Bowling Green State University College of Business Administration

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School Says - Student Body
The BGSU MBA program, accredited by the AACSB, is recognized nationally and internationally for the quality of its students and faculty. The incoming class of full-time MBA students is limited to a maximum of 40 students to maintain the small class sizes and faculty accessibility for which the MBA program is known. The program works to foster an "espirit de corps" among the students. Within each semester, full-time students will be a part of a cohort that shares a common schedule. This cohort experience is vital to the development of communication and teamwork skills and promotes valuable networking abilities that will be critical in any business professional career.

The student body in the MBA program is very diverse, and this diversity enhances the learning environment. The current MBA student population includes people from 16 countries and 6 states. In addition, approximately 34 percent of our students are international. Across all programs, students range in age from 22 to 52, with an average of 29. The average work experience of full-time, part-time and executive students is 3, 6, and 10 years, respectively, but work experience is not required of full-time or part-time students. BGSU's MBA programs do not require undergraduate degrees in business for admission, so participants' academic backgrounds vary.

School Says - Academics
MBA Program Philosophy

MBA programs are as varied as the business schools that offer them. Some are big. Bowling Green State University's MBA is not. The incoming class of full-time students consists of only 40 people. This means small class sizes and easy access to faculty. Some programs appear to prefer an undergraduate business degree. BGSU does not. The full-time MBA can be completed in 14 months with or without an undergraduate business degree. A specialization requires only an additional semester. Some schools require business experience for admission. BGSU does not. The full-time program is designed for students who will be new to their chosen fields. Most business schools (75 percent) are not AACSB accredited. BGSU is AACSB accredited. Accreditation is one way to demonstrate how serious BGSU is about their business programs.

The College of Business Administration has created a small-school atmosphere within a major research university. The outstanding students who comprise the MBA cohort reap the benefits of these resources without facing the cutthroat competition common in larger programs.

The College of Business Administration

The College of Business Administration serves approximately 2,200 undergraduate students and 250 graduate students. The College offers two undergraduate degrees (BS Business Administration and BS Economics) and six master's programs (Master of Business Administration, Master of Organization Development, Master of Accountancy, Master of Science in Applied Statistics, Master of Arts in Economics, and Operations Research Specialization in the Master of Science in Computer Science). The College consists of seven academic departments: Accounting and Management Information Systems, Applied Statistics and Operations Research, Economics, Finance, Legal Studies and International Business, Management, and Marketing.

The Business Administration building is a modern facility providing classrooms and office space for faculty, staff, and graduate assistants. MBA classes are generally held in small seminar-style classrooms or computer laboratory classrooms.

University Overview

Bowling Green State University is a diverse, mid-size institution located in northwest Ohio, approximately 23 miles south of Toledo. BGSU was founded in 1910. The 1,338-acre campus houses more than 100 buildings in a small-town setting.

The University serves approximately 17,000 undergraduate and 2,900 graduate students. BGSU combines the resources of a first-rate research institution with the friendliness and ambience of a small college. The work of MBA students is supported by excellent facilities, including a modern Business Administration Building, an outstanding library collection, excellent computing facilities, and a network of campus research centers.

The University's degree offerings include more than 165 undergraduate degrees, 15 master's in more than 60 fields, 2 specialist degrees, the EdD, and 16 PhD programs. The heart of the University is its 550 full-time faculty members, who are engaged in teaching, research, and public service activities.

In order to function effectively in a professional world that is more diverse, more team-oriented, more global, and more dynamic than ever before, the BGSU MBA program is designed to prepare graduates who:

• Know the fundamentals of business well.
  
• Recognize the ethical obligations of leadership.
  
• Engage problems creatively.
  
• Learn on their own, continuously.
  
• Work well in teams with diverse memberships.
  
• Understand change and know how to adapt and succeed in the midst of change.
  
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

The MBA program provides a broad curriculum organized around three principle components: foundation, core, and capstone courses. The foundation courses cover Financial and Managerial Accounting, Economic Analysis, Statistics, Quantitative Analysis, and Information Technology. The core courses include Financial Management, Operations Management, Marketing Management, and Ethics and Law in Business. The capstone courses cover Economic Policy, Leadership and Change, Strategy Design and Implementation, and International Business and Management. For full-time students, the program includes modules on Computer Skills, International Business Principles, and the Foundations of Ethical Leadership. In addition, students take part in a series of co-curricular professional development seminars dealing with topics such as presentations and report writing, team facilitation, effective negotiations, career planning, and organizational politics.

Although students may choose to do a general MBA, they also may pursue a formal specialization in Accounting, Finance, or Management Information Systems. Or, a student may pursue the dual degree option and earn a second master's degree in any of a variety of fields, such as Organization Development, Public Health, Industrial Technology, or Public Administration.

The MBA degree requires a minimum of 42 semester hours (47 semester hours for full-time students). The general MBA may be completed in 14 months regardless of the student's prior undergraduate preparation. An MBA with a specialization requires 12 additional semester hours (one additional semester of full-time study). The full-time MBA program primarily serves students who will be entry-level professionals upon graduation and does not require business experience as a requirement for admission. The evening MBA program serves students with professional experience and an ongoing career. Neither the full-time nor evening program requires prior academic preparation in business.

Bowling Green State University has been offering an Executive MBA program since 1977. The EMBA program is a rigorous, accelerated program that requires 12 graduate courses. The program serves students with extensive professional experience and is designed to accomodate the demmands of professional travel and relocation. Prior academic preparation in business is not required for the EMBA program. However, candidates must be nominated by their employers, unless self-employed.

A comprehensive and carefully designed career planning and placement program is an integral part of the BGSU MBA experience. Career planning activities begin during orientation week and continue throughout the year.

The Career Services office, which has been recognized nationally and regionally for the quality of its programming, assists with career development and job placement from the student's first semester through actual job placement.

Career Services provides students with personal help with interviewing skills, resume preparation, alumni and professional networking skills and opportunities, and access to on-campus recruiters. These services are provided using state-of-the-art Web-based computer systems that have received national recognition.

School Says - Admissions
Graduate Studies in Business at BGSU welcomes applications from individuals regardless of their undergraduate major. Applicants must submit an application, transcripts of all previous college work, GMAT scores (and TOEFL when applicable), two letters of recommendation, a personal statement, a current resume, and a $30 application fee. Prior work experience is also reviewed when making assistantship decisions, although it is not required.

Application Facts and Dates

For full-time domestic students, the program begins in July with two courses. For international students, the session begins in late June with a one-week intensive orientation program followed by the same two courses. As a result of the limited admissions and mid-summer starting date, completed application materials including test scores (GMAT, TOEFL) must be received by the following deadlines:

January 15 for international applicants applying for a graduate assistantship award.

February 15 for international applicants who are NOT applying for a graduate assistantship award.

February 15 for domestic applicants applying for a graduate assistantship award.

March 15 for domestic applicants who are NOT applying for a graduate assistantship award.

International applications received or completed after the February 15 deadline are unlikely to be processed in time for admitted students to apply for and receive their student visas and begin the program in late June/early July. Domestic applications received or completed after the March 15 deadline will be accepted for consideration on a space-available basis.

Students Say - Academics
Whether you choose to enter the full-time, part-time, or Executive MBA program at Bowling Green State University you will experience efficient, practical, instruction at a great value. Offering a crash course in business, Bowling Green's full-time MBA "is only 12 months long," and is comprised of a series of foundation, core, and capstone courses. Tuition is reasonable and, for many students, graduate assistantships can cover "the cost of tuition, and [pay] an additional living stipend." Given the program's accelerated time frame, low cost, and scholarship options, students say, "It is probably [a] much better bang for the buck than most two-year programs (even at Ivy League schools.)" Similarly, the school's 23-month Professional MBA is "perfect for busy, working professionals." Designed for students with a minimum of three years in the workforce, "The location and times are extremely convenient and the cost is very reasonable," making it an affordable way to boost your career prospects in Bowling Green. While convenience and value are large part of the equation, students assure us that practicality isn't the only reason they chose BGSU. For many, the school's small size and community atmosphere is a major draw. Here, the administration is accessible, and the school is "very well-run and very user-friendly." A current student shares: "I have had a very positive experience working with everyone in the college from the secretaries to the dean." Thanks to uniformly small class sizes, students are "encouraged to work with our fellow students through group projects and presentations." A current student adds, "We have a well-rounded cohort and the class spends a lot of time debating all kinds of issues relating to the material." No matter which program you enter, you'll benefit from friendly professors, who "share a love and enthusiasm for teaching as well as helping their students to [achieve] success." Providing both rigor and support, "The program is challenging (as it should be), but the professors are encouraging, treat us as professionals, and make themselves available outside of class and office hours to aid in our success." Successful in the real worldâ€"not just the ivory towerâ€"Bowling Green's "knowledgeable and friendly" faculty "consistently incorporate[s] useful information and real-life scenarios into their instruction, making each class valuable to my future career." A student in the Professional MBA program agrees: "Even though I've been working for over 25 years, I have taken away a good deal of information to apply on the job." Despite the strength of the curriculum, some would like the school to offer "more areas of specialization" (currently, BGSU offers three areas of concentration in accounting, finance, and organizational studies), or incorporate internship experiences into the curriculum. In addition to the full-time and part-time programs at Bowling Green, the Executive MBA Program gets top marks from seasoned professionals, who say "the course work is very challenging and stimulating" and "professors are extremely knowledgeable and friendly." To make everything smooth and simple, "All course registration and book purchases are handled by the staff for the Executive MBA program, easing the burden on working professionals." While EMBA students "only spend Friday, Saturday and Sunday on campus once a month," they say, "Subjects are taught on task and time is used wisely."

Students Say - Admissions
The College of Business Administration at BGSU doesn't require applicants to have business experience for admission as "the full-time program is designed for students who will be new to their chosen fields." That said, prior work experience is a factor when it comes to securing an assistantship. Applicants must submit two official transcripts from each college attended, GMAT scores, a current resume, three letters of recommendation, and a personal statement; interviews are optional and can be conducted in person or by telephone. International students must also provide the school with TOEFL scores if their native language is not English.

Students Say - Campus Life
For Professional MBA students, "Classes are not held on the main campus, but rather at a newly renovated, state-of-the-art complex that is approximately 25 miles north of the main campus." This facility is "convenient, well-maintained," and offers "full access to all technology (wireless web access, software, printers, etc.) to ensure success." Even though they attend school off-site, part-time students say, "The administration office does a good job of keeping us informed of what is happening on campus." Unfortunately, most part-time students agree that between "working full time and going to school two nights a week, plus homework and reading, there is no time left for other club activities." On the main campus, "The business school has made great strides in improving facilities," though some would like the school to improve the "building appearance and technology amenities" in the classrooms. Full-time students benefit from "an active student body" and "a diverse array of activities on campus such as sporting events that we can access for free." On campus and in the surrounding town, there are "a lot of students to socialize with." On that note, students say Bowling Green "is very much a college town, with a good bar scene" and an affordable cost of living.

Students Say - Careers
Most students in the Professional and Executive MBA programs are already working full time when they begin the program at Bowling Green, and therefore, many are not actively seeking employment. For full-time students, career planning is woven into the curriculum at Bowling Green State University through practical courses in leadership, technology, and other applied skills, as well as a series of professional development seminars. Through the business school, students may also contact career development specialists to help them with their job search. In addition to the assistance they receive within the business school, the Bowling Green State University Career Center assists the undergraduate and graduate community with their job search through career counseling, job and internship fairs, campus recruiting and career development workshops.

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