School of Business

Academics

The School of Business offers the Master of Arts in Economics (MAEcon), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science in Business (MS), Master of Taxation (MTX), Master of Accountancy (MaAcc), and Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) as well as a doctoral program in business, management, accounting, and information systems, and a joint degree in information systems (MBA/MS) and pharmacy (PharmD). Other programs include work-study programs in cooperative education and internship programs. The strongest areas of study are accounting, economics, finance, and information systems. The most popular courses are Finance and Management. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. Leading scholars and corporate executives are invited to campus to meet with students, faculty, and employers through the Scholar-in-Residence and Executive-in-Residence programs.

Thirty-six total credits are required to complete the Master’s Degree Programs, including 9 elective credits. Required courses for the Master’s Degree Programs include:

  • Accounting
  • Operations Research
  • Managerial Economics
  • Organizational Behavior
  • Financial Management
  • Marketing
  • Information Systems
  • Economics

Foundation courses may be completed through CLEP examinations and undergraduate course work prior to beginning the Masters program.

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; maximum, 3 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 2 years; maximum, 5 years.

There are 90 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 90% hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated below average for Category I institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 5; average business class size is 25.

Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required. 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 198; 110 were accepted; 73 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.17; average GMAT score was 567. Transfers are accepted.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, 2 transcripts, GMAT scores, GRE scores (MAEcon), a nonrefundable application fee of $50, 3 letters of recommendation, a resume, and a personal statement. The application deadlines are July 1 for fall entry; November 1, spring; April 1, summer. Students are notified 1 to 2 weeks after the complete application is received of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is open. Once accepted, students may defer admission for no more than 1 year; requests must be in writing.

Financial Aid

The FAFSA is required. Check with the school for current deadlines.

Tuition for in-state residents is $435 per credit. Nonresidents pay $947 per credit. On-campus room and board costs approximately $5000; books and supplies, $1000; personal expenses, $5000, for an estimated annual total of $19,341 for in-state residents and $28,582 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing is limited; off-campus apartments, condominiums, and town houses are available nearby. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Students

Thirty-two percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 86% have had an average of 3 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 Virginia (90%). Thirty-three percent are women, 30% are minorities, and 10% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 29; ages range from 22 to 50. Ten percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 5% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 45%, business; 30%, liberal arts; 10%, engineering; 10%, social sciences; 2%, economics; and 2%, math and science. About 5% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 80% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 173 graduate business degrees were awarded.

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