7000 J. Mack Robinson College of Business
Graduate programs in the Robinson College of Business are described in detail in this chapter. See subsections for specific program information as well as policies and procedures.
Graduate programs in the Robinson College of Business are described in detail in this chapter. See subsections for specific program information as well as policies and procedures.
7th floor, Robinson College of Business Building
35 Broad Street
404-413-7000
robinson.gsu.edu
Rich Phillips, Dean
Nate Bennett, Associate Dean for Program Innovation
Sanjay Srivastava, Associate Dean for Strategy and Special Projects
Todd Maurer, Associate Dean for Sponsored Research
David Forquer, Assistant Dean for Executive Programs
Anne Dries, Assistant Dean for Administration and Finance
Brett Matherne, Assistant Dean for Professional and Flexible MBA Programs and Clinical Associations
Tracy Widman, Assistant Dean for Assessment, Accreditation and Faculty Data Management
Jacobus Boers, Assistant Dean for International Engagement
Bill Bogner, Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs
The J. Mack Robinson College of Business of Georgia State University is committed to academic excellence through advancing the creation and dissemination of knowledge in business and management. Moreover, the college seeks to prepare its students for the practice of management with the knowledge and skills needed to remain effective in a global, culturally diverse, and technologically advanced world that is characterized by rapid change and complex interdependencies. As an academic unit of Georgia State University, the Robinson College seeks to add value to private, public, and not-for-profit organizations through excellence in its research, education, and outreach programs. The college enjoys a location that is distinctive among business schools and is committed to taking full advantage of its proximity to multinational corporations; entrepreneurial enterprises; federal, state, and city agencies; and not-for-profit organizations.
The J. Mack Robinson College of Business is accredited by AACSB International — The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The accounting programs of the college also hold accounting accreditation granted by the AACSB. The Institute of Health Administration is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education. The Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality Administration is accredited by the Commission on Programs in Hospitality Administration.
The Graduate Program Council, a committee composed of five faculty members, has overall responsibility for master’s admission criteria and for recommending changes in the degree requirements and academic regulations of the master’s programs for approval of the faculty of the college. The Division of Master’s Admissions and Advisement, (see below), works with the associate dean for academic initiatives and innovation, on behalf of the dean and the faculty, to consider changes to the master’s programs.
The Robinson College of Business has 11 academic units: the schools of Accountancy and Cecil B. Day Hospitality Administration; the departments of Computer Information Systems, Finance, Managerial Sciences, Marketing, Real Estate, and Risk Management and Insurance; and the institutes of Decision Sciences, Health Administration, International Business, and W.T. Beebe Personnel and Employment Relations. The college also has the following centers:
All locations are in the RCB Building, 35 Broad Street, NW, corner of Broad and Marietta streets. All phone numbers begin with 404-413-.
Academic Units | Floor | Phone |
---|---|---|
Accountancy | 5th | 7200 |
Human Resource Management | 10th | 7170 |
Computer Information Systems | 9th | 7360 |
Finance | 12th | 7310 |
Health Administration | 8th | 7630 |
Hospitality Administration | 2nd | 7615 |
International Business | 14th | 7275 |
Managerial Sciences (Includes Business Analysis, Strategic Management, Operations Management, Organization Behavior and Entrepreneurship) |
1oth | 7525 |
Marketing | 13th | 7650 |
Real Estate | 14th | 7720 |
Risk Management and Insurance (Includes Actuarial Science and Personal Financial Planning) |
11th | 7500 |
The Institute of International Business promotes international learning experiences through a strong portfolio offering of study abroad programs. The study abroad programs range from two-to-three week intensive experiences to semester- and year-long programs. The programs span disciplines and geographic regions, affording students in all business disciplines the rich rewards of an international study experience. RCB currently offers programs in Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, China, Cuba, Dubai, France, Hungary/Czech Republic, Italy, South Africa, Turkey, Morocco, Spain and Switzerland. Other locations are possible through our partner institutions. Students must be in good standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Additional requirements vary by program. For individual program descriptions and application information, consult the Institute of International Business at iib@gsu.edu.
The Actuarial Students Association (ASA) is an official Georgia State University student organization whose mission is to serve actuarial science students by providing information, coordinating with companies and recruiters, and assisting students with passing actuarial exams and seeking employment. All of the students in the Actuarial Science program at Georgia State University –prospective, current, and past—have access to ASA resources. For more information, contact the Department of Risk Management and Insurance, 404-413-7500.
AIESEC: AIESEC is an international non-profit organization that strives for spreading cultural understanding by means of international exchange. Being the world’s largest student organization, AIESEC serves as an “international platform for young people to discover and develop their potential so as to have a positive impact on society.” Currently, AIESEC occupies over 1,100 universities spanning across more than 100 countries and territories. AIESEC encourages and helps students to discover both their social and professional potential. Through AIESEC, students have access to leadership positions, traineeship abroad opportunities and conferences. For more information, contact aiesec.gsu@gmail.com.
Alpha Kappa Psi: This national professional fraternity aims to foster the study of business in universities, to encourage scholarship, to promote closer affiliation between the business world and students of business, and to further the development of high standards of business ethics. The Pi Chapter was organized at this university in 1917. More information about this general business fraternity can be obtained by visiting their website at www.akpsigu.com.
The American Marketing Association: The AMA, which is the world’s largest marketing organization, aims to serve the professional needs of marketing practitioners, educators, and students. By attending the programs, seminars, and workshops sponsored by the local AMA professional chapter, students can gain valuable firsthand knowledge of the marketing industry and how it works. Practical experience in research, advertising, and other areas can be acquired through participation in the AMA student chapter’s marketing-related projects. For more information about Georgia State University’s AMA chapter, call the Department of Marketing at 404-413-7650 visit www.gsuama.com/.
The Association for Computing Machinery: This foundation was founded in 1947 to advance the sciences and arts of information processing. It promotes the free interchange of information about the sciences and arts of information processing both among specialists and among the public in the best scientific tradition. The student chapter was organized at Georgia State in 1963. For more information, contact the Department of Computer Information Systems, 404-413-7360.
Beta Alpha Psi: This national honorary accounting, finance, and information systems fraternity has as its purpose to encourage the idea of service as the basis of a business profession; to promote the study of accounting, finance, and information systems; and to further the highest ethical standards. Graduate students may qualify for membership in Beta Mu Chapter of Beta Alpha Psi. For more information, contact the School of Accountancy, 404-413-7200.
Beta Gamma Sigma: Membership in Beta Gamma Sigma is the highest general scholastic honor a business student can receive at Georgia State University. Nominations for membership in this national honorary business fraternity occur during spring semester. New members are recognized at the college’s Honors Day ceremony. Master’s students who have completed their programs and are in the upper twenty percent of the master’s graduates during the preceding calendar year are eligible for nomination. All doctoral students who graduated during the preceding calendar year are eligible for nomination. For additional information, contact 404-413-7130.
The CIS Society: This organization of Georgia State University students defines and creates new ways for CIS students to excel academically and to succeed professionally while establishing valuable relationships with their peers, faculty, and business leaders within the information technology community. Additional information may be found at www.TheCISsociety.org.
Delta Sigma Pi: This national professional fraternity aims to foster the study of business in universities, to encourage scholarship, to promote closer affiliation between the business world and students of business, and to further the development of high standards of business ethics. The Kappa chapter of Delta Sigma Pi was organized here in 1921. More information about this general business fraternity can be obtained by visiting their website at www.deltasigmapi.org.
The Entrepreneur Network: This organization of faculty, alumni, and students is dedicated to helping those seeking the personal and financial freedom offered by entrepreneurship. The Entrepreneur Network hosts an array of events; grants access to vast networks of advisors, investors, and entrepreneurs; and offers support in launching, growing, and exiting businesses. The organization welcomes all students and alumni with a passion for entrepreneurship. For more information, contact Robert Gemmell at 404-413-7542.
Eta Sigma Delta International Hospitality Management Society: Founded in 1978, this international honor society recognizes hospitality undergraduate and graduate students for outstanding academic achievement, meritorious service and demonstrated professionalism. An annual induction ceremony is held for graduate hospitality students with a minimum 3.50 GPA. Contact the School of Hospitality for additional information.
Finance Society, The: This organization welcomes all undergraduate and graduate business majors who are interested in the field of finance. The organization is dedicated to fostering the student’s knowledge of finance-related issues and job awareness by exposing members to some of the industry’s most prominent speakers, offering interactive workshops and assisting students make career contacts. For more information, contact the Department of Finance at 404-413-7310 or visit finance.robinson.gsu.edu/student-resources/gsu-finance-society/.
Financial Planning Association (FPA) Alliance: This organization is open to students and alumni of the GSU PFP programs, as well as interested visitors. The club serves as a focal point for discussion of leading-edge issues in personal financial planning as well as career trends and opportunities in the industry. The Alliance also provides students with a direct link to the premier professional association in personal financial planning. For additional information, contact the PFP Program at 404-413-7462 or visit rmi.robinson.gsu.edu/.
Future Healthcare Executives: This student organization conducts seminars, projects, and other activities that provide student members with the opportunity for constructive involvement, recognition, and representation in the profession of health services administration. The chapter provides faculty and students in health services administration with a forum for professional dialogue. It also helps students enhance career and academic opportunities through its relationships with local and regional health services executive groups. For more information, contact the Institute of Health Administration, 404-413-7630.
Gamma Iota Sigma: This is a national organization of students interested in the various risk management professions — insurance, company risk management, actuarial science, employee benefits, personal financial planning — and of related faculty. The organization exists to encourage superior moral and academic achievement and facilitate close interaction between risk management professionals and students. The Zeta Chapter of Gamma Iota Sigma welcomes all majors. For more information, contact the Department of Risk Management and Insurance at 404-413-7500.
Graduate Business Association (GBA): This organization serves all graduate business students. The GBA’s objective is to provide career education and professional development to its members through contact with the Atlanta business community while creating an enjoyable, social atmosphere. Programs and activities are planned to achieve these goals. All students are invited to become active members of the organization by joining one of the following committees: Membership, Professional Development, and Social. For more information, contact Graduate Recruiting and Student Services 404-413-7167.
GSU Campus Talkers/Toastmasters: This is an officially chartered club of Toastmasters International. The mission of the club is to provide a supportive and positive learning environment in which members develop their communication and leadership skills through more effective thinking, speaking, and listening. For specific meeting and contact information, check the club’s website at www2.gsu.edu/~wwwstm/.
National Association of Black Accountants: This national membership organization has the primary purpose of developing, encouraging, and serving as a resource for greater participation by African-Americans and other minorities in the accounting and finance professions. Student membership in NABA is available to undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in careers in accounting or finance. For more information, contact the School of Accountancy, 404-413-7200.
National Black MBA: This national membership organization has as its primary focus the networking of the MBA students. This organization fosters the development and encouragement of African Americans as well as other minorities in MBA programs and other graduate programs. For more information, please contact the Robinson College of Business at 404-413-7167 for the current leadership.
NET Impact: We are the new generation of leaders who are committed to using the power of business to improve the world. Our Global Network of MBA’s, graduate students and professionals are interested in like-minded individuals to join the cause. For more information, please contact the Robinson College of Business at 404-413-7167 for the current leadership.
Personal Financial Planning (PFP) Club: This organization is open to students and alumni of the GSU PFP programs, as well as interested visitors. The club serves as a focal point for discussion of leading-edge issues in personal financial planning as well as career trends and opportunities in the industry. For additional information, contact the PFP Program at 404-413-7462 or visit rmi.robinson.gsu.edu/.
Phi Chi Theta: A National Business and Economics Fraternity. Become a member NOW or work for us later! Founded in 1924, the Upsilon chapter at GSU was initiated in 1929, and this is the only GSU business and economics fraternity!!! Members share a passion for developing critical business skills, cultivating leadership talent, and enriching professional networks. Our organization prides itself on fostering new business leaders by creating value and professional growth for each member. Please contact Dr. Marta Szabo White in the Department of Managerial Sciences for additional information, 404-413-7555.
Real Estate Alumni Group: This organization is open to alumni as well as graduate and undergraduate students who are interested in all aspects of real estate and land utilization to provide a social and intellectual atmosphere for the study of this professional area. For more information, contact the Department of Real Estate, 404-413-7720.
The Society for Human Resource Management: This society is an organization open to all undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in the field of personnel/human resources. Practitioners address students on career topics at periodic meetings. Applications and additional information may be obtained from the W.T. Beebe Institute of Personnel and Employment Relations, 404-413-7170.
Tau Alpha Chi (T.A.X.) is an honorary professional association. It is intended for students who are seeking a career in tax accounting or for those accounting students who have a general interest in tax issues. The primary objectives of T.A.X. are (1) to provide members a forum for in-depth tax discussions, (2) to promote association with professional tax practitioners, and (3) to encourage scholastic and professional excellence in the field of tax accounting. For more information, contact the School of Accountancy, 404-413-7200.
Other Organizations: Information on other student organizations, fraternities, and sororities in which some graduate students may be interested is available from the Office of the Dean of Students, Suite 300, Student Center, 404-413-1515.
6th floor, Robinson College of Business Building
35 Broad Street
404-413-7167
Steve VanDuzer, Director of Recruiting
Emily Lakemaker, Director of Student Experiences
Kacy Jackson, Assistant Director of Recruiting
Charlene Watkins, Assistant Director of Integrated Student Services Global Cluster
Winifred Akande, Associate Director of Integrated Student Services Financial Cluster
Gillian Barlow, Assistant Director of Integrated Student Services Financial Cluster
Linda Lee, Associate Director of Integrated Student Services Modeling Cluster
Kumar Swaminathan, Assistant Director of Integrated Student Services Modeling Cluster
Tiffany Ashby, Associate Director of Integrated Student Services Managerial Cluster
Naomi Leader, Director of Shared Services
Shantina Knox, Assistant Director of Admissions
Ian Schonberg, Assistant Director of Advising
Tracy Kuepper, Assistant Director of Student Services
The Graduate Recruiting and Student Services staff supports the college’s mission of academic excellence by promoting the college to prospective applicants and facilitating the application process to admit qualified students to the master’s program. The Graduate Student Services office helps graduate students become knowledgeable about academic programs, pertinent regulations, and student services available through the college and university.
This office provides admission counseling to prospective applicants and assistance in selecting a degree program that meets their academic and professional goals. This department provides academic counseling, including new student orientation, preparing evaluations of students’ academic programs and academic standing, assisting students with course selection and schedule revisions each semester, explaining catalog regulations, and administering policies of the college and university.
7025 Robinson Career Advancement Center
Robinson Career Advancement Center
Tower Place 200, Suite 249 | 3348 Peachtree Road N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30326
404-413-7166
robinson.gsu.edu/cac/
The Robinson Career Advancement Center (CAC) is dedicated to helping you maximize your investment by facilitating your professional and career development. Whether your goal is to move into the job market for the first time, advance within your current organization, move from one industry to another, or change careers completely, we have the resources to help you get there.
Your career coach will help you manage your career during your Robinson experience and beyond. Our staff has a wealth of experience in career services, talent acquisition, career mobility, executive search, and human capital. We are dedicated to helping you maximize your career progression. The CAC also provides employers with a central gateway for recruiting our current students and alumni.
We strongly recommend you make time to meet your Career Coach and become familiar with the CAC early in your program. Students who regularly utilize our resources are significantly more successful in the job and internship search process. In addition, students who make the most of their Robinson experience also join student organizations, get to know faculty members individually, attend guest speaking events, and build their networks – and we encourage you to do the same.
Kenneth Lee, Senior Graduate Career Coach Executive & MBA Cluster
404-413-7109, klee89@gsu.edu
Flex MBA Marketing, Flex MBA Business Economics, Flex MBA Information Systems, Flex MBA General Business, Flex Undecided, Flex MBA/JD, Flex Real Estate, Flex Entrepreneurship, Executive MBA, Global Partners MBA, EDB
Simanto Khandaker, Senior Graduate Career Coach Modeling Cluster
404-413-7171, skhandaker@gsu.edu
Master of Science in Information Systems, Master of Science in Information Systems, Audit & Control, Analytics and Risk Management
Daena Spencer, Senior Graduate Career Coach MBA Cluster
404-413-7170, dspencer@gsu.edu
PMBA, Flex MBA: Accounting, Actuarial Science, Business Analysis, Finance. Flex MBA Operations Management, Flex MBA Organizational Management, Flex MBA Risk Management & Insurance. Master of International Business, Master of Science in Health Administration, MBA/Master of Health Administration, MS/Global Hospitality Management, Science in Marketing, Science in Managerial Science
Kristine Konopacki, Senor Graduate Career Coach Finance Cluster
404-413-7133, kkonopacki@gsu.edu
Master of Professional Accountancy, Master of Taxation, Master of Science in Finance, Master of Science in Real Estate
Linda Lee, Associate Director of Integrated Student Services & EMBA Career Coach
404-413-7243, llee39@gsu.edu
Executive MBA
Lorri Christopher, Industry Career Coach Modeling Cluster
404-413-7244, ga10526@gsu.edu
Master of Science in Information Systems, Master of Science in Information Systems, Audit & Control, Analytics and Risk Management
Jason Aldrich, Ed.D, Assistant Dean – Strategic Partnerships and Career Advancement
404-413-7156, jaldrich@gsu.edu
Responsible for the leadership of the CAC and development of college wide strategic partnerships
Marilyn Santiago, Director, Graduate Career Advancement Center
404-413-7165, msantiago@gsu.edu
MBA/MS Recruitment Liaison; Employer Relations; Executive Career Coaching; Partnership Programs; Graduate Career Fairs; Graduate Career Coaching; and Graduate CAC Cross-Cluster Events/Programs
Brent Winner, Assistant Director, Employer Relations
404-413-7157, bwinner@gsu.edu
Accounting and finance major’s employer relations recruiting lead. Undergraduate and Graduate recruiting liaison
Juanda Rayner, Career & Employer Relations Specialist, Graduate
404-413-7166, jrayner@gsu.edu; MBA/MS graduate recruitment events. Graduate Career Fair; Interview Days/Schedules; Information Sessions; Handshake Employment Postings and Panthership
Services
The following services are available to graduates in the Robinson College of Business:
These events offer an excellent opportunity to make personal contact and gather information concerning specific companies, internship programs, staffing needs, and industry trends.
Programs
All documents and other materials submitted by or for persons in connection with their consideration for admission become the property of this institution and cannot be returned at any time. It is the responsibility of each applicant to follow the application procedures completely and correctly and to be certain that all materials have been submitted to the Office of Admissions, Graduate Programs by the application deadline.
No guarantee regarding admission can be made before an applicant’s file is complete and has been reviewed by the Master’s Admissions Committee. Applicants must assume responsibility for all costs related to applying for admission regardless of the admission decision.
Admission is for entry in a specific program, major or status, and for a specific semester. A student who is admitted for one program, major, concentration or status may enter a different one only if, and after, formal approval has been given by the Master’s Admissions Committee of the college. An accepted applicant who wishes to defer enrollment to a future semester will be reevaluated according to the admission criteria in effect for the future semester. Deferrals must be requested within 3 weeks of the beginning of the original application semester to be considered.
If an applicant does not complete enrollment for the semester in which admission is sought, the application must be renewed and submission of additional credentials and information as requested by the Master’s Admissions Committee may be required. Accepted but not enrolled application files are retained for a maximum of three years.
If an applicant does not complete the application process for the semester in which admission is sought, a deferral request must be submitted for consideration for subsequent semesters. Incomplete application files are retained for a maximum of one year.
A student who earns master’s-level credit and later becomes inactive may be required to re-establish his or her file. A transcript of graduate credit earned at Georgia State University will be maintained indefinitely by the Office of the Registrar.
Admission to flexible master’s programs in the Robinson College of Business is possible for any term (fall, spring or summer). Admission to the cohort master’s programs in the Robinson College of Business varies each term; please refer to the program’s website for term(s) of admission.
Listed below are the deadlines for submitting applications and all supporting materials. The deadlines are for two categories of applicants:
If the deadline falls on a weekend or university holiday, applications and materials will be accepted until the next workday following the deadline. To be guaranteed a decision for the desired term of entry, applications and all supporting documents must be received by these deadlines.
U.S. and International Deadlines
Fall 2018 | Priority Scholarship Deadline 1 | Priority Scholarship Deadline 2 | Priority Scholarship Deadline 3 | Late Deadline |
---|---|---|---|---|
Deadline | December 1 | February 1 | April 1 | June 1 |
Decision Date | February 1 | March 15 | June 1 | July 1 |
Deposit Date | March 1 | April 15 | July 1 | August 1 |
Refer to the Executive M.B.A. Program and the Professional MBA Program later in this chapter for information on applying to those programs.
International Applicants: Applicants who completed all or part of their education abroad may be required to have their foreign credentials evaluated by Joseph Silny, World Education Services or Educational Credential Evaluators. Course-by-course evaluations, equivalence to an accredited U.S. degree (or number of years toward completion), and grade-point average equivalents are required.
The Application for Admission—Master’s Programs must be submitted online by all applicants. In addition to asking for basic biographical and educational data, the master’s application also contains narrative questions. Evaluative interviews are part of the application process for all programs.. This is the opportunity for applicants to present themselves to the Master’s Admissions Committee. It provides a way to highlight qualities relevant to success in a graduate business program that may not be evident in test scores and past academic performance. The application also is used to establish the applicant’s record on the university’s computer record system and with the Office of the Registrar. It is important that this information is coded completely and correctly.
Residence data will be used by the university’s resident auditor to determine if an applicant is a Georgia resident for fee-payment purposes. It must be completed by all applicants. (See the “Regents’ Requirements for Georgia Resident Status” heading in the Financial Information chapter earlier in this catalog.)
You will be assessed a $50 application fee with your application for most programs. The application fee is nonrefundable and does not apply toward registration fees. For each subsequent online application that you submit, you will be assessed another application fee.
One official copy of the transcript of all previous college work are required from each institution previously attended. Each set of transcripts must be submitted in a sealed envelope from the institution. If an institution’s policies do not permit it to send official transcripts to applicants the transcripts may be sent directly to Office of Admissions, Graduate Programs.
Transcripts are required from each institution regardless of the length of time the applicant attended the institution or the applicant’s status while at the institution or whether the grades are listed on another institution’s transcript. EXCEPTION: Applicants who have attended Georgia State University must list their dates of attendance on their applications, but they do not have to request their Georgia State transcript. Office of Admissions, Graduate Programs will obtain a record of the Georgia State coursework.
An applicant who may have been granted provisional admission pending completion of the undergraduate degree must file one official copy of a supplementary transcript showing the awarding of the degree as soon as it is available but at the latest a month prior to late registration of the first semester.
Unofficial transcripts may be submitted at the time of application. Please find the guidelines for submitting unofficial transcripts online at robinson.gsu.edu/programs/graduate/unofficial-transcripts/.
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and the General Test of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) are the primary admission tests for admission at the master’s level in the Robinson College of Business. For admission tests information for Ph.D. Programs, please see section 7360.
The GMAT is designed to measure aptitude for graduate study in business and is not a measure of knowledge in specific business subjects. Competitive scores are required for a successful application, and the level of competitiveness is subject to change throughout the year. Scores significantly below current averages are not likely to be competitive. GMAT scores may not be more than five years old at the desired semester of entry. Applicants whose scores do not meet this age limit must retake the GMAT and have the current scores sent to the Office of Admissions, Graduate Programs.
Scores from GMAT will be sent to the Office of Admissions, Graduate Programs two weeks after the test date. The “candidate’s copy” of the score report is not acceptable. However, an unofficial score report provided by GMAT is acceptable for admissions reviewing purposes. Should the candidate be accepted to the program, they will be required to submit official scores after acceptance.
In North America and most other parts of the world, the GMAT is administrated only as a computer-adaptive test (CAT). Prospective applicants who are located in a country that does not currently offer the GMAT CAT and who cannot travel to another country to take the test should contact Customer Service at the Pearson VUE: GMATcandidateservicesamericas@pearson.com
The GMAT is administered worldwide by Pearson VUE instead of Educational Testing Service (ETS). The college’s code number for master’s-level programs is 5251.
The GMAT Information Bulletin and the GMAC Website (www.gmac.com) contain detailed information about the options for registering to take the test, the most up-to-date listing of test centers, and instructions for having scores sent to desired schools.
The GRE is administered worldwide and year round. The General Test is offered only on the computer in most locations. It is an adaptive test measuring verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing skills. Updated information about the GRE computer-based and paper-based test centers and registration procedures may be found on the GRE Web site shown below.
GRE information may be obtained by contacting the Educational Testing Service in one of these ways:
GRE-ETS
P. O. Box 6000
Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6000, USA
Phone: 1-609-771-7670 (8:00 a.m.—7:45 p.m. EST)
Fax: 1-610-290-8975
E-mail: greinfo@ets.org
www.gre.org
GRE scores may not be more than five years old at the desired semester of entry. Applicants whose scores do not meet this age limit must re-take the GRE or take the Graduate Management Admission Test and have the current scores sent to the Office of Admissions, Graduate Programs.
