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Jackson State University College of Business will offer two new online programs this fall to meet the demands of busy students and working professionals. The Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA) and Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in business administration will be available for online and in-person learning. JSU College of Business is among the six percent of business schools worldwide accredited by the Association for Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), which differentiates business and accounting programs from other institutions in terms of quality, rigor, and relevance.
“This gives us another tool in our portfolio of tools to address the needs of those who are in situations that do not allow them to come to campus,” stated Fidelis Ikem, Ph.D., dean of the College of Business. “It expands our reach in the state and beyond. There are many people who want a Jackson State University degree, and so we’re giving them that capability regardless of where they reside.”
The two new online programs align with JSU’s strategic plan goals – student success and academic prominence. With the online options, time of completion, affordability and skill sets, students will gain knowledge placing them at an advantage in life while boosting the university’s profile through its rigorous academic offerings.
With non-traditional students in mind, the online options are designed to fit any schedule. Students will be able to complete coursework at a pace that best ensures their success in the program.
The College of Business delivers its academic programs through two departments: business administration and accounting, finance and entrepreneurship. Undergraduate students are required to complete 121 curriculum hours before graduating.
MPA Online
The online MPA degree is the second online postgraduate degree offered by the College of Business- the first being the MBA. The MPA curriculum consists of 30 semester hours of graduate course work allowing students to earn a degree over one academic year.
“We’re very excited because this online master’s program is going to offer students affordable, flexible, and self-paced courses while working or raising a family,” said Bobbie Daniels, CPA, department chair of finance, accounting and entrepreneurship.
Ikem describes the online master’s degree as a two-for-one opportunity for postgraduate business majors. Students will have the opportunity to earn a master’s degree while receiving state-of-the-art CPA exam preparatory classes. Students must complete 150 hours to qualify for the CPA exam.
This year, the MPA program will offer a Becker CPA Readiness Program sponsored by Deloitte. The review course, which typically costs an estimated $3,000, will be free to students who enroll in the classes.
“This will provide additional skill sets that will allow students to be promotable. It also provides the skills and knowledge needed for the CPA exam, which could lead to higher salaries,” concluded Daniels.
The College is also accredited by the Network of International Business Schools (NIBS), an association of business schools from around the world that believe that the internationalization of business and the globalization of the economy are essential elements in the evolution of managerial practices. NIBS Accreditation makes a firm statement of an institution’s global vision to students, faculty and partner schools worldwide.
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Media contact: Anthony.j.howard@jsums.edu