About the Sorrell College of Business

Troy University’s business education history dates back over 100 years. As documented in the 1898-1899 State Normal College, Troy, Alabama handbook, The State Normal Business College (successor to the Porter’s Business College) started with a tradition of providing “the distinction of being the highest grade business college in the State, and the only one in the South giving a professional course and conferring degrees.” This historical documentation reveals that business courses were available to “[s]tudents of the State Normal College” and they were offered the opportunity of “special hours” being available for course offerings and “very liberal arrangements made as to cost.”

For many years to follow, the Sorrell College of Business was known as the “Business Department.” In 1971 the School of Business and Commerce was formally established. Ten years later, in June of 1981 the Sorrell College of Business and Commerce was named in honor of the late Jeff Sorrell—a prominent businessman and land owner in Pike County who bequeathed a substantial sum to the University and particularly the business school upon his death.

The Sorrell College of Business currently is organized into three departments—the School of Accountancy, and Business Programs, and Risk Management & Insurance. Each of these departments offers high quality curriculums to challenge the students of today to becoming the business leaders of tomorrow. Faculty members are highly qualified and have diverse academic and business backgrounds. Because these faculty members have “real-world” experiences, classroom instruction focuses on the true application of academic concepts.

Students may earn the following undergraduate or graduate degrees:

• The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with majors in accounting, information systems, finance, general business, management, marketing and risk management & insurance.
• The Master of Business Administration (MBA) with accounting, information systems, or general management options.

The Sorrell College of Business also houses the Center for Business and Economic Services and the Small Business Development Center. These public service centers contribute to the economic development of the southeast Alabama region by providing research, business consulting, and learning opportunities to new and existing businesses and public agencies throughout the southeast. In addition these public service centers offer the opportunity for faculty and students to become involved in research, education, and service projects that benefit the local area and provide a well rounded educational experience.

The Sorrell College of Business has continued many of the traditions of the early “business college” while constantly changing its focus to remain on the cutting edge of knowledge. The Sorrell College of Business, regardless of its numerous names over the years, remains one of the finest educational experiences in business found in America.