School of Business, Humboldt State University in Arcata, CA - Humboldt State University in Arcata, CA

Academics

The MBA Program offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA). Other programs include work-study and joint research with faculty. The strongest areas of study are management, marketing, finance, and international economics. The most popular courses are Managerial Marketing, Management Theory, Managerial Finance, and International Economics. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus, including the Watson Memorial Lectures on ethics in business and guest speakers thoroughout the semester during the Social Environment/Ethics course.

Thirty-two total credits are required to complete the MBA. Required courses include:

International Economics
Managerial Marketing
Management Theory
Managerial Accounting
Managerial Finance
Data Acquisition/Analysis/Presentation
Social Environment/Ethics
Strategic Management
unbound project

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by waiving course work completed at an accredited school.

Business students may take relevant nonbusiness courses in other departments. The maximum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 7 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 2 years; maximum, 7 years.

There are 5 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate; there is 1 part-time faculty member, who holds a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated well above average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of credit hours faculty teach is 12; average business class size is 15.

Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.75 and a GMAT score of 500. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is GPA x 2 x GMAT = 1050 (minimum). Most important admissions factors are grades in upper-level courses, GMAT results, and undergraduate GPA. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for a recent class was 45; 40 were accepted; 25 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.18. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by working with Minority Support Services for new applicant inquiries.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall and spring. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, and a nonrefundable application fee. A personal interview is recommended. Students are notified of the admissions decision on May 30 and December 15. Check with the school for current application deadlines and fees. Once accepted, students may defer admission. Students may be admitted conditionally, pending test scores and completion of prerequisite courses.

Financial Aid

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 approximately $3400 per year. Nonresidents pay approximately $6200 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $7300; books and supplies, $1100; personal expenses, $2400; and other fees, $300, for an estimated annual total of $14,500 for in-state residents and $17,300 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing consists of on-campus housing and off-campus facilities. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Students

Twenty-nine percent of a recent graduate business school class were enrolled full time. The greatest percentage of students were from California (81%). Fifty-six percentwere women, 21% were minorities, and 9% were foreign nationals. The average age at entrance was 26; ages ranged from 21 to 54. Fifteen percent entered directly from undergraduate school; 5% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 42%, liberal arts; 21%, business; 17%, social sciences; 7%, math and science; and 2%, economics. In a recent year, 13 graduate business degrees were awarded.