Historical Information
The College of Business, organized in 1915, is the oldest college of business in the state and one of the oldest in the South. In 1979, the Department of Accounting was designated as the School of Accountancy in answer to a need for attention to the unique requirements of the growing profession of accountancy. In 2007, the School of Accountancy was renamed the Richard C. Adkerson School of Accountancy.
This college permits students to major in any of the following programs: Accounting, Finance, Finance - Risk Management and Insurance, Information Systems, Economics, Business Administration, BA-International Business/Foreign Languages (double degree), Management, Marketing, Marketing-Professional Golf Management, and Supply Chain Logistics. The College offers degree programs that lead to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. Distance learning through interactive classrooms and online courses is another avenue available to pursue course work for College of Business students. Minors are available in most program areas.
Mission
The Mississippi State University College of Business promotes societal impact benefitting the people and businesses of Mississippi and beyond through an enriched learning community. Students are prepared to think, communicate, and collaborate ethically in today’s diverse, technology-driven, global business environment. Our college provides a collegial academic atmosphere that nurtures students and encourages faculty to be innovative and to integrate teaching, research, and service.
Accreditation
The undergraduate, masters, and doctoral business programs are accredited by AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). The Adkerson School of Accountancy is separately accredited at the undergraduate and masters levels by AACSB International.
Organization
The administrative units of the College of Business consist of the Adkerson School of Accountancy and the Departments of Finance and Economics; Management and Information Systems; and Marketing, Quantitative Analysis, and Business Law. In addition to these units, the college includes the Office of the Graduate School in Business, the Office of Business Outreach and the College of Business Academic Advising Center. The administrators of these units are as follows:
| Unit | Name |
|---|---|
| Adkerson School of Accountancy 300 McCool Hall | Shawn Mauldin, Director 325-3710 |
| Finance and Economics 312 McCool Hall | Kathleen Thomas, Head 325-2342 |
| Mgt & Info Systems Dept 302 McCool Hall | Laura Marler, Head 325-3928 |
| Mkt, Quan Analysis & BL 324 McCool Hall | Melissa Moore, Head 325-3163 |
| Graduate Studies 200 McCool Hall | Angelia Knight, Director 325-1891 |
| COB Acad Advising Ctr 106 McCool Hall | Vickie Mann, Acad. Coor. |
| Kim McLeod, Acad. Coor. | |
| NaToya Sanders, Acad. Coor. | |
| Trovanda Johnson, Acad. Coor. | |
| RJ Matthews, Acad. Coor. | |
| Taylor Watson, Acad. Coor. | |
| 325-1890 |
Directors and managers of other academic and professional support units in the College of Business are:
| Unit | Name |
|---|---|
| Small Business Develop Ctr Research & Tech | Chip Templeton, Director 325-8684 |
| Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach 101 McCool Hall | Eric Hill, Entrepreneurship Director 325-3521 |
| Jeffrey Rupp, Outreach Director 325-8122 | |
| Computing Services 222 McCool Hall | Eric Hester, Manager 325-1545 |
| P. Koch Lutken Chair of Ins 312 McCool Hall | 325-2341 |
| International Business 210 McCool Hall | Travis Wiseman, Director 325-2580 |
| PGA Golf Management 309 McCool Hall | Adam Scott, Director 325-3161 |
Support Services
COB Academic Advising Center
Assistant Dean: Vincent Young
106 McCool Hall: 325-1890
The College of Business (COB) Academic Advising Center provides centralized advising resources to students (current, prospective, and alumni), parents, faculty, and support staff. The Academic Advising Center maintains the official records of COB students (Accounting majors should see the Director of Accountancy). The Center represents the Dean on all academic paperwork such as transfer evaluations, off-campus requests, withdrawals, overload requests, degree audits, change of majors, and correspondence course approvals.
Unless otherwise noted, all undergraduate business majors are advised through the COB Academic Advising Center.
Employment Service
The College of Business endeavors, in cooperation with the Career Center (located at 300 Montgomery Hall), to arrange employment interviews for graduating seniors. Former graduates seeking employment or change of position are urged to keep the Career Center informed as to availability.
Rules for Scheduling Classes
The normal load for an undergraduate student in a regular semester is 15-18 credit hours. Mississippi State University has established undergraduate student course limits based on cumulative and MSU grade point averages.
Admission
All new freshmen desiring to major in business will be admitted to into their chosen major in the College of Business at Mississippi State University. Transfer students wishing to major in business must meet a minimum grade point average requirement. Freshmen must have a minimum 2.0 overall, sophomores must have a minimum 2.25 overall, and juniors must have a minimum 2.5 overall grade point average. Current MSU students wishing to change majors to business must also meet minimum grade point averages on courses taken at MSU. Freshmen must have a minimum 2.0 overall, sophomores must have a minimum 2.25 overall, and juniors must have a minimum 2.5 grade point average at MSU.
Junior Screen – Students with between 50 and 75 applied hours of college credit towards the BBA degree must meet the following to continue in the College of Business: (i) a student must have a minimum 2.5 overall grade point average and a minimum 2.5 MSU grade point average; and (ii) a student must have earned a grade of “C” or better in the following seven courses (or equivalent): BIS 1012, ACC 2013, ACC 2023, EC 2113, EC 2123, BQA 2113, and BL 2413. Students not meeting these criteria will not be permitted to enroll in selected 3000 level or any 4000 level business classes. Questions about this policy can be referred to the Academic Advising Center.
