Graduate School of Management

Clark University, Graduate School of Management History

Clark University, founded in 1887, is a private, coeducational institution. The 45-acre campus is located in an urban area 38 miles west of Boston. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is approximately 3100.

The Graduate School of Management was founded in 1964 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, Carlson Hall. Courses also are offered at Framingham (MBA and MSF). The basic educational approach is designed to provide students with strong analytical foundations and critical management judgment. Courses reflect the way the world does business: teams of managers bring diverse cultures, skills, and experiences together.

Clark University, Graduate School of Management Academics

The Graduate School of Management offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Science in Finance (MSF). Other programs include joint research, work-study, 3-2 degrees with College of the Holy Cross and Trier University in Germany, foreign exchange with Universite Laval in Quebec, Vaxjo University in Sweden, and University of Paris-Sorbonne in France, and paid summer internships for full-time students. The strongest areas of study are finance, health care, management and policy, and international management. The most popular courses are in finance, marketing, MIS, and international management. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus and include the Graduate Student Council Speaker Series, Leadership Speaker Series, and Leadership and Decision Making Seminar.

Sixteen total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 5 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Management Economics
• Statistical Methods/Management Decision Models
• Foundations of Accounting
• Financial Management/Stock and Bond Valuation
• Creating Effective Organizations
• Marketing Management/Marketing Strategy and Simulation
• Management Information Systems
• Operations Management
• International Management and Global Competition
• Contemporary Business Law
• Business in Society
• 5 elective courses

Required courses for the MSF include:

• Advanced Derivatives
• Case Studies in Derivatives
• Financial Econometrics
• Portfolio Management
• Stock and Bond Valuation
• Derivatives Valuation
• Market Microstructures
• Corporate Finance
• Investment Strategies
• Fixed Income Securities
• 2 electives

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements with advanced placement of up to 4 background and core courses.

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 1 1/2 years; maximum, 6 years.

There are 18 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 95% hold a doctorate; there are 12 part-time faculty, of whom 50% hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 5; average business class size is 22.

Clark University, Graduate School of Management Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 600,000 volumes, 14,000 microform items, and 480 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 2200 periodicals. Students have access to such databases and networks as ABI/INFORM, Books in Print, InfoTrac Academic Index, Compustat, U.S. Census Material Social Sciences Index, On-Line Catalog Database, VAX-OCLC, Telnet, and Netscape. Other opportunities for research consist of numerous research projects with Graduate School of Management faculty.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of a computer laboratory with 21 Windows-driven networked computers. Applications include Microsoft Office Professional Suite, WordPerfect, Frontpage, Peachtree, Netscape, and e-mail. There is a wireless network in the business school building.

Career and Job Placement

Majors most in demand by companies recruiting in 2006 were marketing, accounting, and finance. Average starting salary of the graduating class was $51,706; range was $47,000 to $90,000. Placement services are extensive. Placement services for alumni include counseling, job listings, contacts, workshops, a resume book, networking programs, and a resource library. Placement is available through the Office of MBA Career Services and the university placement office. Sixty-three 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 Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT). They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of a complete list of immunizations, and proof of adequate funds to cover 1 year of study. Students must have health insurance coverage. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of merit scholarships.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 14 weeks long; summer sessions, 7 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening.

Clark University, Graduate School of Management Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, work experience, and GMAT results. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 311; 253 were accepted; 90 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.1; average GMAT score was 540. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by minority recruiting events and targeted mailings.

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 $50, 2 letters of recommendation, and an essay. The application deadlines are June 1 for fall entry; December 1, spring; May 1, summer. Students are notified 2 to 3 weeks after the completed application arrives of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is July 15. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 1 year.

Clark University, Graduate School of Management Financial Aid

In a recent year, about 60% of graduate business school students received financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships. The FAFSA, the school’s own financial statement, the previous year’s tax return, and financial aid transcripts from previous institutions are required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for all students is $2870 per credit, or $22,960 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $7000; books and supplies, $1000; personal expenses, $2000; and other fees, $1050, for an estimated annual total of $34,010. Graduate student housing is available on campus for full-time students, and there are ample apartments nearby. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Clark University, Graduate School of Management Students

Fifty-six percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 85% have had an average of 4 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from the Northeast (60%). Forty-seven percent are women, 7% are minorities, and 55% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 27; ages range from 22 to 42. Fifteen percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 15% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 42%, business; 21%, social sciences; 16%, economics; 7%, engineering; 6%, liberal arts; and 5%, math and science. About 1% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 96% remain to receive their degree. In a recent year, 105 graduate business degrees were awarded.