College of the Rockies gets degree granting authority
British Columbia has added another name to its extensive list of degree granting institutions. College of the Rockies (COTR) has been given the go-ahead to offer a Bachelor of Business Administration in Sustainable Business Practices, president Nick Rubidge announced last week.
The four-year program, that begins in September, combines a COTR diploma in accounting, marketing, or general business, with courses from the arts and sciences. Students will complete online specialization courses in their upper years either through COTR or another institution that has agreed to partner with the college, such as Thompson Rivers University and Athabasca University. Fourth-year courses will contain an applied sustainability focus.
According to the Cranbrook Daily Townsman, Rubidge says that a focus on sustainability is necessary as businesses are increasingly expected to consider the environmental impacts of their operations. “I see the skills of our graduates being used in a whole variety of businesses, not just a niche in environmental business, but in all businesses. All business practices need to start by building a business model that includes sustainability and environmental issues,” he said.
Entering the league of degree granting institutions has been a COTR goal for years. “Becoming a degree-granting post-secondary institution is not an easy task. There are many standards, evaluations and criteria to meet, and the process takes years,” Rubidge said.