College of Business and Management/MBA Program, Saginaw Valley State University in University Center, MI - Saginaw Valley State University in University Center, MI

Academics

The MBA Program offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA). Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus, including the Wickson-Nickless Distinguished Lectureship in Business, the Boutell/Citizens Bank Executive-in-Residence Speaker, Family Business, Executive Speaker, and the Dow Scholar Program.

Thirty-one to 34 total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 6 to 9 elective credits. Required courses include:

Business Process Design
Macroeconomics for Managerial Decisions
Organizational Behavior and Leadership
Social Responsibility and Ethics in Business
Global Business
Managerial Accounting
Managerial Finance
Integrated Marketing Management
Strategic Management of Global Corporations

Students may waive foundation courses with prior course work.

The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 1 year.

There are 11 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate. Average number of credit hours faculty teach is 24; average business class size is 20.

Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 3.0 and a GMAT score of 450. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x GPA) + GMAT. Most important admissions factors are grades in upper-level courses, GMAT results, and academic accomplishments and ability. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 50; 45 were accepted; 19 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.17; average GMAT score was 501. 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, 2 letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and a statement of work experience. The application deadline is open for fall entry. Students are notified immediately of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is August 25. Once accepted, students may defer admission.

Financial Aid

About 45% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $8766 annually; maximum $15,699. Stipends and programs available for minority students include King/Chaves/Park. The FAFSA is required. Check with the scholarship and financial aid office for current application deadlines.

Tuition for in-state residents is $301 per credit, or $5419 per year. Nonresidents pay $579 per credit, or $10,416 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $6380; books and supplies, $1000; personal expenses, $1500; and other fees, $248, for an estimated annual total of $14,547 for in-state residents and $19,544 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing is available in residence halls and apartments on campus.

Students

Thirty-three percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 66% have had an average of 4 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from Michigan (60%). Thirty-three percent are women, 5% are minorities, and 40% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 27; ages range from 21 to 45. Thirty-four percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 5% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 45%, business; 25%, engineering; 21%, math and science; 3%, economics; 3%, liberal arts; and 3%, social sciences. About 5% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 95% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 23 graduate business degrees were awarded.