Frost School of Business

Centenary College of Louisiana, Frost School of Business History

Centenary College of Louisiana, founded in 1825, is a private, coeducational institution affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The 65-acre campus is located in an urban area in Shreveport. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 1014.

The Frost School of Business was founded in 1976 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, Jackson Hall. The basic educational approach is to stress a senior management perspective with an emphasis on the skills, the knowledge, and the insight that enable a shift from functional expertise to broad-based leadership. The goal is to heighten strategic thinking and develop an entrepreneurial mind-set that facilitates innovation within graduates’ organizations.

Centenary College of Louisiana, Frost School of Business Academics

The Frost School of Business offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA). All students take the same courses. There are no electives. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. The MBA Breakfast Forum (biannual) brings distinguished speakers to campus to discuss current business issures and trends.

Forty-five total credits are required to complete the MBA. Required courses include:

• Entrepreneurship
• Leadership and Organizational Behavior
• Managerial Accounting
• Business Economics
• Financial Management
• Marketing Management
• Production Management
• Human Resource Management
• Managerial Statistics
• Business Ethics
• Business and Governments
• Business Policy and Strategy
• Entrepreneurial Project
• Professional Communications
• Financial Accounting

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements. The Financial Accounting and Management Accounting courses may be waived for students who earn 80 or higher on the standardized accounting test or who hold a CPA, CMA, or CIA certificate.

The maximum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending part time is 7 years.

There are 7 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate; there are 6 part-time faculty, of whom 50% hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated above average for Category IIB institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 1; average business class size is 15.

Centenary College of Louisiana, Frost School of Business Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 194,019 volumes, and subscribes to 36,357 periodicals. Students have access to such databases and networks as Research Insights (Compustat), Execucomp, and all on-line resources on campus. Other opportunities for research consist of interlibrary loans and on-line databases.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of wireless laptop-equipped classrooms; a multimedia lab; a stats lab; and XP Environment (75 units), which are available to business students only. More than 150 PCs are available in the campus library. “Blackboard” communication is available campuswide.

Career and Job Placement

Placement services are limited, since most students are already employed full time, and are available through the university placement office and the MBA Alumni Association.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. International students must score 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT) or 79-80 on the Internet-Based version (iBT). They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health, and proof of adequate funds. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Calendar

The school operates on a 5 10-week terms basis. Graduate programs are offered during the evening only.

Centenary College of Louisiana, Frost School of Business Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required. Most important admissions factors are work experience, academic accomplishments and ability, and GMAT results. A strong mathematics background is not required.

50 students enrolled in the 2006-2007 class. The average GMAT score was 530. Transfers are accepted.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, winter, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores and nonrefundable application fee of $20. A personal interview is required. Students are notified by letter of the admissions decision. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Centenary College of Louisiana, Frost School of Business Financial Aid

Information on financial aid (loans) is available from the Financial Aid Director at (318) 869-5137.

Tuition for all students is $260 per credit, or $6240 per year. Books and supplies cost approximately $1000; and other fees, $200, for an estimated annual total of $7440. Graduate student housing is not available.

Centenary College of Louisiana, Frost School of Business Students

All of the current graduate business school class have had an average of 10 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. All students are from Louisiana. Forty percent are women and 10% are minorities. The average age at entrance is 32; ages range from 27 to 52. Ten percent already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 30%, business; 30%, liberal arts; 20%, social sciences; 10%, engineering; and 10%, math and science. About 10% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 90% remain to receive their degree. In a recent year, 15 graduate business degrees were awarded.