Brock School of Business

Academic Administration

Charles M. Carson, IV, Dean; Professor, Management
Jeremy P. Thornton, Associate Dean; Professor, Economics
Barbara H. Cartledge, Senior Assistant Dean; Assistant Professor, Business

History

The Brock School of Business was named in 2007 for long-time Samford trustee, banking pioneer, and entrepreneur Harry B. Brock, Jr. The School of Business is fully accredited by AACSB International.

The business school offers undergraduate programs of study leading to the bachelor of science in business administration (B.S.B.A.) with majors in accounting, economics, entrepreneurship, finance, management, and marketing. Concentrations in data analytics, entrepreneurship and corporate innovation, professional sales, real estate, risk management and insurance, social entrepreneurship, and sports marketing are also available. Students in the University Fellows program can pursue the Brock Scholars major while students whose primary focus is not business can pursue a bachelor of arts (B.A.) in economics. Non-business students may pursue minors in accounting, data analytics, economics, entrepreneurship, general business, marketing, and social entrepreneurship.

The business school also offers a special joint degree, leading to a B.S.B.A. in accounting initially, but ultimately to a master of accountancy (M.Acc.), with an optional concentration in data analytics.

In addition, at the graduate level, students may earn the master of accountancy (M.Acc.), with an optional concentration in data analytics, or the master of business administration (M.B.A.), with optional concentrations in data analytics, finance, and sports business.

Mission

The Samford University Brock School of Business delivers life-long business education to its constituents through quality teaching, meaningful scholarship, and servant relationships, imbued by its Christian commitment.

Vision

The Samford University Brock School of Business is a recognized leader and school of choice among institutions offering undergraduate and graduate business education informed by Christian principles.

Core Values

We affirm Samford University’s purpose and mission as our own in the development of business leaders.
We believe that our Christian perspectives and commitments should permeate and integrate all of our organizational goals and activities.
We consider learning to be an activity that never ceases, and that the life of the mind is a faithful and noble pursuit.
We believe that service within organizations is a vocation in the sense that it is a calling that should be treated with great importance and utmost respect.
We believe in the pursuit of excellence in all dimensions and activities.
We value the creation of timely, relevant, participatory, and experiential learning environments that develop well-trained persons who add value and achieve fulfilling roles within their organizations, communities, and the global environment.
We value research and scholarship that develops core competencies, serves society, and equips people and organizations to cope with change and meet challenges.
We are blessed with and compelled by our tremendous resources to serve our community.
We respect and value unique and diverse experiences and perspectives contributed by individuals learning and working in a collegial environment.
We demand ethical behavior, integrity, caring concern, and stewardship from ourselves, our constituents, and the organizations we serve.

Accreditation

The Brock School of Business is accredited by AACSB International-the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (www.aacsb.edu) and by SACS-the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Undergraduate Programs and Requirements

Majors
Accounting Major (B.S.B.A.)
Brock Scholars Major (B.S.B.A.)-Non-Fellows
Brock Scholars Major (B.S.B.A.)-Fellows
Economics Major (B.A.)
Economics Major (B.S.B.A.)
Entrepreneurship Major (B.S.B.A.)
Finance Major (B.S.B.A.)
Management Major (B.S.B.A.)
Marketing Major (B.S.B.A.)

Interdisciplinary Concentrations*
Language and World Trade Interdisciplinary Concentration (B.A.)
Public Administration Interdisciplinary Concentration (B.A.)

Minors
Accounting Minor
Data Analytics Minor
Economics Minor
Entrepreneurship Minor
General Business Minor
Marketing Minor
Social Entrepreneurship and Non-Profit Management Minor

Major-Dependent Concentrations (B.S.B.A. Degrees only)
Data Analytics Concentration
Entrepreneurship & Corporate Innovation Concentration
Professional Sales Concentration
Real Estate Concentration
Risk Management & Insurance Concentration
Social Entrepreneurship Concentration
Sports Marketing Concentration

Non-Degree/Pre-Professional Majors
Pre-Business Major (N.B.A.)-Non-Fellows
Pre-Business Major (N.B.F.)-Fellows

