MBA Program

Fayetteville State University, MBA Program History

Fayetteville State University, founded in 1867, is a public, coeducational institution. The 156-acre campus is located in an urban area. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 6301.

The MBA Program was founded in 1985 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, the School of Business and Economics. Courses also are offered at Cape Fear Valley Health System and Seymore Johnson Air Force Base (MBA). The basic educational approach is to provide a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the functional areas of business: accounting, economics, finance, management, and marketing. The program uses the case method and theoretical approaches to instruction.

Fayetteville State University, MBA Program Academics

The School offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA). Other programs include 3-2 degrees in business and economics, graduate assistantships, foreign exchange with England, the Dominican Republic, and China, and internships with local businesses. The strongest areas of study are international business, finance, marketing, general management, and health care. The most popular course is Management.

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

• Advanced Management Accounting
• Managerial Economics
• Advanced Financial Management
• Organizational Behavior
• Marketing Planning and Strategy
• Decision Sciences
• Management Information Systems
• Business Policy and Strategy

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by completing relevant course work previously.

The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 1 year; maximum, 6 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 1 1/2 years; maximum, 6 years.

There are 20 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 7; average business class size is 20.

Fayetteville State University, MBA Program Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 291,718 volumes, 988,059 microform items, and 9436 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 3317 periodicals. Students have access to 77 databases, including Business Source Premier, Euromonitor, Compustat, Business Dateline, Hoover’s Company profiles, and others. Other opportunities for research consist of interlibrary loans and independent study courses.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of 2 computer laboratories with a combined total of approximately 50 desktop PCs. These computers have Microsoft Office 2003 with FrontPage, SAS, WebMail, and Internet access and are available for use by the School of Business and Economics faculty, staff, and students.

Career and Job Placement

In a recent year, 50 companies recruited on campus. Sixty percent were national corporations. Majors most in demand were management with quantitative skills. Average starting salary of a recent graduating class was $55,000; range was $50,000 to $70,000. The percentage of graduates finding jobs were:

• national corporations 30%
• regional corporations 30%
• local large enterprises 20%
• local small enterprises 10%

Placement services are limited, since most students are already employed full time, and are available through the university placement office. Ninety percent of a recent graduating class found jobs within three months of receiving their degree.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. International students must score 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT). They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of a medical documentation form, and proof of adequate funds to cover the duration of graduate studies. To get an 1-20 they need to provide documents indicating the they have funds to support themselves for at least 1 year. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 16 weeks long; summer sessions, 5 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the evening only and weekends.

Fayetteville State University, MBA Program Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.0. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x GPA) + GMAT, or minimum 950 or (200 x upper division + GMAT, or minimum 1000). Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, GMAT results, and grades in upper-level courses. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 18; 18 were accepted; 18 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.5; average GMAT score was 443. 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, a nonrefundable application fee of $25, and 2 letters of recommendation. Application deadlines are the second week of July for fall entry; second week of December, spring: second week of May, summer. Students are notified 1 week after the application is received of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is August 1. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 1 year.

Fayetteville State University, MBA Program Financial Aid

About 88% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $5555 annually; maximum $11,762. The FAFSA, the school’s own financial statement, and the previous year’s tax return are required. The application deadlines are March 15 for fall entry; October 15, spring; April 15, summer.

Tuition for in-state residents is $2118 per year. Nonresidents pay $11,708 per year. Books and supplies cost approximately $300; and other fees, $1121, for an estimated annual total of $3539 for in-state residents and $13,129 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing is not available on campus. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Fayetteville State University, MBA Program Students

Nineteen percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 90% 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 North Carolina (87%). Fifty-eight percent are women, 44% are minorities, and 13% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 34; ages range from 23 to 55. Eight percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 3% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 46%, business; 12%, liberal arts; 6%, engineering; 5%, social sciences; 3%, economics; and 1%, math and science. About 10% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 80% remain to receive their degree. In spring 2006, 8 graduate business degrees were awarded.