Bachelor of Business Administration Degree Programs
Graduation Requirements
The admission/readmission requirements for the Bachelor of Business Administration degree are described in Part I, Section II of this catalog.
In addition to the University’s minimum requirements, the following requirements must be met for students applying for graduation:
- Pass 123-154 applicable hours
- Take a minimum of 62 semester hours from a senior college
- Take a minimum of 32 upper level business hours at MSU
- Complete the last 32 hours in residence at MSU
- Have at least a:
- 2.50 GPA on all upper level business courses attempted,
- 2.50 GPA on all major courses attempted,
- 2.00 GPA on all MSU course work attempted, and
- 2.00 GPA on all course work attempted.
- Have no more than two D’s in upper level business courses. In excess of two D’s will have to be repeated with a grade of C or better.
It is the student’s responsibility to be sure that they have fulfilled the requirements of the particular curriculum before applying for a degree. Students must complete a graduation audit in the COB Academic Advising Center prior to graduation.
College-Wide Degree Course Requirements
The College of Business requires each student to take a planned and coordinated Arts & Sciences foundation designed to increase cultural appreciation and to give a broad knowledge of world affairs. Each program also permits the election of additional courses, according to the interests of the individual student. The total number of credits earned in the Arts & Sciences foundation program and other non-business courses shall not be less than 52 semester hours.
The B.B.A. as a Double Degree and as a Second Baccalaureate Degree
A double degree is available in the College of Business for students pursuing a primary degree in a a non-business area or accounting field at MSU. These programs require that a student satisfy the normal graduation requirements in the non-COB area first, as well as the required courses for the second degree. The required graduation grade point average in upper business course work is 2.50. Students are not allowed more than two D's in upper level business courses. Students must apply for and confirm both degrees at the same time. Students must establish a double degree record in the COB Academic Advising Center in 106 McCool.
The second degree curriculum is available to students who hold a baccalaureate degree in any non-business or accounting field of study from a regionally accredited institution. The combination of the first degree and the following second degree program must include the current general education courses and the courses listed below. A minimum of 32 semester hours upper business work must be earned in residence at Mississippi State University after the first degree has been conferred. Students must establish a second degree record with the COB Academic Advising Center.
| Required Courses | ||
| ACC 2013 | Principles of Financial Accounting | 3 |
| ACC 2023 | Principles of Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| BIS 1012 | Introduction to Business Information Systems | 2 |
| BIS 3233 | Management Information Systems | 3 |
| BL 2413 | The Legal Environment of Business | 3 |
| BQA 2113 | Business Statistical Methods I | 3 |
| BQA 3123 | Business Statistical Methods II | 3 |
| EC 2113 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| EC 2123 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| FIN 3123 | Financial Management | 3 |
| MGT 3113 | Principles of Management | 3 |
| MGT 3213 | Organizational Communications | 3 |
| MKT 3013 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| MKT 3323 | ||
| BUS 4853 | Strategic Management (Graduating semester only) | 3 |
| International Elective | 3 | |
| Major Courses | 21+ hours | |
| Total Hours | 69+ | |
Engineering Leadership Excellence Program
B.B.A in Business Administration & B.S. in Industrial Engineering
In partnership with the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, the College of Business offers students the opportunity to earn degrees in both Business Administration and Industrial Engineering as part of the Engineering Leadership Excellence Program. More information can be found here: Engineering Leadership Excellence program
Preparation for the Study of Law
Office: 324 McCool Hall
Each year a number of graduates of the College of Business enter law school. Although there is no formal pre-law curriculum, most law schools advise pre-law students to seek a wide background of studies. The curriculum in the College is good preparation for the study of law because it offers the opportunity to study the arts, the humanities, science, and mathematics, in addition to business and economic disciplines which constitute the background for understanding the study of most legal problems. Because many areas of law practice deal with business, a background in business is very useful to the practicing attorney. Moreover, several business law course offerings are available to expose the student to introductory-level law courses. In addition, if a person should decide not to pursue a legal career, there are many opportunities available in business. A professor of business law—pre-law advisor—is available for providing information about the legal professional, assistance in choosing courses, and guidance concerning law school admissions.
Graduate Programs in Business Administration
Office: 200 McCool Hall
The College of Business offers five graduate programs in business administration, namely, the Master of Business Administration (MBA), The Master of Science in Information System (MSIS), Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA), Master of Taxation (MTX), and the Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration (Ph.D.).
Admission requirements for graduate programs in business include a competitive GPA from an accredited undergraduate program, letters of recommendation from professors and/or supervisors who can attest to the applicant's potential to succeed in a graduate program, and a statement of purpose that explains the applicant's academic background and motivation for obtaining the desire graduate degree. A competitive score on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) may be required to secure an assistantship. Required background for admission to graduate coursework includes a general knowledge of the functions of business, statistics, and proficiency in computer usage.
Details concerning these graduate programs can be found in the Graduate Bulletin. Students who are interested in pursuing any of these programs should communicate with the Director of Graduate Studies in Business, P. O. Box 5288, Mississippi State, MS 39762. For further information, call (662) 325-1891.