Weatherhead School of Management

Case Western Reserve University, Weatherhead School of Management History

Case Western Reserve University, founded in 1826, is a private, coeducational institution. The 128-acre campus is located in an urban area 4 miles east of downtown Cleveland. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is approximately 9500. Figures given in the above capsule are approximate.

The Weatherhead School of Management was founded in 1930 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, Peter B. Lewis Building. The basic educational approach is a blend of competency-based education and experiential learning that maximizes students’ exposure to the organizational resources available in the Cleveland community. In addition, a low faculty-to-student ratio and emphasis on mentoring relationships with local executives and managers provide students with individual attention in developing their career paths.

Case Western Reserve University, Weatherhead School of Management Academics

The Weatherhead offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Executive MBA (EMBA), Master of Nonprofit Organizations (MNO), Master of Accountancy (MAcc), Master of Science in ManagementInformation Systems (MSM-IS), Master of Science in ManagementOperations Research (MSM-OR), and Master of Science in ManagementSupply Chain (MSM-SC) as well as a doctoral program in management, operations, and organizational behavior, and a joint degree in management (MSM/MBA)(MAcc/MBA), nursing (MSN/MBA), law (JD/MBA), medicine (MD/MBA), international management (MIM/MBA) with the American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird) in Glendale, Arizona, social administration (MSSA/MBA), public health (MPH/MBA), and Management Information Systems (MBA/MSM-IS). Other programs include interdisciplinary programs in health systems management, management information systems, nonprofit management, bioscience entrepreneurship, and e-business; foreign exchange with 14 countries; summer internships with U.S. organizations and organizations in central, eastern, and western Europe; joint global research; 17 certificate programs for MBA graduates; and nondegree executive education programs for senior managers and professionals. The strongest areas of study are finance, leadership, entrepreneurship, and nonprofit management. The most popular courses are New Enterprise Development, Mergers and Acquisitions, High-Technology Marketing, Investment Management, Corporate Finance, and Leadership and the Global Agenda. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. An annual business symposium brings international management leaders to campus for a symposium on a critical management topic. There are executive action teams, seminars, club meetings, and a corporate mentor program. Many courses include guest lecturers from the corporate and nonprofit sectors.

Sixty-three total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 30 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Marketing
• Financial Reporting and Control
• Introductory Financial Management
• Operations Management
• Economics
• Strategic Issues and Applications
• