Catalog

For all MBA programs, the admissions committee reviews the applicant’s complete application, with consideration given to the following:

• An applicant’s academic record.
• An applicant’s score on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). The GMAT must be retaken if the test date was more than five years ago.
• International students must provide a TOEFL exam score.
• An applicant’s work experience.
• Written essays.
• Personal interviews.
• Letters of recommendation.

In addition, a nonrefundable application fee is required of all applicants. See the specific MBA application for more information. The online application is on the MBA program website at mbaep.colorado.edu/fulltime/index.html.

The mailing address for additional materials is Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado at Boulder, 419 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0419, or call 303-492-8397.

The Leeds School of Business encourages qualified individuals to apply regardless of sex, race, religion, national origin, age, or physical limitation.

For current, detailed information regarding the MBA program, contact the Leeds School of Business.

Advising. All graduate students are required to check in with an advisor during the first semester of study to ascertain degree requirements. MBA students should check in with the student services manager for the MBA program.

Minimum Hours Required. Students entering the MBA program take a prescribed sequence of classes before beginning elective courses. A minimum of 55 credit hours is needed to graduate. Students entering the MBA program must complete the degree in two years. Transferred course work is not accepted into the MBA program.

Core Course Waiver. Students may not waive core courses.

Courses Taken Outside the Leeds School of Business (limits). MBA students may enroll in up to 12 hours of elective course work outside the Leeds School of Business provided the remaining 15 hours of electives are taken within the MBA program with approval from the MBA programs office. Course work taken outside the Leeds School of Business must be at the graduate program level. Students may not take courses outside the University of Colorado at Boulder and count them toward the degree. Students should contact individual departments for course listings and registration requirements for nonbusiness courses.

Grades and Quality of Work. All courses applied toward the 55 credit hours must be taken for a grade. Courses in which a C- or below is received are not accepted for credit toward the 55 credit hours and may have to be retaken. In this case, both grades are factored into the GPA. To withdraw from an elective course and receive a grade of W, a student must be earning a passing grade in that course. Students normally are not permitted to withdraw from courses after the sixth week of the semester. Students in the MBA program may not withdraw from specified, lock-step course work. An IF is an incomplete grade. Use of the IF is at the discretion of the course instructor and/or the dean. Students must ask for an incomplete grade. An IF is given only when students, for reasons beyond their control, have been unable to complete course requirements. A substantial amount of work must have been satisfactorily completed before approval for such a grade is given.

Calculating GPAs. For the purpose of calculating GPAs for MBA student rankings and probation, only course work taken within the business school is counted.

Withdrawal. Students who choose to leave the program must formally withdraw. Failure to do so will result in assessment of full tuition and fees. Students who withdraw must reapply to the program if they wish to continue their studies. Applicants who reapply are evaluated with current applicants to the program. Students who are granted re-admission must complete the requirements of the current program. Course work taken more than five years earlier must be validated by examination in order to count toward the degree and may be considered elective credit.

Probation. A student whose cumulative GPA falls between a 2.500 and 3.000 is placed on academic probation. The student is allowed to remain on probation for one semester as long as reasonable progress is made to improve the GPA. The MBA director for academic programs determines whether reasonable progress is being made and whether the student can graduate with a 3.000 in the stated time limit.

Suspension. A student whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.500 at any time is automatically suspended from the program. A suspended student is eligible to reapply after one year. Note that applicants who reapply are evaluated against other applicants applying for consideration that year.

To be eligible for the JD/MBA dual-degree program of the School of Law and the Leeds School of Business, a student must apply separately to and be admitted by each of the two schools under their respective admission procedures and standards.

Students may elect the dual-degree program at the time of initial application to both schools, or they may apply for the dual-degree program during their first year of study in the degree program of either school.

A student enrolled in the JD/MBA program may commence studies under the program in either the School of Law or the Leeds School of Business. Dual-degree students are strongly encouraged to begin their course of study at the School of Law. However, a student must take the first year of the JD curriculum as a unit exclusively in the School of Law. Likewise, a student must take the first year of the MBA curriculum as a unit exclusively in the Leeds School of Business. Students can then take additional courses necessary to meet the requirements of the degree programs of the two schools.

No student in the dual-degree program shall be allowed to take fewer than 9 semester hours or more than 16 semester hours during any term (excluding summer terms) without receiving the consent of the program advisor in each school in which courses are being taken.

