Sales Education Foundation Recognizes Southern Miss Program

The University of Southern Mississippi has been named one of the nation's top sales universities in an annual report announced by the Sales Education Foundation (SEF).

Southern Miss is the only Mississippi university listed among the top 60 recognized in the foundation's annual salute to collegiate sales programs.

Schools listed in the magazine host programs recognized by their university, offering a minimum of three sales-specific required courses and the opportunity for internships. Most provide sales in the form of a certificate, concentration or minor to students from a diverse list of majors.

"We are honored to be recognized as a Top University Sales Program for 2012. This recognition will allow us to attract more and better students to the program,” said Dr. Michael Wittmann, associate professor of marketing at Southern Miss. “It also is an indication to employers that Southern Miss is building better business in the classroom as well as with our new building.”

Southern Miss held groundbreaking in May on Scianna Hall, a 93,000-square foot facility – with an estimated construction cost of $30 million -- that will house the College of Business. The estimated completion date is spring, 2014.

Wittmann points out that the Certificate in Professional Selling initiative offered by Southern Miss played an important role in the SEF recognition. The certificate program features a 12-credit hour series of courses comprised of professional selling, sales management, advanced professional selling, plus one course that can be tailored to a student's needs. The certificate is a separate credential that appears on the student's college transcript.

Jeanne Frawley, executive director of the Sales Education Foundation, notes that increased focus on sales and services causes companies to pay more attention to sales program graduates. “With current customer expectations, it's no wonder that sales students have a placement rate at graduation of ninety percent in their field, compared to less than forty-five percent nationally,” she said.

For more information about the sales program at Southern Miss, contact Wittmann at mike.wittmannFREEMississippi

To learn more about the Southern Miss Department of Marketing and Fashion Merchandising, call 601.266.4627 or visit: http://www.usm.edu/business/marketing-fashion_merchandising