Minnesota State University, Mankato, was founded in 1868 and has been offering life-changing degrees ever since. The College of Business is known for being student-centered, providing hands-on learning experiences, and holding prestigious AACSB accreditation. Students can access and apply for scholarships with just a single application, and $124 million was awarded during the 2018-2019 school year.
Education
Undergraduate students can prepare to enter a variety of different business careers by earning a degree in Accounting, Finance, International Business, Management, or Marketing. Minors are offered in AgriBusiness and Food Innovation, Business Law, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and Financial Planning. Students can also specialize their degree by earning a certificate in Taxation, Business Analytics, or Financial Planning.
Business professionals who are seeking to exceed industry standards can earn a Master’s of Accounting or a Master’s of Business Administration. The MAcc is a 12-month program designed to incorporate not just the 150-hour requirement to sit for the CPA exam, but also professional leadership and advanced accounting courses. The MBA program is typically completed in two years by students who enroll in two courses during every eight-week session. This hands-on program features an executive seminar, where students get to hear from the best of the best in the business world.
There are also opportunities for students to participate in international experiences to broaden their global perspective. The David Olson scholarship is awarded each spring to MBA students who are interested in focusing on the link between business and public policy. Students will complete an internship with the Chamber of Commerce.
Student Life
Students find success outside of the classroom, as well, through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, Big Ideas Challenge, Maverick Student Investment Fund, and the United Prairie Bank Integrated Business Experience program. The Integrated Business Experience course challenges students to create a business from the ground up, and all profits are donated to a charity the students decide upon. In 2019, a group of students launched SnoProblem, which is a windshield cover to prevent ice from forming on car windows on nights with freezing temperatures. Profits were donated to the United Way.
The CoB partners with over 750 businesses, including IBM, Microsoft, Wells Fargo, Deloitte, Ameriprise Financial, Best Buy, Shutterfly, and Enterprise. In addition to internship opportunities with these companies, students can also take a tour of an organization, complete class projects assigned by real companies, and attend employer panels to learn more about the workplace environment. Accounting students are also invited to Meet the Firms event each fall.
Online modules and in-person workshops help students gain essential career-readiness skills, such as office etiquette, time management, presentation skills, and master’s Microsoft Excel. In 2020, the CoB placed 4th in the National Diversity Case Competition held at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.
Online Programs
The Bachelor of Business Administration is offered fully online for students who have already earned an associate’s degree in business. Students in this innovative program will complete a total of eight five-week courses per year and graduate in approximately 2.5 years. The MBA can also be completed online.