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College of Business

The College of Business offers undergraduate programs and a Master of Business Administration graduate program, which are supported by our highly qualified and dedicated faculty committed to your success. All our undergraduate programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Central State is one of 10 HBCUs that hold this specialized accreditation.

The CSU College of Business was named Best Business Program by HBCU Digest in 2018.

Mission and vision

Mission

The College of Business is committed to providing students with a nurturing educational environment to meet their personal and professional endeavors. We emphasize academic excellence in teaching, research, and outreach in a dynamic, global business environment. The college prepares students for careers in business, government, private and public nonprofit organizations, and graduate school. The college takes great care to ensure that graduates are well-rounded individuals through its triad for success, which emphasizes academics, experiential learning, and professional development.

Vision

The College of Business aspires to be globally recognized for preparing graduates for success in business and society.

Master of Business Administration

Become a change agent

Power change in workplaces with an MBA. Our new Master of Business Administration program can be completed in as little as one year. Take advantage of flexible schedules with a fully online program. The future is ours to change. Join our community of learners to become a change agent for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

An African American student wears a Central State University Presidential Seal lapel pin while standing on the historic campus in Wilberforce

Academic programs

The College of Business has two undergraduate programs and one graduate program, the MBA.

For information regarding any of the academic programs in the College of Business, please contact the corresponding department chair or MBA coordinator.

  • The post-baccalaureate in business administration prepares students who earned degrees in fields other than business administration for admission into the MBA program at Central State. This post-bac phase allows students to gain the necessary knowledge in core business areas so that students may better understand the concepts and terms presented in MBA classes. Students in the post-baccalaureate phase must complete the following courses:

    • Business Statistics
    • Economics (Macroeconomics or Microeconomics)
    • Financial Accounting
    • Management and Organizational Behavior
    • Principles of Finance
    • Principles of Marketing

    Once the foundational courses are successfully completed, students in the post-baccalaureate program may be eligible for admission into the MBA program. Because these courses are required in the business degree, students must earn a C or better in each course to pass. In some cases, students may have already successfully completed one or more of the courses in their undergraduate program of study. Those students will only need to take the courses that have not been completed. Students should check their undergraduate transcripts and notify their academic advisor should this apply to them.

    Note: Applicants for the MBA program who hold four-year degrees in areas other than business administration will automatically be considered for the post-baccalaureate in business.

  • 2022-2023 Business Advisory Council members

    The Business Advisory Council (BAC) is the advisory body for the College of Business. Members specifically advise the dean through three committees that function on behalf of the college and students in the COB. Members represent organizations from the Miami Valley of Ohio, the state of Ohio, the U.S., and the global community.

    Check out the pictures from the 2022 Annual Ron Cosey Memorial Scholarship Golf Outing.

    BAC members and associated companies represented in 2022-2023 are as follows:

    • Ms. Ayanna Bennett, JPMC
    • Mr. Keith Borders, Union Savings Bank and Guardian Savings Bank
    • Ms. Monica Brown, Whirlpool Corporation
    • Mr. Justin Castleberry, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
    • Mr. Rusty Clark, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
    • Mr. Dwight Dewberry, PNC Bank
    • Ms. Elaine Diggs, corporate HR, American Electric Power
    • Mr. Keith Edwards, KBR Wyle
    • Ms. Sanserrae Fraizer, First Financial Bank
    • Mr. Jonathan Gaupp, Walmart Transportation
    • Mr. Kunta Jackson, treasurer, FDIC (treasurer)
    • Mr. Wayne Knox, COB Alumni Member (vice chair) 
    • Mr. Eugene Lee, LinkedIn
    • Mr. Isaiah "Ike" Lipsey, Lipsey Enterprises
    • Ms. Tiara Love, Enterprise Holdings (secretary)
    • Dr. Shendorah Nalls Fisher, Microsoft Company
    • Ms. Sarah Ross, Fifth Third Bank
    • Ms. Alicia Reed, Protective Life Insurance Company
    • Ms. Marya Rutherford-Long, Fifth Third Bank
    • Ms. Randi Salyer-Frazier, Wright-Patt Credit Union 
    • Mr. Kevin Sanford, Synchrony Financial
    • Mr. Patrick Simmons, Walmart Private Fleet
    • Mr. Maxton Singletary, retired, WPAFB (chairperson)
    • Mr. Alfonzo Smith, COB alumni member
    • Mr. Ernie Sullivan, Sullivan Staffing Strategies
    • Ms. Cheryl Lavender Wright, P&G

