Joseph M. Bryan School of Business and Economics

University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Joseph M. Bryan School of Business and Economics History

University of North Carolina at Greensboro, founded in 1891, is a public, coeducational institution. The 200-acre campus is located in an urban area in Greensboro. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 16,632.

The Joseph M. Bryan School of Business and Economics was founded in 1969 and is located on the main campus, in its own building. The basic educational approach is to feature a low student-to- faculty ratio and small classes to promote an open exchange of inquiries and ideas in the classroom. Methods of instruction include a mix of lectures, case method, team projects, simulations, and experiential learning. Integration across functional areas is stressed.

University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Joseph M. Bryan School of Business and Economics Academics

The Bryan School offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science in Information Technology and Management (MSITM), Master of Science in Accounting (MSA), and Master of Arts in Applied Economics (MAEcon) as well as a doctoral program in economics and information systems, and a joint degree in nursing (MBA/MSN) and Gerontology (MBA/MS). Other programs include foreign exchange with 12 countries, including Australia, France, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Germany, Mexico, Poland, Japan, Korea, Austria, Finland, and Sweden, and internship programs. The strongest areas of study are information systems/technology, business strategy, marketing, accounting, and economics. The most popular courses are Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Economics, Business Strategy, Marketing, Information Systems, and Operations Management. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus, including Bryan School Visiting Distinguished Professor, Visiting Executive-in-Residence programs, and Kathleen P. Bryan Visting Distinguished Professor of Financial Affairs.

Elective credits required varies by the degree program. Required courses for the MBA include:

• Advanced Business Statistics
• Ethics, Public Policy, and Business
• Cost Management Systems
• Economic Policy and the Global Environment
• Managerial Assessment and Development
• Managing in a Global Environment
• Management Science
• Business Processes and Technology
• Competitive Analysis and Strategy Formulation
• Strategies for Managing Human Resources
• Corporate Structure and the Finance Function
• Strategic Marketing Management
• Global Operations Strategy
• Business Strategy and Information Technology
• Creating and Sustaining Competitive Advantage

Required courses for the MSITM include:

• Data Warehousing and Mining
• Information and Communications Architectures
• Object-Oriented Programming
• Systems Development
• Database Design and Administration
• Electronic Commerce Applications
• Management of Information Technology Services
• Business Planning and Information Technology

Required courses for the MSA include:

• Tax Research and Procedures
• Specialized Accounting Entities
• Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders
• Advanced Auditing or Information Systems Auditing
• 18 to 21 hours from the following courses:
• Tax Policy and Business Planning Strategies
• Directed Studies in Accounting
• Accounting Internship
• Managerial Accounting in a High Technology Environment
• Accounting Information Systems
• Seminar in Applied Financial Accounting Issues
• Advanced Auditing
• Information Systems Auditing
• Seminar in Financial Accounting Theory
• Taxation of Estates, Gifts, and Trusts
• Taxation of Flow-Through Business Entities
• Advanced Topics in Taxation

Required courses for the MAEcon include:

• Mathematical Economics
• Microeconomics I and ll
• Econometric Methods
• Econometric Theory
• Macroeconomics I
• Empirical Microeconomics
• Time Series and Forecasting
• Data Methods in Economics
• Data Project in Economics
• Seminar and Research in Economics I and ll

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by examination or previous 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 12 months; maximum, 5 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 2 years; maximum, 5 years.

There are 39 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 82% hold a doctorate; there are 6 part-time faculty, of whom 33% hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated well below average for Category I institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of credit hours faculty teach is 14; average business class size is 19 to 24.

University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Joseph M. Bryan School of Business and Economics Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 1.4 million volumes, 465,000 microform items, and 44,000 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 30,500 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in international marketing, operations management, leadership, economics, finance, and accounting. Students have access to such databases and networks as Wilson Business Abstracts, Disclosure, ABI/INFORM (CD-ROM), Compustat, Economic Literature Database, Dialog, Business Source Premier, InfoTrac, Lexis/Nexis Academic, Mergent Online, Standard & Poor’s NetAdvantage, Reuters Business Insight, EcoMonitor, Investext Plus, National Trade Data Bank, and World Development Indicators Online. Other opportunities for research consist of access to regionally located libraries, interlibrary loans, and nearly 43,000 e-books.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of 3 PC laboratories with more than 100 PCs fully networked with access to all system software. Access to university mainframe computing is available, and wireless facilities are available to all students in the Bryan School.

Career and Job Placement

Placement services are limited, since most students are already employed full time. Placement services for alumni include lifelong career services. Placement is available through the university placement office. Ninety-six percent of the most recent graduating class found jobs within three months of receiving their degree.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. International students must score 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT) or 79 to 80 on the Internet-Based (iBT) version. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of immunizations, and proof of adequate funds to cover 1 year of study. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of Graduate Assistantships, MBA Excellence Scholarships, and Bryan Fellowships. The application deadline for fall entry is May 15.

Calendar

The school operates on 7-week modules for the MBA program. Semesters are 16 weeks long; summer sessions, 6 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening.

University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Joseph M. Bryan School of Business and Economics Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 3.0. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 X GPA) + GMAT (MBA students). Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, GMAT results, and work experience. A strong mathematics background is required for the Master of Arts in Applied Economics program.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 421; 301 were accepted; 217 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.24; average GMAT score was 556. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by direct mailings to prospective minority students and visiting and advertising at historically black colleges and universities and other institutions with higher undergraduate minority enrollments.

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 $45, 3 letters of recommendation, an essay describing experience and career objectives, and a resume. The application deadlines are July 1 for fall entry; November 1, spring. Students are notified of the admissions decision as soon as a decision is made. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is June. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 1 year.

University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Joseph M. Bryan School of Business and Economics Financial Aid

About 30% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $7635 annually; maximum $16,581. Stipends and programs available for minority students include Minority Presence Grants. The FAFSA is required. The application deadlines are March 15 for fall entry; November 1, spring.

Tuition for in-state residents is $4372 per year. Nonresidents pay $15,422 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $5513; books and supplies, $1200; personal expenses, $2700; and other fees, $1505, for an estimated annual total of $15,290 for in-state residents and $26,340 for out-of-state residents. Twenty-four credits constitute a year. Suite-style rooms are available in the graduate student residence hall. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Joseph M. Bryan School of Business and Economics Students

Forty-one percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 80% have had an average of 4 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from North Carolina (78%). Forty-two percent are women, 13% are minorities, and 19% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 29; ages range from 21 to 58. Fourteen percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 14% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 52%, business; 16%, math and science; 13%, economics; 8%, liberal arts; 5%, social sciences; and 1%, engineering. About 5% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 85% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 99 graduate business degrees were awarded.