Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences

Eastern Illinois University, Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences History

Eastern Illinois University, founded in 1895, is a public, coeducational institution. The 320-acre campus is located in a rural area 180 miles south of Chicago. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 12,349.

The Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences was founded in 1968 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, Lumpkin Hall. Courses also are offered at Champaign,IL (Part-time MBA). The basic educational approach is a mix of the theoretical and the case methods.

Eastern Illinois University, Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences Academics

The Graduate Business Studies offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA). Other programs include internships with local firms, joint research with faculty through independent study, and external graduate assistantships. The strongest areas of study are accounting, operations management, and quantitative modeling. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. The Executive-in-Residence program brings noted executives to the school for 2-to 3-day visits to speak to classes and to meet with students and faculty.

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

• Quantitive Modeling
• Marketing Management
• Managerial Accounting Control
• Financial Management
• Operations Management
• Management Information Systems
• Organizational Behavior and Group Dynamics
• Administrative Policy

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 3 semesters; maximum, 6 semesters. For students attending part time, the minimum is 6 semesters; maximum, 15 semesters.

There are 23 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 2; average business class size is 25.

Eastern Illinois University, Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 1,044,728 volumes, 1,382,016 microform items, and 64,540 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 14,672 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in finance and accounting. Students have access to such databases and networks as ABI/INFORM, Mergent, Checkpoint, EBSCO, Bus Source Elite, FactSearch, and Lexis-Nexis. Other opportunities for research consist of Share, WorldCAT, SILC, LINC Catalog, and E-Books.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of 140 PCs, all networked. Software includes word processing, spreadsheet, databases, and web development. Computers may be used by all students approximately 62 hours per week. There is also programming software, wireless access in the building, and access to Citrix server.

Career and Job Placement

In a recent spring, 20 companies recruited on campus. Eighty percent were national corporations. Majors most in demand were accounting, information systems, finance, and marketing. Placement services are limited, since most students are already employed full time. Placement services for alumni include assistance with resume development, mock interviews, on-site interviews, career fair, connections to employers and alumni through networking, listing of available positions on web sites and list serves. Placement is available through the university placement office. Ninety percent of the most recent graduating class found jobs within three months of receiving their degree.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. International students must score 550 on the Internet-Based TOEFL (iBT). They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of immunization record and TB test, and proof of adequate funds to cover 1 year of study. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of tuition waivers up to 9 hours per semester, graduate assistantships, which includes tuition reimbursement for the entire program and monthly stipend for 9 months. The application deadline for fall entry is May 15.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 16 weeks long; summer sessions, 8 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening.

Eastern Illinois University, Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.75 and a GMAT score of 400. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x GPA) + GMAT, or minimum 1000. Most important admissions factors are GMAT results, grades in upper-level courses, and work experience. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 92; 61 were accepted; 55 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.27; average GMAT score was 515. Transfers are accepted.

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 of $30, and 2 letters of recommendation. The application deadlines are July 1 for fall entry; December 1, spring; April 15, summer. Students are notified as early as possible of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is early August. Once accepted, students may defer admission.

Eastern Illinois University, Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences Financial Aid

About 24% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $10,250 annually. Stipends and programs available for minority students include tuition waivers. The FAFSA is required. The application deadline is February 15 for fall entry.

Tuition for in-state residents is $170 per credit, or $4590 per year. Nonresidents pay $403 per credit, or $16,771 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $6660; books and supplies, $262; personal expenses, $2500; and other fees, $2186, for an estimated annual total of $16,198 for in-state residents and $28,379 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing is available in university apartments and residence halls; abundant availability in the community.

Eastern Illinois University, Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences Students

Forty-five percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 75% have had an average of 5 of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from Illinois (88%). Forty-five percent are women, 15% are minorities, and 8% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 27; ages range from 22 to 49. Twenty percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 5% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 67%, business; 54%, engineering; 6%, math and science; 6%, social sciences; and 3%, economics. About 4% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 96% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 49 graduate business degrees were awarded.