The George L. Graziadio School of Business and Management

Pepperdine University, The George L. Graziadio School of Business and Management History

Pepperdine University, founded in 1937, is a private, coeducational institution affiliated with the Church of Christ. The 830-acre campus is located in a suburban area 30 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is approximately 6800. Figures given in the above capsule are approximate.

The George L. Graziadio School of Business and Management was founded in 1969 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, GSBM Center. Courses also are offered at education centers in Encino, Long Beach, Irvine, Culver City, Westlake Village, Pasadena, and Santa Clara. The basic educational approach is to place heavy emphasis on teamwork through workshops and class projects. Course work is facilitated through a mixture of case study and theory with emphasis given to practical application of theory.

Pepperdine University, The George L. Graziadio School of Business and Management Academics

The Graziadio School offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of International Business (MIB), Master of Science in Organizational Development (MSOD), and Master of Science in Technology Management (MSTM) as well as a joint degree in law (JD/MBA) and in public policy (MPP/MBA). Other programs include foreign exchange with 15 countries and internships with regional (MBA) and European and Latin American (MIB) companies. The strongest areas of study are management, marketing, finance, international business, and organization development. The most popular courses are in marketing, international business, and finance. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus.

Fifty-two total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 12 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Human Behavior in Organizations
• Price Theory and Industrial Policy
• Financial Markets and Institutions
• Legal, Political, and Regulatory Issues of Management
• National Income Policy and Corporate Response
• Organization and Management
• Quantitative Analysis and Information Systems II
• Business Strategy

Required courses for the MIB (56 units) include:

• Human Behavior in International Organizations
• Accounting for Managers
• Price Theory and Industrial Policy
• Quantitative Analysis and Information Systems I
• National Income Policy and Corporate Response
• Multinational Corporate Finance
• International Business Environment
• Accounting for Multinational Enterprises
• International Finance and Trade
• Comparative Management and Organization
• Global Business Strategy
• International Marketing Management
• language levels I to V
• Political, Legal, and Regulatory Issues in International Management

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by enrolling in the 1-year MBA program, if qualified, or by substituting B or better undergraduate business courses for electives.

Business students may take relevant nonbusiness courses in other departments. 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.

In a recent year, there were 77 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 92% hold a doctorate; there were 99 part-time faculty, of whom 55% 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 6; average business class size is 22.

Pepperdine University, The George L. Graziadio School of Business and Management Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 340,000 volumes, and subscribes to 1400 periodicals. Students have access to such databases and networks as Lexis/Nexis, General Business File, InfoTrac, and Dow Jones. Other opportunities for research consist of the university’s law school.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of Power Macs and 35 IBM workstations. Facilities are available to full-time students and alumni from 8 a.m. to midnight.

Career and Job Placement

Placement services are extensive and are available through the Career Development Center.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts and proof of adequate funds to cover 1 year of study. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of merit-based scholarships to qualified applicants. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Calendar

The school operates on a trimester basis. Trimesters are 15 weeks long; summer sessions, 15 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening and weekends.

Pepperdine University, The George L. Graziadio School of Business and Management Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required. Most important admissions factors are maturity, work experience, and academic accomplishments and ability. A strong mathematics background is not required.

Transfers are not accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by offering scholarships to qualified minority candidates and participating in and sponsoring minority MBA programs.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, or MAT (Miller Analogies Test) for part-time, a nonrefundable application fee of $45, 2 letters of recommendation, and 3 essays. An interview is preferred, but not required. Students are notified on a rolling basis of the admissions decision. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 1 year. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Pepperdine University, The George L. Graziadio School of Business and Management Financial Aid

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

Graduate student housing consists of 20 spaces in 4-person apartments and some single rooms; 2-to-4-person apartment suites are available. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.