College of Business Administration

Northern Arizona University, College of Business Administration History

Northern Arizona University, founded in 1899, is a public, coeducational institution. The 738-acre campus is located in a small town 145 miles north of Phoenix. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is approximately 18,000.

The College of Business Administration was founded in 1971 and is located on the main campus. The basic educational approach employs team teaching using case study and experiential exercises to develop graduates with strong functional skills and the integrative perspective necessary to solve cross-functional problems.

Northern Arizona University, College of Business Administration Academics

The College of Business Administration offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA). Other programs include work-study and joint research with faculty. The strongest areas of study are accounting, finance, and general management. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus, including round-table discussions and in-class presentations by visiting executives.

Thirty-one total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 12 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Professional Development
• Systems, Orientation, and Training
• Customers, Markets, and Organizations
• Managing People and Processes
• Professional Development
• Individuals, Teams, and Careers
• Managerial Decision Making
• Control and Innovation

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by limited transfer of credit from other MBA programs to complete elective requirements only.

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 10 months; maximum, 2 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 2 years; maximum, 6 years.

There are 14 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate; there is 1 part-time faculty member. Faculty salaries are rated well below average for Category I institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of credit hours faculty teach is 9; average business class size is 35.

Northern Arizona University, College of Business Administration Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 1.4 million volumes, 373,000 microform items, 1000 special business collections, and 29,000 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 5000 periodicals. Students have access to such databases and networks as Dow Jones News Retrieval, Business Periodicals Index, National Newspaper Index, CCH Tax Library, RIA State and Local Taxes, and various business resources on the Internet. Other opportunities for research consist of a groupware lab.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of mainframe access and 22 PCs with all major applications of software and software development tools. MBA students have access to college facilities 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Career and Job Placement

In spring of a recent year, 25 companies recruited on campus. Eighty percent were national corporations. Majors most in demand were management, accounting, and finance. The starting salary range of the graduating class was $30,000 to $66,000. Placement services are extensive. Placement services for alumni include services through the Career Services Office. Students meet with the MBA Director each month to review their personal career development plan. The MBA Director meets with employers to establish recruiting relationships.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. International students must score 600 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT) or 100 on the Internet-Based version (iBT). They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, and proof of adequate funds to cover the first year of study. People born after December 31, 1956, must provide immunization records. There are special fees of about $1171 per year for health insurance (if not otherwise covered). Financial aid is available for these students and consists of a limited number of graduate assistantships or tuition waivers. The application deadline for fall entry is March 1.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 16 weeks long; summer sessions, 5 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day only.

Northern Arizona University, College of Business Administration Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 3.0 and a GMAT score of 550. Most important admissions factors are GMAT results, work experience, and a successful interview. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 19; 17 were accepted; 13 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.48; average GMAT score was 529. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited.

Students may begin the MBA program in the summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $50, 2 letters of recommendation, 2 essays, and a resume. The application deadline is March 1 for summer entry. Students are notified of the admissions decision within 30 days of the deadline date. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 1 year with the approval of the MBA Director.

Northern Arizona University, College of Business Administration Financial Aid

In a recent year, about 85% of graduate business school students received financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships. Stipends and programs available for minority students include graduate assistantships. 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 $248 per credit, or $6202 per year. Nonresidents pay $570 per credit, or $15,162 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $7264; books and supplies, $1095; personal expenses, $3960; and other fees, $3500, for an estimated annual total of $22,021 for in-state residents and $30,981 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing includes traditional and apartment-style residence halls and married-student housing consisting of 1- and 2-bedroom apartments. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Northern Arizona University, College of Business Administration Students

All of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 70% have had an average of 2 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from Arizona (30%). Twenty percent are women, 40% are minorities, and 10% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 25; ages range from 21 to 33. Thirty percent enter directly from undergraduate school. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 70%, business; 10%, engineering; 10%, math and science; and 10%, various. About 10% 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, 12 graduate business degrees were awarded.