College of Business, Colorado State University-Fort Collins in Fort Collins, CO - Colorado State University-Fort Collins in Fort Collins, CO

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.

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.

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.

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.