THE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
The Undergraduate Overview
Mission
We create an inclusive and preeminent academic environment geared to enable faculty to produce (I) research impacting the academy and (II) graduates capable of establishing business solutions for a more equitable and sustainable society.
General Information
The College of Business houses six business departments: the Department of Accounting; the Department of Business Analytics, Information Systems and Supply Chain; the Department of Finance; the Department of Management; the Dr. Persis E. Rockwood School of Marketing; and the Department of Risk Management/Insurance, Real Estate, and Legal Studies.
Since its founding in 1950, the College of Business has provided quality business education to over 73,000 alumni who hold positions in regional, national, and international organizations. The College, through its faculty, curricula, and programs, is committed to educating and developing its students for careers as future business executives and leaders.
Over the years, the College of Business has been successful in building a very capable and motivated faculty. Faculty members are very productive researchers and effective teachers. These faculty members also maintain important contacts with the business community through various types of service and applied research activities.
As a result of its capable and dedicated faculty, the College of Business has been able to attract highly qualified students. These students have strong analytical and communicative aptitudes and have a spirit of enterprise and creativity. The interaction of these students with highly qualified faculty, coupled with well-designed program options, creates a stimulating learning environment.
The achievements of the College of Business have been recognized by the business community in the form of development funds for scholarships, endowed chairs, professorships, teaching and research grants, and other program activities.
Programs Offered
The College of Business offers curricula leading to the following degrees:
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Master of Accounting (MAcc)
Master of Science in Finance (MSF)
Master of Science (MS) in Business Analytics, Management, Management Information Systems, or Risk Management
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration.
The College of Law and the College of Business offer a joint graduate pathway leading to the Juris Doctor (JD) and the Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees. The College of Social Work and the College of Business offer a joint graduate pathway leading to the master's degree in Social Work (MSW) and the Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees. All these business programs are fully accredited by AACSB-International, including separate accreditation of the programs in accounting.
Students pursuing a bachelor's degree choose from the following degree programs:
bachelor's in accounting
bachelor's in business administration
bachelor's in finance
bachelor's in management with a major in management or human resource management
bachelor's in management information systems
bachelor's in marketing with a major in marketing or professional sales
bachelor's in real estate
bachelor's in risk management/insurance
Graduate Programs
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is offered in four formats: 1) part-time evening, on-campus; 2) part-time, online; 3) full-time, on-campus; and 4) accelerated evening, on-campus. The part-time evening on-campus program and part-time online program can be completed in twenty-eight months by taking two evening or online courses each term and both programs admit every summer, fall and spring terms. The full-time, on-campus program can be completed in one year (three terms) starting in the fall (late August) term and only admits in the fall term. The accelerated evening, on-campus program can be completed in four terms with admission only in the fall term. The MBA program incorporates nine core courses aimed at strengthening managerial skills and four electives to tailor the MBA curriculum to suit specific careers. Electives may be chosen from other areas in the College of Business with approval of the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
The Alternative Investment MBA major is a fully online MBA track that focuses on private markets and alternative asset classes, with a particular emphasis on private equity and venture capital, hedge funds and structured finance, real estate investment strategies, and risk management and insurance in alternative markets. This specialized track is designed for professionals interested in non-traditional finance sectors, providing them with the expertise needed to navigate the growing demand for alternative investment strategies.
Students in the Master of Accounting (MAcc) program may major in either assurance services, accounting information systems, corporate accounting, or tax accounting. This program provides students with greater breadth and depth in accounting education than can be accomplished in the baccalaureate program. Students are admitted each term.
The Master of Science in Finance (MSF) program begins each Summer and focuses on advanced, practical applications in finance. Most students in the program have an undergraduate degree in finance, but students with undergraduate degrees in related fields are also considered for admission.
The Master of Science in Business Analytics (MS-BA) program begins each Summer and focuses on developing advanced quantitative and data management skills to address business analytics questions. Students in the program have an undergraduate degree in a variety of disciplines such as business, economics, statistics, and others.
The Master of Science in Management Information Systems program prepares students for careers in information systems analysis and design. The program is designed for students with a background in business who are looking to enhance their information systems development skills and/or change careers to management information systems. The program is taught online.
