An Entrepreneurship Tradition

Coppin has a legacy of entrepreneurship. From our founding in 1900 and the eventual naming of our beloved institution in honor of Fanny Jackson Coppin, we have always been deeply rooted in the community. This foundation uniquely positions us to think creatively about how we address the challenges in the communities around us. The Center for Strategic Entrepreneurship (CSE) is important to that effort.

Center for Strategic Entrepreneurship (CSE)

CSE is the epicenter of entrepreneurship research, teaching, and practice activities across Coppin State University. Our goal is to improve entrepreneurial outcomes in our West Baltimore community and across the globe.

We are advocates of transdisciplinary approaches to business and entrepreneurial development. Through this advocacy, we provide direction across all areas of study. We hope to provide opportunities for collaboration across industries that infuse ingenuity in a larger economic context.

Who is CSE’s programming for?

Part of our mission aligns with the greater Coppin mission. We seek to prepare students to become change agents who go back to meet the challenges facing urban communities. To that end, the main populations we serve include:

• Communities in West Baltimore

• Baltimore City Public School students and graduates

• Baltimore County Public School students and graduates

• Coppin State University students and stakeholders

Read the 2023 CSE Annual Report

What is ingepreneurship?

A blend of the words ingenuity and entrepreneurship, ingepreneurship is a method to build and nurture socioeconomic growth, specifically within urban communities. In his white paper entitled Strategic "Ingepreneurship", Ronald Williams defines ingepreneurship as “the act of infusing ingenuity into an entrepreneurship and business development process.” Simply, ingepreneurship is the process of thinking of unique ways to solve complex societal problems, while also creating opportunities for education and jobs.

Ingepreneurship looks like community building. It also looks like entrepreneurship, business development, and strategic industry, private, and public sector partnerships. Ingepreneurs are entrepreneurs, but not all entrepreneurs are ingepreneurs. As Williams points out in his white paper, entrepreneurs focus on the development, growth, and expansion of a business opportunity. Ingenpreneurs focus more on business opportunities within the context of quality of life social issues. Specially, an ingepreneur is someone who:

• Engages in entrepreneurial activity focused on innovation in enterprise development

• Infusing creativity into every phase of the entrepreneurial, business development process

• Demonstrates concern for influencing socioeconomic growth for an identified geographic or demographic community

Especially in a city like Baltimore, the concept of ingepreneurship can be a powerful tool to address some of the most impactful challenges facing our communities today.

Our Commitment to You

At Coppin, we work every day to make your time as a Coppin student positive, memorable, productive, and career-driven. While no college experience is perfect, it should feel safe and supportive. We commit to listen to you—our students—and quickly address complaints and concerns as they happen.  

Our Legal Obligation for Student Concerns and Complaints

Title 34 CFR §600.9 requires states to have a "process to review and appropriately act on complaints concerning the institution including enforcing applicable State laws." Title 34 CFR §668.43(b) requires that institutions: "make available for review to any enrolled or prospective student upon request, a copy of the documents describing the institution's accreditation and its State, Federal, or tribal approval or licensing. The institution must also provide its students or prospective students with contact information for filing complaints with its accreditor and with its State approval or licensing entity and any other relevant State official or agency that would appropriately handle a student's complaint." 

Legal language can be confusing. Simply put, each state must have a process where they review and follow up on complaints made about a school in that state. Sometimes this means states must enforce the law. 

This law also makes schools and institutions give any prospective or enrolled student the following information when requested: 

• Any and all documentation about the institution’s accreditation and/or licensing 

• All contact information to file a complaint with any accreditor, licensing agency, or state office that would appropriately deal with student complaints. 

The Highest Standard

The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) granted the College of Business specialized business accreditation, November 2015. To maintain our goal of high standards for teaching and learning, we stay focused on continuous improvement and our academic quality.

Download 2022 Quick Facts

What is accreditation?

Accreditation is a process led by governmental and non-governmental organizations to set standards for acceptable levels of quality education. These organizations create evaluation criteria, lead interviews, review student assessment data, and conduct peer evaluations to determine if a program or institution meets established criteria. Accreditation can be at the university-level, school-level, and also program-level.  