    Honorary members

    • Mr. Vernon Ford (retired)
    • Ms. Urcelle Willis, university professor (retired)
  • 2023-2024 Student Advisory Council

    Asia Brown

    Major: Business Administration

    Concentration: Marketing

     

    Camron Dillard

    Major: Accounting

     

    Ariyana Irving

    Major: Business Administration

    Concentration: Marketing

     

    Nasaan Jackson

    Major: Business Administration

    Concentration: Agribusiness

     

    Lazel Johnson

    Major: Business Administration

    Concentration: Marketing

     

    James Lacking

    Major: Business Administration

    Concentration: Management Information Systems

     

    Jalil Lenore

    Major: Business Administration

    Concentration: Management

     

    Stacy Powell-Griffith

    Major: Business Administration

     

    Louronia Phillips

    Major: Business Administration

    Concentration: Finance

  • Recipients were awarded scholarships during the spring semester of 2024 to be used during the 2024-25 academic year. All scholarships were decided by a committee or private contributors. The College of Business is proud to have partners who support the mission of Central State. Congratulations to all the recipients and honorees!

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    central state university college of business scholarship winners list
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    ACBSP Accredited Logo

    ACBSP accreditation

    Central State University’s College of Business received a 10-year accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) in 2015.

    Established in 1988, ACBSP is the only organization offering specialized business accreditation for all degree levels, from associate and baccalaureate to doctoral degree programs. ACBSP accreditation certifies that the teaching and learning processes within the College of Business at Central State University meet the rigorous educational standards established by ACBSP.

    The accreditation covers both undergraduate degree programs offered in the college. Bachelor of Science degrees are offered in Accounting and Business Administration, including all concentrations.

    The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree program currently has eight concentrations, which are all accredited by ACBSP. The concentrations are agribusiness, entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality management, international business, management, management information systems, and marketing.

    The Master of Business Administration, launched in 2021, has not yet gone through the accreditation process. It is expected that it will be included in the upcoming reaffirmation in 2025 or sooner.

    The accreditation acknowledges the University’s commitment to teaching excellence and quality improvement.

    Assessment reports

    2015-2016 Assessment Report

    2016-2017 Assessment Report

    2017- 2018 Assessment Report

    2021-2022 Assessment Report

    2022-2023 Assessment Report

    2018 to 2022 Peregrine Outbound Comparison (Business Administration)

    2018 to 2022 Peregrine Outbound Comparison (Accounting)

    2022-2023 Peregrine Outbound Comparison (Business Administration)

    2022-2023 Peregrine Outbound Comparison (Accounting)

    2023-2024 Peregrine Outbound Comparison (Business Administration) 

    2023-2024 Peregrine Outbound Comparison (Accounting) 

Earn a degree in three years

Now, students can get a Bachelor of Science in three years.

Central State University and other Ohio public colleges and universities are implementing plans to enable students to complete traditional bachelor's degrees in three years. The three-year graduation plan was created to demonstrate that it is possible for students to graduate in fewer than four years.

A three-year graduation plan is not recommended for every student. In addition to close interaction with faculty advisors at the onset, the following specifications are assumed:

  • No remedial coursework is required.
  • The student does not fail any classes.
  • The student does not change their major.
  • The student is willing to take classes each summer.

Central State University students must earn 120 credits to complete the three-year degree. Credits may be granted on a case-by-case basis using Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination (CLEP), Transfer, and Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) credits. Participating degree programs include two summer sessions. More details to follow.

Three-year business degree options

Apply now

If you are ready to step into your future, apply online today. Simply complete the application, upload your documents, and have your transcripts emailed to graduateadmission@centralstate.edu.

Meet our faculty and staff