College of Business, North Dakota State University-Main Campus in Fargo, ND - North Dakota State University-Main Campus in Fargo, ND

Academics

The College of Business offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA) as well as a joint degree in pharmacy (PharmD/MBA). Other programs include foreign exchange with 3 countries. The strongest areas of study are finance and management. The most popular courses are in finance and marketing.

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

Advanced Managerial Accounting
Advanced Organizational Behavior
Advanced Operations Management
Business Conditions Analysis
Strategic Management
Strategic Marketing and Sales Management
Information Resources Management
Advanced Financial Management

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by transferring up to 9 credits from an accredited school.

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 3 semesters; maximum, 7 years. For students attending part time, the maximum is 7 years.

There are 33 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated well below average for Category I institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 5; average business class size is 30.

Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 3.2 and a GMAT score of 520. 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 47; 32 were accepted; 28 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.3; average GMAT score was 550. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, winter, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $45, 3 letters of recommendation, and and a statement of intent. The application deadlines are July 20 for fall entry; November 1, winter; December 10, spring; April 17, summer. Students are notified of the admissions decision immediately after the decision is made. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is July 20. Once accepted, students may defer admission. Matriculation may be delayed for valid reasons with approval of the Graduate Dean and MBA Director.

Financial Aid

About 30% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $3400 annually. The FAFSA and application to the MBA program for an assistantship are required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for in-state residents is $252 per credit, or $6048 per year. Nonresidents pay $505 per credit, or $12,120 per year. Graduate student housing is available in dormitories and on-campus apartments. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Students

Twenty percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 80% have had an average of 7 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from North Dakota (70%). Thirty-five percent are women, 4% are minorities, and 10% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 31; ages range from 22 to 60. Fifteen percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 12% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 32%, business; 30%, engineering; 12%, math and science; 10%, pharmacy; 8%, liberal arts; 5%, social sciences; and 3%, economics. 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, 32 graduate business degrees were awarded.