Graduate School of Business

Florida Atlantic University, Graduate School of Business History

Florida Atlantic University, founded in 1961, is a public, coeducational institution. The 850-acre campus is located in an urban area in Boca Raton; there are also campuses in Fort Lauderdale, Davie, Port St. Lucie, Dania Beach, and Jupiter. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 25,750.

The Graduate School of Business was founded in 1968 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, Fleming Hall. Courses also are offered at the Fort Lauderdale (MBA, MTAX, MAcc), Jupiter (MBA), and Boca Raton (all degrees) campuses. The basic educational approach is a combination of the case method and theoretical approaches.

Florida Atlantic University, Graduate School of Business Academics

The Graduate School of Business offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Accounting (MAcc), Master of Taxation (MTAX), Master of Science in Economics (MS), Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA), and Master of Science in Music Business Administration (MSMBA) as well as a doctoral program in business administration offered jointly with Florida International University. Other programs include a 3-2 degree in accounting, work-study programs, foreign exchange with 7 countries, and internships. The strongest areas of study are finance, accounting, business communications, and global environment. The most popular courses are Strategic Management, Business Communications, Global Environment of Management, Finance, and Sport Management. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. The required course, The Executive Forum, includes guest speakers on a weekly basis.

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

• Advanced Analysis and Application of Accounting Data
• Advanced Financial Management
• Global Environment of Management
• Strategic Concepts in Marketing
• Information Systems
• Graduate Business Communication Applications
• Operations Management
• Organizational Behavior
• Global Management Strategy and Policy
• The Executive Forum

Required courses for the MAcc include:

• Advanced Theory
• Graduate Business Communication Applications
• Advanced Analysis and Application of Accounting Data
• Financial Reporting and Accounting Concepts

Required courses for the MTAX include:

• Tax Research
• Concepts of Federal Income Tax
• Corporate Taxation
• Partnership Taxation
• Estates and Trusts
• Graduate Business Communication Applications

Required courses for the MS in Economics include:

• Mathematical Economics
• Econometrics
• Advanced Microeconomics
• Advanced Macroeconomics

Required courses for the MHA include:

• Introduction to Health Care Systems
• Health Care Management I
• Health Care Management II
• Health Policy
• Health Care Finance
• Health Law
• Health Research Methods
• Current Topics in Health Care Management
• 6 credits of electives (2 classes)
• 3 credits of internship (if applicable)

Required courses for the MSMBA include:

• Graduate Business Communication
• Advanced Legal Issues for Musicians
• Advanced Music Marketing
• Advanced Music Publishing
• Artist Management
• Venue Management
• Financial Accounting Concepts
• Financial Management
• Marketing Functions and Processes
• Entertainment Law
• 9 credits of electives

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by using undergraduate course work for foundation requirements.

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, 2 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 2 <1/2> years; maximum, 5 to 7 years.

There are 132 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 90% hold a doctorate; there are 10 part-time faculty, of whom 75% hold a doctorate. 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 15; average business class size is 20.

Florida Atlantic University, Graduate School of Business Unique Programs

Library

The S.E. Wimberly Library houses a collection of more than 1,765,142 volumes, 2,074,770 microform items, and 22,414 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 4000 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in international business, small business administration, economics, accounting, and strategic management. Students have access to such databases and networks as ABI/INFORM, Business & Company Resource Center, Lexis/Nexis, EconLit, and Standard & Poor’s NetAdvantage.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. FAU maintains many computer labs in several locations on all campuses available for use by all students with student ID cards. Labs are located in the College of Business on the Boca Campus, another is located in the HEC building on the Ft. Lauderdale campus, and the Jupiter campus has 2 labs. The computers are client-server-based PCs using the Microsoft Office Suite and other software. Hours of operation vary by location, with residence hall locations open 24/7 for spring and fall.

Career and Job Placement

In spring 2006, 175 companies recruited on campus. Seventy percent were national corporations. Majors most in demand were accounting, finance, business, economics, and health care. Average starting salary of the graduating class was $60,000; range was $50,000 to $90,000. The percentage of graduates finding jobs were:

• national corporations 60%
• regional corporations 10%
• local large enterprises 10%
• local small enterprises 10%
• self-employment 10%

Placement services are limited, since most students are already employed full time. Placement services for alumni include on-line jobs/career services, career library and fairs, resume workshops, interview skills workshops, web resume packets, scheduling of interviews, and company on-site information sessions. There is an in-house director of placements and internships. Placement is available through COB Career Placement and Internships and the university placement office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. International students must score 600 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT). They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of a student health history data form and immunization for rubella and measles, and proof of adequate funds to cover 1 year of study. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of work-study with limited tuition waiver. The application deadline for fall entry is February 15.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 16 weeks long; summer sessions, 12 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening and weekends.

Florida Atlantic University, Graduate School of Business Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 3.0 and a GMAT score of 500. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (GPA x 200) + GMAT. Most important admissions factors are grades in upper-level courses, GMAT results, and quality of undergraduate school. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 1192; 671 were accepted; 595 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.26; average GMAT score was 530. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by networking and special seminars.

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 $30. The application deadlines are July 1 for fall entry; November 1, spring; April 1, summer. Students are notified on a rolling basis of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is June. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 1 year.

Florida Atlantic University, Graduate School of Business Financial Aid

Stipends and programs available for minority students include a minority fellowship program. The FFS or FAFSA, the school’s own financial statement, the previous year’s tax return, and financial aid transcripts are required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for in-state residents is $244 per credit, or $4394 per year. Nonresidents pay $913 per credit, or $16,440 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $8610; books and supplies, $2500; personal expenses, $1750; and other fees, $200, for an estimated annual total of $17,454 for in-state residents and $29,500 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing is limited on campus but plentiful in the surrounding area. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Florida Atlantic University, Graduate School of Business Students

Thirty-two percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 80% have had an average of 3 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from Florida (43%). Fifty percent are women, 25% are minorities, and 9% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 32; ages range from 21 to 75. Seventy-nine percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 2% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 70%, business; 15%, engineering; 4%, math and science; 3%, economics; 3%, liberal arts; and 3%, social sciences. About 30% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 35% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 284 graduate business degrees were awarded.