College of Business and Technology, East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN - East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN

Academics

The College of Business and Technology offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Accountancy (MAcc). Other programs include interdisciplinary programs in health care and e-business and entrepreneurial leadership, foreign exchange with 3 countries, and internships. The strongest areas of study are accountancy and health care. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. These include the Eastman Chemical Company Distinguished Chair of Business Leadership.

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

Strategic Management Process
Managing Organizational Change
Research Methods and Statistics
Information Infrastructure
Economic and Financial Decision Making
Operations Strategy
Human Resource Strategy
Financial Planning and Control
National and Global Environment
Market Strategy
Strategic Experience
2 electives

Required courses for the MAcc include:

Seminar in Financial Accounting I
Seminar in Managerial Accounting
Seminar in Accounting Regulation
Seminar in Taxation
Seminar in Auditing
5 electives
Professional Accounting Experience

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by transferring credit from accredited schools.

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

There are 45 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate; there are 2 part-time faculty, of whom 50% hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated below average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of credit hours faculty teach is 18; average business class size is 25.

Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.5 and a GMAT score of 450. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x GPA) + GMAT, or minimum 1050. Most important admissions factors are GMAT results, academic accomplishments and ability, and work experience. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 77; 55 were accepted; 50 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.25; average GMAT score was 53. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by targeted recruiting.

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 $25. The application deadlines are June 1 for fall entry; November 1, spring; March 15, summer. Students are notified 3 weeks after the application is received of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is June. Once accepted, students may defer admission.

Financial Aid

Stipends and programs available for minority students include graduate assistantship and tuition scholarships. The FAFSA is required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for in-state residents is $342 per credit, or $5947 per year. Nonresidents pay $659 per credit, or $14,231 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $5000; books and supplies, $1000; personal expenses, $1000; and other fees, $475, for an estimated annual total of $13,422 for in-state residents and $21,706 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing is available in on-campus apartments. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Students

Thirty-five 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 Tennessee (78%). Forty-five percent are women, 15% are minorities, and 11% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 28; ages range from 21 to 61. Ten percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 10% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 50%, business; 20%, engineering; 15%, math and science; 5%, liberal arts; and 5%, social sciences. About 20% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 65% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 50 graduate business degrees were awarded.