School of Business

George Washington University, School of Business History

George Washington University, founded in 1821, is a private, coeducational institution. The 43-acre campus is located in an urban area 4 blocks from the White House in the heart of Washington, D.C. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is approximately 22,051. Figures given in the above capsule are approximate.

The School of Business was founded in 1928 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, the Hall of Government. Courses also are offered in Virginia, Arlington (MSIST), Ashburn (AMBA and EMIS); Alexandria (AMBA), and through distance education (AMTA, MSPM, and MBA). The basic educational approach is an intensive team-based approach, including case studies, lectures, class discussions, and field projects.

George Washington University, School of Business Academics

The School of Business offers the Full-Time Master of Business Administration (MBA), Accelerated Master of Business Administration (AMBA), Accelerated Master of Tourism Administration (ATMA), Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA), Executive Master of Science in Information Systems (EMIS), Master of Accountancy (Maccy), Master of Science in Finance (MSF), Master of Science in Information Systems Technology (MSIST), Master of Science in Project Management (MSPM), Master of Tourism Administration (MTA), and Part-Time Master of Business Administration (PMBA) as well as numerous full-time doctoral programs, and joint degrees in law and business administration (JD/MBA) and international affairs and business administration (MA/MBA). Other programs include 3-2 degrees in information systems and in tourism administration, interdisciplinary programs within the school as well as with other departments, cross-registration with other departments and the Consortium of Universities in the Washington metropolitan area, cooperative programs locally and nationally, foreign exchange with 14 countries, local and national internship programs, work-study programs, joint research with faculty, and distance education. The strongest areas of study are international business, finance, marketing, information systems technology, small business and entrepreneurship, and accountancy. The most popular courses are international business, finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, and nonprofit management. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. These include the Executive-in-Residence program, Distinguished Speakers Series, Visiting Faculty Appointments, and MBA GLOBE program (Global Leadership of Business Enterprise).

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

• Managerial Economics
• Financial Accounting
• Marketing Management
• Financial Management
• Organization Management and Leadership
• Operations Management
• Managerial Statistics
• Strategy Formulation and Implementation
• Business and Public Policy
• Information Systems Technology
• Managerial Accounting
• The World Economy

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements. Allowances depend on individual programs.

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 1 year; maximum, 5 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 2 years; maximum, 5 years.

There are 109 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 98% hold a doctorate; there are 85 part-time faculty, of whom 34% 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 4; average business class size is 20.

George Washington University, School of Business Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 1,381,076 volumes, 1,361,901 microform items, and 9000 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 18,000 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in business economics/public policy, human resources management, finance, and areas closely related to corporate law. Students have access to such databases and networks as Dialog, BRS, ABI/INFORM, Abstracts of Working Papers in Economics, Dissertation Abstracts, Prompts, Public Affairs, Information Service, Trade and Industry Index, Nexis/Lexis, and DBI. Other opportunities for research consist of access to consortium university libraries in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of several computer laboratories available at various times during the week and weekends. An extensive software library is continually updated at the request of faculty and students.

Career and Job Placement

In a recent spring 2006, 80 companies recruited on campus. Ninety percent were national corporations. Majors most in demand were finance, marketing, and information systems. Average starting salary of the graduating class was $71,000; range was $31,200 to $135,000. Placement services are extensive. Placement services for alumni include all available. Placement is available through the Graduate Career Center and the university placement office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL, and the university test may be required. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of immunization documentation if under age 26, and proof of adequate funds to cover the first year and projected second year of study. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of graduate assistantships, based on merit. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 15 weeks long; summer sessions, 6 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening, weekends, and distance learning.

George Washington University, School of Business Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.2.

The number of applicants for a recent class was 1850; 1225 were accepted; 700 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.2. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by visits to predominantly minority institutions and through mass mailings.

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, 3 letters of recommendation, essays, and a resume. Notification of the admissions decision varies by program. Check with the school.The latest acceptable test date for fall entry varies by program. Check with the school. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 1 year, with review.

George Washington University, School of Business Financial Aid

In a recent year, about 70% of graduate business school students received financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $10,000 annually; maximum $18,500. Stipends and programs are available for minority students. The FAFSA and the school’s own financial statement are required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for all students is approximately $900 per credit. Check with the school for current costs. Graduate student housing is not available. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

George Washington University, School of Business Students

Thirty-four percent of a recent graduate business school class were enrolled full time; 85% 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 were from District of Columbia (45%). Forty-three percent were women, 21% were minorities, and 20% were foreign nationals. The average age at entrance was 32; ages ranged from 20 to 60. Fifteen percent entered directly from undergraduate school; 9% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 36%, business; 16%, economics; 14%, liberal arts; 14%, social sciences; 12%, engineering; and 8%, math and science. About 2% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 88% remain to receive their degree. In a recent year, 858 graduate business degrees were awarded.