MBA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If all of my questions are not answered below, what should I do?

You can always call Ms. Andrea Johnson, Administrative Assistant for the MBA program, at 678-466-4500 to inquire about the program.  In addition, the Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs, Dr. Michael Tidwell, can be reached via e-mail at MichaelTidwell@clayton.edu, at 678-466-4546 (office) or at 404-435-2248 (cell).

Please always feel welcome to make an appointment to Dr. Deis so that he can share the great benefits of enrolling in our MBA program.

How often will classes meet?

(1)  The classes generally will generally be offered every other Saturday (from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.), including during the summer.  Due to time constraints, summer classes will sometimes have to meet on consecutive weekends.

(2)  Classes meet eight times each semester for five semesters, and there is one five-day minimester course that students take at the beginning of the program.  That means that students will be on campus for classes for a total of 45 days for the entire program.

When will new cohorts be offered?

New cohorts will start in the fall (August), spring (January), or summer (May) of each year, depending on demand.

How long does the MBA program take to complete?

The MBA program, a lock-step cohort program that will take approximately 20 months to complete, is designed for busy executives whose time is already at a premium. 

How do I apply for the program?

To begin the process, please go to http://business.clayton.edu/mba and click on “application information.”

(1)  You will need to complete the application to the School of Graduate Studies first (with the accompanying $50 fee).  That application should be submitted on-line as soon as possible.

(2)  Once that application has been reviewed, the administrative assistant in the School of Graduate Studies will write you stating that official transcripts are required from all institutions that you attended (including Clayton State, if you went there) and that you also will need to submit GMAT scores.

(3)  You also will need to submit the MBA application (with the $25 program fee), your resume, and your Statement of Purpose (Reflective Statement) to the School of Business.   In addition, you need to have three references sent as soon as possible.   All of these should be sent to Dr. Michael Deis, MBA Director, School of Business, Clayton State University.

If I graduated from Clayton State University, will I still need to have official transcripts from CSU sent to the School of Graduate Studies/

Yes.

What if my undergraduate degree is in an area other than business?

If your undergraduate degree is in a field other than business, you will (possibly) need to take from one to four foundation courses.  Those courses are accounting, finance, statistics, and quantitative methods.  Each one hour foundation course cost $325 and there is a CD that accompanies each course that costs $58.

When is the last day to apply? 

This varies by term.   However, you always need to begin the application process as soon as possible.  Enrollment in the MBA program is limited each term.   Please see the MBA web site for the actual dates.

Is the program considered full or part-time?

The program is considered part-time.

Is the program covered by financial aid?

Please contact the Financial Aid office to see what financial aid might be available.  Many of the students are on financial aid. 

What are the admissions requirements “really” like?

All admissions requirements are presented in the applications link on our MBA website. All applicants for the on-campus cohorts are required to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).  Changes to the GMAT exam require the applicant to have taken the exam within the past five years.

In exceptional instances, the GMAT requirement for admission to the Fayette MBA for Professionals program may be waived for MBA applicants with significant management experience. 

GMAT waivers are only available for the Fayette MBA for Professionals program, and are only granted to (a) individuals who have had significantly increasing managerial responsibilities at a highly responsible level within an organization or (b) individuals who own their own business(es).  Individuals applying for a GMAT waiver must provide written documentation of at least three years of such experience to the MBA Admissions Committee.  The waiver is only recommended after a careful review of the applicant’s credentials.  Your GMAT waiver request will be reviewed by the MBA Admissions Committee before recommendations are made to the Dean of the School of Business

How do I prepare for the GMAT?

We definitely recommend that you take a GMAT refresher course.  

The Clayton State School of Business is proud to announce that it will offer a GMAT Prep Course by Success Prep for $50 plus the cost of two GMAT books (the cost of the two required books is currently approximately $40).   

If you have not already taken the GMAT, this GMAT Prep Course is a fantastic value! 

Classes will meet from 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm on for four straight Saturdays.   The schedule of what will be covered on those dates is shown on either of the sites below:

http://fayette.clayton.edu/MBA/gmat.htm

http://business.clayton.edu/MBA/gmat.htm 

To register for the program, please complete the attached registration form and mail it, along with the required $50 non-refundable registration fee to Ms. Andrea Johnson, Administrative Assistant for the MBA Program, School of Business, Clayton State University, 2000 Clayton State Boulevard, Morrow, GA. 30260. 

How do I sign up for the GMAT?

Go to www.mba.com to schedule the exam.  The test is held all year.  You can check the availability on the site given and register for the GMAT.  (The site can also tell you other information relevant to pursuing an MBA program.) 

Some GMAT Sites

What if I can not take the GMAT before the application deadline?

If you can not take the GMAT before the application deadline, please let us know when you will be taking it.  

What is the cost of the program?

The total cost, excluding books, is between $12,000 and $15,000.   Each semester hour currently cost $300.  Students take nine semester hours ($2700 plus fees plus any foundation course charges) the first semester, and six semester hours each term ($1800 plus fees) for the remaining four terms in the program.