College of Management

University of Massachusetts-Lowell, College of Management History

University of Massachusetts Lowell, founded in 1975, is a public, coeducational institution. The 110-acre campus is located in an urban area 30 miles northwest of Boston. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 11,208.

The College of Management was founded in 1977 and is located on the main campus. The basic educational approach is a mix of theoretical and case study, with the primary focus being a case study approach.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell, College of Management Academics

The College of Management offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA) as well as a joint degree in engineering (doctor of engineering). Other programs include work-study and internships. The strongest areas of study are information technology, accounting, and finance. The most popular courses are Operations Management, Corporate Finance, Strategy, Negotiations, Organization Design and Change, Customers and Markets, Accounting for Management Decisions, and Management Information Systems. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus, including Executive Technology Forum, Policy and Planning Lecture Series, Executive-in-Residence program, and College of Management Lecture Series.

Forty-two total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 9 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Accounting Information for Management Decisions
• Financial Accounting
• Business Financial Analysis
• Marketing Fundamentals
• Management Information Systems
• Operations Fundamentals
• Organizational Behavior
• Global Enterprise and Competition
• Operations Management
• Corporate Finance
• Analysis of Customers and Markets
• Managing Organizational Design and Change
• Strategy Formulation and Implementation

Foundation core courses may be replaced by previous course work.

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, 2 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 3 years; maximum, 5 years.

There are 36 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate; there are 20 part-time faculty, of whom 30% hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated above average for Category I institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 2; average business class size is 15.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell, College of Management Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 331,000 volumes, and subscribes to 3000 periodicals. Other opportunities for research consist of NIST and Industrial Extension Services.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities. Computer labs are located throughout the academic buildings and libraries.

Career and Job Placement

Average starting salary of the most recent graduating class was $66,597. Placement services are limited, since most students are already employed full time. Placement services for alumni include access to the entire Career Services facilities. Placement is available through the university placement office and graduate programs office.

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 immunization records, and proof of adequate funds to cover 2 years of study. There is an international student fee of $140 per semester. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of research and teaching assistantships. The application deadline for fall entry is rolling.

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 and on-line.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell, College of Management Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.5. Most important admissions factors are work experience, GMAT results, academic accomplishments and ability, and grades in upper-level courses. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 80; 41 were accepted; 35 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.29; average GMAT score was 540. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by the Minority Affairs Office and various recruiting forums.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall and spring. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $20 for in-state residents and $25 for all others, 3 letters of recommendation, a 1-page typed statement of purpose, and a resume detailing work experience. The application deadline is rolling for fall entry. Students are notified of the admissions decision within 2 weeks of a completed application. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 2 semesters.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell, College of Management Financial Aid

Stipends and programs are available for minority students. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for in-state residents is $91 per credit, or $1638 per year. Nonresidents pay $357 per credit, or $6426 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $6311; books and supplies, $1000; personal expenses, $2500; and other fees, $6318 to $9054, for an estimated annual total of $17,767 for in-state residents and $25,291 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing is available in campus residence halls. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

University of Massachusetts-Lowell, College of Management Students

Five percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 99% have had an average of 8 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%). Thirty percent are women, 14% are minorities, and 10% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 32; ages range from 23 to 56. One percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 5% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 43%, engineering; 34%, business; 8%, liberal arts; 6%, math and science; 6%, computer science; and 3%, economics. 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 a recent year, 74 graduate business degrees were awarded.