Neil Griffin College of Business

Professor Jim Washam, Dean
Professor Patricia Quinn Robertson Johnston, Interim Associate Dean

Mission Statement

The mission of the Neil Griffin College of Business is to provide high-quality management education to traditional and non-traditional students in the MidSouth and to provide support for businesses and communities through research, economic development activities, and consultative services.

The college strives to build challenging programs of excellence with emphasis on leadership/values, international business, technology, entrepreneurship, and economic development through an educational process that fosters analytical thinking, problem solving, communication skills, and experiential learning. Emphasis is placed on undergraduate education, while meeting the needs of the business community through select graduate degrees and professional workforce development programs.

The college is committed to enhancing professional development of faculty and staff through support of applied research, instructional development, and professional growth activities in a collegial environment. Professional development is also provided to students through student organizations, honor societies, and action-based learning.

The Mission is strengthened through ongoing review and continuous improvement of all programs and activities.

Because knowledge of technology is essential to success in business, the college provides three modern computer labs for student use. To broaden their educational experiences, students may become involved in auxiliary and outreach activities through the Supply Chain Management Program, Small Business & Technology Development Center, Economic Education Program, and seminars.

The Neil Griffin College of Business is comprised of four academic departments: Accounting, Information Systems and Business Analytics, Economics and Finance, and Management, Marketing and Supply Chain. Through these departments, the college offers ten baccalaureate degrees and two associate degree program. The Delta Center for Economic Development is the outreach branch of the college. This center provides students with the opportunity to participate in various college initiatives to partner with the business community to enhance the economic growth and development of the region and state.

Two graduate degrees are available in the Neil Griffin College of Business: the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and the Master of Accountancy (MACC). Students should refer to the Graduate Bulletin for complete details about these programs.

Degree Requirements

Baccalaureate Degrees

Except for economics majors, Neil Griffin College of Business students who meet the prescribed degree requirements will be awarded the Bachelor of Science degree. Students majoring in economics will be awarded the Bachelor of Arts degree upon completion of their degree requirements. Students following a program leading to a degree in the Neil Griffin College of Business are required to complete a minimum of 35 semester hours of General Education requirements, as well as the specific major requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree. Considerable latitude is permitted in the selection of the additional elective courses necessary to attain the degree. For the Bachelor of Science in Education, refer to the Teacher Education Program under the College of Education and Behavioral Science.

In addition to meeting the University Requirements for all Baccalaureate Degrees (refer to index for page reference) as presented by the university, any candidate for a degree in the Neil Griffin College of Business must also meet the following specific requirements:

Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.25 or a grade of at least a “C” for each course in the Neil Griffin College of Business core courses, based on the last grade earned in each course.
Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.25 or a grade of at least a “C” for each required course in the major, based on last grade earned in each course.
Maintain an overall GPA of 2.25.
Complete at least 30 of the last 36 semester hours in courses offered by A-State. At least 50 percent of the business credit hours required for a baccalaureate degree and 50 percent of business courses required for a major in business must be earned in the A-State Neil Griffin College of Business.

A Neil Griffin College of Business student may take a double major in business. She/he may also elect a business minor, in consultation with his/her advisor. Students majoring in the Neil Griffin College of Business may not minor in Business Administration.

NOTE: Students not majoring in the Neil Griffin College of Business will receive credit for no more than 30 hours of course work offered by the Neil Griffin College of Business.

Foreign Language Requirement

All students seeking the Bachelor of Arts in Economics must demonstrate a basic proficiency in a foreign language. This may be done in one of the following ways:

By completing two years of a single foreign language in high school.
By completing the fourth semester of a foreign language course at the college level. Students with previous language experience must consult with a faculty member in World Languages for course placement. Students must complete Intermediate Language II.
By passing an examination acceptable to the chair of the Department of Economics and Finance as proof of proficiency equivalent to successful completion of the second semester of the intermediate year of a foreign language at the college level