Applicants taking the GRE must request that their scores be reported to Georgia State University. Those who have previously taken this test must request the Educational Testing Service to report their scores to Georgia State. The university’s code number is R5251. The “candidate’s copy” of the score report is not acceptable. However, an unofficial score report provided by GMAT is acceptable for admissions reviewing purposes. Should the candidate be accepted to the program, they will be required to submit official scores after acceptance
All applicants to the graduate programs at Robinson College of Business are required to interview prior to acceptance. The interview may be part of the online application or a candidate may be invited by a member of the admissions committee to interview prior to acceptance. Some programs may require a second round of interviews.. Applicants are therefore encouraged to provide complete answers to all questions asked on the applications. Applicants who have questions about the information in this catalog concerning admissions, the programs, or related matters, however, are invited to contact Graduate Recruiting and Student Services at any time during the application process.
Letters of recommendation are not part of the admissions process for most programs. Applicants who wish to submit them, however, may do so. Applicants who choose to submit letters can use the online recommendation system or collect the letters from their recommenders in sealed envelopes; recommenders must sign their names across the sealed portion of the back of the envelope. Letters of recommendation must be submitted unopened with the rest of the application packet or submitted by the recommender using the online application system. They may not be reviewed by the applicant at any time. An applicant who does not wish to waive access to a letter of recommendation must arrange for the recommender to provide a copy.
A resume is a required part of the application for all master’s-level programs in the Robinson College of Business.
Admitted students are not required to submit a general certification of their state of health but are required to submit proof of immunization against measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, tetanus, and diphtheria (see 7030.75 above). Please see the Immunization website for more information. Also, the college reserves the right to investigate the health, character, and personality of each applicant.
(Refer to the Executive M.B.A. Program and the Professional MBA later in this chapter for information about admission criteria for those programs.)
The Master’s Admissions Committee, comprised of faculty representatives and admissions staff, determines the eligibility of each person who applies for master’s-level admission. Admission is competitive. Each applicant is evaluated individually and among the current group of candidates. In this evaluation, primary consideration is given to the applicant’s academic record, educational background, and test scores. Secondary consideration is given to the applicant’s educational objectives, narrative information, experience in business or government, professional activities, and character. The Master’s Admissions Committee prefers that applicants have some meaningful full-time work experience. These elements together must indicate a favorable prospect of success in graduate study for an offer of admission to be made. The college is also aware of the appropriate provisions of its accrediting agency, AACSB International — The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, in making admission decisions.
A bachelor’s degree in any field of study from a regionally accredited college or university is required for admission to all of the degree programs, or to the certificate program, of the Robinson College of Business. Only coursework from institutions with accreditation equivalent to that granted by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is considered in evaluating an applicant for admission.
In reviewing the past academic work of applicants, the Master’s Admissions Committee evaluates both the overall undergraduate GPA and the junior/senior GPA. In evaluating scores on the GMAT, the committee looks for a balance between verbal and quantitative scores in addition to considering the total score, which includes the analytical writing score and the integrated reasoning score, because all of the master’s programs require strong communication skills and quantitative ability. Similar evaluations are made when GRE scores are submitted for applications to eligible programs.
In cases where the applicant has done additional accredited undergraduate work beyond the bachelor’s degree or has done accredited graduate work, a “most recent two-year GPA” will be calculated. This is defined as the most recent ninety quarter hours or sixty semester hours of coursework (to the nearest whole term). If this GPA shows more academic promise than the junior/senior GPA, it will be given more weight in the admission consideration.
Transcripts, test scores, and other materials are received by the Office of Admissions-Graduate Programs and are evaluated by the Office of Graduate Recruiting and Student Services. Admitted students are not required to submit a general certification of their state of health but are required to submit proof of immunization against measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, tetanus, and diphtheria (see 7030.75 above). Please see the Immunization website for more information. Also, the college reserves the right to investigate the health, character, and personality of each applicant.
The Robinson College uses a rounds admissions process. Thereby, all application materials must be submitted by the deadline date. Each deadline will have a corresponding date by which applicants will at the latest receive their admissions decision. Admission decisions are communicated in writing to applicants as soon as possible after all application materials have been received and evaluated. Admission decisions cannot be given by telephone or email, nor can they be given to any person other than the applicant without a written release from the applicant to do so.
Graduate Admissions – General
Georgia State University welcomes applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, sex, religion, creed, age, sexual orientation, gender, disability, veteran status or national origin. Admission is based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, an applicant’s academic record, test scores, experience, circumstances, good conduct and character. Admission is a competitive, selective process and meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance.
Unless there are extenuating circumstances, good disciplinary standing at previously attended colleges and universities is a condition of admission for all applicants. For purposes of admission, good disciplinary standing means that the applicant has no pending disciplinary charges, outstanding disciplinary sanctions or disciplinary issues that would prevent the applicant from re-enrolling at previously attended postsecondary institutions.
Applicants with a criminal and/or disciplinary history who are determined to be otherwise admissible for a respective term based on their academic record and other credentials are required to complete an admissions background review process before an admission decision is made by the university. Instructions for completing that review process are communicated to the applicant after the university has determined that the applicant is otherwise admissible for that term.
Omissions or misrepresentations on an application for admission are grounds for automatically invalidating consideration by, acceptance to and continuation at Georgia State. Applicants have a duty to update their application with Georgia State when information changes after application submission.
Graduate Admissions Appeals
The Chair of the academic department of the graduate program and the Associate Provost for Graduate Programs are the President’s designees for purposes of hearing Graduate Admissions Appeals.
Applicants for graduate admission who are denied for reasons related to disciplinary/criminal history or falsification of application may appeal the denial to the Associate Provost for Graduate Programs within twenty (20) calendar days of the date of the denial letter. The decision of the Associate Provost for Graduate Programs is final.
Applicants for graduate program admissions who are denied admission due to academic ineligibility may appeal the denial to the department chair within twenty (20) calendar days of the date of the denial letter. The decision of the department chair is final.
Notice to Applicant of Background Review Requirement
The University requires applicants who have a criminal or disciplinary history to complete a background review. Please contact the Background Review Records Coordinator at 404-413-1515 for information regarding completion of the review process as soon as possible to ensure timely processing of your application. * The Background Review Records Coordinator will let you know what supplemental documentation you will need to provide to complete the process. You may be required to provide documentation such as:
All materials submitted as part of an application for admission become and remain the property of the university and will not be returned to the applicant, duplicated, or transferred to another institution.
Please note that a final admission decision cannot be made until you complete all requirements of the background disciplinary review process. *Applications may be withdrawn from review if the background review process is not initiated within two weeks.
The master’s level non-degree and postgraduate classifications are provided by the Robinson College of Business in recognition of the fact that education is a life-long process and that people may wish to enroll in one or more graduate courses at various times for personal or professional reasons without completing an entire degree or certificate program.
Non-degree students are those who have followed the same admissions procedures and met the same admissions deadlines and criteria as applicants to the Master of Business Administration program, but they do not wish to pursue a graduate degree or certificate. These students are admitted to enroll in graduate courses of their choice in the Robinson College of Business. They may enroll for credit or for audit, according to the same criteria as any other student.
All master’s-level non-degree students will complete the Business Communication Skills Requirement explained in this chapter. The regulations, policies, and procedures given in this chapter also apply to non-degree students.
Postgraduate students are those who have received a graduate degree from the Robinson College of Business and wish to reenter to take additional graduate courses in this college, but they do not wish to pursue another graduate degree. They may also enroll for credit or for audit.
Non-degree and postgraduate students are responsible for meeting all academic regulations of the college and the university, including the requirements for maintaining good academic standing. It is therefore important that those students be familiar with the provisions of the graduate catalog in effect at the time of their enrollment in either status. Students may continue to enroll in non-degree or postgraduate status indefinitely, as long as at least a 3.00 cumulative GPA is maintained. No more than nine semester hours of coursework taken in non-degree or postgraduate status, however, may be subsequently applied toward a graduate degree or certificate of this college. (See below.)
Non-degree and postgraduate students must follow proper registration procedures each semester they wish to enroll; these classifications do not waive the responsibility to register correctly and on a timely basis.
Some academic units do not permit non-degree and/or postgraduate students to enroll in their courses due to the demand for the courses by degree-seeking students.
All prerequisites to any course taken must be met. These classifications are not intended as a means to circumvent proper course sequencing.
Neither non-degree status nor postgraduate status in the Robinson College of Business is provided for students who intend to qualify for any degree, certification, or other status in another college of Georgia State University. Students with this goal must, at the first opportunity, contact the appropriate graduate admissions office for procedures and criteria for establishing graduate status in that college.
Currently enrolled non-degree or postgraduate students who wish to change to degree/certificate status must file a new admissions application and application fee for the program desired.
Further information on application procedures for changing to degree or certificate programs in the Robinson College of Business may be found in 7080.12 below or obtained from the Office of Graduate Student Services.
Any credit earned while in non-degree or postgraduate status must be no more than seven years old at the time the student graduates if it is to be counted for credit toward the program to which the student is changing.
Grades from all attempts at all courses that are later counted toward degree or certificate credit will become part of the student’s GPA for that program. This means that the non-degree and postgraduate statuses are not intended as a means to make attempts at courses that are anticipated to be difficult with the intention of having only the final attempt count in the GPA for the degree/certificate program.
Students enrolled in a graduate degree program at another accredited institution may take graduate courses in the college. A maximum of nine semester hours may be taken as a transient student unless approval for additional hours is requested by the student’s home institution. Transients who later enroll in an RCB master’s level program may apply a maximum of nine appropriate graduate credit hours earned in transient status toward the requirements of the RCB program.
To become a master’s degree-seeking student, a transient student must submit a new online admissions application, application fee, and the required additional credentials by the normal application deadline for the semester in which he or she wishes to begin degree work.
The transient application materials described in items 1-3 below must be submitted online at gradapply.gsu.edu/apply/.
Deadlines for receipt of all materials required for admission as a transient student in each semester are shown below:
Desired Semester of Entry | Deadline Date |
Fall (August) | July 1 |
Spring (January) | December 1 |
Summer (June) | May 1 |
A transient student should come prepared with alternative courses approved by the home institution. Georgia State University does not guarantee that the courses desired will be offered or available. If, for example, courses are full when a transient attempt to register, the student will not be admitted to these classes.
A transient student must meet all prerequisites for Georgia State courses as defined by Georgia State University. Enrollment in some RCB graduate courses is monitored for completion of prerequisites. Examples are MBA prefixed courses and courses in accounting and finance. It is recommended that transient students have personal copies of their transcripts readily available to substantiate completion of prerequisites.
If a transcript is needed by the home institution, the student must make a request via the university website. The university does not automatically forward transcripts to the home institution.
A student who attends Georgia State University as a transient student normally will be allowed to attend only for the one semester for which acceptance was granted. A transient student who wishes to enroll for a subsequent semester(s) at Georgia State University must do the following:
Re-entry must be approved by Graduate Student Services to be official. The college reserves the right to request a new Certification of Good Standing before the expiration date and/or a transcript from the home institution. If this information is deemed necessary, the transient student will be notified.
Transient students who apply for re-entry are cautioned that approval may not be granted by the Office of Graduate Recruiting and Student Services if the grade-point average in the course(s) taken at Georgia State University is lower than 3.00, which is the minimum required to maintain good standing at the graduate level.
A complete reentry application and any required document must be submitted by the following deadlines:
Semester | Priority Deadline | Regular Deadline |
Fall Semester | February 1 | June 1 |
Spring Semester | October 1 | November 1 |
Summer Semester | February 1 | April 1 |
Georgia State University participates in the Atlanta Regional Consortium for Higher Education (ARCHE) cross registration agreement. Please see section 1320 Cross Registration earlier in this catalog for complete information. Students from other ARCHE institutions may enroll in graduate courses in the Robinson College of Business provided they meet the academic eligibility and other requirements of the agreement, and show evidence that any prerequisites for the RCB courses they wish to take have been met.
See also the note at the beginning of the 7030.15 “Application Procedures” section earlier in this chapter for information specifically for international applicants applying from abroad.
It is the policy of Georgia State University to encourage the enrollment of students from other countries. The institution subscribes to the principles of international education and to the basic concept that only through education and understanding can mutual respect, appreciation, and tolerance of others be accomplished. The recognition of the values of cultural exchange is inherent in our philosophy of education and is predicated on an awareness of the need to foster better cooperation, friendship, and understanding among the peoples of the world. In this regard, we welcome international students to our campus, because we believe in a cultural exchange program which will be beneficial to our own student body, to the international students involved, and to metropolitan Atlanta.
In addition to meeting the regular admission requirements, an international applicant whose native language is other than English must submit official scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) before admission can be considered.
Exceptions: Neither the TOEFL nor IELTS is required of U.S. naturalized citizens, international applicants who have received a degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, nor international applicants who were born in an English Speaking Country. Documentation of citizenship status or proof of a U.S. degree must accompany the application.
TOEFL scores of 90 (Internet) or higher and 577 (Paper) or higher are required. To electronically send TOEFL scores to our office, please use the college’s TOEFL code number for master’s-level programs (5251) and the college’s department code number (02). We require IELTS scores of 6.5 or higher.
7070.20 Academic Credentials
Each applicant must present “official” credentials attesting to academic achievement as to level and performance. “Official” documents will vary from country to country, but should be original documents with authoritative signatures, seals, stamps, etc. Whenever possible, these should be sent by the institution responsible for issuing such documents. In cases where it is impossible for an applicant to have these credentials sent from such institutions, the applicant should forward a duly “notarized” or “attested to “copy”. The notarization should be done by a proper government official or proper representative of the American Embassy in the country.
When the documents are in a language other than English, they must be accompanied by translations. These translations must be the original form and contain acceptable notarization as described above for a copy of the original documents. Translations should be made by the American Embassy, the home country Embassy, or an appropriate government official. As a general rule, documents translated by the Office of the American Friends of the Middle East (AFME) and the Institute of International Education (IIE) will be acceptable.
Applicants who completed all or part of their education abroad may be required to have their foreign credentials evaluated by Joseph Silny (www.jsilny.com), World Educational Services (www.wes.org), or Educational Credential Evaluators (www.ece.org). If this evaluation is needed, the applicant will be notified by the Office of Graduate Recruiting and Student Services. All evaluations by outside services are subject to review by the Master’s Admissions Committee.
Course descriptions (syllabi) and any other information submitted in an attempt to qualify for exemption from course requirements must meet the same criteria for “official” documents as described above. These documents must be received directly from the institution and have a cover letter written on the institution’s letterhead mentioning the student’s name and certifying that the outline is comparable to the way the course was taught when the student took it.
Georgia State University requires international applicants requesting F-1 visa status to not only meet academic admission requirements, but also to document his or her ability to meet the financial requirements while in attendance. Applicants needing a student or exchange visitor’s visa are required to show financial capability for their full degree program before a certificate of eligibility and an acceptance letter will be issued. Specific amounts are available from International Student and Scholar Services, isss.gsu.edu.
International applicants should be aware that the minimum financial resources requirement for a certificate of eligibility is based on an extremely modest budget and standard of living and do not include the cost of owning a car. Tuition expenses for Robinson College of Business students are based on the minimum enrollment required for graduate international students, which is nine hours for the fall and spring semesters and six hours in the summer. Students who plan to take 12 or 15 hours a semester must budget for the costs of additional tuition and books
The international student with a student visa is required to carry a full course of study in fall and spring semesters; the summer semester can be a vacation semester or a semester with a reduced course load unless summer is the student’s first term. Students who choose to enroll during summer semester must meet the minimum course load required for an assistantship if received during that semester.
A full course of study at Georgia State University is 12 hours for undergraduate students and nine hours for graduate students. International students will not be admitted as non-degree students.
See also the heading titled “International Student and Scholar Services” in the Student Life and Services chapter of this catalog.
7080.02 Students’ Responsibility
Graduate students must assume full responsibility for knowledge of the rules and regulations of the college and the university and of departmental, school, or institute requirements concerning their individual programs. Enrollment in a graduate program of this college constitutes students’ acknowledgement that they are obligated to comply with all academic and administrative regulations and degree requirements. Students are encouraged to read carefully Section 1300, “Academic Regulations” that applies to all of the university’s programs and the regulations specific to their RCB programs in this chapter. Students are also urged to read all of the requirements of their degree, program, or status that are presented in this chapter.
7080.04 Commitment to Master’s Programs
The Robinson College of Business provides a flexible schedule of courses for some of its master’s programs. The schedule attempts to accommodate the needs of a diverse student body, particularly with respect to students’ employment. However, the faculty of the college expects that students enrolled in a master’s program will bring to that program a commitment to complete their degree requirements in a timely manner. The faculty believes that maximum benefit will be derived from a program if students devote a period of concentrated study to the disciplines that constitute the master’s programs.
Before deciding to enroll in a master’s program of this college, students must examine seriously and realistically their abilities to adjust their personal and professional schedules to accommodate the challenge of graduate study. Students or applicants with questions about the commitment needed to complete the master’s programs should schedule an appointment with a Graduate Recruitment Coordinator in the college’s Office of Graduate Recruiting and Student Services.
The course load of master’s students may vary with the circumstances of the individual student each semester. Students normally enroll in three to 15 semester hours a term depending on the program. In determining each semester’s course load, students must balance other time constraints (work, family, civic, and other responsibilities) with the need to make reasonable and timely progress toward completion of the program within the five-year time limit.
If a student in good standing needs longer than five years to complete the master’s degree, they may petition for an extension of the time limit up to a maximum of seven years. Courses more than seven years old at the time of graduation expire and must be repeated or replaced with more current courses. Students who need more than five years to complete the degree requirements should schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Office of Graduate Recruiting and Student Services.
7080.06 Conduct
Students are expected to observe generally accepted standards of conduct and to assume personal responsibilities appropriate to potential business and professional leaders. The university reserves the right to exclude any student whose conduct is prejudicial or injurious to the university, the faculty, or other students. The formal policy of the university concerning student rights and obligations is under the heading “University Code of Conduct” in the General Information chapter of this catalog.
7080.08 Changing Semester of Entry
Admission to a master’s-level program is for the specific semester stated in the acceptance letter. Anyone who does not enroll for the semester for which acceptance was granted must notify the Office of Graduate Recruiting and Student Services of their interest in being considered for a future term so his or her records may be updated to a future semester and reevaluated according to admission criteria in effect for the future semester. Deadlines for notification to change to each semester are shown below:
Change Semester of Entry to Deadline Date | |
Spring (January) | September 1 |
Summer (June) | February 1 |
Fall (August) | April 1 |
If the deadline falls on a weekend or a university holiday, requests to change semester of entry will be accepted until the next workday following the deadline.
7080.10 Catalog Editions
Normally, students will be permitted to graduate under the provisions of the graduate catalog in effect at the time of first enrollment. Student may choose to graduate under the provisions of a subsequent graduate catalog; that is, they may choose to change their “catalog edition.” Students who choose to do this must meet all provisions of the subsequent graduate catalog.
Robinson College students are required to change to the current catalog edition when they change programs/statuses or M.S. majors or after certain absences from the program, as explained in the next two headings below.
7080.12 Changing Majors, Programs or Status (Master’s Level)
An M.B.A. student who wishes to change concentrations within the M.B.A. program may begin the process by notifying the Office of Graduate Recruiting and Student Services in writing, no later than the first week of their graduation term, and consulting the graduate catalog to determine requirements for the new concentration. Written notification of the decision will be provided.
An RCB master’s student who wishes to change majors within the M.S. program or to change programs or status (for example, M.B.A. to M.S., C.R.E. to M.S.R.E.., M.P.A. to .M.S.I.S.A.C, M.S. to M.S.I.S.A.C, M.S.-MGS. to M.S.-H.R.M., non-degree to M.B.A.) must file a new application for admission and application fee. For programs that require faculty review as part of the admissions process, the file of the student will be sent to the appropriate faculty representative for a recommended admission decision. A student who has applied for admission to a new program will be notified in writing of the decision and, if approved, of any foundation courses required by the new program. Changes in M.S. major and changes in program require that students making such changes follow the program requirements of the graduate catalog in effect at the time of the change.
7080.14 Noncontinuous Enrollment and Requests to Re-enter
Absences shorter than one calendar year: Students continue to be eligible to register until they have not registered for one calendar year, except as noted below. Registration is defined as remaining registered until at least the end of the official late registration period. See the heading titled “Re-entry Students” in the Registration and Re-entry chapter earlier in this catalog.
Absence from the program is defined as not registering for graduate or relevant undergraduate courses or registering for such courses but not earning degree credit (minimum grade of C-), that is, earning D, F, W, or WF.
NOTE: Graduate students must register for at least a total of six semester hours of course work during any period of three consecutive terms (fall, spring, summer) until completion of degree. Failure to meet this standard for “continuous enrollment” will require the graduate student to apply for re-entry.
Absences of one calendar year or longer: All students who wish to reenter one of the master’s-level programs or non-degree status after an absence of one calendar year or longer must meet the degree requirements and academic regulations of the graduate catalog current upon return, along with other re-entry provisions as may be in effect.
Reentering students who have earned a minimum of 18 semester hours of appropriate credit at Georgia State University with a minimum GPA of 3.00 will be eligible for reentry without being required to meet current admissions criteria.
“Appropriate credit” means assigned foundation courses and/or courses that are applicable to the students’ current program.
Students who have not earned at least 18 semester hours of appropriate credit at Georgia State University with a minimum GPA of 3.00 must re-apply and meet current admissions criteria. The provision to meet current admissions criteria includes submission of current scores on the Graduate Management Admission Test if the latest score on file will be more than five years old at the time of re-entry.
7080.16 Re-entry Procedures
Re-entry applications must be submitted by the deadlines as shown for each term in Section 1100, “Re-entry” earlier in this catalog. Re-entry applications are available online from the Office of Graduate Recruiting and Student Services website.
Reentry applicants should request that the registrar of each school attended since their last enrollment at Georgia State University send an official transcript to the RCB Office of Graduate Recruiting and Student Services GRSS.
Transient students should refer to the heading titled “Transient Students” earlier in this chapter.
Graduate students normally reenter the same college and program/status in which they were last enrolled. Students who have attended Georgia State in both undergraduate and graduate categories may apply to re-enter any undergraduate or graduate program/status in which they were enrolled. Exception: Students who have graduated and wish to re-enter in order to take additional graduate level courses but not earn another graduate degree or must file a new application for admission and application fee as post-graduate (PG) students rather than a re-entry form.
RCB master’s students who wish to reenter this college under a new RCB degree or major or who have graduated from one graduate program in RCB and who wish to return to take courses for another graduate degree or certificate must file a new application for admission and application fee rather than a re-entry form. Graduate Student Services will evaluate the request to change degrees or majors in accordance with the relevant regulations of the college.
Re-entry approval is valid for the semester applied for. Students approved for re-entry who do not register for the semester for which they applied, must submit a new reentry application and application fee for future semesters.
7080.18 Enrollment in Approved Courses
Students must not attend courses for which they have not officially registered and paid. Properly completing the registration process by the published deadline for each term is the responsibility of each student.
Students must enroll in courses that are part of the approved curriculum for the program to which they have been accepted. Students who do otherwise are subject to loss of credit and/or loss of eligibility to continue to register. Students in colleges other than the Robinson College of Business who take RCB courses may do so only if the courses are part of the program of study in the other college. For students to follow the program of study for an RCB degree or certificate, they must qualify for admission to the RCB program.
7080.20 Enforcement of Course Prerequisites
The faculty of the Robinson College of Business expects all students, regardless of status (degree seeking, non-degree, transient), to have satisfied the prerequisites for all courses for which they are registered. This expectation includes course prerequisites and computing skills prerequisites.
Satisfaction of prerequisites is enforced in the Robinson College of Business in varying ways. Prerequisites for some courses are monitored by the college or an academic unit once the term begins with violators withdrawn about the third week of the term, resulting in loss of fees and no opportunity to register for a replacement course. Other courses are monitored by the individual professors, who can also require violators to be withdrawn. The registration system will verify completion of prerequisites at the time of registration for selected courses. Students must assume this responsibility.
Prerequisites for each course are found in the Course Descriptions chapter of this catalog. The current catalog must always be consulted before registration to determine course prerequisites. Questions about prerequisites can be directed to the advisors in the Office of Graduate Recruiting and Student Services.
7080.22 Day/Night Programs
There are no differences in admission requirements and degree requirements for students based on whether classes will be taken during the day or at night. The master’s programs (with the exception of the M.A.S. program) may be completed entirely at night. Students may take only night classes or a combination of day and night classes, whatever is suitable for their particular circumstances each semester.
