Sykes College of Business

Business education for the future relies on innovation and adaptation of curriculum programs to ensure that students are ready for a competitive world. A business school faculty must disseminate applicable research knowledge to students and the community to enable them to face the challenges of ever-changing technology and global business practices. The faculty must enable students to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to become effective, visionary leaders and decision-makers with a strong ethical foundation, a global perspective and outstanding communication skills. The College’s mission is promoted through educational programs, scholarship and community engagement.

Vision

To be recognized as the leading business school in the Southeast for preparing future world business leaders.

Mission

Preparing students to succeed in the global marketplace through educational excellence.

Values and Goals

• People First: We attract, develop and support talented students, faculty and staff.
• Teaching Excellence: We focus on teaching excellence and high quality student-centered learning by preparing participants for success in complex business environments.
• Dynamic Programs: We offer academically challenging graduate and undergraduate programs that prepare students for the dynamic local, regional and global workplace.
• Scholarship: We enhance faculty teaching effectiveness and advance business knowledge through impactful intellectual contributions and scholarship.
• Partnership: We form strong partnerships and alliances with universities, communities and businesses that impact our local and global communities by enhancing learning and engagement.

Program Description

In support of its mission, the Sykes College of Business (COB) has developed a curriculum with three interconnected parts, stressing a strong liberal arts foundation, a broad business program base and functional specialization.

The first part of the program focuses on a broad liberal arts and sciences background. Students develop an understanding of the cultural, social, political, economic, international, scientific and technological environments in which individuals and organizations exist.

The second part of the curriculum consists of the business core. These courses provide students with a solid foundation for careers as managers or business-related professionals. This part of the curriculum also provides students with an understanding of the dynamics of the firm and the economy, introducing them to the various functions generic to any organization, as well as to the basic behavioral, managerial and organizational concepts necessary to function successfully in an organization. Students see the interaction between the firm and its environment, gaining an overall view of policy-making within an organization and its function within a global marketplace.

The third component of the curriculum provides students with an opportunity to specialize in a functional area to develop business expertise and a greater mastery of business tools and technology. The curriculum is further enriched by numerous business-community interaction opportunities, e.g., guest presentations from area executives, field trips, internships and class projects focused on real business problems with area companies. It is enhanced by the special activities of the Center for Ethics, the TECO Energy Center for Leadership, the John P. Lowth Entrepreneurship Center, Florida Directors’ Institute, the Institute for Sales Excellence, and the Naimoli Institute for Business Strategy.

Students also learn the basic tools required for effective professional communication. The purpose of this aspect of the curriculum is to build a broad foundation for assuming greater leadership responsibilities over time. The sum total of this three-part curriculum prepares students for competitive careers in business and future roles as leaders in a dynamic global marketplace.

The graduate and undergraduate programs in the Sykes College of Business are accredited by AACSB International — the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. This premier business-accrediting agency emphasizes quality and continuous improvement in curriculum, faculty resources, admissions, degree requirements, library and computer facilities, financial resources and intellectual climate as they relate to the College’s vision and mission.

The bachelor's degree in Management Information Systems is additionally accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET — the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.