D. Abbott Turner College of Business, Columbus State University in Columbus, GA - Columbus State University in Columbus, GA

Academics

The D. Abbott Turner College of Business offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA). The most popular course is Management Information Systems. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus.

Thirty total credits are required to complete the MBA. Required courses include:

Managerial Economics
Seminar in Organizational Behavior
Managerial Accounting
Professional Communication Skills
Operations Management
Marketing Management
Managerial Finance
Management Information Systems
Business Strategy
Legal and Social Environment of Business

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by transferring a maximum of 6 semester hours with a B or better.

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

In a recent year, there were 14 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom held a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated below average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 1; average business class size is 18.

Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.0 and a GMAT score of 470. 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, grades in upper-level courses, and GMAT results. A strong mathematics background is not required.

Transfers are accepted.

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, 3 letters of recommendation, and a resume. The application deadlines are May 1 for fall entry; November 1, spring; March 15, summer. Students are notified within 1 month of application of the admissions decision. Once accepted, students may defer admission.

Financial Aid

Stipends and programs available for minority students include the Regents’ Opportunity Scholarship. The school’s own financial statement and the previous year’s tax return are required. The application deadline is May 1 for fall entry.

Tuition for in-state residents is $127 per credit. Nonresidents pay $508 per credit. On-campus room and board costs approximately $6500; and other fees, $464. Graduate student housing consists of on-campus apartments. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Students

Thirty-one percent of a recent graduate business school class were enrolled full time; 90% had an average of 8 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school. The greatest percentage of students were from the South (82%). Fifty-three percent were women, 22% were minorities, and 16% were foreign nationals. The average age at entrance was 34; ages ranged from 23 to 45. Twenty percent entered directly from undergraduate school; 4% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 23%, math and science; 19%, liberal arts; 18%, biological/medical science; 17%, business; and 10%, social sciences.