Brock School of Business, Samford University

For More Information

Larron C. Harper; lharper@samford.edu; (205) 726-2931

The Brock School of Business History and Accreditation

The Brock School of Business at Samford University was established in 1965 with William D. Geer as its first dean.  It has the oldest evening MBA program in the state of Alabama with its first MBA degrees being awarded in 1967. In 1995, the M.Acc. degree was approved.

The Brock School is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), a designation enjoyed by less than 10 percent of business schools worldwide, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

For 17 years Samford University ranked in the top 10 master’s level universities in the Southeast.  Forbes recently published university rankings using criteria that emphasized program results that placed Samford University 27th in the nation.

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

The Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) is an evening program providing a comprehensive education for expanded managerial roles in a variety of organizations.


Students develop or strengthen quantitative, teamwork, leadership, problem solving, and communication skills. Global and ethical issues are emphasized. The program serves practicing professionals who pursue graduate education while working full-time, have significant work experience, value learning from their peers and have diverse educational and developmental goals. The program uses a variety of instructional formats that  emphasize case and active-learning strategies, vigorous class discussion and interaction.

The program is  convenient and program admissions and procedures are flexible.  Many of our students study part-time completing program requirements in as little as 22 months.  Full-time students can complete the program in one year.

Degree Requirements
The curriculum requirement for the M.B.A. ranges from 30-48 credits, depending on previous academic experiences. (Course Requirements)  Graduates may get exemption from some foundation courses based on subjects and grades earned in courses taken for their degrees.  A copy of the Exemption Policy may be obtained from the Office of Graduate Programs. Students will be given a Curriculum Check Sheet at the time of admission identifying individual academic requirements.  Students must have a 3.00 or higher cumulative GPA at the Brock School of Business to graduate.

Class Schedules

For each MBA course classes meet once per week.  In the Fall and Spring semesters classes meet on Monday through Thursday evenings for 15 weeks.  The early classes meet from 5:30-7:30p.m. and the late classes from 7:45-9:45p.m.  Courses offered in the early sessions of one semester are offered in the late sessions of the next semester.  In the Summer term, classes meet for 10 weeks Monday through Thursday evenings from 5:30-9:30p.m.

Admission

To be admitted to the MBA degree program a student must have an undergraduate degree.  The Foundation courses provide the necessary skills for the Core courses to students with degrees in non-business disciplines and to business students who require further instruction in the specific subject. Admission standards require students to earn a GMAT score of 480 or better and an index score of 1050 or better using the formula (GMAT score + 200 x higher education GPA). Applications consist of an Application Form, A Personal Statement and Résumé, all Higher Education Transcripts, a GMAT Score, one Letter of Recommendation and a $25 Application Fee. International students need to provide additional time to meet visa application requirements.

Application Deadlines

 Application deadline: Fall Semester – August 1; Spring Semester – December 1 and Summer Term – May 1. 

Master of Accountancy (MAcc)

The Master of Accountancy (MAcc.) program prepares graduates to succeed as accountants and advisors to organizations in today's dynamic, global business environment. Students will develop technical, interpersonal, critical-thinking and communication skills to enable them to derive and interpret information used by investors, managers and governments.

The graduate program at the Brock School of Business works effectively with others to provide a network to help students, faculty and alumni connect with accounting professionals to facilitate career and placement opportunities for students.

Careers in Accounting

Success in the accounting profession, be it working for one's own firm, a corporate accounting department, a public accounting firmor a nonprofit or government agency, typically includes successfully passing the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Exam. Accounting programs at the Brock School of Business prepare students for a career in this dynamic profession and for successful completion of the CPA exam. In nearly all states, the CPA exam can only be taken after completing a 150-hour program of study. A combination of the B.S.B.A. accounting major and the M.Acc. degree fulfills this requirement. Taking the M.Acc. courses upon completion of the undergraduate degree places students in the workforce in only one year from completion of an undergraduate degree program and the M.A.cc prorgam.  The Brock School of Business offers a 150-hour joint B.S.B.A. Accounting/MAcc degree program.

Degree Requirements

The MAcc degree requires a minimum of 30 credits of approved graduate coursework, including at least 15, but not more than 21, graduate accounting credits. At least 12 graduate accounting and 21 graduate accounting and business credits must be earned at the Brock School of Business.  A business course “Management Information Systems (MIS) and Communications Technology (BUSA 533)” is required of all students. The remaining business elective credits are selected from the Master of Business Administration Core (non-Foundation) Courses. Of the 30 credits, 24 must be taken in courses reserved exclusively for graduate students.

Students must have a 3.00 or higher cumulative GPA at the Brock School of Business to graduate. Upon completion of the program, students will meet the State of Alabama's education requirements to sit for the CPA exam. The following undergraduate courses must be completed prior to graduation and in most cases, prior to beginning graduate work: Accounting Concepts I, Accounting Concepts II, Financial Accounting & Reporting I, Financial Accounting & Reporting II, Cost Accounting, Auditing I, Information Systems, Income Tax I, Legal Environment of Business, and Business Law.

Class Schedules

MAcc classes are held once a week.  In the Fall and Spring semesters classes meet on Monday through Thursday evenings for 15 weeks.  The early class meets from 5:15-7:30p.m. and the late class from 7:45-9:45p.m.  In the Summer term, classes meetfor 10 weeks Monday through Thursday evenings from 5:30-9:30p.m.

Admission

To be admitted to the M.Acc degree program a student must have an undergraduate degree with the courses mentioned above completed..  Admission standards require students to earn a GMAT score of 480 or better and an index score of 1050 or better using the formula (GMAT score + 200 x higher education GPA.)Applications consist of an Application Form, A Personal Statement and Résumé, all Higher Education Transcripts, a GMAT Score, one Letter of Recommendation and a $25 Application Fee. International students need to provide additional time to meet visa requirements.

Application Deadlines

Application deadlines: Fall Semester – August 1 Spring Semester – December 1 and Summer Term – May 1. 

Joint Degree Programs

Joint-degree programs allow students to simultaneously pursue degrees in two areas of interest with fewer credit requirements than would be needed to earn the degrees separately. Graduate joint-degree programs currently offered within the Brock School of Business are: M.B.A./J.D., M.Acc./J.D., M.B.A./M.Acc., M.B.A./M.Div., and M.B.A./M.S.N.  Information about the joint degree programs are available from the Graduate and Executive Education Office in the Brock School of Business.

International Study

Graduate students in the Brock School of Business have an opportunity to study abroad each year. Students participate in a short-stay research sojourn andcomplete their research after the visit. Study locations are determined annually.

Tuition

Tuition fees are currently $595 per credit hour and due one week before the first day of the term/semester. An increase in tuition will be effective FALL 2010. Technology fees are $50 for the Summer term and $110 for Fall and Spring semesters. You can find scholarship information here.

FAQ's

MBA and MAcc Frequently Asked Questions