College of Business and Economics, Boise State University in Boise, ID

History

Boise State University, founded in 1932, is a public, coeducational institution. The 134-acre campus is located in an urban area in the city of Boise. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 18,876.

The College of Business and Economics was founded in 1969 and is located on the main campus. The basic educational approach is to teach business essentials courses in a more traditional lecture format utilizing case studies to demonstrate applications. Advanced and elective courses predominantly utilize case study methods and simulations.

Academics

The College of Business offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science in Accountancy-Taxation (MSAT), and Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA). Other programs include interdisciplinary programs in business, communications, engineering, health administration, public administration, exercise science, biology, and criminal justice, cooperative and work-study programs, foreign exchange with 2 countries, internship programs, and joint research. The strongest areas of study are finance, management, economics, entrepreneurship, and strategy. The most popular course is Financial Modeling, Internet Marketing Strategies, High-Tech Marketing, Financial Statement Analysis, Field Studies in Foreign Countries (changes each year). Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus.

Thirty-seven to 49 total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 9 elective credits. Required courses include:

Accounting and Financial Analysis
Economic Theory and Analysis
Legal Relationships in Business
Business Statistics
Accounting for Decision Making and Control
Advanced Financial Management
Global Economics and Business Analysis
Strategic Management
Organizational Issues
Managing People in Organizations
Information Technology for Managers
Advanced Marketing Management
Advanced Operations Management

Required courses for the MSAT include:

Research in Federal Taxation
Partnership Tax Law
Corporate Tax Law
Estate and Gift Taxation
Real Estate Tax Law
Current Tax Topics and Policy Issues * internship or professional paper

Students who have completed an undergraduate degree in business at an accredited business school within the past 5 years can be waived from the 12 credits of business essentials. Likewise, nonbusiness students who have taken specific undergraduate business courses can be waived from 1 or all of the business essentials courses.

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, 2 1/2 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 3 years; maximum, 7 years.

There are 54 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 98% hold a doctorate; there is 1 part-time faculty member, who holds a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated below average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of credit hours faculty teach is 9; average business class size is 28.

Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 3.0 and a GMAT score of 500. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, GMAT results, personnal goals, leadership potential, and work experience. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 77; 39 were accepted; 25 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.36; average GMAT score was 585. Transfers are accepted.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall and spring. To apply, students must submit an application form, transcripts, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $55, 2 letters of recommendation, a professional resume, and a demonstration of written communication skills. The application deadlines are June 1 for fall entry; October 1, spring; March 1, summer. Students are notified of the admissions decision within 30 days after all application materials have been received. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is June.

Financial Aid

About 26% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $6997 annually; maximum $22,812. The GAPSFAS or FAFSA, and the previous year’s tax return are required. The application deadlines are February 15 for fall entry; October 1, spring.

Residents pay no tuition. Nonresidents pay $7778 per year. Students taking 7 or fewer credits per semester pay part-time fees of $254 per credit. Nonresident students who pay the part-time rate do not pay nonresident tuition. On-campus room and board costs approximately $5788; books and supplies, $1050; personal expenses, $3000; and other fees, $5936, for an estimated annual total of $15,774 for in-state residents and $23,552 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing is available on campus; however, most graduate students live off campus. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Students

Thirty-three percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 98% have had an average of 6 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from Idaho (33%). Thirty-three percent are women, 23% are minorities, and 15% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 33; ages range from 22 to 53. Three percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 2% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 30%, engineering; 19%, business; 16%, math and science; 15%, liberal arts; 10%, social sciences; and 10%, health. About 1% 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, 75 graduate business degrees were awarded.