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Program Overview
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The College of Commerce & Business Administration (CCBA) at Jacksonville State University (JSU) offers a master of business administration (MBA) program that students may pursue on either a full- or part-time basis. The CCBA is accredited by AACSB International–The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
Course work may be completed in the traditional classroom format or online. Students with a business undergraduate degree may complete the online format in 18 months.
MBA Studies
The MBA program offered by the CCBA is designed to prepare students for leadership roles in a range of profit and nonprofit organizations. Two options are available within the program: a general study option requiring 30 semester hours of study, and an accounting area of specialization that may be completed in 33 semester hours of study. All participants in the program must pass a comprehensive oral examination.
MBA students who do not have a bachelor's degree in management education must take a series of foundational courses designed to cover the basic elements of a business curriculum. Topics covered in these courses include business organization and administration, statistics and quantitative methods, principles of financial accounting, economic theory and application, business finance, legal and social environment, operations and technology management, and principles of marketing. Individuals who have credit for these courses from previous university-level business studies may be eligible to have the requirements waived. Exemptions from a portion of the foundation coursework requirements may be awarded to program participants who have at least three years of mid-level management experience in a recognized managerial position.
After students have successfully completed foundational coursework, they may choose between the general or accounting options of the MBA program. The general study option offers students the opportunity to pursue additional courses in international studies and/or management, while the accounting designation contains options in auditing, cost control & profit planning, and income tax accounting. Students in either one of these MBA options are encouraged to pursue an internship option (graded as either "pass" or "fail"), which lets students incorporate on-site learning into their academic program.
The Center for Economic Development
The CCBA operates the Center for Economic Development (CED), which offers a range of services to business communities across the nation. In addition to maintaining a business research bureau and a host of business and government consultation services, the CED produces a monthly publication, the JSU Economic Update that contains information on the economy of northeast Alabama.
The Small Business Development Center
As part of the Center for Economic Development, the Small Business Development Center provides assistance to current and future small business owners in the northeast Alabama area. Seven counties in the region are serviced by the center, which is a member of the Alabama Small Business Development Consortium (ASBDC).
The goal of the center is to share the business acumen of its members with the local city and state communities. To this end, counseling services are offered by CCBA students and faculty members on a range of issues including insurance considerations, business plan formation and review and projection of cash flow and other financial statements. Public workshops and seminars are available on a similar range of topics relating to small business development issues.
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Highlights
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- Accredited by AACSB International
- Class sizes in the program average 25 students
- International students comprise one-fifth of the MBA student population
- MBA studies available on a part- or full-time basis
- Study options include: General MBA, Accounting Concentration, part- or full-time
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MBA Student Profile
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| # of Full-time Students: | 25 (75 part-time) | | # of Applications per year: | 60 | | # Accepted per year: | 40 | | # Enrolled per year: | 100 | | Average GMAT Score: | 450 | | Average Age: | 27 | | % Men/Women: | 48%/52% | | Work Experience (avg yrs): | 3 | | Class Sizes: | 25 |
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Distribution by Undergraduate Degrees
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| Business | 80 | | Arts | 7 | | Engineering | 5 | | Nursing | 5 | | Other | 3 |
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Location at a Glance
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| City Population: | 10,300 | | Cost of Living: | n/a | | Climate Range: | 33° to 90°F | | Campus Setting: | suburban |
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University at a Glance
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| Year Founded: | 1883 | | Total Enrollment: | 9,000 | | Graduate Enrollment: | 1,600 | | Students in Residence: | 1,500 |
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University & Location
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Jacksonville State University, located in Jacksonville, Alabama, was founded in 1883 as a state normal school. Today, JSU is a modern regional academic center serving the educational needs of northeast Alabama. The mission of the university is to provide high-quality education by combining traditional academic pursuits with career-oriented programs at a reasonable cost. JSU is accredited by both the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and AACSB International.
JSU's student population of 9,000 includes individuals from 45 states and 75 foreign countries. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 26 to one, JSU ensures a high degree of interaction among various members of the university community.
The university operates nine on-campus residence halls and 276 apartment units that accommodate over 1,500 students.
Jacksonville is located in the northeastern corner of Alabama and has a population of approximately 10,300. Jacksonville is 74 miles east of Birmingham and 99 miles west of Atlanta, Georgia. Jacksonville's rich history is evident in the city's numerous Civil War monuments and nationally registered antebellum homes.
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International Student Support
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International students comprise one-fifth of the MBA student population in the CCBA. These students come from countries including Colombia, Malaysia, China, Egypt, Nigeria, Singapore, Pakistan and Thailand.
Assistance for international students is provided through the Office of International Services & Programs (OIPS). This department also prepares domestic JSU students for study overseas and is responsible for the integration of international content into the university's curricular offerings.
