In response to the evolving business landscape and to better reflect the comprehensive nature of its curriculum, the Dhillon School of Business at the University of Lethbridge is announcing the transition of its Bachelor of Management (BMgt) degree to a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree.
While the BBA is a popular degree name for business programs across Canada, the Dhillon School of Business’ BBA is the first and only, AACSB accredited (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) BBA offered in Alberta and on the prairies, and also one of only ten BBAs to be accredited by the AACSB in Canada.
Below you will find answers to questions you may have about the name change.
Answer: The decision to rename the degree was made after careful consideration of the evolving business landscape and needs of stakeholders as well as to better reflect our curriculum.
Answer: We will be offering the new BBA designation starting July 2025. Students applying to the Dhillon School of Business after that time will see the BBA option.
Both the BMgt and BBA labels may co-exist on our websites for a while, as students currently in the BMgt program will take several years to complete their degrees and will still need to be able to identify content relevant to them.
Answer: If you are currently enrolled in a BMgt program your degree name will not change automatically. However, starting May 19, 2025, you will be able to choose to change your program name to a BBA. See question 7 for more details.
Answer: If you are currently enrolled in the BMgt program, your program will not change as a result of the name change .
Answer: Alberta Student Aid has already removed the BMgt degree option. If you are a Dhillon School of Business student, in our BMgt or BBA program, please choose the BBA option and continue on with your application.
Answer: We are continually evolving our curriculum over time to continuously improve your education, and there may be changes to the degree majors as a result that are unrelated to the BBA name change. These changes will generally not affect your current program. For students enrolling in or changing to the new 2025/26 BBA program, there is a writing requirement change, and there may be other program changes depending on your major and when you started your program. See question 7 on how to determine what these other changes might be. All current programming will continue to maintain the rigorous and comprehensive AACSB-accredited education you have come to expect.
Answer: There have been a number of changes to program and major requirements over the past few years, which means degree completion requirements will vary from person to person and per calendar year. If you wish to switch to the BBA program, you will need to speak to an academic advisor, but not before May 19, 2025. If you wish the change to be effective for Fall term 2025, you need to make the change by June 30, 2025.
In making this decision, please review the 25/26 program planning guide (PPG) for your program, which will be available in late February, 2025. If you wish to change your program name to BBA, you must also incorporate all other changes made to your program and major since your started your existing program. Comparing your existing PPG to the 25/26 PPG will help you understand what those other changes will be. Dhillon academic advisors will provide further guidance in late February 2025 to help you with your decision making.
Answer: Advisors will start discussions to change from the BMgt to the BBA program June 1, 2025. Please contact Lethbridge and Calgary advisors on or after June 1 using the email advising form located at https://www.ulethbridge.ca/dhillon/student-support/advising/contact-advisor.
Answer: No, there will be no additional costs to students as a result of this change.
Answer: Your BMgt degree remains a high caliber and respected business credential. The education, experience and skills you acquired during your time at the University continue to be recognized and appreciated by employers and professional networks both nationally and internationally. Your degree has equipped you with a strong foundation in business principles and practices and this foundation remains as pertinent today as it was when you graduated.
Answer: Unfortunately we cannot re-issue parchments with a new degree name, as the BMgt as awarded is part of the historical record of the University. Your BMgt degree remains a strong business credential and the quality of education you received is unaffected.
Answer: The BMgt degree has long been recognized for its quality business education. We do not anticipate this change affecting the reputation of your BMgt degree. It remains a valuable credential and the quality of education you have received continues to be highly regarded.
Answer: Graduates who were awarded a BMgt degree should continue to identify their degree as the BMgt, as that is the degree that was conferred at convocation.
Answer: The BBA is a globally recognized designation, which can enhance the international recognition of your degree. However, the BMgt degree also remains respected internationally and this change does not diminish its value.
Answer: We are actively communicating with employers and industry partners to ensure they understand the rationale behind this change and continue to recognize the quality of education provided by our institution.
Answer: If your absence will be one year or less, please refer to the Leave of Absence policy. If you will be returning to your studies after no more than a two-year absence and have NOT taken any transferable post-secondary courses during your absence, you may be readmitted to your previous program of study (BMgt). See Returning after an Absence from the Dhillon School of Business for more details.