The Raymond J. Harbert College of Business provides foundational business education with innovation and excellence at the forefront. Being part of Auburn University, they strive to best prepare graduates for success in the highly competitive business industry and “generate knowledge that drives industry thought and practice.” The faculty work hard at producing excellent and informative research and place great importance on fully engaging with students.
The College of Business can trace its roots back to 1869 when the first business courses were offered at the university. Raymond J. Harbert, an Auburn alumnus and CEO of the international investment firm Harbert Management Corporation, gave a generous $40 million gift to the College of Business, and in 2013 it was renamed in his honor. The college is housed in Lowder Hall.
Education
Undergraduate majors include Accounting, Business Administration, Business Analytics, Finance, Information Systems Management, Management, Marketing, and Supply Chain Management. Graduate students can pursue a Masters in Accountancy, Business Administration, Finance, and Information Systems. There is also a Ph.D. degree in Business with options in Finance, Information Systems, and Management. For students who desire to advance to the executive level, there is an Executive MBA, a Physicians Executive MBA, and a Master of Real Estate Development for Executives. To help prepare students to lead in a multicultural environment, the College of Business offers international internships and study abroad opportunities in places like Madrid, Rome, Pamplona, Zurich, France, and Pforzheim, Germany.
Student Life
The Financial Leadership Society, Auburn Student Investment Fund, Real Estate Society, Association of Graduate Business Students, Society for Human Resource Management, International Business Club, and Supply Chain Management Association are some of the business student organizations. The Office of Professional & Career Development is an excellent resource for business students to direct their skills, network with professionals, and prepare for future employment. They provide a mentorship program, career toolbox, graduate student career planning, career coaching, Legends and Leaders workshops, the Business Bash event, and the Career Fair. The College hosts many events to enhance the educational experience like the Sustainability in Business Summit, the Entrepreneurship Summit, and the Tiger Cage similar to “Shark Tank.”
The College also has other kinds of facilities where business students have access to extended learning opportunities and can serve the business community. These include the Auburn Technical Assistance Center, the Center for Ethical Organizational Cultures, the Center for Supply Chain Innovation, the Small Business Development Center, the Lowder Center for Family Business and Entrepreneurship, and the Thomas Walter Center for Technology Management. Another great resource is the Harbert Magazine, which posts about business issues, trends, and the latest news.
Online Programs
The College of Business has developed flexible and convenient online programs. The AACSB-accredited online business degrees available are the Bachelors in Business Administration and Accounting, a Masters in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, and Information Systems. Also available is an undergraduate certificate in Accounting and graduate certificates in both Business Analytics and Information Systems.