Image
The College of Business offers undergraduate programs and a Master of Business Administration graduate program, which are supported by our highly qualified and dedicated faculty committed to your success. All programs in the Charles S. Smith College of Business are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Central State is one of 10 HBCUs that hold this specialized accreditation.
The CSU College of Business was named Best Business Program by HBCU Digest in 2018.
Mission and vision
Mission
The College of Business is committed to providing students with a nurturing educational environment to meet their personal and professional endeavors. We emphasize academic excellence in teaching, research, and outreach in a dynamic, global business environment. The college prepares students for careers in business, government, private and public nonprofit organizations, and graduate school. The college takes great care to ensure that graduates are well-rounded individuals through its triad for success, which emphasizes academics, experiential learning, and professional development.
Vision
The College of Business aspires to be globally recognized for preparing graduates for success in business and society.
Master of Business Administration
Become a change agent
Power changes in workplaces with an MBA. Our new Master of Business Administration program can be completed in as little as one year. Take advantage of flexible schedules with a fully online program. The future is ours to change. Join our community of learners to become a change agent for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
Academic programs
The College of Business has two undergraduate programs and one graduate program, the MBA.
- Bachelor of Science in Accounting
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
For information regarding any of the academic programs in the College of Business, please contact the corresponding department chair or MBA coordinator.
-
The post-baccalaureate in business administration prepares students who earned degrees in fields other than business administration for admission into the MBA program at Central State. This post-bac phase allows students to gain the necessary knowledge in core business areas so that students may better understand the concepts and terms presented in MBA classes. Students in the post-baccalaureate phase must complete the following courses:
- Business Statistics
- Economics (Macroeconomics or Microeconomics)
- Financial Accounting
- Management and Organizational Behavior
- Principles of Finance
- Principles of Marketing
Once the foundational courses are successfully completed, students in the post-baccalaureate program may be eligible for admission into the MBA program. Because these courses are required in the business degree, students must earn a C or better in each course to pass. In some cases, students may have already successfully completed one or more of the courses in their undergraduate program of study. Those students will only need to take the courses that have not been completed. Students should check their undergraduate transcripts and notify their academic advisor should this apply to them.
Note: Applicants for the MBA program who hold four-year degrees in areas other than business administration will automatically be considered for the post-baccalaureate in business.
-
The Business Advisory Council (BAC) is the advisory body for the College of Business. Members specifically advise the dean through three committees that function on behalf of the college and students in the COB. Members represent organizations from the Miami Valley of Ohio, the state of Ohio, the U.S., and the global community.
BAC Members
- Mr. Charmane Adams, Grant Thornton LLC
- Ms. Ayanna Bennett, JPMC Bank
- Mr. Keith Borders, Union Savings Bank & Guardian Savings Bank
- Ms. Monica Brown, CV Group
- Mr. Rusty Clark, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
- Mr. Dwight Dewberry, PNC Bank
- Ms. Elaine Diggs, Corporate HR, American Electric Power
- Mr. Ian Duff, Xylem
- Mr. Keith Edwards, Alumni Member, KBRwyle
- Mr. Garrett Young, Wright Patt Credit Union
- Ms. Sanserrae Frazier, First Financial Bank
- Mr. Jonathan Gaupp, Walmart Transportation
- Ms. Micah Harris, Alumni Member
- Mr. Kunta Jackson, Alumni Member (Treasurer)
- Mr. Wayne Knox, COB Alumni Member (Vice Chair)
- Mr. Eugene Lee, Alumni Member, LinkedIn
- Ms. Tiara Love, Alumni Member (Secretary)
- Ms. Natasha Martin, Key Bank
- Dr. Shendorah Nalls Fisher, Microsoft Company
- Mr. Maxton Singletary, Alumni Member (Chair)
- Mr. Ernie Sullivan, Sullivan Staffing Strategies
- Ms. Kenya Taylor, JPMC Bank
Emeritus BAC Members
- Mr. Ron Cosey
- Mr. Vernon Ford
- Mr. Isaiah (Ike) Lipsey
- Mr. Willie Roberts
- Ms. Marya Rutherford-Long
- Alphonso Smith
- Stacy M. Thompson
- Ms. Urcelle Willis (deceased)
-
Asia Brown (CSU Student Trustee)
Major: Business Administration
Concentration: Marketing
Nasaan Jackson
Major: Business Administration
Concentration: Agribusiness
Celestino Oquendo-Richey
Major: Business Administration
Concentration: Finance
Darielle Major
Major: Business Administration
Concentration: Management & Management Information Systems
Gabrielle Major
Major: Accounting
Ivory Payne
Major: Business Administration
Concentration: Marketing
Esther Philippe
Major: Accounting
Stacy Powell-Griffith (Miss COB)
Major: Business Administration
Concentration: Finance
Kyron Thomas
Major: Business Administration
Concentration: Finance & Management
Shyanne Walker
Major; Business Administration
Concentration: Entrepreneurship
Alexes Johnson
Major: Business Administration
Concentration: International Business
-
Recipients were awarded scholarships during the spring semester of 2026 and fall 2026 to be used during the 2026-27 academic year. All scholarships were decided by a committee or private contributors. The College of Business is proud to have partners who support the mission of Central State. Congratulations to all the recipients and honorees!
