College of Administrative Science

University of Alabama in Huntsville, College of Administrative Science History

University of Alabama in Huntsville, founded in 1950, is a public, coeducational institution. The 400-acre campus is located in a suburban area 100 miles north of Birmingham. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 7091.

The College of Administrative Science was founded in 1980 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, Administrative Science Building. The basic educational approach is to disseminate and develop knowledge that contributes to the education of competent, creative, and socially responsible managers for careers in private and public sectors, with specific emphasis on the management of technology. Practical and theoretical approaches are used.

University of Alabama in Huntsville, College of Administrative Science Academics

The Business School offers the Master of Science in Management (MSM), Master of Accountancy (MAcc), and Master of Science in Management Information Systems (MSMIS). Other programs include cooperative programs with private industry and government; work-study and internship programs; joint research through UAH research centers such as the Center for Management of Science and Technology and the Center for Management and Economic Research; and a Small Business Development Center. The strongest area of study is management of technology. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus.

Thirty-three total credits are required to complete the MSM, including 9 elective credits. Required courses for the MSM include:

• Managerial Economics and Technology
• Financial Decisions under Uncertainty
• Managerial Accounting
• Introduction to Technology Development
• Strategy for Management of Technology
• Marketing in a High Technology Environment
• Managing Technology Development
• Management of Information Technologies
• Management of Technical Professionals or Strategic Human Resource Management

Required courses for the MAcc include:

• Managerial Accounting or Cost Management
• Financial Accounting Theory
• Advanced Accounting Information Systems
• Management of Information Technology
• 21 hours of electives

Required courses for the MSMIS include:

• Management of Information Technology
• Relational Database Management Systems
• Advanced Databases
• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems
• Managerial Accounting
• Operations Management
• Financial Decisions
• Electronic Commerce
• Telecommunications
• IS Design
• 3 hours of electives

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by using appropriate undergraduate credit to waive up to 15 hours of graduate foundation courses.

Business students may take relevant nonbusiness courses in other departments. The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 1 year; maximum, 6 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 2 years; maximum, 6 years.

There are 30 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 97% hold a doctorate; there are 10 part-time faculty, of whom 50% hold 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 14.

University of Alabama in Huntsville, College of Administrative Science Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 334,684 volumes, 589,573 microform items, and 2761 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 8335 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in management and economics. Students have access to such databases and networks as ABI/INFORM, Hoover’s Expanded Academic Index, Master File (EBSCO), Cambridge Scientific Abstract, Compendex, FirstSearch, Dialog, Standard & Poor’s Compustat, and Bureau van Dijk Electronic database (BvDEP). Other opportunities for research consist of membership in OCLC, SOLINET, the Network of Alabama Academic Libraries, Alabama Library Exchange, and Redstone Scientific Information Center.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of 132 PCs with word processing, spreadsheet, graphics, and database software available more than 75 hours a week.

Career and Job Placement

In spring 2006, 84 companies recruited on campus. Seventy-eight percent were national corporations. Majors most in demand were accounting, management of technology, and MIS. Average starting salary of the graduating class was $60,550; range was $30,000 to $125,000. The percentage of graduates finding jobs were:

• national corporations 50%
• government 17%
• local small enterprises 16%
• local large enterprises 11%
• regional corporations 5%
• self-employment 1%

Placement services are extensive. Placement services for alumni include interviews, job fairs, resume referral, online job listing, resource library, workshops, and individual appointments. Placement is available through the university placement office. Eighty-five percent of the most recent graduating class found jobs within three months of receiving their degree.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL or the college’s own test. International students must score 500 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT). They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of a vaccination record, and proof of adequate funds to cover the entire length of study. There is a special fee of $50 per term for SEVIS. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of graduate research and teaching assistantships. The application deadline for fall entry is April 1.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 15 weeks long; summer sessions, 6 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the evening only.

University of Alabama in Huntsville, College of Administrative Science Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.5 and a GMAT score of 470. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x GPA) + GMAT, or minimum 1040. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, GMAT results, and work experience. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 66; 51 were accepted; 42 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.29; average GMAT score was 514. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, 2 transcripts, GMAT scores, and a nonrefundable application fee of $40. The application deadlines are August 1 for fall entry; December 1, spring; May 1, summer. Students are notified on a rolling basis of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is July 31. Once accepted, students may defer admission for 2 semesters and then begin their program.

University of Alabama in Huntsville, College of Administrative Science Financial Aid

About 21% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $11,925 annually; maximum $15,375. The FAFSA is required. The application deadline is April 1 for fall entry.

On-campus room and board costs approximately $6180; books and supplies, $720; personal expenses, $1350, for an estimated annual total of $14,322 for in-state residents and $20,726 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing consists of student apartments and 3-person suites in the residence hall.

University of Alabama in Huntsville, College of Administrative Science Students

Eighteen percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 85% have had an average of more than 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 (91%). Forty-four percent are women, 15% are minorities, and 7% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 30; ages range from 21 to 49. Ten percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 42% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 41%, engineering; 36%, business; 14%, math and science; 2%, liberal arts; and 1%, social sciences. About 15% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 70% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 64 graduate business degrees were awarded.