Admission requirements. Admission to the M.B.A. program requires a bachelor's degree from a college or university of recognized academic standing. Applicants also must show evidence of career interest in management. Relevant employment experience may be considered in the admissions decision but is not a prerequisite. GMAT or GRE scores are required. Candidates who have already completed a post-baccalaureate degree or who have seven years or more of appropriate full-time post-baccalaureate work experience may request a GMAT/GRE waiver. Strong quantitative and verbal skills are required and students are encouraged to provide evidence of those skills, especially if they are not evident in other application materials. Students whose native language is not English are required to complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Following an initial review of completed application materials, qualified applicants are asked to arrange campus interviews. When campus interviews are not feasible, phone interviews may be substituted. Admission decisions are made by a faculty admissions committee after reviewing a candidate's application materials and based on an assessment of the candidate's suitability for the Manderson M.B.A. program. A strong academic record is a necessary but not a sufficient criterion for admission. Applications should be submitted by April 15 prior to the fall of the year of intended enrollment. Applications received prior to February 15 will receive priority for financial assistance. Students must begin the program in the fall semester and must be enrolled for four consecutive semesters plus the summer of the intervening year. During the summer, students are expected to be involved in meaningful internships to further enhance their professional experiences.

A student entering the M.B.A. program is expected to have a good working knowledge of word-processing and spreadsheet software.

Program and degree requirements. The M.B.A. is a full-time, two-year program in which students take core, concentration and electives courses. The number of hours required for the degree varies by concentration with a minimum of 54 hours. Students take a prescribed program of courses and cross-discipline work that blends the analytical tools of management and the functional areas of business into a general management perspective. Topics include accounting, economics, finance, management, marketing, operations, strategy, communications, information systems, and statistics. In addition, each student pursues elective courses leading to an area of concentration. All course selections for the area of concentration must be made with the advice of a designated graduate faculty member in the concentration. Teaching methods combine cases, lecture-discussion, and projects. The small size of the program allows faculty members to utilize a variety of techniques for enhancing learning.

Concentration requirements. The M.B.A. Program offers students a variety of established concentrations, as well as the opportunity to design an individualized study program. Admission to the M.B.A. program does not guarantee acceptance to a specific concentration. Admission to certain concentrations may require a student to participate in additional application procedures including faculty interviews, completion of specific degree requirements, minimum test scores/GPA, and/or specific work requirements. More information about admission to concentrations may be obtained by contacting the director of the M.B.A. Program.

J.D./M.B.A. Joint Degree Program in Law and Business. The University of Alabama School of Law and the Manderson Graduate School of Business offer students who are interested in combined business and legal career opportunities a law and M.B.A. curriculum culminating in the awarding of the juris doctor (J.D.) and M.B.A. degrees within four years. Admission is required into both programs. Further information about the joint J.D./M.B.A. Program may be obtained by contacting the director of the M.B.A. Program and/or the Law School admissions office as well as by visiting the respective websites.

Executive M.B.A. (EMBA) Weekend Program. The Executive M.B.A. program is designed to provide working professionals with the tools, skills, and knowledge essential for expanding and/or pursuing new career options in business. Weekend classes allow students to pursue the M.B.A. degree without sacrificing current employment. Classes meet on Fridays and Saturdays usually twice a month, including an international trip/experience in the fourth term where students will visit with the senior management of global companies of a particular country. Technology is used to enhance classroom learning and to facilitate student and faculty interaction when students are away from campus. On occasion, classes may be held in nearby cities.

Admission is selective. Five years of work experience at a significant level of responsibility are recommended for applicants. Applicants should have access to a computer when away from campus and a working knowledge of electronic communication and data management. A satisfactory score on the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or GRE, and a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university of fully recognized standing (or equivalent) are required for admission. Candidates who have already completed a post-baccalaureate degree or who have seven years or more of appropriate full-time post-baccalaureate work experience may request a GMAT/GRE waiver. Further information may be obtained from the director of Manderson Graduate School of Business.
 

THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA GRADUATE CATALOG

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Update: Sep. 2007