Graduate School

Thomas College, Graduate School History

Thomas College, founded in 1894, is a private, coeducational institution. The 70-acre campus is located in a rural area 3 miles south of Waterville. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 1300.

The Graduate School was founded in 1980 and is located on the main campus. The basic educational approach is a mixture of both theoretical and case method approaches.

Thomas College, Graduate School Academics

The Graduate School offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Business Administration-Human Resource Management (MBA-HR), Master of Science in Computer Technology Education (MSCTE), and Master of Science in Education (MSED). The strongest areas of study are technology and management. The most popular course is Management.

Thirty-six total credits are required to complete the MBA/MSB, including 15 elective credits. Required courses for the MBA/MSB include:

• Accounting for Management Decisions
• Financial Management
• Organizational Theory and Behavior
• Strategic Planning
• Marketing Management
• Managerial Statistics
• Economics of the Firm

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements through previous course work up to 6 credits transferred.

Business students may take relevant nonbusiness courses in other departments.

There are 18 part-time faculty, of whom 60% hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated well below average for Category IIB institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 3; average business class size is 20.

Thomas College, Graduate School Unique Programs

Library

The Marriner Library houses a collection of more than 25,000 volumes and 250 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 120 periodicals. Students have access to such databases and networks as Dialog and other sources.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. Available computer facilities consist of a DEC VAX 780 mainframe, accessed through 42 terminals, open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily at the Thomas College computer center. Word processing equipment and 24 PCs are located in the library.

Career and Job Placement

Placement services are limited, since most students are already employed full time, and are available through the university placement office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL.

Calendar

The school operates on a trimester basis. Trimesters are 12 weeks long. There are 4 summer sessions, 1 to 8 weeks long. Graduate programs are offered during the evening only.

Thomas College, Graduate School Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x GPA) + GMAT, or minimum 1000. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, motivation, and management potential. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for a recent class was 50; 50 were accepted; 50 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.5. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, winter, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $50, and 2 letters of recommendation. The application deadline is open for fall entry. Students are notified on a rolling basis of the admissions decision.

Thomas College, Graduate School Financial Aid

The FAFSA is required. The application deadline is open for fall entry.

Tuition for all students is $228 per credit. Graduate student housing is not available on campus. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Thomas College, Graduate School Students

Ninety-five percent of the current graduate business school class have had an average of 4 to 6 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school. The greatest percentage of students are from Maine (99%). Fifty-six percent are women. The average age at entrance is 38; ages range from 22 to 60. Ten percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 2% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 30%, business; 20%, engineering; 15%, liberal arts; 10%, economics; 10%, social sciences; and 5%, math and science. About 1% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 95% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 24 graduate business degrees were awarded.