MBA Program, Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC - Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC

Academics

The MBA Program offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA). Other programs include work-study, internships, and foreign excahnge with 5 countries. The strongest areas of study are accounting, entrepreneurship, financial planning, and project management. The most popular courses are Negotiations: Strategy and Professionalism, Small Business Consulting, and Computer Information Systems courses. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus.

Thirty-six total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 12 elective credits. Required courses include:

Managerial Accounting
Managerial Economics
Financial Management
Marketing Management
Organizational Behavior and Analysis
Information Systems for Competitive Advantage
Quantitative Analysis for Business
Strategic Management

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements Students may take elective courses outside the College of Business with the Director’s approval.

The maximum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time or part time is 6 years.

There are 16 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate. There is 1 part-time faculty. Faculty salaries are rated average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of credit hours faculty teach is 18; average business class size is 20.

Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 3.0 and a GMAT score of 450. Most important admissions factors are GMAT results, grades in upper-level courses, and academic accomplishments and ability. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 70; 54 were accepted; 44 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.29; average GMAT score was 498. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by regular participation in career fairs at minority colleges and universities.

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. Students are notified within 30 days of receipt of required materials of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is August. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 1 year. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Financial Aid

About 44% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $10,698 annually; maximum $20,040. The FAFSA and the school’s own financial statement are required. The application deadline is March 31 for fall entry.

On-campus room and board costs approximately $6800; books and supplies, $1200; personal expenses, $1500, for an estimated annual total of $14,096 for in-state residents and $23,681 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing is available in 2 graduate dormitories on campus, as well as in dormitories that house undergraduates.

Students

Thirty-nine percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 75% have had an average of 7 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from the South (82%). Forty-three percent are women, 20% are minorities, and 20% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 29; ages range from 22 to 50. Twenty-five percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 14% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 37%, business; 18%, engineering; 11%, math and science; 9%, liberal arts; 9%, social sciences; and 5%, economics. 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 2006, 38 graduate business degrees were awarded.