The Leeds School of Business grants credit toward the MBA degree for up to 12 semester hours of acceptable performance in law courses taken by a JD/MBA student at the School of Law. Core courses required in the law school program cannot be counted toward the 12 hours. A student must earn at least a 77 grade in a law school course to be accepted for Leeds School of Business credit. For credit to be granted, the law school courses must be approved before enrollment by an MBA advisor. Only courses taken after admission into the MBA program are credited toward the degree.

Leeds School of Business credit for courses completed in the School of Law as part of the joint degree program is recorded on a pass/fail basis and is not included in the required MBA 3.00 cumulative average.

An individual must apply separately and be admitted to both programs under each school’s or college’s admission procedures and standards. Applicants are encouraged to apply to the programs concurrently.

Course of Study

Students in the MBA/MS in telecommunications spend the first year of the dual-degree program exclusively in either the business school or the telecommunications program. In the second year, courses are taken exclusively in the other department. In the third year students will take both MBA and telecommunications elective courses to complete both master’s degrees.

Dual degree students are required to complete 43 hours of MBA course work and 36 hours of telecommunications course work. A minimum of 79 approved credits must be completed to earn both degrees.

Applicants must apply to both programs and must meet the application requirements for each program separately. Students may apply simultaneously to both programs or may apply to the second program after starting the first master’s program, provided they do so during the first year of study.

Students in the MBA/MA in fine arts spend the first year of their dual-degree program exclusively in either the business school or the fine arts program. In the second year, courses are taken exclusively in the other department. The third year offers students the opportunity to take both MBA and fine arts elective courses.

Dual-degree students in studio arts are required to complete 43 hours of MBA course work and 45 hours of fine arts course work. Dual-degree students in art history are required to complete 43 hours of MBA course work and 30 hours of fine arts course work.

Applicants must apply to both programs and must meet the application requirements for each program separately. Students may apply simultaneously to both programs or may apply to the second program after starting the first master’s program, provided they do so during the first year of study.

Students in the MBA/MA in theatre and dance spend the first year of their dual-degree program exclusively in either the business school or the theatre/dance program. In the second year, courses are taken exclusively in the other department. The third year offers students the opportunity to take both MBA and theatre/dance elective courses.

Dual degree students are required to complete 43 hours of MBA course work and 24 hours of theatre/dance course work. A minimum of 67 approved credits must be completed to earn both degrees.

Applicants must apply to both programs and must meet the application requirements for each program separately. Students may apply simultaneously to both programs or may apply to the second program after starting the first master’s program, provided they do so during the first year of study.

Students in the MBA/MS in environmental studies spend the first year of the dual-degree program exclusively in either the business school or the environmental studies department. In the second year, courses are taken exclusively in the other department. The remaining year(s) students may take both MBA and environmental studies electives.

Applicants must apply to both programs and must meet the application requirements for each program separately. Students may apply simultaneously to both programs or may apply to the second program after starting the first master’s program, provided they do so during the first year of study.

Students in the MBA/MS in computer science spend the first year of the dual-degree program exclusively in either the business school or the computer science department. In the second year, courses are taken exclusively in the other department. The remaining year(s) students may take both MBA and computer science electives.

Applicants must apply to both programs and must meet the application requirements for each program separately. Students may apply simultaneously to both programs or may apply to the second program after starting the first master’s program, provided they do so during the first year of study.

Students in the MBA/MA in anthropology spend the first year of their dual-degree program exclusively in either the business school or the department of anthropology. In the second year, courses are taken exclusively in the other department. The remaining year(s) offers students the opportunity to take both MBA and anthropology elective courses.

Students in the MBA/MA in Germanic and Slavic languages spend the first year of their dual-degree program exclusively in either the business school or the department of Germanic and Slavic languages. In the second year, courses are taken exclusively in the other department. The remaining year(s) offers students the opportunity to take both MBA and Germanic and Slavic languages elective courses.

Accounting and taxation students must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate-level work. The newly accepted MS student should consult with the faculty advisor for the program to develop an individualized degree plan. No thesis is required.

Students in the Master of Science in Business Administration programs are governed by the rules of the Graduate School. See that section of the catalog.

The expanding role and increased breadth of knowledge expected of accountants make graduate study in accounting highly desirable. Courses offered for the accounting area of emphasis prepare students for high-level, professional careers in the field. The graduate program in accounting is designed to provide a broad understanding of accounting issues as well as to enhance an undergraduate degree in accounting. It also provides the opportunity to develop knowledge in a related minor area, such as economics, finance, information systems, management, marketing, taxation, or telecommunications. Note that these supporting fields may require some undergraduate level course work beyond core requirements.

The master of science in business administration that emphasizes taxation integrates accounting and law school courses. Some of the tax and law courses are strictly tax-related while others include related legal aspects of a particular subject area. The combination of courses is designed to give exposure to taxation from the accounting and law faculty perspectives.

