College of Business and Leadership, Fort Hays State University in Hays, KS

Academics

The College of Business and Leadership offers the Master of Business Administration in Leadership (MBA). The strongest areas of study are management, finance, marketing, and computer information systems. The most popular courses are in management and finance.

Thirty-seven total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 3 elective credits. Required courses include:

Strategic Management
Marketing Strategy
Corporate Finance: Theory and Application
Behavioral Management
Management Information Systems
Business Forecasting: Theory and Application
Advanced Managerial Accounting
Managerial Economics: Theory and Application
Research Methods
Managerial Reports and Presentations

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 5 semesters; maximum, 6 years.

There are 12 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated well below average for Category llA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of credit hours faculty teach is 12; average business class size is 25.

Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.5 and a GMAT score of 450. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x cumulative GPA) + GMAT, or minimum 990. Most important admissions factors are grades in upper-level courses, GMAT results, and academic accomplishments and ability. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 39; 22 were accepted; 14 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.0; average GMAT score was 425. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, 3 transcripts, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $35, 2 letters of recommendation, and a resume. The application deadline is open for fall entry. Students are notified of the admissions decision on a rolling basis. Once accepted, students may defer admission. Students granted unconditional status may complete 9 hours of graduate courses.

Financial Aid

The FFS or FAFSA, and the school’s own financial statement are required. The application deadline is March 15 for fall entry.

Tuition for in-state residents is $147 per credit. Nonresidents pay $389 per credit. On-campus room and board costs approximately $5465; books and supplies, $850; personal expenses, $1500, for an estimated annual total of $7815. Graduate MBA fees are $400 per credit hour. Graduate student housing is widely available on and off campus. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Students

Forty-five percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 10% have had an average of 1 to 5 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from foreign countries (70%). Fifty percent are women. The average age at entrance is 25; ages range from 22 to 48. Sixty-five percent enter directly from undergraduate school. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 90%, business and 10%, economics. About 5% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 90% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 18 graduate business degrees were awarded.