Donald L. Harrison College of Business

Southeast Missouri State University, Donald L. Harrison College of Business History

Southeast Missouri State University, founded in 1873, is a public, coeducational institution. The 400-acre campus is located in a small town. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 10,000.

The Donald L. Harrison College of Business was founded in 1996 and is located on the main campus. The basic educational approach is a mix of theory and the case method.

Southeast Missouri State University, Donald L. Harrison College of Business Academics

The Harrison College of Business offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA). Other programs include foreign exchange with 15 countries, and local and national internships. The strongest areas of study are management and accounting. The most popular courses are leadership, marketing, and finance. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus 1 or 2 times per year.

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

• Management and Communication Leadership
• Research Methods
• Decision Information Systems
• Strategic Decision Making
• Strategic Marketing
• Strategic Cost Analysis
• Financial Environment
• Applied Research Project

Business students may take relevant nonbusiness courses in other departments. The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time or part time is 1 year; maximum, 6 years.

There are 22 total full-time graduate business faculty 2 part-time faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated below average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 3; average business class size is 22.

Southeast Missouri State University, Donald L. Harrison College of Business Unique Programs

Library

The business library is particularly strong in international business. Students have access to databases and networks in the fields of business and allied subject areas.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of 400 computers in the business school labs and wireless capability in the building.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. 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. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of graduate assistantships. The application deadline for fall entry is June 1.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 16 weeks long; summer sessions, 4 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening.

Southeast Missouri State University, Donald L. Harrison College of Business Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GMAT score of 400. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x GPA) + GMAT, or minimum 1000. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, GMAT results, and work experience. A mathematics background including applied calculus is required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 56; 53 were accepted; 46 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.3; average GMAT score was 505. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by personal marketing and graduate assistantships.

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 a nonrefundable application fee of $20. The application deadlines are August 1 for fall entry; November 21, spring; May 15, summer. Students are notified 4 weeks after all materials are submitted of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is June 1. Once accepted, students may defer admission up to 1 year.

Southeast Missouri State University, Donald L. Harrison College of Business Financial Aid

About 40% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $6500 (maximum). Stipends and programs available for minority students include assistantships. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for in-state residents is $211 per credit, or $5064 per year. Nonresidents pay $373 per credit, or $8952 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $5100; books and supplies, $600; personal expenses, $2937; and other fees, $233, for an estimated annual total of $13,934 for in-state residents and $17,822 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing is available in residence halls and off campus. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Southeast Missouri State University, Donald L. Harrison College of Business Students

Seventy-one percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 30% have had an average of 4 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from Missouri (75%). Fifty percent are women, 6% are minorities, and 15% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 27; ages range from 24 to 40. Forty percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 5% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 50%, business; 20%, social sciences; 15%, liberal arts; 10%, math and science; 10%, education; and 5%, engineering. About 3% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 80% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 24 graduate business degrees were awarded.