Miller College of Business

Ball State University, Miller College of Business History

Ball State University, founded in 1918, is a public, coeducational institution. The 957-acre campus is located in an urban area 56 miles northeast of Indianapolis. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 18,161.

The Miller College of Business was founded in 1968 and is located on the main campus. All MBA courses are available via live, interactive, and Internet-Based webcasting. The basic educational approach is one that utilizes the case method, while carefully balancing the quantitative and qualitative methods of business.

Ball State University, Miller College of Business Academics

The Miller College of Business offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Arts in Education in business education (MAE), and Master of Science in Accounting (MSA). Other programs include internships. The strongest areas of study are entrepreneurship and finance. The most popular courses are in entrepreneurship and finance.

Thirty total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 6 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Leadership
• Statistics and Quantitative Methods
• Enterprise Information Systems
• Accounting and Decision Making
• Economic Analysis for Managers
• Managerial Finance
• Marketing Management
• Global Strategic Management

Required courses for the MSA include:

• Advanced Topics in Taxation
• Tax Planning and Research
• Attestation Principles and Practices
• Seminar in Professional Issues
• Advanced Financial Accounting

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements with approved course work through another institution.

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, 6 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 1 1/2 years; maximum, 6 years.

There are 42 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated well below average for Category I institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 6; average business class size is 36.

Ball State University, Miller College of Business Unique Programs

Library

The business school library and the university’s main library houses a collection of more than 1.2 million volumes, 1.1 million microform items, and 47,400 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 4400 periodicals. Students have access to such databases and networks as WebCat, ABI/INFORM, STATIS, CARL UnCover, EXAC, OCLC, and INSPIRE. Other opportunities for research consist of the Bureau of Business Research.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of 10 labs and 250 stations. These computers are available more than 150 hours a week.

Career and Job Placement

Placement services are limited, since most students are already employed full time. Placement services for alumni include lifetime use. Placement is available through the university placement office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of a written form before and a physical exam at the university health center after arrival, and proof of adequate funds to cover 1 year of study. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of graduate assistantships. The application deadline for fall entry is January 1.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 15 weeks long; summer sessions, 10 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening.

Ball State University, Miller College of Business Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.75 and a GMAT score of 400. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, GMAT results, and work experience. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 70; 66 were accepted; 64 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.02; average GMAT score was 531. 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, 2 transcripts, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $35, and a resume. The application deadlines are July 1 for fall entry; December 1, spring; April 1, summer. Students are notified of the admissions decision within 2 to 4 weeks. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is June. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 2 years.

Ball State University, Miller College of Business Financial Aid

About 37% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $11,200 annually; maximum $29,596. The FAFSA and the school’s own financial statement are required. The application deadline is March 1 for fall entry.

Tuition for in-state residents is $300 per credit, or $8512 per year. Nonresidents pay $550 per credit, or $21,280 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $12,500; books and supplies, $2000; personal expenses, $3000; and other fees, $675, for an estimated annual total of $26,687 for in-state residents and $39,455 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing is available in residence halls and in campus apartments. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Ball State University, Miller College of Business Students

Thirty-nine percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 73% 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 Indiana (89%). Thirty-seven percent are women, 4% are minorities, and 7% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 28; ages range from 21 to 51. Thirty-four percent enter directly from undergraduate school. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 51%, business; 12%, engineering; 5%, math and science; 5%, social sciences; 4%, liberal arts; and 3%, economics.