Integrated Business and Humanities Program
As an Integrated Business and Humanities student, you will blend traditional business education with the critical thinking and communication skills of the Humanities. IBH students seek to use organizations of all types to drive social, ecological and economic change.
Four Years at a Glance
Read about Will Stephenson, IBH '22, McCall MacBain Scholar
IBH Video Library
IBH with Internship
Sierra HazizaIBH Student
Leadership Development - Self Awareness
Financial Accounting
Perspectives on Canadian Business
Introduction to Language and Society
IBH in the Community
Organizational Behaviour
Insight and Inquiry: Questions to Change the World
Fundamentals of Ethics
Introduction to Peace Studies for IBH
Introductory Macroeconomics
Introductory Microeconomics
Leadership Development - Leadership Emergence
Introduction to Marketing
Information Systems in Management
Talent Management
Statistical Data Analysis
Critical Thinking
Global Business Experience
Managerial Accounting
Introduction to Finance
Moral Issues
History of Capitalism
If pursuing Commerce with Internship, Career Development Course - COMMERCE 2IN0 is required
Leadership Development - Leadership Effectiveness
Relationship Management
Applied Marketing Management
Corporate Finance
Cross-Cultural Communication
Understanding Entrepreneurship and Social Entrepreneurship from a Historical and Theoretical Lens
Organizational Strategy
Poverty, Privilege and Protest in Canadian History
Interpersonal Communication
Operations Management
One open elective (Commerce or non-Commerce)
Leadership Development - Leadership Capstone
Critical Seeing
Social Entrepreneurship Capstone
Community Engaged Capstone
Six open electives (Commerce or non-Commerce)
Explore IBH Courses
Explore Electives
William Stephenson says he was drawn to McMaster’s Integrated Business and Humanities (IBH) program because he wanted to learn the skills to become a leader and good citizen. From his first year as an undergraduate student, he jumped in with both feet.
Will was part of the first cohort to enter the new interdisciplinary IBH program jointly offered by McMaster’s DeGroote School of Business and Faculty of Humanities. It’s designed to expose students to a variety of learning opportunities via coursework, co-curricular activities and community engagement, with an emphasis on responsible leadership and management tactics for our changing global economy.
Will says the experience far exceeded his expectations.
The program was amazing and helped me become more than the sum of my parts. It’s such a supportive community."
My professors and fellow students have encouraged me the whole way and that’s led to personal growth and stepping into leadership roles in both campus and community projects. There’s a synergy here that’s incredibly valuable.”
As a first-year student, Will mobilized a team of 25 student ambassadors to support the program’s recruitment initiatives. As co-founder, he ran training sessions, coordinated presentations and guided other students. He also served on the program operating committee, participated in the business school’s debate club, directed the sustainability club and managed a minor hockey team.
“I felt a draw toward being a leader and helping my teams, whether in sports or through recruitment or in workshops. I’ve been able to constantly improve my leadership style. It’s been wonderful to be part of such a tight group.”
Throughout his program, Will also undertook independent study courses working with both non-profits and businesses, and completed a corporate internship. He says he felt he could always turn to professors on both the business strategy side and the humanities social side who supported his progress.
After spending time on projects within the community, Will decided to lean in to a career in the non-profit sector.
He’ll have the chance to hone those skills and grow his network at McGill University, where he’s planning to pursue a graduate degree in analytics or public policy next year. He’s one of the top 50 finalists chosen across the country to compete in final interviews for the coveted McCall MacBain Scholarships – comprehensive leadership-based awards for master’s and professional studies programs at McGill. Recipients are not only fully funded but are matched with mentors and coaches and participate in an intensive leadership development program.
Seeing the demand in our communities for integrational and interconnected ideas set me on a track to work towards adapting business tools for non-profits. The IBH program has instilled in me the desire to not only be a good business person but a good citizen as well.”
“It’s an incredible opportunity, and I’ve already gotten to meet so many interesting people through the process. I’m very excited to be exposed to such an interesting and diverse community. I’ve gained a really solid foundation and I’m looking forward to learning even more skills that will help me address the serious issues our society faces.”
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