School of Business Administration

Clark Atlanta University, School of Business Administration History

Clark Atlanta University, founded in 1988, is a private, coeducational institution affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The 126-acre campus is located in an urban area 2 miles from downtown Atlanta. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is approximately, 4800. Enrollment figures in the above capsule are approximate.

The School of Business Administration was founded in 1946 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, Wright Hall. The basic educational approach is to offer quality programs with sufficient flexibility to accommodate considerable diversity in student backgrounds. Students are grounded, theoretically and empirically, in all phases of business operations.

Clark Atlanta University, School of Business Administration Academics

The School of Business Administration offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA). Other programs include cooperative programs with area business firms and public agencies, federal work-study, internships, and joint research with Southern College of Technology. The strongest areas of study are marketing and finance. The most popular courses are marketing electives and Entrepreneurship. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus and include the Corporate Associates Program and the Boardroom to Classroom Program.

Sixty total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 18 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Information Systems
• Statistical Analysis for Business and Economics
• Marketing Management
• Managerial Communications
• Financial Management
• Organizational Behavior
• Production and Operations Management
• Microeconomics
• Macroeconomics
• Management of Organizations
• Legal, Social, and Ethical Aspects of Business
• International Business
• Financial Accounting
• Business Policy
• Managerial Accounting

The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 4 semesters; maximum, 5 years. For students attending part time, the maximum is 5 years.

In a recent year, there are 34 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 80% held a doctorate. Average number of courses faculty teach is 3; average business class size is 30.

Clark Atlanta University, School of Business Administration Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 374,000 volumes and 247,000 microform items, and subscribes to 47,000 periodicals. Students have access to such databases and networks as DIALOG, OCLC, and many others.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of 30 IBM Pentium II 333 MHz systems that are on a Windows NT server in the computer lab. Software includes Windows 95, Microsoft Office 97, SPSS, Visio, Access, Netscape, and internal student e-mail. Hours are Monday through Sunday, generally from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Career and Job Placement

Placement services are extensive, but those available to alumni are limited. Placement is available through MBA Career Planning and Placement.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of the CAU health form, and proof of adequate funds to cover 1 year of study. There are special fees of $55 application fee. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of School of Business scholarships. Check with the school for application deadline.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 15 weeks long; summer sessions, 8 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening.

Clark Atlanta University, School of Business Administration Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 3.0. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, work experience, and grades in upper-level courses. A strong mathematics background is not required.

Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall only. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $40, 3 letters of recommendation, a statement of career objectives, an explanation for selecting the school, and a statement of strengths and weaknesses. The application deadline is April 1 for fall entry. Students are notified within 30 days of receipt of a completed application of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is March 1. Once accepted, students may defer admission for 1 year.

Clark Atlanta University, School of Business Administration Financial Aid

Stipends and programs are available for minority students. The GAPSFAS or FAFSA, a university financial aid application, financial aid transcript, and Expected Family Contribution (EFC) are required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for all students is $617 per credit. Books and suppliescost approximately, $1000; personal expenses, $2374; and other fees, $550.

Clark Atlanta University, School of Business Administration Students

Eighty-seven percent pf a recent graduate business school class were enrolled full time; 88% had an average of 4 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students were from the South (30%). Sixty-two percent were women, 99% were minorities, and 10% were foreign nationals. The average age at entrance was 29; ages ranged from 19 to 51. Ten percent entered directly from undergraduate school; 3% already had a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 36%, liberal arts; 32%, business; 10%, engineering; 9%, social sciences; and 5%, economics. About 3% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 95% remain to receive their degree.