School of Management, Binghamton University in Binghamton, NY - Binghamton University in Binghamton, NY

Academics

The School of Management offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Science in Accounting (MSAcct) as well as a doctoral program in management with specializations in functional areas of management. Other programs include 3-2 degrees with SUNY Oneonta, SUNY Fredonia, and SUNY Binghamton’s Harpur College and Watson School of Engineering; internships through the Corporate Associates Program; and joint research opportunities. The strongest areas of study and the most popular courses are Finance and Marketing. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus through the TIAA CREF Lecture series.

Sixty-eight total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 24 elective credits. Required courses include:

Accounting for Managers
Managerial Economics
Statistical Analysis for Management
Management Information Systems
Operations Management
Managerial Finance
Marketing Management
Organizational Behavior
Strategic Management
Global and Ethical Environment
Oral and Written Communications

Required courses for the MSAcct include:

Financial Accounting Theory
Advanced Auditing
Managerial Accounting Theory
Statistical Sampling in Auditing

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 year; maximum, 2 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 4 years; maximum, 5 years.

There are 39 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate; there are 16 part-time faculty, of whom 23% hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated average for Category l institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 4; average business class size is 23.

Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 3.0 and a GMAT score of 580. Most important admissions factors are GMAT results, academic accomplishments and ability, and work experience. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 370; 216 were accepted; 83 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.3; average GMAT score was 615. Transfers are not accepted.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall. To apply, students must submit an application form, 2 transcripts, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $60, and 2 letters of recommendation. The application deadline is April 15 for fall entry. Students are notified of the admissions decision within 3 weeks of application. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is May. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 1 year.

Financial Aid

About 42% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $7800 annually; maximum $9670. Stipends and programs available for minority students include the Clarke Fellowship. The FAFSA is required. The application deadline is February 1 for winter entry.

Tuition for in-state residents is $296 per credit, or $7100 per year. Nonresidents pay $450 per credit, or $11,340 per year. Books and supplies cost approximately $1000; personal expenses, $8400; and other fees, $1019, for an estimated annual total of $17,519 for in-state residents and $21,759 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing is not available on campus. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Students

Ninety-five percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 45% have had an average of 2<1/2> years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from the Northeast (58%). Forty-one percent are women, 5% are minorities, and 35% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 23; ages range from 21 to 46. Fifty-five percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 8% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 37%, business; 29%, engineering; 23%, liberal arts; 8%, economics; and 3%, math and science. About 5% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 95% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 80 graduate business degrees were awarded.