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School of Business

The first business classes were taught at the University of Alberta in 1916 by professors at the School of Accountancy, and, in 1924, the first Bachelor of Commerce degrees were granted. In 1968, the Faculty of Business Administration and Commerce, as the School of Business was known then, became the first business school in Canada to be granted accreditation by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business.

In 2007, there were 2,200 students in the BCom and MBA programs. The School of Business is known for its excellence in research and teaching and has received four prestigious 3M Awards for University Teaching, more than any other Canadian business school. Campus Saint-Jean partnered with the School of Business to establish the first fully bilingual BCom program in Canada. The Financial Times of London has ranked the School of Business forty-fifth globally for excellence in published academic research, thus placing the School within the top 25 publicly funded business schools in the world.

The School of Business is made up of the following four departments:

• Accounting and Management Information Systems
• Finance and Management Science
• Marketing, Business Economics, and Law
• Strategic Management and Organization

Students must complete a year of university and take courses in English, economics, mathematics, and statistics before gaining admission into the Bachelor of Commerce program. The School of Business offers numerous degrees as well as a Cooperative Education program where students alternate periods of paid work experience with school terms. MBA and PhD programs are also offered.

The School of Business has strong ties to the wider business community. The Business Advisory Council offers leadership and advice to the School and is made up of members of Canada's business community. The Office of Placement Services at the School of Business has developed relationships with employers and can assist students in launching their careers. Business graduates follow numerous and diverse career paths in fields such as independent entrepreneurship, financial planning, and accountancy.

The School of Business is also active outside the province. The School of Business Centre for International Business Studies facilitates international efforts and forges links with other nations. Students from the School of Business also participate in competitions and conferences across the country, such as the Manitoba School of Business International Marketing Competition.

Students at the School of Business have the opportunity to participate in numerous activities. The Business Students' Association is very active and facilitates numerous networking events. The School of Business also supports the Rocky Mountain Business Seminar, Canada's largest, longest-running student-led business and commerce conference. The Seminar was established in 1965 and continues to provide a unique educational and networking experience for students, business representatives, and faculty members.

The Winspear Business Reference Library is located in the Business Building and houses the non-circulating business reference collection, the reserve collection for graduate courses, and current issues of popular business newspapers. It also provides a space for business students to study and conduct research.

For more information on the School of Business, please visit its website.