The purpose of this program is to prepare students for professional careers as Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) specialized in taxation. Therefore, the focus of the program is to train students to:

• develop a refined ability to recognize tax problems and understand tax issues in a broad economic framework;
• research and present well-developed strategies or solutions to tax problems; and
• develop creative tax planning opportunities in a variety of contexts.

To preserve the individualized character of the PhD program and its quality, the number of students is limited and the application process is very competitive. Students are admitted for study in a specific area for doctoral work. The Leeds School of Business currently offers the following areas of study: accounting; finance; marketing; information management; operations management; and strategic, organizational, and entrepreneurial studies.

For more information on the application requirements and process, write Leeds School of Business, PhD Program, University of Colorado at Boulder, 419 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0419; call 303-492-4984; or visit leeds.colorado.edu/phdprogram.

Each student must have a background in mathematics at or beyond calculus. Based on experience, background, and at the discretion of the academic advisor and/or division chair and/or the doctoral program director, additional prerequisites may be required of the PhD student.

Most curriculum and program requirements are decided by the division. Consult the PhD program advisor or the appropriate division for information regarding course selection, graduate teaching program certification, research internships, and other division requirements. Students must complete all Graduate School, Leeds School of Business, and division requirements to be conferred the PhD in business administration.

The newly accepted PhD student should consult with the division chair and/or academic advisor to develop an individualized degree plan. Students are required to become proficient in their primary area of study. In addition, all students are required to complete course work in a field outside their division. These “second fields” are governed by the departments offering the course work but typically require 6 to 12 credit hours. The second field may also require an additional comprehensive exam.

All doctoral students are required to complete at least 30 hours of course work and 30 hours of dissertation credit at CU-Boulder. Additional course work may be required as determined by the academic advisor. To comply with this 30-hour requirement, a course must have been taught by a member of the university’s graduate faculty, must be at the 5000 level or above, and the student must achieve a grade of B- or better.

Courses must be approved by the student’s academic advisor before registration. Most students are required to complete 7000- and 8000-level doctoral seminars.

For full-time status, the Leeds School of Business requires successful completion of 5 credit hours of course work each semester. During and after comprehensive exams, full-time status requires completion of a minimum of 5 dissertation hours each semester.

A maximum of 9 semester hours of courses taken at other schools (this includes other University of Colorado campuses) or taken as a special student at the university may be transferred into the doctoral program. Course work must be recent and of doctoral-level quality. A doctoral student must establish a satisfactory record of residence in the doctoral program before the course work is eligible for transfer. The transfer of credit must be approved by the division, the doctoral program director, and the Graduate School. There is no guarantee any course work will be accepted for transfer.

The Leeds School of Business adheres to the Graduate School rules regarding residency. All students in the doctoral program are expected to be full-time students on the Boulder campus (at least during residency and prior to completing the comprehensive examinations). Doctoral students are expected to be available to participate in colloquia and other informal academic discussions. Full-time employment outside the university is prohibited during the residency period. Any off-campus status must be approved by the division and the doctoral program director.

Doctoral students have six years from the commencement of course work to complete all requirements of the degree, but most students complete their program within five years.

Before admission to candidacy, a doctoral student must pass a comprehensive examination in the field of concentration. The examination may be oral, written, or both, and will test the student’s mastery of a broad field of knowledge, not merely the formal course work completed. Each division will determine the required content, length, and standards of evaluation for the exam. Check with the division as to the specific requirements for the comprehensive exam.

Students are admitted to candidacy according to Graduate School procedures and requirements. Students shall complete all course work and any other requirements listed on their degree plans, earn at least four semesters of residence, and successfully pass the comprehensive exams before admission to candidacy is approved by the Graduate School. In addition, requirements related to academic quality of work, graduate-level course work, the minimum number of course hours, and graduate faculty membership must be met before admission to candidacy is approved.

A dissertation based upon original investigation showing mature scholarship and critical judgment, as well as competence with research tools and methods, must be written on a subject approved by the candidate’s dissertation committee. To be acceptable, the dissertation must be a significant contribution to knowledge in the candidate’s primary field.

Upon recommendation of the candidate’s doctoral dissertation committee, a final oral examination shall be given. This examination covers both the dissertation and the primary field of study. The oral examination is open to the public.

The dissertation must comply in mechanical features with the University of Colorado Graduate School Thesis and Dissertation Specifications. The dissertation must be filed with the Graduate School by the posted deadline for the semester in which the degree is to be conferred.