MBA Program

University of Mobile, MBA Program History

University of Mobile, founded in 1961, is a private, coeducational institution affiliated with the Southern Baptist Church. The 765-acre campus is located in a suburban area 10 miles from downtown Mobile. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 1650.

The MBA Program was founded in 1986 and is located on the main campus. The basic educational approach is to develop in students an ethical approach to making management decisions by improving problem-solving and decision-making skills and developing abilities to find alternatives to traditional approaches. The case methods and theoretical approaches are used.

University of Mobile, MBA Program Academics

The Program offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA). Other programs include a cooperative program with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and work study in the form of graduate assistantships. The strongest area of study is general business management. The most popular courses are Global Business and Ethics.

Forty total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 3 elective credits. Required courses include:

• a comprehensive exam
• Organizational Communication
• Managerial Economics
• Accounting for Managerial Decision Making
• Financial Management
• Management Information Systems
• Organizational Theory and Behavior
• Productions/Operations Research
• Managerial Ethics
• Marketing Administration
• Seminar in Policy Formulation and Administration
• Business and Technical Writing

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by transferring up to 6 semester hours from an accredited institution.

The maximum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time or part time is 6 years.

There are 8 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate; there are 2 part-time faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate. Average number of credit hours faculty teach is 18; average business class size is 20.

University of Mobile, MBA Program Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 80,000 volumes, 300 microform items, 4200 special business collections, and 1500 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 600 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in business administration and management and global business. Students have access to such databases and networks as ABI/INFORM, Dialog, and the Internet. Other opportunities for research consist of interlibrary loans and computer searches.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. Available computer facilities consist of 5 PC labs with a total of 100 computers running Windows XP and Office 2003.

Career and Job Placement

In a recent year, 7 companies recruited on campus. One percent were national corporations. Average starting salary of the graduating class was $47,000; range was $35,000 to $55,000. The percentage of graduates finding jobs were:

• national corporations 40%
• local small enterprises 40%
• local large enterprises 10%
• regional corporations 5%
• self-employment 5%

Placement services are limited, since most students are already employed full time, and are available through the university placement office and faculty advisers. Ninety-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. International students must score 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT). They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of a student medical history and confirmation of vaccinations, and proof of adequate funds to cover 3 years of study. There is a $50 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, 6 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the evening only.

University of Mobile, MBA Program Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.5 and a GMAT score of 400. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x GPA) + GMAT, or minimum 950 for conditional admittance. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, grades in upper-level courses, and GMAT results. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 3; 2 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.01; average GMAT score was 446. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by interviews, visits, promotional materials, and recruiting letters.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, and a nonrefundable application fee of $40. The application deadlines are August 1 for fall entry; December 19, spring; April 29, summer. Students are notified within 1 to 2 weeks of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is August 5. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 1 year.

University of Mobile, MBA Program Financial Aid

The FFS or FAFSA and the school’s own financial statement are required. The application deadline is August 1 for fall entry. The application and supporting documents should be received at least 3 weeks prior to the date on which the student wishes to enter.

Tuition for all students is $340 per credit. Graduate student housing consists of dormitories. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

University of Mobile, MBA Program Students

Five percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 85% have had an average of 3 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school. The greatest percentage of students are from the South (95%). Sixty-five percent are women, 27% are minorities, and 5% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 32; ages range from 21 to 62. Thirteen percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 3% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 58%, business; 17%, adult degree programs; 14%, social sciences; and 8%, engineering. About 5% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 95% remain to receive their degree. In a recent year, 13 graduate business degrees were awarded.