E. Phillip Saunders College of Business

Rochester Institute of Technology, E. Phillip Saunders College of Business History

Rochester Institute of Technology, founded in 1829, is a private, coeducational institution. The 1300-acre campus is located in a suburban area southwest of Rochester. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 15,557.

The E. Phillip Saunders College of Business was founded in 1968 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, the Max Lowenthal Memorial Building. The basic educational approach is to emphasize both the applied dimension of managing real problems in companies and the theoretical underpinnings of decision-making strategies. Various instructional methods are used, including the case method approach, computer simulations, videotape feedback sessions, and group projects/problems.

Rochester Institute of Technology, E. Phillip Saunders College of Business Academics

The Saunders College of Business offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA), Master of Science in Finance (MS), Master of Science in Management (MS), and Master of Business Administration in Accounting (MBA). Other programs include cooperative programs with local and regional corporations, work-study, internships, and a 4+1 BS/MBA program with Hobart and William Smith colleges, Houghton College, Ithaca College, Keuka College, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, SUNY/Brockport, SUNY/Fredonia, SUNY/Geneseo, SUNY/Pottsdam, SUNY/Oneonta, Alfred University, Lycoming College, Elmira College, Mercyhurst College, and St. Lawrence University. The strongest areas of study are finance, technology management, marketing, and management and leadership. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus, including the Gasser Lecture series, Executive Breakfast Briefing series, MBA Workshop series, and EMBA executive speaker series.

Seventy-two total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 36 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Accounting For Decision Makers
• Economics for Managers
• Statistical Analysis for Decision Making
• Financial Analysis for Managers
• Organizational Behavior and Leadership
• Marketing Concepts
• MIS Concepts
• Competitive Strategy
• Operations Management

Required courses for the MS in Finance include:

• Accounting For Decision Makers
• Financial Analysis for Managers
• Financial Management II
• Microeconomics
• Macroeconomics
• Securities and Investment Analysis
• Statistical Analysis for Decision Making
• Futures and Options
• Finance for Global Business

Required courses for the MS in Management include:

• Global Business Environments
• Global Issues and Strategies
• Introduction to Technology Management
• Managing New Process and Product Development

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by having common body of knowledge core courses waived on the basis of undergraduate course work or by examination.

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, 7 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 1<1/2> years; maximum, 7 years.

There are 41 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 85% hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated well above average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 6; average business class size is 25.

Rochester Institute of Technology, E. Phillip Saunders College of Business Unique Programs

Library

The Wallace Memorial Library houses a collection of more than 300,000 volumes, 398,206 microform items, and 5000 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 6600 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in marketing, economics, finance, accounting, and management. Students have access to such databases and networks as Dow Jones, CARL, ABI/INFORM, and many more.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of 70 IBM PCs and 30 VAX terminals. There are 1400 VAX terminals on campus, as well as Mac laboratories equipped with the most popular software and wireless Internet access. The facilities are open 7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Career and Job Placement

Majors most in demand by companies recruiting in 2006 were management information systems, finance, and marketing. Placement services for alumni are the same as those for graduating students. Placement is available through the institute’s placement office and a college placement office counselor dedicated to College of Business students.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. International students must score 580 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT) or 92 on the Internet-Based (iBT) version. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of a student health form verifying immunizations, tests, and dates, and proof of adequate funds to cover 1 year of study. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of merit-based scholarships and assistantships. The application deadline for fall entry is open.

Calendar

The school operates on a quarter basis. Quarters are 11 weeks long; summer sessions, 11 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening and weekends.

Rochester Institute of Technology, E. Phillip Saunders College of Business Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.5 and a GMAT score of 550. Most important admissions factors are grades in upper-level courses, GMAT results, and academic accomplishments and ability. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 250; 221 were accepted; 135 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.23; average GMAT score was 597. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by Destination MBA forums, direct mailings to McNair students, and the AHANA Graduate Fair.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, winter, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, GMAT scores, TOEFL (if applicable), a nonrefundable application fee of $50, letters of recommendation (recommended, not required), and a resume. The application deadlines are August 1 for fall entry; November 1, winter; February 1, spring; May 1, summer. Students are notified of the admissions decision 2 weeks after the application is complete. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is August 1. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 1 year.

Rochester Institute of Technology, E. Phillip Saunders College of Business Financial Aid

Stipends and programs available for minority students include the Marine Midland Fellowship, graduate minorities scholarships, and ALANA Graduate Scholarship. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for all students is $713 per credit, or $25,392 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $9000; books and supplies, $1500; personal expenses, $1000; and other fees, $483, for an estimated annual total of $37,375. Graduate student housing consists of apartments and dormitory rooms. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Rochester Institute of Technology, E. Phillip Saunders College of Business Students

Sixty-three percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 95% have had an average of 4 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from foreign countries (30%). Thirty-eight percent are women, 5% are minorities, and 30% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 28; ages range from 21 to 54. In 2006, 113 graduate business degrees were awarded.