Exploring the Poole College of Management Programs at NC State University

The Poole College of Management at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina, stands as a prominent institution dedicated to providing comprehensive business education. Accredited by the AACSB in 2000, the college enrolls over 3,500 students across its diverse undergraduate and graduate programs. This article delves into the various aspects of the Poole College of Management, exploring its history, academic programs, faculty, student life, and its commitment to applied learning and innovation.

A Brief History

Established in 1992, the College of Management at NC State University has a rich history of growth and development. In 1993, Richard Lewis was appointed as the college's first full-time dean, and the Master of Accounting program was established that same year. Jon Bartley succeeded Lewis as dean in 1999. A significant milestone was achieved in 2000 when the college received accreditation from the AACSB. The Master of Business Administration degree was created in 2002, further expanding the college's offerings. In 2007, the graduate programs were named the Jenkins Graduate School of Management, honoring Benjamin (Ben) P. Jenkins. A transformative moment arrived in 2010 when Lonnie Poole, founder of Raleigh-based Waste Industries, and his wife Carol Johnson Poole, made a generous gift to NC State, leading to the college being named the Lonnie C. Poole Jr. Steve and Judy Zelnak contributed a $4 million donation in 2014, endowing the dean's chair. Frank Buckless assumed the role of the college's fifth dean in May 2019, succeeding Annette L.

Academic Programs: Undergraduate Studies

The Poole College of Management delivers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, alongside non-degree business training through NC State Executive Education. Undergraduate students can pursue degrees in accounting, business administration, and economics.

Business Administration: A Closer Look

The Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration provides a solid foundation in core business functions. The curriculum emphasizes ethical and global awareness, communication skills, and critical thinking for decision-making. NC State’s Business Administration program equips students with the business knowledge and analytical skills needed by companies across various industries. Hands-on and project-oriented courses and labs provide real-world experiences that students can apply to today’s business challenges. Students engage with actual companies and industry partners through clubs, projects, and internship opportunities to develop practical experiences.

Academic Programs: Jenkins Graduate Programs

The Jenkins Graduate Programs offer a variety of advanced degrees, including a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Accounting (MAC), Master of Management (MM), and Master's and Doctoral Degrees in Economics. These programs share an emphasis on applied learning, attracting top faculty widely recognized for their research and industry experience.

Read also: Navigating NC State Financial Aid

Master of Accounting (MAC)

The Jenkins Master of Accounting (MAC) program is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of accounting and business practices, as well as a rigorous technical accounting education. Students choose between two tracks, public accounting or business & industry, to meet the needs of their career goals in the accounting profession. The program requires 31 credit hours for the Public Accounting Track and 30 credit hours for the Business and Industry Track. It is available in online or in-person formats, with both part-time and full-time options. The MAC program is ideal for individuals interested in excelling and differentiating themselves in the field of accounting via a top-ranked master’s program. With a 100% employment rate, their AACSB-accredited on-campus and online programs are designed to prepare students for both the CPA exam and a lifetime career success in accounting.

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

The Jenkins Master of Business Administration (MBA) program takes a hands-on learning approach that immerses students in the real world and prepares them to apply skills the next day. Students can deepen their area of study by enrolling in one or a few certificates: Business analytics, business leadership, business sustainability, marketing, finance, operations and supply chain management, and technology entrepreneurship and commercialization. The program requires 54 credit hours for full-time students and 40 credit hours for online students. It is available in online or in-person formats, with both part-time and full-time options. The MBA program is ideal for students seeking unrivaled leadership potential through a holistic understanding of business administration. Pursue a high-value top-ranked MBA that fits your lifestyle--in person, online or by mixing the two.

Master of Management, Marketing Analytics Concentration (MMA)

The Jenkins Master of Management, Marketing Analytics concentration (MMA) teaches students advanced techniques in leveraging meaningful marketing insights through data analysis to increase ROI and drive growth. Having this critical practical knowledge can be a tremendous asset in a workforce that is investing in analytics more than ever before. The program requires 30 credit hours and is offered online, part-time. The MMA program is ideal for individuals interested in a career in marketing founded in a strong, analytical skill set that leads to optimal strategic decision-making.

Master of Management, Risk and Analytics Concentration (MRA)

The Jenkins Master of Management, Risk and Analytics concentration (MRA) prepares students to meet the recent demand for enterprise-wide expertise in managing and mitigating risks. This program lays a foundation in data analytics and enterprise risk management, supported by real-world, hands-on experience. The program requires 30 credit hours and is offered online, part-time. The MRA program is ideal for individuals interested in a specialized degree in an emerging field of risk management with a strong analytical focus.

Faculty and Instruction

Poole College of Management faculty bring years of professional experience along with solid academic training into classrooms. Many are active in corporate consulting and serve on the boards of directors of major corporations. A large number of the college’s faculty are members of NC State University’s Academy of Outstanding Teachers, and many others have been honored for their teaching, research, and service.

Centers and Initiatives

The Poole College of Management houses several centers and initiatives that enhance the learning experience and provide opportunities for students to engage with real-world business challenges. These include:

Entrepreneurship Collaborative (EC): The EC focuses on developing students who create new entrepreneurship opportunities.
Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Initiative: Focuses on advancing risk management practices.
Supply Chain Resource Cooperative (SCRC): Provides education and research in supply chain management.
Business Sustainability Collaborative (BSC): Promotes sustainable business practices.
NC State Entrepreneurship Clinic: A pipeline of talent through engagement.

Student Life and Opportunities

Numerous student organizations are housed in the Poole College to provide undergraduate students a wide range of exposure to business in practice. Students are encouraged to become active in the clubs and organizations aligned with their chosen major and/or concentration in order to develop networking skills and professional contacts. The Poole College of Management is committed to providing the support services to enable students to succeed. Through the generous support of alumni, friends and corporate partners, the Poole College of Management offers a limited number of highly competitive scholarships to current and incoming students, in addition to any available university-wide awards.

Hamilton Scholars Program

Hamilton Scholars is a double major program offered collaboratively by the Poole College of Management and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHASS). In four years, students can complete two degrees: one from the Poole College of Management in either Accounting, Business Administration or Economics and the second from CHASS in International Studies. The Hamilton Scholars program includes extracurricular activities and requires at least one study abroad experience.

Commitment to Applied Learning

The Poole College of Management places a strong emphasis on applied learning. As a student in the Poole College of Management, you gain a solid business foundation with in-depth training in your chosen field. From day one, you will dive into core coursework that provides a comprehensive business perspective and join in out-of-classroom experiences that build professionalism. By your junior year, you will be equipped to move into advanced courses in your chosen field. When considering the curriculum, it extends beyond classroom instruction to encompass the entire learning experience offered by the college. Through active integration of research, innovation and education, the Poole College of Management drives excellence - in classrooms and in business and industry.

Rankings and Recognition

News & World Report consistently ranks programs among the best in analytics, and Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine rank entrepreneurship programs highly.

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