1. About the Commerce Department
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Open University (originally known as Andhra Pradesh Open University), which was established in the year 1982 with the motto ‘Education for All’, has started the Faculty of Commerce with a vision to educate and train students in Commerce and Management areas through both theoretical and practical means. Since then, the Faculty of Commerce offers cutting-edge programmes which are in great demand in the market and has been making constant efforts to excel in the field of Commerce and Management Education.
The Faculty has been offering programmes at Certificate, Under-Graduate, PG Diploma, Post-Graduate, and Research level for job seekers, aspiring professionals and freshers. The programmes are on offer through an excellent network of various Regional Coordination Centres, Study Centres and Programme Centres in both the States of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
The curriculum design and updating is periodically undertaken considering inputs from various stakeholders including learners, academia and industry professionals. The course material of various programmes, designed and developed with the support of experts from both academic and corporate sectors, is the main strength of the Faculty. In addition to the print course material, the learners of the Faculty also benefit with the Face-to-Face Counselling Sessions, live Tele-Conference Programmes, Tele and Radio lessons, and Online Classes in which distinguished experts – academic and practitioners – participate and share their knowledge to fine tune the target groups to achieve their goals.
Programs offered by the Department of Commerce, at present, are:
- Bachelor of Commerce
- P G Diploma in Business Finance
- Master of Commerce
- Research Programmes – M.Phil. & Ph.D.
Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) is one of the first (UG) Programs offered by the Department immediately after the establishment of the University. The Department has implemented the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS – Semester System) for B. Com., with effect from the Academic Year 2017-2018, which makes Program more relevant to the changing needs and requirements of higher education, in compliance with the guidelines of University Grants Commission (UGC) and Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE). In addition to the Modern Indian Languages, Ability and Skill Enhancement courses, and Core Courses, the Department also offers various Elective Courses in the areas of Marketing, Taxation, Banking, Insurance, Financial Markets and Services, etc. The Program is being offered in both English and Telugu Medium. The duration of the UG Program is three (03) academic years and the leaners can complete it within a maximum duration of six (06) academic years.
The Department is offering Post Graduate Diploma in Business Finance (PGDBF) through English Medium since the academic year 1996-97. It is one (01) year program offered mainly to impart knowledge of basic concepts in accounting, finance, etc., to the learners and also to familiarize them with other important areas in finance like security analysis, portfolio management, financial services, etc. Maximum duration permitted to complete the program is two (02) academic years.
Master of Commerce (M.Com.) is another prestigious (PG) program offered by the Department. This program is being offered since 2003-04 academic year. Minimum duration to complete the program is two (02) academic years whereas the maximum duration is four (04) academic years and the medium of instruction is English. In addition to getting familiarized with the dynamics of organization, accounting tools needed for effective decision-making, the learners, after completing the program, also get deeper and broader knowledge in the fields of Cost Accounting, Taxation, Financial Markets, Human Resource Management, etc.
2. RESEARCH PROGRAMS
Both the Departments of Commerce is offering research programs – M.Phil. and Ph.D. The research programs are being offered as per the academic regulations of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE). The study for the programme consists of course work and submission of dissertation / thesis. The University adopts a multi-media approach for imparting instruction and research guidance. The department organizes Personal Contact Programmes (PCP) for a period of one semester for course work for both M.Phil. / Ph.D. programes. Attending this PCP is mandatory with 75% of attendance. The medium of instruction and examination including entrance test, course work and dissertation/thesis for both M.Phil./Ph.D. is English only.
Details of the research scholars pursuing M.Phil./Ph.D., in the Faculty – Department-wise and Batch-wise – are:
Name of the Department | 2018-19 BatchM.Phil. Ph.D. | 2020-21 Batch M.Phil. Ph.D. |
Commerce | 02 09 | 03 06 |
*As there is no regular faculty member in the department, admissions were not given in to research programmes for 2020-21 Batch.
The members of the Department of Commerce are actively engaged in research activities in the areas of Commerce .
All programs offered by the Department are recognized by Distance Education Bureau (DEB), UGC, New Delhi. Further, all programs, including research programs, are accessible, affordable and flexible from various angles including infrastructure, fee-structure, choice of learning, pace of learning, etc. Learners, who couldn’t complete their studies but wish to continue the same, can take re-admission as per the norms of the University in vogue.