice of cancellation of evening classes, will be posted on the website by 3:00 p.m. (see College/Campus Closure Practice in the Student Guide for more information).

The safety of our college community is a top priority. Conestoga College services a large area and it is recognized that conditions can vary widely within the region. Always exercise good judgement with respect to travelling during extreme weather, based on individual circumstances. Public transportation, where appropriate, may be the safest option.

For online exams, please consult with course faculty, as campus closures may not affect scheduled exams.

What is Academic Integrity?

Having academic integrity means acting fairly and honestly when engaging in academic activities. 

By having and applying an Academic  Offences Policy and Procedure, Conestoga ensures graduates complete their studies fairly and honestly through hard work and dedication, and thus are well-prepared for their future careers.

Copyright at Conestoga 

Conestoga facilitates access to print, media, and electronic resources to support and enrich learning, teaching, and research in compliance with the following:

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is submitting or presenting work of another person(s)/organization in whole or substantial part as one's own without proper citation and referencing.

​Written Assignments

Students are required to submit all written assignments on or before the specified due date as listed on the Instructional Plan. Failure to meet the deadline will have academic consequences. Faculty will advise students of their late submission rules on their Instructional Plan.

Students who anticipate a problem that requires an extension on an assignment must contact faculty in advance of the due date to determine if there is an extension opportunity. Please note that contacting faculty in advance of a due date does not guarantee that a student will receive an extension.

Unless otherwise specified by faculty, assignments must:

  • be in the format specified by the faculty member
  • include references in the correct required format

Co-op assignments/reports must be completed according to the standards sheet provided and within the allocated time unless other arrangements have been made with the Co-op Advisor.​

Extra Credit

There are no extra credit assignments permitted in this program.​

​​Recording Devices

Students are not permitted to record lectures or take pictures without the consent of faculty and/or students. Content from the course is not to be posted on any external websites. 

Students who are registered with Accessibility Services and have accommodations approved for recording lectures are permitted to do so with the faculty's knowledge.

​​Research

Some courses have a research component, which may be college-based and/or in a host organization. Research must adhere to the highest level of ethical standards and is a reflection of Conestoga College. Faculty will provide more information relevant to the research requirements in the course. For further details regarding required citing and referencing, please contact Library Services

​Academic Concerns During a Course

If a student has a concern regarding an assignment, lab, midterm, final exam, etc., the student must first meet with the faculty to discuss the situation. In cases where a satisfactory outcome is not achieved by the student, the student may e-mail the Program Chair. 

A student who wishes to appeal an academic decision, such as a final course grade or discontinuance from the program should refer to the Academic Dispute and Resolution Policy and Procedure for instructions. 

Please note that academic appeals for assessments (worth 25% or greater) must be made within five business days of a grade being posted.  

Student Representation – Conestoga Students Inc. (CSI)

Conestoga Students Inc. (CSI) and Conestoga agree that a student has the right to invite a member of CSI to a student and/or faculty meeting provided that 24 hours advance notice is given to faculty. This advance notice will ensure that all parties will have an opportunity to adequately prepare for the meeting.​

Academic Progress Through the Program

Academic Progression

The college's approach to academic progression is governed by the Promotion Decision Procedure.

A student's academic achievement results in a promotion decision, such as eligible to continue, graduate, and discontinued.

Progress from one level to the next in a program is dependent upon the successful completion of courses and/or meeting program promotion standards.

Grading

Students can access interim grades throughout the semester on eConestoga. Final grades are submitted by faculty, approved by the Chair and posted on the Student Portal within 3-5 business days after the final examination.

The grading system will be employed by faculty in reporting student achievement to the registrar's office. Specific programs/courses may require different minimum standards of achievement. ​

The following applies to School of Business course grading:

The minimum passing grade for diploma/certificate courses is 55%, unless otherwise indicated on the course outline.

The minimum passing grade for degree/graduate certificate courses is 60%, unless otherwise indicated on the course outline.

