College of Business/MBA Program, McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA - McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA

Academics

The MBA Program offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA). The strongest area of study is management. The most popular courses are in personnel, supervision, investments, and international business. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus.

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

Accounting Information for Management
Quantitative Methods in Business Decisions
Managerial Economics
Financial Management Policies
Organizational Behavior
Research Methods in Business
Seminar in Strategic Management and Business Policy
Marketing Management

The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 2 years; maximum, 6 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 4 years; maximum, 6 years.

There are 15 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 3; average business class size is 20.

Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.5. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x overall undergraduate GPA) + GMAT, or minimum 950. Most important admissions factors are grades in upper-level courses and GMAT results. A strong mathematics background is not required.

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, and a nonrefundable application fee of $20. Check with the school for current application deadlines. Students are notified of the admissions decision within 4 to 6. Once accepted, students may defer admission and reapply for a $10 fee.

Financial Aid

About 20% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $6000 annually; maximum $10,000. The school’s own financial statement are required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Annual tuition for in-state students is approximately $2500. Non residents pay approximately $8900. On-campus room and board costs approximately $2800. Graduate student housing is immediately available on and off campus.

Students

Twenty-six percent of a recent graduate business school class were enrolled full time; 96% had an average of 9 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school. The greatest percentage of students were from the Midwest (26%). Forty-four percent were women, 5% were minorities, and 8% were foreign nationals. The average age at entrance was 31; ages ranged from 24 to 49. Five percent entered directly from undergraduate school; 1% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 41%, engineering; 14%, liberal arts; 11%, business; 10%, math and science; 9%, economics; 8%, social sciences; and 7%, education. About 19% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 61% remain to receive their degree.