College of Business Administration

University of Central Florida, College of Business Administration History

University of Central Florida, founded in 1963, is a public, coeducational institution. The 1415-acre campus is located in a suburban area 13 miles east of Orlando. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 46,719.

The College of Business Administration was founded in 1968 and is located on the main campus, in its own buildings, the Business Administration Buildings l and ll. The Professinal MBA is offered on branch campuses on a rotating basis each fall. The basic educational approach is a mixture of analytical and case method approaches.

University of Central Florida, College of Business Administration Academics

The College of Business Administration offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science in Accounting (MSAcc), Master of Science in Taxation (MST), Master of Science in Economics (MSEco), Master of Science in Management Information Systems (MSMIS), and Master of Sport Business Management (MSBM) as well as a doctoral program in business administration. Other programs include internships with major accounting firms and joint research with the Institute for Simulation and Training at the College of Engineering. The strongest areas of study are management, accounting, finance, international business, entrepreneurship, and technology commercialization.

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

• Law and Ethics
• Applied Business Research Tools
• Organizational Behavior and Development
• Economic Analysis of the Firm
• Managerial Accounting Analysis
• Strategic Marketing Management
• Strategic Financial Management
• Strategic Information Systems
• International Business Analysis
• Applied Strategy and Business Policy

Required courses for the MSAcc include:

• Cost Accounting
• Auditing
• Cost Accounting II
• Advanced Auditing
• Taxation II
• Accounting Information Systems II
• Accounting Theory
• Internship

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by transferring equivalent course work from AACSB-accredited universities.

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, 4 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 33 months; maximum, 4 years.

There are 151 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate; there are 39 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 4; average business class size is 40.

University of Central Florida, College of Business Administration Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 1,674,606 volumes, 2,959,390 microform items, 4900 special business collections, and 42,610 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 16,368 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in on-line support of major companies through CD-ROM. Students have access to such databases and networks as Compact Disclosure, Predicasts, Dialog, BRS, ORBIT, Business Periodicals Index, and CIRR. Other opportunities for research consist of PHINET (on-line tax publications series).

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of 300 GX240s equipped with Windows XP and 2000, Office XP, SPSS, and SAS. The lab in the business building is open 24 hours a day.

Career and Job Placement

In spring 2006, 25 companies recruited on campus. Eighty-nine percent were national corporations. Majors most in demand were marketing, finance, accounting, and information systems. Average starting salary of the graduating class was $58,000; range was $40,000 to $100,000. The percentage of graduates finding jobs were:

• national corporations 35%
• regional corporations 30%
• local large enterprises 25%
• local small enterprises 8%
• self-employment 2%

Placement services are limited, since most students are already employed full time, but are available to alumni through the Alumni Association and the Career Resource Center. Placement is available through the Office For Corporate Partnerships and Career Management and the university placement office. 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. The SPEAK is required for students who teach. International students must score 575 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT) or 93 on the Internet-Based TOEFL (iBT) version. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of a health form signed by a physician (proof of immunization), and proof of adequate funds to cover 2 years of study. There is a $100 service fee. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of graduate assistantships with tuition waiver. The application deadline for fall entry is January 15.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 16 weeks long; summer sessions, 6 or 8 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening and weekends.

University of Central Florida, College of Business Administration Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 3.0, a GMAT score of 540, and GRE scores of 1080. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 X GPA) + GMAT. Most important admissions factors are grades in upper-level courses, GMAT results, and work experience. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 508; 308 were accepted; 275 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.3; average GMAT score was 560. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by through minority conferences.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, spring, and summer (MBA programs begin in the fall). To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $30, 3 letters of recommendation, 2 essays, and a resume. The application deadlines are June 15 for fall entry; November 1, spring; March 15, summer. Students are notified on a rolling basis of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is July 15.

University of Central Florida, College of Business Administration Financial Aid

Stipends and programs available for minority students include fellowships and a special summer program. The FAFSA and ACT Family Financial Statement are required. The application deadlines are July 15 for fall entry; November 1, spring; March 15, summer.

Tuition for in-state residents is $257 per credit. Nonresidents pay $950 per credit. Books and supplies cost approximately $1500; personal expenses, $4000 Graduate student housing is available close to campus. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

University of Central Florida, College of Business Administration Students

Forty-five percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 98% have had an average of 8 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school. The greatest percentage of students are from Florida (80%). Forty-seven percent are women, 20% are minorities, and 13% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 31; ages range from 23 to 60. Eleven percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 3% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 48%, business; 16%, engineering; 14%, math and science; 9%, social sciences; 5%, economics; and 4%, liberal arts. About 5% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 85% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 398 graduate business degrees were awarded.