  • If a course has additional certification requirements outside of the college then the student must adhere to the passing grade for that certification.
  • If a course is repeated, the most recent grade will be used to compute the program GPA. However, both grades will show on the student's academic transcript.
  • If the first course taken is a failure and the same course is repeated and it is also a failure, only the most recent failure will be used in the calculation of their GPA.

​Academic Standing Decision and Promotion

A student's academic achievement is based on the promotion guidelines established by the program. An academic standing decision is assigned by the Program Coordinator to the student record. The students record will indicate:

  1. Eligible to Continue
  2. Special Timetable - Same Level
  3. Academic Probation
  4. Decision Pending
  5. Discontinuation 
  6. Graduate
  7. Required to Withdraw

These decisions are made at the end of each academic semester, until the program is completed. The Program Coordinator and/or Student Success Advisors are available to discuss academic standing, progress planning, and eligibility to graduate. 

It is the student's responsibility to ensure that all program requirements for the credential completion are fulfilled. A student must pass every course in the program design in order to receive their credential, including program options,  field placements, coops and electives, where applicable. 

When a student fails or drops any course in the program, this action may:

  • impede the students ability to continue on in the program
  • increase the number of semesters required to complete and graduate from the program 
  • limit the students ability to take higher level courses where the student is missing the pre-requisite course requirements

Core courses are designed to be completed in a specific order and not all courses are offered every semester. Please consult the progress report on the student portal for course requirements.

A student who has previously withdrawn from the program (de-registered), upon re-application to the program will be placed in the appropriate level for the current program design. This can result in additional courses required for completion in the current program design. Students who complete the last semester of their program as a part-time student outside of the program must complete and submit an application to graduate to notify the college of program completion.

Promotion

Promotion is the advancement of a student from one level of their program to the next level. This ensures that specific program objectives have been achieved. 

The Promotion Committee is composed of the Chair of the Program or designate, the Program Coordinator and the faculty team members for that particular semester.

The Promotion Committee will determine each students promotion from the following:

  • Continuation/advancement to the next level
  • Complete supplemental work (Independent Study or Supplemental Exam) for course failures (see Mandatory Conditions for Supplemental Work)
  • Repeat the course at the earliest opportunity
  • Placed on academic probation
  • Discontinuance from the program with a possibility of re-entry
  • Discontinuance from the program with no possibility of re-entry
  • Recommendation to move to a different program
  • Graduation​

Promotion Decisions

Academic decisions are made at the end of each semester. Final academic decisions, including the results of 'pending' decisions, must be submitted by the course drop date for the following semester. 
The academic decision will be one of the following:
  1. A student with a program term weighted average greater than or equal to 60% with two or less failed and/or dropped courses will be promoted to the next level.
  2. A student with a program term weighted average greater than or equal to 60% with more than two failed and/or dropped courses will be placed on probation.
  3. A student with a program term weighted average less than 60% and with three or more failed and/or dropped courses will be discontinued from the program.

Consequences of being discontinued:

  • The student will be discontinued from the program immediately and all full-time course enrolment will cease.
  • The student is permitted to take a maximum of three courses per term on a part-time basis. These courses can only be failed courses, dropped courses or Gen Ed electives.
  • The student can re-apply to the program only after clearing all the failed/dropped courses. The student will be required to pay an application fee and will be moved to the current program design.
  • The academic record for the student will indicate that the student has been discontinued from the program
  • A student who has been discontinued twice will not be able to return to the program.

Clearance of Failed Courses

A student can work towards correcting failed course(s) by retaking those courses as soon as possible. Students may be able to sign up and take one or more failed courses at an additional fee. Please consult with the Program Coordinator and/or a Student Success Advisor for an academic plan to clear failed courses. 