Accelerated Bachelor-to-Graduate Pathway Program
Fast-Track Master of Accountancy (M.Acc.) with a B.S.B.A. in Accounting (aka Professional Accountancy)
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The Brock School of Business offers majors in accounting, economics, entrepreneurship, finance, management, and marketing, each leading to a bachelor of science in business administration (B.S.B.A.) degree. Any of the above majors may be combined with any of the following concentrations: data analytics, entrepreneurship and corporate innovation, professional sales, real estate, risk management and insurance, social entrepreneurship, and/or sports marketing. For University Fellows and outstanding pre-business students pursuing a major in business, the Brock Scholars major is available to those who meet the selection criteria (see Brock Scholars Major (B.S.B.A.)-Non-Fellows for more information). For students whose primary focus is not business, a bachelor of arts (B.A.) in economics is also available.

The business school also offers a special accelerated bachelor-to-graduate pathway program, leading to a B.S.B.A. in accounting initially, but ultimately to a master of accountancy (M.Acc.). This program is only available to students enrolled as undergraduates pursuing a B.S.B.A. in accounting at Samford and is designed to allow students to earn both the B.S.B.A. and M.Acc. degrees upon completion of 152-153 credits.

In addition, minors are offered in accounting, data analytics, economics, entrepreneurship, general business, marketing, and social entrepreneurship and non-profit management. However, none of the above minors are available for School of Business majors.

The non-degree, pre-business major is for students who are planning to declare a business major, but who must first complete the pre-business curriculum. See Admission into the Brock School of Business subsection for more information.
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*See the Department of World Language and Cultures section for details on language and world trade and the Department of Political Science section for details on public administration.

Student Objectives

B.A. in Economics: Graduates will be able to identify and discuss the importance of key macroeconomic indicators; describe the policy tools which influence economic growth, prices, and employment; identify and explain the major types of market structures; and identify those conditions where market failure is most likely to occur.

B.S.B.A. in Accounting: Graduates will be prepared to pursue a professional career as a CPA, CMA, CIA, auditor, tax accountant, or other positions requiring accounting credentials.

B.S.B.A. in Brock Scholars: Graduates will be prepared to engage in their selected vocation.

B.S.B.A. in Economics: Graduates will be prepared to enter a variety of fields and careers in business and public policy. The economics major is easily paired as a double-major with other programs within the School of Business so that students focusing on accounting, management, marketing, finance, or entrepreneurship will be equipped with both specific skills and a broad general knowledge of economic forces that impact industry and government.

B.S.B.A. in Entrepreneurship: Graduates will be prepared to start or find employment in new, family, or small ventures. Students will be equipped with both specific skills and broad general knowledge of factors impacting the success of these businesses.

B.S.B.A. in Finance: The finance major provides students with the analytic and theoretical tools necessary for mastering practical issues in financial management of private businesses and other financial institutions. Graduates will be prepared to enter a variety of areas in finance-related fields. Such positions include investment banking firms, securities sales, financial planning, commercial banking, securities research, and corporate treasurer functions.

B.S.B.A. in Management: Graduates will be prepared in general knowledge of core functional areas of business, equipped for immediate entry-level positions in functional areas and industries of choice, and trained for the potential long term goal of higher level management positions.

B.S.B.A. in Marketing: Graduates will be prepared to explore opportunities in advertising, sales, market research, retailing, product management, and public relations. The program focuses on marketing for products and services, occurring in for-profit as well as not-for-profit organizations.

B.S.B.A. in Accounting/Master of Accountancy (M.Acc.): Graduates will be prepared to pursue a professional career as a CPA, CMA, CIA, auditor, tax accountant, or other positions requiring accounting credentials.

Concentration in Data Analytics: Coupled with any B.S.B.A. major, this concentration helps immerse students in key analytics concepts such as data management and data mining.

Concentration in Entrepreneurship and Corporate Innovation: Coupled with any B.S.B.A. major, this concentration prepares student to start or find employment in new, family, or large innovative firms. The program will equip students with both specific skills and a broad general knowledge of factors impacting the success of these businesses.

Concentration in Professional Sales: Coupled with any B.S.B.A. major, this concentration helps student prepare for careers in many different business fields where sales skills are valued.

