The Azusa Pacific University School of Business Administration (SBM) strives to innovate and adapt to meet the needs of its students. Headed by Interim Dean Roxanne Helm Stephens (DBA) and a team of accomplished faculty members, SBM has expanded its offerings to provide opportunities for students to progress before graduation. One of the ways SBM is doing this is by embedding credentials and micro-credentials into classes like Excel, Google Digital Garage, and Hootsuite. According to Helm Stevens, these credentials help students differentiate themselves from their competitors when meeting prospective employers.
Recently, SBM was awarded the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) gold standard accreditation. Todd Pheifer, Director of Accreditation, Evaluation, and Grants at SBM, EdD, announced that the school has been accredited for up to seven years. Graduates of SBM have gone on to hold high-level positions with top global companies, while others have started their own successful businesses. When IACBE interviewed employers who hired SBM graduates, the program received excellent feedback and praise for its innovation and creativity.
To meet the needs of working professionals, SBM launched APUx, a program dedicated to providing an extended learning experience. This program offers several workshops, certificates, certifications, licenses, and courses that students can take regardless of their age or degree status. Whether students want to upskill in their current job or reskill and change careers, APUx has something to offer.
Fees vary by workshop, certificate, and course, and some options are offered at a reduced cost or for free. These services are available for individuals or groups and can be customized for organizations. APUx has partnered with prominent organizations such as LinkedIn, Habitat for Humanity, Kaiser Permanente, Cigna Healthcare, and the US Navy.
APU business students can also be included in the Sigma Iota Epsilon (SIE), an academic honors body founded in 1964. SIE’s mission is to stimulate performance in the fields of management, academics, and research. APU has confirmed that in 2022, Helm Stevens was unanimously approved as SIE president. SIE will move its domestic headquarters to APU in the Spring 2023 semester.
As business needs change, SBM is committed to helping students find employment in top companies and create their own successful businesses. The school continues to adapt while providing the tools students need to contribute to the business world and make an impact. Visit apu.edu/business to learn more about the opportunities available to SBM students. The post was made on May 15, 2023.