Isenberg School of Management

University of Massachusetts Amherst, Isenberg School of Management History

University of Massachusetts Amherst, founded in 1863, is a public, coeducational institution. The 1200-acre campus is located in a rural area 90 miles west of Boston and 25 miles north of Springfield. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 25,593.

The Isenberg School of Management was founded in 1947 and is located on the main campus. Courses also are offered at Holyoke, Shrewsbury, and Pittsfield, MA (PMBA), and on-line via the Internet. The basic educational approach is to explore the most recent management theories in a global business context. Seminars, team building, case studies, hands-on projects, company tours, and travel abroad are all parts of the Isenberg School of Management curriculum.

University of Massachusetts Amherst, Isenberg School of Management Academics

The Isenberg School offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Professional Master of Business Administration (PMBA), Master of Science in Accounting (MSA), Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management (MS HTM), and Master of Science in Sport Management (MS Sport) as well as a doctoral program in Business Administration, and joint degrees in sports management, (MBA/MS), MB/MS hospitality and tourism management (MB/MS), public policy administration (MB/MS), industrial engineering, (MB/MS) environmental engineering, (MB/MS), and civil engineering (MB/MS). Other programs include foreign exchange with 3 countries and internships. The strongest areas of study are finance, operations management, e-commerce, entrepreneurship, accounting, general management, leadership, human resources management, technology management, sports business, marketing, organizational behavior, and hospitality and tourism management. The most popular courses are Finance and Operations and Marketing. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus, including the Distinguished Visitors’ Seminar series.

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

• Accounting for Decision Making and Reporting I and II
• Business Data Analysis
• Marketing Management
• Organizational Behavior and Theory
• Financial Analysis and Decisions
• Information Management
• Managerial Economics
• Production Operations Management
• Financial Management
• Organizational Planning and Strategy
• Business and Its Environment

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by waivers, which are only granted on approval from the Associate Dean.

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 2 years; maximum, 2 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 20 months; maximum, 4 years.

There are 93 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 97% hold a doctorate; there is 1 part-time faculty member. Faculty salaries are rated well above average for Category I institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 4; average business class size is 35.

University of Massachusetts Amherst, Isenberg School of Management Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 3.2 million volumes, 2.5 million microform items, and 22,611 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 40,479 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in finance, operations, accounting, marketing, and management. Students have access to such databases and networks as ABI/INFORM Business Periodical Index, Compustat, General Business Files, Lexis/Nexis Academic, Econlit, STAT-USA, Business & Company Resource Center, CAB Direct, and Source OECD, among others. Other opportunities for research consist of a resource library (primarily business) within the School of Management building, the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center, the Family Business Center, the Center for International Security Derivatives Market, and the Virtual Center for Supernetworks.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of a student center with ports throughout, along with MBA lounge that is wired, as well as fully equipped classrooms, 4 computer laboratories with PC facilities, and a local area network. Students have access to InfoTrac, the Internet, the World Wide Web, e-mail accounts, Compustat, SAS, Netscape, Minitab, Moody’s, Windows 2000, Windows NT, and Microsoft Professional Office.

Career and Job Placement

Average starting salary of the graduating class was $68,460; range was $44,000 to $85,000. The percentage of graduates finding jobs were:

• local large enterprises 35%
• national corporations 30%
• regional corporations 15%
• self-employment 10%
• nonprofits 5%
• government 5%

Placement services are extensive. Placement services for alumni include an alumni database and on-line jobs. Placement is available through the Chase Career Center and the university placement office. Ninety-five percent of the most recent graduating class found jobs within three months of receiving their degree.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of the standard university health questionnaire for all UMass applicants, and proof of adequate funds to cover the first 12 months of study plus reasonable expectation of living expenses. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of assistantships. The application deadline for fall entry is February 1.

Calendar

Semesters are 15 weeks long; summer sessions, 8 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening, weekends, and on-line via the Internet.

University of Massachusetts Amherst, Isenberg School of Management Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.75. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, work experience, and GMAT results.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 238; 59 were accepted; 34 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.44; average GMAT score was 648. Transfers are not accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by the Office of Minority Graduate Student Recruitment. Contact Michael Alderman at (413) 545-5284.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall. To apply, students must submit an application form, 2 transcripts, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $40, 2 letters of recommendation, a resume, and a personal statement. The application deadline is February 1 for fall entry. Students are notified of the admissions decision in March or April. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is February 1 (full time) and April 1. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 1 year.

University of Massachusetts Amherst, Isenberg School of Management Financial Aid

About 93% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships. The FAFSA is required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for in-state residents is $2640 per year. Nonresidents pay $9937 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $6517; books and supplies, $600; personal expenses, $1400; and other fees, $7242 to $8969, for an estimated annual total of $18,399 for in-state residents and $27,423 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing consists of a dormitory on campus and married-student housing off campus. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

University of Massachusetts Amherst, Isenberg School of Management Students

Eight percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 97% 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 foreign countries (23%). Twenty-three percent are women, 4% are minorities, and 23% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 27; ages range from 22 to 37. Three percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 2% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 38%, business; 17%, liberal arts; 16%, engineering; 14%, social sciences; 9%, economics; and 6%, math and science. About 3% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 97% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 41 graduate business degrees were awarded.