Graduate School of Management

University of California-Davis, Graduate School of Management History

University of California/Davis, founded in 1905, is a public, coeducational institution. The 5500-acre campus is located in a small town in northern California. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 30,475.

The Graduate School of Management was founded in 1981 and is located on the main campus. Courses also are offered at the Sacramento campus (MBA) and the San Francisco Bay Area (MBA). The basic educational approach is a mixture of theory, case method, and practical experience.

University of California-Davis, Graduate School of Management Academics

The Graduate School of Management offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA) as well as a joint degree in engineering (MBA/ME), law (MBA/JD), medicine (MBA/MD), and agricultural economics (MBA/AE). Other programs include an interdisciplinary program in corporate management, cross-registration with other University of California campuses, cooperative programs with CalPERS/CalSTRS, foreign exchange with 12 countries, internships, and research centers. The strongest areas of study are accounting, finance, marketing, information technology, technology management, entrepreneurship, and management of organizations. The most popular courses are Management of Innovation, Forecasting and Managerial Research Methods, Power and Influence in Management, Organizational Structure and Strategy, Business Data and Information Management, Business Taxation, Decision Making, and Management Science. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. There is an emphasis on the real-world application of management through the use of executives as guest speakers and actual client businesses for student projects; there is also an Executive-in-Residence program.

Seventy-two total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 45 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Financial Accounting
• The Individual and Group Dynamics
• Markets and the Firm
• Data Analysis for Managers
• Financial Theory and Policy
• Marketing Management

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by passing an exam for certain classes or transferring previous courses.

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, 4 years.

There are 27 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate; there are 19 part-time faculty, of whom 68% hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated average for Category 1 institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 3; average business class size is 31.

University of California-Davis, Graduate School of Management Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 2.6 million volumes, 3.3 million microform items, and 18,230 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 39,640 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in enology, bank history, insurance history, and agricultural business. Students have access to such databases and networks as Compustat, Melvyl, Lexis/Nexis Academic Universe, CIS Statistical Universe, STAT-USA, National Trade Database, CRSP and WRDS (Wharton Research Data Service). Many students conduct research with faculty in various disciplines, including socially responsible investing.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of a 24-hour computing lab for MBA students featuring the complete Microsoft Office 2003 suite, statistical packages including Minitab and SPSS, database management software, project management software, and graphic design programs including Adobe Creative Suite2 (Photoshop, Illustrator, In Design, GoLive) and Macromedia Studio 8 (Flash, Dreamweaver, Homesite). In addition, all three programs have 802.11g wireless networks.

Career and Job Placement

Majors most in demand by companies recruiting in 2006 were finance, marketing, information technology, technology management, and human resources. Average starting salary of the graduating class was $73,028; range was $39,900 to $120,000. Placement services are extensive, and those placement services available to alumni include personal career counseling, the GSM on-line career network, resume directory, access to career websites, and workshops. Placement is available through a separate placement office for graduate business students and the university placement office. Ninety-three percent of the most recent graduating class found jobs within three months of receiving their degree.

International Students

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, proof of health consisting of a tuberculin test result and a rubeola/rubella immunization certificate, and proof of adequate funds to cover 2 years of study. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of scholarships and loans with a U.S. cosigner. The application deadlines for fall entry are November 15, Janurary 17, March 14, and May 16.

Calendar

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

University of California-Davis, Graduate School of Management Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, career plans, and management potential. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 316; 114 were accepted; 55 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.4; average GMAT score was 671. Transfers are not accepted.

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 $100, 2 letters of recommendation, 3 essays, and a resume. The application deadlines are November 15 for fall entry; January 17, winter; March 14, spring; May 16, summer. Students are notified within 6 to 10 weeks of a complete application of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is May. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 1 year upon approval.

University of California-Davis, Graduate School of Management Financial Aid

About 79% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $23,367 annually; maximum $54,152. The FAFSA and the previous year’s tax return are required. The application deadline is March 1 for fall entry.

Annual tuition and fees for in-state students total $22,163; nonresidents pay $34,408. On-campus room and board costs approximately $11,354; books and supplies, $1665; personal expenses, $1500, for an estimated annual total of $36,682 for in-state residents and $48,927 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing includes on-campus residence halls and married-student housing and off-campus apartments, duplexes, rooms, and houses. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

University of California-Davis, Graduate School of Management Students

Twenty-seven percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 97% have had an average of 6 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from California (57%). Twenty-eight percent are women, 34% are minorities, and 22% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 29; ages range from 22 to 37. Three percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 20% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 27%, engineering; 23%, liberal arts; 22%, math and science; 16%, business; 15%, social sciences; and 14%, economics. 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, 110 graduate business degrees were awarded.