Division of Business and Accountancy

Truman State University, Division of Business and Accountancy History

Truman State University, founded in 1867, is a public, coeducational institution. The 140-acre campus is located in a small town 200 miles north of St. Louis. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is approximately 6500. Figures given in the above capsule are approximate.

The Division of Business and Accountancy was founded in 1981 and is located on the main campus. The basic educational approach is to prepare graduates to enter the fields of public, industrial, and governmental accounting, as well as accounting education. Instructional methods balance the theoretical and practical method approaches.

Truman State University, Division of Business and Accountancy Academics

The Division of Business And Accountancy offers the Master of Accountancy (MAC). The strongest area of study is accounting. The most popular courses are Advanced Cost Accounting and Tax Research. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. The Executive-in-Residence program brings distinguished speakers to campus.

Thirty total credits are required to complete the MAC, including 6 elective credits. Required courses for the MAC include:

• Foundations of Auditing
• Managerial Accounting Seminar
• Accounting for Nonbusiness Entities
• Financial Accounting III and lV
• Business Strategy

Business students may take relevant nonbusiness courses in other departments. The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 1 year; maximum, 2 1/2 years.

There are 14 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated below average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of credit hours faculty teach is 9; average business class size is 17.

Truman State University, Division of Business and Accountancy Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 441,000 volumes, 1.5 million microform items, and 36,000 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 2200 periodicals. Students have access to such databases and networks as Nexis/Lexis. Other opportunities for research consist of the Morenet network.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of more than 100 networked PCs. Software includes MS Office, SAS, Peachtree, FARS, and more. Facilities are available 7:30 a.m. to midnight Monday to Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and noon to midnight on Sunday.

Career and Job Placement

The major most in demand by companies recruiting in a recent year was accounting. Average starting salary of the graduating class was $43,000; range was $36,000 to $48,000. The percentage of graduates finding jobs were:

• national corporations 35%
• regional corporations 25%
• local large enterprises 20%
• local small enterprises 20%
• self-employment 20%

Placement services are extensive. Placement services for alumni include job fairs, interviews, and an alumni bulletin. Placement is available through the university placement office. All of the most recent graduating class found jobs within three months of receiving their degree.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of a medical history form, and proof of adequate funds to cover the entire planned period of study of study. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of assistantships. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 16 weeks long; summer sessions, 8 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day only.

Truman State University, Division of Business and Accountancy Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 3.0. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, grades in upper-level courses, and GMAT results. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for a recent class was 40; 38 were accepted; 30 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.55. Transfers are not accepted. Minority students are actively recruited mainly from the university’s undergraduate program.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, 2 transcripts, GMAT scores, and 3 letters of recommendation. Students are notified of the admissions decision within 1 month of the completed application. Check with the school for current application deadlines and fees.

Truman State University, Division of Business and Accountancy Financial Aid

In a recent year, about 90% of graduate business school students received financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $9600 annually; maximum $9600. The FFS is required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for in-state residents is approximately $6000 per year. Nonresidents pay approximately $11,000 per year. Graduate student housing consists of on-campus residence halls and apartments. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Truman State University, Division of Business and Accountancy Students

All of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 10% have had an average of 6 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school. The greatest percentage of students are from the Midwest (90%). Forty-four percent are women. The average age at entrance is 24; ages range from 22 to 25. Ninety percent enter directly from undergraduate school. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 80%, business; 10%, liberal arts; and 10%, math and science. In a recent year, 22 graduate business degrees were awarded.