J. Whitney Bunting School of Business, Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, GA - Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, GA

Academics

The J. Whitney Bunting School of Business offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Management Information Systems (MMIS) as well as a joint degree in MSN/MBA. Other programs include work-study in the form of graduate assistantships, foreign exchange with 7 countries, and joint research. The strongest area of study is business administration. The most popular courses are Advanced Managerial Communication, Communications Theory in Management, Human Resources in Administration, Microcomputer Applications in Business, and Seminar in Quality Management. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. During Executives Week, business executives are invited to speak to all classes. There is a Women’s Leadership Forum and a Executive’s Forum (September to April).

Thirty-six total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 6 elective credits. Required courses include:

Managerial Accounting
Managerial Economics
Financial Policies
Research Methods and Statistical Applications in Business
Operations Management
Organizational Theory and Behavior
Advanced Marketing Theory and Applications
Business Ethics and Global Responsibilities
Strategic Management
Information Resource Management

Required courses for the MMIS include:

Data Communication and Networking
Database Management
Systems Analysis, Tools, and Prototyping
Research Project
Organizational Theory and Behavior
E-commerce Development
Integrating Information Systems Across the Enterprise

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by completing relevant course work previously at an accredited institution.

The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 4 semesters; maximum, 7 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 6 semesters; maximum, 7 years.

There are 36 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 93% hold a doctorate; there is 1 part-time faculty member. 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 29.

Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x GPA) or GMAT, or minimum 1000. Most important admissions factors are grades in upper-level courses, GMAT results, and academic accomplishments and ability. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 113; 57 were accepted; 40 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.29; average GMAT score was 503. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by a minority recruiter.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, 2 transcripts, GMAT scores, and a nonrefundable application fee of $25. The application deadlines are July 1 for fall entry; April 1, winter; November 15, spring. Students are notified on a rolling basis of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is July. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 2 semesters.

Financial Aid

About 19% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $7522 annually; maximum $10,500. The FAFSA is required. The application deadlines are July 1 for fall entry; November 1, spring; April 1, summer.

Tuition for in-state residents is $179 per credit, or $4833 per year. Nonresidents pay $715 per credit, or $19,305 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $9706; books and supplies, $1080; and other fees, $1173, for an estimated annual total of $16,792 for in-state residents and $31,264 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing is available in residence halls on campus and private housing in town. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Students

Twenty-four percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time. Forty-nine percent are women, 18% are minorities, and 94% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 29; ages range from 21 to 64. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 50%, business; 20%, engineering; 10%, liberal arts; 10%, social sciences; 5%, math and science; and 5%, fine arts. In 2006, 80 graduate business degrees were awarded.