MBA Program
Common Questions of Prospective Students:What is required for admission?
You must hold a bachelors degree. · You typically must complete the GMAT (unless you hold an existing masters degree, have already completed the GRE or have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.5 or higher). · You will need to satisfy certain prerequisite coursework if your bachelor degree is in a field other than business (see the Admissions to the on-line MBA section for specifics) either prior to beginning the MBA or as part of your MBA program. · Submit a $25 dollar application fee (payable to the University of North Alabama) and a $25 processing fee (payable to Columbia Southern University). · Have each institution (undergraduate or graduate) you have previously attended forward an official transcript (form and address for submission is provided on-line). · For specific qualitative requirements for admission, see: Admission to the on-line MBA. · Submit your application, application and processing fee and have official transcripts forwarded well in advance of the registration date for the term in which you wish to begin [Typically, all documents should be submitted at least three weeks prior to the start of the term in which you wish to enroll, sooner if possible].
How do I register for and take the GMAT?
The GMAT is administered throughout the country and in numerous international locations. You can find locations and register by going to: www.GMAT.com. Be sure and register early as there is occasionally a waiting list at some testing centers. You will be given an unofficial score immediately upon completion. While we must receive the official score from the GMAT office, we can begin processing your application with a copy of the unofficial score.
If I have a specific question regarding admission requirements, who do I contact?
You may contact Dr. Brett King, Coordinator of Graduate Programs at the University of North Alabama. The number is 1-800-TALK-UNA, ex. 4403 (1-800-825-5862, ex. 4403) [regular number is 256-765-4403]; e-mail: baking@una.edu OR · Ms. Toysan Reed, Coordinator of Graduate Advising (extension 4262); mtreed@una.edu OR · Dr. Kerry Gatlin, Dean of the College of Business (extension 4401); kpgatlin@una.edu.
Where do I go to apply?
You may go to the home page of the University of North Alabama [www.una.edu] and click on College of Business, next click on on-line MBA; OR you may go to the home page of Columbia Southern University http://www.columbiasoutherm.edu and click on the link to UNA on-line MBA. In either case, you will be taken to the on-line MBA home page where you will be able to complete the application on-line, and download the form necessary to request official transcripts from institutions you have previously attended. Information will also be provided on how to apply to take the graduate management admission test (GMAT). [Please note: The on-line MBA in New Venture Management is offered by the University of North Alabama. The curriculum is the same as the curriculum offered in this specialty on-campus, and is taught entirely by the full-time graduate faculty of the University of North Alabama. Columbia Southern University has partnered with UNA to assist in marketing and servicing this program. By working together, we desire to facilitate student admission processes, enrollment and program communication. We are teamed to provide a program of the highest quality and convenience at an exceptionally competitive cost. We intend to be the high value provider of graduate business education in the Southeastern U.S.].
Is there financial aid available for this graduate program?
Yes. Graduate students at the University of North Alabama may apply for Federal Stafford Loans, subsidized and unsubsidized, by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Typically, a student must be enrolled in two graduate classes per semester [considered half-time] to quality for federal student loans at the University of North Alabama. More information is available on the UNA Student Financial Services website at http://www.una.edu/sfins. The appropriate application forms may be completed entirely on-line. These forms should be filed at least eight weeks prior to the beginning of the term during which the graduate student plans to enroll to avoid delays in receiving financial assistance. · Many employers provide tuition assistance programs. While the University is pleased to enroll students participating in these programs, unless other contractual arrangements are made with the employer, it is typically the student’s responsibility to pay tuition and then be reimbursed by their employer upon successful completion of each semester. When needed, the University will provide prompt verification of grades to facilitate student reimbursement.
If I have a specific question regarding financial aid, who should I contact?
You should call the Student Financial Services at the University of North Alabama. The number is 1-800-TALK-UNA ex. 4591; (1-800-825-5862 ex. 4591). The office is open from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. (Central Standard Time) Monday through Friday.
