Majors and Minors
All programs in the Gordon Ford College of
Business have been accredited by AACSB
International. the Association to Advance
Collegiate Schools of Business, since 1982.
The mission of AACSB International is to
advance quality management education
worldwide through accreditation and
thought leadership. AACSB International
accreditation symbolizes that an institution
has achieved the recognition of having one
of the best business programs, and one of
the best accounting programs, in the world.
AACSB International was founded in 1916
and began its accreditation function with
the adoption of the first standards in 1919.
Additional standards for programs in accountancy were adopted in 1980. AACSB
International members approved missionlinked accreditation standards and the peer
review process in 1991. In 2003, members
approved a revised set of standards that are
relevant and applicable to all business programs globally and which support and encourage excellence in management education worldwide.
MAJORS
 Accounting (B.S)

Economics (B.A.)

Business Economics (B.S.)
MINORS
 Business Administration
 Computer Information
Systems

Business Informatics (B.S.)

Economics

Entrepreneurship (B.S.)

Entrepreneurship

Finance (B.S.)

Finance

International Business (B.S.)

International Business

Management (B.S.)

Marketing

Marketing (B.S.)

Sales

Mathematical Economics (B.S.)
Accreditation is a process of voluntary, nongovernmental review of educational institutions and programs. Institutional accreditation reviews entire colleges and universities.
Specialized agencies award accreditation
for professional programs and academic
units in particular fields of study. As a specialized agency, AACSB International grants
accreditation for undergraduate and
graduate business administration
and accounting programs.
AACSB International accreditation
represents the highest standard of
achievement for business schools
worldwide. Institutions that earn
accreditation confirm their commitment to quality and continuous
improvement through a rigorous
and comprehensive peer review.
AACSB International accreditation is
the hallmark of excellence in management education. More information regarding AACSB International and its programs and services
are available at www.aacsb.edu.
Scan our QR code for more info!
College of Business Admission Requirements
All majors within the Gordon Ford College of Business require
the following Admission and Core Courses
Admission Courses
Core Courses
ACCT 200 - Financial Accounting
ACCT 201 - Managerial Accounting
CIS 141 - Basic Computer Literacy
COMM 161 - Business & Professional Speaking
or
COMM 145 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking
ECON 202 - Principles of Microeconomics
ECON 203 - Principles of Macroeconomics
ECON 206 - Statistics
MATH 116 - College Algebra or higher
CIS 243 - Principles of MIS
FIN 330 - Principles of Financial Management
MKT 220 – Basic Marketing Concepts
MGT 200 - Legal Environment of Business
MGT 210 – Organization and Management
MGT 314– Operations Management
MGT 498 - Strategy and Policy
Gordon Ford College of Business at WKU
The Gordon Ford College of Business traces its roots to the Bowling Green Business University, founded in
1884 as the Southern Normal School and Business College. In 1907, the Southern Normal School became
Western Kentucky State Normal School, and the Bowling Green Business University began a long history of
nationally noted programs. In June 1963, Western Kentucky University assumed the business programs of
the Bowling Green Business University, and in 1964 the Bowling Green College of Commerce became a
division of the university. In 1972 the name was changed to the Bowling Green College of Business and
Public Affairs. In 1979 it became the Bowling Green College of Business Administration. In December 1998
the college was renamed the Gordon Ford College of Business to honor the generosity of Gordon B. Ford,
becoming the second named business school in Kentucky. All business programs offered by the College
are accredited by AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
Gordon Ford College of Business Student Code of Ethics
As a student in the Gordon Ford College of Business at Western
Kentucky University, I understand that it is my duty to behave
in a courteous and ethical manner at all times. The attitudes and
habits I develop as a student form the core of my professional
behavior. As such, I will set an example of the highest caliber for
those who work with me.
To promote these behaviors within the student body, I will use
the principles of honesty, integrity, respect and professionalism
as my personal, academic, and professional guide.
HONESTY:
• Understand the Gordon Ford College’s policies on
academic conduct, and practice them as a part of my life
• Honor my personal obligation to be sincere and forthright by
dealing fairly and truthfully with others
INTEGRITY:
• Maintain my beliefs and values despite changing
circumstances and challenging environments
• Respect my reputation and that of my College and University
by avoiding unethical behaviors and the circumstances that
encourage them
RESPECT:
• Embrace the diverse perspectives and accomplishments of
others, knowing that it is the personal and cultural variations
among people that enrich us individually and as a society
• Take pride in my College and University by protecting our
facilities and their surroundings
PROFESSIONALISM:
• Maintain the highest standards of performance, conduct,
and cooperation with my fellow students, faculty, staff, and
co-workers
• Perform my duties with due diligence and make a continuous
effort towards improvement
Mission Statement
The Mission of the Gordon Ford College
of Business is to be a leader in providing
high quality and applied business
academic programs to enhance the
economic well-being of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond. We do
