Simmons College School of Management

Simmons College, Simmons College School of Management History

Simmons College, founded in 1899, is a private, primarily women’s institution. The 12-acre campus is located in an urban area in Boston. Enrollment figures in the above capsule are approximate. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is approximately 3800.

The Simmons College School of Management was founded in 1974 and is located in Mary Garland Center and the Colman Mockler Caseroom Building. The basic educational approach is a mixture of case studies and theoretical discussions, with a special emphasis on organization behavioral issues affecting women in management.

Simmons College, Simmons College School of Management Academics

The School of Management offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA) as well as a Coordinated MBA/MSW degree and a Coordinated MBA/MHA. The strongest areas of study are general management and organizational behavior. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus and include the Finance Lecture and Leadership series and Executive-in-Residence program.

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

• Foundations of Business
• Economic Analysis for Managers
• Business, Government, and the Global Economy
• Quantitative Analysis
• Financial Reporting and Analysis
• Managerial Accounting
• Marketing Management
• Strategic Decision Making
• Technology and Operations Management
• Finance
• Strategy and Leadership
• Career Strategies
• Leading Individuals and Groups
• Communication Strategies
• Organizations and their Environment
• Negotiation and Conflict Management
• Leadership, Governance and Accountability

The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 11 months; maximum, 18 months. For students attending part time, the minimum is 2 years; maximum, 5 years.

There are 18 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 85% hold a doctorate; there are 13 part-time faculty, of whom 50% hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated well above average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of credit hours faculty teach is 15; average business class size is 50.

Simmons College, Simmons College School of Management Unique Programs

Library

The business school library and the university’s main library house a collection of more than 1500 volumes, 500 special business collections, and 75 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 200 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in women in management and women’s special issues in business. Students have access to such databases and networks as Bloomberg, ABI/INFORM, Career Search, One Source, and CDs. Other opportunities for research consist of on-line access to catalogs for Simmons, Boston College, Boston University, Harvard, MIT, and other area schools.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of a computer laboratory with 15 PCs with Windows operating systems and Word software applications. Students and alumni may use the computer laboratory 7 days a week.

Career and Job Placement

The starting salary range of a recent graduating class was $55,000 to $150,000. The percentage of graduates finding jobs were:

• national corporations 61%
• local large enterprises 17%
• local small enterprises 14%
• self-employment 6%

Placement services are extensive. Placement services for alumni include a job bank, individual counseling, job fairs, career-related workshops and seminars, and functional and leadership panels. Placement is available through the Office of Career Development.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of a physical examination, and proof of adequate funds to cover 1 year of study. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of merit scholarships. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Calendar

The school operates on a term basis.Terms are 16 weeks long; summer sessions, 16 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening.

Simmons College, Simmons College School of Management Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 3.0. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, motivation, and work experience. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 274; 163 were accepted; 134 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.2; average GMAT score was 550. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall and winter. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $75, 3 letters of recommendation, 2 essays, and a resume. The application deadlines are June 30 for fall entry; December 1, spring. Students are notified of the admissions decision 30 days after receipt of a completed application. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is open.

Simmons College, Simmons College School of Management Financial Aid

In a recent year, about 88% of graduate business school students received financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships. Stipends and programs available for minority students include scholarship funds. The FAFSA and the school’s own financial statement are required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for all students is $920 per credit, or $44,160 per year. Books and supplies cost approximately $3000; and other fees, $75, for an estimated annual total of $47,235. Graduate housing is available on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Simmons College, Simmons College School of Management Students

Twenty-five percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; all have had an average of 8 to 10 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 (80%). All are women, 15% are minorities, and 30% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 32; ages range from 22 to 52. Twelve percent already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 25%, liberal arts; 25%, social sciences; 20%, business; 15%, math and science; 10%, economics; and 5%, engineering. About 1% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 99% remain to receive their degree.