“Why should I pursue a business degree at UMSL?” is a question on the University of Missouri-St. Louis’ web page for the department of Business Administration.While any department at most large universities is bound to have a string of sound bytes bundled up into a mission

statement, there is more to UM-St. Louis’ Business College than even its students are likely to know. It reaches farther than the university walls (as well as state and national borders, too, more on that later) and broader than simple degree-pursuit.If you mention that you are

enrolled at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, the casual conversationalist will often be well-enough trained in the social graces to remark upon the revered international business program. Along with optometry, criminology and others, international business is known as UM-St. Louis’ area of expertise.The undergraduate business program is comprised of three main degrees: bachelor of science in business administration, bachelor of science in

accounting, and bachelor of science in information systems.Students pursuing these degrees can take part in any of 18 student organizations, ranging from Accounting Club to the Black Business Student Association to various Greek organizations that cater to undergraduate business majors.The next tier in the framework of UM-St. Louis’ business program contains six minors: general business, accounting, finance, logistics and operations management,

management, marketing, IS, transportation studies, and international business.“We also are offering more and more online classes, and classes in Wildwood for students who live way out in West County,” Michael Elliott, director of undergraduate business programs said.The

international business program in particular has been the subject of various accolades, most recently and notably its ranking in U.S. News and World Reports’ top twenty international business programs in the nation. UM-St. Louis has made this list—most recently in the 2009 publication—the past three years running.