Dolan School of Business/Graduate Program

Fairfield University, Dolan School of Business/Graduate Program History

Fairfield University, founded in 1942, is a private, coeducational institution affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, Jesuit. The 200-acre campus is located in a suburban area 45 miles northeast of New York City. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 5200.

The Dolan School of Business/Graduate Program was founded in 1981 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, the Charles F. Dolan School of Business. The basic educational approach is a mixture of the case method, the theoretical approach, and experiential learning in all business disciplines.

Fairfield University, Dolan School of Business/Graduate Program Academics

The School of Business offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Science in Finance (MSF). Other programs include a 4-1 degree in accounting or taxation, cross-registration with the university’s Graduate School of Education and the School of Engineering, foreign exchange with 3 countries, and certificates for advanced study in accounting, finance, human resource management, information technology, international business, marketing, and taxation. The strongest areas of study are finance, accounting, international business, and human resource management. The most popular courses are Global Competitive Strategy, Financial Management, Strategic Management of Technology, and Innovation and Leadership. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus and include the Olin Fellows Program.

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

• Financial and Managerial Accounting
• Managerial and Mathematical Economics
• Data Analysis and Modeling
• Global, Legal, Social, and Ethical Environments of Business
• Global Competitive Strategy
• Financial Management
• Information Communication and Technology Management
• Organizational Behavior
• Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation
• Marketing Management
• Financial Statement Analysis and Communications
• Quality Management Processes
• Human Resource Strategies
• Leadership
• Shareholder Value

Required courses for the MSF include:

• Financial Management
• Case Problems in Finance
• Investment Analysis
• Portfolio Management
• International Financial Management
• Global Financial Markets and Institutions
• Derivative Securities and Financial Risk Management
• Research Methods in Finance

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements if they have achieved a grade of B or better in the same core course taken elsewhere.

The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 1 year; maximum, 5 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 1<1/2> years; maximum, 5 years.

There are 37 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 99% hold a doctorate; there are 4 part-time faculty, of whom 75% 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 27.

Fairfield University, Dolan School of Business/Graduate Program Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 290,000 volumes, 92,000 microform items, and 9000 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 1800 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in finance, taxation, law, and organizational behavior. Students have access to such databases and networks as CRSP tapes, Disclosure, Worldscope, Lexis/Nexis, and ABI/INFORM.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of 10 public PC labs with word processing, database, and spreadsheet software, and access to the mainframe with SAS, SPSS-X, and various programming languages. Staffed labs are open 18 hours every day. There is a LAN with access to the Internet and the World Wide Web.

Career and Job Placement

Majors most in demand by companies recruiting in 2006 were finance, information technology, and marketing. Placement services are limited, since most students are already employed full time, and are available through the university placement office and the faculty, or the dean.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of measles vaccination verification, and proof of adequate funds. The application deadline for fall entry is May 15.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 15 weeks long; summer sessions, 5 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the evening only and weekends.

Fairfield University, Dolan School of Business/Graduate Program Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 3.0 and a GMAT score of 500. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x GPA) + GMAT=1100. Most important admissions factors are essays, a successful interview, and letters of recommendation. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 121; 118 were accepted; 103 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.5; average GMAT score was 550. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $55, 2 letters of recommendation, a statement of self-evaluation, and measles vaccination verification. The application deadlines are August 15 for fall entry; December 15, spring; May 15, summer. Students are notified of the admissions decision immediately after a decision is made. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is July. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 1 year.

Fairfield University, Dolan School of Business/Graduate Program Financial Aid

About 1% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships. The FAFSA is required.

Tuition for all students is $600 per credit. Graduate student housing is limited.

Fairfield University, Dolan School of Business/Graduate Program Students

Thirteen percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 10% have had an average of 2 to 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 Connecticut (95%). Thirty-six percent are women, 5% are minorities, and 3% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 27; ages range from 22 to 48. Two percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 10% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 50%, business; 10%, economics; 10%, engineering; 10%, liberal arts; 10%, math and science; and 10%, social sciences. About 5% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 70% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 68 graduate business degrees were awarded.