When an institution, school or program seeks accreditation, it often has to officially request an evaluation from a particular accrediting agency. 

Why is accreditation important? 

Accreditation ensures the education provided by a specific institution, school, or program meets a certain quality standard. It’s important to note the U.S. Department of Education does not accredit higher education institutions or programs. However, the Department of Education does keep an official record of nationally-recognized accreditation agencies proven to be authorities on the quality of education or training. The Department of Education may also consider the accreditation of a higher education institution when determining federal financial aid.  

The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

The ACBSP is a national organization founded in 1988 to address the need for more specialized accreditation for higher education business schools and programs. At the time, there was only one accrediting body that focused accreditation standards largely on research. Many schools didn’t primarily focus on research, instead their primary objectives were around student success and teaching excellence. The ACBSP was founded to serve as an accrediting body for schools seeking accreditation based on quality in teaching and learning outcomes. 

Assessment Data Standards

The COB has continuously assessed our academic programs since 2013, using course assessments, as well as student, faculty, and stakeholder feedback. We remain committed to meet and exceed the assessment measures set by both regional and specialized accreditors.

The College prepares numerous assessment reports as a part of the accreditation process. Specifically, we provide information on learning outcomes performance and other data related to academic and business practices. We share these reports with the University, the University System of Maryland (USM), and the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC). 

The College of Business learning outcomes are: 

• SLO 1  Written Communication

• SLO 2  Oral Communication

• SLO 3  Critical Thinking

• SLO 4  Quantitative Literacy

• SLO 5  Informational Literacy

• SLO 6  Global Awareness 

• SLO 7  Leadership 

• SLO 8  Team Building 

• SLO 9  Ethics

• SLO 10  Reflective Practice 

Student Body

Fall 2022:

• 292 enrolled
• 21 transfer students

Success Rates

Student Achievement: Undergraduate Exit Examination

(Benchmark 70% or above.) 

Programs Designed With You in Mind

Welcome to the College of Business (COB)! We’re excited you’ve stopped by to learn more about our programs. Our unique approach to wealth-building, entrepreneurship, and business education helps propel our students to limitless career opportunities in a changing market. Our location in the Baltimore area and our legacy of entrepreneurial and generational experience position us—and our students—to make a meaningful impact in this opportunity-rich economy.   

Our programs cover multiple aspects of running a successful organization. From learning about financial management in accounting, to getting your brand messaging to audiences through marketing, to problem-solving organizational challenges through data-driven and database thinking learned in management information systems, we have courses that teach you to start a business, run an organization, and think critically to solve organizational problems on a global scale. 

We’ve designed our programs with you—and your career goals in mind.  

Our Mission 

CSU College of Business provides quality business education, inspires learners, and launches business careers as a path to lifelong success. 

(Reviewed March 7, 2025)

Accreditation

The College of Business is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Accreditation and Assessment

Why choose a College of Business program?

We’re smarter by design. We created the COB and its programs through the lens of a few guiding questions:  

• What do today’s business students need?

• What do today’s business students want?

• How can we deliver to students’ needs and wants in a powerful and engaging way?  

Our answer was to design programs, courses, and out-of-the-classroom learning experiences that give you an edge toward pursuing a fulfilling career. Regardless of the COB academic program you choose, we prioritize:  

• Cutting-edge courses

• Extraordinary faculty

• Hands-on learning for real-world experiences

• Daily interactions with seasoned industry professionals

• Innovative technology

• Internships, industry partnerships, and co-op opportunities 

• Exclusive access to the Baltimore-area’s leading businesses 

Our Programs

We offer all of our programs across 2 departments:  

• The Department of Accounting, Data Science, and Management Information Systems

• The Department of Management and Marketing

What will you learn as a College of Business student?

In addition to learning objectives specific for each program, the COB strives to create a holistic academic experience for each of our students. We commit to graduating professionals who can: 

• Demonstrate fundamental knowledge of functional business areas 

• Embody professionalism through strong communication and interpersonal skills 

• Think ethically with a commitment to values and social responsibility 

• Apply theory to practice, using technical skills to solve business problems 

Business education at Coppin is designed for you, designed for success, and designed to make a transformative impact in your life and career. 

