School of Business Introduction
The School of Business provides opportunities for men and women at the undergraduate and graduate levels to prepare for meaningful and stimulating careers in modern business enterprises. In keeping with the dynamic quality of modern business, the education provided is analytical rather than encyclopedic, with emphasis on problem-solving techniques rather than on memorization. At the same time, it is recognized that basic principles must be mastered before advanced business problems can be solved. All programs are accredited by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business. The School is an upper-division and graduate school; students admitted to graduate work must have earned a bachelor's degree from a college or university of recognized standing. Students are exposed to a variety of modern teaching methods. Case studies are used to develop problem-solving skills. Management simulations using the computer help develop analytical ability; quantitative methods are extensively applied. Research skills are developed through seminars and projects.
A graduate student in the School must meet the requirements and standards of the School and the University and be governed by their regulations.
The School offers graduate programs leading to the degrees of Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) and Master of Science (M.S.).
The School also sponsors an interdisciplinary program in Organizational Studies leading to the Ph.D. It is designed to produce scientist-practitioners competent for teaching, conducting research, and developing policy on issues of organizational administration. The faculty in the school also provides instruction in the Ph.D. Program in Information Science.
The M.B.A. program is designed as a comprehensive education in business administration for holders of bachelor's degrees who recognize the value of graduate business education as an avenue to leadership opportunity and professional advancement. It provides educated men and women an opportunity to establish a sound professional foundation upon which they may build towards positions of responsibility in business and industry.
The full-time M.B.A. program is a two-year program of study. The first semester concentrates on conceptual tools and skills; the second semester emphasizes the solution of problems which are indigenous to specific business functions and those which cut across these functions. In the second year, an area of concentration is selected from the following: human resource information systems, information assurance or information technology management. In addition, students take courses in strategic management, operations management, global business, and elective subjects.
The School also offers an evening M.B.A. program to meet the educational needs of the in-career student. It can be completed in 2 - 6 years, with the average being three calendar years. The first two phases of this program parallel the objectives of the first year of the full-time program. In the third phase, students take courses in strategic management, electives and a final research thesis. Students can opt to select elective tracks in Finance, Marketing, Information Technology Management, Management or just take general electives.
The evening MBA curriculum is also offered in an executive-formatted weekend program. Students attend classes every other weekend for less than two years in this cohorted program.
The School also offers a five-year combined B.S.-M.B.A. program. See the Undergraduate Bulletin for further information.
The M.S. programs in Accounting and Taxation prepare students for a wide variety of careers in the fields of financial reporting, taxation, and audit and information assurance. Students graduating from these programs are hired by a wide variety of prominent employers, including those in the fields of public accounting, corporate accounting, and government. The programs are rigorous and professional. The Department of Accounting and Law's programs have been separately accredited by the AACSB.
The M.S. programs include both one-year and two-year programs. All of these programs are registered with the New York State Education Department. Students successfully completing any of these programs meet the 150-hour CPA education requirements, and qualify for reduction in the experience requirement for the C.P.A. license to one year.
The two-year M.S. Accounting program is designed for individuals with no prior background in accounting or business (except for an introductory financial accounting course). It requires students to have taken undergraduate courses in economics, statistics, and computer science. Students entering this program come from a wide variety of backgrounds, including the arts, social sciences, and sciences and include both students who have recently received an undergraduate degree and those returning to school after having been in the workforce for some time and who have developed an interest in pursuing a career in accounting.
A variety of one-year programs are offered, enabling students to pursue their interests in the various areas of accounting practice. These include the M.S. Taxation, the M.S. Professional Accountancy, and the M.S. Accounting Information Systems programs. Each of these programs requires an undergraduate degree in accounting as a prerequisite. These programs are available on a full-time or part-time basis.
Application materials for graduate study can be obtained by writing the Office of Graduate Admissions and Policy, UAB 121, University at Albany, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12222. See Admission and Graduate Requirements for further details.
All applicants for a master's degree must submit a score on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) of the Educational Testing Service. Applicants may be considered for one semester of part-time, non-degree graduate study without the GMAT providing (a) they present an undergraduate academic record of 3.0* or above on a 4.0 scale, (b) they have a minimum of three years of professional work experience, and (c) space is available in introductory courses. The availability of non-degree study is subject to change at the discretion of the School. Non-degree study is limited to a maximum of two semesters or 12 credit hours, whichever comes first.
