College of Business and Technology

University of Nebraska at Kearney, College of Business and Technology History

University of Nebraska at Kearney, founded in 1903, is a public, coeducational institution. The 235-acre campus is located in a rural area 200 miles west of Omaha.

The College of Business and Technology was founded in 1980 and is located on the main campus. The basic educational approach is a combination of the case method approach, lectures, and seminars.

University of Nebraska at Kearney, College of Business and Technology Academics

The College offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA). The strongest areas of study are accounting, finance, and general management. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus, including the Baldwin Free Enterprise Series and the World Affairs Conference.

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

• Managerial Accounting
• Financial Administration
• Decision Science
• Marketing Management
• Organizational Theory and Behavior
• Managerial Economics
• Administration Policy
• 3 electives

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 year; maximum, 10 years. For students attending part time, the maximum is 10 years.

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

University of Nebraska at Kearney, College of Business and Technology Unique Programs

Library

Publications for the business school contained in the main library consist of more than 15,741 volumes, 102 microform items, and 260 audio/video tapes/CDs, and 2725 periodicals. Students have access to such databases and networks as Buckmaster Internet Annual Stockholder Reports, CCH Tax Research Network, Lexis/Nexis Academic, Lexis/Nexis Statistical, Mergent Online, MRI +, SEC Filings and Reports, ThomasNet, and ValueLine Research Center. Periodical index databases such as Emerald, Business & Company ASAP, and Business Source Premier are also available.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of 50 terminals, with several types of software, available more than 75 hours a week.

Career and Job Placement

Placement services are limited, since most students are already employed full time. Placement services for alumni are also limited. 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) or 80 on the Internet-Based version (iBT). They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, a credential evaluation from a NACES accredited firm, proof of health consisting of immunizations and health history, and proof of adequate funds to cover 2 years of study. There are special fees of $490 for health insurance. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of assistantship. The application deadline for fall entry is May 1.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 17 weeks long; summer sessions, 4 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening.

University of Nebraska at Kearney, College of Business and Technology Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.75 and a GMAT score of 440. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (GPA x 200) + GMAT = minimum 990. Most important admissions factors are grades in upper-level courses, GMAT results, and work experience. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 12; 9 were accepted; 9 enrolled. Transfers are accepted.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, 2 transcripts, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $45, and 2 letters of recommendation. The application deadlines are May 1 for fall entry; August 15, spring; February 1, summer. Students are notified of the admissions decision as soon as the admission requirements have been submitted and the committee has reviewed the file. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is April 1. Once accepted, students may defer admission upon notification that they are unable to attend.

University of Nebraska at Kearney, College of Business and Technology Financial Aid

The FAFSA, the school’s own financial statement, the previous year’s tax return are required. Applicants can apply for aid at any time prior to or during the semester.

Tuition for in-state residents is $161 per credit, or $1780 per year. Nonresidents pay $332 per credit, or $3323 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $5644; books and supplies, $1050; personal expenses, $1500; and other fees, $670, for an estimated annual total of $10,644 for in-state residents and $12,187 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing consists of dormitory rooms and married-student housing. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

University of Nebraska at Kearney, College of Business and Technology Students

Forty-five percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 50% have had an average of 5 to 10 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from Nebraska (80%). Fifty-five percent are women and 13% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 28; ages range from 23 to 59. Fifty percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 5% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 60%, business; 15%, education; 10%, engineering; 10%, social sciences; and 5%, math and science. About 10% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 60% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 13 graduate business degrees were awarded.