College of Business Administration

Sam Houston State University, College of Business Administration History

Sam Houston State University, founded in 1879, is a public, coeducational institution. The 100-acre campus is located in a small town 70 miles north of Houston. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is approximately 13,000. Figures in the above capsule and this profile are approximate.

The College of Business Administration was founded in 1964 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, Smith-Hutson Business Administration Building. Courses also are offered at the University Center campus located in The Woodlands. The basic educational approach is to stress practical applications with a mix of theory and case analysis.

Sam Houston State University, College of Business Administration Academics

The College of Business Administration offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA). The most popular course is Management. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. The Executive-in-Residence program features 1 or more executives per year.

Thirty-six total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 15 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Accounting for Management or Seminar in Accounting
• Problems in Administrative Finance
• Seminar in Strategic Management and Policy
• Marketing Seminar
• Research Writing in Business
• Techniques of Statistical Analysis
• Economics

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by transferring up to 6 graduate hours.

The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 1 year; maximum, 7 years. For students attending part time, the maximum is 7 years.

In a recent year, there were 50 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom held a doctorate; there were 1 part-time faculty member, who held a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 3; average business class size is 20.

Sam Houston State University, College of Business Administration Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 1.3 million volumes, 600,000 microform items, and 9000 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 3200 periodicals. Other opportunities for research consist of the Center for Business and Economic Research.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of PCs available for student use from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the business buildings. With faculty approval, students may access the University’s VAX 11/750, VAX 11/785, and VAX 8600 computers via 600 terminals.

Career and Job Placement

Placement services are extensive, and all are available to alumni. Placement is available through the university placement office, faculty members, and campus organizations.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts and proof of adequate funds. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 15 weeks long; summer sessions, 6 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening.

Sam Houston State University, College of Business Administration Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.8 and GRE scores of 800. 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; 100 were accepted; 60 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.0. Transfers are accepted.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, GMAT scores, and a nonrefundable application fee of $20. The application deadlines are August 1 for fall entry; December 1, spring; May 1, summer. Students are notified within 2 weeks after receipt of a completed application of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is August 15. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 1 year.

Sam Houston State University, College of Business Administration Financial Aid

About 20% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships. Check with the school for current financial aid deadlines.

Tuition for in-state residents is $110 per credit. Nonresidents pay $300 per credit. On-campus room and board costs approximately $4600; books and supplies, $500, for an estimated annual total of $8060 for in-state residents and $12,200 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing includes accommodations for both single and married students. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Sam Houston State University, College of Business Administration Students

Seventy-five percent of the current graduate business school class 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 Texas (90%). Fifty percent are women, 8% are minorities, and 7% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 26; ages range from 21 to 52. Three percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 1% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 70%, business; 15%, liberal arts; 5%, engineering; 5%, math and science; and 5%, social sciences. About 3% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 90% remain to receive their degree.