Graduate School of Business Administration, University of Colorado Colorado Springs in Colorado Springs, CO - University of Colorado Colorado Springs in Colorado Springs, CO

Academics

The Graduate School of Business offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA). Other programs include a Master of Engineering in Engineering Innovation and Technology Management, an MBA with an emphasis in health care administration, internship and work-study programs, and a distance MBA program with AACSB accreditation. The strongest areas of study are information systems, finance, and technology management. The most popular courses are Finance, Information Systems, New Venture Management, World Class Service Management, and Leading and Managing in Changing Times.

Thirty-six total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 15 elective credits. Required courses include:

Strategic Management
Leading and Managing in Changing Times
Contemporary Issues in Accounting
Information Systems
Corporate Financial Management
Marketing Strategy
Operations: Competing through Capabilities

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by transferring a maximum of 6 semester hours of appropriate graduate work from AACSB-accredited institutions. Preparatory courses (up to 12 hours) may be waived by completing relevant course work in an undergraduate program or by taking CLEP or DANTES waiver exams.

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

There are 32 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate; there are 2 part-time faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated above average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of credit hours faculty teach is 15; average business class size is 24.

Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (GPA x 200) + GMAT, or minimum 900 for consideration. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, GMAT results, and work experience. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 156; 130 were accepted; 97 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.26; average GMAT score was 575. Transfers are accepted.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, (GRE accepted in lieu of the GMAT), a nonrefundable application fee of $60, and a resume. The application deadlines are June 1 for fall entry; November 1, spring; April 1, summer. Students are notified within a month of the time the application is complete of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is May. Once accepted, students may defer admission by submitting a written request.

Financial Aid

Stipends and programs available for minority students include the in-state Colorado Graduate Diversity Grant. The FAFSA and Financial Aid Application, and Financial Aid Transcript are required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for in-state residents is approximately $280 per credit. Nonresidents pay $980 per credit. Graduate student housing consists of rooms, apartments, and houses off campus as well as a variety of housing options available to all students on campus. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Students

Ninety-eight percent of the current graduate business school class have had an average of 7 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. Thirty-seven percent are women and 11% are minorities. The average age at entrance is 29; ages range from 21 to 60. Three percent enter directly from undergraduate school. In 2006, 151 graduate business degrees were awarded.