School of Business/Graduate School of Management

University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Business/Graduate School of Management History

University of Alabama at Birmingham, founded in 1966, is a public, coeducational institution. The 70-acre campus is located in an urban area within Birmingham. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is approximately 14,500.

The School of Business/Graduate School of Management was founded in 1971 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, Business Engineering Complex. The basic educational approach is to provide competency in management and to acquaint the student with all aspects of business activity. The program is decision oriented, focusing on key aspects of administration, and seeks to prepare graduates for leadership in business, industry, government, or social service.

University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Business/Graduate School of Management Academics

The Graduate School of Management offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Accounting (MAcc) as well as a doctoral program in administration/health services, and a joint degree in public health (MBA/MPH), health administration (MSHA/MBA), and nursing (MSN/MBA). Other programs include internships, joint research offered through the Small Business Development Institute, and research projects with faculty. The strongest areas of study are finance and information technology management. The most popular courses are in marketing and ethics. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. In the Executive Seminar Program, a senior executive of a regionally based company is brought on campus once a quarter.

Fifty-one total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 6 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Strategic Cost Management
• Financial Analysis and Reporting for Management
• Management Information Systems
• Corporate Finance
• Advanced Corporate Finance
• Social, Ethical, and Legal Environment
• Managerial Processes and Organizational Behavior
• Operations Management
• Business Strategy
• Applied Microeconomic Analysis
• Modern Marketing Concepts
• Seminar in Marketing Policy
• Business Statistics
• International Business Analysis
• Decision Science

Required courses for the Macc include:

• Tax Planning and Research
• Corporate Tax I
• Business Law for Accountants
• Fund Accounting
• Financial Reporting Strategy
• Current Problems in Auditing
• Management Information Systems
• Enterprise Application Integration
• Taxation of Wealth Transfers
• Information Systems Auditing

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by waiving up to 18 hours of course work completed at the undergraduate level (core classes).

Business students may take relevant nonbusiness courses in other departments. The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time or part time is 1 year; maximum, 7 years.

In a recent year, there were 54 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 91% held a doctorate; there were 11 part-time faculty, of whom 27% held a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated below average for Category I institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 6; average business class size is 40.

University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Business/Graduate School of Management Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 900,000 volumes, and subscribes to 2700 periodicals. Students have access to such databases and networks as OCLC. Other opportunities for research consist of the Educational Technology Services (ETS) Department, which is the media center housing viewing rooms and a listening room with Reuters live feed and Compustat.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of the Student Lab Center, which includes 100 PCs with MS Office Suite, Minitab, adaptive technology for disabled students, web development tools, web server development and programming tools, and web browsers.

Career and Job Placement

In spring 2006, 20 companies recruited on campus. Majors most in demand were accounting and industrial distribution. Placement services are limited, since most students are already employed full time, but full services are available to alumni if they are members of the Alumni Association. Placement is available through a separate placement office for graduate business students and the university placement office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. International students must score 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT) or 80 on the Internet-Based TOEFL (iBT) version. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of a health certificate, and proof of adequate funds to cover the total program of study. There are special fees of a $75 application fee. The application deadline for fall entry is July 1.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 16 weeks long; summer sessions, 4 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the evening only.

University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Business/Graduate School of Management Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.85 and a GMAT score of 480. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x GPA) + GMAT, or minimum 1050. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, GMAT results, and work experience. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for a recent class was 331; 180 were accepted; 118 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.3; average GMAT score was 570. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by visits to minority colleges.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, 2 transcripts, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $50, and a resume. The application deadlines are July 1 for fall entry; November 1, spring; April 1, summer. Students are notified when their file is complete of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is July 1. Once accepted, students may defer admission for 1 year only.

University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Business/Graduate School of Management Financial Aid

The FAFSA and the school’s own financial statement are required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for in-state residents is $170 per credit. Nonresidents pay $425 per credit. Graduate student housing consists of on-campus residence halls and apartments for students with children. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Business/Graduate School of Management Students

Eighty-nine percent of the current graduate business school class have had an average of 5 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from Alabama (89%). Forty percent are women, 10% are minorities, and 12% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 27; ages range from 21 to 55. Twenty percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 5% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 37%, business; 20%, engineering; 6%, liberal arts; 6%, math and science; 6%, social sciences; and 2%, economics. About 1% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 90% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 130 graduate business degrees were awarded.