2026/2027 Scholarship Recipients
Kyron Thomas Ron and Lisa Cosey Academic Scholarship Esther Phillipe Ron and Lisa Cosey Academic Scholarship Ashley Young Ron and Lisa Cosey Academic Scholarship Shyanne Walker Ron and Lisa Cosey Academic Scholarship Brooklyn Wilson Ron and Lisa Cosey Academic Scholarship DezAraya Walton Grange Insurance Academic Scholarship Jaydon Houser Grange Insurance Academic Scholarship Jayden McGregor Grange Insurance Academic Scholarship Brittany Leahr Grange Insurance Academic Scholarship Justin Brown James and Emily Turner Academic Scholarship Delvyn Daxon James and Emily Turner Academic Scholarship Kiylah Muhammad-Drinks James and Emily Turner Academic Scholarship Cianna Farquharson James and Emily Turner Academic Scholarship Shakinah Finlayson James and Emily Turner Academic Scholarship Nevaeh Jean-Baptiste James and Emily Turner Academic Scholarship Ashyia Maddickes James and Emily Turner Academic Scholarship Gabrielle Major James and Emily Turner Academic Scholarship -
ACBSP accreditation
Central State University’s College of Business received a 10-year accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) in 2015.
Established in 1988, ACBSP is the only organization offering specialized business accreditation for all degree levels, from associate and baccalaureate to doctoral degree programs. ACBSP accreditation certifies that the teaching and learning processes within the College of Business at Central State University meet the rigorous educational standards established by ACBSP.
The accreditation covers both undergraduate degree programs offered in the college. Bachelor of Science degrees are offered in Accounting and Business Administration, including all concentrations.
The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree program currently has eight concentrations, which are all accredited by ACBSP. The concentrations are agribusiness, entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality management, international business, management, management information systems, and marketing.
The MBA (Master of Business Administration) Degree launched in 2021 received initial ACBSP accreditation in November 2025. The program was accredited as a part of the reaffirmation for the undergraduate programs. As of November 2025, all the academic programs and certificates in the Charles S. Smith College of Business are “unconditionally accredited” by ACBSP.
The accreditation acknowledges the University’s commitment to teaching excellence and quality improvement.
Assessment reports
2025-2026 Peregrine Outbound Comparison (Accounting)
2025-2026 Peregrine Outbound Comparison (Business Administration)
2024-2025 Peregrine Outbound Comparison (Accounting)
2024-2025 Peregrine Outbound Comparison (Business Administration)
2023-2024 Peregrine Outbound Comparison (Accounting)
2023-2024 Peregrine Outbound Comparison (Business Administration)
2022-2023 Peregrine Outbound Comparison (Accounting)
2022-2023 Peregrine Outbound Comparison (Business Administration)
2018 to 2022 Peregrine Outbound Comparison (Accounting)
2018 to 2022 Peregrine Outbound Comparison (Business Administration)
Earn a degree in three years
Now, students can get a Bachelor of Science in three years.
Central State University and other Ohio public colleges and universities are implementing plans to enable students to complete traditional bachelor's degrees in three years. The three-year graduation plan was created to demonstrate that it is possible for students to graduate in fewer than four years.
A three-year graduation plan is not recommended for every student. In addition to close interaction with faculty advisors at the onset, the following specifications are assumed:
- No remedial coursework is required.
- The student does not fail any classes.
- The student does not change their major.
- The student is willing to take classes each summer.
Central State University students must earn 120 credits to complete the three-year degree. Credits may be granted on a case-by-case basis using Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination (CLEP), Transfer, and Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) credits. Participating degree programs include two summer sessions. More details to follow.
Three-year business degree options
- BS in Accounting
- BS in Business Administration — management option approved for online delivery
Apply now
If you are ready to step into your future, apply online today. Simply complete the application, upload your documents, and have your transcripts emailed to graduateadmission@centralstate.edu.
Meet our faculty and staff
