College of Business, Minnesota State University-Mankato in Mankato, MN - Minnesota State University-Mankato in Mankato, MN

Academics

The College of Business offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA). Other programs include foreign exchange with 6 countries. The strongest areas of study are leadership and organizational change. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. One of the required courses is an executive seminar that is taught by top executives throughout the region.

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

Writing in the Workplace
Data Analysis and Statistics for Managers
Economic Analysis for Managers
Legal and Ethical Environment of Business
Accounting for Managers
Investment and Financial Decisions
Developing Human Resources
Information Technology and Systems Management
Managing Behavior in a Changing World
Managing Service and Manufacturing Operations
Global Business Strategy
Marketing Strategy
Executive Seminar
Strategic Management and Business Policy

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by tranfering uo to 6 credits of 600 level coursework.

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 2 years; maximum, 6 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 3 years; maximum, 6 years.

There are 16 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate; there is 1 part-time faculty member. Faculty salaries are rated above average for Category llA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of credit hours faculty teach is 16; average business class size is 13.

Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x GPA). Most important admissions factors are GMAT results, grades in upper-level courses, and letters of recommendation. A strong mathematics background is not required but it is important.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 45; 25 were accepted; 25 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.24; average GMAT score was 553. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by the Vice President for Institutional Diversity, who recruits undergraduate and graduate students throughtout most of the country.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall and spring. To apply, students must submit an application form, 2 transcripts, GMAT scores, TOEFL, an application fee of $40, 2 letters of recommendation, and a resume. The application deadlines are June 1 for fall entry; October 1, spring. Students are notified of the admissions decision within 2 to 3 weeks after the admission deadline. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is the first or second week of May. Once accepted, students may defer admission for 1 year.

Financial Aid

About 4% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $9000 annually; maximum $9000. Stipends and programs available for minority students include the In-State Tuition Scholarship Program, which is awarded based on excellent academic performance and cross-cultural understanding, both on and off campus. The FAFSA is required. The application deadline is March 15 for fall entry.

Tuition for in-state residents is $465 per credit. Nonresidents pay $636 per credit. On-campus room and board costs approximately $5730; books and supplies, $548; personal expenses, $2846; and other fees, $368. Eleven residence halls are housed in 3 complexes on campus. There are also a number of off-campus housing options near campus. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Students

Sixty percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 87% have had full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school. The greatest percentage of students are from foreign countries (20%). Thirty-five percent are women and 2% are minorities. Thirteen percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 4% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 58%, business; 17%, social sciences; 5%, economics; 5%, engineering; and 5%, math and science. In 2006, 13 graduate business degrees were awarded.