Notes: 
A failed Gen Ed elective may be cleared by passing another Gen Ed elective. 
A failed Program Option (in years 3 and 4) may be cleared by passing another Program Option.
A failed non Gen Ed course that is no longer part of the program design can be cleared by passing another pre-approved business-related course. 

Withdrawal from Program

Withdrawal from a program can be completed by filling out a withdrawal form and submitting it to the registrar's office through the student portal. Sign into the  Student Portal, select the "Services" tab and then the "My Forms" tab. It is advised that a student meet with their Coordinator and/or Student Success Advisor prior to submitting the form. Deadlines for withdrawing from a program, with/without an academic penalty or with/without a refund, are posted on the Student Portal, under the 'My Courses' tab. Students must hover their mouse over the calendar icon beside the course to see the start/end date and the drop/refund deadlines.

Baccalaureate Degree Program Policy

Refer to the college website Baccalaureate Degree Promotion and Graduation Procedure for specific information regarding this procedure.​

These policies are defined to meet the requirements of the Post-secondary Education Quality Assessment Board (PEQAB). Should the Board revise its requirements these college policies will be reviewed. In addition, changes may be made due to decisions made by Conestoga's Degree Management Committee. Any changes will be reflected in this web document, by email from the Program Coordinator or students will be advised during the program orientation.

Procedure Elaboration:

  1. Graduation from a Baccalaureate Degree program requires a minimum program weighted average of 60% and completion of all courses and modules including the required co-op work terms and second language requirement.
  2. For programs with a Foundation Module, the requirement for passing the Foundation Module is successful attainment of the course outcomes (Pass).
  3. In degree programs where there is the opportunity for eligible students to bridge/transfer into an upper year of the program and where bridging modules/courses are an entrance requirement to the upper years of the program, students must successfully complete the bridging modules/courses to be admitted into the upper years of the degree. Definition of successful completion, either as a percentage or a Pass, is determined by the respective schools.
  4. The minimum passing grade for a course is 60%.​

​​​​​Graduation

To graduate from the program students must complete all courses within their program design and the specified co-op work terms. The program must be completed within seven (7) years of its start (refer to the Baccalaureate Degree Promotion and Graduation Procedure). 

Students who wish to take time off from their program with the intention of returning must have prior approval from the Program Coordinator.  Approval is required for leave of absence requests greater than two weeks. If a student takes time off without approval readmission will be contingent on seat availability. Graduation requirements may change during the student's absence.

Student Engagement

Conestoga 101

The Student Engagement Department is here to help you transition to the Conestoga College experience, connect with your community, and build your skills. 

Start your college experience by completing Conestoga 101 (CON0101) on eConestoga, a mandatory course for all new full-time students that will take you approximately one hour to complete. CON0101 provides an overview of the supports, services, and opportunities available to you throughout your time at Conestoga. Make sure you complete it early on in the term, as it contains valuable information that will help you transition to Conestoga.

​​Student Feedback

​Student feedback is an essential component of our continuous improvement process. Our opportunities for student feedback include:

Ontario College Student Experience Survey

All college programs in the province are evaluated using the Ontario College Student Experience Survey. This survey is conducted each academic year in select classes - every student is invited to participate in each year of their program. Strategic goals to improve the programs are developed from these results. This data and other data specific to the campus and the program/school are collected so that Conestoga College can continually improve quality.

Student Appraisal of Teaching (SAT)

The Student Appraisal of Teaching (SAT) allows direct feedback from students on teaching for a particular course. Completion of the SAT forms give teachers and academic managers valuable information to use for the improvement of teaching at Conestoga.

The SAT process has two components: the Early Course Check-in and the Full-SAT. The Early Course Check-in is 8-12 questions, occurs during week 10 of classes and provides early feedback to faculty about the student experience within their classroom. The Full-SAT is 43 questions and occurs late in the semester; a summary of the results goes to the faculty member and their academic manager. Typically, about one-quarter of the faculty is appraised per term. All full-time faculty have a SAT review at least once every two years. Part-time faculty may be reviewed more frequently. 

