The Robert Emmett McDonough School of Business

Georgetown University, The Robert Emmett McDonough School of Business History

Georgetown University, founded in 1789, is a private, coeducational institution affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. The 104-acre campus is located in an urban area within the city of Washington, D.C. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is approximately 12,000. Figures given in the above capsule are approximate.

The Robert Emmett McDonough School of Business was founded in 1981 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, Old North. The basic educational approach is to emphasize global business while providing a solid foundation in the functional areas of business. Both the case method and theoretical approaches to business problem solving are used.

Georgetown University, The Robert Emmett McDonough School of Business Academics

The Georgetown School of Business offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and International Executive MBA (IEMBA) as well as joint degrees in law (JD/MBA) with the Georgetown Law Center, foreign service (MBA/MSFS), public policy (MBA/MPP), and medicine (MD/MBA). Other programs include cross-registration with members of the Consortium of Colleges and Universities of the Washington Municipal Area, work-study programs, foreign exchange with 10 countries, internships, joint research with faculty, and certificate programs in international business diplomacy and area studies. The strongest areas of study are finance, marketing, and consulting (strategy). The most popular courses are internationally focused courses. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. These programs include Executive-on-Campus and Business Leader of the Year.

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

• Management Communication
• Organizational Behavior
• Quantitative Methods I
• Financial Accounting I and ll
• Marketing
• International Business
• Microeconomics
• Macroeconomics
• Quantitative Methods II
• Finance I and II
• Production and Operations Management
• Technology and Knowledge Management
• Ethics in Business
• Strategic Management
• Business and Government
• Global Experience
• 3 integrative courses
• Decision Support System
• Management Accounting

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements through some course waivers.

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, 3 years.

There are 39 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 95% hold a doctorate; there are 27 part-time faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated well above average for Category I institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average business class size is 52.

Georgetown University, The Robert Emmett McDonough School of Business Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 2 million volumes, 15 million microform items, and 140,112 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 13,357 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in government documents. Students have access to such databases and networks as Lexis/Nexis, Dow Jones News Retrieval, ABI/INFORM, Business Periodicals Index, Predicasts, National Trade Databank, Disclosure, Worldscope, and the Internet, among others. Other opportunities for research consist of the Center for International Business, the Credit Research Center, the Capital Markets Center, the Connelly Program in Business Ethics, the Global Entrepreneurship Program, the Journal of International Business Studies, federal departments, trade associations in Washington, D.C., and the Library of Congress.

Computers

Graduate business students must have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of the Boland Information Systems Laboratory and Decision Support Center (PC laboratories) with 75 PCs and 10 Macs. An additional 16 PCs are located in a new student professional services center in the MBA student lounge. Students have daily access to University mini- and mainframes in other centers. Software includes both Windows and DOS versions of mainstream word processing, spreadsheet, graphics/presentation, and database applications.

Career and Job Placement

In a recent spring, 171 companies recruited on campus. Majors most in demand were finance, marketing, and consulting. Average starting salary of the graduating class was $77,862; range was $14,657 to $150,000. The percentage of graduates finding jobs were:

• financial services 36%
• marketing/sales 25%
• consulting 20%

Placement services are extensive. Placement services for alumni include an alumni job board. Placement is available through the MBA Career Management Office and the university placement office. Eighty-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 or the college’s own test. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of immunization records (for students younger than age 20 at time of school registration), and proof of adequate funds to cover 2 years of study. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of merit-based scholarships. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 14 weeks long. Graduate programs are offered during the day only and only full-time.

Georgetown University, The Robert Emmett McDonough School of Business Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for a recent class was 1600; 700 were accepted; 300 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.29. Transfers are not accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by MBA Forums, national minority MBA associations, mailings, scholarships, and advertisements.

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, 2 letters of recommendation, 3 essays, and a resume. JD/MBA, MBA/MSFS, MBA/MPP, and MD/MBA applicants must complete 2 separate applications. Students are notified of the admissions decision in about 6 to 8 weeks.The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is March. Check with the school for current application deadlines and fees.

Georgetown University, The Robert Emmett McDonough School of Business Financial Aid

In a recent year, about 75% of graduate business school students received financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $35,000 annually; maximum $56,000. Stipends and programs available for minority students include the MBA Scholars Program. The FAFSA, the school’s own financial statement, financial aid transcripts from all previously attended postsecondary institutions, and federal tax returns are required. are required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for all students is approximately $33,000 per year. Books and supplies cost approximately $2100; personal expenses, $6000; and other fees, $2450, for an estimated annual total of $43,550. Graduate student housing is off campus and within walking distance. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Georgetown University, The Robert Emmett McDonough School of Business Students

All of a recent graduate business school class were enrolled full time; 99% 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 foreign countries (39%). Thirty-one percent were women, 9% are minorities, and 40% were foreign nationals. The average age at entrance was 28; ages ranged from 22 to 41. One percent entered directly from undergraduate school; 6% already had a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 31%, business; 22%, natural science and engineering; 21%, economics; 16%, social sciences; and 10%, liberal arts. 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 a recent year, 264 graduate business degrees were awarded.