so through dedicated student-focused
teaching, relevant and applied research
and value added outreach activity.
Accounting
Program—The accounting program is a high quality academic program and
is one of three Kentucky universities with a separate AASCB accredited
accounting program. It is one of 171 accounting programs in four
countries with a separate AACSB accreditation. The program has a low
faculty to student ratio (25:1) and a high graduation rate of 85%.
Students who complete the accounting program at WKU have a high success rate on the CPA exam.
Faculty—The accounting faculty are committed and qualified classroom instructors who provide excellent career mentoring to their students. They are
professionally certified (CPA, CMA, CIA, CFE, CFP, and CGFM).
Students—Students in the accounting program are encouraged to participate in the internationally recognized Beta Alpha Psi fraternity.
Career—Students are provided with internship opportunities and career
enhancement opportunities from specific programming such as “Meet the
Firms” event, embedded Career Services instruction and mock interviews.
Jobs for Accounting Majors (see note) - Public Accounting such as auditing,
tax, environmental accounting,
forensic/investigative accounting, personal financial planning.
Corporate and Government Accounting which includes financial
management, financial reporting, internal auditing, cost accounting, tax
planning, budget analysis.
Economics
Computer Information Systems
Program—Ninety-five percent of the major courses in CIS are taught by faculty with doctoral qualifications and 100% of the classes are taught in state-ofthe-art computer labs. SM and CIT programs have students from over 10
states and 2 foreign countries. Student to faculty ratio is 24:1.
Faculty—The CIS faculty combine practical work experience, maintain doctoral qualifications and are leading authors in a variety of related fields. The
department is nationally recognized in the area of on-line, distance and nontraditional education.
Students—All courses use a project-based learning model in which students
learn by doing.
Career—The major courses make extensive use of contemporary technologies and graduates report starting salaries of $40,000 in urban markets.
Jobs for CIS Majors (see note) - Network and database administration for
financial institutions, insurance companies, hotels, restaurants, city state and
federal government
agencies, manufacturers, retailers.
Web Administration such as web design, programming and development,
system administration and analysis.
Other job areas are Systems Development and Technical Support
Services.
Finance
Program—The Economics curriculum focuses on important domestic and
global issues of today and attracts a diverse group of students with a wide
range of intellectual interests.
Program—Finance students get hands-on experience managing a simulated
bank. Students in Applied Investments learn how to build their own
investment portfolios.
Faculty—The Economics department has outstanding, award winning instructors who take an active interest in mentoring students and is actively
engaged in the WKU Honors Initiatives with their Honors in the Major program.
Faculty—The Finance department has excellent faculty who have won numerous teaching, research and service awards. Faculty have doctoral
qualifications.
Students—Economics students can participate in the Econ Club, Honor Society - Omicron Delta Epsilon, and can apply for scholarships awarded to high
achieving students.
Career—The Economics major emphasizes applied analytical and critical
thinking skills which are crucial to success in the private or public sector and
also in a non-profit or for-profit entity.
Jobs for Economics Majors (see note) - Consulting, research for private corporations in a variety of industries such as retail, banking, insurance, mining,
transportation, healthcare, and tourism. Federal government including but
not limited to Department of Labor, Commerce, Agriculture, State, Health,
Environmental Protection Agency. Local government such as public utilities,
trade associations, labor unions, and international organizations.
Other job areas include Banking, Insurance, Sales, Management, and Education.
Students—The practicum in Portfolio Management allows students to manage a portfolio of real money for the Tennessee Valley Authority. The Financial Management Association (FMA) Investment Challenge allows students
to try their hand at trading for real cash prizes.
Career—The Financial Planning major and Certificate in Financial Planning
prepare students to become financial planners and the Financial
Management degree prepares students to work with acquisition and use of
funds to maximize the value of the firms. The Office of the Comptroller of the
Currency regularly recruits WKU Finance graduates.
Jobs for Finance Majors (see note) - Corporate and Public Finance such as
financial analyst, cash
management, credit management, budget analysis, investment
management, investor relations, payroll, benefits, real estate, risk
management.
Jobs in banking, insurance, personal financial planning, real estate, investment banking, money management, accounting.
Entrepreneurship
International Business
Program— The program is designed to educate students through innovative
learning strategies including experiential learning, classroom instruction,
research and with authentic entrepreneurial activities.
Program— The program is designed to educate students through innovative
learning strategies including travel abroad, classroom instruction, and additional language study.
Faculty— The faculty consists of doctorally qualified instructors and real
world executives in residence who bring real life entrepreneurial talents and
expertise to the classroom and the community.
Faculty— The faculty consists of doctorally qualified instructors and real
world executives in residence who bring real life entrepreneurial talents and
