School of Business, Office of Graduate Programs

Howard University, School of Business, Office of Graduate Programs History

Howard University, founded in 1867, is a private, coeducational institution. The 89-acre campus is located in an urban area northwest of downtown Washington, D.C. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is approximately 10,800.

The School of Business, Office of Graduate Programs was founded in 1970 and is located on the main campus. The basic educational approach is to provide students with a highly competitive management education through a curriculum designed to sharpen their analytical, quantitative, and written and oral communication skills. The case method and theoretical approach are used.

Howard University, School of Business, Office of Graduate Programs Academics

The School of Business offers the Master in Business Administration (MBA) as well as a joint degree in Pharmacy (PharmD/MBA), Medical (MD/MBA), Law (JD/MBA), 5-year Accounting (BBA/MBA). Other programs include a 3-2 degree with the engineering school; cross-registration with George Mason, Georgetown, American, and George Washington universities and the University of Maryland; cooperative programs; and joint research conducted with faculty. The strongest areas of study are management, finance, supply chain management, and marketing. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus and include 12 Citigroup Leadership Development Modules per year.

Fifty-four total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 15 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Financial Accounting
• Financial Management
• Organizational Management
• Marketing Management
• Statistics
• Management Communications
• Principles of Information Systems
• Managerial Accounting
• Microeconomics for Business
• Macroeconomics for Business
• Legal Environments of Business
• Production/Operations Management
• Strategic Management

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by completing comparable course work elsewhere.

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 4 semesters; maximum, 5 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 5 semesters; maximum, 7 years.

There are 62 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 92% hold a doctorate; there are 22 part-time faculty, of whom 45% hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated below average for Category I institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 4; average business class size is 17.

Howard University, School of Business, Office of Graduate Programs Unique Programs

Library

The library subscribes to 7500 periodicals. Students have access to such databases and networks as CD-ROMs and OCLC (Online Computer Library Center). Other opportunities for research consist of the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area and the extensive educational resources available in Washington.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of upgraded MBA, Undergraduate, COBIS, and Instructional Labs, Simulation Lab with all required equipment, materials, and supplies. There is also a wireless network available throughout the school. The SLR lab is available Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The MBA and undergraduate labs are available Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Career and Job Placement

In spring 2006, 60 companies recruited on campus. Average starting salary of the graduating class was $84,695; range was $48,000 to $115,000. Placement services are extensive and job recommendations are available to alumni through the Howard’s Monster trak system. Placement is available through a separate placement office for graduate business students and the university placement office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. International students must score 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT) or 79 on the Internet-Based (iBT) version. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health, and proof of adequate funds to cover the entire length of study.

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.

Howard University, School of Business, Office of Graduate Programs Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 3.0 and a GMAT score of 480. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, GMAT results, and letters of recommendation. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 161; 95 were accepted; 74 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.11; average GMAT score was 517. Transfers are not accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by participation in the NBMBAA Conference, the NSHMBA Conference, the Blacks in Government Conference, the World MBA Tour as well as extensive mailings and by being a predominantly African American institution.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, 2 transcripts, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $65, 2 letters of recommendation, and an autobiographical sketch. The application deadlines are May 15 for fall entry; November 15, spring; April 1, summer. Students are notified of the admissions decision about 6 weeks after all documents are received. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is June. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 2 semesters.

Howard University, School of Business, Office of Graduate Programs Financial Aid

About 85% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $23,355 annually; maximum $42,163. The FAFSA is required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for all students is $828 per credit, or $14,910 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $12,244; books and supplies, $1200; personal expenses, $2538; and other fees, $805, for an estimated annual total of $31,697. Graduate student housing is available in an on-campus, high-rise apartment-style building. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Howard University, School of Business, Office of Graduate Programs Students

Seventy-four percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 85% have had an average of 3 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. Fifty-four percent are women, 73% are minorities, and 27% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 27; ages range from 20 to 41. Fifteen percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 1% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 60%, business; 14%, social sciences; 13%, math and science; 8%, economics; and 5%, engineering. About 3% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 97% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 50 graduate business degrees were awarded.