7080.24 Separate Graduate and Undergraduate Programs
Except for the circumstance described in the regulation below titled “Policy on Allowing Undergraduates to Take Graduate Courses,” the graduate and undergraduate programs of Robinson College are entirely separate and only those persons who have been admitted to a graduate status may enroll in courses numbered 6000 or higher. No undergraduate course credit, including that obtained in required background work for a master’s degree, may be applied toward any of the master’s-level programs.
7080.26 Policy on Allowing Undergraduates to Take Graduate Courses
Undergraduate students with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.50 or higher who have at least 18 semester hours of degree credit at Georgia State University and who are in their senior year may petition to take up to two graduate courses in the Robinson College of Business in lieu of undergraduate courses. Students interested in petitioning should contact the RCB Office of Undergraduate Academic Assistance for a statement of restrictions and procedures pertaining to this policy.
7080.28 Double Concentrations and Multiple Master’s Degrees
An M.B.A. student who wishes to qualify for an additional concentration may do so successfully by completing 12 semester hours of appropriate coursework (See “Regulations for the M.B.A. Degree” for the list of M.B.A. concentrations and their requirements.) For double concentrations within the M.B.A. program, electives can be counted toward both concentrations to the extent they are acceptable in both. [NOTE: The Graduate Program Council may establish minimum hours requirements for students earning multiple degrees.].
The earning of the second concentration will be confirmed by letter from the Office of Graduate Recruiting and Student Services, upon written request by the student, only if the additional courses are completed before any of the student’s M.B.A. credit will be more than seven years old. The grades in the additional hours must not cause the student’s cumulative GPA to fall below 3.00. All grades must be “C-” or higher.
A student may take a particular master’s degree only once (except as noted below). However, a student who holds a master’s degree of this college may qualify for a different master’s degree of this college. To so qualify, the student must meet all admission requirements in effect for the second degree and thereafter fulfill all requirements for the second master’s degree. Along with all other requirements, the student must complete a minimum of 18 additional semester hours of appropriate credit in residence at Georgia State University for the second and each subsequent degree with appropriate grades and in coursework that has not been applied in satisfaction of the requirements of any other degree. This minimum residence requirement is permitted only when all courses to be applied toward the subsequent degree will be no more than seven years old upon completion of all degree requirements. If the seven-year time frame is not met, the minimum residence requirement for a second (or subsequent) master’s degree is 24 semester hours with appropriate grades and in coursework that has not been applied in satisfaction of the requirements of any other degree. Once the 24-semester-hour residency is met, students may transfer approved course work completed elsewhere in accordance with the college’s standard transfer-of-credit regulations.
Courses taken to earn an additional MBA concentration must be separate from any courses taken to meet the minimum residency for an additional degree. This applies whether the courses for the additional designations are taken before or after the first degree has been awarded. The final decision about the minimum course credit required for additional concentrations, and/or degrees rests with the Robinson College of Business.
A student who holds an M.S. degree from this college and wishes to earn an M.S. in another major must follow the provisions for qualifying for a different master’s degree (described earlier in this section).
7080.30 Standards of Performance
The dean or the associate dean for master’s programs of the college may require that a student withdraw from a particular course or courses, from a master’s program, or from the college because of unsatisfactory academic work or for other adequate reason. To continue in a master’s program, a student must make reasonable and timely progress in terms of grades and courses toward the degree or certificate concerned. The student’s progress may be reviewed each semester.
As a result of this review, any student whose scholastic performance does not indicate appropriate progress may be required to reduce the course load or may be required to withdraw from the program.
7080.32 Scholastic Discipline: Master’s Programs and Status
Each student admitted to a master’s program or status of the college must maintain a grade-point average (GPA) in the program of 3.00 or higher in all attempts at all courses numbered 6000 and higher. (This means that the original grade in a course that is repeated is not dropped from the cumulative GPA for purposes of determining good academic standing.) Also included in this GPA, except as noted below, are all Robinson College of Business courses that the student takes (if any) which are in addition to those in the degree/certificate program. Therefore, a student who wishes to take a course for personal enrichment or for other purposes not related to pursuit of the degree/certificate should audit the course.
Grades earned in other graduate programs of the Robinson College of Business from which the student has graduated or any grades earned at any time in graduate courses of other colleges of the university do not affect the cumulative GPA for the current program, unless they apply toward the current program. Grades in courses in areas where higher-level coursework has already been completed will not affect the cumulative GPA for the current program (example: taking MBA 8025 after MBA 8115). These grades are, however, included in the cumulative GPA which is calculated by the university and recorded on the student’s official transcript. The calculation on the transcript includes all attempts at all courses numbered 5000-level and above taken at the university. All references to “cumulative GPA” in the scholastic discipline policy are to the cumulative GPA in the student’s current program (except as noted in the next paragraph).
Students who change master’s-level programs within the Robinson College of Business (as opposed to completing one program then entering a second program) are responsible for all graduate grades earned in the college. That is, students with less than a 3.00 GPA in one master’s-level program or status cannot automatically return to good academic standing by changing programs or status.
Questions about calculation of the GPA for determining academic standing should be directed to the Office of Graduate Recruiting and Student Services. The interpretation of the college’s scholastic discipline policy as it applies to unusual situations is the responsibility of the dean of the college as represented by Graduate Recruiting and Student Services.
Each student whose GPA for a semester is below 3.00, regardless of course load, will be on “scholastic warning.” Upon completion of the next semester of relevant graduate coursework, the performance of a student on warning will be evaluated in the following way:
After a suspension of at least one semester and if the time limit for completing the program has not expired, the student may apply for readmission. Application for readmission must be made to the Office of Graduate Recruiting and Student Services not later than six weeks prior to the first day of registration for the semester in which reinstatement is sought.
A student who is readmitted from suspension will be on probation. If any semester GPA is less than 3.00 before the student’s cumulative GPA reaches at least 3.00, the student will be permanently excluded from taking graduate courses in the Robinson College of Business. When the cumulative GPA is at least 3.00, the student will then return to good standing. Another suspension after returning to good standing also will result in permanent exclusion.
See the next section for grade requirements for graduation.
7080.34 Grade Requirements for Graduation
To graduate with a master’s degree or graduate certificate from the Robinson College of Business, students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher in all attempts at all courses numbered 6000 and above taken at Georgia State University (See Sections 1330 Cumulative Grade Point Average and 1336.15 Graduation Requirements). In addition, students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher in all courses applicable toward the program from which graduation is planned. Also included in this GPA are grades earned in all graduate RCB courses taken at Georgia State, including those taken while in any master’s program(s) or status which the student began but did not complete. Exception: grades in courses which are more than seven years old, while part of the cumulative GSU GPA, will not be factored into the College’s GPA requirement for graduation. No grade below a grade of C- is acceptable. No course in which a grade of B or higher has been earned may be repeated for degree credit.
Questions about calculation of the GPA for graduation should be directed to the Office of Graduate Recruiting and Student Services. The interpretation of the college’s GPA requirement for graduation as it applies to unusual situations is the responsibility of the dean of the college as represented by the Office of Graduate Recruiting and Student Services.
7080.35 Panthers on the Move – Employment Outcomes Survey
Completion of this employment outcomes survey prior to graduation is a requirement for the degree. The valuable data obtained from the survey is used to support our continuous improvement efforts in program development, rankings, recruitment, career advancement, and maintenance of accreditation.
7080.38 Residency Requirements
The Robinson College of Business defines residency in a master’s program as being enrolled in courses that are numbered 8000 or higher, that are appropriate for the program, and that have not been counted toward another graduate degree of this college. The minimum residency requirement for each degree program except the Master of Science in Real Estate (MSRE) is 24 semester hours. The minimum residency requirement for the certificate program in real estate is nine semester hours; the MSRE minimum is 30 semester hours. The minimum residency for the certificate program in enterprise risk management is 18 semester hours of graduate course work.
In the Master of Business Administration program, at least one half the concentration, as appropriate, must be completed in residence to be designated as having completed the concentration in a specific field; otherwise the general business concentration is awarded. In the Master of Science program, at least one half of the major must be completed in residence.
7080.40 Transfer of Credits
Transfer of credit in master’s programs of this college is defined as receiving graduate degree credit for a course completed at another institution, thereby reducing the number of graduate courses to be taken at Georgia State University. Transfer of credit is distinguished from exemption from MBA-prefixed courses. Transfer of credit will be approved only under the following conditions:
It is also possible to receive transfer credit from another graduate program of Georgia State University, including previously completed Robinson College programs and programs from other colleges/schools in the university. These regulations are written for the usual transfer credit case, which is credit from another institution. The Office of Graduate Recruiting and Student Services should be consulted about transfer credit from other Georgia State programs.
A written request for consideration of transfer credit completed before admission must be submitted by the student concerned during the first semester of residence here. The request must indicate the specific course(s) for which transfer credit is sought. A copy of the other institution’s catalog must be submitted to verify that condition 2 (listed above) has been met; a course outline for each course must be submitted to verify that condition 4 has been met; if the course(s) were taken after application materials had been filed, an official transcript of the coursework must be sent directly from the other institution to Graduate Recruiting and Student Services to verify that conditions 3 and 5 have been met. Requests for transfer of graduate credit cannot be processed until all necessary information has been received.
Students who have met the residency requirement for their program and who wish to take graduate courses at another institution to complete the coursework for their Georgia State degree should provide the information listed above (except the transcript) to Graduate Recruiting and Student Services before enrolling at the other institution. Advance approval will ensure that the transfer credit can be granted if a grade of B or higher is earned in the course(s) and the coursework is completed within the time limit allowed for the program. Such students should plan to graduate at least one semester after the quarter/semester in which the last course to be transferred has been taken. This will allow adequate time for the necessary transcript to be received and for the transfer credit to be processed. (See the “Graduation Fee” heading in this catalog for details about applying to graduate.) A letter certifying completion of degree requirements and stating the date the degree will be conferred can be furnished to the student by the Graduation Office.
7080.42 Information Technology Access and Skill Requirements
Access Requirements: Because information technology is an integral part of business decision making, courses in the Robinson College of Business frequently incorporate assignments that require computing skills. Consistent with university policy (available at technology.gsu.edu/about/technology-policies/), the Robinson College requires students to be responsible for providing computer and Internet access for all RCB courses and programs.
Hardware and Software Requirements: Georgia State has standardized on the Microsoft Office Suite in the student computer labs. Students may consult the university’s Office of Student Financial Aid for information about possible funding opportunities for computer and Internet access expenses.
Skill Requirements: All RCB graduate students are responsible for establishing and maintaining their proficiency in the basic digital skills current in contemporary business workplaces. Such skills include, but are not limited to, effectiveness in storing, retrieving, calculating, and analyzing data with spreadsheets and offline or online databases; communicating digitally with word processors and computer-based documents, web postings and web documents; searching for information from the web and online resources; and presenting information with effective visualization, graphics, and audience presentation software. Examples of complete suites of such office tools include current versions of Microsoft Office (frequently preferred by instructors and site-licensed at Georgia State), Corel WordPerfect Office, Apache OpenOffice, GoogleDocs, etc.
The MBA program is designed for individuals with work experience who aspire to organizational or entrepreneurial leadership positions. The program enhances general management abilities and provides an opportunity to place emphasis on one or more functional areas of expertise. The primary objectives of the program are for students to develop and integrate: (1) analytical skills for decision-making that incorporate global, ethical, and culturally diverse dimensions; (2) skills in assessing organizational performance and developing approaches for improvement; (3) leadership skills; and (4) interpersonal skills that contribute to teamwork.
All entering Flexible Master’s students are required to attend the mandatory Master’s Orientation in their first semester of enrollment. The specific dates for the Master’s Orientation can be found here: Master’s Orientation information. The objectives of the orientation are:
The Master of Business Administration degree is awarded upon completion of a prescribed program ranging from 39 to 54 semester hours of credit, depending on the academic background of students and on options selected by the students. The M.B.A. program is developed on the assumption that students enter the program with certain skills:
The regulations, policies, and procedures given in the “Master’s Enrollment” and “Master’s Programs” sections of this chapter apply to the M.B.A. program.
The Master of Business Administration degree is awarded upon completion of the program prescribed in this section below. The time limit for completing the M.B.A. program is five years.
The course requirements for the M.B.A. program and the sequence of courses follow. Note that Cornerstone Core courses may be taken concurrently. All other courses must be taken after MBA 8000 Managing in the Global Economy and MBA 8025 Financial Statement Analysis.
These courses provide a solid intellectual grounding within an integrative framework that sets the stage for the entire MBA curriculum. MBA 8000 Managing in the Global Economy, MBA 8040 Data Driven Decision Making and MBA 8045 Analytics Experience cannot be waived. Waiver of Strategic Communication will be granted only under exceptional circumstances which must include a high degree of previous education and proof of significant experience in the communications area. Financial Statement Analysis may be waived if the student has an undergraduate degree in accounting with a 3.0 or better GPA and current experience in the area. Legal Environment: Ethics and Corporate Governance can only be waived by those students already possessing a JD degree. Student may waive no more than 6 hours in this area. Once a course is waived, it may not be taken later for credit.
The functional core offers curricular breadth. Up to 6 hours (two courses) in this category may be waived (see Section 7090.60 for details), based on an undergraduate business degree from an AACSB or EQUIS accredited institution with a 3.0 or great GPA in the major and current work experience in the area. Once a course is waived, it may not be taken later for credit. MBA 8000 and MBA 8025 are prerequisites for every Functional Core course, and MBA 8015, MBA 8030, MBA 8040, and MBA 8045 are co-requisites.
This course integrates a broad span of knowledge gained from the required curriculum. This course cannot be waived. Registration will be granted once students have completed all six MBA 8100 level courses.
Electives include 12 hours in a concentration which permit the student to personalize core competency and customize intellectual development. Electives are to be from the set of RCB 8000-level courses or from the Department of Economics in the Andrew Young School. Students wishing to take electives outside that set must apply for special permission.
Concentrations are available in the following areas:
Students should contact individual departments regarding requirements for obtaining concentrations not detailed below.
Accounting
Larry Ashmore, Program Director, 404-413-7219, lashmore@gsu.edu
The mission of the accounting concentration in the MBA program is to prepare individuals to become leaders in financial reporting and assurance services in public accounting or industry. While the MBA program enhances general management abilities, the accounting concentration focuses specifically on (1) financial reporting skills in a global economy, (2) assurance service skills in a variety of organizational contexts, and (3) financial analysis skills.
The concentration in accounting requires students to have completed courses equivalent to the following with a C- or better grade:
The concentration in accounting requires 12 semester hours as follows:
NOTE: Generally students who concentrate in accounting want to sit for the CPA exam. To do so in Georgia they must have 20 credit hours in upper level (above the 2xxx level) accounting classes. In order to earn the CPA license in Georgia they must (in addition to successfully completing the examination in accordance with Georgia’s requirements, and having one year of appropriate work experience), have earned a total of 30 credit hours in upper level accounting classes.
Eric Ulm, Coordinator, 404-413-7485, eulm@gsu.edu
The MBA program provides the skills needed by future business leaders and future management consultants, such as creative decision-making, leadership, and the ability to work as a member of a team. The actuarial science concentration focuses on mathematical modeling. Qualified students who wish to acquire both sets of skills should enroll in the MBA program with a concentration in actuarial science. Applicants will be required to meet the admission requirements for both the MBA and the MAS programs.
The concentration in actuarial science requires students to have completed courses equivalent to the following with a minimum grade of C. These courses are described in the Course Descriptions chapter of the Georgia State University Undergraduate Catalog. This catalog is available on the web at catalog.gsu.edu.
Students with undergraduate actuarial science courses required who have financial aid should refer to “Courses Eligible to Count Toward Graduate Students’ Financial Aid” in the Financial Information chapter before registering for the first time with graduate status.
The concentration in actuarial science requires 12 semester hours of courses selected from the following list:
Business Analysis
Satish Nargundkar, Coordinator, 404-413-7541, snargundkar@gsu.edu
The overall goal of the concentration in business analysis is to provide the student with specialized training in the use of advanced analytical techniques for managerial decision making. These areas span statistical data analysis, management science, business intelligence, and decision support systems. This concentration also prepares students for Six-Sigma certification.
The contextual topics include data warehousing, data mining, online analytical processing, enterprise resource planning, and supply chain management. This concentration prepares the student for careers in business analysis, financial analysis, marketing analysis, operations analysis, strategic analysis and corporate planning. The student will be prepared for the utilization of information technology for corporate decision making.
The required courses for the concentration (nine semester hours) follow:
For electives, select an additional three semester hours (1 course) for a concentration from the following list.
Electives can be substituted by other relevant courses through prior approval by a faculty adviser.
Business Economics
Jon Mansfield, Coordinator, 404-413-0151, Jon.Mansfield@gsu.edu
5th Floor, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies Bldg. room 519
Electives to constitute a concentration (12 semester hours) in business economics are chosen from any of the courses listed below for which prerequisites have been satisfied (all courses are 3 hours unless otherwise noted).
Additional courses not listed above may be taken with the approval of the Coordinator.
Richard Welke, Coordinator, 404-413-7920; 55 Park Place, Suite 250
A concentration in entrepreneurship for an MBA student requires completion of 12 semester hours of courses as described below. Some of these courses have prerequisites.
Courses
Take the following three courses:
Take one of the following courses:
Finance
Gerald D. Gay, Chair, 404-413-7321
The Department of Finance encourages all students pursuing a finance concentration to take MBA 8135 early in their program since it is a prerequisite for all electives that count toward a finance concentration. Beyond MBA 8135, to complete a concentration, students must take FI 8000 (3 hrs) plus 9 additional semester hours of 8000-level finance courses (FI-prefix). FI 8070, Leading the Finance Function, may be taken as a free elective but does not count toward a finance concentration.
Dual Concentration Option:
Students who complete the following set of courses as part of their MBA program will qualify for dual concentrations both in the area of finance and in risk management and insurance:
Study Abroad Elective:
Students taking IB 8410 Financial and Managerial Issues in France and the EU, (3hrs) or FI 8410 Financial and Managerial Issues in Emerging Markets: India (3 hrs) may count either course toward a concentration in finance.
Andrew T. Sumner, Coordinator, 404-413-7634, asumner@gsu.edu
A concentration in health administration consists of 12 hours chosen from this list:
The following additional three courses are equivalent to MBA courses:
Abhay Mishra, Coordinator, 404-413-7638, amishra@gsu.edu
The goal of the MBA concentration in Health Informatics is to provide students with specialized skills to improve healthcare services enabled by information technology. Such improvements focus on the information-intensive nature of healthcare institutions and processes to increase the quality and reduce the cost of healthcare services.
Courses required for the concentration (12 semester hours) in Health Informatics are:
Suggested electives for Health Informatics are in recommended order:
Debby Cannon, Coordinator, 404-413-7617, dfcannon@gsu.edu
A concentration in hospitality consists of any 12 hours chosen from this list:
Pam Barr, Coordinator, 404-413-7172
Admission to the HRM concentration requires formal approval by the faculty of the Beebe Institute. Other M.B.A. students or students in other master’s programs must file a written request with the Office of Graduate Student Services to transfer to HRM. Students’ records are then sent to the institute for review.
Each HRM student’s courses for the concentration must be selected from the list below in consultation with the HRM faculty adviser and a copy of these course selections filed with Graduate Student Services for review and approval. Progress toward the degree beyond the M.B.A. core and required courses, including clearance for graduation, cannot be confirmed without an approved program of study. This program should be planned before the student takes a non-required course. Any changes in the program must be approved by the faculty adviser and a copy of the changes sent to Graduate Student Services.
A concentration in Human Resources Management consists of 12 hours. Required:
Take at least one of the following:
Courses not on the list may be chosen through consultation with a faculty advisor.
Information Systems
Dr. Veda Storey, Coordinator, 404-413-7477, vstorey@gsu.edu
In today’s highly competitive global environment, the effective deployment of information technology has become the key to organizational success. There is a continuing shortage of individuals with the combination of business and technology skills needed to develop and manage information systems that provide competitive advantage in the global marketplace. The mission of the M.B.A. concentration in information systems is to produce graduates able to fill this need. Students will learn how to combine their general business knowledge with the latest software engineering tools and techniques to create information systems needed by today’s organizations. The courses to constitute a concentration (12 semester hours) in information systems are chosen from the 8000-level offerings of the Department of Computer Information Systems, or Acct 8680, IB 8680, IB 8710, provided the relevant course prerequisites have been satisfied.
Students may achieve a managerial emphasis by choosing courses from the following:
Or they may achieve a technical emphasis by choosing courses from the following:
Please see www2.cis.gsu.edu/cis/program/mbacis.asp for more information and the most current list of CIS courses.
International Business
Daniel Bello, Coordinator, 404-413-7658, dbello@gsu.edu
Businesses continue to explore international opportunities as globalization expands. A concentration in international business opens up exciting career opportunities for managers with an MBA. The MBA-IB (international business) offers an opportunity to build a sound foundation in international business, preparing students for careers in an increasingly interconnected global business environment. The concentration offers a flexible learning experience that extends functional skills to deal with managerial issues in the international marketplace as well as enhance students’ intercultural awareness and effectiveness. The MBA-IB requires the capstone course, IB 8990, which replaces MBA 8820 as the MBA capstone requirement. In addition, the concentration requires 4 courses (12 hours) . As the prerequisite for IB 8000-level electives, IB 8090 is required; the 4 courses constituting the concentration are selected as follows:
Required Prerequisite: IB 8090 International Business Environment
IB 8000-level electives: To complete the concentration, at least 6 (six) semester hours chosen from the courses listed below are required. Consult the current graduate catalog for prerequisites that will affect selections.
IB Related International Courses: To complete the concentration, three semester hours chosen from the courses listed below or from IB 8000-level electives are required. Consult the current graduate catalog for prerequisites that will affect selections.
See list of IB 8000-level electives above, or
An international study experience is highly encouraged, but not required. Note that IB 8410 may be repeated for offerings in different countries/locations.
Capstone: REQUIRED
IB 8990 Policy & Strategy in the International Marketplace (course replaces MBA 8820).
Note: Knowledge of a foreign language is not required of a MBA-IB student.
Marketing
Bruce K. Pilling, Coordinator, 404-413-7673, bpilling@gsu.edu
Electives to constitute a concentration (12 semester hours) in marketing are chosen from any of the 8000-level marketing courses, including:
MBA 8145 must be taken or waived. If waived, it cannot be taken later for credit and the number of credit hours waived must be replaced with 8000-level RCB courses within Marketing.
Peter Zhang, Coordinator, 404-413-7557, gpzhang@gsu.edu
Electives to constitute a concentration (12 hours) in Operations Management are chosen from the following list. Some of these courses have prerequisites which must be met. Courses not on the list may be chosen through consultation with a faculty advisor.
• MGS 8710 Logistics and Supply Chains
• MGS 8730 Project Management
• MGS 8740 Operations Strategy
• MGS 8760 Quality Management
• MGS 8770 Service Operations Management
• CIS 8060/CPI 8060 Supply Chain Management
• IB 8690 Global Operations Management
Leadership and Organization Management
Ed Miles, Coordinator, 404-413-7540, emiles@gsu.edu
Electives to constitute a concentration (12 hours) in Leadership and Organization Management are chosen from the following list. Some these courses have prerequisites which must be met. Courses not on the list may be chosen through consultation with the coordinator.
Jon Wiley, Coordinator, 404-413-7728, jwiley@gsu.edu
The real estate concentration in the MBA program is designed to prepare individuals to manage the real estate interests of firms in any industry. While the MBA program provides broad understanding of business operations and enhances general management abilities, the real estate concentration focuses on strategically employing real estate assets to contribute to the financial success of the firm.
A concentration in real estate consists of 12 semester hours of 8000-level real estate courses chosen from any of the courses listed below for which prerequisites have been satisfied.
Conrad Ciccotello, Coordinator, 404-413-7462, cciccotello@gsu.edu
The concentration (12 hours) in risk management and insurance can be chosen from any of the 8000-level RMI-prefixed courses. Students may select non-RMI prefixed courses as credit toward a concentration with advance permission of the RMI department’s graduate faculty adviser.
In addition to the general concentration described above, the department participates in a hybrid degree program that leads to a specialization in Financial Risk Management. Students completing the Financial Risk Management Specialization will earn a dual concentration in risk management and insurance and in finance. The specialization is designed to prepare students to work in the treasury departments of non-financial firms or as professionals in the financial risk management departments in financial institutions or consultancies.
The four courses required for the Financial Risk Management Specialization are as follows.
The appeals procedure for students will follow different courses depending on the nature of the student’s appeal. Please refer to University Information Section 1050.80 under Polices and Disclosures in this catalog for details.
Please note the procedure below for GMAT/GRE waiver requests.
The GMAT/GRE requirement may be waived for applicants who have already received an MBA from an AACSB accredited institution. Applicants must submit a request to waive the GMAT/GRE with the original application packet.
The Assistant Dean and Master’s Admission Committee will review the entire application file and waiver request. The decision to waive the GMAT/GRE is at the discretion of the Assistant Dean and Master’s Admission Committee. The submission of this request does not guarantee the GMAT/GRE score will be waived.
Applicants will be notified of the committee’s decision within 10 business days of submitting a complete application file.
The requirements in this list are in addition to the hours required for the non-MBA master’s degrees, collectively referred to as specialized master’s degrees. They are assigned as part of the admissions process based on a review of each student’s transcripts. They can be exempted if equivalent course work has been previously completed with grades of C or higher. Foundation requirements are commonly satisfied by one of the following:
(1) A bachelor’s degree in business, economics, or accounting; or,
(2) A bachelor’s degree in the specialization or an area related to the student’s specialized master’s degree; or,
(3) Certified completion of approved online courses in accounting, quantitative methods, and economics as directed by RCB Graduate Student Services; or,
(4) Completion of the following courses:
Specific Master’s Programs may have further foundation requirements that are in addition to those listed here. See the specific program description for other specific foundation requirements.
The Robinson 17-month Executive MBA (EMBA) program is designed for professionals who possess significant (approximately seven years or more post-undergraduate degree) professional work experience as well as experience in a management role (managing people, projects, or assets). On average, EMBA students are 40 years old with fifteen years of professional work experience. The purpose of the program is to prepare experienced professionals to better meet the challenges of an ever-changing global business environment.
The EMBA program format is team-based and lock-step. Students begin in August and remain together throughout the course of the program. There are no electives, and students receive an MBA in general management. All classes are held at Georgia State’s Buckhead Campus every other Friday (1:00 p.m. to 7:00p.m.) and Saturday (8:30a.m. to 5:30p.m.).
Covering the most critical business topics, the EMBA curriculum touches all aspects of the enterprise as it pertains to today’s global markets. The curriculum is designed to equip students with a broader business perspective, strategic thinking skills, and the executive leadership skills necessary to advance in their career.
An integral part of Robinson’s EMBA program is the International Business Residency, an intensive exposition into the management and business practices of companies around the world. Students will travel to Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa at the end of their program. They also have the opportunity to participate in optional residencies to Silicon Valley and/or Colombia. During the residencies, students meet with company leaders (both indigenous and American-owned companies) and government officials, and tour plants and facilities to better understand global markets.
For more information including admission criteria visit the Executive MBA website at: robinson.gsu.edu/emba/ or call 404-413-7182.
We are currently not accepting applications for this program.
The Robinson College of Business offers the Global Partners MBA in association with IAE de Paris, the Sorbonne Graduate Business School, and the COPPEAD Graduate School of Business at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. The highlights of the program are as follows:
Global Partners MBA Courses Overview
Admission requirements include the following:
Application deadlines: Rolling admissions with December 1, March 1, and July 1 each year for fall admission. To be automatically considered for scholarships, all materials must be turned in by the March 1 deadline.
For further information about the program, visit globalpmba.robinson.gsu.edu; email: gpmba@gsu.edu, or call the Global Partners MBA Program at 404-413-7299.
We are not accepting applications at this time.
Brett Matherne, Assistant Dean for Flexible and Professional MBA Programs
The Professional MBA Program is a 24-month lock-step program designed for rising professionals with a minimum of four years of professional experience in a supervisor or mid-level management position with increasing responsibility to assume greater leadership roles. Students receive an MBA degree upon completion of the program.
The purpose of the Professional MBA program is to provide mid-level managers a challenging curriculum relevant to the needs of rising professionals. The curriculum develops and integrates leadership portfolio skills focusing on analytical skills for decision-making and incorporating global, ethical and culturally diverse dimensions; skills in assessing organizational performance and developing approaches for improvement; and interpersonal skills that contribute to teamwork. The lock-step format serves to forge strong networking, a more in-depth learning environment and support among the students as they take the same courses together during the program.
Students may choose from a variety of electives offered in multiple locations or online. International trips are available through the Robinson College’s Institute of International Business. The PMBA program also offers a dual degree with Master of Health Administration in a lock-step format over seven months.
For more information, visit the Professional MBA website at robinson.gsu.edu/professional-mba/ or call 404-413-7167.
Class size is limited, so we urge you to complete the application process as soon as possible. To be considered for admission, the following is required:
The admissions committee reviews applications as they are received.
This is a 48 semester hour, 24-month cohort program that includes electives.
Cornerstone Core (16.5 hours)
Functional Core (16.5 hours)
Capstone Course (3 hours)
PMBA 8820 Global Competitive Strategy (3)
8000-Level Elective Courses (12 hours)
Electives may be selected from a variety of courses offered at multiple locations or online.
PROGRAM TOTAL: 48 hours
7150 Law and Business Dual Degree Program
The College of Law and the J. Mack Robinson College of Business offer a dual degree program leading to the juris doctor (J.D.) and master of business administration (M.B.A.) degrees.
The J.D./M.B.A. is a course of study which allows selected previously-approved course work earned in one degree program to satisfy some of the elective course requirements of the other degree program. This enables a student to complete the requirements for both degrees in a shorter time than required to complete both degrees separately. Students who have already earned a J.D. degree or an M.B.A. degree at Georgia State University or at another institution are not eligible for the dual program.
The following regulations apply to students accepted to both the J.D. and M.B.A. programs and are enrolled in the dual degree program as opposed to being enrolled in each degree program separately.
Application
Applicants to the J.D./M.B.A. dual degree program must meet the entrance requirements and follow the application procedures of both the College of Law and Robinson College of Business. Applicants must be accepted by both colleges. Admission into one program does not presume admission to the other. To be in the J.D./M.B.A dual degree program, students must be admitted to both programs before completing either program.
Applicants must take the LSAT to apply to the College of Law. Robinson College of Business will accept the LSAT in lieu of the GRE or GMAT for students already accepted into the J.D. program.
Students who are accepted to both the J.D. and M.B.A. programs and wish to be enrolled in the dual degree program are responsible for providing written notification of their intentions to each college.
Requirements
Students must satisfy the curriculum requirements for both the J.D. and M.B.A. degrees.
J.D. Degree Requirements
As stated in the College of Law Course Bulletin, a law student must earn 90 semester hours of credit to qualify for the J.D. degree. For students enrolled in the dual degree program, the College of Law will permit up to 12 semester hours of 8000-level M.B.A. courses with grades of B or better to be credited toward elective hours required for the J.D.
M.B.A. Degree Requirements
The requirements for the M.B.A. are described in section 7090 of the Robinson College of Business catalog.
For students enrolled in the dual degree program, the Robinson College of Business will accept 12 semester hours from the J.D. program with grades of B or better to be credited toward the 12 semester hours of electives for the general business concentration in the M.B.A. program.
Students who earn fewer than 12 semester hours of grades of B or higher in the J.D. program will receive a reduced number of hours of credit toward the general business concentration in the M.B.A. program. Such students must compensate for this shortage of courses eligible for elective credit by taking additional courses in either college and earning minimum grades of B.
Choices of these courses must be approved in advance by the Robinson College of Business Office of Graduate Student Services.
In addition, completion of the first-year curriculum of the J.D. program in good academic standing will satisfy the M.B.A. requirement MBA 8030 Legal Environment: Ethics and Corporate Governance. For students who drop out of the J.D. program before completing the first-year curriculum or do not complete it in good standing, determination of credit for MBA 8030 will be decided by normal transfer-of-credit procedures, which are explained in section 7080.40 of the Robinson College of Business catalog.
Enrollment Sequencing and Time Limits
The College of Law does not permit enrollment in the dual degree program after a student has completed more than 21 semester hours of 8000-level M.B.A. coursework.
After students have been admitted to both the J.D. and M.B.A. programs and have declared intent to be enrolled in the dual degree program, they must, at the first opportunity, complete 30 semester hours of required courses in the J.D. program. After completion of these 30 hours, enrollment in the courses of either college or enrollment in both colleges concurrently is permitted.
Dual degree students may be required to take prerequisite, foundational or introductory courses prior to beginning M.B.A. coursework.
Grading and Scholastic Discipline
Students enrolled the dual degree program must meet the academic regulations of each college, including those related to the minimum GPA and scholastic discipline. The computation of the GPA in each college is based only on courses taken in that college.
Graduation
Prior to graduation, students completing the dual degree program are responsible for confirming with both colleges that the degree requirements for each program have been satisfied. Students must complete the graduate application for each degree.
No credit hours of J.D. course work will be applied toward the M.B.A. degree requirements until the completion of J.D. degree requirements. No M.B.A. credit toward the J.D. degree is awarded until the M.B.A. degree program has been completed. A simultaneous awarding of degrees will satisfy this requirement.
The requirements for the M.B.A. degree must be completed within eight years of the initial semester of enrollment in the M.B.A. program. The J.D. degree must be completed within six years of the initial semester of enrollment in the J.D. program.
Haci Akcin, Director, 404-413-7467, hakcin1@gsu.edu
Actuarial Science is a discipline that employs mathematics and statistics in modeling the financial impacts of risk and uncertainty in various sectors of the economy, and in designing solutions of managing risks. A majority of professional actuaries work in careers that are associated with the insurance industry, though growing numbers work in other fields. The mission of the MAS degree program is to educate students in the theory and practice of actuarial science through a specialized program of study. The program is designed to teach students both the core actuarial theory and the latest development in actuarial practice.
In addition to the MAS program, two dual-degree options are available: one where students will earn both the Master of Actuarial Science degree and the Master of Science in Risk Management and Insurance degree specializing in Mathematical Risk Management; and one where students will earn both the Master of Actuarial Science degree and the Master of Science in Analytics.
The rapid integration of insurance and financial services and the increasing acceptance of enterprise risk management in broad sectors of the economy imply that risk professionals need to master the understanding of risks associated with assets, liabilities and business operations. This requires a set of integrated skills in actuarial risk modeling, financial risk modeling, and enterprise risk management. The dual degree program in MAS/MRM is designed to serve the growing need for graduates who 1) have solid quantitative skills in both actuarial risk modeling and financial risk modeling, and 2) understand the business contexts and possess the necessary communication skills for solving complex risk issues.
Similarly, there is an increasing need for graduates an expertise in data analytics in the insurance field. The ongoing data revolution associated with the ever-increasing collection of data and use in the business process and decisions makes analytics skills relevant in all areas of business. The dual degree program MAS/MAS is designed to serve the need for actuarial graduates with analytics skills.
7160.10 Regulations for the Degree
All Master of Actuarial Science students will complete the Business Communication Skills Requirement explained earlier in this chapter. The regulations, policies, and procedures given in the “Master’s Enrollment” and “Master’s Programs” sections of this chapter apply to the M.A.S. program. A maximum of 9 semester hours of transfer credit is possible in this 30-hour program or in the 50-hour dual degree program.
1. Foundation Requirements:
These courses are in addition to the 30 hours required for the M.A.S. degree or in addition to the 50 hours required for the dual degree programs. They are assigned as part of the admissions process based on a review of each student’s transcripts. They can be exempted if equivalent work has been previously completed with grades of C or higher.
Accounting: financial and managerial accounting principles (MBA 8025, or ACCT 2101 & ACCT 2102)
Finance: corporate finance principles (MBA 8135). This requirement can be waived if FI 3300 and FI 4000, or equivalent course work, have been completed with grades of “C” or higher.
Behavioral Science: Management principles (MGS 3400). Students may satisfy this requirement with either management (MGS 3400), sociology (SOCI 1101), or psychology (PSYC 1101) principles.
Economics: Both macroeconomic principles (ECON 2105) and microeconomic principles (ECON 2106). Alternatively, both requirements can be satisfied by taking MBA 7035 Economics for Managers or the corresponding placement exam (see http://flex.robinson.gsu.edu/about/curriculum/placement-exam-option-mba-foundation-courses/).
Mathematics: Students must have completed three semesters of advanced calculus (MATH 2211, MATH 2212, and MATH 2215) and must have Compound Interest Theory AS 4230.
Statistics: Students have completed two semesters of undergraduate mathematical statistics (MATH 4751, MATH 4752). Alternatively, these requirements can be satisfied by taking ECON 8710 or MSA 8190.
2. Course Requirements: The Master of Actuarial Science
This section is applicable to students interested in the Master of Actuarial Science Degree. Students interested in the dual degree programs should go to Section 3 (MAS/MRM) or Section 4 (MAS/MSA) below.
a. Required Technical Support Courses
*Students who have completed an equivalent course with a grade of “C” or higher must substitute an appropriate elective in consultation with the MRM director.
b. Required Courses in the Specialization
*Students who have completed AS 4340 and/or AS 4350 or their equivalents must substitute appropriate 8000-level actuarial science courses for AS 8340 and/or AS 8350. The substitutions must be selected from section B & C below in consultation with the actuarial science faculty adviser.
**Students can use MSA 8200 Econometric Modeling for Analytics (3) (alternatively, ECON 9720 Econometrics II) as a substitute for ECON 8740. Students in the dual degree Master of Actuarial Science and Master of Science in Risk Management and Insurance Specializing in Mathematical Risk Management must substitute MSA 8200/ECON 9720 for ECON 8740.
Students must complete a minimum of 6 hours of course work from sections B and C combined.
Elective Courses in the Specialization
Students may select, with the prior approval of both faculty advisers for the dual degree program, electives other than those shown above if they can demonstrate the course(s) will better meet their educational objectives.
3. Course Requirements: Dual Degree Master of Actuarial Science and Master of Science in Risk Management and Insurance Specializing in Mathematical Risk Management
This section is applicable to students interested in the dual degree program Master of Actuarial Science and Master of Science in Risk Management and Insurance Specializing in Mathematical Risk Management. Students interested in the Master of Actuarial Science should go to Section 2 above. Students interested in the dual degree program Master of Actuarial Science and Master of Science in Analytics should go to Section 4 below.
a. Required Technical Support Courses
*Students who have completed an equivalent course with a grade of “C” or higher must substitute an appropriate elective in consultation with the Mathematical Risk Management faculty adviser.
b. Required Courses in the Dual Degree Program
** Students who have completed AS 4340 and/or AS 4350 or their equivalents must substitute appropriate 8000-level actuarial science courses for AS 8340 and/or AS 8350. The substitutions must be selected from section C below in consultation with the actuarial science faculty adviser.
c. Elective Courses in the Dual Degree Program
Students should consult with the faculty advisers for the Master of Actuarial Science and Mathematical Risk Management programs prior to beginning their elective coursework and may select from among the following courses:
Students may select, with the prior approval of both faculty advisers for the dual degree program, electives other than those shown above if they can demonstrate the course(s) will better meet their educational objectives.
4. Course Requirements: Dual Degree Master of Actuarial Science and Master of Science in Analytics.
This section is applicable to students interested in the dual degree program Degree Master of Actuarial Science and Master of Science in Analytics. Students interested in the Master of Actuarial Science should go to Section 2 above. Students interested in the dual degree program Master of Actuarial Science and Master of Science in Risk Management and Insurance Specializing in Mathematical Risk Management Program should go to Section 3 above.
a. Required Technical Support Courses
* Students who have completed an equivalent course with a grade of “C” or higher must substitute an appropriate elective in consultation with the Mathematical Risk Management program director.
b. Required Courses in the Dual Degree Program
** Students who have completed AS 4340 and/or AS 4350 or their equivalents must substitute appropriate 8000-level actuarial science courses for AS 8340 and/or AS 8350. The substitutions must be selected from section C below in consultation with the actuarial science faculty adviser.
c. Elective Courses in the Dual Degree Program
Students should consult with the program directors for the Master of Actuarial Science and Analytics programs prior to beginning their elective coursework and may select from among the following courses:
Students may select, with the prior approval of both program directors for the dual degree program, electives other than those shown above if they can demonstrate the course(s) will better meet their educational objectives.
5. Program of Study: Each student’s program must be planned in consultation with a faculty adviser in actuarial science and a copy of the program filed with the Office of Graduate Recruiting and Student Services for review and approval. Progress toward the degree, including clearance for graduation, cannot be confirmed without an approved program of study. The program of study should be planned before the student takes a non required course. Any changes in the program must be approved by the faculty adviser and a copy of the changes sent to the GRSS.
6. Time Limit: The time limit for completing the M.A.S. program is five years from the first semester a course in sections 2-4 is taken.
Patricia Ketsche, Coordinator, 404-413-7635, pketsche@gsu.edu
The purpose of the Master of Business Administration/Master of Health Administration joint programs is to prepare future executives to assume responsible managerial positions in health care and business organizations. To accomplish this purpose, the M.B.A./M.H.A. curriculum is structured to provide (1) the basic theoretical knowledge needed to develop as a manager in a variety of health care and business organizations; (2) an understanding of the pragmatic applications of theoretical concepts applied to operational issues through health casework and involvement with health care facilities throughout the program; (3) the technical skills appropriate to successfully function as a health care or business manager; and (4) an understanding of the values, traditions, ethics, and attitudes basic to excellence in health care leadership roles.
The strength of this M.B.A./M.H.A. program lies in the fact that it applies the theoretical concepts of business administration to health administration. The curriculum is designed around a set of competencies that define the set of knowledge, skills and abilities students should possess upon completion of the program.
Business knowledge and skills
Knowledge of the Healthcare Environment
Leadership
Professionalism
7170.10 Admissions
The application procedures and admission criteria are given in the “Master’s Admissions” section of this chapter. Applicants must be accepted by the Institute of Health Administration in addition to receiving admission to the Flexible MBA program in the Robinson College of Business. A personal interview is required for all applicants but may be waived by the director of the institute in exceptional circumstances.
Admission to the M.B.A./M.H.A. degree programs occurs each semester. Early application is advised, since the number of applicants each year exceeds program capacity. Applicants should note that health administration courses are offered during the evening.
7170.20 Regulations for the Degrees
The Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)/Master of Health Administration (M.H.A.) dual degrees are comprised of 54-66 semester hours of 8000-level graduate courses; a one-semester administrative residency is included. The residency (three semester hours) must be satisfactorily completed at a site approved by the Director of the Institute. A maximum of twelve semester hours of MBA coursework can be exempted based on previous completion of equivalent coursework.
The time limit for completing the M.B.A./M.H.A. joint degrees is five years.
Applicants may apply to complete only the HA portion of the dual degree and earn only the M.H.A. degree. The program of study for students approved for this option is 39 semester hours of health administration courses including those listed in items 4 and 5 below and the three-hour residency requirement described in item 6 below.
7170.30 The M.B.A./M.H.A. Curriculum
The M.B.A./M.H.A. degrees meet all M.B.A. core requirements. In cases where a health-oriented course is available, students will substitute this course for the standard M.B.A. requirement. Health courses are taken to complete M.B.A. elective requirements and M.H.A. core requirements. Following completion of all core requirements, an elective is selected from available health administration courses to meet the student’s interests, career objectives, and academic requirements. The course requirements for the M.B.A./M.H.A. degrees and the format of the program follow.
One academic semester of experiential learning is required to provide an opportunity for synthesizing and applying the curriculum. The Institute of Health Administration assists students who are responsible to identify the appropriate setting for their experiential learning., works with the preceptor to develop student protocols, and evaluates the residency. The 3 credit hour residency is subject to matriculation/tuition fees and may not start until all or most academic work has been completed with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. Students must meet all report/evaluation assignments. Note: If changes to the MBA curriculum are implemented, students are advised to contact the Institute of Health Administration for impact on degree requirements.
7180 Master of International Business
Penelope B. Prime, MIB Program Director
The Master of International Business program (MIB) in the Institute of International Business is offered in a ten-course, one-year format. Every course prepares current and aspiring managers to branch out into the international aspects of business, including navigating the legal landscape of global business, understanding business in emerging markets, developing cross-cultural skills, strategizing and negotiating in worldwide markets and analyzing global business problems in management, marketing and global supply chain.
The MIB provides concrete experience for students including simulations, case studies, research and analysis, and cross-cultural virtual teaming. In the Field Study team-based project, students work with executives of a company on one of their global challenges. Projects have included market assessments, export channel identification, entry mode selection, and expansion of born global firms from Europe to the U.S. Students also interact with executives who are guest speakers in class, and during company visits around Atlanta and the state of Georgia.
7180.10 Regulations for the Degree
Required curriculum for the MIB is as follows (30 hours):
and one of the following:
and one of the following:
and one of the following:
For additional information, please visit the following website: iib.robinson.gsu.edu/academic-programs/mib-one-year/
Soon-Ho Kim, Program Director, 404-413-7615, skim@gsu.edu
Robinson’s One-year Regynald G. Washington Master of Global Hospitality Management is the only program of its kind in the state of Georgia. This year-long cohort program provides the critical decision-making, managerial, practical, analytical, technical, and leadership skills necessary for success in today’s global hospitality and tourism environment. Students benefit from extensive networking and connecting with hospitality executives worldwide and professional gatherings. Program enrolls in the fall semester only.
Students proceed as a group through a sequenced curriculum of modules beginning each August. Classroom-based cohorts meet every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 5:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. All classes are taught at the Georgia State University’s Executive Education Center in Buckhead.
Curriculum
The 30-hour curriculum comprises 10 courses including:
In addition to the 10 courses, students must fulfill the specialized master’s foundation requirements found in section 7110.10.
Winifred Akande, wakande1@gsu.edu
The Flexible Master of Professional Accountancy (Flex MPA) program is flexible in that students may take up to five years to complete the program and may choose which courses to take each semester. The objective of the Flexible MPA program is to prepare students for professional careers in accounting. More specifically, the objective of the Flexible MPA programs is to develop skills needed to excel in a professional path toward a leadership position in the practice of accountancy. The Flexible MPA program uses the student’s previously acquired undergraduate skills to focus on developing advanced technical and analytical skills in accounting. The primary objectives are for students to develop and integrate: (1) skills for analyzing organizational performance systems that incorporate global and ethical dimensions; (2) skills in financial reporting; (3) assurance skills; (4) skills for collaborative work in teams; and (5) communication and technology skills. Typically, graduates of this program will find professional accounting positions in public accounting firms and in business and governmental organizations that have a need for graduates with greater depth and breadth in the discipline of accounting than is generally available in graduates with a B.B.A. or M.B.A. in accounting.
7190.10 Admissions
The application procedures and admission criteria are given in the “Master’s Admissions” section of this chapter. It is assumed that a person entering the fifth (graduate) year of the professional accounting program will have or will acquire the equivalent of the preparation offered in the four years of Georgia State’s B.B.A. program in accounting.
An accepted applicant, who at the time of admission to the Flexible MPA program, has not completed the foundation and prerequisite courses must complete these requirements in a manner approved by the faculty adviser and the director of master’s admissions.
7190.20 Regulations for the Degree
Accounting: ACCT 2101 and ACCT 2102, or MBA 8025 and MBA 8115; ACCT 4111, ACCT 4112, ACCT 4113, ACCT 4210, ACCT 4310, ACCT 4510, and ACCT 4610.
Behavioral Science: MBA 8165 Leadership and Organizational Behavior or management principles (MGS 3400).
Programming: Visual BASIC or C/C++ (CIS 3260): required if ACCT 8630 (Information Technology Auditing) is taken as an elective.
Economics: Both macroeconomic principles (ECON 2105) and microeconomic principles (ECON 2106).
Mathematics: College algebra (MATH 1111) and either calculus (Math 1220) or discrete math (Math 2420). Math 2420 has precalculus as the minimum prerequisite.
Statistics: MATH 1070 Elementary Statistics.
Management Science: MGS 3100
Finance: Corporate finance principles (FI 3300).
Graduate students who receive a grade lower than a grade of C- in any undergraduate accounting course may repeat that course but may not enroll in any other accounting course until a grade of C- or higher is earned in that course Flexible MPA students who have undergraduate accounting courses required and who have financial aid should refer to “Courses Eligible to Count Toward Graduate Students’ Financial Aid” before registering for the first time with graduate status.
3. Course Requirements:
a. Required Courses (18 hours)
b. Electives in the Specialization (12 hours).
Select up to two 8000-level ACCT classes.
c. Subject to approval, select two to four electives outside of accounting among the following:
Other RCB elective coursework as approved by faculty director
4. Advisement/Course Selection: The Flexible MPA program coordinator is available to students for consultation and guidance as needed. Students are encouraged to contact the coordinator and schedule an appointment for advisement as needed. Progress toward the degree, including clearance for graduation, will be determined by the Office of Graduate Student Services by comparing courses taken by the student with the foundation courses assigned at admission and the degree requirements stated above. It is the responsibility of the students to monitor their progress toward the degree and to determine if they have met all the requirements of the degree.
5. The School of Accountancy requires strict adherence to the prerequisites listed for each of its courses (see the Course Descriptions chapter of this catalog). Students enrolled in accounting or taxation courses without having completed the stated prerequisites with minimum grades of C will be required to withdraw from the course. Please contact the School of Accountancy before registration if you have questions about course prerequisites.
6. Time Limit: The time limit for completing the Flexible MPA program is five years from the first semester a course in the program.
