J. Whitney Bunting School of Business

Georgia College & State University, J. Whitney Bunting School of Business History

Georgia College and State University, founded in 1889, is a public, coeducational institution. The 43-acre campus is located in a small town 100 miles from Atlanta. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 6041.

The J. Whitney Bunting School of Business was founded in 1969 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, Atkinson Hall. Courses also are offered at the Macon campus ( MBA, MMIS) and the Robins Graduate Center (MBA). The basic educational approach is a mix of both theoretical and case methods approaches.

Georgia College & State University, J. Whitney Bunting School of Business Academics

The J. Whitney Bunting School of Business offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Management Information Systems (MMIS) as well as a joint degree in MSN/MBA. Other programs include work-study in the form of graduate assistantships, foreign exchange with 7 countries, and joint research. The strongest area of study is business administration. The most popular courses are Advanced Managerial Communication, Communications Theory in Management, Human Resources in Administration, Microcomputer Applications in Business, and Seminar in Quality Management. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. During Executives Week, business executives are invited to speak to all classes. There is a Women’s Leadership Forum and a Executive’s Forum (September to April).

Thirty-six total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 6 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Managerial Accounting
• Managerial Economics
• Financial Policies
• Research Methods and Statistical Applications in Business
• Operations Management
• Organizational Theory and Behavior
• Advanced Marketing Theory and Applications
• Business Ethics and Global Responsibilities
• Strategic Management
• Information Resource Management

Required courses for the MMIS include:

• Data Communication and Networking
• Database Management
• Systems Analysis, Tools, and Prototyping
• Research Project
• Organizational Theory and Behavior
• E-commerce Development
• Integrating Information Systems Across the Enterprise

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by completing relevant course work previously at an accredited institution.

The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 4 semesters; maximum, 7 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 6 semesters; maximum, 7 years.

There are 36 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 93% hold a doctorate; there is 1 part-time faculty member. Faculty salaries are rated below average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 6; average business class size is 29.

Georgia College & State University, J. Whitney Bunting School of Business Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 190,000 volumes, 500,640 microform items, and 2814 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 14,000 periodicals. Students have access to such databases and networks as JSTOR, Project Muse Dialog, ABI/Inform Complete, ABI/Inform Dateline, Business Source Premier, Computer & Information Systems Abstracts, Computer Science, Lexis/Nexis, Regional Business News, and Hoover’s Company Capsules and Profiles. Other opportunities for research consist of GALILEO, the University System of Georgia’s statewide library network, which provides on-line access to more than 1,500 journals and newspapers, as well as to more than 40 public and private academic libraries throughout the state. Students also have borrowing privileges at each of the University Systems, 35 institutions, via the GIL Express Borrowing Service. Interlibrary loans are available for access to materials from libraries around the world.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of an academic computer laboratory, which is equipped with PCs, minicomputers, and terminals on-line to a large mainframe computer in the business department.

Career and Job Placement

In spring 2006, 20 companies recruited on campus. Ninety percent were national corporations. Majors most in demand were MBA and MAac. Placement services are limited, since most students are already employed full time. Full placement services are available to alumni. Placement is available through the university placement office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. International students must score 500 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT) or 61 on the Internet-Based version (iBT). They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of an immunization certificate, and proof of adequate funds to cover 2 years of study. There are special fees for insurance. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of scholarships and assistantships. The application deadline for fall entry is April 1.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 15 weeks long; summer sessions, 10 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the evening only.

Georgia College & State University, J. Whitney Bunting School of Business Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x GPA) or GMAT, or minimum 1000. Most important admissions factors are grades in upper-level courses, GMAT results, and academic accomplishments and ability. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 113; 57 were accepted; 40 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.29; average GMAT score was 503. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by a minority recruiter.

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 $25. The application deadlines are July 1 for fall entry; April 1, winter; November 15, spring. Students are notified on a rolling basis of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is July. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 2 semesters.

Georgia College & State University, J. Whitney Bunting School of Business Financial Aid

About 19% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $7522 annually; maximum $10,500. The FAFSA is required. The application deadlines are July 1 for fall entry; November 1, spring; April 1, summer.

Tuition for in-state residents is $179 per credit, or $4833 per year. Nonresidents pay $715 per credit, or $19,305 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $9706; books and supplies, $1080; and other fees, $1173, for an estimated annual total of $16,792 for in-state residents and $31,264 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing is available in residence halls on campus and private housing in town. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Georgia College & State University, J. Whitney Bunting School of Business Students

Twenty-four percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time. Forty-nine percent are women, 18% are minorities, and 94% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 29; ages range from 21 to 64. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 50%, business; 20%, engineering; 10%, liberal arts; 10%, social sciences; 5%, math and science; and 5%, fine arts. In 2006, 80 graduate business degrees were awarded.