College of Business, Education, and Professional Studies

The College of Business, Education and Professional Studies (BEPS) is guided by the mission and vision of Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) which is to prepare students to meet the complex challenges of this century as engaged citizens in their local and global communities. The College promotes the “Southwest Experience” through strong academic programs. Our programs are designed to provide experiential learning to our students through internships and connections to businesses by engaging in meaningful partnerships.

The College is comprised of four schools: Business, Education, Agriculture and Graduate Studies. The departments of Agriculture, Culinology®, Hospitality Management, and Nursing are also housed within the College. Other units of the college are: Extended Learning and Academic Outreach and the Small Business Development Center. The School of Business houses the Department of Business Innovation & Strategy, the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and the Southwest Marketing Advisory Center. The School of Education houses the Department of Education. The School of Agriculture houses the Department of Agriculture and Applied Economics. The School of Graduate Studies is comprised of the following programs: the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Education Graduate programs.

There are several majors and minors offered within the College of Business, Education and Professional Studies. Degrees are offered at the A.S., B.S., B.A.S., and MBA levels on campus and through web-based methods and/or online. Degrees are offered in the following programs: Accounting, Agribusiness Management, Agronomy, Culinology®, Finance, Hospitality Management, Marketing, and Management. Minors and associate degrees are also offered in several disciplines. The Master of Business Administration (MBA) has three concentrations: General Management, Leadership, and Marketing.

Four undergraduate majors and several licensure programs are offered within the School of Education. Undergraduate degrees are offered at the B.S. level in the following areas: Early Childhood Special Education; birth - age 6; Early Childhood; birth – grade 3 (on and off-campus); K-6 Elementary Education, Physical Education, Adult Education Credentialing and Secondary Education. Education Department also offers the Master of Science (MS) with a major in education and emphasis in Teaching, Learning, and Leadership; Reading; English; Mathematics and Sports Leadership. The Master of Science In Special Education is offered online for Autism Spectrum Disorders, Developmental Delay, Emotional Behavioral Disorder and Learning Disabilities emphasis.  The Master of Science in Education program is offered On-campus for the Teaching, Learning and Leadership; Reading; Mathematics; and Sports Leadership emphases and Online/blended for the English and Mathematics emphases. This off-campus, graduate program provides Midwest educators an opportunity to pursue graduate study while building valuable professional relationships with fellow educators.

The Office of Licensure and Placement is also housed in the School of Education.