Winifred Akande, wakande1@gsu.edu
The objective of the Cohort Master of Professional Accountancy (Cohort MPA) degree program is to prepare non-accounting students for professional careers in accounting. More specifically, the Cohort MPA program develops skills needed for non-accounting professionals to excel in a professional path in accountancy. The Cohort MPA provides students with the knowledge, skills and upper level credit hours required to become eligible to sit for the Certified Public Accountant exam or Certified Management Accountant exam within one year — a process that usually takes more than two years to complete. The program starts all students with intermediate accounting building on their knowledge of Principles of Accounting I and II. Typically, graduates of this program will find professional accounting positions in public accounting firms and in business and governmental organizations.
7195.10 Admissions
The application procedures and admission criteria are given in the “Master’s Admissions” section of this chapter. All applicants must take the GMAT/GRE and each finalist may be interviewed before an admission decision is made.
An accepted applicant, who at the time of admission to the MPA program, has not completed the foundation and prerequisite courses must complete these requirements in a manner approved by the faculty adviser and the director of master’s admissions.
7195.20 Regulations for the Degree
The regulations, policies, and procedures given in the “Master’s Enrollment” and “Master’s Programs” sections of this chapter apply to the MPA program.
Course Requirements: Foundation and Prerequisite Courses Consult the Course Descriptions chapter of the Georgia State University Undergraduate Catalog for prerequisites to the undergraduate courses listed below. This catalog is available on the web at catalog.gsu.edu. The courses in this section are in addition to the 30 hours required for the degree. They are assigned as part of the admissions process based on a review of each student’s transcripts. They can be exempted if equivalent coursework has been previously completed with minimum grades of C-.
Accounting: ACCT 2101 and ACCT 2102, or MBA 8025 and MBA 8115; .
Economics: Both macroeconomic principles (Econ 2105) and microeconomic principles (ECON 2106).
Mathematics: College algebra (MATH 1111) and either calculus (Math 1220) or discrete math (Math 2420). Math 2420 has precalculus as the minimum prerequisite.
Graduate students who receive a grade lower than a grade of C- in any undergraduate accounting course may repeat that course but may not enroll in any other accounting course until a grade of C- or higher is earned in that course Flex MPA students who have undergraduate accounting courses required and who have financial aid should refer to “Courses Eligible to Count Toward Graduate Students’ Financial Aid” before registering for the first time with graduate status.
Course Requirements: The rigorous 10-course curriculum provides graduates with broad and deep functional knowledge as well as the upper-level credit hours required for CPA/CMA eligibility.
Advisement/Course Selection: The MPA program coordinator and graduate academic advisor are available to students for consultation and guidance as needed. Students are encouraged to contact the coordinator and/or advisor and schedule an appointment for advisement as needed. Progress toward the degree, including clearance for graduation, will be determined by the Office of Graduate Student Services by comparing courses taken by the student with the foundation courses assigned at admission and the degree requirements stated above. It is the responsibility of the students to monitor their progress toward the degree and to determine if they have met all the requirements of the degree.
The School of Accountancy requires strict adherence to the prerequisites listed for each of its courses (see the Course Descriptions chapter of this catalog). Students enrolled in accounting or taxation courses without having completed the stated prerequisites with minimum grades of C will be required to withdraw from the course. Please contact the School of Accountancy before registration if you have questions about course prerequisites.
Law and Public Accountancy Dual Degree Program
Winifred Akande, Associate Director of Integrated Graduate Student Services, wakande1@gsu.edu
The College of Law and the J. Mack Robinson College of Business offer a dual degree program leading to the juris doctor (J.D.) and master of public accountancy (M.P.A.) degrees.
The J.D./M.P.A. is a course of study which allows selected previously-approved course work earned in one degree program to satisfy some of the elective course requirements of the other degree program. This enables a student to complete the requirements for both degrees in a shorter time than required to complete both degrees separately. Students who have already earned a J.D. degree or an M.P.A. degree at Georgia State University or another institution are not eligible for the dual program.
The following regulations apply to students accepted to both the J.D. and M.P.A. programs and are enrolled in the dual degree program as opposed to being enrolled in each degree program separately.
7196.10 Admissions
Applicants to the J.D./M.P.A. dual degree program must meet the entrance requirements and follow the application procedures of both the College of Law and Robinson College of Business. Applicants must be accepted by both colleges. Admission into one program does not presume admission to the other. To be in the J.D./M.P.A dual degree program, students must be admitted to both programs before completing either program.
Applicants must take the LSAT to apply to the College of Law.
Students who are accepted to both the J.D. and M.P.A. programs and wish to be enrolled in the dual degree program are responsible for providing written notification of their intentions to each college.
An accepted applicant, who at the time of admission to the M.P.A. program, has not completed the foundation and prerequisite courses must complete these requirements in a manner approved by the faculty adviser and the director of master’s admissions.
7196.20 Requirements
Students must satisfy the curriculum requirements for both the J.D. and M.P.A. degrees.
J.D. Degree Requirements
The requirements for the J.D. degree are described in the Georgia State College of Law Bulletin. The College of Law requires all J.D. candidates to complete 90 credit hours of law courses (43 of which are required courses and 47 of which are elective courses). The College of Law will allow 12 credit hours of 8000-level M.P.A. courses in which students earn a grade of B or higher to be credited toward the requirements of the J.D. program.
M.P.A. Degree Requirements
The requirements for the M.P.A. are described in section 7190 of the Robinson College of Business catalog.
For students enrolled in the dual degree program, the Robinson College of Business will accept 24 credit hours of law courses toward the required 24 credit hours of general business coursework. In addition, the J. Mack Robinson College of Business will allow 12 semester hours of law courses to be credited toward the 30 credit hours of 8000 level required M.P.A. courses, as follows: six credit hours of law courses applied toward the six credit hours of elective M.P.A. courses; a three credit hour tax law course applied toward the required course TX 8020, and a three credit hour law course applied toward the three credit hour strategic communications course.
Enrollment Sequencing and Time Limits
The College of Law does not permit enrollment in the dual degree program after a student has completed more than 21 semester hours of 8000-level M.P.A. coursework.
After students have been admitted to both the J.D. and M.P.A. programs and have declared intent to be enrolled in the dual degree program, they must, at the first opportunity, complete 30 semester hours of required courses in the J.D. program. After completion of these 30 hours, enrollment in the courses of either college or enrollment in both colleges concurrently is permitted.
The School of Accountancy requires strict adherence to the prerequisites listed for each of its courses (see the Course Descriptions chapter of this catalog). Students enrolled in accounting or taxation courses without having completed the stated prerequisites with minimum grades of C will be required to withdraw from the course. Students should contact the School of Accountancy before registration if there are questions about course prerequisites.
Grading and Scholastic Discipline
Students enrolled the dual degree program must meet the academic regulations of each college, including those related to the minimum GPA and scholastic discipline. The computation of the GPA in each college is based only on courses taken in that college.
Graduation
Prior to graduation, students completing the dual degree program are responsible for confirming with both colleges that the degree requirements for each program have been satisfied. Students must complete the graduate application for each degree.
No credit hours of J.D. course work will be applied toward the M.P.A. degree requirements until the completion of J.D. degree requirements. No M.P.A. credit toward the J.D. degree is awarded until the M.P.A. degree program has been completed. A simultaneous awarding of degrees will satisfy this requirement.
The requirements for the M.P.A. degree must be completed within eight years of the initial semester of enrollment in the M.P.A. program. The J.D. degree must be completed within six years of the initial semester of enrollment in the J.D. program.
The College of Law requires all J.D. candidates to complete 90 credit hours of law courses (43 of which are required courses and 47 of which are elective courses). The College of Law will allow 12 credit hours of 8000-level M.P.A. courses in which students earn a grade of B or higher to be credited toward the requirements of the J.D. program.
The Master of Science program allows students to concentrate their studies in one of the six majors listed below:
The Master of Science program is designed particularly for students who already have an undergraduate degree in business administration and wish to study one of the disciplines in which a major is offered in greater depth. Students who do not have an undergraduate background in business but have already established a career in a field related to one of the M.S. majors may find that the specialized degree can be tailored to fit career needs.
The requirements for each of these major fields of study are given in the following sections.
Jon Mansfield, Program Director, 404-413-0151, jmansfield@gsu.edu
The mission of the business economics major in the Master of Science program is to prepare students to function successfully as professional economists in the corporate and business environment. More specifically, the program endeavors to:
Regulations for the Degree
1. All Master of Science students will complete the Business Communication Skills Requirement explained earlier in this chapter. The regulations, policies, and procedures given in the “Master’s Enrollment” and “Master’s Programs” sections of this chapter apply to the M.S./Bu.E. program. A maximum of six hours of transfer credit is permitted in this 30-hour program.
2. Course Requirements: The course requirements for the degree of Master of Science with a major in business economics and the format of the program follow. If prerequisites for the courses listed in each section have not been previously completed, they must be taken as additional hours. Consult the Course Descriptions chapter of this catalog for a listing of the prerequisites for each graduate course. Undergraduate foundation course descriptions and prerequisites are shown in the Georgia State University Undergraduate Catalog. This catalog is available on the web at catalog.gsu.edu.
a. Foundation Courses. The courses in this list are in addition to the 30 hours required for the degree. They are assigned as part of the admissions process based on a review of each student’s transcripts. They can be exempted if equivalent course work has been previously completed with grades of C or higher.
Accounting: Financial accounting principles (ACCT 2101).
Behavioral Science: Management principles (MGS 3400).
Economics: Intermediate macroeconomics (ECON 3900) and microeconomics (ECON 3910). Prerequisites are ECON 2105 and ECON 2106, respectively.
Mathematics: Calculus (ECON 6030 or MATH 1220).
Statistics: MATH 1070.
b. Required Courses (15 hours)
Fifteen hours is the minimum amount of course work in this portion of the program. Any prerequisites for these courses that have not been previously satisfied must be taken as additional hours. Consult the Course Descriptions chapter of this catalog for a listing of the prerequisites for each of these required courses.
Select two of the following four:
c. Economics Electives (15 hours): Electives will be selected consistent with the student’s planned program. They must be approved in advance by the M.S./Bu.E. Program director, Dr. Jon Mansfield. The suggested electives are listed below (all courses are 3 credit hours):
3. Program of Study. Each student’s program must be planned in consultation with the M.S./Bu.E. program director before a non-required course is taken. Students may contact the department (404-413-0141) or Dr. Mansfield (jmansfield@gsu.edu) to schedule an appointment. A copy of the program will be filed with the Office of Graduate Student Services for review and approval. Progress toward the degree, including clearance for graduation, cannot be confirmed without an approved program of study. Any changes in the program must be approved by the program director and a copy of the changes sent to the Office of Graduate Student Services. Students always must consult the Course Descriptions chapter of the current graduate catalog to determine if they have met the prerequisites for any course to be taken.
4. Time Limit: The time limit for completing the M.S./Bu.E. program is five years from the first semester a course in section B or C (above) is taken.
This program is currently only available in the cohort format. Program enrolls in fall semester only.
Chip Ryan, Program Director, 404-413-7337, cryan@gsu.edu
Cohort MS in Finance format
The Cohort Master of Science in Finance is offered in a 16-months format over four semesters (Fall, Spring, Summer, second Fall). The program is ideally suited for accounting, finance, banking, asset management, and wealth management professionals seeking to augment their professional expertise or students with an analytical background who wish to build expertise in finance. The program is focused on developing the decision-making, personal, analytical and technical skills required to compete in today’s ever-changing financial environment.
Students proceed as a flexible cohort – a structure that fosters peer learning, collaboration and the building of lifelong business networks while allowing students to customize their program of study. The courses are taught at Robinson’s Executive Education Center in Buckhead and meet one evening per week from 5:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m., and one evening every other week from 5:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. during the Spring and Fall semesters. Two classes are offered during the Summer semester with a month-long break in between. An immersive course, Financial Leadership – Leading the Finance Function, designed to promote interaction with senior level finance executives, takes place during the last semester of the program.
In addition, students build leadership skills and networks by interacting with senior executives in our guest speaker series, financial leadership symposia, internships, and professional and social gatherings. Furthermore, there is an opportunity for students to be part of a formal mentoring program.
Applicants must hold a four-year undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university. Work experience is preferred but not required.
The 30-hour curriculum comprises of an integrated first semester, in which all students take the same three classes. After the first semester students choose a combination of required courses and electives, which allow for a specialized focus on certain areas such as Corporate Finance, Financial Services and Capital Markets, Asset Management, and Wealth Management. Students who meet prerequisite requirements can also specialize in Financial Analytics. In addition to the 30-hour curriculum, students may need to complete the specialized master’s foundation courses referenced in section 7110.10.
Cohort MS Finance Curriculum
Fall Semester (all students, 9 credit hours)
Spring/Summer/Second Fall Semesters
Required courses for all students (9 credit hours)
*The experiential practicum course requirement may be completed in the summer or second fall semester.
Electives (students should choose four of the following electives for a total of 12 credit hours)
Two of the electives should be taken in the Spring semester; one elective should be taken in the Summer semester, and the fourth elective can be taken either in the Summer or second Fall semester.
Students may also take courses from related areas, for instance accounting, subject to approval by the program director.
Specialization in Financial Analytics
Students who wish to specialize in Financial Analytics will take 18 hours of Finance courses and 12 hours of analytics courses. Their program of study must be approved by the MS Finance program director. Students who wish to pursue this specialization must be approved by the admissions committees for both the MS in Finance and the MS in Analytics Programs.
Flex MS in Finance format
* This program is currently not offered in a Flex format, and is only available in the cohort format.*
The MS-Finance curriculum is designed to provide graduates with advanced knowledge of master’s-level finance, including particular expertise in their area of specialization (chosen from Corporation Finance, Investments, or Financial Institutions and Markets). The primary emphasis of the program is to provide students with the theoretical, analytical and technical skills necessary to examine particular financial situations, formulate alternative plans for action and develop policy initiatives. The program prepares graduates to understand the context for issues encountered in the rapidly evolving domestic and international financial environment. Quantitative and analytical course requirements in the areas of optimization techniques, computer modeling and statistical methodology complement the finance course requirements.
Regulations for the Degree
All Master of Science students will complete the Business Communication Skills Requirement explained earlier in this chapter. The regulations, policies and procedures given in the “Master’s Enrollment” and “Master’s Programs” sections of this chapter apply to the M.S.-Finance program. A maximum of six hours of transfer credit is permitted in this program only if 12 hours are taken in section B below; otherwise a maximum of three hours of transfer credit is permitted.
Course Requirements. The course requirements for the degree of Master of Science with a major in finance and the format of the program follow.
a. Foundation Courses. The courses in this list are in addition to the 30 semester hours required for the degree. They are assigned as part of the admissions process based on a review of each student’s transcripts. They can be exempted if equivalent course work has been previously completed with grades of C or higher.
Accounting: MBA 8025 or financial and managerial accounting principles and corporate finance principles (ACCT 2101, ACCT 2102 and FI 3300).
Behavioral Science: MBA 8165 Leadership and Organizational Behavior or Management principles (MGS 3400) or marketing principles (MK 3010).
Economics: Both macroeconomic principles (ECON 2105) and microeconomic principles (ECON 2106).
Mathematics: College algebra (MATH 1111) and calculus (MATH 1220).
Statistics: MATH 1070 or equivalent.
b. Required Major/Technical Support Courses (9-12 hours). These courses must be completed during the first 18 hours of 8000-level course work in the M.S.-Fi program.
Note: MBA 8135 may be exempted (with replacement) if FI 3300, FI 4300, and FI 4320 or their equivalents have been completed with grades of C or higher at the time of admission.
c. Specializations (18-21 hours). Students not exempting MBA 8135 are required to take 18 hours of Fi-prefixed courses; 21 hours if exempting MBA 8135. These courses consist of the following:
(i) All M.S.-Finance students are required to take the following course:
(ii) All students are also required to take a minimum of nine (9) semester hours within a chosen finance specialization. Three areas of specialization are shown below along with various courses considered appropriate for each area that students may select from.
(iii) In addition to FI 8000 (3 hours) and the 3 courses (9 hours) comprising the chosen finance specialization, students must select an additional six to nine semester hours of any other Fi-prefixed courses (6 hours if MBA 8135 is not exempted; 9 hours otherwise).
Fi-prefixed courses comprising Specializations:
Corporate Finance
* May be taken multiple times for different topics.
Investments
Financial Institutions and Capital Markets
The Department encourages all students pursuing the M.S.-Finance degree to take FI 8000 early in their program as it is a prerequisite for all electives except FI 8020 and FI 8040. FI 8000 is designed so that it may be taken concurrently with MBA 8135 to provide students greater scheduling flexibility.
Program of Study. Each student’s program of study must be planned in consultation with the M.S.-Finance program director prior to the completion of the first semester of enrollment. A copy of the program will be filed with the Office of Graduate Recruiting and Student Services (GRSS) for review and approval. Progress toward the degree, including clearance for graduation, cannot be confirmed without an approved program of study. Any changes in the program must be approved by the program director and a copy of the changes sent to GASS. Students always must consult the Course Descriptions chapter of this catalog to determine if they have met the prerequisites for any course to be taken.
Time Limit. The time limit for completing the M.S.-Finance program is five years from the first semester a course in section b or c (above) is taken.
Thomas Conklin, Program Director, tconklin@gsu.edu
The Master of Science with a major in managerial sciences prepares professionals to assume leadership roles in organizations. Students learn critical management skills that allow them to communicate successfully, think creatively and adapt quickly to business fluctuations and transformations. There are two concentrations available for managerial sciences majors:
While this program is structured in both cohorted and non-cohorted formats, it is anticipated that all admissions in the coming year will be in the cohorted format only.
Regulations for the Degree
The regulations, policies, and procedures given in the “Master’s Enrollment” and “Master’s Programs” sections of this chapter apply to the Master of Science in Managerial Sciences.
Course Requirements. The course requirements for the degree Master of Science with a major in Managerial Sciences and the format of the program follow:
a. Foundation and Prerequisite Courses. See section 7110.10 for the foundation requirements for this degree.
b. Required Courses in the Major. 21 hours:
c. Elective Courses. 9 hours. 2 concentrations are offered and students are encouraged to choose one as means of academic focus. However, students may also select any 3 courses from the 6 below.
Concentration 1: Talent Management
Gabriella Lewis, Faculty Coordinator
Concentration 2: Supply Chain and Analytics Management
Peter Zhang, Faculty Coordinator
Program of Study/Course Prerequisites. With the exception of cohort-enrolled students, each student’s program must be planned in consultation with the faculty coordinator for his or her concentration before a non-required course is taken. Students may contact the department to schedule an appointment. A copy of the program of study will be filed with the Office of Graduate Student Services for review and approval. Progress toward the degree, including clearance for graduation, cannot be confirmed without an approved program of study. Any changes in the program must be approved by the faculty coordinator and a copy of the changes sent to the Office of Graduate Student Services. Students must always consult the Course Descriptions chapter of the current graduate catalog to determine if they have met the prerequisites for any course to be taken.
Time Limit. The time limit for completing the M.S./Managerial Science program is five years from the first semester a course in section B or C (above) is taken.
One Year MS in Managerial Sciences Format
The One Year Master of Science in Managerial Sciences is a cohorted program. In addition to the required courses in the two tracks listed above, the 18 credit hours of electives will be pre-selected for the entire cohort.
Bruce K. Pilling, Program Director, 404-413-7673, bpilling@gsu.edu
The MS in marketing is designed primarily for persons with an undergraduate business degree who want to distinguish themselves as marketing specialists. The major is designed to provide the in-depth theoretical and applied training needed to excel in a leadership position in marketing. The program extends the students’ previously acquired basic business and marketing skills by developing advanced technical and analytical competency in a selected area. It therefore allows graduates to make more informed decisions in an increasingly complex marketing environment.
* This program is currently only available in the one year format.
Regulations for the Degree
The Masters of Science in Marketing is now available in a one year fast-track format. For additional information on this format, please visit the following website: http://marketing.robinson.gsu.edu/academic-programs/ms/.
All Master of Science students will complete the Business Communication Skills Requirement explained earlier in this chapter. The regulations, policies, and procedures given in the “Master’s Enrollment” and “Master’s Programs” sections of this chapter apply to the M.S./Marketing program. A maximum of six hours of transfer credit is permitted in this 30-hour program.
Course Requirements. The course requirements for the degree Master of Science with a major in marketing and the format of the program follow:
a. Foundation Courses. The courses in this list are in addition to the 33 hours required for the degree. They are assigned as part of the admissions process based on a review of each student’s transcripts. They can be exempted if equivalent course work has been previously completed with grades of C or higher. For descriptions and prerequisites of the undergraduate foundation courses, see the Course Descriptions chapter of the Georgia State University Undergraduate Catalog. This catalog is available at catalog.gsu.edu.
Accounting/Finance: MBA 8025, or financial and managerial accounting principles and corporate finance principles (ACCT 2101, ACCT 2102 and FI 3300).
Behavioral Science: Management principles (MGS 3400), managerial decision making (MGS 4000), marketing principles (MK 3010), psychology (PSYC 1101), sociology (SOCI 1101) or anthropology (ANTH 1102).
Economics: Microeconomic principles (ECON 2106).
Mathematics: College algebra (MATH 1111).
Statistics: MATH 1070.
b. Required Courses in the Major (9 hours)
c. Marketing Electives (18 hours). These electives may be chosen from among the 8000-level marketing courses that are not required as core or capstone courses. A maximum of nine hours of appropriate 8000-level courses from other departments in the Robinson College of Business or from elsewhere in the university may be substituted for these courses with departmental approval.
d. Capstone Course (3 hours).
Program of Study. Each student’s program must be planned in consultation with the M.S./marketing faculty adviser before a non-required course is taken. Contact the department to schedule an appointment. A copy of the program will be filed with the Office of Graduate Student Services for review and approval. Progress toward the degree, including clearance for graduation, cannot be confirmed without an approved program of study. Any changes in the program must be approved by the faculty advisor and a copy of the changes sent to the Office of Graduate Student Services. Students always must consult the Course Descriptions chapter of the current graduate catalog to determine if they have met the prerequisites for any course to be taken.
Time Limit. The time limit for completing the M.S./marketing is five years from the first semester a course in sections B, C, or D (above) is taken.
One Year MS in Marketing format
One Year Master of Science (MS) in Marketing is a year-long cohort program for marketing professionals who want to update/expand their knowledge, managers who oversee marketing activities but lack formal training, and career changers. Students proceed as a group through a sequenced curriculum of five session modules.
In addition to the required courses outlined in the general curriculum above, candidates must take 21 credit hours of pre-selected electives for this one year format. Students must fulfill the specialized master’s foundation requirement (section 7110.10). Courses meet at Georgia State University’s Buckhead Center on Monday and Wednesday evenings. New cohorts begin in January of each year. Program enrolls in the spring semester only.
The internationally renowned faculty of Robinson’s Department of Marketing and its Center for Excellence in Brand and Customer Management developed the program, drawing on their expertise as researchers and theorists, strategists and practitioners. Concurrent to earning a Master of Science in Marketing, students also will earn Robinson’s Certificate in Brand and Customer Management.
The program is open to full-time working professionals, full-time students and international students.
Haci Akcin, Director, 404-413-7467, hakcin1@gsu.edu
The mission of the Master of Science Mathematical Risk Management (MRM) program is to provide students with a solid understanding of the application of mathematics in economics and finance to address contemporary risk management issues. Emphasis is placed on the diagnosis, analysis, pricing and customization of solutions to risk management problems, broadly defined to include both financial and operational risk exposures. The program is designed to prepare students for analytical and technical positions within financial institutions, risk management advisory organizations, and the treasury departments of non-financial corporations. Quantitative in focus, the program is well suited for students with undergraduate and graduate degrees in mathematics, statistics or similar technical disciplines. Students with an MBA or undergraduate degree in economics, finance or actuarial science, who can demonstrate the necessary skills in mathematics, also make excellent candidates.
The MS in Mathematical Risk Management can be completed in 16 months over three semesters. Since the core courses are designed in a lockstep format, students should be prepared to begin their core sequence during the fall semester. Students who have not completed the foundational requirements for the degree should apply for admission during either the spring or summer semester so they can complete the prerequisites before the core sequence begins in the fall. Please contact the MRM program director for advice about the appropriate time when you should apply to enter the program.
Two dual-degree options are available: one in which students will earn both the Master of Actuarial Science degree and the Master of Science in Mathematical Risk Management (MAS/MRM); and one in which students will earn both the Master of Science in Analytics degree and the Master of Science in Mathematical Risk Management (MSA/MRM). The programs provide students with increased career opportunities in the financial services industries specializing in the application of quantitative methods to solve complex business problems in an era of financial services and capital markets convergence.
