If all goes as hoped, Armstrong Atlantic State University could get the go-ahead to offer a bachelor of science in business economics as early as the fall of 2014.
The university already offers a bachelor’s degree in economics. But, based on the popularity of the business economics track within that degree, AASU submitted a prospectus to the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia asking to offer business economics as its own degree.
“We offer three different tracks in our economics degree program — general economics, business economics and international economics,” said Laura Barrett, dean of the College of Liberal Arts.
“Participation in the business economics track has grown by 45 percent in the last two years, so it seemed logical to offer it as a separate degree, building on Armstrong’s liberal arts foundation.”
The board of regents apparently also sees some merit in the idea. After reviewing the prospectus, they have invited AASU’s Department of Economics to submit a full proposal for the degree.
Different focus
Business economics is a specialized area of economics that uses economic analysis to make strategic business and management decisions, according to Michael Toma, Fuller E. Callaway Professor of Economics at AASU and director of Armstrong’s Center for Regional Analysis.
“This business degree will incorporate the development of practical skills useful in
addressing the complexity and ambiguity of human and resource management common in the workplace,” Toma said in a letter to Armstrong supporters. “The coursework will foster integrative thinking skills, allowing graduates to review many, often opposing, data and phenomena that bear upon a problem, find connections, determine patterns, and resolve conflicts.”
The degree will emphasize the need for strong communication skills and ethical business practices and behavior, while paying particular attention to the development of students’ “soft skills,” Toma said.
“It will prepare its graduates for a knowledge-based economy that relies on creativity and critical thinking while providing the quantitative skills essential for the analysis of business problems,” he added.
Additional coursework in a required minor will provide students with the background to be successful in specific workplace environments, such as tourism, health services, general management, performing arts, and nonprofit management.
The university is working on the proposal now and expects it to be reviewed by the Board of Regents in April.
“If they give it the OK, the best-case scenario would have us offering the degree beginning in the fall of 2014,” Barrett said, adding the business economics degree is designed to complement, rather than compete with, Savannah State University’s business programs.
SSU’s College of Business Administration offers programs of study leading to both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration. Areas of specialization at SSU include accounting, computer information systems, global logistics & international business, management and marketing.
Community support
Savannah businessman and Armstrong alumni Ray Gaster is an enthusiastic supporter of the proposed new degree. In his role as a member of the advisory board for AASU’s economics department, Gaster has emailed business leaders in the community, urging them to write letters of support to be included in the proposal that will go to the Board of Regents early next year.
“We need you to join in this effort that will enable Armstrong to continue its roll of providing future business leaders for Savannah and the surrounding communities,” he wrote.
Cliff McCurry, who attended Armstrong before graduating from the University of Georgia, agreed.
“This new degree embodies attributes employers are looking for — critical thinking, communication and problem-solving skills,” said McCurry, founder of the Nick Mamalakis Emerging Leaders program at Armstrong.
“I’ve had the opportunity to meet a number of students coming out of AASU’s economics programs and they have all been very impressive,” he said. “This degree will offer even more tools to help them succeed.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
• On Armstrong Atlantic State University’s bachelor’s degree in economics, go to http://www.armstrong.edu/Majors/degree/economic
• On Savannah State University’s College of Business Administration, go to http://www.savannahstate.edu/coba/colleges.shtml