Concentration in Real Estate: Coupled with any B.S.B.A. major, this concentration equips students with the skills and knowledge required for careers in the field of real estate. The concentration is designed to provide preparation for students whose primary focus is in the area of real estate sales or real estate finance.

Concentration in Risk Management and Insurance: Coupled with any B.S.B.A. major, this concentration equips students with the skills required for employment in the areas of risk management and insurance, including those desiring preparation for work as corporate risk managers, as agents/brokers, and with insurance carriers, for both personal and commercial lines of insurance.

Concentration in Social Entrepreneurship: Coupled with any B.S.B.A. major, this concentration equips students to start or find employment in either not-for-profit organizations or for-profit firms pursuing social missions. Students will focus on broad issues, such as the role of these organizations in a national economy, and develop specific skills needed to successfully run these types of organizations.

Concentration in Sports Marketing: Coupled with any B.S.B.A. major, this concentration equips students with the skills necessary for career opportunities in the global sports marketplace. The concentration presents a rigorous curriculum in such areas as sponsorship, international sports marketing, advertising, social media, and analytics while paying close attention to industry trends.

Admission into the Brock School of Business

To be admitted into the Brock School of Business, students must earn a C- or better in each pre-business course, a 2.25 or higher pre-business GPA in business school courses (prefixes ACCT, BUSA, DATA, and ECON, utilizing the highest grade earned in each pre-business course), and a cumulative 2.00 Samford University GPA. Pre-business courses consist of ACCT 211 , ACCT 212 ; BUSA 100 , BUSA 200 , DATA 200 , DATA 201 ; and ECON 201 , ECON 202 .

Admission to the School of Business will be automatic for students who meet the above requirements.

Provisional admission status will be granted if a student meets the 2.25 pre-business GPA and 2.00 Samford GPA requirements, but has not completed at least one pre-business course and/or has not met the C- requirement. Such students will be allowed to take 300-level business courses, but will not be allowed to progress to 400-level business courses until the completion of the one pre-business course and until the C- requirement are met.

Progression Policy

Once admitted into the Brock School of Business, a student must maintain a cumulative 2.00 GPA in School of Business courses to graduate.

Graduation Requirements

Complete a minimum of 128 credits.
Complete at least 50 percent of business courses at Samford. Only six (6) transient hours will be allowed for all business courses from the 100-400 level.

Exception: See Important Note below the Accounting Major table. All lower level transient courses (200-level and below) are to be accepted only from “Accredited Colleges and Universities.” All upper-level courses (300-level and above) are to be accepted only with the approval of the appropriate department chair. The general assumption is that such approval will be granted only when the course has been taken at an AACSB-accredited college or university. No 100- or 200-level transient (transferred) course is equivalent to a 300- or 400-level business course.
Earn a 2.00 GPA in each of the following areas: Samford, business, and the 24 credits which constitute a major. These GPA assessments will utilize the highest grade earned in each pre-business course.
Meet other requirements as outlined by the University.

Exceptions

Approval of course substitutions, prerequisite waivers, or other exceptions to the degree requirements are rare and made only under extreme circumstances. The associate dean or director of undergraduate programs approves such exceptions.

General Education: University Core Curriculum and Distribution Requirements

General Education Distribution Requirements are noted in the individual degree tables. In those cases where a requirement is not specified, see General Education Overview in the Howard College of Arts and Sciences introductory pages for a list of required and applicable courses.

All Brock School of Business majors must take COSC 107 (Introduction to Computer Science) as their general education natural/computational science requirement, ECON 201 (Principles of Macroeconomics) as their general education social science requirement, and MATH 150 (Precalculus) as their general education mathematics requirement.* All pre-business majors must earn a C- or better in MATH 150 and COSC 107 to progress into their major.
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*Brock Scholars-Fellows majors take ECON 201 as a major requirement and MATH 240 (Calculus I) (instead of MATH 150 ) as a University Fellows Core Curriculum requirement.

Language

The study of a language introduces the student to another culture active in the global economy and develops his/her ability to communicate with individuals of that culture. The student may satisfy this requirement by taking eight credits at the 100 level or by proficiency, via language placement, as determined by the Department of World Languages and Cultures , using a combination of the placement test and the high school transcript evaluation.