Home > BBA > First Year Admission Requirements

Congratulations on choosing a business degree at TCU. We hope to see you in our halls and classrooms soon. However, you can't get into the prestigious TCU Neeley School of Business just by walking in the doors. Here’s a quick overview.

  1. Apply to TCU. List your first-choice major as business. Apply now.
  2. Spend your first and second years at TCU completing all lower-division requirements for Neeley.
  3. Upon completion of lower-division requirements, declare your business major. 

Decision Notifications

The TCU Office of Admissions makes the decisions on all first-year applicants. To be considered for admission to Neeley, students must indicate business as their primary area of interest on the admission application. Students who are granted regular admission to the University as a business major must complete additional requirements for advancement to one of the six business degree programs.

  • Campus Visit
  • Apply to TCU here.   
  • List your first-choice major as business, no matter what your eventual major will be. You will NOT be able to change your first-choice major to business at orientation. For questions, contact  frogmail@tcu.edu.
  • If accepted to TCU, attend New Student Orientation. 

These steps are required to continue as a business student beyond the first year. 

  • Come equipped with a PC laptop or notebook. See the Computer Policy tab for details.
  • Complete these required courses by the end of your first year (note none may be taken as pass/no credit): 
    • BUSI 10153
    • ENGL 10803
    • MATH 10283 or MATH 10524
    • ECON 10223
    • ECON 10233
  • Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or above. If you don’t meet the minimum 2.75 GPA at the end of your first year you cannot continue as a business student and must select a major other than business. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above is required to declare your major in your second year.
  • Complete 24 credit hours by the end of your first year. 
  • Pass Microsoft Office certification tests for PowerPoint and Excel.
  • Attend Academic Advising. Watch your TCU email for information about academic advising from the Neeley Academic Advising Center. 

Since the majority of companies and businesses operate on a PC platform, we require all students to have a PC laptop or notebook computer to be better prepared for success in the business world. An Apple/Mac computer with PC software is not the same. There are critical differences in keystrokes and other functions that are taught in class. 

 windows icons

WINDOWS PC

Operating
System

MINIMUM
Windows 10 or 11

Productivity Tools

Microsoft Office:
Office 365 or Office 2019
https://it.tcu.edu/O365/ Access to Microsoft online and ability to download and install Microsoft for free

Processor Type

MINIMUM: Core i5 Processor
RECOMMENDED: Core i7 Processor

Memory

MINIMUM: 16 GB RAM
RECOMMENDED: 32 GB RAM

Hard Drive

MINIMUM: 512 GB
RECOMMENDED: 1TB

Virus and Spyware Protection Software

Sophos Antivirus is provided by the University. For software and instructions please visit http://it.tcu.edu/support/student-computing/. A free version of Sophos is available for all students and can be downloaded from my.tcu.edu

 

Resources For Purchasing a PC Laptop
A discount program CDW Government Sales is available at:  www.cdwg.com/tcustudent

See also:
http://www.shopping.hp.com/en_US/home-office/-/products/Laptops/Laptops

Microsoft Office certification is required for all business majors to provide you with advanced skills employers want.  

You must pass PowerPoint and Excel in your first year by the published deadline to continue as a business student beyond the first year. Excel is a prerequisite for INSC 20153.  

All students entering Summer/Fall 2024 must pass the Excel Exam by November 22, 2024 and the PowerPoint exam by March 28, 2025.

All students entering Spring 2025 must pass the Excel AND PowerPoint exams by March 28, 2025.

As of December 17, 2024 Neeley will only accept Microsoft Office 365 certifications.

Testing Schedule/Registration 

  • Tests are offered on weekdays only. Prep classes are offered weekly. Sign up for either through your account at my.tcu.edu, Academic Progress, Neeley, Microsoft Test/Prep. Read the add/drop policy carefully. 
  • You must sign up once for each test. 
  • Each test takes approximately 50 minutes. 
  • You will receive your results immediately upon completing each test, along with a printed score report. 

Cost 

  • $75.00 per test per attempt. 
  • $125.00 for each prep class. (If you fail the test after taking a prep class, you may retake the class at no charge within 30 days of your original class. Call 817-257-5220 to schedule your retake.)  
  • If you cannot make it to your test/class appointment, cancel at least 48 hours in advance by calling 817-257-5220. If you fail to cancel in time, you will be billed for the test.  

Scholarships 

Scholarships are available to cover the costs of the prep classes. Call 817-257-5220 for more information. 

Special Accommodations 

You must provide documentation from a physician detailing the extent of your disability and requirements for accommodation. Learn more by calling 817-257-5220. 

Military Reimbursement 

Service members and veterans may be eligible for military reimbursement for Microsoft Office certification exam fees. Learn more by contacting VA Education Customer Service at 888-442-4551. 

Other Testing Centers 

If you want to take your exams outside of the TCU area, locate a testing center in your area. Contact the Neeley Academic Advising Center at 817-257-5220 for instruction on submitting your online Microsoft Office transcript.