expertise to the classroom and the community.
Students— Can participate in student incubators, The Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and WKU Students In Free Enterprise to gain real
world knowledge and experience.
Students— Can participate in student incubators, The Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and WKU Students In Free Enterprise to gain real
world knowledge and experience.
Career— Entrepreneurship provides a basis for engaged professionals to set
objectives, coordinate activities, and motivate and lead people to meet the
goals of an organization.
Career— International Business careers require long term commitments and
entrepreneurial professionals with good communication skills willing to
travel and coordinate activities across different cultures and time zones.
Jobs for Entrepreneurship Majors (see note) - Consulting, Mid-level Management, research and development, fund raising, sales, venture capitalist,
teacher, recruiter, business reporter.
Jobs for International Business Majors (see note) - Consulting, Mid-level
Management, International Trade Administration, Foreign Service, International Banking, Cultural Advisor, International Sales and Marketing.
Marketing and Sales
Management
Program
Program
The Management Major has two concentrations: Business Administration
and Human Resources.
The Center for Professional Selling is one of 15 certified sales centers in
the US. WKU is one of only 8 schools in the country to offer a major
concentration in sales and a minor in sales. The major offers three distinct career tracks 1) General Marketing, 2) Marketing Sales and 3) Social
Media Marketing. The Marketing and Sales program is one of the 10
largest majors on campus.
The Major in Entrepreneurship allows students to develop the skills and
spirit necessary to own or manage a business, to develop or grow an existing company or to create an entrepreneurial environment within an organization.
The Major in International Business provides students with the opportunity
to study abroad and gain a global understanding. Students can pursue a
dual degree in International Business where they receive a diploma from
WKU and a diploma from a foreign university.
Faculty
Faculty have national, college and university teaching awards and real
world experiences to provide students a broader understanding of
marketing concepts.
Faculty
Students
Ninety six percent of the management faculty have doctoral qualifications.
Students can participate in Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), the Society of
Human Resource Managers (SHRM), International Club, Internships.
Students can participate in the American Marketing Association (AMA)
chapter that provides real world experiences in marketing and assists in
networking with business professionals to aid in career placement.
Students can also participate in national Marketing and Sales
competitions.
Career
Career
Management provides a basis for engaged professionals to set objectives,
coordinate activities, and motivate and lead people to meet the goals of
an organization.
The job outlook for marketing managers is strong with a 12 percent
growth in marketing management jobs expected through 2016.
Jobs for Management Majors (see note)
Sales and Promotion in industrial sales, wholesale, direct marketing,
consumer product sales, financial services sales. Advertising, e-commerce,
sales management. Marketing majors can also work in Brand/Product
management, market research, retail and purchasing/procurement,
banking, insurance, real estate, and social media management.
Students
Management in Business and industry such as banks, retail stores, hotels,
restaurants, service providers and healthcare organizations. Local, State
and Federal government as well as non-profit organizations.
Other areas consist of Human Resource Management, Operations
Management, Sales, Insurance, Real Estate, Banking
Jobs for Marketing and Sales Majors
Study Abroad
Gordon Ford College of Business
Students are encouraged to participate in a study abroad experience.
Study Abroad experiences range from 2 weeks up to 1 year abroad.
Shorter term trips depart in winter term or summer and the longer term
exchanges occur during the semester. Students who participate in an
exchange program for a semester or a year pay WKU tuition to study at a
foreign university. Students who go on short term trips get a tuition discount and pay 50 dollars per credit hour for their course.
Ambassadors
Students can fund their study abroad experience by applying for the
World Topper Scholarship and the Student Government Association
(SGA) Study Abroad Scholarship. There are many other funds available
for study abroad and students are encouraged to visit the study abroad
office in Grise Hall room 128.
The Gordon Ford College of Business Ambassadors is an elite group of
students who have been selectively chosen to be the best and the
brightest students who promote and represent the college. The Ambassadors also host a new student Shadowing Program where students
interested in attending the Gordon Ford College of Business can spend a
day with an Ambassador to get a feel of what real college is like. Students
interested in the Shadowing Program should contact Bethany Smith by
email at bethany.smith@wku.edu
Internships
Internships provide students an avenue
to gain experience in their major and to
see their major in a real world situation.
Students are encouraged to participate
in an internship opportunity.
There are several options for students
looking for internships:
1. Contact the Career Services Center
2. Each department has a designated
faculty member who assists students with internships
3. Use existing contacts to find an
internship in the major
Note: The Jobs for Majors Portion of each summary was taken from
our Career Services website. More extensive information can be
found at that website.
www.wku.edu/business/prospective-students/php?brochure=1