School of Business

North Carolina Central University, School of Business History

North Carolina Central University, founded in 1910, is a public, coeducational institution. The 103-acre campus is located in a suburban area 2 miles south of downtown Durham. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 8675.

The School of Business was founded in 1972 and is located on the main campus. The basic educational approach is one that employs lecture/discussion, case method, simulations, teamwork, and experiential learning.

North Carolina Central University, School of Business Academics

The Graduate Management Program offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA) as well as a joint degree in law (MBA/JD) and information science (MBA/MIS). Other programs include cross-registration with Duke University, North Carolina State, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, work-study, foreign exchange, internships, and joint research. The strongest areas of study are finance, marketing, management, and entrepreneurship. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus.

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

• Economic Analysis
• Managerial Accounting
• Marketing Strategy
• Behavior and Management Theory and Analysis
• Production and Systems Management
• Management Strategy and Policy Analysis
• Management Information Systems
• Financial Policies
• Managerial Statistics

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by transferring 6 credit hours.

Business students may take relevant nonbusiness courses in other departments. The maximum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full or part time is 6 years.

There are 12 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 courses faculty teach is 6; average business class size is 30.

North Carolina Central University, School of Business Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 511,981 volumes, 706,250 microform items, 22 special business collections, and 2498 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 145,114 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in marketing, management, finance, entrepreneurship, and small business journal finder. Students have access to such databases and networks as ABI/INFORM Global, Business Index, Disclosure Snapshots, Wall Street Journal, Hoover’s Company Profiles, and Compustat. Other opportunities for research consist of the services and facilities at Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, and NC LIVE.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of 100 PCs available for student use. Microsoft, Excel, Powerpoint, Microsoft Word, Corel Quattro Pro, WordPerfect, and e-mail are all available.

Career and Job Placement

Majors most in demand by companies recruiting in a recent year were finance, management, and marketing. The percentage of graduates finding jobs in a recent year were:

• national corporations 33%
• regional corporations 17%
• local large enterprises 17%
• other government 17%
• local small enterprises 8%
• federal grant 8%

Placement services are extensive and are available through the university placement office and School of Business Placement Service. Eighty percent of a recent graduating class found jobs within three months of receiving their degree.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of immunization records and a recent medical examination, and proof of adequate funds to cover 2 years of study. Financial aid is available for these students. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Calendar

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

North Carolina Central University, School of Business Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GMAT score of 400. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x GPA) + GMAT, or minimum 950. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, GMAT results, and a successful interview. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 80; 35 were accepted; 31 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.15; average GMAT score was 480. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall and spring. To apply, students must submit an application form, 2 transcripts, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $40, and 2 letters of recommendation. The application deadlines are June 1 for fall entry; November 1, spring. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is May 31. Once accepted, students may defer admission.

North Carolina Central University, School of Business Financial Aid

About 75% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $1970 annually; maximum $30,156. Stipends and programs are available for minority students. The FFS is required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition and fees for in-state residents total $3604 per year. Nonresidents pay $13,185. On-campus room and board costs approximately $6666; books and supplies, $1000, for an estimated annual total of $11,270 for in-state residents and $20,850 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing is available in a graduate dorm and an honors dorm. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

North Carolina Central University, School of Business Students

Eighty-eight percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 80% have had full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from North Carolina (88%). Eighty percent are women, 5% are minorities, and 10% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 26; ages range from 22 to 41. Twenty-one percent enter directly from undergraduate school. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 63%, business; 18%, liberal arts; 7%, economics; 5%, math and science; and 2%, social sciences. In 2006, 13 graduate business degrees were awarded.