College of Business Administration, Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX - Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX

Academics

The Business Administration offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS), Master of Science in Human Resource Management (MSHRM), and Master of Science in Management (MSMGMT). Other programs include internships and interdisciplinary study in agribusiness. The strongest area of study and the most popular course is management.

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

Business Research Methods
Accounting Seminar
Financial Management Seminar I
Analytical Methods for Decision Making
Seminar in Business Strategy and Policy
Marketing Strategy
Computer Applications in Business

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by transferring up to 12 graduate-level electives.

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 year.

There are 11 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 95% 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 25.

Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.5. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (last 60 hours GPA x 200) + GMAT, or minimum 1100. Most important admissions factors are grades in upper-level courses, GMAT results, and work experience. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 123; 104 were accepted; 83 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.46; average GMAT score in a recent year was 435. 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, a transcript, GMAT scores, or GRE, and a nonrefundable application fee of $25. The application deadlines are August 28 for fall entry; January 15, spring; June 4, summer. Once accepted, students may defer admission; conditional admission may be granted.

Financial Aid

Stipends and programs available for minority students include the Minority Internship Program. The FAFSA is required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for in-state residents is $130 per credit. Nonresidents pay $395 per credit. Graduate student housing consists of student dormitories and some university-owned apartments. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Students

Forty-two percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 75% have had an average of 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 Texas (90%). Fifty-two percent are women, 10% are minorities, and 10% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 27; ages range from 19 to 69. Fifteen percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 5% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 21%, business; 20%, math and science; 20%, social sciences; 20%, education; and 19%, liberal arts. In 2006, 72 graduate business degrees were awarded.