School of Business and Technology

Webster University, School of Business and Technology History

Webster University, founded in 1915, is a private, coeducational institution. The 47-acre campus is located in a suburban area near St. Louis. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 20,296.

The School of Business and Technology was founded in 1967 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, Sverdrup Business and Technology Center. Courses also are offered at metropolitan St. Louis, U.S. military bases and various continental U.S. locations, and international campuses in Geneva, Leiden, London, Vienna, Shanghai, and Thailand. The basic educational approach is the joining of theory and practice, with an emphasis on creativity, inquiry, and individual enterprise in an international community.

Webster University, School of Business and Technology Academics

The School of Business and Technology offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science in Computer Science/Information Systems (MS), and Master of Arts (MA) as well as a doctoral program in management, and a joint degree in accounting (BS/MS) and the BA/MA in a variety of areas. Other programs include internships and foreign exchange with Webster’s 4 European and 5 Asian campuses. The strongest areas of study are business administration, management and leadership, and human resources management. The most popular courses are Organizational Behavior, Applied Business Statistics, Management, and Finance. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. In addition to the “Success to Significance” Speaker series, there is ongoing faculty exchange between extended domestic and foreign campuses.

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

• Finance
• Marketing
• Organizational Behavior
• Applied Business Statistics
• Management Accounting
• Advanced Corporate Finance
• Operations and Project Management
• Managerial Economics
• Business Policies and Strategies

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements via core course substitutions and prerequisite waivers.

The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 14 months; part time, 26 months.

There are 37 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 70% hold a doctorate; there are 1699 part-time faculty, of whom 18% hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated above average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 8; average business class size is 9.

Webster University, School of Business and Technology Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 283,742 volumes and 18,407 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 2429 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in marketing, management, and finance. Students have access to such databases and networks as General Business File, Compustat, Business and Industry, Academic Universe, Disclosure, STAT-USA, Economist Intelligence Unit, ABI/INFORM, Business & Company Resource Center, Business Source Premier, Standard & Poor’s NetAdvantage, Wall Street Journal, and Lexis/Nexis.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities.

Career and Job Placement

In spring 2006, 70 companies recruited on campus. Majors most in demand were computer science and business administration. Average starting salary of the graduating class was $65,000; range was $20,000 to $250,000. Placement services are limited, since most students are already employed full time. Placement services for alumni include on-line job listings, on-campus interviewing, career counseling, and resume, interview, and networking assistance. Placement is available through the university placement office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of medical forms completed by a physician and proof of major medical insurance, and proof of adequate funds to cover the first year of university fees and living expenses. Check with the school for current application deadlines. There are special fees of a $50 application fee. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of graduate assistantships.

Calendar

The school operates on a term basis. Terms are 9 weeks long; summer sessions, 9 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening and weekends.

Webster University, School of Business and Technology Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.5. Most important admissions factors are accreditation of undergraduate school, quality of undergraduate school, and grades in upper-level courses. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 2421; 2383 were accepted; 2048 enrolled. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by through recruitment events and target marketing.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, and a nonrefundable application fee of $25. The application deadline is rolling for fall entry. Students are notified upon application of the admissions decision. Once accepted, students may defer admission through notification and update of system file.

Webster University, School of Business and Technology Financial Aid

About 48% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $13,013 annually; maximum $18,500. The FAFSA and the school’s own financial statement are required. The application deadline is open for fall entry.

Tuition for all students is $490 per credit. On-campus room and board costs approximately $7403 Graduate student housing consists of more than 200 on-campus apartments for married or single students.

Webster University, School of Business and Technology Students

Twenty-four percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 85% have had an average of 12 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 South (49%). Fifty percent are women, 43% are minorities, and 5% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 34; ages range from 21 to 78. Six percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 15% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 80%, business and 10%, math and science. About 25% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 71% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 4473 graduate business degrees were awarded.