College of Business Administration

University of Northern Iowa, College of Business Administration History

University of Northern Iowa, founded in 1876, is a public, coeducational institution. The 833-acre campus is located in a suburban area. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 12,513. Enrollment figures in the above capsule are approximate.

The College of Business Administration was founded in 1975 and is located on the main campus. Courses also are offered at the Westfield Training Site, John Deere Company, Waterloo, for the MBA program. The basic educational approach is to use both the case and theoretical methods.

University of Northern Iowa, College of Business Administration Academics

The CBA offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Accounting (MAcc). Other programs include foreign exchange with France, Austria, Denmark, Australia, and New Zealand and graduate assistantships. The strongest area of study is management. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. There is an Executive-in-Residence program as well as a faculty exchange for addressing international business matters.

Thirty-one total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 3 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Managerial Economics
• Managerial Accounting
• Management Information Systems Concepts
• Financial Management and Markets
• Marketing Management
• Statistics and Quantitative Analysis
• Cross-Functional Operations
• Leadership and Organizational Behavior
• Strategic Planning and Organizational Analysis

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements where appropriate.

Business students may take relevant nonbusiness courses in other departments. The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 1 year; maximum, 2 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 2 years; maximum, 7 years.

There are 40 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated above average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of credit hours faculty teach is 8; average business class size is 25.

University of Northern Iowa, College of Business Administration Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 887,000 volumes, 760,000 microform items, and 14,200 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 3350 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in business reference materials and U.S. government publications. Students have access to such databases and networks as ABI/INFORM and others.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities.

Career and Job Placement

Placement services are extensive. Placement is available through the university placement office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL or the college’s own test. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts and proof of adequate funds to cover 1 year of study. There is a $50 application fee. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of graduate assistantships. Some students are granted tuition waivers if they attend the college via organizations such as LAS PAU, IIE, or AED. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Calendar

The school operates on a trimester basis. Trimesters are 11 weeks long. Graduate programs are offered during the evening only.

University of Northern Iowa, College of Business Administration Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 3.0 and a GMAT score of 500. Most important admissions factors are GMAT results, grades in upper-level courses, and work experience. A strong mathematics background is not required.

Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by drawing from historically black universities as well as from regional businesses.

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 $30, 2 letters of recommendation, and addendum/essays. Check with the school for current application deadlines. Students are notified of the admissions decision immediately (or by June 1 if on wait list. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is open. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 1 year.

University of Northern Iowa, College of Business Administration 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 $5936 per year. Nonresidents pay $14,074 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $5740; books and supplies, $878; personal expenses, $2672; other fees, $826; and transportation, for an estimated annual total of $16,654 for in-state residents and $24,792 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing is available on and off campus.

University of Northern Iowa, College of Business Administration Students

Thirty-five percent of a recent graduate business school class were enrolled full time; 90% have had an average of more than 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 Iowa (60%). Thirty percent are women, 3% are minorities, and 30% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 34; ages range from 23 to 50. Ten percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 10% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 50%, business; 25%, engineering; 10%, social sciences; 5%, economics; 5%, liberal arts; and 5%, education. About 20% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 80% remain to receive their degree.