School of Business

Academics

The School of Business offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Arts in Management (MAM) as well as a doctoral program, Doctor of Business Administration, and a joint degree in communication, divinity, government, education, law, psychology, counseling, and leadership studies and the arts. Other programs include interdisciplinary study, cross-registration through the Tidewater Consortium, and internships. The strongest areas of study are entrepreneurship, management, finance, and marketing. The most popular courses are From Idea to Market Success, Leading and Managing People, and Strategic Leadership. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus, including the Executive Leadership series.

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

  • Successful Executive Life
  • Leading with Excellence and Integrity
  • Marketing
  • Financial Reporting and Control
  • Teamwork and Interpersonal Relations
  • From Idea to Market Success
  • Corporate Finance
  • Managerial Economics and Decision Analysis
  • Technology and Operations Management
  • Marketing Strategy
  • Managerial Finance
  • Business in the Global Environment
  • Strategic Decision-Making
  • Choose 3 Classes from 8 Elective Specializations

Required courses for the MAM include:

  • Successful Executive Life
  • Leading with Excellence and Integrity
  • Marketing and Entrepreneurial Thinking
  • Financial Reporting and Control
  • Teamwork and Interpersonal Relations
  • From Idea to Market Success
  • Technology and Operations Management
  • Choose 3 Classes from 8 Elective Specializations

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements through waiver examinations and prior graduate course work considered on an individual basis.

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 <1/2> years; maximum, 5 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 2 <1/2> years; maximum, 5 years.

In a recent year there were 12 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 75% held a doctorate; there are 6 part-time faculty, of whom 33% held a doctorate. Average number of courses faculty teach is 3; average business class size is 20.

Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.75 and a GMAT score of 500. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x GPA) + GMAT, or minimum 1050. Most important admissions factors are work experience and academic accomplishments and ability. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for a recent class was 324; 124 were accepted; 100 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.1; average GMAT score was 535. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by advertisements, conferences, recruiting, and admissions functions.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall and spring. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, 2 letters of recommendation, a resume, a community life form, a writing sample, and an interview, in person or by telephone. Students are notified on a rolling basis 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 deadlines and fee.

Financial Aid

About 71% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $3900 annually; maximum $9400. Stipends and programs available for minority students include the Azusa Street Scholarship. The FAFSA and the school’s own financial statement are required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for all students is approximately $630 per credit, or $11,570 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $6500; books and supplies, $900; and other fees, $250, for an estimated annual total of $19,220. Graduate student housing consists of a limited number of 2-and 3-bedroom apartments with free shuttle service to the university. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Students

Twenty-five percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 84% 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 Virginia (50%). Forty percent are women, 36% are minorities, and 7% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 32; ages range from 22 to 69. Nineteen percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 4% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 39%, business; 30%, liberal arts; 13%, math and science; 13%, social sciences; 8%, engineering; and 6%, economics. About 25% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 75% remain to receive their degree.

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