Support services offered by the OIPS include assistance with adjusting to life in the US and the JSU campus, as well as counseling services with matters concerning immigration and visiting student status.
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Admissions Criteria & Procedures
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To be eligible for the MBA program at JSU, applicants must be accepted by both the College of Graduate Studies and the CCBA. General admission requirements include a bachelor's degree from an accredited postsecondary institution. Individuals with a bachelor's degree from an unaccredited institution must have the degree certified by the deans of graduate schools at three regionally accredited public institutions in the state where the unaccredited institution is located. Where applicable, international students will be asked to supply official translations of all documents not written in English, as well as proof of financial support and evidence of English-language proficiency. A minimum paper-based TOEFL score of 500, or 173 on the computer-based test, is required for successful admission to the College of Graduate Studies.
In determining applicant eligibility for the MBA program, the CCBA considers a combination of GPA and GMAT results. Unconditional admission will be granted to students based on one of the following formulas: 200 times the GPA on the initial undergraduate degree plus the GMAT score (minimum of 400) is equal to or greater than a total of 950 points, or 200 times the GPA on the last 64 hours attempted toward completion of the initial undergraduate degree, plus the GMAT score (minimum of 400) is equal to or greater than a total of 1,000 points. In special circumstances, conditional admission may be granted to applicants who have a score of 850 or higher using the first formula or 900 or higher using the second formula.
All students must include in their application package a letter of application outlining career goals, a resume including education, employment, and community involvement, and three Graduate Reference Forms citing potential professional leadership ability.
Application forms are available from the university or by visiting JSU's website at http:// www.jus.edu. Alternatively, graduate studies applicants may fill out an electronic application via the university's website. Applications must be accompanied by a $20 nonrefundable application fee, official transcripts, GMAT results, three Graduate Reference Forms and, if necessary, TOEFL scores. Completed application packages should be submitted no later than six months prior to the start of the program.
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Expenses & Financial Assistance
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In-state residents in the MBA program pay $250.00 per credit hour in tuition, while out-of-state and international students pay $500.00 per credit hour. Tuition for online courses is $300 per credit hour. MBA students can expect to spend an additional $1,200 per year for program-related books and materials. The typical cost for room and board on-campus is $2,700 (efficiency apartment), $6,200 (private accommodation) or $7,500 (family housing, meals not included). There are no course fees.
JSU offers scholarships sponsored by various organizations, corporations and individuals. For a full list of these, students should contact the university's Financial Aid Office. A limited number of graduate assistantships are available.
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Career Placement & Opportunities
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To assist MBA students with job placement after graduation, the CCBA employs a student support services coordinator and has recently purchased EmployOn-job search software. Other JSU resources include placement services offered under the auspices of the university's Department of Counseling and Career Services. Here, students can receive advice on interview and resume preparation, and have access to Internet career search resources, job listings, career fairs and referral services.
Other resources available through the Department of Counseling and Career Services include academic, career and personal counseling, workshops and screenings.
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Admissions at a Glance
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| Minimum GMAT: | 400 | | Minimum GPA: | 2.00 | | Minimum TOEFL: | 500 (pbt), 173 (cbt) |
Application Fee:
$30
Application Deadline:
six months prior to start of program
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Employment Profile
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| # of Recruiters on Campus: | 50 | | Graduates Employed: | | | Within 90 days: | 50% | | Within 6 months: | 75% | | Within 1 year: | 90% | | Average Starting Salary: | n/a |
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% of Students in Management Levels
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| Senior: | | | Upper Middle: | | | Middle: | | | Entry: | |
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Employment by Field
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| Industry | 30 | | Accounting | 15 | | Banking/Finance | 15 | | Government | 15 | | Medical | 15 | | Utilities | 7 | | Other | 3 |
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Annual Expenses (in US$)
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| In-State Tuition: | $250/credit hr. | | Out-of-State Tuition: | $500/credit hr. | | International Tuition: | $500/credit hr. | | Books & Materials: | $1,200 | | Health Insurance: | – | | Accommodation: | | | Private: | – | | Homestay: | – | | Residence: | $2,700–7,500 |
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International Student Profile
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| # students in program | 20 | | % enrolled | 20% |
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Countries of Origin:
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JSU's MBA students come from Colombia, Malaysia, China, Egypt, Nigeria, Singapore, Pakistan and Thailand.
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Faculty Profile
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| # of Faculty: | 22 | | % of Faculty with Doctoral Degree: | 95% |
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Program Facts
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| Year Program Founded: | 1965 | | Length of Program: | 30 hrs | | Degrees: | MBA | | Program Entry: | year-round | | Study Options: | part-time, full-time |
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Concentrations:
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Accounting (33 hrs)
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