School of Business and Public Administration

University of the District of Columbia, School of Business and Public Administration History

University of the District of Columbia, founded in 1968, is a public, coeducational institution. The 25-acre campus is located in an urban area in Washington, D.C. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 5300.

The School of Business and Public Administration was founded in 1972 and is located on the main campus, in its own building. The basic educational approach is to provide an opportunity for traditional and nontraditional students to prove their abilities and compete toward the advanced degree of their choice. The curriculum emphasizes general management, using a mix of theoretical and case method approaches. Areas of emphasis are offered in order to have some level of specialization within a general management framework.

University of the District of Columbia, School of Business and Public Administration Academics

The School offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Public Administration (MPA). Other programs include work-study programs and internships with SBA-aided local businesses. The strongest areas of study are finance, accounting, international business, management, and public management. The most popular courses are project management, international management, business research methods, investments, nonprofit accounting, information systems, management theory and practice, and international marketing.

Thirty-six total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 9 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Business Research Methods
• Management Information Systems
• Quantitative Business Methods
• Management Theory and Practice or
• Organizational Development and Behavior
• Marketing Management
• Financial Management
• Managerial Economics
• Policy Formulation
• Accounting for the Management Function

Required courses for the MPA include:

• Public Management Research
• Public Policy Development and Implementation
• Public Finance and the Budgetary Process
• Planning in Government
• Quantitative Methods for Public Administration
• Management of Government Organizations

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by substituting course work completed at other schools.

Business students may take relevant nonbusiness courses in other departments. The maximum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full or part time is 5 years.

There are 7 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate; there are 4 part-time faculty, of whom 2 hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated below average for Category llA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 3; average business class size is 14.

University of the District of Columbia, School of Business and Public Administration Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 570,000 volumes, 530,000 microform items, and 19,500 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 527 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in management. Students have access to such databases and networks as a central system with a consortium called Alladin. Other opportunities for research consist of membership in the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area and proximity to the Library of Congress and federal buildings.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of an open PC lab. The university’s computer center houses DEC VAX 8650 and IBM 4381 computers, which are accessed by 40 terminals in the college building, available 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays. The computer terminal laboratory of the college contains PCs.

Career and Job Placement

Placement services are extensive and are available through the university placement office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. International students must score 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT). They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of a doctor’s certificate, and proof of adequate funds to cover 2 years of study. The application deadline for fall entry is May 1.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 16 weeks long; summer sessions, 4 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the evening only and weekends.

University of the District of Columbia, School of Business and Public Administration Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.5. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (GPA x 200) + GMAT, or minimum 850. Most important admissions factors are grades in upper-level courses, management potential, and GMAT results. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for a recent class was 35; 25 were accepted; 22 enrolled. The average GPA was 2.6; average GMAT score was 425. 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 (GRE for the MPA), a nonrefundable application fee of $20, and 2 letters of recommendation. The application deadlines are June 15 for fall entry; November 1, spring; April 1, summer. Students are notified of the admissions decision 2 weeks after submission of all documents.

University of the District of Columbia, School of Business and Public Administration Financial Aid

The FAFSA is required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for in-state residents is $225 per credit, or $4050 per year. Nonresidents pay $350 per credit, or $6300 per year. Books and supplies cost approximately $600; and other fees, $510, for an estimated annual total of $5160 for in-state residents and $7410 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing is not available on campus. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

University of the District of Columbia, School of Business and Public Administration Students

Twenty-seven percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 50% have had an average of 3 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school. The greatest percentage of students are from the District of Columbia (60%). Thirty-four percent are women, 80% are minorities, and 25% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 25; ages range from 23 to 41. Forty percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 5% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 60%, business; 15%, economics; 10%, liberal arts; 10%, social sciences; and 5%, engineering. About 20% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 60% remain to receive their degree.