College of Business Administration, Graduate Studies

Georgia Southern University, College of Business Administration, Graduate Studies History

Georgia Southern University, founded in 1906, is a public, coeducational institution. The 675-acre campus is located in a small town 50 miles from Savannah. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 16,425.

The College of Business Administration, Graduate Studies was founded in 1971 and is located on the main campus. Courses also are offered at Savannah and Brunswick via interactive satellite and WEB-MBA. The basic educational approach is to emphasize the fundamental knowledge and skills underlying modern administration and management and to apply these with emphasis on managerial and executive decision making.

Georgia Southern University, College of Business Administration, Graduate Studies Academics

The COBA Graduate Studies offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Accounting (MAcc). Other programs include internships. The strongest areas of study and the most popular courses are informations systems and accounting. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus, including the Chik-Fil-A lecture series, Executive-in-Residence program, and Annual Forensic Accounting Lecture.

Thirty total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 6 (MBA) and 12 (MAcc) elective credits. Required courses include:

• Problem Solving with Quantitative Methods
• Accounting for Executives
• Information Technology Management
• Strategic Marketing Management
• Financial Problems
• Leadership and Motivation
• Management of Operations for Competitive Advantage
• Global Business Strategy

Required courses for the Macc include:

• Seminar in Financial Accounting
• Taxation of Corporations and Partnerships
• Seminar in Auditing
• Seminar in Accounting Information Systems
• Law and Ethics for Accountants
• Financial Reporting and Analysis

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by completing coursework at an accredited institution or by transferring up to 6 semester hours.

Business students may take relevant nonbusiness courses in other departments. The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time or part time is 1 year; maximum, 7 years.

There are 83 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated well below average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average business class size is 17.

Georgia Southern University, College of Business Administration, Graduate Studies Unique Programs

Library

The business school library and the university’s main library house a collection of more than 577,172 volumes, 888,272 microform items, and 29,059 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 2687 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in all the leading databases necessary for business research. Students have access to such databases and networks as GALILEO, Lexis/Nexis, and other on-line research databases. Other opportunities for research consist of a national library network.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of 4 computer labs, with a total of 170 networked computers and a variety of software.

Career and Job Placement

Placement services for alumni include career advising, a resume-writing service, mock interviews, career fairs, a job search program, and other services. Placement is available through COBA Placement Office and the university placement office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of an immunization record, and proof of adequate funds to cover the duration of study. There are special fees of $360 per year for health insurance. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of graduate assistantships. The application deadline for fall entry is July 1.

Calendar

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

Georgia Southern University, College of Business Administration, Graduate Studies Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x undergraduate GPA) + GMAT, or minimum 1000. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, GMAT results, and motivation. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 130; 100 were accepted; 75 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.36; average GMAT score was 495. Transfers are accepted.

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 $50. The application deadlines are July 1 for fall entry; November 15, spring; April 1, summer. Students are notified on a rolling basis of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is July 1.

Georgia Southern University, College of Business Administration, Graduate Studies Financial Aid

About 55% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $9558 annually; maximum $18,500. The FAFSA is required. The application deadlines are March 31 for fall entry; April 5, summer.

Tuition for in-state residents is $127 per credit, or $3044 per year. Nonresidents pay $508 per credit, or $12,172 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $6500; books and supplies, $1000; personal expenses, $4600; and other fees, $1052, for an estimated annual total of $16,196 for in-state residents and $25,524 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing is available on campus. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Georgia Southern University, College of Business Administration, Graduate Studies Students

Fifty-one percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time. The greatest percentage of students are from Georgia (79%). Forty-six percent are women, 36% are minorities, and 13% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 26; ages range from 20 to 55. Thirty-nine percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 3% already have a graduate degree. About 37% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 67% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 122 graduate business degrees were awarded.