The Master of Science in Risk Management is taught online. It is designed for professionals who wish to study part-time to advance and enhance their careers in the risk management/insurance industry.
The objective of the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration is to prepare students for careers in university teaching and research. Students receive the Doctor of Philosophy in business administration and concentrate in one of the following areas: accounting, finance, management information systems, marketing, organizational behavior and human resources, risk management and insurance, or strategy.
Certificate and Minor Programs
The Minor in Business Analytics is a 12-hour course of study for students. Students completing the program become analytically savvy graduates, who will be adept at working in interdisciplinary teams in any organization to solve complex business problems. The curriculum will provide students with skills in the fields of data mining, business intelligence, and analysis, building on the diverse skills and knowledge gained in their major business program.
The Minor in Free Enterprise and Ethics is a 12-hour course of study which helps students develop an awareness of ethical choices viewed from a variety of economic, societal, civic, legal, and personal value system perspectives, as they relate to business practice in a free enterprise economy. It provides business students experience grappling with the kinds of realistic decisions they will encounter as practitioners.
The Minor in General Business is available to students in non-business programs. Students interested in completing a minor in general business should contact the College of Business Undergraduate Programs Office for additional information. This information is also available at https://www.business.fsu.edu/. Course availability for students interested in a minor in general business is limited.
Institutes and Centers
The Carl DeSantis Executive Education Center sponsors numerous outreach programs that strengthen the relationship between College of Business faculty and the business community.
The FSU Real Estate Center fosters interaction among students, faculty, and the real-estate community through forums in which executives and world-class scholars exchange ideas and share their insights with students.
The FSU Sales Institute provides world-class sales education and training utilizing the most updated sales training technologies developed through continuous research.
The Gene Taylor/Bank of America Banking and Financial Studies Center encourages excellence in education through research and service activities related to banking and finance.
The Organizational Effectiveness Institute facilitates networking among management professionals, faculty, and students and establishes and transfers best practices that support the advancement of effective organizations in an ever-changing workplace.
The Risk Management & Insurance Center engages in meaningful and timely research projects designed to assist the industry, regulators, academics and consumers in understanding the insurance business and provides solutions to current insurance issues
Facilities
The Charles A. Rovetta Business Building is ideally located near the center of campus adjacent to Strozier Library and the FSU Student Union. It contains modern classrooms, faculty and staff offices, and numerous support facilities. The College of Business Technology Center houses state-of-the-art computer laboratories and training rooms. It provides students access to the latest technology used in business. The College of Business Undergraduate Programs Office and Graduate Programs Office provide students with a wide variety of advising services.
Scholarships/Awards
Faculty
The College of Business has several eminent scholar chairs and numerous endowed professorships. These prestigious faculty positions are occupied by outstanding scholars who not only conduct research but teach at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.
Student Awards and Honors
Several organizations are available to students in the College of Business. These organizations include service clubs as well as honor societies and business fraternities. The most prestigious honor society in business is Beta Gamma Sigma. This national honor society for business students was founded in 1913. The Florida State University chapter was established in 1962. Election to membership is the highest honor one can achieve in academics in the business area. Membership is available to both undergraduate and graduate students and is based upon outstanding academic achievement.
Scholarships
The College of Business offers numerous scholarships, and financial aid is available for both undergraduate and graduate students. At the undergraduate level, the funding sources for the scholarships include the College of Business, specific individuals and firms, and various state and national industry associations. The amount and selection criteria of each award vary according to the program the award supports and the funding source. In addition to scholarships, the College of Business and the University provide numerous opportunities for part-time work as student assistants.
At the graduate level, the College of Business provides several fellowships to master's and doctoral students. Graduate research and teaching assistantships are also provided to master's and doctoral students.
Requirements
To pursue any major in the College of Business, students must meet the admission requirements for the program they wish to pursue.
Students should complete the prerequisite courses required for admission during their first three to four terms of college work. Students attending Florida state and community colleges should complete the prerequisite courses required for admission while fulfilling general education requirements leading to the Associate in Arts (AA) degree.