MBA Program

Assumption College, MBA Program History

Assumption College, founded in 1904, is a private, coeducational institution affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. The 180-acre campus is located in a suburban area 40 miles west of Boston. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 2791.

The MBA Program was founded in 1981 and is located on the main campus. Courses also are offered at the Martin Luther King Business Empowerment Center. The basic educational approach is to stress effective decision making and the development and implementation of organizational strategies at all levels and emphasize values in business through an ethics across-the-curriculum approach.

Assumption College, MBA Program Academics

The MBA Assumption offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA) as well as a joint degree in a 5-year BA/MBA to meet the 150-hour CPA requirement. Other programs include the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Business, a continuing education program. The strongest areas of study are management, accounting, and marketing. The most popular courses are Human and Organizational Behavior, Marketing Strategies, and Business Ethics. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. and include an annual business lecture.

Thirty-six total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 18 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Human and Organizational Behavior
• Marketing Strategy Development
• Financial Strategy Development
• Business Ethics
• Business Strategy
• Operations Strategy Development

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements through CLEP or a challenge exam (for foundation courses only). Up to 12 credits may be transferred into the program. A grade of B- or better is required.

The maximum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time or part time is 7 years.

There are 6 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 33% hold a doctorate; there are 9 part-time faculty, of whom 33% hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated above average for Category IIB institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 2; average business class size is 16.

Assumption College, MBA Program Unique Programs

Library

The business school library and the university’s main library houses a collection of more than 200,000 volumes, 17,690 microform items, and 1450 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 1125 periodicals. Students have access to such databases and networks as EBSCO, FirstSearch, Agricola, Bio/AgIndex, Business and Company Resource Center with PROMT, Lexis/Nexis, and InfoTrac. Other opportunities for research consist of a consortium through which students may have access to 3 million volumes.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. Available computer facilities consist of more than 30 terminals and nearly 80 PCs. Software includes WordPerfect, Lotus 1-2-3, Excel, dBASE, Pagemaker, SPSS, Minitab, and Data Desk Professional.

Career and Job Placement

Placement services are limited, since most students are already employed full time, and are available through the university placement office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL and have a minimum score of 6.0 on the IELTS. International students must score 540 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT). They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of immunizatin records, and proof of adequate funds to cover 1 year of study. The application deadline for fall entry is July 1.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 14 weeks long; summer sessions, 6 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the evening only.

Assumption College, MBA Program Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.75. Most important admissions factors are essays, letters of recommendation, and academic accomplishments and ability. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 69; 67 were accepted; 58 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.03. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by holding open houses information sessions and by classes offerings at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Business Empowerment Center.

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, 3 letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a current resume. The application deadlines are July 1 for fall entry; December 1, spring; April 1, summer. Students are notified approximately 3 weeks from receiving all application material of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is open. Once accepted, students may defer admission up to 1 year.

Assumption College, MBA Program Financial Aid

About 11% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships. The FAFSA and the school’s own financial statement and a financial aid transcript are required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for all students is $427 per credit, or $6405 per year. Books and supplies cost approximately $700; personal expenses, $1310; and other fees, $60, for an estimated annual total of $8475. Graduate student housing is not available on campus, but a limited number of graduate resident assistantships are granted each year. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Assumption College, MBA Program Students

Ten percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 81% have had an average of 5 of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school. The greatest percentage of students are from Massachusetts (98%). Fifty percent are women, 11% are minorities, and 3% are foreign nationals. Nineteen percent enter directly from undergraduate school. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 59%, business; 20%, economics; 9%, math and science; 3%, liberal arts; 3%, social sciences; and 2%, engineering. In 2006, 28 graduate business degrees were awarded.