College of Business

Colorado State University, College of Business History

Colorado State University, founded in 1870, is a public, coeducational institution. The 833-acre campus is located in a suburban area 65 miles north of Denver. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 25,042.

The College of Business was founded in 1966 and is located on the main campus, in its own building. Courses also are offered at Denver (MBA) and via DVD and the Internet (MBA). The basic educational approach is an integrated program offering a mix of theoretical and case method, with the emphasis on practical application.

Colorado State University, College of Business Academics

The College of Business offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Accountancy (Macc), and Master of Science in Business Administration-Computer Information Systems (MSBA-CIS) as well as a joint degree in veterinary medicine (DVM/MBA). Other programs include work-study, assistantships, internships, and joint research. The strongest areas of study are international business, technology, and finance. The most popular courses are Leadership and Motivation, International Business, and Strategic Management. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus.

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

• Business Decision Making
• Accounting
• Financial Reporting and Analysis
• Leadership, Ethics, and Motivation
• Tools for Decision Making
• Organizational Communications
• Information Management
• Business Economics for the World Market
• Financial Principles and Practices
• Financial Markets and Investments
• Supply Chain Management
• Marketing Management
• Marketing Strategy and Planning
• Ethical, Legal, and Regulatory Issues
• International Business
• Strategic Management

Required courses for the Master of Accountancy include:

• Professional Practice
• Contemporary Financial Accounting Issues
• Advanced Managerial Accounting
• Contemporary Auditing
• Capstone Seminar

Required courses for the MSBA-Computer Information Systems include:

• Information Technology and Project Management
• Enterprise Computing and Systems Integration
• Visual Application Development
• Application Software Infrastructure
• Software Development Methodology
• Object Oriented Systems
• IT Communications Infrastructures
• Business Database Systems
• E-Business Application Techniques

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, 10 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 2 years; maximum, 10 years.

There are 33 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate; there are 10 part-time faculty. Faculty salaries are rated average for Category I institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 2; average business class size is 40.

Colorado State University, College of Business Unique Programs

Library

Publications for the business school contained in the main library consist of more than 1.8 million volumes, 2.4 million microform items, and 6800 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscriptions to 21,000 periodicals. Students have access to databases and networks in the fields of business and allied subject areas.

Computers

Graduate business students must have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of 100 laptops, plus more than 269 PCs. Software includes word processing, spreadsheets, statistical analysis, graphics, database, computer-aided software engineering, and various special-purpose business simulations. Students can log onto the College of Business resources 24 hours a day.

Career and Job Placement

Placement services are limited, since most students are already employed full time. Placement services for alumni include those provided by university career services and the College of Business career liaison office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. International students must score 565 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT) or 86 on the Internet-Based (iBT) version. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of immunization documentation, and proof of adequate funds to cover 1 year of study. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of graduate assistantships (international students compete with all others). The application deadline for fall entry is February 1.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 16 weeks long; summer sessions, 4 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening, a distance MBA is offered via DVD.

Colorado State University, College of Business Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 3.0 and a GMAT score of 550. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, work experience, and letters of recommendation. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 236; 217 were accepted; 191 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.13; average GMAT score was 612. Transfers are not accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by outreach to underrepresented population advocacy offices and through newsletters.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall and spring. To apply, students must submit an application form, 2 transcripts, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $50, 3 letters of recommendation, a resume, and a letter of intent. The application deadlines are July 15 for fall entry; December 8, spring. Students are notified of the admissins decision within 4 weeks of completed application. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is July 15. Once accepted, students may defer admission for 1 term before reapplication is required.

Colorado State University, College of Business Financial Aid

Stipends and programs available for minority students include diversity assistantships. The FAFSA is required. The university recommends the USA Funds Singlefile form for financial aid. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for in-state residents is $236 per credit, or $4248 per year. Nonresidents pay $869 per credit, or $15,642 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $8500; books and supplies, $1000; and other fees, $1311, for an estimated annual total of $15,059 for in-state residents and $26,453 for out-of-state residents. Tuition for Distance MBA students is $547 per credit, or $9846 per year, regardless of residency. Graduate student housing consists of apartments and dormitories on campus and apartment houses in the community. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Colorado State University, College of Business Students

Twelve percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 93% have had an average of 12 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from the West (36%). Twenty-four percent are women, 12% are minorities, and 8% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 34; ages range from 25 to 64. One percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 12% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 34%, business; 19%, engineering; 17%, math and science; 14%, social sciences; 10%, liberal arts; and 5%, economics. About 1% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 89% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 148 graduate business degrees were awarded.