Regulations for the Degree
All Master of Science students will complete the Business Communication Skills Requirement explained earlier in this section. The Summary of Regulations-Master Programs, also found earlier in this section, applies to the M.S. program with a major in mathematical risk management as do the regulations, policies and procedures given in Section 7 (Master enrollment). A maximum of 6 hours of transfer credit is permitted in this Master of Science in Mathematical Risk Management program. A maximum of 9 hours of transfer credit is permitted in the 48-hour dual degree programs.
1. Foundation Requirements: Foundation and Prerequisite Courses Consult Section 10 (Course descriptions) and the heading “Undergraduate Foundation Courses” later in this bulletin for prerequisites to the courses listed below. The courses in this section are in addition to the 30 semester hours required for the Master of Science in Mathematical Risk Management degree or the 48 semester hours required for the dual degree programs. They are assigned as part of the admissions process based on a review of each student’s transcripts. They can be exempted if equivalent coursework has been previously completed with minimum grades of “C.”
Accounting/Finance: MBA 8025, or financial and managerial accounting and corporate finance principles (ACCT 2101, ACCT 2102 and FI 3300). Students must have completed Corporate Finance (MBA 8135). This requirement can be waived if FI 3300 and FI 4000, or equivalent coursework, have been completed with grades of “C” or higher.
Behavioral Science: Students may satisfy this requirement with either principles of management (MGS 3400), sociology (SOCI 1101) or psychology (PSYC 1101).
Economics: Both macroeconomic principles (ECON 2105) and microeconomic principles (ECON 2106). Alternatively, both requirements can be satisfied by taking MBA 7035 Economics for Managers or the corresponding placement exam (see flex.robinson.gsu.edu/about/curriculum/placement-exam-option-mba-foundation-courses/).
Mathematics: Students must have completed three semesters of advanced calculus (MATH 2211, MATH 2212 and MATH 2215). Students entering the joint Master of Actuarial Science/Mathematical Risk Management program must have compound interest theory (AS 4230).
Statistics: Students must have completed two semesters of undergraduate mathematical statistics (MATH 4751, MATH 4752). Alternatively, these requirements can be satisfied by taking ECON 8710 or MSA 8190.
2. Course Requirements: Master of Science Mathematical Risk Management
This section is applicable to students interested in the MS in Mathematical Risk Management. Students interested in the dual degree programs should go to Section 4 (MAS/MRM) or Section 5 (MSA/MRM) below.
a. Required Technical Support Courses
The following courses must be completed within the first 18 hours of 8000-level course work.
Students who have completed equivalent coursework with a grade of “C” or higher must substitute an appropriate elective in consultation with the Mathematical Risk Management program director.
b. Required Courses in the Specialization
c. Elective Courses in the Specialization
Students should consult with the program director prior to beginning their elective coursework and may select from among the following courses.
Students may select, with the prior approval of the faculty advisor, electives other than those shown above if they can demonstrate the course(s) will better meet their educational objectives.
3. Course Requirements: Dual Degree Master of Actuarial Science and Master of Science in Mathematical Risk Management Program.
This section is applicable to students interested in the dual degree program Master of Actuarial Science and Master of Science in Mathematical Risk Management. Students interested in the MS in Mathematical Risk Management should go to Section 3 above. Students interested in the dual degree program between the Master of Science in Analytics and the Master of Science in Mathematical Risk Management Program should go to Section 5 below.
a. Required Technical Support Courses
The following courses must be completed within the first 18 hours of 8000-level course work.
* Students who have completed an equivalent course with a grade of “C” or higher must substitute an appropriate elective in consultation with the Mathematical Risk Management program director.
b. Required Courses in the Dual Degree Program
c. Elective Courses in the Dual Degree Program
Students should consult with the program directors for the Master of Actuarial Science and Mathematical Risk Management programs prior to beginning their elective coursework and may select from among the following courses:
Students may select, with the prior approval of both program directors for the dual degree program, electives other than those shown above if they can demonstrate the course(s) will better meet their educational objectives.
4. Course Requirements: Dual Degree Master of Science in Analytics and Master of Science in Mathematical Risk Management Program.
This section is applicable to students interested in the dual degree program Master of Science in Analytics and Master of Science in Mathematical Risk Management Program. Students interested in the MS in Mathematical Risk Management should go to Section 3 above. Students interested in the dual degree program between the Master of Actuarial Science and the Master of Science in Mathematical Risk Management Program should go to Section 4 above.
a. Required Technical Support Courses
The following courses must be completed within the first 18 hours of 8000-level course work.
* Students who have completed an equivalent course with a grade of “C” or higher must substitute an appropriate elective in consultation with the MRM program director.
b. Required Courses in the Dual Degree Program
** Students who have completed AS 4340 and/or AS 4350 or their equivalents must substitute appropriate 8000-level actuarial science courses for AS 8340 and/or AS 8350. The substitutions must be selected from section C below in consultation with the actuarial science program director.
c. Elective Courses in the Dual Degree Program
Students should consult with the program directors for the Master of Actuarial Science and Mathematical Risk Management programs prior to beginning their elective coursework and may select from among the following courses:
Students may select, with the prior approval of both program directors for the dual degree program, electives other than those shown above if they can demonstrate the course(s) will better meet their educational objectives.
5. Program of Study: Each student’s program must be planned in consultation with the program director for the M.S. in Mathematical Risk Management and a copy of the program filed with the Office of Graduate Student Services for review and approval. The program of study should be planned before the student takes a non-required course. Progress toward the degree, including clearance for graduation, can be confirmed only with an approved program of study. Any changes in the program must be approved by the program director and a copy of the changes sent to Office of Graduate Student Services. Students always must consult the Course Descriptions chapter of the current graduate catalog to determine if they have met the prerequisites for any course to be taken.
6. Time Limit: The time limit for completing the MRM program is five calendar years from the first semester a course in section 3-6 (above) is taken.
Dr. Yusen Xia, Program Director
The mission of the Master of Science in Analytics is to educate students how to acquire, organize and model data sets in order to formulate the questions that guide decision-making in corporate and non-corporate settings. Graduates are ideal candidates for the range of technical data-driven positions in a variety of industries/businesses currently emerging such as data scientist, quantitative marketing analyst, credit risk analyst, predictive modeler, health informatics, web analytics. Please see program website for more details.
Regulations for the Degree
All M.S. in Analytics students will complete the Business Communication Skills Requirement explained earlier in this chapter. The regulations, policies, and procedures given in the “Master’s Enrollment” and “Master’s Programs” sections of this chapter apply to M.S. in Analytics program. A maximum of 6 semester hours of transfer credit is possible in this 30-hour program.
Foundation Requirements
These courses are in addition to the 30 hours required for the M.S. in Analytics. They are assigned as part of the admissions process based on a review of each student’s transcripts. They can be exempted if equivalent work has been previously completed with grades of C or higher, or as deemed suitable by the MSA Admission Committee.
Accounting: financial and managerial accounting principles (MBA 8025, or ACCT 2101 & ACCT 2102)
Behavioral Science: Management principles (MBA 8165, or MGS 3400). Students may satisfy this requirement with either management (MGS 3400), sociology (SOCI 1101), or psychology (PSYC 1101) principles.
Economics: Both macroeconomic principles (ECON 2105) and microeconomic principles (ECON 2106).
Mathematics: Students must have completed three semesters of advanced calculus (MATH 2211, MATH 2212, and MATH 2215). Students who have only completed one semester of calculus could be conditionally admitted and get full admission after taking MSA 8005 Mathematical Foundations for Analytics.
Statistics: Students must have ECON 8710 or completed two semesters of undergraduate mathematical statistics (MATH 4751, MATH 4752).
Course Requirements: The Master of Science in Analytics
a. Required Courses (21 hours):
b. Elective Courses (9 hours):
Students will select at least two elective courses. These courses will either be in an application area of interest or the student can deepen their technical skill development. The faculty adviser for M.S. in Analytics must individually approve electives. Examples of possible electives include the following:
Program of Study
Any changes in the program must be approved by the faculty adviser and a copy of the changes sent to the GRSS.
Time Limit
The time limit for completing the M.S. in Analytics program is five years from the first semester a course in section a, or b (above) is taken.
Marie Cameron, FACHE, Faculty Director, 404-413-7637, mariecameron@gsu.edu
In addition to offering the M.B.A. and M.H.A. degrees as a dual degree program (described earlier), the Robinson College of Business offers the Master of Science in Health Administration as a single degree. This program is designed to meet the needs of students who desire a background in health administration and the opportunity to acquire specialized skills in areas of business or healthcare administration, including health information systems and data analytics. PMBA and other graduate degree students may apply for the MSHA as a second degree.
7210.10 Admissions
The application procedures and admission criteria are given in the “Master’s Admissions” section of this chapter. A personal interview normally is required for all applicants but may be waived.
Admission to the M.S.H.A. degree program may occur each semester. Early application is encouraged, however, since the number of applicants each year exceeds the capacity of the program.
7210.20 Regulations for the Degree
All Master of Science in Health Administration students will complete the Business Communication Skills Requirement explained earlier in this chapter. The regulations, policies, and procedures given in the “Master’s Enrollment” and “Master’s Programs” sections of this chapter apply to the M.S. H.A. program. A maximum of 12 hours of transfer credit is permitted in this 36-hour program.
Course Requirements. The course requirements for the Master of Science in Health Administration degree and the format of the program follow. Consult the Course Descriptions chapter for prerequisites to the graduate courses listed below.
a. Foundation Courses. See section 7110.10 for the foundation requirements for this degree.
b. Required Courses in Health Administration (24 hours)
c. Concentration (12 hours). An approved selected concentration may be taken such as: a customized concentration of 8000-level RCB courses, or MBA concentrations, to complete this section of the M.S.H.A. program. For concentrations in the Master of Business Administration program cited earlier in this chapter, follow the course requirements given for the chosen MBA concentration.
Program of Study/Course Selection. All M.S.H.A. students must contact the Institute for consultation and guidance. Concentration courses must be approved by the Institute Director, and students are required to plan a formal program of study with a faculty adviser in the Institute of Health Administration. M.S.H.A. students should notify the Office of Graduate Recruiting and Student Services as soon as they select their area of concentration. Progress toward the degree, including clearance for graduation, will be determined by Office of Graduate Recruiting and Student Services by comparing courses taken with the foundation courses assigned at admission and the degree requirements stated above. Students must consult the Course Descriptions chapter of the current graduate catalog to determine if they have met the prerequisites for any course to be taken.
Time Limit. The time limit for completing the M.S.H.A. degree with a concentration is five years from the first semester a course in section b or c (above) is taken.
7210.30 Law and Health Administration Dual Degree Program
The College of Law and the Institute of Health Administration in the Robinson College of Business, offer two dual degree programs leading to the Juris Doctor degree (JD) and either (1) a Master of Science in Health Administration degree (MSHA), or (2) an MBA/MHA (Master of Business Administration and Master of Health Administration).
The J.D./M.S.H.A. and J.D./M.B.A./M.H.A. are courses of study which allow selected previously-approved course work earned in one degree program to satisfy some of the elective course requirements of the other degree program. This enables a student to complete the requirements for both or all tree degrees in a shorter time than required to complete each of the degrees separately. Students who have already earned a J.D. and an M.S.H.A. degree or M.B.A./M.H.A. degree at Georgia State University or at another institution are not eligible for the dual program.
The following regulations apply to students who are accepted to the J.D. and M.S.H.A. or M.B.A./M.H.A., programs and are enrolled in the dual degree program as opposed to being enrolled in each degree program separately.
Application
Applicants to the J.D./M.S.H.A. or J.D./M.B.A./M.H.A. dual degree programs must meet the entrance requirements and follow the application procedures of both the College of Law and the Robinson College of Business. Applicants must be accepted by both colleges. Admission into one program does not presume admission to the other. To be in the J.D./M.S.H.A. of J.D./M.B.A./M.H.A. dual degree programs, students must be admitted to both programs before completing either program.
Applicants must take the LSAT to apply to the College of Law. Robinson College of Business will accept the LSAT in lieu of the GRE or GMAT for students already accepted into the J.D. program.
Students who are accepted to both the J.D. and M.S.H.A. or M.B.A./M.H.A. programs and wish to be enrolled in the dual degree program are responsible for providing written notification of their intentions to each college.
Requirements
Students must satisfy the curriculum requirements for both the J.D. and M.S.H.A. or M.B.A./M.H.A. degrees.
J.D. Degree requirements
As stated in the College of Law chapter of the catalog, a law student must earn 90 semester hours of credit to qualify for the J.D. degree. For students enrolled in the J.D./M.S.H.A. or J.D./M.B.A./M.H.A. dual degree programs, the College of Law will permit up to 12 semester hours of 8000-level M.S.H.A. or M.B.A./M.H.A. courses with grades of B or better to be credited toward elective hours required for the J.D.
M.S.H.A. Degree Requirements
The requirements for the M.S.H.A. are described in section 7210 of the Robinson College of Business catalog.
For students enrolled in the J.D./M.S.H.A. dual degree program, the Robinson College of Business will accept 12 semester hours of relevant health law elective courses from the J.D. program with grades of B or better to be credited toward the 12 semester hours of concentration/electives for the M.S.H.A.
In addition, 3 credit hours will be given for LAW 7239 Health Law: Quality and Access or LAW 7240 Health Law: Finance and Delivery in place of HA 8450 Legal Environment of Health Care.
M.B.A./M.H.A. Degree Requirements
The requirements for the M.B.A./M.H.A. are described in section 7170 of the Robinson College of Business catalog.
For students enrolled in the J.D./M.B.A./M.H.A. dual degree program, the Robinson College of Business will accept 3 credit hours for LAW 7239 Health Law: Quality and Access or LAW 7240 Health Law: Finance and Delivery in place of HA 8450 Legal Environment of Health Care. The Robinson College of Business will also accept 3 hours of legal externship courses or clinic in the health care area in place of the required HA residency course, HA 8810.
Enrollment Sequencing and Time Limits
The College of Law does not permit enrollment in the dual degree program after a student has completed more than 21 semester hours of 8000-level M.S.H.A. or M.B.A./M.H.A. coursework.
After students have been admitted to both the J.D. and M.B.A./M.H.A. programs and have declared intent to be enrolled in the dual degree program, they must, at the first opportunity, complete 30 semester hours of required courses in the J.D. program. After completion of these 30 hours, enrollment in the courses of either college or enrollment in both colleges concurrently is permitted.
Grading and Scholastic Discipline
Students enrolled in either of the dual degree programs must meet the academic regulations of each college, including those related to the minimum GPA and scholastic discipline. The computation of the GPA in each college is based only on courses taken in that college.
Graduation
Prior to graduation, students completing the dual degree program are responsible for confirming with both colleges that the degree requirements for each program have been satisfied. Students must complete the graduate application for each degree.
No credit hours of J.D. course work will be applied toward the M.S.H.A. or M.B.A./M.H.A. degree requirements until the completion of J.D. degree requirements. No credit hours of M.S.H.A. or M.B.A./M.H.A. course work will be applied toward the J.D. degree requirements until the completion of M.S.H.A. or M.B.A./M.H.A. degree requirements. A simultaneous awarding of degrees will satisfy this requirement.
The requirements for the M.S.H.A. degree must be completed within five years of the initial semester of enrollment in the M.S.H.A. program. The J.D. degree must be completed within six years of the initial semester of enrollment in the J.D. program.
Balasubramaniam Ramesh, Program Director
The Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) is designed to meet the needs of students who want to build a strong background in information systems and the application of information and communications technology in business.
In today’s highly competitive global environment, the effective deployment of information technology has become critical to business success. New applications of information technology strike at the heart of what management does and how organizations are structured and compete. In many respects these applications are redefining the nature of work and its organization.
There is a continuing shortage of specialists and managers with the combination of business and technology skills needed to bring about this reshaping of international industries. The purpose of the Master of Science in Information Systems program is to produce graduates who are able to combine their general business knowledge with the latest information systems tools and techniques to enable organizations to compete strongly in the global marketplace. Graduates, through the use of optional concentrations in their programs of study, will be prepared for careers in specific areas such as information systems management; health informatics; or information technology consulting, project management, database management, and systems development.
The MSIS program is usually offered only as a cohort program.
Regulations for the Degree
2. Course Requirements. The course requirements for the Master of Science in Information Systems and the format of the program follow. Consult the Course Descriptions chapter for prerequisites to the graduate courses listed below.
Subject to availability, MSIS students are expected to do full-time or part-time field study in the last two semesters in the program. MSIS students are required to begin their field study in the semester preceding the one in which they will graduate.
Students may complete the MSIS by meeting the requirements (2.a.) through (2.d.) above. Subject to course availability, students may additionally qualify for the following concentrations by substituting the below required courses in the concentration in place of Elective Courses detailed in (2.c.) above.
MSIS with a Concentration in Information Technology: The MSIS with a concentration in Information Technology is usually offered as a year-long cohort program. The purpose of the Master of Science in Information Systems program is to produce graduates who are able to combine business knowledge with the latest information systems tools and techniques. Graduates will be prepared for careers in a variety of areas such as systems development, information systems managements, consulting, project management, software quality management, database management, security and privacy, and business process design. Required courses for this concentration:
The MSIS Core (12 hours):
The MSIS IT Concentration Core (12 hours)
MSIS with a Concentration in Cybersecurity: The MSIS with a concentration in Cybersecurity is usually offered as a cohort program intended to prepare students for executive careers in the areas of privacy and security of information and information systems. Required courses for this concentration:
The MSIS Core (12 hours):
The MSIS Cybersecurity Concentration Core (18 hours):
MSIS with a Concentration in Big Data Management and Analytics: The MSIS with a concentration in Big Data Management and Analytics is usually offered as a cohort program intended to prepare students for executive careers in the management and use of both structured and unstructured data. Required courses for this concentration:
The MSIS Core (12 hours):
The MSIS Big Data Management and Analytics Concentration Core (18 hours):
MSIS with a Concentration in Health Informatics: The MSIS with a concentration in Health Informatics is usually offered as a cohort program intended to prepare students for executive careers in the management of information resources in support of medical services and administration within the healthcare industry. Required courses for this concentration:
The MSIS Core (12 hours):
The MSIS Health Informatics Concentration Core (15 hours):
MSIS with a Concentration in Enterprise Systems: The MSIS with a concentration in Enterprise Systems is usually offered as a cohort program intended to provide students with the knowledge needed for careers in organizations that use ERP systems to support key business processes. Required courses for this concentration:
The MSIS Core (12 hours):
The MSIS Enterprise Systems Concentration Core (18 hours):
MSIS with a Concentration in Management of Information Technology: The MSIS with a concentration in Management of Information Technology is usually offered in executive format (See Section 7225 for details)
Program of Study/Course Prerequisites. With the exception of cohort-enrolled students, each student’s program must be planned in consultation with an M.S. faculty adviser in the Department of Computer Information Systems for approval by the MSIS coordinator before a non-required course is taken. Students may contact the department for the name of their faculty adviser and to schedule an appointment. A copy of the program will be filed with the Office of Graduate Student Services for review and approval. Progress toward the degree, including clearance for graduation, cannot be confirmed without an approved program of study. Any changes in the program must be approved by the faculty adviser and a copy of the changes sent to Office of Graduate Student Services. Students always must consult the Course Descriptions chapter of the graduate catalog to determine if they have met the prerequisites for any course to be taken.
Time Limit. The time limit for completing the Master of Science in Information Systems is five years from the semester the first course in section B or C (above) is taken.
For additional information, please visit the following website: cis.robinson.gsu.edu/academic-programs/ms-is/.
7220.10 4 + 1 Programs
Dr. Ephraim McLean, Program Director, 404-413-7448, emclean@gsu.edu
Applications are no longer being accepted for this program.
The Executive Master of Science in Information Systems concentrating on managing information technology (MSIS MIT) is a 12-month, lock-step program designed for rising professionals with a minimum of four years professional information technology (IT)-related experience. Students receive a Master of Science in Information Systems degree upon completion of the program.
The purpose of the Executive Master of Science in Information Systems program is to provide mid-level managers, and those aspiring to IT-related management, a challenging curriculum relevant to the needs of rising IT professionals. The MSIS MIT curriculum is designed to prepare IT professionals for significant management level positions. Participants will increase their ability to think efficiently, plan productively, manage effectively, and make decisions that create added value for the enterprise. For example, the curriculum will help managers assume a strategic role in the enterprise’s future; plan and manage for the next generation of IT business challenges; utilize and manage resources effectively and efficiently; and identify and broker solutions to current challenges utilizing best-in-practice IT methods. From an IT perspective, managers will be better able to implement a business-focused approach to create value and deliver a competitive edge for their organization.
The program consists of ten three-hour courses and a six-hour capstone project. The courses cover a wide range of IT management topics extending from strategic to organizational, financial, and technical. All courses are enhanced versions of the award-winning courses offered in the traditional two-year program. The capstone projects will be selected based on the interests of participants and their value and relevance to their companies.
The lock-step format serves to forge strong networking, a more in-depth learning environment and support among the students as they take the same courses together during the program.
This Executive format program meets the needs of busy IT professionals; the program is designed to be completed in one year while maintaining full-time employment. Face-to-face classes are held on alternate Saturdays. Electronic distant-learning modules are offered in between these Saturdays at the convenience of the participant – any time, any place.
Another aspect of the strong commitment to the success of each participant is the Mentor of Excellence program. During the year-long experience, each participant will be paired with a business leader who will serve as mentor to guide, advise, and support.
Elective Courses in Computer Information Systems and Related Fields as detailed in (c.) above (0-3).
For additional information, please visit the following website: http://cis.robinson.gsu.edu/academic-programs/executive-ms-mit/.
Dr. Balasubramaniam Ramesh, Program Director, bramesh@gsu.edu
There is a developing shortage of specialists with the combination of accounting and technology knowledge needed to properly inform and execute management decisions in areas such as IT Assurance, Information Security, IT Governance, and IT Risk Management. The purpose of the Master of Science in Information Systems Audit and Control (MSISAC) program is to produce graduates who are able to combine a thorough knowledge of accounting principles with an equally thorough knowledge of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to enable organizations to competently operate in environments where accounting systems are tightly integrated with organizational ICT. Graduates will be well prepared for careers in IT auditing, but also for a variety of other areas such as accounting, information systems, consulting, and assurance.
ICT provides the basic fabric with which organizational management develop, record, and process abstractions and models that are both the basis of management strategy, decision making and of recording the flows of assets and liabilities within the organization and with its trading partners. Accountants are increasingly called upon to design, review, audit, and advise stakeholders with regard to the accuracy, timeliness and appropriateness of complex ICT based systems. Developing competencies in IT audit often requires a broad understanding of enterprise-wide approaches for managing growing international risks and emerging regulations. IT auditors must know how to identify and mitigate information risks, effectively manage security-related incidents, and reduce the impact of these on people, profitability and property.
To summarize, the purpose of the Master of Science in Information Systems Audit and Control program is to produce graduates who are able to combine their knowledge of accounting and auditing with the latest information systems tools and techniques to enable organizations to achieve information assurance and security. MSISAC program graduates are expected to be academically prepared to take the CISA exam upon completion of their degree. This combination of skills necessary for obtaining these highly valued certifications is very rarely found in any program in the nation.
Regulations for the Degree
a. Foundation Courses:
The following foundation courses are required in addition to the Specialized Master’s Foundation Requirements listed in Section 7110.20:
None
b. Prerequisite courses:
The courses in this list are in addition to the 30 hours required for the degree. They are assigned as part of the admissions process based on a review of each student’s transcripts. They can be exempted if equivalent course work has been previously completed with grades of C or higher. An accepted applicant, who at the time of admission to the MSISAC program, has not completed the foundation and prerequisite courses, must complete these requirements in a manner approved by the MSISAC program coordinator.
Accounting
ACCT 2101 and ACCT 2102 Financial and Managerial Accounting Principles
Computer Information Systems
CIS 3300 Analyzing business systems or equivalent or an approved online course in Systems Analysis as directed by the MSISAC program coordinator
CIS 3730 Database Management Systems or an approved online course in Database Management Systems as directed by the MSISAC program coordinator
c. Required Courses (30 hours):
Credit Hours/COURSES
Required Graduate Courses
Graduate Elective (3 hours)
Jon Wiley, Program Director, 404-413-7728, jwiley@gsu.edu
The Master of Science in Real Estate degree is designed for students who are principally interested in careers in the real estate industry and those who will use real property in business decision making. It provides the student with both general and specialized real estate knowledge and analytical skills. The degree prepares students for professional areas such as financial counseling, market analysis and valuation, as well as industry activities such as real property development, acquisition, disposition, and management. The MSRE program is based on a synthesis of legal, physical, market and financial considerations that affect the real property decision process. The student’s educational experience is enhanced because the program attracts many experienced real estate professionals into the classroom, and the program has a practical orientation in which students participate in industry problem solving and research under the direction of the program’s faculty.
