College of Business and Public Affairs, Murray State University in Murray, KY

Academics

The Arthur J. Bauernfeind Graduate Program offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science in Economics/Finance (MS), Master of Arts or Science in Organizational Communication (MA/MS), Master of Arts or Science in Journalism and Mass Communications (MA/MS), and Master of Science in Telecommunications Systems Management (MS). Other programs include an interdisciplinary program for the MBA and the graduate degree in telecommunications systems management, internships, joint research, foreign exchange with 3 countries, and cooperative programs with Kentucky’s other public universities. The strongest areas of study are accounting, economics, e-commerce, finance, computer information systems, marketing, and management. The most popular courses are Information Systems, Finance, E-commerce, Accounting, Marketing, and Management. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. There is an Executives-on-Campus program each spring semester and a Distinguished Lecture once each semester.

Thirty total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 9 elective credits. Required courses include:

Quantitative Financial Controls
Management Science for Managerial Decision Making
Managerial Economics
Corporate Finance
Seminar in Organizational Behavior
Seminar in Strategic Management
Marketing Planning and Application

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, 8 years. For students attending part time, the maximum is 8 years.

There are 30 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 6; average business class size is 21.

Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.75, a GMAT score of 400, and GRE scores of 800. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x GPA) + 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 required.

Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by efforts at predominantly black schools and with special minority assistantships.

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 $30. Check with the school for current application deadlines. Students are notified of the admissions decision within 3 weeks of applying. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 3 years; however, once enrolled, a student inactive for 1 year must reapply.

Financial Aid

Stipends and programs available for minority students include special assistantships. The FAFSA and the school’s own financial statement are required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for in-state residents is $5679 per year. Nonresidents pay $15,966 per year. Graduate student housing consists of private dorm rooms and on- and off-campus apartments. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Students

Fifty percent of a recent graduate business school class were enrolled full time. The greatest percentage of students were from Kentucky (65%). Forty-nine percent were women, 22% were minorities, and 26% were foreign nationals. The average age at entrance was 30; ages ranged from 22 to 48. Twenty-one percent entered directly from undergraduate school; 3% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 80%, business; 2%, economics; and 2%, engineering. About 2% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 85% remain to receive their degree.