J. Mack Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA

History

Georgia State University, founded in 1913, is a public, coeducational institution. The 25-acre campus is located in an urban area in downtown Atlanta, with a satellite campus in Alpharetta. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is approximately 27,000. Enrollment figures in the above capsule are approximate.

The J. Mack Robinson College of Business was founded in 1958 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, J. Mack Robinson College of Business. Courses also are offered at the Alpharetta Center (MBA).

Academics

The Robinson College of Business offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Actuarial Science (MAS), Master of Science in Health Administration (MSHA), Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA), Master of Science (MS), Master of Taxation (MTx), Master of Science in Real Estate (MSRE), Master of International Business (MIB), and Master of Health Administration (MHA) as well as a doctoral program in business administration, and a joint degree in health administration (MBA/MHA), law (MBA/JD), and political science (MIB/MA). Other programs include a 5-year joint Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Language/Master of International Business degree (within GSU) and cross-registration with numerous institutions. (RCB reviews courses for program applicability. Contact the school for a list of eligible institutions.) Work-study programs and cooperative programs are also available. Students may participate in study abroad programs in London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Paris, Toulouse, Italy, South Africa, or Argentina. There is foreign exchange with ESC Toulouse and the European Business School. The strongest areas of study are accounting, computer information systems, e-commerce, finance, international business, marketing, and risk management and insurance. The most popular courses are Legal and Ethical Issues and Global Strategy. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. The RCB Board of Advisers Executive Lectures Series offers on-campus lectures by heads of business organizations.

Fourteen total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 5 elective credits. Required courses include:

Managerial Accounting and Control
Organizational Behavior
Law and Ethics in Business and Employment Environments
Corporation Finance
Marketing Management
Systems and Operations Management
Information Technology and Decision Strategy
Strategic and International Management
Policy and Strategy in the International Marketplace

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements through equivalent transfer of graduate course work from an AACSB school and/or exemption without replacement of 1 MBA core course and/or exemption with replacement of 1 to 5 required MBA courses beyond the core. The program can be reduced by up to 6 courses depending on the degree program.

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, 5 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 5 semesters; maximum, 5 years.

In a recent year, there were 194 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 86% held a doctorate; there were 131 part-time faculty, of whom 40% held a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated average for Category I institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 6; average business class size is 21.

Unique Programs

Library

Publications for the business school contained in the main library consist of more than 9700 volumes, 30 microform items, and 40 audio/video tapes/CDs, and 375 periodicals. Students have access to such databases and networks as Dialog, Citibase, Lexis/Nexis, NAARS, and CRSP. Other opportunities for research consist of a statistics laboratory and a PC laboratory.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. Facilities of the university’s PC laboratory are available to business students at 2 locations on campus and at the Alpharetta Center.

Career and Job Placement

In a recent spring, 58 companies recruited on campus. Fifty-two percent were national corporations. Majors most in demand were finance, marketing, and computer information systems. Average starting salary of a recent graduating class was $64,981; range was $38,500 to $150,000. Placement services are extensive. Placement services for alumni include full service for Robinson alumni. Placement is available through Graduate Career Management and the university placement office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL and and the university’s test of English proficiency. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of MMR immunization (students can receive immunization after arriving in the United States), and proof of adequate funds to cover the full degree program of study. There are special fees of $600 per year for health and accident insurance, which is mandatory for all international students on nonimmigrant visas. Financial aid is not available for these students; however, graduate assistantships are available. Check with the school for current application deadline.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 15 weeks long; summer sessions, 3 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening and weekends.

Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required. Most important admissions factors are GMAT results, grades in upper-level courses, and work experience. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for a recent class was 1704; 885 were accepted; 599 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.36; average GMAT score was 620. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by attendance at graduate school fairs at minority institutions and through participation in Destination MBA and national MBA conferences.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, 2 transcripts, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $25, narrative information, and an MMR immunization certificate. The application deadlines are May 1 for fall entry; October 15, spring; February 1, summer. Students are notified 6 to 8 weeks after the file is completed of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is March. There is guaranteed admission for a specific semester provided admissions criteria do not change.

Financial Aid

The FAFSA and the previous year’s tax return are required. The application deadline is April 1 for fall entry.

Tuition for in-state residents is $3021 per year. Nonresidents pay $10,690 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $10,000; books and supplies, $1000; personal expenses, $2900; and other fees, $786. Graduate student housing is available in Georgia State University Village and Georgia State University lofts. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Students

Thirty-five percent of a recent graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 82% 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 were from Georgia (37%). Thirty-four percent were women, 28% were minorities, and 16% were foreign nationals. The average age at entrance was 30; ages ranged from 21 to 62. Seven percent entered directly from undergraduate school. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 37%, business; 22%, engineering; 11%, computer science, education, urban studies, and; 10%, social sciences; 8%, math and science; 7%, economics; and 5%, liberal arts. In a recent year, 546 graduate business degrees were awarded.

J. Mack Robinson College of Business