School of Business

Southern Connecticut State University, School of Business History

Southern Connecticut State University, founded in 1893, is a public, coeducational institution. The 148-acre campus is located in an urban area. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 14,000.

The School of Business was founded in 1997 and is located on the main campus. The basic educational approach is to develop expertise in the application of contemporary concepts and methodology to business and social problems and to provide the conceptual and theoretical foundation for an executive career.

Southern Connecticut State University, School of Business Academics

The Southern School of Business offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA). Other programs include work-study, foreign exchange, and joint research. The strongest areas of study are management and entrepreneurship. The most popular courses are Business Planning, Business Strategy, Research Project Seminar, and Global Business. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. Distinguished alumni hold an annual workshop.

Forty-eight total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 9 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Macro-Micro Economics
• Statistics
• Management Process
• Managerial and Financial Accounting
• Managerial Finances
• Business Planning
• Marketing Management
• Organization Behavior
• Business Law
• Global Business
• Business Strategy
• Business and Society
• Research Project
• Three electives

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements. Only 4 courses in the first year are subject to waiver.

The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 1 year; maximum, 6 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 2 years; maximum, 6 years.

There are 21 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 90% hold a doctorate; there are 2 part-time faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated well above average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 4; average business class size is 27.

Southern Connecticut State University, School of Business Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 443,000 volumes, 72,300 microform items, and 28,800 special business collections, and subscribes to 2400 periodicals. Other opportunities for research consist of the Learning Resources Center.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The MBA program has 10 computers dedicated to classroom instruction and use by the students. In addition, available computer facilities consist of 70 personal computers and 40 terminals networked to a VAX 8650 computer located in the academic computer center. It is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. and on weekends from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Career and Job Placement

Placement is available through the university placement office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts and proof of adequate funds to cover the first year of study.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 15 weeks long; summer sessions, 7 1/2 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the evening only, weekends, and on-line.

Southern Connecticut State University, School of Business Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.5. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x GPA) + GMAT, or minimum 950. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, management potential, and GMAT results. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for a recent class was 112; 82 were accepted; 78 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.0; average GMAT score was 400. 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, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $50, 2 letters of recommendation, and meet with the Graduate Program Coordinator. The application deadline is open for fall entry. Students are notified of the admissions decision on a rolling basis. Once accepted, students may defer admission , but students need to file a planned program that clearly states courses and requirements.

Southern Connecticut State University, School of Business Financial Aid

About 70% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships. The FAFSA and the previous year’s tax return are required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for in-state residents is $3492 per year. Nonresidents pay $7183 per year. Graduate student housing consists of on-campus residence halls and off-campus apartments and rooms. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Southern Connecticut State University, School of Business Students

Forty-six percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 90% have had an average of 2 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from Connecticut (80%). Fifty-one percent are women, 20% are minorities, and 10% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 27; ages range from 22 to 56. Twenty percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 5% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 50%, business; 20%, liberal arts; 10%, economics; and 10%, engineering. 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, 60 graduate business degrees were awarded.