7300.10 Regulations for the Degree
Course Requirements: The Master of Science in Real Estate degree consists of 30 semester hours of course work numbered 8000 and above. Previous graduate real estate coursework successfully completed at the Robinson College of Business will be evaluated and up to six hours credit toward the required or elective courses in the major (section “b” or “c” below) may be awarded to entering students. A maximum of six hours of transfer credit is permitted in this 30-hour program. The option of awarding credit toward the MSRE degree is totally at the discretion of the Department of Real Estate and its designees. The course requirements for the degree and the format of the program follow. The number of hours of 8000-level credit required in each section of the program is shown in parentheses after the section heading. This number represents the minimum requirement. If prerequisites for the courses listed in each section have not been properly completed or if they are not included as electives within the M.S.R.E. program, they must be taken as additional hours. In most cases, however, the graduate-level prerequisites can be incorporated as electives into the student’s program of study. Students always must consult the Course Descriptions chapter of the current graduate catalog to determine if they have met the prerequisites for any course to be taken.
a. Foundation Courses: See section 7110.10 for the foundation requirements for this degree.
b. Required Courses in the Major (21 hours):
c. Elective Courses (9 hours): Students may choose as electives any three 8000 level RE prefixed courses or appropriate courses from an approved list available from the Department of Real Estate.
Program of Study/Course Prerequisites: Each student’s program of study must be planned in consultation with the MSRE program director or a designee of the director before a copy of the program of study is filed with the Office of Graduate Student Services for review and approval. Students may contact the department to schedule an appointment with a faculty adviser. Progress toward the degree, including clearance for graduation, cannot be confirmed without an approved program of study. Any changes in the program must be approved by the faculty adviser and a copy of the changes sent to Office of Graduate Student Services. Students always must consult the Course Descriptions chapter of the current graduate catalog to determine if they have met the prerequisites for any course to be taken.
Time Limit. The time limit for completing the M.S.R.E. program is five years from the first semester a course in section “b” or “c” (above) is taken.
Galen Sevcik, Program Director, 404-413-7231, gsevcik@gsu.edu
The Master of Taxation program offers a variety of courses that provide students with a meaningful opportunity to develop the technical, analytical, and research skills needed for tax practice. The Master of Taxation Program is an academically rigorous program taught in the J. Mack Robinson College of Business Buckhead Center by the faculty of the School of Accountancy. Students begin the program in either the Fall semester or the Spring semester and complete the program in either one or two years. Classes meet once a week and are offered from either 4:30 to 7:00 or 7:15 to 9:45 in Fall and Spring. Summer classes are offered two days a week.
7310.20 Regulations for the Degree
The regulations, policies and procedures given in the “Master’s Enrollment” and “Master’s Programs” sections of this chapter apply to the MTx program.
Course Requirements. The course requirements for the degree of Master of Taxation and the format of the program follow:
a. Foundation and Prerequisite Courses.
The courses in this section are in addition to the 30 semester hours required for the MTx degree. They are assigned as part of the admissions process based on a review of each student’s transcripts. They can be exempted if equivalent course work has been previously completed with minimum grades of C-. Consult the Course Descriptions chapter for prerequisites to the graduate courses listed below. For descriptions and prerequisites of the undergraduate foundation courses, see the Course Description chapter of the Georgia State University Undergraduate Catalog. This catalog is available on the web at catalog.gsu.edu.
Accounting: Financial accounting principles ACCT 2101 or MBA 8025 or managerial accounting principles ACCT 2102 or MBA 8115.
Behavioral Science: Sociology SOCI 1101, or psychology PSYC 1101, or anthropology ANTH 1102, or buyer behavior MK 4100, or management principles MGS 3400, or managerial decision making MGS 4000.
Economics: Macroeconomic principles [ECON2105] or microeconomic principles ECON 2106. ECON 2106 is preferred.
Mathematics: College algebra MATH 1111.
Statistics: MATH 1070.
Taxation: ACCT 4510.
b. Courses in Taxation (30 hours)
Students will take ten of the following courses, including six required courses totaling 18 hours. In addition, students will take four other courses totaling 12 hours. Program administrators will ensure that students take the courses in the appropriate sequence, e.g., the TX 8020 and TX 8030 must be the first two courses taken if a student takes only two courses the first semester in the program.
*** Required courses
Advisement/Course Selection: The MTx program coordinator and graduate academic advisor are available to students for consultation and guidance as needed. Students are encouraged to contact the coordinator and/or advisor and schedule an appointment for advisement as needed. Progress toward the degree, including clearance for graduation, will be determined by the Office of Graduate Student Services by comparing courses taken by the student with the foundation courses assigned at admission and the degree requirements stated above. It is the responsibility of the students to monitor their progress toward the degree and to determine if they have met all the requirements of the degree.
The School of Accountancy requires strict adherence to the prerequisites listed for each of its courses (see the Course Descriptions chapter of this catalog). Students enrolled in taxation courses without having completed the stated prerequisites with minimum grades of C will be required to withdraw from the course. Please contact the School of Accountancy before registration if you have questions about course prerequisites.
Time Limit: The time limit for completing the MTx program is five years from the first semester a course in the program.
The Graduate Certificate in Enterprise Risk Management is intended for individuals who possess an MBA or a master’s degree in a business-related field, or hold a CPA or CPCU, and who desire graduate education in enterprise risk management but do not wish to complete the degree requirements for an MBA with a concentration in risk management and insurance. The Certificate in Enterprise Risk Management is designed for individuals seeking more broad-based education than what they might have gained in their undergraduate or graduate degree programs. There is an increasing demand for professionals who can efficiently manage financial and nonfinancial risk exposures faced by businesses. Course work taken to meet the certificate requirements emphasizes both financial risks (including, for example, derivatives and exchange rate risk) and nonfinancial risk (including political risk, property and liability exposures, risks associated with information technology, and employee welfare exposures).
All Graduate Certificate in Enterprise Risk Management students will complete the Business Communication Skills requirement explained earlier in this chapter. The regulations, policies, and procedures given in the “Master’s Enrollment” and Master’s Programs sections of this chapter apply to the C.E.R.M. program. The time limit for completing the certificate program is three calendar years. The certificate program requires completion of six graduate courses in residence at Georgia State University. In the event of waiver of one or more of the prescribed courses due to prior experience or education, substitute courses will be approved by the Director of the E.R.M. Certificate Program. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 is required. In addition to possessing the MBA or another business master’s degree, or the CPA or CPCU professional credential, applicants are required to meet the admission requirements for the MBA program with a concentration in risk management and insurance (enterprise risk management specialization)
Course Requirements
a. Required Courses (12)
b. Elective Courses (6)
Students select two courses from the following list with approval from the Director of the ERM Certificate Program: Students select two courses from the following list with approval from the Director of the ERM Certificate Program:
Other graduate-level course work may be substituted with prior approval by the Director of the E.R.M. Certificate Program other graduate-level course work may be substituted with prior approval by the Director of the E.R.M. Certificate Program.
Awarding the Certificate. After completing the requirements for the certificate according to these regulations, the student must make a written request to the academic advisor in Graduate Recruiting and Student Services to have the certificate awarded. The academic advisor then reviews the student’s record. If all requirements have been met, a request for the certificate on behalf of the student will be sent to the registrar’s office.
Dr. Bala Ramesh, Program Director, 404-413- 7372, bramesh@gsu.edu
The purpose of the Graduate Certificate in Information Systems is to more formally acknowledge students who have chosen to strengthen their technical foundation by successfully undertaking and completing additional Information Systems studies. The Graduate Certificate in Information Systems program is designed for students in any graduate major who wish to prepare to meet business and personal challenges through the use of information technology. From biology and the health sciences through the arts, social sciences, legal and business disciplines information systems are a fundamental enabler.
Admission to the Graduate Certificate in Information Systems program is subject to the minimum Georgia State University and RCB cumulative grade-point-average requirement for RCB graduate programs. Applicants for the Graduate Certificate in Information Systems must either be a current Robinson student or they must apply for admission to Robinson – meeting normal admission requirements and be accepted into the Robinson College.
Obtaining the Graduate Certificate in Information Systems requires completion of any three CIS 8000 level courses. For currently available courses, see www2.cis.gsu.edu/cis/program/syllabus/index.asp. In addition, you must have a grade point average of at least 3.0 for the three courses, with all grades a B- or higher. Please be aware that some of these courses have prerequisites and other requirements for enrollment. There are no additional fees required for the Graduate Certificate in Computer Information Systems. For more information including how to request the certificate after completing course work, please see www2.cis.gsu.edu/cis/program/ciscertificate.asp.
The Graduate Certificate in Personal Financial Planning is intended for students who are CPAs or who possess an M.B.A., a master’s degree in a business-related field, or a J.D. and who desire graduate training in the field of personal financial planning. The program helps prepare students for a career in personal financial planning. Completion of the program will satisfy the education requirement for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP)™ examination.
The program provides a focus on individual and small business needs which complements the typical M.B.A./business master’s focus on larger business entities. Employers such as banks, brokerages, and other financial services firms will find this dual focus attractive as they seek employees capable of dealing effectively with both the demands of modern corporate life and the needs of the individuals and small businesses served by the financial services firms. The certificate provides attorneys with a focus on individual and small business financial needs which complements the legal services provided to those groups. Because of the close relationship between the financial planning and legal professions, the certificate also offers attorneys the opportunity to make a career change while using much of the knowledge and skill obtained through their legal training. For CPAs, the certificate provides the opportunity to expand the scope of services offered to clients.
All Graduate Certificate in Personal Financial Planning students will complete the “Business Communication Skills Requirement” explained earlier in this chapter. The regulations, policies, and procedures given in the “Master’s Enrollment” and “Master’s Programs” sections of this chapter apply to this certificate program. The time limit for completing the certificate program is two years. The certificate program requires completion of six graduate courses in residence at Georgia State University; in the event of waiver of one or more of the listed courses due to prior experience or education, substitute courses will be approved by the program director. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 is required. In addition to possessing the M.B.A., another business master’s, or C.P.A. credential, applicants are required to meet the admissions requirements for the M.S. program with a major in personal financial planning with the following exceptions. Graduate Certificate in P.F.P. applicants who are CPAs or who possess an M.B.A. or other master’s degree in business from an AACSB-accredited institution or who possess a J.D. degree are exempt from the requirement of providing GRE or GMAT scores as part of the application process. Such qualifying applicants will be required to provide transcripts or other proof that they possess the necessary professional or academic credentials. If admitted to the Graduate Certificate in Personal Financial Planning program with valid GMAT or GRE scores, such applicants must submit valid GMAT or GRE scores before being eligible for admission to a regular master’s degree program, another graduate certificate program, or nondegree status in the Robinson College of Business.
Course Requirements
Foundation Course. The Graduate Certificate in Personal Financial Planning requires completion of this foundation course or its equivalent: ACCT 4510 Introduction to Federal Income Taxation (3)
Required Courses (18 hours)
Awarding the Certificate. After completing the requirements for the certificate according to these regulations, the student must make a written request to the Department of Risk Management and Insurance to have the certificate awarded. The request, an official Georgia State University transcript, and a certificate fee of $40.00 (check made payable to Georgia State University) must be sent to the director of the certificate program in the Department of Risk Management and Insurance. The director then reviews the student’s record. If all requirements have been met, the certificate, signed by the dean and the department chair, will be issued to the student.
An accredited bachelor’s degree provides appropriate background for the nondegree certificate in real estate program (C.R.E.) in the Department of Real Estate. No specific undergraduate courses are required for consideration for admission to the program. The application procedures and admission criteria are given in the “Master’s Admissions” section of this chapter.
1. All Graduate Certificate in Real Estate students will complete the Business Communication Skills Requirement explained earlier in this chapter. The regulations, policies, and procedures given in the “Master’s Enrollment” and “Master’s Programs” sections of this chapter apply to the C.R.E. program. The time limit for completing the certificate program is two calendar years. The program requires 18 semester hours of course work. A maximum of nine hours of transfer credit is permitted in this program. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 is required.
2. Course Requirements (3). There are three semester hours of required course work in the certificate program.
This course can be replaced in the program by another 8000-level real estate course with permission from the program coordinator. Replacement with a substitute course will be evaluated based on previous course work and experience.
3. Electives (15). The student can select any 8000-level course from the real estate curriculum for the program. The following courses are recommended as electives.
Each student may petition the coordinator of the certificate program to substitute up to nine semester hours of course work from other departments or programs as electives in the C.R.E. program. These courses must have relevance for a real estate education. The student will prepare a written request in which the title of the course is identified, a full course description is attached, and a statement explaining the significance of the course to the student’s program is included. In each instance, these courses must be graduate level. The written request should be submitted to, and will be evaluated by, the C.R.E. coordinator, who will notify the Office of Graduate Student Services of any approvals.
4. Awarding of the Certificate. After completing the requirements for the certificate according to these regulations, the student must make a written request to the certificate adviser in the Department of Real Estate to have the certificate awarded; an official Georgia State University transcript and a certificate fee of $125 (check made payable to Georgia State University) must be sent with the request. The adviser then reviews the student’s record. If all requirements have been met, the certificate, signed by the dean and department chair, will be issued to the student.
This certificate program is open to all MBA students in the Robinson College of Business and graduate students from other colleges at Georgia State University who are qualified for admission to a master’s program in the Robinson College of Business.
To earn the (Graduate) Certificate of Specialization in Brand & Customer Management, students must complete the following 4 courses:
Prerequisite for all courses: MBA 8145 Strategic Marketing Management
Students must earn an overall 3.0 grade point average (GPA) in all courses taken in the J. Mack Robinson College of Business and must earn a minimum of B- in all courses taken as part of this certificate.
Contact Dr. Alok Saboo for further information: asaboo@gsu.edu.
Applications are not currently being accepted for this program.
Kent Christopher Lemley, Program Director, 404-413-7668, clemley@gsu.edu
This certificate program is open to all MBA students in the Robinson College of Business and graduate students from other colleges at Georgia State University who are qualified for admission to a masters program in the Robinson College of Business.
To earn the (Graduate) Certificate in Strategic Sales Leadership, students must complete the following 2 courses:
And two or more of the following related electives:
Prerequisite for all courses: MBA 8145 Marketing Management
Students must earn an overall 3.0 grade point average (GPA) in all courses taken in the J. Mack Robinson College of Business and must earn an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in all courses taken as part of this certificate.
EDB Program Office
Tower Place 200, 3348 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 500, Atlanta, GA 30326
404-413-7178
Program website: edb.robinson.gsu.edu/
Email: lgrabowski1@gsu.edu
Louis J. Grabowski, MBA, EDB, Director of the EDB Program
Lars Mathiassen, Ph.D., Academic Director of the EDB Program
Please contact the EDB Program Office for more information about this program.
7358.05 Goals and Expectations
The Executive Doctorate in Business (EDB) program of the J. Mack Robinson College of Business is designed to transform executives with strong managerial, industry and academic experience into engaged practitioner-scholars with interdisciplinary, global perspectives on the dynamic business environment of today. This mission is accomplished by helping these executives develop general research competence in applied research (including demonstrating knowledge of relevant theory and scholarly literature) while creating new knowledge on contemporary business problems through both rigorous coursework and the writing and defense of a dissertation. Upon successful completion of the program students will have the:
The EDB program is a 3-year degree program designed for senior executives who already possess an MBA, EMBA, or equivalent MS degree. It is offered in an executive format with students participating in four 3-day residencies (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) per semester for 6 semesters.
Conduct
All EDB students must assume full responsibility for knowledge of the rules and regulations concerning their studies. Moreover, students are expected to abide by generally accepted standards of conduct. The university reserves the right to exclude any student whose conduct is prejudicial or injurious to the university, faculty, or other students. Students should review the “University Code of Conduct” in the General Information chapter of this catalog for explicit information on this topic.
7358.10 Admissions: Applications, Procedures, and Criteria
Applications for the EDB program are reviewed on a “rolling” basis throughout the year for once-a-year admission in the upcoming fall semester. Once approximately 24 students are accepted admission for that fall ends and admission for the next year’s fall semester begins. Applicants are therefore encouraged to apply as early as possible to ensure a seat in the fall semester.
The application is completed online at robinson.gsu.edu/executive-doctorate-in-business/application-process/.
Inquiries and questions may be addressed to:
EDB Program Office
Georgia State University
c/o Associate Director
Tower Place 200
3348 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 500,
Atlanta, GA 30326
404-413-7178
All documents and other materials submitted by or for applicants for admission to the EDB program become the property of Georgia State University and cannot be returned. It is the responsibility of each applicant to follow the application procedures completely and correctly and to be certain that all materials have been submitted to the EDB Program Office before the application can be reviewed. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
Admission Criteria
Admission decisions are based on a careful review of the applicant’s official transcripts, resume, required essays, and the other information submitted in support of the application. Applicants must possess an accredited MBA, EMBA, or equivalent MS degree. Applicants are not required to submit a certification of their state of health but on enrollment, must submit an immunization certification before being enrolled. The college reserves the right to investigate the health, character, and personality of each applicant. Listed below are the materials which all applicants must submit to the EDB Program Office to be considered for admission. All applicants must provide proof of lawful presence.
Application
Applicants must submit all application forms, including the narrative essay section.
Application Fee
An application fee of $100 must be submitted by all applicants and may be paid by credit card. Checks or money orders should be made payable to Georgia State University in U.S. currency. Do not send cash. The application fee cannot be waived, is nonrefundable, and does not apply toward registration fees.
Transcripts
Applicants either must request that two official copies of all transcripts be sent directly from each institution attended (even if a degree was not obtained) to the EDB Program Office or submit the official transcripts unopened with the application. If the transcript is sent via E-script, it should be submitted to: execdoctorate@gsu.edu c/o Associate Director. An applicant who has previously attended Georgia State University is permitted to submit only one copy of transcripts from each institution attended prior to entering the university; two copies are required from all institutions attended after having last been registered at Georgia State University.
Resume
A full, detailed resume should be submitted as part of the online application.
Essays
To assess the applicant’s writing skills and understand his/her goals and expectations, 3 essays of approximately 1-1.5 pages are required. The specific questions can be found on the website at robinson.gsu.edu/executive-doctorate-in-business/application-process/.
Interview
Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee comprising faculty and the directors of the EDB Program. If short-listed, the selection committee will request a one hour, face-to-face interview with the candidate. Based upon the submitted information and the interview the selection committee will then make a final decision as to acceptance.
International Applicants
International and domestic students follow the same application process. International applicants are not required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Testing System (IELTS). However, they must provide proof of a F-1 or J-1 Visa.
Financial Requirements
Georgia State University reserves the right to admit only those applicants who are academically qualified and who have documented their ability to meet the financial requirements while in attendance.
7358.15 EDB Program of Study
Year 1
Fall Semester
(9 credit hours)
Spring Semester
(9 credit hours)
Year 2
Fall Semester
(9 credit hours)
Spring Semester
(9 credit hours)
Year 3
Fall Semester
(9 credit hours)
Spring Semester
(9 credit hours)
7358.20 Academic Regulations
I. Scholastic Warning and Termination
Each student must maintain a 3.00 doctoral GPA (“B” average). The doctoral grade-point average (GPA) is defined as the GPA for all EDB courses numbered 9000 or higher taken after admission to the EDB program. A student whose doctoral GPA falls below 3.00 is on “scholastic warning.” After being placed on scholastic warning, a student must attain a 3.00 doctoral GPA within two consecutive calendar semesters; otherwise the individual will be terminated from EDB studies in the Robinson College of Business. The doctoral GPA could differ from the GPA calculated by the university and reported on the student’s official transcript, since the university GPA would also include the grades from any graduate courses numbered 6000 or above taken at Georgia State University before admission to the EDB program.
A student who has been terminated from the EDB program will not be permitted to reapply to or reenter the program.
II. Standards of Performance
The requirements and regulations listed in this catalog refer to minimum standards of performance. The program may have additional requirements, as set forth in writing, that exceed the minimum standards published in this catalog. If a student fails to meet these additional requirements, the directors of the EDB program may require that the student withdraw from EDB study. To continue in the program, a student must make reasonable and timely progress toward the degree in terms of coursework completed.
Beginning with the semester of acceptance, an EDB student must register for a full load each semester (excluding summer semester unless the student has completed all coursework) until graduation. A full load is considered a minimum of nine semester hours. Students who are visa-holders may need to register for more hours and should discuss their status with the Office of International Student and Scholar Services. An additional Dissertation Seminar, EDB 9171, may be used to satisfy this requirement until the student has passed the final dissertation defense. Students who fail to meet the continuous enrollment requirement are subject to withdrawal from EDB studies in the Robinson College of Business.
As stated in the previous section concerning continuous enrollment, students must enroll for a full course load each semester (excluding summers). Any absence from the program must be approved by the academic director. Students who leave the program without an approved request or who do not fulfill the terms of an approved request for an absence may not be allowed to re-enter the program. Any student who is not registered for one calendar year must file a re-entry application with the Registrar’s Office. Students must be mindful of the deadline for this application. There is a charge to file a re-entry application. As previously stated, reentry approval is not automatic and the student should check with the EDB Program Office if considering re-entry.
III. The Dissertation
The purpose of the dissertation is for the EDB candidate to demonstrate ability to conduct research leading to a significant contribution in a chosen area of inquiry. Before a student begins to collect any primary data from human subjects, the student must make sure that all data collection, including surveys, is in compliance with the guidelines set out by the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Included among these requirements is certification via an online test on ethical treatment of subjects. The IRB’s Human Subjects Manual is accessible online at http://ursa.research.gsu.edu/ursa/compliance/human-subjects/.
IV. The Dissertation Committee
The Dissertation Committee consists of a chair plus a minimum of two members. The committee, and any subsequent change in its membership, is appointed by the academic director of the EDB program. Faculty from institutions other than Georgia State may serve as members of the committee, but at the time of the initial formation of the committee, there must be at least two Georgia State faculty on the committee. At least two committee members must be in good standing with respect to Georgia State graduate faculty status. Co-chair arrangements are not only acceptable, but even encouraged, especially in cases where one of the co-chairs is an assistant professor. When the student is ready to begin the initial work on the dissertation, he or she should first discuss with the EDB academic director the names of potential faculty who would be the most appropriate chair of the Dissertation Committee. Only after the EDB academic director has agreed with the student as to the choice of a particular faculty member should the student then invite the faculty member to be chair of the committee. Once the dissertation chair has been chosen, the chair, in consultation with the student, will recommend the selection of the remaining committee members to the EDB academic director.
V. Dissertation Proposal and Dissertation Defense
Prior to admission to candidacy for the degree, a dissertation proposal defense must be held. After the student completes a written proposal that the Dissertation Committee deems to be ready for final defense, a dissertation proposal defense will be held before the Dissertation Committee.
The student’s dissertation proposal should include a summary of the following: the purpose of the study; the nature of the subject to be investigated and its importance; a brief review of the literature; the theory, if any, to be developed; the empirical methodology, techniques, and data sources, if any, to be used; the nature of the hypotheses to be developed or tested, where appropriate; and a time frame for completion of the dissertation.
The proposal defense will be open to all interested faculty and doctoral (EDB and Ph.D.) students. After the proposal defense has been held, the members of the committee will vote to determine if the student is deemed to have a satisfactory research topic. A unanimous decision by the student’s Dissertation Committee is required. The members of the committee will sign the dissertation proposal defense approval form.
Submission of the approval form does not constitute a contractual agreement between the student and the Dissertation Committee. It is within the scope and function of the Dissertation Committee to recommend modifications to the research as it proceeds. Upon submission of the proposal defense approval form to the EDB Program Office, the student is admitted to candidacy for the degree.
Committee members should be given a draft of the proposal (and also the final dissertation) at least two weeks before the proposed defense date. This will permit a revision cycle to both improve the work before the defense and ensure that committee members have adequate time to comment and raise substantive issues, should this be the case. It will also allow the defense date to be postponed in the event that required changes could not be completed before the proposed defense date.
When the candidate’s Dissertation Committee judges that the dissertation is complete, it must be defended orally in a final dissertation defense. At least two weeks in advance of the final dissertation defense, the student will inform the EDB Program Office of the scheduled date of defense and an announcement will be made to all academic units. While any interested faculty member or graduate student may attend the examination and participate in the discussion, only those individuals who are members of the candidate’s Dissertation Committee will vote to approve or disapprove the dissertation. Upon successful defense of the dissertation, a dissertation defense approval form will be signed by the members of the Dissertation Committee and submitted to the EDB Program Office. Unanimous approval is required. Guidelines for the dissertation are available from the EDB Program Office.
VI. Dissertation Embargo Policy
Students may request a 3-month, 6-month, 9-month, or 12-month restriction of dissertation publishing (hereafter termed embargo). Requests must be made in writing to the dissertation chair/co-chairs prior to the electronic uploads of the dissertation to ProQuest/UMI and Georgia State University’s Scholarworks Digital Archive Library. Written approval from the chair/co-chairs must be sent to the EDB Program Office. Once the approval is received by the EDB Program Office, the dissertation will not be published for the approved embargo period. The dissertation will be released for publishing after the embargo period ends.
