Accreditation
Recognizing that the College of Business and Economic Development (CBED) has fulfilled accreditation requirements, the AACSB International – Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business – has accredited all BSBA (Bachelor of Science in Business Administration) business programs offered by the CBED. 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 CBED Undergraduate Academic Services office, the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education oversees the advisement process, student success initiatives, and degree applications. Students needing assistance should direct inquiries to the CBED Undergraduate 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 (DEG 02) plus requirements for the major (DEG 01) 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), Marketing (MKT), Hospitatlity and Tourism Management (HTM) 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 (CBED) are required to own a laptop computer. For CBED minors and certificate programs, please contact the specific school of your area of study. All students taking CBED online courses are required to have access to a computer and the Internet. Computer specifications are available through the CBED Undergraduate Academic Service office.
- All junior/senior majors in the CBED 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.
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 (CBED). Transfer students are likewise admitted directly into the CBED 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 submitting a change of major request on SOAR (Student Dashboard>Enrollment>Change of Major).
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 CBED Undergraduate Academic Services.
CBED 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 CBED 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 another business major or a business minor.
Career Services and Professional Development
The College of Business and Economic Development is dedicated to assisting students with their career and professional development throughout their undergraduate education. Through individual appointments and college-wide programming, students will be able to find major and career direction, develop job-seeking skills, connect with employers, and polish the professional skills necessary to transition from student to industry professional. The Business Career Services office services include exploring business majors and careers, resume development, interviewing skills, job-seeking strategies, and more.
All business students should visit with the CBED Career Services representative at least once a year to explore options, identify relevant career skills to develop, and connect with internship opportunities. Business students should actively begin the full-time job search no later than two semesters before graduation. CBED Career Services is located in Scianna Hall, Suite 2025 and can be reached at BusinessCareers@usm.edu.
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 but not limited to 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; Investment Club; Sport Mangament Club; the Student Economic Development Association (SEDA); Student Center for the Public Trust; USM Entrepreneurship Club; and Women Eagles in Business. 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. For the list of CBED student organizations, please visit www.usm.edu/business/student-organizations.php.
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 CBED 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 CBED graduate program coordinator.
Study Abroad and Study Away in Business
The College of Business and Economic Development (CBED) offers its students the opportunity to earn three or six hours of approved credit toward their degrees while studying abroad or studying away. These programs are available during the summer semester (British Studies Program; Business and Culture in Asia; Business and Culture in Italy) and spring intercession (Business and Culture in Hawaii) at a relatively low cost to the student. CBED encourages students to participate in a summer internship abroad. Students must have a course of study approved through CBED Undergraduate Academic Services prior to enrolling in these credits to ensure graduation requirements are satisfied. For more information about Study Abroad and Study Away in Business, please visit https://www.usm.edu/business/studyabroad.php.
See College of Business and Economic Development Schools and Majors
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