Experiential learning at the undergraduate level exposes students to foundational business practices and real-world applications early in their academic journey.
BSM Capstone
This course pairs groups of Bachelor of Science in Management (BSM) students with a company for a semester-long project. Working in teams, they tackle a complex business challenge and present strategic solutions to company leaders based on the knowledge, skills, and concepts gained throughout their business coursework.
Burkenroad Reports
Each year, 200 Freeman students work in teams to provide coverage for 40 small-cap public companies headquartered in six southern states. Teams meet with top management, visit company sites, design financial models, and publish in-depth, unbiased investment research reports.
Darwin Fenner Student Managed Fund
In the Darwin Fenner Student Managed Fund course, students actively manage more than $5.8 million in equity assets across three portfolios, often outperforming benchmark indexes. They develop proprietary sector models and make investment decisions with real portfolios—an opportunity few undergraduate programs offer.
Alternative Investments
The Selber courses move students as close to the real world as possible. Industry experts serve as mentors throughout the semester, as students build an investment pitch to raise committed capital for a distressed debt fund or a hedge fund. The celebrated speaker series allows students to interact with leaders actively doing the work in the alternative investment space.
Legal Studies in Business
The legal studies in business major introduces students to the legal, social, and ethical dimensions of business, with experiential learning and service-learning opportunities integrated throughout the curriculum. Hands-on business learning occurs in sports and entertainment law, international business law, taxation, and mock trials.
The Accounting Busy Season Internship
By completing a full-time accounting internship during the spring semester—or “busy season”—students gain hands-on experience with real clients and financial systems, deepen their technical expertise, and build industry connections that often lead to job offers. This immersive opportunity positions them for success in a highly competitive job market.
Financial Literacy Service Learning
In partnership with First Generation Investors, students in the introductory finance course mentor local high school students in core investing principles, highlighting the importance of saving, and guiding students in portfolio allocation. At the program’s conclusion, each high school student receives a $100 stock and bond portfolio to invest as they wish.
BSM Industry Certificate Program
Students build in-demand expertise through industry-specific certificates in energy, hospitality, real estate finance and investment, and sports management. Each program blends core coursework, advanced topics, and hands-on experiential learning across disciplines like finance, marketing, legal studies, and management.
