The W. A. Franke College of Business Profile
 

Northern Arizona University Profile

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The W. A. Franke College of Business

Undergraduate students: 1,674
Graduate students: 23

Living alumni: 12,623

Faculty: 58 (48 tenure-track)

Undergraduate degrees:
  • Accountancy
  • Business Economics
  • Computer Information Systems
  • Finance
  • Management
  • Marketing

Graduate degree:
  • Master of Business Administration

The W. A. Franke College of Business highlights

•	The college attained the highest level of accreditation by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
•	Eighty-nine percent of courses are taught by full-time, doctoral-qualified faculty.
•	The average class size is 38 students.
•	The college maintains a focus on undergraduate students and also offers a small, fully integrated MBA program.
•	In January 2006, the college opened a new 111,000 square-foot student-centered facility that enhances student/faculty interactions.
•	The college expects significant growth in next year’s freshman class.
	The college centers on experiential learning and providing opportunities to undergraduate students that are often reserved for graduate students. For example:

-	The Student Managed Investment Fund manages $975,000 of the NAU Foundation’s endowment.
-	BizBlock combines three core classes of the business major (management, marketing and business communication) to provide students the opportunity to integrate key business concepts. In groups, students create and present a comprehensive business plan to a panel of regional business leaders.
-	The Executive Shadow Program provides students an opportunity to “shadow” a successful executive (most often College of Business alumni) for a short period.
-	The Professional Leadership Pathways Program offers a set of professional developmental activities that complement the business degree course work.
-	In October 2006, 41 students and two faculty members visited Omaha to tour two of Warren Buffett’s companies and have lunch and a question-and-answer session with Mr. Buffett.

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Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University serves 20,000 students—14,526 undergraduates and 6,036 graduate students—on its main campus in Flagstaff, on the web and at distance sites throughout Arizona.

Northern Arizona University:

•	is committed to outstanding undergraduate education in a residential setting
•	provides access to affordable higher education through distance delivery of graduate and undergraduate programs statewide and online
•	contributes to regional and global stewardship through educational programs, innovative research and collaborative relationships
•	is a leader in providing educational and research services to diverse populations, especially Native Americans
•	creates an environment of inclusion that contributes to a broader learning experience and helps prepare students for a global environment
•	exemplifies an effective, innovative and sustainable learning community

 

The undergraduate experience
NAU offers a comprehensive learning-centered experience that is set apart from other universities in the state.

•	Professors know students by name.
•	Eighty-two percent of full-time faculty members teach undergraduate courses.
•	Small classes foster close student/faculty interaction.
•	Undergraduate engagement includes research and internship opportunities.
•	Faculty and staff collaborate to provide learning communities and other academic support services in the residence halls.

 

Educating a diverse population
NAU is answering a call from the Governor’s Office and the Arizona Legislature to make higher education accessible and affordable to the state’s burgeoning, diverse population.
The university takes seriously its role in educating students to function effectively in an increasingly diverse and global society.

•	NAU ranks fifth in the nation in graduating Native Americans with bachelor’s degrees.
•	NAU ranks second in the nation in granting bachelor’s degrees in education to Native Americans.
•	NAU ranks sixth in the nation for granting bachelor’s degrees in engineering to Native Americans.
•	NAU ranks ninth in the nation in granting bachelor’s degrees in education to Latinos.
•	NAU ranks 15th in the nation in graduating Latinos with master’s degrees.
•	NAU-Yuma recently was designated a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education.
•	NAU is home to the Institute for Native Americans, the Institute for Tribal Environmental Leaders, Native American Student Services, the Multicultural Student Center, the Center for International Education, and the Applied Indigenous Studies program.

 

Did you know?

•	NAU promises to provide students the advisement help and courses necessary to finish obtaining their degree within four years.
•	Ninety-eight percent of graduating seniors rate their overall experience at Northern Arizona University as “excellent” or “very good.”
•	Research and scholarly activities contribute to the economic development of the state and region, have an impact on what is taught in the classroom, and provide opportunities to involve students in the process. Over half of external funding at Northern Arizona University is focused on applied research and service, demonstrating its commitment to the public agenda of the state.
•	Northern Arizona University ranks second among its peers in National Science Foundation research awards.