College of Business Graduate Program

Delta State University, College of Business Graduate Program History

Delta State University, founded in 1924, is a public, coeducational institution. The 332-acre campus is located in a small town 130 miles northwest of Jackson. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 4402.

The College of Business Graduate Program was founded in 1976 and is located on the main campus. Courses also are offered at Greenvile Higher Education Center (EMBA). The basic educational approach is to establish a basis of underlying principles and to identify major forces affecting each course content area. Business applications are examined through history, current trends, case studies, and experiential approaches. The focus is on individualized and small group instruction.

Delta State University, College of Business Graduate Program Academics

The MBA program offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA), Master of Commercial Aviation (MCA), and Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA). Other programs include foreign exchange with 7 countries. The strongest area of study is management. The most popular course is in management. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus which includes an Annual College of Business Lecture Series with Distinguished speakers.

Thirty hours are required to complete the MCA and MPA, 36 for the MBA and EMBA, including 9 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Applied Decision Science
• Financial Management
• Strategic Marketing
• Management Problems
• Strategic Project Management
• Production/Operations Management
• Managerial Accounting
• Management Information Systems
• Managerial Economics

Required courses for the MPA include:

• Management Information Systems or End User Systems Development
• Financial Accounting—Theory and Analysis
• Managerial Accounting
• Federal Taxation Theory and Research
• Advanced Auditing
• Commercial Law

Required courses for the MCA include:

• Advanced Human Factors in Aviation
• Airline Management
• Aviation’s Regulatory Environment
• Airport Planning, Development and Operations
• Fixed Base Operations
• Advanced Aviation Safety
• Air Cargo and Logistics Management
• Advanced Transportation Systems
• Special Topics in Aviation Business Administration
• Methods of Educational Research and Statistics

Required courses for the Executive MBA include:

• Managerial Communication
• Managerial Accounting
• Managerial Economics
• Production/Operations Management
• Managerial Finance
• Management Problems
• Problems in Corporate Finance
• Business Modeling
• Marketing Problems
• Managing in a Global Environment

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by being granted credits for up to 2 graduate-level courses previously taken.

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 1 1/2 years; maximum, 6 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 2 years; maximum, 6 years.

There are 18 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate; there are 4 part-time 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 credit hours faculty teach is 18; average business class size is 15.

Delta State University, College of Business Graduate Program Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 360,286 volumes, 831,610 microform items, and 19,302 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 1258 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in management. Students have access to such databases and networks as Business File on InfoTrac. Other opportunities for research consist of the university’s Instructional Resource Center.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. Available computer facilities consist of the university’s IVCR Tower computer, accessed by 80 terminals and available all day and evenings to students. The computer laboratory also has Gateway PCs available for student use.

Career and Job Placement

In spring 2006, 9 companies recruited on campus. Fifty-six percent were national corporations. Majors most in demand were accounting and computer information systems. Average starting salary of the graduating class was $29,000; range was $23,000 to $36,000. The percentage of graduates finding jobs were:

• national corporations 25%
• regional corporations 25%
• local small enterprises 20%
• self-employment 20%
• local large enterprises 10%

Placement services are extensive. Placement services for alumni include a special placement office service. Placement is available through the university placement office. Eighty percent of the most recent graduating class found jobs within three months of receiving their degree.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. International students must score 525 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT). They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of an immunization certificate and a chest X-ray, and proof of adequate funds to cover 1 year of study. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of graduate assistantships.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 16 weeks long; summer sessions, 4 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening and weekends.

Delta State University, College of Business Graduate Program Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 3.00. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, grades in upper-level courses, and GMAT results. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 92; 74 were accepted; 67 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.28; average GMAT score was 367. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by canvassing undergraduates, working through the alumni organization, and recruiting at minority institutions.

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 $28. The application deadlines are August 2 for fall entry; December 19, spring. Students are notified within 1 to 2 weeks of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is August 1. Once accepted, students may defer admission.

Delta State University, College of Business Graduate Program Financial Aid

About 70% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $8100 annually; maximum $14,000. The FAFSA and the school’s own financial statement and the previous year’s tax return are required.

Tuition for in-state residents is $222 per credit. Nonresidents pay $531 per credit. On-campus room and board costs approximately $4742; books and supplies, $800; personal expenses, $6000, for an estimated annual total of $15,550 for in-state residents and $17,108 for out-of-state residents. Limited on-campus housing is available; graduate and undergraduates share dorms. Students must apply to insure housing. There are also married and family housing available for rent on-campus. Students should contact University Housing at 662-846-4151 for more details.

Delta State University, College of Business Graduate Program Students

Forty-five percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 68% have had an average of 5 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from Mississippi (77%). Fifty-one percent are women, 44% are minorities, and 3% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 29; ages range from 22 to 59. Thirty-two percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 7% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 84%, business; 11%, math and science; 3%, liberal arts; and 2%, engineering. About 11% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 75% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 42 graduate business degrees were awarded.