VII. Dissertation Defense and Graduation
When the candidate’s Dissertation Committee judges that the dissertation is complete, it must be defended orally in a final dissertation defense. While any interested faculty member or graduate student may attend the examination and participate in the discussion, only those individuals who are members of the candidate’s Dissertation Committee will vote to approve or disapprove the dissertation. Upon successful defense of the dissertation, a dissertation defense approval form will be signed by the members of the Dissertation Committee and submitted to the EDB Program Office. Unanimous approval is required. An electronic copy of the dissertation must be submitted to the EDB Program Office two weeks prior to the anticipated date of graduation.
7358.25 Time Limits for the Degree
The time limits specified below should be interpreted as the maximum amount of time students may take to complete each of the degree requirements. It is anticipated that most students will complete the requirements within the intended three years of study:
Ph.D. Program Office
831 RCB Building
404-413-7070
Program website: robinson.gsu.edu/phd/
Email: rcbphd@gsu.edu
Lisa Schurer Lambert, PhD., Director of the Ph.D. Program
Adenike Brewington, MS., Associate Director of the Ph.D. Program
7360.05 Goals and Expectations
The Ph.D. program of J. Mack Robinson College of Business will develop in graduates a high level of competence in conducting research and in teaching business disciplines by requiring: (1) education in theory; (2) education in general research techniques as well as research techniques specific to a discipline; (3) research experience with faculty members on contemporary research problems and issues; and (4) training on teaching methodology reinforced with active classroom teaching experience.
The Ph.D. program requires that the student demonstrate mastery of a large and complex body of knowledge and a high degree of proficiency in the techniques of teaching and research. This is evidenced by the successful completion of coursework and examinations, effective performance in classroom instruction, participation with faculty members in research, presentation of papers and reports, and the writing of a dissertation of high quality. Given the substantial commitment of intellectual effort and time required to achieve these competencies, students are required to enroll on a full-time basis.
Conduct
All Ph.D. students must assume full responsibility for knowledge of the rules and regulations concerning their studies. Moreover, students are expected to abide by generally accepted standards of conduct. The university reserves the right to exclude any student whose conduct is prejudicial or injurious to the university, faculty, or other students. Students should review the “University Code of Conduct” in the General Information chapter of this catalog for explicit information on this topic.
The Nature of Ph.D. Studies
Ph.D. studies are fundamentally different from undergraduate or master’s programs. The Ph.D. student must be self-motivated and work well independently. The program is academically rigorous and students must have exceptional quantitative and verbal skills. Coursework is but one facet of the program. The research component is the heart of the Ph.D. program. The student must be highly motivated to work on research projects independently and with faculty. Most students take five years to complete the degree. Students are encouraged to present research papers at national and regional meetings. The college provides partial funding to help defray costs. The successful student is one who not only has excellent academic skills, but a passion for scholarly research.
7360.10 Ph.D. Majors Offered
The Robinson College of Business offers the Ph.D. in Business Administration with major fields in:
The specialization in international business is available to Ph.D. students majoring in any business major.
7360.15 Ph.D. Program Operation
The Ph.D. program of the Robinson College of Business is governed and administered as follows:
7360.20 Admissions: Applications, Procedures, and Criteria
Applications for the Ph.D. programs will be accepted for once-a-year admission in the fall semester. The deadline for receipt of all required application materials is January 8.
The Ph.D. application is an online electronic application. Visit https://gradapply.gsu.edu/apply/ to apply online. All documents and other materials submitted by or for applicants for admission to the Ph.D. program become the property of Georgia State University and cannot be returned. It is the responsibility of each applicant to follow the application procedures completely and correctly and to be certain that all materials have been submitted to the Office of Admissions-Graduate Programs by the deadline for receipt of materials. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Admission is for entry in a specific major. A student may enter a different major only if, and after formal approval has been given by the Ph.D. admissions committee of that major. Not all majors admit students yearly.
Admission Criteria
Admission decisions are based on a careful review of the applicant’s scholastic record, admission test score(s), letters of recommendation, and the other information submitted in support of the application (including an interview, if required by the academic unit). In making the decision, each academic unit must consider at all times the optimum number of students in the program. This could result in the denial or deferral of otherwise qualified applicants.
Applicants are not required to submit a certification of their state of health but must submit an immunization certification upon admission. The college reserves the right to investigate the health, character, and personality of each applicant.
Listed below are the materials that all applicants must submit to the Office of Admissions-Graduate Programs to be considered for admission.
Application
Applicants must submit all application forms, including a statement of purpose and resume.
Application Fee
The $50.00 non-refundable application fee is payable by credit card (American Express, Visa, and Mastercard) and is due by the application deadline. The application will not be processed until the fee is paid. If the fee is not paid by the deadline, the application will not be reviewed. The application fee cannot be waived, is nonrefundable, and does not apply toward registration fees.
Transcripts
Applicants either must upload a copy of an official transcript with the application, request that one official copy of all transcripts be sent directly from each institution to the Office of Admissions-Graduate Programs, or submit the official transcripts to the Office of Admissions-Graduate Programs.
Letters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation are required from persons who are able to evaluate the applicant’s intellectual capacity for advanced study, independent research, analytical thinking, and the potential for effective teaching at the collegiate level. Applicants and students are not permitted to have access to letters of recommendation.
Admission Test for Ph.D. in Business Administration
All applicants to the Ph.D. in Business Administration program must submit official scores on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) of the Graduate Management Admission Council.
* The following units —Business Process Innovation, Computer Information Systems, Finance, Marketing, Organizational Behavior/Human Resource Management, Real Estate, and Risk Management and Insurance—will accept scores on the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) as a substitute for the GMAT from applicants. The GRE school code is 5251.
*GMAT scores will not be considered if they are more than seven years old at the time of application to the Ph.D. program. The school code is QCK-ZW-59.
Interview/Additional Information
As part of the review of an applicant’s file by faculty representatives in the academic unit, an interview or additional information may be required. In such cases, the applicant will be notified.
7360.25 International Applicants
TOEFL: An international applicant whose native language is not English must submit official scores from the Educational Testing Service on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). An international applicant who has received a degree from an accredited U.S. institution is exempt from this requirement. However, international applicants who have taken the TOEFL within two years of application to the Ph.D. program are encouraged to upload official scores even if the exemption applies. The school code is 5251.
Financial Requirements: Georgia State University reserves the right to admit only those international applicants who are academically qualified and who have documented their ability to meet the financial requirements while in attendance. Although the Ph.D. program does award assistantships to the majority of accepted applicants, this funding is not always adequate to meet all living expenses. Applicants who are requesting a student (F-1) visa might be required to have some independent sources of funding, depending on the amount of their award. For the 2017-2018 year, an unmarried student coming to the U.S. without dependents is required to show resources totaling approximately $48,778 a year for tuition and living expenses. Applicants with dependents will be required to document additional funds. This documentation will be requested of applicants who are offered admission. The estimated living expenses do not include owning a car.
Immunization Certification
Georgia State University is in compliance with the Georgia Board of Regents immunization requirements. All new students must show proof of being immunized. The Ph.D. program will consider applicants for admission without this documentation. However, in order to matriculate, an applicant must have fulfilled this requirement. The Immunization Form can be obtained from the Georgia State University Student Health Clinic.
7360.30 Changing Year of Entry and Record Retention
Admission to the Ph.D. program is for the specific semester and year stated in the acceptance letter. Any accepted applicant who does not enroll for the semester and year for which acceptance was granted must notify the associate director of the Ph.D. program and the unit’s Ph.D. coordinator so his or her records may be updated for fall of the next year. Admission for the next year is not guaranteed. Applicants should be aware that assistantships, teaching fellow appointments, or fellowships could be affected by such a change. All application files of nonmatriculated applicants, regardless of admissions decision, will be kept on file for two years. An applicant who wishes to reactivate an application after that period may need to resubmit application materials and official documentation.
7360.35 Ph.D. Assistantships, Teaching Fellow Appointments, and Fellowships
Ph.D. students in the Robinson College of Business are eligible for graduate research assistantships (GRA) and graduate teaching assistantships (GTA). The college also awards teaching fellow appointments to select Ph.D. students who have passed the dissertation proposal defense. In addition, there are various fellowships and scholarships awarded on a competitive basis to Ph.D. students. No separate application is required for applicants to be considered for funding.
7360.40 Graduate Research Assistantships
Newly admitted Ph.D. students. Soon after admission to the Ph.D. program, the Ph.D. Program Office will inform newly admitted students of the type and number of appointments, if any, which they have been allocated by their academic unit. All accepted applicants are automatically considered for assistantships.
Students in their second and successive years of Ph.D. studies. Each academic unit will determine the assistantship appointment level to be allocated to its continuing Ph.D. students based on the students’ performance in the program and on the unit’s assistantship budget.
7360.45 Graduate Teaching Assistantships
The teaching assignment of a graduate teaching assistant is usually a basic undergraduate course in the student’s area of interest.
Advanced Ph.D. students may be permitted to teach advanced-level courses. Only Ph.D. students who have completed the requirements for a master’s degree, or the equivalent amount of graduate coursework, can be considered for appointment as a GTA.
Prior to the actual appointment as a GTA, a student must be recommended for hiring by the academic unit and receive approval to teach from the University. The student is responsible for completing all paperwork involved in this process well in advance of the semester for which approval is sought.
Any Ph.D. student appointed as a GTA must take BA 9200, Seminar in University Teaching, during his or her first or second semester of teaching. Prior teaching experience does not exempt a student from this requirement. Nonnative speakers of English must demonstrate adequate proficiency in their language skills to the satisfaction of their academic unit prior to being hired as a GTA.
7360.50 Tuition for GRAs and GTAs
A student hired as a GRA or GTA receives a tuition waiver. A registration fee assessed each semester includes the health clinic, student activity, student athletics, recreation and transportation fees. International students and all graduate students who have a full tuition waiver (as defined by the university) must pay a mandatory health insurance fee or provide proof of health insurance. Submission of proof of insurance does not automatically exempt a student from this requirement. Approval is contingent on verification of coverage. For further information, students should visit the Student Financial Services website: sfs.gsu.edu/tuition-fees/student-health-insurance/.
Standards Applying to Both GRA and GTA Appointments
7360.60 Teaching Fellow Appointment
A teaching fellow is appointed for one academic year at a time. Appointment as a teaching fellow benefits Ph.D. students who have passed the dissertation proposal defense and have demonstrated satisfactory classroom teaching ability over a period of two or more semesters by providing them with a significant level of income during the year in which they are working full time on their dissertation.
7360.65 Fellowships and Scholarships
The Robinson College of Business has a number of fellowships and scholarships available, ranging from $500 to $10,000 per year. Such fellowship and scholarship stipends are awarded in addition to the amounts received by Ph.D. students who are appointed as GRAs or GTAs. Information on specific fellowships and scholarships is available from the Ph.D. coordinator of the student’s academic unit.
7360.70 Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration
Program of Study
The Ph.D. Coordinator is the faculty member in the student’s academic unit who advises students on courses to be taken and on other degree requirements. As a function of, and implicit in course selection for the student’s program of study the academic unit will consider how the discipline fits into managerial and organizational contexts and will select courses accordingly.
A program of study indicating how the student will fulfill each of the degree requirements must be approved by the student’s Ph.D. Coordinator and the Director of the Ph.D. Program by the end of the second semester of enrollment. This program of study is filed in the RCB Ph.D. Program Office; it may be revised, as appropriate, but must be kept current, as it will be a key factor in determining satisfactory progress in the program.
Forty-two (42) semester hours of coursework, as a minimum, must be completed successfully for graduation. The major field requirement is a minimum of 18 credit hours; the research methods requirement is a minimum of 15 credit hours; and free elective or secondary area courses are a minimum of 9 credit hours for a total of 42 semester hours. Students are expected to complete the courses on their program of study on a timely basis. When feasible, registration for a full load (as defined by the college) each semester is encouraged, including courses for research and dissertation credit (BA 9000 or BA 9500). At a minimum, students who do not hold an assistantship must register for six hours per semester (excluding summer semester unless the student holds a GRA/GTA). Students who are visa holders should discuss their enrollment status with the Office of International Student and Scholar Services.
Students entering the Ph.D. program are presumed to have background and current knowledge in the following additional areas:
Students can remedy a deficiency in any or all of these areas by taking credit or noncredit courses, auditing appropriate graduate or undergraduate classes, and/or attending tutorial sessions. Students who feel their background is not adequate may consult with their Ph.D. Coordinator for recommendations on overcoming deficiencies.
III. Major Field (18 semester hours)
Hours of Course work. The satisfactory completion of no fewer than 18 graduate-level semester hours constitutes minimum preparation in the major field.
Students must have satisfactorily completed all courses on the program of study in the major field and in the research methods requirement area to be eligible to take the preliminary examination. Requests to take the preliminary examination are made through the Ph.D. Coordinator. The Ph.D. Coordinator will notify the Office of Ph.D. Programs with the names of the student(s) prepared to take the examination.
Students will not be permitted a second attempt to pass the preliminary examination except upon recommendation, by majority vote, of the group of faculty members who graded the examination. A maximum of two attempts is permitted to pass the preliminary examination.
The satisfactory completion of no fewer than 15 graduate-level semester hours constitutes minimum preparation in research methods. The Ph.D. Coordinator may approve substitutions for any of the following research methods requirements.
7360.75 Academic Regulations
Transfer Credit
A maximum of 15 semester hours may be transferred from other institutions or from other programs at Georgia State University. Transfer credit, whether from other institutions or from Georgia State, must have been completed within five years of the semester of entry to the Ph.D. program. The course must have been limited to graduate students only, and a grade of A or B must have been received.
At the time the program of study is planned with the Ph.D. coordinator, the student who requests transfer credit must submit a course description from the catalog of the institution, a syllabus or course outline, and written justification stating why the course is relevant to the program of study. Requests for transfer credit are approved at the discretion of the unit coordinator in consultation with Ph.D. faculty. Final approval for the acceptance of transfer credit rests with the director of the Ph.D. program at the time the program of study is submitted to the Ph.D. Program Office.
Residency Requirement
In order to earn a graduate degree at Georgia State University, students must earn the majority of their graduate program credit hours from Georgia State University. All transfer hours are subject to unit/college level approval. The Robinson College of Business defines residency in the Ph.D. program as being enrolled in approved coursework that is appropriate for the program, and that have not been counted toward another graduate degree of this college. The minimum residency requirement is 18 semester hours.
Scholastic Warning and Termination
The Ph.D. grade-point average (GPA) is defined as the GPA for all courses numbered 6000 or higher taken after admission to the Ph.D. program. Each student must maintain a 3.0 Ph.D. GPA (“B” average). A student whose semester or overall Ph.D. GPA falls below 3.0 is on “scholastic warning.” After being placed on scholastic warning, a student must attain a 3.0 Ph.D. GPA within two consecutive calendar semesters; otherwise the individual will be terminated from Ph.D. studies in the Robinson College of Business.
The Ph.D. GPA could differ from the GPA calculated by the university and reported on the student’s official transcript, since the university GPA would also include the grades from all courses taken at Georgia State University before admission to the Ph.D. program.
No student will be permitted to sit for any examination required for the Ph.D. degree, other than course examinations, without having a minimum 3.0 Ph.D. GPA at the time the examination is to be taken. A student with a Ph.D. GPA below 3.0 is ineligible for graduate assistantship appointments as either a GRA or GTA. Students must have at least a 3.0 Ph.D. GPA in order to graduate.
A student who has been terminated from the Ph.D. program will not be permitted to reapply to or reenter the program.
Standards of Performance
The requirements and regulations listed in this catalog refer to minimum standards of performance. The student’s academic unit may have additional requirements, as set forth in writing, that exceed the minimum standards published in this catalog. If a student fails to meet these additional requirements, the director of the Ph.D. program, in consultation with the chair of the student’s major academic unit and the Ph.D. coordinator of the unit may require that the student withdraw from Ph.D. study.
To continue in the program, a student must make reasonable and timely progress toward the degree in terms of coursework completed and examinations. Students who fail to adhere to the minimum standards published in the catalog or to any higher standards established by the academic unit will be terminated from the program.
Petitions
When a student feels that unusual circumstances call for an exception to any of the regulations or requirements relating to the degree in his or her particular case, the student may write to the Ph.D. coordinator and request exemption from or change in the policy. The petition by the student must be submitted with accompanying justifications. If the Ph.D. coordinator and academic unit support the request, the Ph.D. coordinator will write a letter of support for the student and submit the material to the director of the Ph.D. program for a decision.
Continuous Registration
Beginning with the semester of acceptance, a Ph.D. student must register for a full load each semester) until graduation. Summer enrollment is mandatory if required by the Ph.D. faculty coordinator, if the student is receiving a GRA/GTA, and for certain visa holders. A full load is considered a minimum of nine semester hours. Students who are visa-holders may need to register for more hours and should discuss their status with the Office of International Student and Scholar Services. BA 9000, Doctoral Research, may be used to satisfy this requirement until the student has passed the dissertation proposal defense. BA 9500, Dissertation Research, may be used to satisfy the minimum hours requirement once the student has passed the dissertation proposal defense. Students who fail to meet the continuous registration requirement are subject to withdrawal from Ph.D. studies in the Robinson College of Business.
Re-entry
As stated in the previous section concerning continuous registration, students must enroll for a full course load each semester. Summer enrollment requirements may vary. Consult the Ph.D. Program Office for details. Any absence from the program must be approved through the petition procedure (see section regarding petitions). Students who leave the program without an approved petition or who do not fulfill the terms of an approved petition for an absence, may not be allowed to re-enter the program. Any student who is not registered for one calendar year must file a re-entry application with the Ph.D. Program Office. Students must be mindful of the deadline for this application. There is a charge to file a reentry application. As previously state, re-entry approval is not automatic and the student should check with the Ph.D. Program Office if considering re-entry.
Preliminary Examination
The purpose of the preliminary examination is to determine the student’s mastery of the body of knowledge in their area of specialization and their readiness for dissertation research. Students are encouraged to confer with their Ph.D. coordinator regarding the areas the examination will encompass. The preliminary examination is a written examination, supplemented in some cases by an oral examination. The preliminary exam may have several parts and students must have successfully completed all parts before being designated, informally, as ABD (“All-But-Dissertation”). The units offering Ph.D. programs will determine how many parts there will be to their preliminary exam and when these will be offered.
Students must have satisfactorily completed all required courses in the program of study in the major field and in the research methods requirement area to be eligible to take the preliminary examination (or the first part in the event of a multi-part exam). Requests to take the preliminary examination are made through their Ph.D. coordinator. The Ph.D. coordinator will notify the Ph.D. Program Office which student(s) are prepared to take the examination.
Students will not be permitted a second attempt to pass the preliminary examination except upon recommendation, by majority vote, of the group of faculty members who graded the examination. A maximum of two attempts is permitted to pass the preliminary examination.
The Dissertation
The purpose of the dissertation is for the Ph.D. candidate to demonstrate his or her ability to conduct research leading to a significant contribution to the candidate’s discipline. Before a student begins to collect any primary data from human subjects, s/he must make sure that all data collection, including surveys and use of archival data, are in compliance with the guidelines set out by the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Included among these requirements is certification via an online test on ethical treatment of subjects. The IRB’s Human Subjects Manual is accessible online at ursa.research.gsu.edu/ursa/compliance/human-subjects/ .
Acceptable Forms of Dissertation
Dissertations may be a single study or they may be composed of multiple essays or papers. In the latter case, these papers make up separate chapters of the overall dissertation or they are summarized within the dissertation and attached in full text.
Guidelines for Multi-Paper Dissertation
Whereas the essay(s) or paper(s) that are included in the dissertation may be co-authored, it is critical that the student provide evidence of leadership to demonstrate ability to conduct independent research. Committee members can and should exercise their own judgment as to the quality of the dissertation. Unit standards for multi-paper dissertations may be formulated and distributed to students to equal or exceed the guidelines expressed here.
The Dissertation Committee
The Dissertation Committee consists of a chair plus a minimum of three members. The chair must be tenured and from the home department. If the chair is not tenured, the co-chair must be tenured. The committee, and any subsequent change in its membership, is appointed by the director of the Ph.D. program upon the recommendation of the Ph.D. coordinator. Faculty from institutions other than GSU may serve as members of the committee, but at the time of the initial formation of the committee, there must be at least three GSU faculty members on the committee. At least three committee members must be in good standing with respect to GSU graduate faculty status. Co-chair arrangements are not only acceptable, but even encouraged, especially in cases where one of the co-chairs is an assistant professor. Unit standards for committee membership may be formulated and distributed to students to equal or exceed the policies expressed here.
As the student develops an interest in a potential dissertation topic, he or she should discuss the topic with individual faculty members both to determine the topic’s feasibility and merit and the faculty members’ interest and expertise in that area. When the student is ready to begin the initial work on the dissertation, he or she should first discuss with the Ph.D. coordinator names of potential faculty who would be the most appropriate chair of the Dissertation Committee. Only after the Ph.D. coordinator has agreed with the student as to the choice of a particular faculty member should the student then invite the faculty member to be chair of the committee.
Once the dissertation chair has been chosen, the chair, in consultation with the student, will recommend the selection of the three remaining committee members to the Ph.D. coordinator, which should include at least one committee member from outside the academic unit. The final committee membership is then sent to the unit Ph.D. coordinator and the director of the Ph.D. program for their approval. Should either of these managers disapprove of a particular committee member(s), the chair will work with the student to find a suitable replacement(s).
Dissertation Proposal Defense
Prior to admission to candidacy for the degree, a dissertation proposal defense must be held. After the student completes a written proposal that the Dissertation Committee deems to be ready for final defense, a dissertation proposal defense will be held before the Dissertation Committee.
The student’s dissertation proposal should include a summary of the following: the purpose of the study; the nature of the subject to be investigated and its importance; a brief review of the literature; the theory, if any, to be developed; the empirical methodology, techniques, and data sources, if any, to be used; the nature of the hypotheses to be developed or tested, where appropriate; and a time frame for completion of the dissertation.
The proposal defense will be open to all interested faculty and Ph.D. students. After the proposal defense has been held, the members of the committee will vote to determine if the student is deemed to have a satisfactory research topic. A unanimous decision by the student’s Dissertation Committee is required. The members of the committee will sign the dissertation proposal defense approval form.
Submission of the approval form does not constitute a contractual agreement between the student and the Dissertation Committee. It is within the scope and function of the Dissertation Committee to recommend modifications to the research as it proceeds. Upon submission of the proposal defense approval form to the Ph.D. Program Office, the student is admitted to candidacy for the degree.
Committee members should be given a draft of the proposal (and also the final dissertation) at least a month before the proposed defense date. This will permit a revision cycle to both improve the work before the defense and ensure that committee members have adequate time to comment and raise substantive issues, should this be the case. It will also allow the defense date to be postponed in the event that required changes could not be completed before the proposed defense date.
Final Dissertation Defense
When the candidate’s Dissertation Committee judges that the dissertation is complete, it must be defended orally in a final dissertation defense. At least a month in advance of the final dissertation defense, the Ph.D. coordinator will inform the Ph.D. Program Office of the candidate’s date of defense and an announcement will be made to all academic units. While any interested faculty member or graduate student may attend the examination and participate in the discussion, only those individuals who are members of the candidate’s Dissertation Committee will vote to approve or disapprove the dissertation. Upon successful defense of the dissertation, a dissertation defense approval form will be signed by the members of the Dissertation Committee and submitted to the Ph.D. Program Office. Unanimous approval is required. Guidelines for the dissertation are available from the Ph.D. Program Office and on the Ph.D. website at robinson.gsu.edu/phd/online-student-handbook/dissertation/.
Dissertation Embargo Policy
Students may request a 3-month, 6-month, 9-month, or 12-month restriction of dissertation publishing (hereafter termed embargo). Requests must be made in writing to the dissertation chair/co-chairs prior to the electronic uploads of the dissertation to ProQuest/UMI and Georgia State University’s Scholar Works. Written approval from the chair/co-chairs must be sent to the Ph.D. Program Office. Once the approval is received by the Ph.D. Program Office, the dissertation will not be published for the approved embargo period. The dissertation will be released for publishing after the embargo period ends.
Graduation
Students must apply for graduation through the Office of Graduation. The deadline for applying for graduation is usually several months before the anticipated graduation date, so students need to apply in a timely manner. There is no summer commencement. More information concerning applying for graduation can be found at registrar.gsu.edu/graduation. The associate director of the Ph.D. program will provide the candidate with information regarding clearance for graduation. An electronic copy of the dissertation must be uploaded to Georgia State University’s Scholar Works two weeks prior to the anticipated date of graduation.
Time Limits for the Degree
These time limits should be interpreted as the maximum amount of time students may take to complete each of the degree requirements. It is anticipated that most students will complete the requirements much earlier than the maximum time limits specified below: