College of Business

WAYNE BEDFORD, DEAN

General Information

MISSION STATEMENT AND GOALS:

The College of Business supports the University's mission through the College's defined vision, mission, and standing goals.

Vision Statement: To be widely known as a comprehensive resource provider of educational opportunities to facilitate industrial, technological, and economic development throughout our market area.

Mission Statement: We provide quality education in specialized fields of business and technology for a diverse student population; prepare graduates for leadership roles in the local, national, and global community; and positively impact economic development and quality of life through outreach services.

Standing Goals:

1. Promote continuous improvement in the quality of the business programs.
2. Provide educational opportunities in business and industry for students of diverse backgrounds.
3. Increase the visibility of the College of Business.
4. Graduate students who are employable, seek to enhance their professional credentials, or pursue advanced degrees in business or business-related disciplines.
    

The University's College of Business is nationally accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) to offer the following business degrees: Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, Business Administration, Computer Information Systems, Finance, Management, and Marketing.

To assure that programs are timely and relevant to student needs, the College of Business maintains membership in the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, the Alabama Quality Awards Program, and The Alabama Association for Higher Education in Business.

For students who wish to acquire technical skills leading to early employment, a two-year associate degree program is offered in Industrial Maintenance.

Organization

The College of Business is organized under the Dean into three departments and three centers as follows:

1. The Department of Accounting, Finance, and Economics offers majors in accounting and finance. A 150-hour program is also available for accounting majors who intend to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam.
2. The Department of Business Administration, Management, and Marketing offers courses in business administration, business quantitative analysis, management, and marketing. Majors in business administration, management, and marketing and minors in business administration, management, and marketing are offered.
3. The Department of Computer Information Systems and Technology offers majors in computer information systems, technology, and engineering technology, and minors in computer information systems and technology, associate degrees in emergency medical services and industrial maintenance, and certificates in automotive technician and industrial maintenance.
4. The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) enhances economic growth in the region by making small businesses in the service area more competitive through the provision of entrepreneurial assistance.
5. The Center for Business and Economic Services (CBES) provides research and analysis and economic service activities to existing business and industry and local public institutions in such areas as economic and financial analysis, community assessment, market research, strategic planning, economic impact studies, and leadership training.
6. The James Suttles Entrepreneurship Institute (JSEI) assists with launching new entrepreneurial endeavors, creating viable and sustainable small business ventures, and retaining and expanding existing small businesses.

Degrees Offered

The College offers the following baccalaureate and associate degrees:

1. The Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Accounting
2. The Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Business Administration
3. The Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Computer Information Systems
4. The Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Finance
5. The Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Management
6. The Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Marketing
7. A Dual Degree in Business Administration and Forestry in conjunction with Auburn University
8. The Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering Technology
9. The Bachelor of Science Degree in Technology
10. The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Industrial Maintenance.

Online Degrees

1. The Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Accounting
2. The Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Business Administration
3. The Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Management
4. The Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Marketing
5. The Bachelor of Science Degree in Technology.

Course Requirements for the Bachelor of Business Administration or Bachelor of Science Degree

1. The basic curriculum must be completed with at least a 2.0 grade-point average (GPA) overall, and in those courses taken at UWA. The Business Professional Component and the major must also be completed with at least a 2.0 GPA overall, and in those courses taken at UWA.
2. A total of at least 120-123 semester hours must be earned with twice as many grade points as hours attempted.
3. A student must complete at least 25% of the credit hours required for the baccalaureate degree program at UWA.
4. Transfer students must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of upper-division (300-400) business courses at UWA.
5. A student in the College of Business should schedule English and Mathematics courses each semester until course requirements are successfully completed. Failure to do so may result in delayed progress toward graduation.
6. The Dean of the college determines eligible credit which applies toward the degree. Business courses completed at the lower division level at other institutions when the same courses are offered at the junior and senior levels at UWA will not be accepted for degree credit. Business courses taken at senior colleges will transfer if the prerequisites at UWA have been satisfied. Transfer students must schedule freshman and sophomore deficiencies each semester until successfully completed.
7. Successful completion of an assessment instrument is required for graduation.