W.P. Carey School of Business

Arizona State University at the Tempe Campus, W.P. Carey School of Business History

Arizona State University, founded in 1885, is a public, coeducational institution. The 700-acre campus is located in a suburban area 10 miles east of Phoenix. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 61,033.

The W.P. Carey School of Business was founded in 1955 and is located on the main campus. Courses also are offered at ASU Research Park (MBA), ASU Downtown Center (MBA), on-line (MBA), Scottsdale (MBA), and Northwest Phoenix (MBA). The basic educational approach is to emphasize case-based and team-oriented learning in a cooperative learning environment.

Arizona State University at the Tempe Campus, W.P. Carey School of Business Academics

The School of Business offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Accountancy and Information Systems (MAIS), Master of Taxation (MTAX), Master of Health Sector Management (MHSA), Master of Science in Information Management (MSIM), and Master of Science in Economics (MSECN), Master of Business Administration (MBA) as well as a doctoral program in business administration and economics, and a joint degree in international management (MBA/MIM), architecture (MBA/MARCH), health services administration (MBA/MHSA), law (MBA/JD), information management (MBA/MSIM), accountancy and information systems (MBA/MAIS), tax (MBA/MS Tax), and economics (MBA/MSECON). Other programs include foreign exchange with France, Spain, Mexico, and Peru and summer internships. The strongest areas of study are strategic marketing, supply chain management, information management, financial management and markets, and sports business. The most popular courses are strategic marketing, supply chain management, and information management. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. The W. P. Carey MBA program provides speakers through its Leadership in Action Speaker Series and intensive elective courses.

Forty-eight to 60 total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 12 to 24 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Financial Accounting
• Managerial Decision Analysis
• Managerial Economics
• Strategic Leadership
• Organizational Theory and Behavior
• Marketing Management
• Information Management and Decision Support Systems
• Managerial Finance
• Managerial Accounting
• Operations and Supply Management
• Legal and Ethical Issues in Business
• Strategic Management
• Global Business Environment

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements.

Business students may take relevant nonbusiness courses in other departments. The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time or part time is 2 years; maximum, 6 years.

There are 190 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 92% hold a doctorate; there are 30 part-time faculty. Faculty salaries are rated average for Category I institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 3 to 6; average business class size is 40.

Arizona State University at the Tempe Campus, W.P. Carey School of Business Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 4.1 million volumes, 5.7 million microform items, and 1.3 million audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 36,401 periodicals. Students have access to databases and networks in the fields of business and allied subject areas. Other opportunities for research consist of other university libraries, the intercampus loan library, and 5 million citations in the catalog of Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries. The on-line catalog is available to all students.

Computers

Graduate business students must have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of the Graduate Suite, which is available to graduate students on a 24/7 basis. Eight team rooms are housed in the Graduate Suite, along with a classroom, study carrels, wireless connectivity, laptop connectivity, desktop computers, copier, scanner, and fax machine. Software includes Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Office Professional, Palisades Suite, Research Insight, Citrix Client, SPSS, and SAS.

Career and Job Placement

Majors most in demand by companies recruiting in 2006 were supply chain management, information management, strategic marketing and services leadership, and financial management. Average starting salary of the graduating class was $75,494; range was $52,000 to $100,000. Placement services are extensive. Placement services for alumni include a complete array of career services through the MBA Career Management Center. Placement is available through MBA Career Management and the university placement office. Ninety-five percent of the most recent graduating class found jobs within three months of receiving their degree.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL and the TSE. International students must score 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT). They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of a record of measles immunization, and proof of adequate funds to cover 2 years of study. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of assistantships. The application deadline for fall entry is May 1.

Calendar

The school operates on a trimester basis. Trimesters are 10 weeks long; summer sessions, 5 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening and weekends.

Arizona State University at the Tempe Campus, W.P. Carey School of Business Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 3.0. Most important admissions factors are work experience, GMAT results, and career plans. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 938; 558 were accepted; 413 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.46; average GMAT score was 655. Transfers are not accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by minority recruitment and retention forums and through attendance at national diversity conferences.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall only. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $50, 2 letters of recommendation, a personal statement, a work history, an essay, and a supplemental application. The application deadline is rolling for fall entry. Students are notified throughout the admission period of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is mid-April. Once accepted, students may defer admission 1 time only.

Arizona State University at the Tempe Campus, W.P. Carey School of Business Financial Aid

About 95% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $18,500 annually; maximum $38,439. Stipends and programs available for minority students include the PepsiCo Foundation Scholar Program. The FAFSA and the previous year’s tax return are required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for in-state residents is $6028 per year. Nonresidents pay $16,614 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $8354; books and supplies, $3569; personal expenses, $3236; and other fees, $10,000, for an estimated annual total of $31,187 for in-state residents and $41,773 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing consists of 2 residence halls. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Arizona State University at the Tempe Campus, W.P. Carey School of Business Students

Twenty-two percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 95% have had an average of 7 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from Arizona (48%). Twenty-eight percent are women, 13% are minorities, and 9% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 28; ages range from 22 to 60. Nine percent already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 36%, business; 18%, math and science; 17%, engineering; 12%, liberal arts; 12%, social sciences; and 10%, economics. About 5% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 95% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 390 graduate business degrees were awarded.