Program Advisory Committees (PACs)

Program Advisory Committees (PACs) provide the necessary link between Conestoga and the community it serves. PACs operate in an advisory capacity to Conestoga administration with the objective to keep Conestoga responsive to current and future workforce needs, trends or opportunities in industry and the marketplace.

All post-secondary education programs of study at Conestoga, both full-time and part-time, which lead to an employment related credential, or are approved by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU), will be associated with a PAC, with the exception of apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. For any program not leading to an employment related credential, such as foundation programs, PACs are optional.

At the beginning of each year, the coordinator(s) of the program will ask for student volunteers. The coordinator(s) will select which student(s) will represent the program at PAC. Student attendees are important members of the PAC and are expected to be present at all meetings and are responsible for preparing and submitting a report based on guidelines provided by the program coordinator.

Students who participate in PACs will receive credit on their Co-Curricular Record (CCR) . Your CCR is an official document, complementary to your academic transcript, which recognizes and records learning that you have achieved through approved Co-curricular experiences at Conestoga.

College-wide Policies and Procedures

​​Student Protection Acknowledgement

A Student Protection Acknowledgement confirmation pop-up will appear when a student logs into the Student Portal on a yearly basis. This will direct students to policies and procedures relevant to their academic responsibilities. All Conestoga College wide academic policies and procedures are listed on the college website under "About Conestoga", "Policies and Procedures". 

Students are advised to review and comply with all policies and procedures, including the following:         
  • Academic Dispute and Resolution Policy & Procedure
  • Academic Offences Policy & Procedure ​
  • Clearance of Academic Deficiency Policy & Procedure
  • Convocation Procedure
  • Co-operative Education Policy
  • Discontinuance Procedure
  • Evaluation of Student Learning Policy & Procedure
  • Grading Procedure
  • Program and Course Withdrawal and Refund Procedure/International Student Withdrawal and Refund Procedure
  • Readmission Procedure
  • Religious Holiday Policy & Procedure
  • Student Expectations for Online Engagement
  • Student Feedback Policy
  • Student Fees Policy & Student Fee Invoicing and Payment Procedure
  • Student Rights and Responsibilities Policy & Procedure

Students must follow all of the policies and procedures for Conestoga College and it is expected that faculty will accept, fulfil and enforce these standards.​​ 

Web-based Tools

​Program courses may use web-based services with data centres outside of Canada. Students may be expected to complete assessments where information is transmitted outside of Canada. Students who do not wish to submit their information to other countries have the right to opt-out. It is the responsibility of the student to notify the instructor if they, in the first week of term or at the time assignment details are provided, wish to submit an alternate assignment.

Course examinations may be administered through a remote proctoring service to assure academic integrity. Ensure that you meet the system requirements that will allow the recording of your computer screen, webcam, and microphone.

Accommodation Disclaimer

​Conestoga College provides an equitable environment where all students have the opportunity to participate in College life. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code, Conestoga recognizes its responsibility and legal obligation to provide education, information and services in an accessible manner.

Conestoga's Accessible Learning services provide support for students with permanent and temporary disabilities who feel they are encountering barriers to learning. They work with students to understand the impact of a disability in the college environment and will help develop a success plan that considers student goals and required academic accommodations. Accessible Learning will also communicate necessary accommodations to professors on behalf of the student. 

To consult with an Accessibility Advisor about accommodations please make an appointment by emailing accessibility@conestogac.on.ca or calling 519-748-5220 ext. 3232.

Exceptions for non-accessibility focused issues need to be consulted on with your professor. Final approval for exceptions unrelated to academic accommodations rests with the program chair.

Program Handbook Revision Log

​Revision Date        

  • June 2023
  • June 2022
  • July 2021
  • June 2020
  • June 2019
  • June 2018
  • June 2017
  • June 2016
  • June 2015
  • June 2014​
Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours) - Accounting, Audit and Information Technology