The Nelson Rusche College of Business at Stephen F. Austin State University provides a personalized atmosphere through small class sizes, a wide range of business degree options, and dedicated and supportive professors. Focusing on the student, focusing on careers, providing relevant professional development opportunities, corporate partnerships, and experiential learning components are top priorities for the College of Business. Every degree program carries the AACSB accreditation.
Education
Undergraduate students can acquire a Bachelor of Arts in Economics or a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. The BBA is in General Business with emphasis options in Legal Studies or Corporate Communication; Banking; Economics; Sports Business with emphasis options in Athletic Administration, Mass Communication, Outdoor Recreation Management, Hospitality Administration, or Sales & Management; Accounting; Business Communications & Corporate Education; or Finance with emphasis options in Investment Management or Financial Planning. Rusche offers one of the few five-year BBA/Masters in Professional Accountancy programs in Texas.
Graduate students can obtain a Masters in Professional Accountancy or Business Administration. The Flex MBA format involves on-campus classes and the option to video conference in on a live class using the online Zoom technology.
Rusche students can access more than $500,000 in scholarships so that they don’t miss out on educational opportunities due to financial need.
To obtain an international perspective and learn about global business first-hand, students can join La Rochelle Business School in France or the Management Center (MCI) in Innsbruck, Austria, to study abroad.
Student Life
Experiential learning is at the forefront of Rusche’s educational plan for every student. They can experience learning through the Mast Student Investment Roundtable and personally managing and overseeing a real investment portfolio valued around $650,000. Rusche students excel in competitions every year, both locally and nationally.
Business-related student-led organizations include the Economics Reading Group, Phi Beta Lambda, Society for Advancement of Management, Accounting Club, Phi Alpha Kappa, American Marketing Association, Sports Business Society, and Student Advisory Council.
Students experience career preparation through internships, assistance with resumes and interview prep, career coaching, and leadership development programs. Students need to hear from successful leaders from different types of corporations and businesses and have opportunities to speak with them. The College to Career Conference provides moments of mentoring, mock interviews, and counseling sessions with leading professionals who come into the classroom. The Lumberjack Professional Network is an excellent resource for current students to connect with alumni to get advice, counsel, and mentorship. The Network is also an excellent place for alumni to stay in contact with each other.
Through activities that positively impact the community, students gain awareness for the needs of others and apply what they have been learning. Students can volunteer to help people who are in financial crisis by guiding them in money management and advice for free.
Online Programs
Rusche offers an online degree completion Bachelors in Business Administration degree in General Business and Business Communication & Corporate Education.