Leeds School of Business

University of Colorado at Boulder, Leeds School of Business History

University of Colorado at Boulder, founded in 1876, is a public, coeducational institution. The 600-acre campus is located in a suburban area 35 miles northwest of Denver. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 28,624.

The Leeds School of Business was founded in 1906 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, Leeds School of Business. Courses also are offered at the Colorado Executive MBA Center in Denver. The basic educational approach is to employ a variety of teaching methods appropriate to the subject, including case studies, lectures, seminars, team teaching, team study groups, guest lecturers, and critique sessions. Heavy emphasis is placed on application of subject matter through individual and group projects with companies.

University of Colorado at Boulder, Leeds School of Business Academics

The Boulder MBA offers the Master in Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Science in Accounting (MS) as well as a doctoral program in accounting, finance, marketing, information systems, business policy and strategy, organization management, and operations research and management, and a joint degree in law (MBA/JD), telecommunications (MBA/MS), fine arts (MBA/MA), anthropology (MBA/MA),theater (MBA/MA) environmental studies (MBA/MS), Germanic language (MBA/MA), and computer science (MBA/MS). Other programs include cross-registration on a limited basis with the School of Law and School of Engineering, work-study, foreign exchange with Mexico and Spain, internships, and joint research. The strongest areas of study are finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship. The most popular courses are finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, and real estate. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. The Visiting Executive Program enables high-level executives to share with students their expertise, working world experiences, and reflections on life inside and outside the business world. Executives speak at classroom lectures as well as informal lunches or after-hours meetings.

Fifty-five total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 27 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Managerial Economics
• Financial Accounting
• Quantitative Methods
• Managing Behavior in Organizations
• Decision Modeling
• Corporate Finance
• Marketing Management
• Corporate Strategy
• Business and Society
• Professional Skills
• Career Development

Required courses for the MS in Accounting include:

• Accounting Theory
• Managerial Accounting Seminar
• Advanced Auditing Theory

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements through waiver exams.

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 2 years; maximum, 2 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 3 years; maximum, 3 years.

There are 88 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate; there are 20 part-time faculty, of whom 98% hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated average for Category I institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of credit hours faculty teach is 12; average business class size is 35.

University of Colorado at Boulder, Leeds School of Business Unique Programs

Library

The William H. White Business Library houses a collection of more than 74,000 volumes, 121,000 microform items, and 600 special business collections, and subscribes to 650 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in financial records and international business. Students have access to such databases and networks as ABI/INFORM, Compact Disclosure, InfoTrac PC, Compustat, Lexis/Nexis, Dialog, Dun & Bradstreet, Disclosure Select, Standard & Poor’s, CorpTech, and Business Source Premier. Other opportunities for research consist of the Business Research Division, with 3 centers providing research opportunities in recreation and tourism, high-technology management, and business advancement.

Computers

Graduate business students must have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of an 802.11 wireless network, T3 Internet connections, and a laboratory with 100 PCs and 4 networked laser printers. Statistical software, including SPSS and SAS, word processing equipment, databases, and spreadsheets are available. The MBA Business Center has 3 workstations and a networked laser printer available for MBA student use.

Career and Job Placement

Majors most in demand by companies recruiting in 2006 were finance, marketing, and telecommunications. Average starting salary of the graduating class was $76,848. Placement services are extensive. Placement services for alumni include an MBA on-line job board, an on-line networking directory, and links to various Internet resume referral and job posting services. Placement is available through the Business Career Center and the university placement office. All 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). They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of proof of MMR immunization, and proof of adequate funds to cover 1 year of study. There is a $100 SEVIS fee. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of scholarships. The application deadline for fall entry is varies.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 14 weeks long. There is a 14-week, summer session, for the part-time program. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening.

University of Colorado at Boulder, Leeds School of Business 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 GMAT results. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 299; 173 were accepted; 93 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.24; average GMAT score was 630. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by attending minority recruiting events, targeted mailings, and advertising in publications targeting specific minority groups. Transfers are accepted in the part-time program.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall only. To apply, students must submit an application form, 2 transcripts, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $70, 3 letters of recommendation, and personal essays. The application deadline varies for fall entry. Students are notified 8 weeks after the application deadline of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is April 15. Once accepted, students may defer admission under special circumstances.

University of Colorado at Boulder, Leeds School of Business Financial Aid

About 75% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $19,660 annually. The FAFSA is required. The application deadline is April 1 for fall entry.

Tuition for in-state residents is $8982 per year. Nonresidents pay $24,156 per year. Estimate living expenses cost approximately $12,400; and other fees, $1000, for an estimated annual total of $22,382 for in-state residents and $37,556 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing consists of some facilities on campus; the majority is off campus. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

University of Colorado at Boulder, Leeds School of Business Students

Fifty-one percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 96% of full-time students 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 Colorado (45%). Twenty-one percent are women, 7% are minorities, and 10% are foreign nationals. The average age of full-time students at entrance is 28; ages range from 21 to 49. Two percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 10% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 28%, business; 23%, engineering; 19%, economics; 11%, liberal arts; 8%, math and science; and 6%, social sciences. About 5% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 95% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 110 graduate business degrees were awarded.