College of Business

Pittsburg State University, College of Business History

Pittsburg State University, founded in 1903, is a public, coeducational institution. The 233-acre campus is located in a small town 100 miles south of Kansas City. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is approximately 6859.

The College of Business was founded in 1975 and is located on the main campus. The basic educational approach is to use the case method and the theoretical approaches. Students are trained in broad management.

Pittsburg State University, College of Business Academics

The College of Business offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA). Other programs include internships. The strongest areas of study are accounting, marketing, and organizational behavior.

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

• Organizational Theory and Behavior
• Managerial Finance
• Basic Marketing
• Legal and Social Environment of Business
• Economic Analysis
• Statistical Methods for Management
• Financial and Managerial Accounting
• Management Information Systems
• Production Management
• Management Control Systems
• Quantitative Business Analysis
• Business, Government, and Society
• International Trade
• Financial Strategy
• Marketing Strategy
• Management Strategy and Administration
• MBA Experience

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements for foundation courses only.

Business students may take relevant nonbusiness courses in other departments. The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full or part time varies; maximum, 6 years.

There are 27 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 93% hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated 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 22.

Pittsburg State University, College of Business Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 450,000 volumes, and subscribes to 1400 periodicals. Students have access to such databases and networks as ABI/INFORM, InfoTrac, and Lexis/Nexis.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of an IBM RISC/6000 and 65 networked PCs located in the College of Business; business students may use the facilities from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The computer-to-student ratio campuswide is 1:20.

Career and Job Placement

Placement services are extensive. Placement services for alumni include credential services, interviews, a vacancy listing, and a career library. Student resumes are available internationally on the Internet for prospective employers. There is also a database that screens the resumes for an employer. Placement is available through the university placement office. Ninety percent of a recent graduating class found jobs within three months of receiving their degree.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL or the college’s own test. 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 the entire period of study. There is a $60 application fee. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of graduate assistantships and scholarships. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 16 weeks long; summer sessions, 4 weeks. Graduate courses are offered during the day and evenings for full-time students. Courses are offered during the evenings and on weekends for part-time students.

Pittsburg State University, College of Business Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.5 and a GMAT score of 400. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x GPA) + GMAT, or minimum 1050. Most important admissions factors are GMAT results, grades in upper-level courses, and academic accomplishments and ability. A strong mathematics background is required.

Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited.

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 $35. The application deadline is rolling for fall entry. Students are notified of the admission within 3 weeks of the application’s arrival.

Pittsburg State University, College of Business Financial Aid

In a recent year, about 36% of graduate business school students received financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $6891 annually; maximum $13,680. 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 $4288 per year. Nonresidents pay $10,546 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $5867. Graduate student housing is available both on and off campus. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Pittsburg State University, College of Business Students

Seventy-three percent a recent current graduate business school class were enrolled full time; 35% had an average of 4 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school. The greatest percentage of students were from the Midwest (49%). Thirty-eight percent were women, 12% were minorities, and 44% were foreign nationals. The average age at entrance was 27; ages ranged from 22 to 47. Thirty-seven percent entered directly from undergraduate school; 5% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 70%, business; 8%, engineering; 8%, math and science; 5%, social sciences; 4%, liberal arts; 3%, economics; and 2%, education. About 8% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 74% remain to receive their degree.