Fogelman College of Business and Economics

University of Memphis, Fogelman College of Business and Economics History

University of Memphis, founded in 1912, is a public, coeducational institution. The 1100-acre campus is located in a suburban area in Memphis. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is approximately 21,000. Figures given in the capsule are approximate.

The Fogelman College of Business and Economics was founded in 1947 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, Fogelman College of Business and Economics. The basic educational approach is a mix of case study and theoretical methods.

University of Memphis, Fogelman College of Business and Economics Academics

The Fogelman College offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science in Accountancy (MSAcc), Master of Science in Business Administration (MSBA), and Master of Arts in Economics (MA) as well as a doctoral program in business administration with concentrations in economics, finance, management, marketing, management information systems, and decision sciences, and a joint degree in law (MBA/JD). Other programs include an interdisciplinary program in international business, foreign exchange with Belgium, Great Britain, Germany, France, and Mexico, and internships. The strongest areas of study are finance, management information systems, and business administration. The most popular courses are in finance and management information systems. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. These include Professor-for-a-Day, Speakers Forum, and Executive-in-Residence programs.

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

• Business Applications of Economic Theory
• Managerial Accounting for Decision Making
• Quantitative Methods for Business Decisions
• Seminar in Organizations
• Strategic Marketing
• Financial Management II
• Seminar in Business Policy
• International Business

Required courses for the MSBA include:

• Marketing Research
• International Business
• Information Systems

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements if a common body of knowledge can be demonstrated.

The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 3 semesters; maximum, 6 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 6 semesters; maximum, 6 years.

In a recent year, there were 104 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom held a doctorate; there were 17 part-time faculty, of whom 98% held a doctorate. Faculty salaries were rated below average for Category I institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 3; average business class size is 30.

University of Memphis, Fogelman College of Business and Economics Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 1,134,910 volumes and 3,455,572 microform items, and subscribes to 13,155 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in economics. Students have access to such databases and networks as Compustat and the Internet. Other opportunities for research consist of interlibrary loan arrangements with several other colleges.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of 4 PC labs open 14 hours a day, plus a mainframe room. Campuswide, there are more than 250 terminals. The university offers technical consulting services and noncredit seminars to computer users.

Career and Job Placement

Majors most in demand by companies recruiting in a recent year, were management information systems, finance, and marketing. Placement services are limited, since most students are already employed full time, and are available through the university placement office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of proof that they are free of tuberculosis, and proof of adequate funds to cover the whole period of study. There is a special fee of $60, for application processing. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of a limited number of graduate assistantships. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 16 weeks long; summer sessions, 6 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the evening only.

University of Memphis, Fogelman College of Business and Economics Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 3.0 and a GMAT score of 500. Most important admissions factors are GMAT results, work experience, and essays. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for a recent class was 199; 139 were accepted; 103 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.22. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by advertising in scholarship material.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $35, a personal statement, an essay, and proof of 1 year of work experience. Students are notified on a rolling basis of the admissions decision. Check with the school for application deadlines.

University of Memphis, Fogelman College of Business and Economics Financial Aid

Stipends and programs available for minority students include Tennessee Board of Regents Graduate Minority Fellowships. The FAFSA is required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for in-state residents is $4000 per year. Nonresidents pay $8000 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $3350; books and supplies, $975; personal expenses, $2500; and other fees, $284, for an estimated annual total of $11,259 for in-state residents and $15,259 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing includes married student apartments and mature student dorms. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

University of Memphis, Fogelman College of Business and Economics Students

Forty-nine percent of a recent graduate business school class were enrolled full time; 95% had an average of 6 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students were from Tennessee (70%). Forty-one percent were women, 31% were minorities, and 16% were foreign nationals. The average age at entrance was 30; ages ranged from 24 to 56. Eight percent entered directly from undergraduate school; 15% already had a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 40%, business; 15%, engineering; 15%, math and science; 10%, liberal arts; 10%, social sciences; and 5%, economics. About 13% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons. In 2006, 83 graduate business degrees were awarded.