Labovitz School of Business and Economics

University of Minnesota-Duluth, Labovitz School of Business and Economics History

University of Minnesota/Duluth, founded in 1947, is a public, coeducational institution. The 267-acre campus is located in an urban area 150 miles north of Minneapolis-St. Paul. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 11,190.

The Labovitz School of Business and Economics was founded in 1976 and is located in its own building. Courses also are offered at the University of Minnesota’s Rochester campus (MBA). The basic educational approach is a mixture of theory and case method. Teaching methods include lectures, case studies, management games, and seminars. The MBA program is designed to serve practitioners in northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. No recruiting is done outside the region, and more than 95% of students are employed full time in the area.

University of Minnesota-Duluth, Labovitz School of Business and Economics Academics

The LSBE MBA program offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Thirty-two total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 6 elective credits. Required courses include:

• International Business Environment
• Business, Government, and Society
• Operations Management
• Policy Formulation and Implementation
• Financial Management
• Marketing Management
• Management of Human Resources
• Management Accounting
• Managerial Economics
• Data Analysis and Statistics for Managers

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements through previous graduate-level course work.

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 28 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated above average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of credit hours faculty teach is 8; average business class size is 20.

University of Minnesota-Duluth, Labovitz School of Business and Economics Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 250,000 volumes, and subscribes to 350 periodicals. Students have access to databases and networks in the fields of business and allied subject areas.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of the Meyers Computational Laboratory, which contains 30 IBM Pentiums, all hardwired to central campus facilities. About 200 PCs are available campuswide, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (some until midnight).

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. International students must score 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT). They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health, and proof of adequate funds to cover 2 years of study. There is a $75 application fee.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 15 weeks long; summer sessions, 3 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the evening only.

University of Minnesota-Duluth, Labovitz School of Business and Economics Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 3.0 and a GMAT score of 540. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x GPA) + GMAT, or minimum 1100. Most important admissions factors are grades in upper-level courses, GMAT results, and academic accomplishments and ability. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 19; 17 were accepted; 16 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.24; average GMAT score was 532. Transfers are accepted.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, 2 transcripts, GMAT scores, and a nonrefundable application fee of $55. The application deadlines are July 15 for fall entry; November 1, spring; May 1, summer. Students are notified of the admissions decsision 4 weeks after the application is completed. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is June 30. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 1 year.

University of Minnesota-Duluth, Labovitz School of Business and Economics Financial Aid

Stipends and programs available for minority students include University of Minnesota programs. The FAFSA is required. The application deadline is July 15 for fall entry.

Tuition for all students is $739 per credit. Graduate student housing includes on- and off-campus facilities. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

University of Minnesota-Duluth, Labovitz School of Business and Economics Students

All of the current graduate business school class are enrolled part-time; 95% have had an average of 5 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from Minnesota (85%). Thirty-nine percent are women, 10% are minorities, and 3% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 30; ages range from 24 to 63. Five percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 3% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 60%, business; 20%, engineering; 10%, liberal arts; 5%, economics; and 5%, social sciences. About 10% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 80% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 16 graduate business degrees were awarded.