Richards College of Business, University of West Georgia in Carrollton, GA - University of West Georgia in Carrollton, GA

Academics

The Richards College of Business offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Professional Accounting (MPAcc), and Web Master of Business Administration (WebMBA). The strongest areas of study are management, accounting, and finance. The most popular courses are Finance and Management. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. An Executive-in-Residence program brings visiting professors and distinguished speakers to campus.

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

Marketing Strategy
Advanced Managerial Accounting
Advanced Financial Management
Managerial Economics
Organization Theory and Behavior: A Managerial Perspective
Seminar in Strategic Management
Managerial Communications
Production/Operations Management Fundamentals with Quantitative Applications
1 international course

Required courses for the MPAcc include:

Nonprofit Accounting and Auditing
Seminar in Cost Accounting
Seminar in Tax Accounting
Seminar in Financial Accounting
Seminar in Auditing
Managerial Communications
International Finance
Advanced Financial Management
International Management of Financial Institutions
Telecommunications Management
Business and Society or
Theory and Philosophy of Management or
Strategic Management of Information Technology

Required courses for the WebMBA include:

WebMBA Student Orientation (2 days)
Human Behavior in Organizations
Managerial Accounting
Managerial Communications
Global and International Business
Managerial Decision Analysis
Strategic Marketing
Managerial Finance
Management Information Systems
Production and Operations Management
Business Strategies

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by transferring 6 hours from another MBA program.

The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 1 year; maximum, 6 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 1 1/2 years; maximum, 6 years.

There are 29 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate. 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 17.

Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.2 and a GMAT score of 450. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (undergraduate GPA x 200) + GMAT, or minimum 950. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, GMAT results, and grades in upper-level courses. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 12; 12 were accepted. The average GPA was 520. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, 2 transcripts, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $20, and 3 letters of recommendation. The application deadlines are August 14 for fall entry; January 8, spring; May 14, summer. 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. Students must notify the school of their expected semester of enrollment.

Financial Aid

The FAFSA and the school’s own financial statement are required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for in-state residents is $3044 per year. Nonresidents pay $12,172 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $5861; books and supplies, $900; and other fees, $900, for an estimated annual total of $10,705 for in-state residents and $19,833 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing consists of private and double dormitory rooms.

Students

Thirty-seven percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time. The greatest percentage of students are from Georgia (73%). Forty-three percent are women, 6% are minorities, and 22% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 25; ages range from 21 to 38. In 2006, 33 graduate business degrees were awarded.