Exploratory Business (EXB)
The Exploratory Business pathway is the starting point for most students who plan to pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) through the Shidler College of Business at UH Mānoa.
Why It Exists
EXB gives students a clear path into business while they complete BBA admission requirements.
Who Advises You
EPA advisors support EXB students with planning, progress checks, and general questions. In some cases, students may need to meet with the Shidler Admissions Advisor instead.
BBA Majors You Could Declare
The specific majors offered through Shidler that EXB students work toward declaring upon admission.
Accounting
Financial reporting, auditing, and tax fundamentals.
Entrepreneurship
Launching, funding, and growing new ventures.
Finance
Investments, markets, and corporate finance.
Human Resource Management
Talent, hiring, and workplace strategy.
International Business 2nd major only
Global trade, markets, and cross-border strategy.
Management
Leadership, operations, and organizational strategy.
Management Information Systems
Technology, data, and business systems.
Marketing
Branding, consumer behavior, and campaigns.
BBA Admission Requirements
What upper-level / transfer students must complete before applying to Shidler’s BBA majors.
60 Earned Credits
Junior standing — 60 earned semester-hour credits that are non-repeated, college-level courses acceptable to UH Mānoa.
Minimum GPA
2.50 cumulative GPA across all coursework. If any courses were taken at UH Mānoa, a 2.00 minimum cumulative UH Mānoa GPA is also required.
Computer Competency
Complete one option below with a “C” or better (“C-” not accepted):
- LTEC 112 and LTEC 113, or
- ICS 101
7 Pre-Business Core Courses
Minimum combined 2.50 GPA, with a minimum “C” grade (“C-” or below not accepted) in each course. See full list below.
| # | Requirement | Accepted Course(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | English Composition | ENG 100 / ENG 190 / ESL 100, OR ENG 200 |
| 2 | Calculus | BUS 250; NREM 203; OR MATH 203, 215, 241, OR 251A |
| 3 | Speech | COMG 151 OR COMG 251 |
| 4 | Principles of Microeconomics | ECON 130 |
| 5 | Principles of Macroeconomics | ECON 131 |
| 6 | Introduction to Accounting I | ACC 200* |
| 7 | Introduction to Accounting II | ACC 210* |
* Important Notes About the Accounting Sequence (ACC 200 / ACC 210)
Effective Fall 2020, the course numbers and topic order of the 200-level accounting courses changed at UH Mānoa. ACC 200 is now Introduction to Accounting I, and ACC 210 (formerly ACC 201) is now Introduction to Accounting II. Because of this change, applicants must complete one of the following two options — there are no exceptions:
Examples:
- If ACC 200 is completed at UH Mānoa, ACC 210 must also be completed at UH Mānoa or Windward CC.
- If ACC 201 (a financial accounting course) is completed outside UH Mānoa, ACC 202 (a managerial accounting course) should also be completed outside UH Mānoa.
- Students transferring into the UH system may be asked to submit detailed course syllabi for accounting coursework — hold on to them.
If you already successfully completed ACC 201/ACC 202 (outside UH Mānoa) or ACC 200/ACC 201 (at UH Mānoa) with a “C” grade or higher prior to Fall 2020, this change does not apply to you.
EXB to BBA Timeline
A step-by-step view of how students progress from Exploratory Business into the BBA program and on to graduation.
Semesters 1–2: Build your foundation
Begin completing general education and business admission preparation courses while meeting with EPA for planning and mandatory advising.
Use this time to understand the Shidler admission requirements and stay on track for future application eligibility.
Semester 3: Complete key prerequisite work
Take ACC 200. Students must have 30 earned credits to register for ACC 200.
Semester 4: Apply to Shidler
Complete ACC 210 and any remaining admission courses, confirm your intended BBA major, and submit your Shidler admission application by the priority deadline.
You should be on track to reach 60 earned credits by the semester of admittance.
Application deadlines
Semesters 5–8: Continue as a Shidler major
After admission, students become official Shidler majors, complete upper-division business coursework, and continue working toward degree completion.
Advising transitions from EPA to Shidler College of Business advising.
End of Semester 8: Graduation
Complete remaining BBA, graduation, and university requirements, then apply for graduation through the Registrar’s Office.
Resources
Helpful Shidler planning tools, forms, degree information, and admission links in one place.
BBA Degree Program Requirements Sheet
Review the full degree requirements sheet for the BBA program.
Four-Year Academic Plan
See a sample four-year plan to help map out your BBA coursework.
Hawaiian/Second Language/Culture (HSL) Options
Review Shidler-approved options for fulfilling the HSL requirement.
BBA Majors
Explore the different majors available within the Shidler College of Business.
Shidler Downloads
Access forms, downloads, and other undergraduate business resources.
Application Deadlines & Link
Check current deadlines and access the BBA application information.
When You May Meet with the Shidler Admissions Advisor
Most students work with EPA, but some situations require more specialized Shidler support.
In most cases, students in Exploratory Business will meet with EPA for general questions, semester planning, and support while working toward admission.
In some situations, students may be referred to the Shidler Admissions Advisor, Mark Nakamoto, when a more specialized review is needed.
You may be referred to Shidler Admissions if:
- You have a more complex admission-related question or situation
- You need specialized clarification related to business admission planning
- You are an ROTC student who needs an academic plan approved
How to make an appointment with Shidler Admissions
- Select the button below to open Navigate360.
- Log in using your UH username and password.
- On the main page, click “Schedule an Appointment” (in the desktop version of the site, it’s a blue button in the right column).
- In the “What Can We Help You Find?” box, select:
- Type of Appointment: Academic Advising
- Service: Explore Changing Major
- A date
- Search for available days/times for Mark Nakamoto.
Questions about the accounting requirement change or other admission details? Email mark.nakamoto@hawaii.edu.