Orfalea College of Business

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, Orfalea College of Business History

California Polytechnic State University, founded in 1901, is a public, coeducational institution. The 5000-acre campus is located in a small town 230 miles south of San Francisco and 200 miles north of Los Angeles. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 18,500.

The Orfalea College of Business was founded in 1970 and is located on the main campus. The basic educational approach is to challenge highly motivated students to become socially responsible business leaders through a learn-by-doing, technology-oriented education.

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, Orfalea College of Business Academics

The College of Business offers the Master of Business Administration-General Management (MBA), Engineering Management (MBA/MS dual degree) (EMP), Master of Science in Industrial and Technical Studies (MSI&TS), MBA, Architecture Specialization (MBA/AMP), MBA, Agribusiness Specialization (MBA/AGB), MBA, Landscape Architecture Specialization (MBA/LA), and MBA, Graphic Communication Document System Management (MBA/GRC) as well as a joint degree in EMP (Engineering Management Program – Dual Degree). Other programs include joint degree in MBA/MS Engineering (specialization in Engineering Management), foreign exchange internship programs, and Internation Business Study Tour – People’s Republic of China. The strongest areas of study are general management and engineering management. The most popular courses are International Business, Effective Communication Skills for Managers, Commercialization of Innovative Technologies, Negotiations for Managers, Legal and Regulatory Environment of Business, and International Business Study Tour to China. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus through fellowships, individual programs by instructors, the MBA Association, and the Professional Development Speaker Series.

Sixty total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 24 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Accounting for Managers
• Quantitative Analysis
• Organizational Behavior
• Managerial Economics
• Marketing Management
• Managerial Finance
• Aggregate Economic Analysis and Policy
• Production and Operations Management
• General Management and Strategy

Required courses for the EMP include:

• Accounting for Managers
• Organizational Behavior
• Marketing Management
• Managerial Economics
• Manufacturing Systems
• Managerial Finance
• Technological Project Management
• General Management and Strategy
• Graduate Seminar
• Aggregate Economics Analysis and Policy
• Executive Seminars
• Graduate Internship
• Advanced Topics in Simulation
• Applied Statistical Methods in Engineering

Required courses for the MS I&TS include:

• Impact of Science and Technology
• Improving Productivity through Technology
• Trends and Issues in Technology
• Management of Technology
• Commercializing Technological Developments
• Industrial and Technical Studies Project/Thesis

The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 1 year; maximum, 7 years. For students attending part-time, the minimum is 2 years; maximum, 7 years.

There are 60 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 98% hold a doctorate; there are 3 part-time faculty, of whom 66% hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated well above average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of credit hours faculty teach is 8; average business class size is 25.

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, Orfalea College of Business Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 765,000 volumes, 2.1 million microform items, and 5200 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 5500 periodicals. Students have access to such databases and networks as the World Wide Web, CD-ROM programs, and more than 250 other electronic databases.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of wireless Internet and PC labs. There are numerous commercial services via the Web including Dow Jones Interactive, Lexis-Nexis Universe, STAT-USA/Internet, Zacks “University Analyst Watch,” CHECKPOINT tax accounting databases, and more.

Career and Job Placement

Placement services are extensive. Placement services for alumni include consulting and library resources. Placement is available through the university placement office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL and TWE (Test of Written English), minimum 4.5. International students must score 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT) or 80 on the Internet-Based version (iBT). They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of a physician’s certification, and proof of adequate funds. There are special fees of $75 to $100 for transcript evaluation. The application deadline for fall entry is November 30.

Calendar

The school operates on a quarter basis. Quarters are 10 weeks long; summer sessions, 3 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening.

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, Orfalea College of Business Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.5. Most important admissions factors are GMAT results, grades in upper-level courses, and work experience. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 141; 68 were accepted; 62 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.28; average GMAT score was 610. Transfers are accepted.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall only. To apply, students must submit an application form, GMAT scores, (GRE for EMP and MS l & TS programs), a nonrefundable application fee of $55, and 2 letters of recommendation. The application deadlines are July 1 for fall entry; November 1, winter; February 1, spring. Students are notified on a rolling basis of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is June.

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, Orfalea College of Business Financial Aid

The FAFSA and the school’s own financial statement and SAAC are required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for in-state residents is $4932 per year. Nonresidents pay $15,780 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $8430; books and supplies, $1305; personal expenses, $2025, for an estimated annual total of $16,692 for in-state residents and $27,540 for out-of-state residents. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, Orfalea College of Business Students

Eighty-six percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 50% to 60% have had full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school. The greatest percentage of students are from California (77%). Thirty percent are women and 5% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 26; ages range from 24 to 58. Thirty percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 5% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 24%, math and science; 22%, engineering; 21%, business; 8%, liberal arts; and 7%, social sciences. In 2006, 52 graduate business degrees were awarded.