Our History

The Coppin State University School of Graduate Studies (SGS) has a rich legacy. We stay committed to excellence and make a continuous effort to keep our programs relevant to the changing needs of students, to the professional communities they serve, and to society.  

Our 50+ Year Legacy

Summer 1968

The School of Graduate Studies started as one graduate program in Special Education. This program was created to meet the growing demand for special educators who were qualified to work with emotionally disturbed and intellectually challenged students in Baltimore and surrounding areas.

1969

We added a master's program in Correctional Education to address the need for programming development and education for incarcerated persons. The need was so great at that time, the program expanded into a Correctional Education Department designed to serve the needs of correctional teachers. Seeing an even greater need to prepare practitioners across the criminal justice profession, Coppin expanded graduate studies and created the Department of Criminal Justice.  

1972

Coppin added a graduate program in Rehabilitation Counseling. This program led to our  Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Rehabilitation Counseling, which focuses on training students to deliver rehabilitation services, particularly to individuals with the most severe disabilities. 

July 1973

The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) approved a consortium in Criminal Justice between University of Baltimore (UB) and Coppin State College. This consortium has transformed with time, resulting in Coppin getting authorization to offer a Master of Science in Criminal Justice on May 26, 1976. Later that year, Coppin also received authorization to offer the Master of Science in Adult and Continuing Education.  

1975

In conjunction with the state rehabilitation agencies of Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and Washington D.C., Coppin created an innovative and experimental rehabilitation counseling program called "Rehabilitation Counseling Program: a Behavioral Approach". Students who successfully completed this program earned the M.Ed. in Rehabilitation Counseling. The project period expired in 1978, but some of its essential components live on in the current master’s program. 

1992

The Board of Regents of the University System of Maryland (USM) and MHEC approved the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program.  

1999

USM and MHEC approved the Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction (Distance Learning), Master of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner, and Master of Science in Human Services Administration.  

January 2000

USM and MHEC approved the Master of Science in Addiction Counseling. Upon successful completion of the program, persons are prepared for professional careers in Addiction Counseling. 

2010

USM and MHEC approved the Master of Education in Contemporary Educational Leadership.

2011

USM and MHEC approved Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

2020

USM and MHEC approved Master of Science in Applied Molecular Biology and Biochemistry as well as the Master of Science in Polymer and Material Science. 

2021

Approved Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN to DNP).

Invest in Yourself—and Your Career

Designed for busy working professionals, the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) combines a conveniently located, urban campus with the power of a world-class graduate education. We offer graduate degrees and certificates—many of which can be completed in just 2 years—in today’s most in-demand disciplines. Here at SGS, we help you hone leadership and management skills, and give you the tools to do more, earn more, and excel in your field.  

Offering advanced degrees in education, criminal justice, natural sciences, nursing and human services, we go beyond traditional classroom education by offering practical, hands-on experience, personalized attention, small classes and so much more—all in the convenience of your own backyard. 

Our campus is easily accessible by car or public transit, where we offer graduate and doctoral classes on evenings and weekends. Your time is valuable, so our classes are small to ensure that you receive individual attention from instructors and a dynamic network of peers. Take your professional development to the next level without sacrificing your career, family life, or personal responsibilities—it’s possible at Coppin.

Learn how to apply

Why choose a School of Graduate Studies Program?

Our primary goal is to provide a learning environment where our students can thrive. We prepare you to take on leadership and management roles. Earning a graduate certificate, master’s or doctorate at Coppin means you are supported to develop the skills, attitudes, and competencies needed to grow and succeed in urban, professional settings.

Paying for Graduate School

Are you a student interested in or currently enrolled in a graduate degree or certificate program? You may be eligible for federal financial aid! 

Here are your next steps to apply for federal graduate funding:

1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
2. Email the Office of Financial Aid (OFA) from your Coppin email to request federal funding for your current or next semester.

You may also explore scholarship opportunities in the Division of Institutional Advancement.

Still have questions after completing these steps? Email us, visit our office, or give us a call at (410) 951-3090. 

