James J. Nance College of Business Administration

Cleveland State University, James J. Nance College of Business Administration History

Cleveland State University, founded in 1964, is a public, coeducational institution. The campus is located in an urban area in Cleveland. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 15,437.

The James J. Nance College of Business Administration was founded in 1964 and is located on the main campus. Courses also are offered at several corporate locations (MBA) and two off-campus centers. The basic educational approach is a mixture of case method and theory, and allows for an area of concentration.

Cleveland State University, James J. Nance College of Business Administration Academics

The College offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Business Healthcare Administration (MBH), Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA), Master of Accounting (MACC), Master of Computer and Information Science (MCIS), Master of Labor Relations and Human Resources (MLRHR), and Master of Public Health (MPH) as well as a doctoral program in business administration, and a joint degree in law (JD/MBA), nursing (MSN/MBA). Other programs include internships, work-study programs, cross-registration with Kent State and the University of Akron, and foreign exchange with 5 countries. The strongest areas of study are accounting, finance, health care, international business management, and marketing. The most popular courses are marketing, finance, and general management. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. through the DBA Colloquium Program.

Thirty-two total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 9 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Team Dynamics
• Financial Policies
• Managerial Accounting
• Marketing Management
• Human Resources Management and Labor Relations
• International Business
• Management of Innovation and Technology
• Integrative Business Strategy

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by completing relevant coursework as an undergraduate and having prerequisite courses waived.

The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 6 months; maximum, 6 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 2 years; maximum, 6 years.

There are 78 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 90% hold a doctorate; there are 184 part-time faculty. Faculty salaries are rated below average for Category I institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average business class size is 33.

Cleveland State University, James J. Nance College of Business Administration Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 900,000 volumes, 670,000 microform items, and 1200 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 7200 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in through its access to the Cleveland Public Library’s business collection. Students have access to such databases and networks as Scholar, InfoTrac, ERIC, and Ohio Link. Other opportunities for research consist of the Executive Development Center and travel and research opportunities in London, India and Germany during the summer term.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of a 30-station computer simulation laboratory, a 12-station DBA laboratory, 4 VAX minicomputers networked to the university mainframe, 100 to 150 PCs linked to the mainframe for general student use, and wireless Internet acess.

Career and Job Placement

In spring 2006, 86 companies recruited on campus. Thirty-three percent were national corporations. Majors most in demand were accounting, finance, marketing, and information systems. Average starting salary of the graduating class was $58,540; range was $34,500 to $126,000. The percentage of graduates finding jobs were:

• regional corporations 27%
• local large enterprises 25%
• local small enterprises 24%
• national corporations 11%
• self-employment 8%
• government 5%

Placement services are extensive. Placement services for alumni include the alumni network and an Internet-based job listing service as well as dedicated placement staff within the College of Business. Placement is available through a separate placement office for graduate business students and, the university placement office. Eighty-seven percent of the most recent graduating class found jobs within three months of receiving their degree.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL or the University of Michigan Language Test and IELTS. International students must score 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT) or 79 on the Internet-Based (iBT) version. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health, and proof of adequate funds to cover 1 to 2 years of study. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of a limited number of graduate assistantships and tuition waivers. Admissions application deadline for fall entry is May 1.

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 and weekends.

Cleveland State University, James J. Nance College of Business Administration Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.0. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x GPA) + GMAT, or minimum 950. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, GMAT results, and grades in upper-level courses. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 1816; 1234 were accepted; 636 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.1; average GMAT score was 510. 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 the GRE for MCIS MPH, and MLRHR students, and a nonrefundable application fee of $30. Students are notified within 2 weeks after the application file is complete of the admissions decision. The application deadlines for fall entry is July 1.The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is, July 31. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 1 year.

Cleveland State University, James J. Nance College of Business Administration Financial Aid

About 50% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships. The FAFSA is required. The application deadlines are July 1 for fall entry; November 15, spring; March 15, summer.

Tuition for in-state residents is $414 per credit, or $7452 per year. Nonresidents pay $785 per credit, or $14,130 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $8200; books and supplies, $1110; personal expenses, $1600; and other fees, $15, for an estimated annual total of $18,367 for in-state residents and $25,030 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing consists of university single and double dormitory rooms. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Cleveland State University, James J. Nance College of Business Administration Students

Twenty-three percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 84% have had an average of 6 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school. The greatest percentage of students are from Ohio (81%). Forty-one percent are women, 11% are minorities, and 17% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 27; ages range from 21 to 52. Ten percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 2% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 42%, business; 22%, math and science; 16%, social sciences; 14%, engineering; 4%, economics; and 2%, liberal arts. About 15% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 78% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 226 graduate business degrees were awarded.