George L. Argyros School of Business and Economics

Chapman University, George L. Argyros School of Business and Economics History

Chapman University, founded in 1861, is a private, coeducational institution affiliated with the Disciples of Christ. The 75-acre campus is located in a suburban area 30 miles south of Los Angeles. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 5732.

The George L. Argyros School of Business and Economics was founded in 1977 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, Arnold and Mabel Beckman Business and Technology Hall. The basic educational approach is to develop the student’s professional competencies in business and to prepare students to assume roles in increasingly complex and changing business environments. The MBA program is distinguished by a balance and blending of management theory and practical implementation.

Chapman University, George L. Argyros School of Business and Economics Academics

The ASBE offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) as well as a joint degree in law (JD/MBA). The strongest areas of study are international business, entrepreneurship, finance, and marketing. The most popular courses are Strategic, Management, Entrepreneurship, Investments, and Marketing Strategies. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. including the Distinguished Speaker Series, which hosts CEOs once each month.

Fifty-two total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 15 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Strategies for a Competitive Advantage
• Economic Analysis for Business Decisions
• Accounting and Financial Analysis
• Designing and Managing Value Creating Organizations
• Marketing Management
• Technology and Operations Management
• Financial Management
• Understanding the Global Business Environment
• Strategic Management

Required courses for the EMBA include:

• Creating and Sustaining Competitive Advantage
• Economic Analysis and Policy
• Financial Information Systems
• Applied Statistics
• Marketing Management
• Managerial Finance
• Advanced Corporate Finance
• Management in the Global Environment
• Managing Effective Organizations
• Operations Management
• Business and Public Policy (residential)
• Strategic Management
• Corportate Government and Control

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

There are 33 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 91% hold a doctorate; there are 21 part-time faculty, of whom 43% hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated well above average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 4; average business class size is 22.

Chapman University, George L. Argyros School of Business and Economics Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 220,759 volumes, 680,630 microform items, and 10,294 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 31,731 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in economics. Students have access to such databases and networks as Dialog, ABI/INFORM, Moody’s Company Data on CD-ROM, Lexis/Nexis Academic Universe, Bloomberg, Business & Industry, Business Dateline, Business Management, Business Source Premier, EconLit, Hoover’s Premium Online, Mergent Online, Marketline Business Information Center, Regional Business News, Worldscope, Value Line, and Mintel. Other opportunities for research consist of the Anderson Center for Economic Research, the Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics, and the Schmid Center for International Business. Students are encouraged to work as research assistants with faculty to gain practical research experience.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. Available computer facilities consist of 120 PC and Mac computers, which are available for use Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to midnight and Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Various word processing and spreadsheet software includes Windows NT with Office 2000, which includes Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. Also installed are SPSS, Netscape, and a few specialized applications. Computer labs are located in the Leatherby Library.

Career and Job Placement

Placement services for alumni include career counseling, resume workshops, interview workshops, and a career library. Placement is available through the university placement office, faculty referrals, an alumni network, and members of the school’s advisory board.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. International students must score 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT) or 80 on the Internet-Based (iBT) version. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health, and proof of adequate funds to cover about 2 years of study. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of graduate assistantships and scholarships. The application deadline for fall entry is July 1.

Calendar

The school operates on a modified semester (4-1-4) basis. Semesters are 15 weeks long; summer sessions, 6 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening.

Chapman University, George L. Argyros School of Business and Economics Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.5. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (GPA x 200) + GMAT, or minimum 1000. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, GMAT results, and work experience. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 143; 101 were accepted; 65 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.18; average GMAT score was 540. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by working closely with the National Society of Hispanic MBAs.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall and spring. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $50, and 2 letters of recommendation. An interview is also required for the EMBA program. The application deadlines are July 1 for fall entry; December 1, spring. Students are notified of the admissions decision at least 2 weeks after submission of all materials. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 1 year by writing to the graduate office.

Chapman University, George L. Argyros School of Business and Economics Financial Aid

About 58% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $19,529 annually. The FAFSA and the previous year’s tax return are required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for all students is $725 per credit, or $18,850 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $8500; books and supplies, $1750; personal expenses, $5000, for an estimated annual total of $34,100. Graduate student housing is limited, but off-campus apartments are available within the area. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Chapman University, George L. Argyros School of Business and Economics Students

Forty-one percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 92% have had an average of 7 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. Thirty-eight percent are women, 27% are minorities, and 9% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 25; ages range from 21 to 58. Ten percent enter directly from undergraduate school. About 3% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons. In 2006, 55 graduate business degrees were awarded.