Partnerships that Promote Success

Education shouldn’t exist in a vacuum. We are proud of our longstanding partnerships with some of Baltimore’s most important agencies and corporations. From partnerships with Baltimore’s public education system and criminal justice system to collaborations across private industry, these relationships add immeasurable value to your graduate education.  

In SGS, we understand partnerships are crucial to our students’ success outside of the classroom. These partnerships ensure our curricula are contemporary and relevant, meeting both the current and future needs of our students and the workforce.  

Professional and research opportunities outside of the classroom allow you to network with peers and leaders in your field, and also add valuable experience that bridges theory and practice. The result is an up-to-the-minute graduate education that, like our students, is always moving in the right direction. 

Innovative Graduate Research

We are proud to prepare global-ready professionals and leaders. When it comes to graduate and professional education, innovative research matters. Not only does it embed instructors in their fields, research keeps our faculty current, strengthens the curriculum, enlivens classroom discussions, and ultimately, enriches our students' futures.

Who's leading graduate research at Coppin?

Our legacy is built on a philosophy of connecting students to the communities where they will ultimately work. Our faculty and staff stay committed to asking the big questions, and working to solve some of the biggest challenges of our time. Current faculty conducting graduate-level research include: 

• Michael Berlin, criminology
• Joan Tilghman, nursing
• Janet Spry, rehabilitation counseling
• Fred Nesbitt, polymer and material science
• Thavamani Rajapandi, molecular biology

A Community of Expertise 

Welcome Adjunct Faculty! We're so glad you've decided to bring your talent, passion, and special skills to Coppin. Bookmark this page for quick access to policies, procedures, and resources designed to help you adjust to our campus community.

Adjunct Faculty Handbook

The Adjunct Faculty Handbook is a helpful resource for learning all things Coppin. It has descriptive information on classroom and institutional responsibilities, as well as University policy and procedure. 

It also includes a section specifically for adjunct faculty, including adjunct faculty employment resources. 

Meet and Confer Association

We invite all adjunct faculty to join the Adjunct Faculty Meet and Confer Association! It is a professional association of part-time faculty designed to help implement policies that ensure opportunities to meet with administration, through shared governance, or as distinct groups.

Coppin State University Adjunct Faculty “Meet & Confer” Association is organized in compliance with

As a professional association of part-time faculty, the group helps to implement policies that ensure opportunities to meet with administration, through shared governance, or as distinct groups.

This association stays committed to serving the educational needs of students, while also building and strengthening healthy relationships with campus leadership, full-time faculty, and the University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents.

In accordance with Article I Section I of the Coppin Adjunct Faculty Association Constitution, a key purpose of the group is to "engage in any and all activities that promote the educational process and welfare of its members." Additionally, this group complies with University System of Maryland Policy on the Employment of Adjunct Faculty in the University System of Maryland (December 3, 2010).

Advisory Council Members

• President: Dr. Mirma A. Johnson-Majors
• Vice President: Professor Joyce A. Camper
• Secretary: Professor Asia Maxton
• Treasurer: Open
• Parliamentarians: Professor Paul Evans and Professor Brenda Zanders
• Senator for College of Behavioral and Social Sciences: Professor Danielle Parker
• Senators for College of Arts & Sciences, and Education: Professor Vanessa Russell and Professor Sayed Hassan
• Senators for College of Business: Open
• Senators for College of Health Professions: Open

Help for What Life and Coursework Throw Your Way

Student support at Coppin looks like many different things. It looks like peer and professional tutors ready to help students in the Math Center. It looks like trained mental health professionals prepared with resources to help you through the worst of what you’re going through. It looks like accommodations and improved access through the Disability Support Services. It’s emergency funds for students with urgent home, and life challenges. It’s professional guidance on how to take that next career step. Student support looks like all this, and so much more.

At Coppin, we aren’t only concerned about your academic success, we’re concerned about the whole you. We’ve worked hard to make sure our students have a variety of resources to allow you to bring your whole self to school. Because when you can bring your whole self to school, you can be ready to work toward all the opportunities you’ve dreamed of.