As part of a comprehensive state university, the College of Business Administration offers undergraduate and graduate programs to prepare students either for a professional career or, through its Ph.D. program, for an academic/research career. Ever since the founding of the college in 1936, the College has offered an undergraduate  professional program; a number of years ago it began offering graduate professional programs; and in recent years, professional development programs. For over 20 years, the College has offered a doctoral program, initially as a DBA and more recently as a Ph.D.  With these programs, the College meets the University's dual commitments to undergraduate and graduate instruction, as well as to programs "designed to serve area executives and business professionals as well as prepare students for productive careers in a global economy." [Kent Institutional Characteristics].