A Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Entrepreneurship was approved for Rogers State University by the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma, the governing board for RSU, at its meeting in Ardmore on Monday, June 20.
The new program will now be submitted for approval to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
The B.A. in Social Entrepreneurship degree is designed to provide students with the education necessary to embark on a career in the administration of social service agencies, nonprofit organizations, or government agencies. It will be administered by the Department of History and Political Science. Dr. Steve Housel, assistant professor of political science, will serve as the program director.
“Social entrepreneurship blends the pragmatism of business with the inspiration of social improvement,” Housel said. “Students who can view situations from multiple perspectives, who understand the importance of collaboration, and who can fully commit to both values and results make good candidates for this degree.”
Five new courses will be created to support the program: Nonprofit Fiscal Management, Nonprofit Arts Management, Social Entrepreneurship, Grants and Compliance, and Fundraising, Events, and Major Gifts.
Students in other programs also will be able to pursue minors in Social Entrepreneurship or Nonprofit Administration.
“The higher level of scrutiny directed toward nonprofit organizations and public sector agencies make it clear that innovative, effective solutions to social problems are in high demand,” Housel said.
There is no comparable Social Entrepreneurship major in the state; however, all of the existing program courses are standards in business and public administration and will transfer accordingly. The five new courses may transfer to other institutions as electives.