College of Business

University of Louisville, College of Business History

University of Louisville, founded in 1797, is a public, coeducational institution. The 120-acre campus is located in an urban area near downtown Louisville. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 21,841.

The College of Business was founded in 1954 and is located on the main campus, in its own building. Courses also are offered in Panama and Europe (MBA). The basic educational approach is a mix of case study, theory, and team-based learning featuring leadership, entrepreneurial thinking, problem solving, and critical thinking skills.

University of Louisville, College of Business Academics

The College of Business offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Accountancy (MAC), and Master of Business Administration for Entrepreneurial Thinking (IMBA) as well as a doctoral program in entrepreneurship, and a joint degree for all graduate programs on campus. Other programs include 3-2 degrees with the schools of Engineering and Arts and Science, a cooperative program with United Parcel Service, foreign exchange with 4 countries, an international trip, and internships. The strongest areas of study are entrepreneurship and leadership. The most popular courses are Marketing and Distribution Management, Managerial Finance, Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management, Business Valuation and Analysis, and Managerial Economics. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. Various classes and the college have a variety of speakers, including entrepreneurs and business leaders; college-wide events are frequently open to the entire campus community.

Thirty-six total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 6 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Managerial Accounting
• Managerial Economics
• Managerial Finance
• Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management
• Operations and Design and Analysis
• Marketing and Distribution Management
• Strategic Management
• Business Valuation and Analysis
• Global Economics
• Leadership and Ethics
• Global Business
• business elective

Required courses for the IMBA include:

• Accounting Foundations
• Economic Foundations
• Finance Foundations
• Marketing Foundations
• Team Dynamics
• Opportunity Discovery
• New Venture Creation
• Leadership
• Individual and Organizational Influences on Innovative Behavior
• Business Plan Development
• Financial Strategy
• Information Technology and the Global Business Environment
• Developing High Performance Systems
• Life-Long Learning l
• Integrative Operatons Strategy
• Corporate Entrepreneurship and Global Strategy
• New Venture Implementation
• Life-Long Learning ll

Required courses for the MAC include:

• Cost and Operations Management
• Advanced Financial and Government Accounting
• Federal Taxation
• Financial Accounting and Professionalism
• Auditing and Systems
• Special Topics in Accounting
• Commercial Law Professional Accountants
• Professional Interest Area Electives

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements on an case-by-case basis.

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, 3 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 2 years; maximum, 3 years.

There are 44 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 91% hold a doctorate; there are 10 part-time faculty, of whom 10% hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated average for Category I institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 5; average business class size is 22.

University of Louisville, College of Business Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 2.1 million volumes, 2.2 million microform items, and 8850 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 37,800 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in management information systems, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Students have access to such databases and networks as ABI/INFORM Business and Industry, Business Source Premier, Mergent Online, NBER Working Papers, and Regional Business News. Other opportunities for research consist of interlibrary loans, the Bureau for Business and Economic Research, and access to all Kentuckiana Metroversity Libraries.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of the university’s computer center, which has 9 IBM 3081D main computers accessed by more than 3000 terminals around the campus, available 8 a.m. to midnight. In addition, there are approximately 200 PCs available in open computer centers for student use.

Career and Job Placement

Placement services include career coaching and career leader assessment. Students also have access to electronically post their resumes and review company postings for current job openings. Placement is 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) or 80 on the Internet-Based (iBT) version. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts and proof of adequate funds. There are special fees of a $25 Foreign Student Service Fee. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of graduate assistantships. The application deadline for fall entry is July 1.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 15 weeks long; summer sessions, 6 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the evening only and some Saturday mornings.

University of Louisville, College of Business Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 3.0 and a GMAT score of 530. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores varies depending on work experience. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, a successful interview, and GMAT results. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 170; 101 were accepted; 88 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.44; average GMAT score was 543. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by through university partnership with historically black universities and colleges.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, spring, and summer (IMBA). To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $50, 2 letters of recommendation, a personal interview, a written personal statement, a letter of recommendation, and a resume. The application deadlines are July 1 for fall entry; December 1, spring; April 1, summer. Students are notified on a rolling basis following the completion of the interview of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is August 1. Once accepted, students may defer admission to the next cohort that has seats available.

University of Louisville, College of Business Financial Aid

About 1% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $18,000 annually; maximum $18,000. The FAFSA is required. The application deadline is March 15 for fall entry.

Tuition for in-state residents is $505 per credit, or $9090 per year. Nonresidents pay $1176 per credit, or $21,166 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $4550; books and supplies, $600; and other fees, $35, for an estimated annual total of $14,275 for in-state residents and $26,351 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing consists of on- and off-campus accommodations.

University of Louisville, College of Business Students

Thirty-six percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 90% have had an average of 7 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from Kentucky (72%). Forty percent are women, 10% are minorities, and 23% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 27; ages range from 21 to 49. Two percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 5% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 40%, business; 25%, engineering; 10%, economics; 10%, liberal arts; 10%, math and science; and 5%, social sciences. About 10% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 90% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 216 graduate business degrees were awarded.