Harmon College of Business Administration, University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, MO - University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, MO

Academics

The HCBA offers the Master of Arts in Accountancy (MAAcc), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT). Other programs include managerial internships and joint research with other departments, other U.S. universities, and universities in Hungary, Sweden, and Mexico. The strongest areas of study are management, accounting, and information services. The most popular courses are Technology-Based Research and Quantitative Tools, Controllership and the Treasury Function and Strategic Management and Marketing. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus.

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

Controllership and the Treasury Function
Technology-Based Research and Quantitative Tools
Strategic Management and Marketing

Required courses for the MSIT include:

Software Engineering
Project Management
Advanced Systems Project Management
Managing Corporate Information Systems
Legal Environment of Information Systems
Communication Network Management
Internship in CIS

Required courses for the MAAcc include:

Seminar in Accounting Theory
Advanced Income Tax
Advanced Auditing

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements for prerequisites but not core courses.

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 12 months; maximum, 8 years. For students attending part time, the maximum is 8 years.

There are 38 total full-time graduate business 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 9; average business class size is 15.

Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.5, a GMAT score of 400, and GRE scores of 1100. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x GPA) + GMAT, or minimum 1000. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, GMAT results, and grades in upper-level courses. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 175; 132 were accepted; 80 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.36; average GMAT score was 482. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited through the Presidential Minority Scholarships Program.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, (GRE scores for the MSIT), and a nonrefundable application fee of $25. Check with the school for current application deadlines and test dates.

Financial Aid

Stipends and programs available for minority students include Presidential Minority Scholarships. The FAFSA is required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for in-state residents is $241 per credit. Nonresidents pay $468 per credit. On-campus room and board costs approximately $4988; books and supplies, $800; personal expenses, $2500, for an estimated annual total of $14,072 for in-state residents and $19,520 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing consists of readily available apartments and residence halls on campus. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Students

The greatest percentage of students are from foreign countries (54%). Forty-one percent are women and 54% are foreign nationals. Ages range from 22 to 50. Twenty-five percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 12% already have a graduate degree. About 5% 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, 45 graduate business degrees were awarded.