Graduate School

Stephen F Austin State University, Graduate School History

Stephen F. Austin State University, founded in 1923, is a public, coeducational institution. The 401-acre campus is located in a small town. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 11,756.

The Graduate School was founded in 1969 and is located on the main campus. The basic educational approach is a combination of the case method and the theoretical approaches, with an emphasis on providing students with real-world applications.

Stephen F Austin State University, Graduate School Academics

The MBA program offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA). Other programs include work-study and internships. The strongest areas of study are management and accounting. The most popular courses are Negotiation and Arbitration, Strategic Management, and Executive Leadership.

Thirty-six total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 12 elective credits. Required courses include:

• International Legal Environment of Business
• Managerial Economics
• Advanced Financial Management
• Strategic Management
• Operations Management
• Marketing Management
• Accounting for Management

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements. Substitutions may be made for leveling and elective courses only.

The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 1<1/2> year; maximum, 6 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 3 years; maximum, 6 years.

There are 48 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated well below average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 3; average business class size is 10.

Stephen F Austin State University, Graduate School Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 907,000 volumes, 1 million microform items, and 11,800 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 4075 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in management and marketing. Students have access to such databases and networks as BRS, Dialog, General BusinessFile, Lexis/Nexis Academic Universe, ABI/INFORM, Compact Disclosure, Legal Periodicals Index, Worldscope, CARL UnCover, and E-Journals. The MBA Program also offers advanced graduate studies courses with individual faculty members.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. More than 300 PCs are available to students in several campus locations and at varying hours. All have Internet access and up-to-date software.

Career and Job Placement

Placement is available through the university placement office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. International students must score 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT). They also must submit a translation of their transcripts and proof of adequate funds to cover at least 1 year of study. There is a $50 application fee. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of graduate assistantships. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 15 weeks long; summer sessions, 5.5 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the evening only.

Stephen F Austin State University, Graduate School Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x GPA) + or GMAT, or minimum 950. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, GMAT results, and grades in upper-level courses. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 42; 39 were accepted; 24 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.0; average GMAT score was 495. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited. The MBA Director takes recruiting trips with the Director of International Student Programs to other colleges to recruit international students from underrepresented countries. Also, the Business College sends recruiting letters to recent minority bachelor’s graduates.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, and a nonrefundable application fee of $25. The application deadlines are July 25 for fall entry; December 1, spring; May 1, summer. Students are notified of the admissions decision within 2 weeks of submitting a completed application. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 1 year.

Stephen F Austin State University, Graduate School Financial Aid

About 20% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $7500 annually; maximum $9500. The FAFSA and the school’s own financial statement are required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for in-state residents is $230 per credit, or $4140 per year. Nonresidents pay $507 per credit, or $9126 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $2750; books and supplies, $1000; personal expenses, $500, for an estimated annual total of $8390 for in-state residents and $13,376 for out-of-state residents. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Stephen F Austin State University, Graduate School Students

Thirty-eight percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time. The greatest percentage of students are from Texas (80%). Forty percent are women, 15% are minorities, and 10% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 25; ages range from 21 to 55. Twenty-five percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 5% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 65%, business; 10%, liberal arts; 10%, social sciences; and 5%, engineering. About 35% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 50% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 23 graduate business degrees were awarded.