Important Changes to Excelsior Business Degrees

[barcotta]

I received the following email from Excelsior today and, although assumably all registered business students will also receive it, I wanted to get the word out along with some additional information I received re. accreditation and the BGB degree:

Dear Student:

In order to reflect current practice at other business schools, we will be
changing the titles of our BS in Business degrees. Effective July 1, 2008,
the ten separate degrees will be consolidated into one BS in Business
degree with the same common core, but with ten concentrations. For
example: the BS degree in Marketing will now be the BS in Business with a
Marketing concentration. There will be no changes in current degree
requirements at this time. (This title change does not pertain to the BS
in Accounting/New York State CPA Track degrees.)

The above title changes will go into effect on July 1, 2008, for students
who enroll on or after that date. Students currently enrolled will have
until June 30, 2009, to receive their current degrees. All students who
enrolled prior to July 1, 2008, and have not received their degrees by
June 30, 2009, will be transferred into the program with the new title on
July 1, 2009.

If you have further questions, please contact one of your academic advisors
via this mailbox, or by calling the number below.

Sincerely,
The Business Advising Team

This left me with one question: What will the Bachelor of Science in General Business become? Answer: "Bachelor of Science in Business", period. I received that information from Sandy on the business team. Additionally I checked on the pending IACBE accreditation for the business program and it appears that it has been approved--although there has been no announcement as of today and their status is still showed as "pending" on the IACBE web site. While not as prestigious as the AACSB, it's better than nothing and I, for one, given the choice, would prefer the extra accreditation. Now I have to decide--do I prefer a BS in General Business or a BS in Business. Any thoughts out there?

[Epiphany]

Michael,

Thank you posting this. There are a number of us out here cautiously making our way through some of the requirements before applying to EC.

I personally like "Business" better then the sound of the "General Business". But I don't think it will make much of an impact either way.

[gus]

Yeah, I think the winners here are those enrolled/enrolling in the General Business program.

As for the rest of us who are going for specific majors, it could be a shame. I am eligible for a BS in Management Information Systems, having a degree that says BS in Business with a concentration in MIS sounds a lot different (the weight is somewhat less on the MIS part). in the first case, I can always say it's a business degree when I wish to emphasize the foundation/background while still having the concentration seem important.

I think it'll ultimately affect degree program selection with an increasing number of people going for the general degree.

But I also feel that the switch, as Excelsior has already stated, is in line with the way other business schools offer program titles. It may also be due to accreditation requirements?

[barcotta]

But I also feel that the switch, as Excelsior has already stated, is in line with the way other business schools offer program titles. It may also be due to accreditation requirements?

I don't know if the "core" issue is more in line or not, but the one thing that is not in line at all is the absense of the word "administration". 99 out of every 100 business degrees are offered as Bachelors in Business Administration or Bachelors of Science in Business Administration. (B.B.A. or B.S.B.A). Just try to find something called a Bachelors in Business or a Bachelors in General Business from any other college. Even TESC has a BSBA.

I wrote them an email strongly encouraging them to add the word "administration" to at least the general degree and I would encourage everyone else to do the same (busteam@excelsior.edu). It never occurred to me that they would or could change the name--but since they are, and since TESC offers a BSBA under a similar model, the addition of "administration" would GREATLY benefit ALL business degree recipients. Just check the want ads. A B.B.A. is a VERY common requirement, with nary a BGB or a BB in sight!

[bmills072200]

I have a question about this: If I enroll before July 1 2008, but I graduate before July1 2009, do I get the option of either title or do I have to have the "General Business" title? I personally prefer the new title Bachelor of Science Business...

Let me know if someone knows the answer

[snazzlefrag]

I don't know if the "core" issue is more in line or not, but the one thing that is not in line at all is the absense of the word "administration".

Hi Barcotta,

The difference between a Bachelor of Science in Business and a Bachelor of Business Administration is basically just one of terminology. In common usage, the two degrees are interchangable and the difference in degree title is often merely a result of bureaucratic technicalities within the administration of the various universities.

There will always be some differences in the specific coursework required at different colleges, even amongst degrees with the exact same title. But, for the most part, if you compare the required coursework of a BBA with that of a BS in Business, you will find there isn't much difference at all.

I do agree, however, that the BBA seems to be the more common of the two business degree titles. I also think that "BBA" makes most sense since the most common graduate business degree is the "MBA".

Just my two cents,
Snazzlefrag

[barcotta]

My advisor at EC informed me that the Business Program is now accredited by the IACBE (International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education). Here's a link to the Excelsior page at the IACBE web site. Pretty interesting stuff.

Check out the photo of, assumably, the EC staff. Quite a diverse group. Also, the IACBE notes two areas for future improvement:

Principle 1.0: Outcomes Assessment
Principle 4.1: Faculty Qualifications

I believe that they're looking for more feedback from graduates and, perhaps, their employers in Principle 1.0, and Principle 4.1 sounds to me like they would like to see EC employ more folks with doctorates. I assume that one way to keep costs managable is to hire qualified teachers who may not be the most credentialed available--but can still get the job done. You hardly need someone with a doctorate to teach some of the introductory courses they offer, but, I'm sure it looks better to everyone when your teachers and staff have a long list of credentials.

No formal announcement from EC yet. Maybe next month?

In any event, as I posted earlier, some program accreditation (in addition to RA) is better than none, and while the IACBE isn't the top of the heap--I'll still be glad to have it.

[Nato76]

Can the BS in Business at Excelsior be completely tested out?

[gcalvin]

Can the BS in Business at Excelsior be completely tested out?

No. You have to take the Business Strategy course, and there is currently no exam to cover the Managerial Accounting requirement.

-Gary-

[gus]

In any event, as I posted earlier, some program accreditation (in addition to RA) is better than none, and while the IACBE isn't the top of the heap--I'll still be glad to have it.

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Agreed.