University of Memphis

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Staff
Updated August 6, 2020

The University of Memphis began in 1909 under the General Education Bill which was enacted in 1909 by the Tennessee Legislature. Initially, the school was known as the West Tennessee State Normal School, opening in 1912. The first students chose the colors blue and gray, representing the opposing colors of the Civil War as a way to commemorate the reuniting of the country.

The college became the West Tennessee State Teachers College in 1925 and the name changed again in 1941, becoming Memphis State College. In 1946, the first alumnus became president of the university when J. Millard "Jack" Smith was appointed. Graduate studies began in 1950. The school gained university status in 1957, becoming Memphis State University. In 1994, the school became the University of Memphis as it is known today.

Today, the campus sits on 1,607 acres with 239 buildings on eight sites. Enrollment is 20,585 and 68 percent of the student population attends full-time. There are approximately 2,500 employees that includes 930 full-time faculty.

University of Memphis Accreditation Details

The University of Memphis is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Accreditation indicates that the University of Memphis meets or exceeds requirements of the accrediting agency and that they not only strive to provide high-quality education but also continue to work toward improving the programs offered to students. Specific degree programs may also be accredited by specialized accrediting agencies that focus on certain industries.

University of Memphis Application Requirements

First-time freshmen who have not attended any higher education classes should complete an online application and pay the applicable fee. Students must provide an official high school transcript and either ACT or SAT examination scores. Decisions are made regarding acceptance within 24 to 48 hours.

Students who have earned 24 or more credits at another college may apply for admission to the University of Memphis as a First-Time Transfer student. Students must provide a final high school transcript with a posted graduation date as well as ACT or SAT scores. Students must also provide official transcripts from any college or university they have attended.`

Graduate applicants must hold a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited university before applying to the University of Memphis. Admission is through a cooperative effort of the Graduate School and departments, schools and colleges of the university. All applications are reviewed by the department and a recommendation made to the Graduate School. Students must meet all admissions criteria as well as any specific requirements for the degree program they choose to enter. Each graduate degree program has their own admissions criteria, so students are encouraged to discuss the requirements with an admissions counselor before applying to graduate school at the University of Memphis. All graduate programs are competitive and decisions may be based on past behavior as well as classroom performance. All program requirements are subject to change.

University of Memphis Tuition and Financial Aid

Undergraduate on-campus tuition at the University of Memphis is $305 per credit hour for Tennessee residents and $488 for non-residents. Graduate tuition courses is $479 per credit hour for residents and $488 for non-residents. Online courses are offered at the same tuition rates as on-campus courses.

Financial aid is available at the University of Memphis. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit any additional documents requested to the Student Aid Office. Students must apply for financial aid each year as it is not automatically renewed. Students must be accepted into a degree program, be a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen, be making satisfactory academic progress and be enrolled at least half-time. Undergraduate students taking at least six credits and graduate students taking at least five credits are considered half-time.

Aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, subsidized and unsubsidized student loans as well as federal work-study programs.

University of Memphis Online Degree(s) Available

The University of Memphis offers a Ph.D. in Business Administration. The program takes four years to complete and students must choose one of six areas to concentrate their studies. These concentrations include:

  • Accounting
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Management
  • Management Information Systems
  • Marketing

Students may take some of the courses in an online format, but the last 30 hours of doctoral work must be completed at the university. The program includes a research core of at least four doctoral level courses in research methodology.

Graduates from the doctoral program at the University of Memphis demonstrate detailed knowledge in their area of specialization and have the analytical skills to evaluate research in that area. Students learn to design and conduct research as well as the skills for teaching college-level courses in their area of expertise. Students also develop written and oral communication skills that will allow them to provide details related to their respective research in a clear and effective manner.

In order to apply for admission to the Ph.D. program, students must provide official GMAT or GRE scores and an official transcript showing a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher. Admission to the program is based on the qualifications of the applicant, space availability and whether the applicant is a good fit for the department. The applicant's entire academic record is reviewed during the admissions process. Students must provide three letters of recommendation, a personal statement and a resume. The average GMAT score for accepted applicants is 600 and the average GRE score is 1200. Students must also submit a Department Financial Assistance Application.

The University of Memphis offers students a wide range of programs that will allow them to achieve their higher education goals. Although the university offers a completely online Master of Business Administration program, the doctorate program does require on-campus courses and cannot be completed online. However, there are courses that are available online, offering some flexibility for students who may have work, family or social obligations that prevent them from attending traditional, on-campus courses throughout their doctoral studies. This allows many adult learners the opportunity to achieve their higher education goals, allowing them to advance in a current career, move into a new career or develop additional skills that will benefit them in the future.

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