College of Business Administration

University of South Florida, College of Business Administration History

University of South Florida, founded in 1956, is a public, coeducational institution. The 1700-acre campus is located in an urban area 10 miles north of Tampa. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 44,038. Enrollment figures in the above capsule are approximate.

The College of Business Administration was founded in 1965 and is located on the main campus. Courses also are offered at the St. Petersburg and Sarasota campuses (MBA) and the USF Downtown Center. The basic educational approach is a blend of lecture and case analysis.

University of South Florida, College of Business Administration Academics

The College of Business offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science in Management: Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness (MSM-LOE), Master of Science in Management: Information Systems (MSM-IS), Master of Accountancy (MAcc), and Master of Arts in Economics (MAE) as well as a doctoral program in business administration, and a joint degree in business administration and management information systems (MBA/MSMIS). Other programs include foreign exchange with 3 countries and internships through the Center for International Business. The strongest area of study is accounting. The most popular courses are finance, marketing, international business, and management. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus.

Thirty-seven to 48 total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 24 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Financial Accounting for Managers
• Managerial Economics
• Financial Management * Global Economic Enviroment of Business
• Marketing Management
• Management Accounting and Control
• Managerial Decision Analysis
• Management Information Systems * Operations Management and Quality Enhancement
• Human Behavior and Organizations

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by having core courses waived based on undergraduate work.

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 5 years.

There are 95 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 95% hold a doctorate. Average number of credit hours faculty teach is 9; average business class size is 30.

University of South Florida, College of Business Administration Unique Programs

Library

Students have access to databases and networks in the fields of business and allied subject areas.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of terminals accessing the university computer center’s IBM mainframe. There also are PCs and word processing equipment, finance and accounting tools, and database engines.

Career and Job Placement

Placement services are extensive, and all are available to alumni, some at no cost and some for a fee. Placement is available through the Office of Employers Relations and the university placement office.

International Students

International students must score 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT) or 79 on the Internet-Based version (iBT). They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health, and proof of adequate funds to cover 1 year of study. The application deadline for fall entry is June 1.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 16 weeks long; summer sessions, 10 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening.

University of South Florida, College of Business Administration Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 3.0, a GMAT score of 500, and GRE scores of 1000. Most important admissions factors are grades in upper-level courses, GMAT results, and academic accomplishments and ability. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 326; 241 were accepted; 155 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.2; average GMAT score was 522. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall and spring. To apply, students must submit an application form, 2 transcripts, GMAT scores, and a nonrefundable application fee of $30. The application deadlines are June 1 for fall entry; October 15, spring. Students are notified on a rolling basis. of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is May.

University of South Florida, College of Business Administration Financial Aid

Stipends and programs available for minority students include the GEOG, which provides $7000 plus fees per year. The FAFSA is required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for in-state residents is $252 per credit, or $6050 per year. Nonresidents pay $897 per credit, or $21,530 per year. Books and supplies cost approximately $1300; other expenses $4100. Graduate student housing is not available on campus. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

University of South Florida, College of Business Administration Students

Forty-eight percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 75% 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 Florida (90%). Forty percent are women, 17% are minorities, and 13% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 27; ages range from 20 to 57. Twenty-five percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 10% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 62%, business; 10%, engineering; 10%, liberal arts; 3%, math and science; and 3%, social sciences. 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 2006, 115 graduate business degrees were awarded.