WKU News

A collaborative partnership signed last week will assist students from Kentucky Wesleyan College achieve a graduate degree in accounting, applied economics, or earn an MBA from the Gordon Ford College of Business (GFCB) at Western Kentucky University.

Students will be able to effectively coordinate their academic plans to obtain the bachelor’s and master’s degrees through this partnership. Advising staff and faculty from the GFCB will assist students clarify their academic path to graduate school through regular visits to the Kentucky Wesleyan campus. Additionally, the colleges have established the “WKU-Kentucky Wesleyan College Scholars” program, allowing the GFCB to provide up to two Graduate Assistantships to Kentucky Wesleyan College graduates attending graduate school. As a “Preferred Partner Program,” Kentucky Wesleyan will actively promote GFCB graduate programs on its campus.

Kentucky Wesleyan President Barton D. Darrell joined GFCB Dean Jeff Katz, GFCB Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research Bob Hatfield, and Dean of the WKU Graduate School Scott Lyons to sign a Memorandum of Agreement on Friday, August 4.

“This partnership allows the Gordon Ford College of Business to extend its student-centered approach to applied business education to our friends at Kentucky Wesleyan College,” said Dean of the GFCB Jeff Katz.  “We know that Kentucky Wesleyan students will add unique and thoughtful perspectives to the classroom and hope they will realize the benefit of continuing their education with our outstanding faculty. President Bart Darrell has been a transformational leader at Kentucky Wesleyan College and we are excited by this opportunity to be partners for the benefit of our students and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.”

"We are pleased to partner with the Gordon Ford College of Business and their graduate programs,” said President Darrell. “Kentucky Wesleyan has a rich history of producing tremendous leaders in business and industry, and both institutions will benefit from this collaboration. 

The graduate programs in the Gordon Ford College of Business are highly regarded, and we are proud to partner in this way.  We believe our students will receive high level graduate degrees, and we also think our students will bring even more prestige to the programs there."

“We are very excited to be aligned with the Gordon Ford College of Business and their graduate programs,” said Dr. Leslie Korb, associate professor of management and co-director of professional studies. “This partnership is a testament to the high quality of a Kentucky Wesleyan Center for Business studies education. Our accounting students consistently excel on the CPA exam and outperform students from most colleges and universities in the Commonwealth.

This partnership will provide an outstanding educational experience and career preparation for our business and accounting students.”

Students may apply for graduate programs within the partnership beginning in the spring semester of 2018.

“Kentucky Wesleyan College graduates will be able to earn a high-quality MBA in just one year,” said Dr. Bob Hatfield. “The full-time MBA program meets on WKU’s main campus in a face-to-face format. The program is an accelerated program and yet still contains special features like an MBA case, where students work with a real organization to solve a business issue.”

The Gordon Ford College of Business holds dual accreditation in both its business and accounting programs with the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

The Kentucky Wesleyan College Center for Business Studies business administration and accounting programs are accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE).