Academic Catalog

College of Business and Economic Development

Department website: https://www.atu.edu/business

The College of Business and Economic Development is the home of the School of Business and the two leading business industries in Arkansas: Agriculture and Tourism. The School of Business offers general programs in Accounting, Finance, Business Data Analytics, Digital Marketing, Management, and Health Information Management. The Department of Agriculture and Tourism offers specialized degrees in the areas of Agriculture, Recreation and Park Administration, and Hospitality Administration. The department also contains a working cattle/swine farm operation and an industrial kitchen where students receive hands-on training in their respective fields.

School of Business

The mission of the School of Business at Arkansas Tech University is to offer dynamic academic programs that enable our graduates to add value at all levels of employment. These programs will emphasize business acumen, experiential learning, development of interpersonal skills, and a solid foundation in both ethical and data-driven decision making.

The School of Business offers majors in six different fields, along with five certificate programs, five minors, and an Associate Degree. The objective of all degree programs is to offer an academic base that equips students to be life-long learners who will then mature as professionals in the world of business.

Students who plan to pursue graduate studies should consider the Accelerated Bachelor to MBA degree. Students in this program are allowed to enroll in graduate courses during their senior year of undergraduate study and have those courses count for BOTH their undergraduate and MBA degree. Faculty advisors will work closely with you in planning your course work within this program.

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree programs offered by the College of Business and Economic Development are accredited by AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. AACSB International is the premier accrediting agency for business schools, stressing academic excellence and a commitment to continuous improvement. Approximately one third of the business schools in the United States and several selected schools internationally have earned AACSB International accreditation.

The Health Information Management Program is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) in cooperation with the American Health Information Management Association’s Council on Accreditation. 

Department of Agriculture & Tourism

The mission of the Department of Agriculture & Tourism is to offer dynamic programs grounded in experiential learning that enable our graduates to add value to the agriculture and tourism industries. These programs will emphasize technical knowledge, leadership and community development, while embracing diversity and promoting healthy lifestyles.

The Department of Agriculture & Tourism offers majors in four different fields, with a total of 11 options/emphases areas, along with three minors, and two certificates. The objective of all degree programs is to offer an academic base that equips students to be life-long learners who will then mature as professionals in the agriculture or tourism industries. The BS in Agricultural Education is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP); the BS in Hospitality Administration is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA); and the BS in Recreation & Park Administration is accredited by the Council on Accreditation – Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT).