| Frequently Asked Questions: Is an MBA worth the investment of your time, effort and money? According to Business Week, the Wall Street Journal and a majority of corporations worldwide, the answer is a resounding “yes.” This is true whether you are an undergraduate thinking about a career in business or an executive seeking upward mobility and career options. Whatever your current standing in the business world, your future success will depend on your ability to plan, organize, direct and control the use of the firm’s human, financial, material and information resources in effectively and efficiently to achieve organizational goals. An MBA will provide you with the knowledge to help you build more successful business relationships, analyze financial data and manage both material and information better. In short, an MBA will give you the tools to improve your decision-making. In today’s intensively competitive business environment, your academic credentials can set you apart. The Craig MBA Program is among a very select group of U.S. graduate business programs accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the highest possible accreditation and the only MBA program in Central California that is AACSB-accredited. While we are already considered one of the best MBA Programs in the California State University System, our goal is to nationally recognized as one of the best applied graduate business programs in the United States. All MBA programs are based on the premise that people can be taught to manage situations more effectively. Who, what and how these lessons are taught is the difference. Our internationally diverse faculty and students create a program that is truly global in perspective. Our classes include discussions on proven theoretical concepts, as well as leading edge research testing innovative ideas. We also stress the application of this knowledge in real-world situations by providing students with numerous opportunities to work closely with all types of organizations, from entrepreneurial start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. As a result, our Craig MBA graduates are prepared to meet future professional challenges by adding value to their organizations. We encourage you to visit our web site to get more information and connect with our students, alumni and faculty. You are also welcome to stop by the Craig MBA Office in Room 183 of the Peters Building to learn more. We know that the more you learn about us, the more you will agree that a Craig MBA is a great investment. 1. What are your admission process requirements? 1. What are your admission process requirements? Admission to our program is primarily based on your GMAT scores and your undergraduate grade point average ("GPA") in the last 60 units of your bachelor's degree. We also consider: relevant work experience, your personal statement and letters of recommendation. If you are an international student you will need to attain a TOEFL score of at least 550 to be considered. 2. What should my GMAT score and my GPA (last 60 units) be in order to be admitted? While our average GMAT score is approximately 600 and our average GPA is 3.46 (last 60 units), we are constantly improving our program and increasing standards. As a result, our GMAT and GPA scores should increase slightly every semester. Consequently, what may have been an acceptable score last semester may not be an acceptable score in future semesters. We strongly encourage students to study at least six to eight weeks (2-4 hours a day) preparing for the GMAT. If you take the GMAT seriously, you should do well. The key is preparation. Regarding your GPA, we will consider such factors as where you went to school and your course of study. Finally, it should be noted that applicants can balance a lower GPA with a good GMAT score, a strong undergraduate education and other factors such as work experience and a good personal statement.. 3. What is involved in applying to your program? Two applications are required: First, the University Graduate Application Form (Domestic Students): or the University’s Graduate Application Form (International Applicants) Second, the Craig MBA Application: See, Admissions – Application Procedure (Application Form) on this web site. Note: Both applications must be completed before the deadline posted by the Admissions Office. The University application MUST be completed online. The MBA application can be completed online or by mail. Required documents should be mailed to the MBA office. 4. Do I need to request transcripts from my undergraduate school? Yes. You will need to request official transcripts from all the schools you have attended. Only students who have graduated from California State University, Fresno are exempt from this requirement. 5. Do I need to provide letters of recommendation? With the MBA application, you need to include two letters of support from past or present employers, professional colleagues or faculty. Generally, references are helpful when deciding scholarships. In any event, you should not use family and/or personal friends as references. 6. How long does it take before I find out if I have been admitted? For domestic applicants it normally takes one month of processing after all the application materials have been received by the University Admissions Office. For international applicants, the processing time is between 2-3 months. 7. Is there any one thing that I can do to improve my chances of acceptance to the Craig MBA Program? Yes. The best thing you can do to increase your chance for admission into our program is give yourself plenty of time to study and prepare for the GMAT examination. The value of a good score on this examination is absolutely crucial. We strongly encourage students to study at least six to eight weeks (2-4 hours a day) preparing for the GMAT. The key is taking the GMAT seriously. 8. How do I find out if I have been admitted? We will send you a letter stating that you have been admitted and tell you what your next steps should be. If you are not admitted, we will send you a letter stating that you have been denied admission and why you were not admitted. 9. What weight does the Craig MBA Program place on work experience? Relevant work experience is very important and may help those who are borderline applicants. However, work experience will always be considered along with your GMAT score and grade point average, as well as your personal statement.. 10. Can I transfer to the Craig MBA from another MBA Program? Yes. However, a maximum of three MBA classes (9 units) can be transferred into the Craig MBA Program upon approval of the MBA Director. The University where the course(s) were taken and the grade received will be considered in making this determination. You can start the application process by submitting a completed application form. We will then start a file for you. Please note that all your application materials (program and university application, personal statement and GMAT (and TOEFL, if necessary) by: Fall Semester: March 1. Spring Semester: September 30. (These dates will be strictly enforced.) 12. Can I waive the TOEFL? Is the TSE (Test of Spoken English) accepted? No. The TOEFL cannot be waived and the TSE is not accepted. However, if an international student has graduated from an English-speaking institution, the TOEFL exam is not required. 13. Can I reapply to the program? If so, how do I reapply? Yes. You should advise the Craig MBA Program of your intent to reapply and we will retain your application to prevent unnecessary duplication of paperwork. 14. How many students typically apply and how many are accepted into the Craig MBA Program? About 100 students apply to the Craig MBA for Fall admission. Of these, we usually accept about 55 students and approximately 45-50 enroll. About 60 students apply to the Craig MBA for Spring admission. Of these, we usually accept about 25 students and about 20-23 enroll.
Generally we do not defer admission. However, students can appeal to the MBA Director for a deferred admission for serious and compelling reasons. 16. Can I request an application fee waiver? Yes. A University application fee waiver may be obtained through the University's main admissions office. Foreign students are not eligible for an application fee waiver. 17. If I am unable to obtain my original undergraduate transcript, what should I do? Do you ever waive them? The only exception allowed is for international students with extenuating circumstances. These would include such instances as civil unrest or declared wars. 18. Does the Craig MBA Program offer conditional or provisional acceptances? Only in very rare circumstances and only with the written approval
of MBA Director. 1. How many classes does your program require? 1. How many classes does your program require? If your bachelor's degree is: (1) from an AACSB-accredited institution, (2) is in business and (3) was granted within the last seven years, the Craig MBA Program will generally consist of eleven classes and a project or thesis. If you do not qualify under all the criteria listed above, you may be required to enroll in up to five additional courses at the beginning of your program, referred to as our "Group I" classes. You can, however, request that the MBA Director waive you out of a Group I class(es) or take a challenge exam to waive out of a Group I class. Students who satisfy the criteria listed above typically start at the "Group II" level of coursework. 2. Can I specialize in a particular subject area? Yes. Our program requires that students take a minimum of three elective courses, referred to as “Group III" courses. For example, if you wanted to focus on information systems, you should enroll in each of the three information systems elective classes. Currently, we have concentrations in agribusiness, entrepreneurship, finance, general management, human resource management, information systems, and marketing. 3. What times are your classes offered and do you have summer classes? During the Fall and Spring semesters most of our classes are taught Monday through Thursday, generally from 6:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Some classes are also held Saturday mornings (generally, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.). During the Summer session classes are generally offered on a six week schedule and they generally meet twice a week. These classes are also taught in the evenings or on weekends. 4. How long will it take me to finish your program? It depends on how many classes you take each semester. Most working students enroll in two classes (six units) each semester and try to take at least one class during each of the Summer sessions. Students who take courses at this pace should expect to finish in two to three years. If you need to take Group I prerequisite courses (see Question 1), it will take an additional year to complete the program. University regulations require you to complete your MBA degree within five years. 5. What is the cost of the MBA Program? As of Fall 2005 the resident fees are $1105 (0-6 units) and $1756 (7+ units). The non-resident/international fees are $3139 (0-6 units) and $4129-$7858 (7+ units). For the most recent fee structure please consult the most current schedule of courses(http://www.csufresno.edu/CSUF/schedule). 6. How will the courses be taught? "Group I" classes are generally taught as lectures. "Group II" classes are generally taught as 75% lecture and 25% case study. "Group III" classes are generally taught as 75% case study and 25% lecture. All classes emphasize the application of knowledge to current business issues. 1. Where can I obtain information on scholarships and financial
aid? 1. Where can I obtain information on scholarships and financial aid? Scholarship information for the Craig MBA program can be found at the following web site: http://www.craig.csufresno.edu/mba/finaid.htm For financial aid information regarding California State University, Fresno, please view the following web sites: http://studentaffairs.csufresno.edu/financial_aid http://studentaffairs.csufresno.edu/financial_aid/graduate.htm Additional information can be found at the following web sites: The California Student Aid-Financial Aid Information Center FAQ-Fin Aid has a collection of useful information: Fast Web-searches more than 180,000 private sector scholarships, fellowships and grants: http://www.studentservices.com/fastweb The Graduate Management Admissions Council also has a good web site for financial aid: http://www.gmac.com/mba/maximize_services/financial_aid/types.shtml 2. How do I qualify for in-state tuition? You must have lived in California for at least one year. 3. What kind of housing is available? For on-campus housing, you can either call 1-800-555-0482 or visit
their web site at: www.auxiliary.com/association/housing/index.htm
For off-campus housing, you can order the Fresno Bee http://www.fresnobee.com
, our local newspaper, check the Central Valley Internet Project
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| The Craig MBA Program California State University 5245 N. Backer Avenue Fresno, CA 93740-8001 Phone: (559) 278-2107 Fax: (559) 278-2572 |