College of Business

Northern Kentucky University, College of Business History

Northern Kentucky University, founded in 1968, is a public, coeducational institution. The 300-acre campus is located in a suburban area 7 miles south of Cincinnati. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is approximately 13,945.

The College of Business was founded in 1980 and is located on the main campus. The basic educational approach is a blend of conceptual development and case analysis. Students experience a mix of theoretical approach and practical application.

Northern Kentucky University, College of Business Academics

The College offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Accountancy (MAcc), and Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) as well as a joint degree in in law (JD/MBA). The most popular courses are Law and Public Policy, Ethics in Business, and Management. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. Under the Executive-in-Residence Program, local corporate executives spend a day speaking, meeting, and dining with faculty and students.

Thirty-nine total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 9 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Business and the Changing Global Environment
• Managing People and Organizations
• Accounting for Management
• Managerial Economics
• Financial Management
• Marketing Management
• Information Systems in Organizations
• Operations Management and Decision Analysis
• Business Communications
• Business Strategy, Implementation, and Control

Required courses for the MAcc include:

• Advanced Financial Accounting
• Consolidations and Partnerships
• Advanced Accounting Theory
• Tax Research and Practice
• Advanced Auditing
• Business: The Changing Global Environment
• Managing People and Organizations
• Business Communications

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements for Level I courses only, by taking the CLEP or challenge exam or previous undergraduate course work.

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 1/2 years; maximum, 6 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 3 years; maximum, 6 years.

There are 20 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 85% hold a doctorate; there are 4 part-time faculty, of whom hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated below average for Category II A institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 6; average business class size is 25.

Northern Kentucky University, College of Business Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 331,200 volumes, 763,400 microform items, and 2500 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 1561 periodicals. Students have access to such databases and networks as Compact Disclosure, Business NewsBank, InfoTrac, ERIC, PsycLit, Wilson Business Abstracts, and Netscape; and through FirstSearch, EconLit, Dissertation Abstracts, Business Dateline, Worldscope, Business Organizations, Wilson Select, and Business & Industry. Other opportunities for research consist of the law library on campus and membership in the Greater Cincinnati Library Consortium (40 libraries in the Cincinnati area).

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of 30 PCs plus laser and color ink-jet printers, available through the College of Business computer laboratory, which is open 57 hours per week. Various types of word processing, database management, spreadsheet, desktop publishing, graphics, and programming language packages are also available.

Career and Job Placement

Placement services are limited, since most students are already employed full time, but those available to alumni include resume referrals, job search counseling, and career planning. Placement is available through the university placement office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. International students must score 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT).They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of the NKU medical form, and proof of adequate funds to cover 1 year of study. There is a special fee of $500 for mandatory health insurance. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of graduate assistantships. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Calendar

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

Northern Kentucky University, College of Business Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.5 and a GMAT score of 450. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x undergraduate GPA) + GMAT, or minimum 1000. A strong mathematics background is required.

Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by activities and events with a minority focus.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, and a nonrefundable application fee of $40. Check with the school for current application deadlines. Students are notified of the admissions decision as soon as files are complete. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is July 15.

Northern Kentucky University, College of Business 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 $312 per credit. Nonresidents pay $643 per credit. There is a College of Business Fee of $34 per credit. Graduate student housing is available on campus.

Northern Kentucky University, College of Business Students

Eighty-five percent of a recent graduate business school class had an average of 8 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from Kentucky (65%). Sixty-two percent are women, 5% are minorities, and 7% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 32; ages range from 21 to 56. Fifteen percent enter directly from undergraduate school. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 42%, business; 14%, health care; 13%, engineering; 11%, math and science; 11%, social sciences; 7%, liberal arts; and 2%, economics. In a recent year, 68 graduate business degrees were awarded.