Accreditation
Recognizing that the College of Business and Economic Development (CBE) has fulfilled accreditation requirements, the AACSB International – Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business – has accredited all BSBA business programs offered by the CBE. The School of Accountancy has also achieved separate accreditation by AACSB.
Organization and Administration
Dean’s Office
The dean is the chief administrative officer of the College of Business and Economic Development and is responsible for all operations of the college. In the CBE Academic Services office, the assistant dean of Academic Services oversees recruitment, the advisement process, student success initiatives, and degree applications. Students needing assistance should direct inquiries to the CBE Academic Services office.
College of Business and Economic Development Academic Policies
- Not more than one-half of the College of Business and Economic Development core curriculum plus requirements for the major is accepted in transfer unless approved by the School Director; 50 percent should be completed at The University of Southern Mississippi.
- At least junior standing (60 hours completed) is required of all students enrolling in College of Business and Economic Development courses numbered 300 or above, except for MIS 300 and certain Merchandising (MER) classes.
- In addition to meeting all credit requirements, all students must have a 2.0 grade point average overall in three areas: 1) the College of Business and Economic Development core curriculum, 2) in the major curriculum, and 3) for all courses taken at The University of Southern Mississippi.
- All graduate and undergraduate students entering the College of Business and Economic Development (CBE) are required to own a laptop computer. For CBE minors and certificate programs, please contact the specific school of your area of study. All students taking CBE online courses are required to have access to a computer and the Internet. Computer specifications are available through the CBE Academic Service office.
- All junior/senior majors in the CBE are charged $19 per term for access to business related software packages and databases. This fee is assessed to the student’s Business Office account and is nonrefundable. Student Procedures
Admission
High school graduates who have been admitted by the University and who wish to major in an area of business are concurrently admitted into the College of Business and Economic Development (CBE). Transfer students are likewise admitted directly into the CBE upon admission to the university. After admission to the college, students will be advised in the undergraduate Academic Services office.
Changes of Major
College of Business and Economic Development students who wish to change to another business major can do so by completing a change of major form in the CBE Academic Services office or online at https://www.usm.edu/business/hattiesburg-undergraduate-academic-services.
Students who desire to transfer to a degree program outside the College of Business and Economic Development must first be accepted by the college offering the program. Applications for admission to the new program are processed in the dean’s office of the college that grants the degree. The academic areas involved are notified so that advisement records can be transferred.
Business Minors for Business Majors
Double majors within the College of Business and Economic Development must be planned carefully. Major/emphasis courses may not overlap. Therefore, a student who wishes to pursue a double major must have such a course of study approved by CBE Academic Services.
CBE majors may elect to pursue a minor in an area outside the college. Students who wish to pursue such minors must request the approval from the area offering the minor. Double minors within the CBE also must be carefully planned since courses in each minor may not overlap. If a student is majoring in business and wants to also include one of the business minors, at least 50% of the requirements must be outside of the requirements for the major. General business majors may not declare a business minor.
Career Services
Students majoring in business are advised to utilize the University’s Career Services at least two semesters prior to graduation in order to qualify for interviews with prospective employers. See Career Services for more information (www.usm.edu/cs).
Student Organizations
There are several professional and honorary societies for business students interested in sharing common interests or who have achieved high academic standing. These societies include the following organizations: Alpha Kappa Psi, professional business fraternity; Beta Alpha Psi, national scholastic and professional accounting fraternity; Beta Gamma Sigma, national scholastic honorary society for business students; Collegiate Chapter of the American Marketing Association; Delta Sigma Pi, national business fraternity; Eta Sigma Delta, International Hospitality Management Society; Fashion Merchandising Organization; Financial Management Association National Honor Society; and the Student Economic Development Association (SEDA). A representative from each of these organizations and other appointed students constitute the Business Student Advisory Council, which works with and advises the dean on many student-related matters.
Financial Assistance
There are several scholarships designated for College of Business and Economic Development students as well as other awards for which business students are eligible. Information concerning business scholarships can be obtained from the CBE Website. Inquiries regarding other forms of financial aid should be directed to the director of Financial Aid, 118 College Drive #5101, Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001.
Graduate Studies
Undergraduate students who are considering applying for admission to graduate business degree programs should consult with graduate academic services.
Study Abroad in Business
The College of Business and Economic Development offers its students the opportunity to earn six hours of approved credit toward their degrees while studying abroad. These study abroad programs are available during the summer semester at relatively low cost to the student. Other exchange programs and study-abroad courses may be available during the fall and spring semesters. Students must have a course of study approved through CBE Undergraduate Academic Services prior to enrolling in these credits to ensure graduation requirements are satisfied
See College of Business and Economic Development Schools and Programs
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