Concordia College Alabama has added three new business concentrations and an associates degree following approval by the school’s regional accrediting agency.

Earlier this month, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges approved Concordia for two new concentrations under the school’s bachelor of business administration degree. The commission on Colleges also approved an associate degree in applied management.

The additions are effective immediately, Concordia Academic Affairs vice president Cheryl Washington said.

The school only offers a bachelor of science in administration currently and Washington said the offerings were specifically intended to help students with job possibilities after school.

“We want our students to understand all the different things that you can do in the business world rather than them just thinking I’ll go get a job as a manager at a plant or department store,” Washington said. “There’s a whole different world out there that’s opening up. We want to offer more not only to our students but to Selma.”

She said organizational leadership and management information systems were selected after a careful analysis of nearby job opportunities.

Glenn King Jr., the chairman of Concordia’s Division Of Business & Computer Information, said additions wouldn’t lead to an increase in faculty, but would add to course offerings. One example is a capstone course that would be required for all students who select the new concentrations. King said the capstone course would require students to gain real world experience before graduation.

“In our teacher education programs we had an internship,” King said. “With our new concentrations and programs going forward, we are going to also require an internship.”

The additions are just the start of a larger expansion, Concordia president Tilahun Mendedo said. The school is currently working on adding a concentration in sport management and a concentration in criminal justice, Mendedo said.

“When we received the letters, I was very happy for the faculty and staff because it’s a result of their hard work,” Mendedo said. “I’m more happy for the students and the community because this is just the beginning.”

The school has already submitted an application for accreditation to SACS COC, but Mendedo said Concordia is beginning to hire faculty for the criminal justice and sports management programs.

Mendedo said the criminal justice program wouldn’t be in competition with any degrees offered at Wallace Community College Selma, but help students continue studies with a four-year degree.

Concordia averages 500 to 600 students. Mendedo said he hopes the additional business programs will increase interest in the school and add to enrollment.