College of Business

University of North Alabama, College of Business History

University of North Alabama, founded in 1830, is a public, coeducational institution. The 100-acre campus is located in an urban area 116 miles north of Birmingham. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 6950.

The College of Business was founded in 1975 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, Keller Hall. The basic educational approach is both theoretical and practical case methods.

University of North Alabama, College of Business Academics

The College of Business offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA).

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

• Cost for Management Decision Analysis
• Managerial Economics or Economic Analysis
• Managerial Finance
• Management Policy
• Marketing Strategy
• Decision Theory
• Research and Report Writing
• Information Systems and Technology

Required courses for the MBA in new venture management include:

• Cost for Management Decision Analysis
• Information Systems and Technology
• Managerial Economics
• New Venture Finance
• International Entrepreneurship and New Venture Development
• Advanced Business Plans for New Ventures
• Corporate Entrepreneurship/Intrapreneurship
• Management Policy
• Marketing Strategy
• Decision Strategy
• Marketing in a Global Economy

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by transferring credit (up to 6 hours) from another graduate program.

Business students may take relevant nonbusiness courses in other departments. The maximum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time or part time is 8 years.

There are 22 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated below average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of credit hours faculty teach is 9; average business class size is 26.

University of North Alabama, College of Business Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 266,000 volumes, 616,000 microform items, and 4700 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 2000 periodicals.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of laboratory access to the university’s IBM 4381 mainframe. PCs and word processing equipment also are available.

Career and Job Placement

Placement services are extensive and are available through the university placement office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts and proof of adequate funds. The application deadline for fall entry is 60 days before the semester begins.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 16 weeks long; summer sessions, 8 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the evening only, weekends, and on-line.

University of North Alabama, College of Business Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.0. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x overall GPA) + GMAT, or minimum 950. The GRE may be accepted in lieu of the GMAT. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, GMAT results, and grades in upper-level courses. A strong mathematics background is not required.

In a recent year, the number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 350; 300 were accepted; 275 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.3. 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, a transcript, GMAT scores, and a nonrefundable application fee of $25. The application deadlines are August for fall entry; December, spring; May, summer. Check with the school for the latest acceptable date. Once accepted, students may defer admission for 2 years.

University of North Alabama, College of Business Financial Aid

The FAFSA is required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for all students is $166 per credit. Separate graduate housing is not available on campus; full-time graduate students are housed with undergraduates. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

University of North Alabama, College of Business Students

Eighty 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 (65%). Forty-five percent are women, 10% are minorities, and 10% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 33; ages range from 20 to 52. Twenty percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 3% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 70%, business; 10%, engineering; 10%, liberal arts; 4%, economics; 3%, math and science; and 3%, social sciences. About 10% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 65% remain to receive their degree.