Robert G. Merrick School of Business

University of Baltimore, Robert G. Merrick School of Business History

University of Baltimore, founded in 1925, is a public, coeducational institution. The 47-acre campus is located in an urban area in Baltimore. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 5045.

The Robert G. Merrick School of Business was founded in 1968 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, Thumel Business Center. Courses also are offered on-line (web-based MBA). The basic educational approach is to provide knowledge and professional skills in functional business areas, with an emphasis on information and technology, international business, and innovation and entrepreneurship in a global environment.

University of Baltimore, Robert G. Merrick School of Business Academics

The Merrick School offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science in Business (MScB) with specializations in finance, and management information systems, Master of Science in Taxation (MST), and Master of Science in Accounting and Business Advisory Services (MSA) as well as joint degrees in nursing administration (MBA/MS and MBA/PhD), law (MBA/JD), and pharmacy (MBA/PharmD). Other programs include cross-registration with any University System of Maryland institution, cooperative and work-study programs, internships, and graduate assistantships. The strongest areas of study are information systems, finance, entrepreneurship, and management. The most popular course is Finance.

Fifty-one total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 12 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Information Systems in Business
• Financial Analysis and Strategy
• Accounting for Managerial Decisions
• Global and Domestic Business Environment
• Strategic Marketing
• Strategic Management

Required courses for the MS in Business with specialization in finance include:

• Accounting for Managerial Decisions
• Business Economics and Forecasting
• Advanced Financial Management
• Investment Analysis
• Financial Analysis and Strategy

Required courses for the MS in Business with specialization in management information systems include:

• Leadership of the IT Function
• Networking and Telecommunications
• Database Management Systems
• Systems Analysis
• Information Systems Techniques
• Informations Systems Capstone Project

Required courses for the MST include:

• Tax Research and Writing
• Fundamentals of Federal Income Taxation I and II
• Corporate Taxation
• Partnership Taxation
• Tax Practice and Procedure
• Tax Policy

Required courses for the MS in Accounting and Business Advisory Service include:

• Contemporary Issues in Financial Reporting
• Design of Managerial Cost and Control Systems
• Advanced Topics in Assurance Services
• Financial Analysis and Strategy
• Investment Analysis
• Database Management Systems
• Systems Analysis

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements through undergraduate course work taken within the past 5 years with grades of B or better. Up to 21 credits may be waived.

Business students may take relevant nonbusiness courses in other departments. The maximum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full or part time is 7 years.

There are 55 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 90% hold a doctorate; there are 16 part-time faculty, of whom 25% hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated above average for Category l institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 6; average business class size is 26.

University of Baltimore, Robert G. Merrick School of Business Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 240,000 volumes, 343,194 microform items, 7248 special business collections, and 876 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 815 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in economics and finance, business administration, management, and business ethics. Students have access to such databases and networks as Dialog databases, Dow Jones News Retrieval, ABI/INFORM, Worldscope, Business Index, and Computer Select. Other opportunities for research consist of interlibrary loans, the Center for Business and Economic Studies, consortial agreements with the University of Maryland System, and the Information Systems Research Center.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. Some 120 terminals, linked to the university’s main computer, are available to students. In addition, there are several laboratories with PCs.

Career and Job Placement

Placement services are limited, since most students are already employed full time. Placement services for alumni include full services. Placement is available through the university placement office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. International students must score 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT) or 79-80 on the Internet-Based (iBT) version. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts and proof of adequate funds to cover 1 year of study. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of a scholarship award.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 15 weeks long; summer sessions, 8 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening and weekends.

University of Baltimore, Robert G. Merrick School of Business Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, GMAT results, and grades in upper-level courses. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 503; 265 were accepted; 204 enrolled. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, 2 transcripts, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $30, 2 letters of recommendation, a resume, and a personal essay. The application deadlines are August 1 for fall entry; January 1, spring; May 1, summer. Students are notified on a rolling basis of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is 2 weeks prior to the first day of class.

University of Baltimore, Robert G. Merrick School of Business Financial Aid

Stipends and programs available for minority students include graduate assistantships. The FAFSA, the school’s own financial statement, and financial aid transcripts are required. The application deadlines are March 1 for fall entry; November 1, spring; March 1, summer.

Tuition for in-state residents is $481 per credit, or $8658 per year. Nonresidents pay $726 per credit, or $13,068 per year. Books and supplies cost approximately $400; personal expenses, $1500; and other fees, $867, for an estimated annual total of $11,425 for in-state residents and $15,835 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing is not available on campus. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

University of Baltimore, Robert G. Merrick School of Business Students

Twenty-four percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 75% have had an average of 2 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from Maryland (71%). Fifty percent are women, 24% are minorities, and 17% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 28; ages range from 20 to 50. Twenty-five percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 2% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 25%, liberal arts; 20%, business; 20%, economics; 20%, social sciences; 10%, engineering; and 5%, math and science. About 20% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 50% remain to receive their degree. In a recent year, 188 graduate business degrees were awarded.