College of Business Administration

Abilene Christian University, College of Business Administration History

Abilene Christian University, founded in 1906, is a private, coeducational institution affiliated with Church of Christ. The 208-acre campus is located in an urban area. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 4796.

The College of Business Administration was founded in 1960 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, Mabee Business Building. The basic educational approach is a blend of theoretical, case method, and project-oriented approaches leading to practice in management and accounting.

Abilene Christian University, College of Business Administration Academics

The COBA offers the Master of Accountancy (MAcc). Other programs include internships. The strongest area of study and the most popular course is accounting. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. Some 10 to 15 distinguished professionals speak to the students each year.

Thirty total credits are required to complete the MAcc, including 6 elective credits. Required courses for the MAcc include:

• Contemporary Issues in Accounting Theory
• Ethics for the Accounting Profession
• Accounting for Management Planning and Control
• Financial Statement Analysis
• Advanced Auditing
• Accounting for Governmental and Nonprofit Entities
• Advanced Topics in Financial Accounting
• Advanced Accounting Systems

Students may eliminate or substitute requirement. Up to 6 hours of transfer work is accepted.

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, 6 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 2 years; maximum, 6 years.

There are 7 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 6; average business class size is 15.

Abilene Christian University, College of Business Administration Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 503,707 volumes, 1.2 million microform items, and 65,246 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 2771 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in management and economics. Students have access to databases and networks in the fields of business and allied subject areas.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of a computer lab with 41 Pentium PCs and 21 Mac G3 computers. Software includes word processing/office applications, Internet browsing and publishing software, and various special-interest software. The PCs are connected to the campus network infrastructure via Ethernet and have Internet access through the university’s T1 line.

Career and Job Placement

In a recent year 15 companies recruited on campus. Thirty-three percent were national corporations. The major most in demand was accounting. Average starting salary of the graduating class was $43,000; range was $28,000 to $48,000. The percentage of graduates finding jobs were:

• national corporations 77%
• regional corporations 23%

Placement services are extensive. Placement services for alumni include employment interviews and placement file development. Placement is available through the university placement office. All 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 79-80 on the Internet-Based (iBT) version. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of the university health form, and proof of adequate funds.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 15 weeks long; summer sessions, 5 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening.

Abilene Christian University, College of Business Administration 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 academic accomplishments and ability, GMAT results, and letters of recommendation. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 23; 19 were accepted; 16 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.4; average GMAT score was 510. 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, a transcript, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $40, 2 letters of recommendation, and a purpose statement. The application deadlines are open for fall entry; open, spring. Students are notified as soon as the decision is reached of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is July. Once accepted, students may defer admission for 1 year.

Abilene Christian University, College of Business Administration Financial Aid

About 77% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $6716 annually; maximum $13,032. Stipends and programs available for minority students include scholarships. The school’s own financial statement is required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for all students is $521 per credit, or $12,504 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $6120; books and supplies, $1050; personal expenses, $3002; and other fees, $700, for an estimated annual total of $23,376. Graduate student housing includes dormitories and apartments. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Abilene Christian University, College of Business Administration Students

Eighty-five percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 6% have had full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school. The greatest percentage of students are from Texas (81%). Thirty percent are women, 7% are minorities, and 11% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 22; ages range from 21 to 36. Ninety percent enter directly from undergraduate school. All of students’ undergraduate majors were in business. In 2006, 26 graduate business degrees were awarded.