College of Commerce and Business Administration

Jacksonville State University, College of Commerce and Business Administration History

Jacksonville State University, founded in 1883, is a public, coeducational institution. The 350-acre campus is located in a small town 75 miles west of Atlanta and 60 miles east of Birmingham. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 8930.

The College of Commerce and Business Administration was founded in 1965 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, Merrill Hall. Courses also are offered at the Gadsden, Alabama, campus for the MBA. The basic educational approach is both theoretical and case method with the objective of training students to be business leaders for the future.

Jacksonville State University, College of Commerce and Business Administration Academics

The CBA offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Business Administration with an accounting concentration (MBA). Other programs include an interdisciplinary program in public administration with a business concentration. The most popular courses are the management courses.

Thirty total credits are required to complete the MBA/general or accounting, including 6 elective credits. Required courses for the MBA/general or accounting include:

• Accounting Information Analysis
• Operations and Technology Management
• Business Policy and Strategy
• Managerial Economics
• Financial Planning and Policy
• Marketing Administration
• Business Leadership
• International Business
• 2 business electives ( or 3 accounting electives for accounting concentrations)

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements and may transfer up to 6 hours from another AACSB program and up to 9 hours in the accounting concentration.

The maximum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time or part time is 6 years.

There are 18 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 94% hold a doctorate; there are 3 part-time faculty, all of whom 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 15.

Jacksonville State University, College of Commerce and Business Administration Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 49,004 volumes, 6 microform items, 6 special business collections, and 258 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 123 periodicals. Students have access to such databases and networks as ABI/INFORM, AICPA Resource, Business and Company Resource Center, and numerous others. Students may work with faculty in independent study courses.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of 125 Dell Optiplex GX 240 computers and 10 Dell Dimension 2200 computers located in 5 computer labs. Mircosoft Office, Minitab, and other discipline-specific software are available. Operating hours are from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Career and Job Placement

In spring 2006, 30 companies recruited on campus. Twenty-five percent were national corporations. Placement services are limited, since most students are already employed full time, and are available through the university placement office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. International students must score 500 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT) or 61 on the Internet-Based (iBT) version. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts and proof of adequate funds to cover 1 year of study.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 16 weeks long; summer sessions, 6 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening.

Jacksonville State University, College of Commerce and Business Administration Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GMAT score of 400. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (GPA X 200) + GMAT, or minimum 950. Most important admissions factors are GMAT results, grades in upper-level courses, and letters of recommendation. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 40; 30 enrolled. The average GPA was 2.8; average GMAT score was 468. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited.

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 $20, 3 letters of recommendation, resume, and a statement of goals. Students are notified as soon as possible, usually within 1 week of receipt of all application materials, of the admissions decision.

Jacksonville State University, College of Commerce and Business Administration Financial Aid

About 60% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships. The FAFSA is required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for in-state residents is $225 per credit. Nonresidents pay $450 per credit. Graduate student housing consists of apartments and dorm rooms.

Jacksonville State University, College of Commerce and Business Administration Students

Thirty-eight percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 75% have had an average of 5 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school. The greatest percentage of students are from Alabama (88%). Forty-six percent are women, 29% are minorities, and 6% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 28; ages range from 22 to 51. Twenty percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 2% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 60%, business; 20%, engineering; 10%, math and science; and 10%, social sciences. About 10% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 90% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 30 graduate business degrees were awarded.