Stanford Graduate School of Business

Stanford University, Stanford Graduate School of Business History

Stanford University, founded in 1891, is a private, coeducational institution. The 8180-acre campus is located in a suburban area 25 miles south of San Francisco. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 14,881.

The Stanford Graduate School of Business was founded in 1925 and is located on the main campus, in 4 buildings, including the Littlefield Management Center and the Schwab Residential Center. Courses also are offered at Singapore (nondegree executive education), Dubai, and Cambridge, MA (executive education programs). The basic educational approach is to offer a general management education. Classes draw on lecture, case method, and experiential learning such as simulations and interactions with outside speakers and practitioners.

Stanford University, Stanford Graduate School of Business Academics

The Stanford Business School offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science in Management (Stanford Sloan Program) (MSM), and Master of Business Research (MBR) as well as a doctoral program, and a joint degree in law (JD/MBA) and education (MBA/MA). Other programs include interdisciplinary, joint research, and management programs for executives (nondegree) and the Sloan Program (degree) for mid-career managers. The school’s Executive Education program offers a broad range of nondegree programs for working executives. The strongest areas of study are leadership, economics, finance, strategic management, international business, human resources management, organizational behavior, accounting, marketing, operations, information, management, entrepreneurship, and supply chain management. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. Speakers are invited by students and faculty. Visiting faculty and visiting CEO speakers strengthen regular academic offerings.

One hundred total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 57 elective credits. Required courses include:

• General Management Perspectives:
• Accounting Information
• Critical Analytical Thinking
• Ethical Analysis
• Global Context of Management
• Managerial Finance
• Managing Groups and Teams
• Organizational Behavior
• Strategic Leadership
• General Management Foundations: Students take 1 of 3 options for each of the following distribution requirements.
• Data Analysis and Decision Making
• Finance
• Financial Accounting
• Information Technology
• Human Resources
• Managerial Accounting
• Marketing
• Microeconomics
• Modeling
• Non-Market Strategy
• Operations

Required courses for the MSM (Sloan) include:

• Managerial Accounting
• Economics
• Microeconomics
• Modeling and Analysis
• Marketing Management
• Organizational Behavior
• Finance
• Financial Accounting
• Strategic Management
• Sloan Leadership Seminar
• Human Resource Management

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 is 6 quarters.

There are 102 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 99% hold a doctorate; there are 51 part-time faculty, of whom 41% hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated well above average for Category I institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 3; average business class size is 40.

Stanford University, Stanford Graduate School of Business Unique Programs

Library

The Jackson Library houses a collection of more than 500,000 volumes, 1.1 million microform items, 12,000 special business collections, and 600 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 1200 periodicals. Students have access to more than 60 databases and a variety of electronic network services. Other opportunities for research consist of other libraries on the Stanford campus.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of student computer lab with more than 100 computers, full software packages, and high-speed network connection from on-campus housing units.

Career and Job Placement

Average starting salary of the graduating class was $111,956; range was $61,275 to $210,000. Placement services are extensive. Placement services for alumni include counseling and job bank information. Placement is available through Career Management Center. Ninety-seven percent of the most recent graduating class found jobs within three months of receiving their degree.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. International students must score 600 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT) or 100 on the Internet-Based (iBT) version. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts and proof of adequate funds to cover 2 years of study. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of fellowships and a loan fund. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Calendar

The school operates on a quarter basis. Quarters are 10 weeks long. Graduate programs are offered during the day only and only full-time.

Stanford University, Stanford Graduate School of Business Admissions

. Most important admissions factors are Intellectual vitality, demonstrated leadership potential, and personal qualities. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 4868; 480 were accepted; 379 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.61. Transfers are not accepted. Minority students are actively recruited through the Partnership for Diversity Program, specific recruiting events held in various locations, and outreach efforts.

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 $245, 3 letters of recommendation, and 2 essays. Check with the school for current application deadlines. Students are notified about 6 weeks after deadlines of the admissions decision. Once accepted, students may defer admission but very few deferrals are granted and usually only for illness-related reasons.

Stanford University, Stanford Graduate School of Business Financial Aid

About 67% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $52,652 annually. The FAFSA, the previous year’s tax return, and College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS profile) are required. The application deadline is July 13 for fall entry.

Tuition for all students is $43,380 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $19,044; books and supplies, $2816; personal expenses, $4383, for an estimated annual total of $69,623. Graduate student housing is available on campus for both singles and couples. The school’s Schwab Residential Center is available to single MBA students. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Stanford University, Stanford Graduate School of Business Students

All of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 99% have had full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school. Thirty-two percent are women, 17% are minorities, and 43% are foreign nationals. Two percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 16% already have a graduate degree. About 1% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 99% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 366 graduate business degrees were awarded.