Innovative Spirit in Our Curriculum and Offerings

The SMU Cox School of Business is a pioneer in developing innovative programs that combine the latest business theory with real-world best practices. By anticipating—even shaping—the changing business environment, we enable our students to stay on the leading edge of business. At Cox, you’ll enjoy dynamic opportunities to learn, grow and advance in your life and career.

Here’s just a sample of Cox School innovations:

  • The Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship was one of the nation’s first five entrepreneurship programs, founded in 1970.
     
  • The Business Leadership Center and Edwin L. Cox Business Leadership Institute help MBA and BBA students develop strong interpersonal, communication and leadership skills for today’s service-oriented business environment.
     
  • Launched in 2000, the Global Leadership Program gives all first-year, full-time MBAs a total immersion experience in Asia, Europe, India, or Latin America.
     
  • The Cox School’s Office of Diversity works to create greater diversity in the MBA student body by supporting corporate diversity recruiting, promoting diversity scholarship opportunities and developing funding for diversity programs.
     
  • In 2002, Cox launched the BBA Business Scholars Program, which admits highly qualified high school students directly into the Cox School. Since the program’s inception, the average SAT score for enrolled scholars has increased almost 30 points from 1307 in 2002 to 1336 in 2005, while the average SAT score for all Cox undergraduate students has risen nearly 50 points—making the Cox School one of the most competitive undergraduate business programs in the Southwest.
     
  • The Cox School’s Executive MBA Class of 2006 traveled to Cuba in August, marking the first-ever Cox School trip to the country. The group of 80 students and administrators attended presentations on the Cuban economy, Cuba-U.S. bilateral relations, the Cuban public health system, and Cuban business and agriculture.
     
  • In 2005, the Cox School created a new BBA degree in business and financial reporting—helping create a new generation of journalists and business leaders who understand corporate accountability and reporting.