Who do I contact to find out the status of my application once I have applied?
You should contact Columbia Southern University’s processing center http://www.columbiasoutherm.edu or 1-800-977-8449 to determine the status of your application package until you receive official notification from the University of North Alabama indicating that the complete application package has been received and acted upon. After you receive notification from the University of North Alabama that your application has been approved or denied, any other inquiries regarding the application process should be directed to: o Dr. Brett King, Coordinator of Graduate Programs at UNA; [baking@una.edu] or o Ms. Toysan Reed, Coordinator of Graduate Advising at UNA [mtreed@una.edu]
How do I register for classes?
The registration process will be on-line or you may register by phone. · Once you are admitted, you will receive a student number and password. You will be provided an 800 number to call or the website address for registration (links will also be available on the homepage during registration periods). · Initially, you will be notified by e-mail of upcoming registration dates and given the list of available courses from which you may choose. Most students choose two courses per semester although many elect to start with one to gauge the time required for graduate study. · You will receive an e-mail confirmation of the classes in which you have registered, along with a confirmation of the starting and ending date of the class. · You will be notified prior to the registration period each semester of the upcoming classes for which you are eligible to enroll, along with the pertinent registration, class start and class ending dates.
Who do I contact if I have a question about registration?
You should contact the Columbia Southern servicing Center at 1-800-977-8449 or e-mail your registration question to www.columbiasouthern.edu; being sure to identify yourself as a student in the UNA on-line MBA program. · You may also contact Ms. Toysan Reed, Coordinator of Graduate Advising at the University of North Alabama (1-800-825-5862; ext. 4262; e-mail to: mtreed@una.edu).
How do I know which textbooks to purchase and how do I go about purchasing them?
Prior to registration, you may contact the Columbia Southern Service Center at 1-800-977-8449 or http://www.columbiasoutherm.edu and indicate the course(s) you plan to enroll in for the upcoming term. They will have a list of courses and required textbooks. You may order the texts directly from their supply or they can provide you with the ISBN number and you can order the books from any on-line books seller such as BarnesandNoble.com or Amazon.com. In either case, the books will be mailed to you immediately. · After registration, you can go directly to the course syllabus and identify the required textbook and its ISBN number. Then you can order the book from the Columbia Southern Service Center or purchase the book on-line from your favorite bookseller. If you choose to purchase the book after enrolling in the class it is strongly encouraged that you do so immediately so that there will be little or no delay in receiving the book in a timely manner.
How am I billed? How do I pay?
Upon registration, you will be issued a bill. You may pay this electronically or by mailing your personal check. The University accepts major credit cards for payment. If you choose to pay by mail, the correct return address will be provided with the bill, along with the payment deadline. · Only in unusual or temporary instances is the University able to accept installment payments after the beginning of a semester (except when student financial aid is pending). When this is allowed, all payments must be cleared before the enrollment period of the next semester. Questions regarding deferment of payments or creation of a temporary payment schedule should be directed to the University of North Alabama Business Office.
Are library resources available for on-line students living great distances from the main campus?
Absolutely! The University of North Alabama has an excellent electronic library with hundreds of full-text journals and periodicals available to distance education students. The ease of library access and availability has added greatly to student educational access. The College of Business is proud of the resources available to our distance education students. Researching business topics is easier than ever and much more convenient than in years past. You will be excited as you explore the wealth of information available to you. · Once students are admitted to the on-line MBA, they will receive a student number and password. The University’s library can be accessed directly from the University’s main web page (see library Resource). Additional library information may be found on the orientation DVD provided students upon acceptance into the MBA program.
Kerry Gatlin, Dean
College of Business
UNA Box 5013
University of North Alabama
Florence, Alabama 35632
E-mail Ms. Cheryl Williams: clwilliams@una.edu
UNA Homepage: http://www.una.edu
Phone: (256) 765-4261 Fax: (256) 765-4170