College of Business and Management

University of Illinois at Springfield, College of Business and Management History

University of Illinois at Springfield, founded in 1969, is a public, coeducational institution. The 746-acre campus is located in an urban area 90 miles northeast of St. Louis, MO. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 4761.

The College of Business and Management was founded in 1970 and is located on the main campus. Courses also are offered at Peoria (MBA). The basic educational approach emphasizes practical application of theory. This is reflected in the selection of faculty, as most have significant practical experience as well as academic credentials. It is also reflected in the curriculum through case methods and gaming simulations.

University of Illinois at Springfield, College of Business and Management Academics

The College of Business and Management offers the Master of Arts in Accountancy (MAAcc), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Master of Science in Management Information Systems (MS/MIS). Other programs include work-study programs and public service internships. The strongest areas of study are accounting, marketing, and management information systems. The most popular course is in strategy.

Thirty-six total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 8 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Management Accounting
• Information Technology Management
• Managerial Finance
• Marketing Management
• Production and Operations Management
• Organizational Behavior
• Research Methods and Statistical Analysis
• Business Strategy

Required courses for the MS/MIS include:

• Technical Foundations of Information Systems
• Management Information Systems
• Managerial Decision Support Systems or
• Strategic Decision Support Systems or
• Management of Data Base Systems
• Systems Analysis and Design
• Telecommunications
• Project Management
• Graduate Project/Thesis

Required courses for the MAAcc include:

• 20 credit hours of accounting topics
• 4 to 8 credit hours of business and administrative topics
• Accountancy Capstone

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements.

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 1 year; maximum, 2 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 2 years; maximum, 6 years.

There are 27 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 96% hold a doctorate; there are 4 part-time faculty, of whom 50% hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of credit hours faculty teach is 12; average business class size is 17.

University of Illinois at Springfield, College of Business and Management Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 509,000 volumes, 15 microform items, and 2000 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 2500 periodicals. The collection is well rounded with good periodical holdings in a number of areas of relevance to the business curriculum. Students have access to such databases and networks as DIALOG, BRS, and Ilinet, as well as an interlibrary loan service. Other opportunities for research consist of the Illinois State Library/Springfield. The university is a selective housing site for federal documents and is an Illinois state documents depository.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of 30 PCs as well as word processing, business, spreadsheet, database, and programming software.

Career and Job Placement

Placement services are limited, since most students are already employed full time. Placement services for alumni include a resume service, a credentials file, and job referral. Placement is available through the university placement office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of a TB test and proof of immunizations, and proof of adequate funds to cover the academic year of study. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of tuition waiver and student employment. The application deadline for fall entry is June 1.

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 and weekends.

University of Illinois at Springfield, College of Business and Management Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.5 and a GMAT score of 400. 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 427; 268 were accepted; 142 enrolled. 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, and an essay. The application deadlines are June 1 for fall entry; December 1, spring; April 1, summer. Students are notified of the admissions decision within 45. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 1 year.

University of Illinois at Springfield, College of Business and Management Financial Aid

Stipends and programs available for minority students include 10 graduate assistantships university wide. The FFS or FAFSA, and the school’s own financial statement, the previous year’s tax return, and/ or other need-analysis results as required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for in-state residents is $197 per credit, or $4722 per year. Nonresidents pay $523 per credit, or $12,558 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $5850; books and supplies, $1200; personal expenses, $1800; and other fees, $1614, for an estimated annual total of $15,186 for in-state residents and $23,022 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing consists of 2- and 4-bedroom apartments, townhouses, and family housing. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

University of Illinois at Springfield, College of Business and Management Students

Twenty-nine percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time. The greatest percentage of students are from Illinois (80%). Forty-two percent are women, 15% are minorities, and 7% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 29; ages range from 22 to 50. In 2006, 109 graduate business degrees were awarded.