College of Business

Benedictine University, College of Business History

Benedictine University, founded in 1887, is a private, coeducational institution affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. The 108-acre campus is located in a suburban area 25 miles west of downtown Chicago. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 3924.

The College of Business was founded in 1976 and is located on the main campus. Courses also are offered at Springfield, Illinois (M.B.A.) and (M.O.B.), Sheyang, China (M.B.A.) and (M.I.S.). The basic educational approach is to provide pragmatic graduate education and to develop value-driven leaders for a global business enviroment based on the application of sound theory to the solution of complex business problems.

Benedictine University, College of Business Academics

The COB offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science in Management Information Systems (MSMIS), and Master of Science in Management and Organizational Behavior (MSMOB) as well as a doctoral program in organization development, and a joint degree in MBA and Management Information Systems (MBA/MSMIS), MBA and Management and Organizational Behavior (MBA/MSMOB), MBA and Public Health (MBA/MPH), Management Informatiion Systems and Management and Organizational Behavior (MSMIS/MSMOB) and Management Information Systems and Public Health (MSMIS/MPH). Other programs include a 5-year BA/MBA in international business and economics, internships, accelerated weekend MBA program (16 months), an accelerated MOB program (13 months), and internship programs. The strongest areas of study are business administration and organization development. The most popular course is business administration. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus and include the Annual Management Lecture Series with distinguished guest lectures from industry and academia in the fall and spring.

Sixty-four total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 16 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Financial Accounting
• Economics (Macro)
• Leadership and Ethics in a Global Environment
• Organizational Behavior
• International Business
• Analytical Tools for Management Decisions
• Operations Management
• Managerial Accounting
• Managerial Economics
• Financial Management
• Marketing Management
• Strategic Management
• Project Management

Required courses for the MSMIS include:

• Computer Programming
• Computer Organization and Architecture
• System Analysis and Design
• Database Management Systems
• Information Systems Security and Control
• Network Planning
• Network Design
• Project Management
• Strategic Information Technology Management

Required courses for the MSMOB include:

• Career and Human Resource Planning
• Ethics and Social Responsibility in Management
• Organizational Behavior
• Strategy, Structure, and Decision Making
• Accounting for Managers
• Data Processing and Management
• Strategic Policy
• Introduction to Statistical Analysis
• Methods of Organizational Research
• Contemporary Trends in Change Management

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements through waivers based on performance in previous course work, transfer credit, and course substitution.

The maximum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time or part time is 6 years.

There are 8 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate; there are 50 part-time faculty, of whom 35% hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated above average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 9; average business class size is 15.

Benedictine University, College of Business Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 130,000 volumes, 312,000 microform items, and 3000 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 12,500 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in organization development and organizational behavior. Students have access to such databases and networks as Business and Company, ASAP, ABI/INFORM, Business Source Premier, Business Abstracts, Academic Universe, Hoovers, and Value Line. Other opportunities for research consist of assisting faculty research in the areas of organizational behavior, human resources, technology management, and others.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities. Students have free access to more than 100 “open access” computers. The software includes Microsoft Office Suite, SPSS, and access to the Internet. The library hosts 26 of these computers, and they are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The remainder are available during building hours from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and are located in the common areas.

Career and Job Placement

In spring 2006, 65 companies recruited on campus. Twenty percent were national corporations. The starting salary range of the graduating class was $30,000 to $49,999 for undergraduates abd $49,999 to $60,000 for graduates. Placement services are extensive. Placement services for alumni include assistance with resume writing, interviewing strategies, and networking opportunities among faculty, alumni, local organizations, and the Career Development office. Placement is available through the university placement office. Twenty-nine 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. International students must score 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT) or 79 on the Internet-Based version (iBT). They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of completed student health form, and proof of adequate funds to cover 2 years of study. The application deadline for fall entry is open.

Calendar

The school operates on a quarter basis. Semesters are 10 weeks long; summer sessions, 10 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening and weekends.

Benedictine University, College of Business Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 3.0. Most important admissions factors are management potential, academic accomplishments and ability, and work experience. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 674; 592 were accepted; 470 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.01. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by programs in the Chicago metropolitan area. The university also recruits internationally.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, winter, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $40, 2 letters of recommendation, and an essay of educational and career goals. The application deadlines are September 1 for fall entry; December 1, winter; February 15, spring; May 1, summer. Students are notified of the admissions decision within 24 hours of receiving a completed file. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is open. Once accepted, students may defer admission.

Benedictine University, College of Business Financial Aid

The FAFSA is required. The application deadline is open for fall entry.

Tuition for all students is $430 per credit. Graduate student housing is available in on-campus apartments. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Benedictine University, College of Business Students

Twenty-six percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time. The greatest percentage of students are from Illinois (77%). Forty-five percent are women, 24% are minorities, and 6% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 33; ages range from 21 to 64. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 37%, business; 29%, math and science; 12%, social sciences; 6%, liberal arts; and 1%, engineering. In 2006, 148 graduate business degrees were awarded.