School of Business, MBA Program

Woodbury University, School of Business, MBA Program History

Woodbury University, founded in 1884, is a private, coeducational institution. The 22-acre campus is located in a suburban area 12 miles northwest of central Los Angeles. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 1500.

The School of Business, MBA Program was founded in 1969 and is located on the main campus, in its own building. The basic educational approach is use both theoretical and case method approaches in providing a broad-based management education with an emphasis on the global nature of today’s business environment. Woodbury offers two format choices for earning an MBA (traditional and/or intensive).

Woodbury University, School of Business, MBA Program Academics

The Woodbury University School of Business offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Organizational Leadership (MOL). Other programs include internships and independent study classes. The strongest areas of study are accounting and international business. The most popular courses are accounting, international business, management, and finance. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus, including local business executives and Pacific Rim experts.

Thirty-six total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 9 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Management of Global Enterprise
• Managerial Accounting
• Quantitative Methods for Business Decisions
• Managerial Economics
• Management and Organizational Behavior
• Marketing Concepts and Strategies
• Managerial Finance
• Management of Informational Technologies
• Management Policy and Strategy

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements through waivers based on previously completed coursework, and in some cases, work experience.

The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full or part time is 1 year; maximum, 6 years.

There are 21 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 85% hold a doctorate; there are 105 part-time faculty, of whom 85% hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated above average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 5; average business class size is 18.

Woodbury University, School of Business, MBA Program Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 67,000 volumes, 93,459 microform items, and 1276 audio/video tapes/CDs. The business library is particularly strong in accounting, international business, marketing, and management. Students have access to such databases and networks as Lexis/Nexis, Proquest Researcher II, Firstsearch, and ABI/INFORM Global. Other opportunities for research consist of an on-line directory cataloging all library materials.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. Available computer facilities consist of 60 PCs and Macs with business and graphics software, laser printers and scanners, and direct Internet and World Wide Web access. All students have free e-mail accounts and access to the labs Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and Friday through Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Career and Job Placement

In spring 2006, 35 companies recruited on campus. Seventy percent were national corporations. Majors most in demand were accounting, management, and finance. Average starting salary of the graduating class was $56,000; range was $36,000 to $75,000. The percentage of graduates finding jobs were:

• national corporations 45%
• local large enterprises 20%
• self-employment 15%
• local small enterprises 10%
• foreign 10%

Placement services are limited, since most students are already employed full time. Placement services for alumni include resume writing, interviewing, career counseling, position listings, Internet searches, and nationwide Job Trak access. Placement is available through the university placement office. Ninety-five percent of the most recent graduating class found jobs within three months of receiving their degree.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL and 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 and proof of adequate funds to cover 1 year of study. There are special fees of $50 for the application fee and a $350 commitment deposit. The application deadline for fall entry is July 1.

Calendar

The school operates on a trimester basis for the MBA and 7-week modules for the Intensive Format. Semesters are 15 weeks long; summer sessions, 15 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the evening only and weekends.

Woodbury University, School of Business, MBA Program Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.5. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, work experience, and essays. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 340; 240 were accepted; 210 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.1; average GMAT score was 530. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited through college fairs and advertising.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, a nonrefundable application fee of $35, 2 letters of recommendation, a resume, and an essay. The application deadlines are August 1 for fall entry; December 1, spring; April 1, summer. Students are notified of the admissions decision 2 to 3 weeks after the application is received. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 3 semesters, excluding summer.

Woodbury University, School of Business, MBA Program Financial Aid

About 85% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $6600 annually; maximum $16,078. The FAFSA, the school’s own financial statement and the previous year’s tax return are required. The application deadline is August 1 for fall entry. Students can receive monies retroactively.

Tuition for all students is $671 per credit, or $12,078 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $11,060; books and supplies, $630; personal expenses, $2521; and other fees, $450, for an estimated annual total of $26,739. Graduate student housing is available in residential housing and off campus. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Woodbury University, School of Business, MBA Program Students

Five percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 85% have had an average of 5 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 (60%). Fifty-two percent are women, 30% are minorities, and 23% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 32; ages range from 22 to 52. Seventeen percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 5% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 40%, business; 20%, economics; 15%, engineering; 15%, social sciences; 5%, liberal arts; and 3%, math and science. About 5% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 90% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 124 graduate business degrees were awarded.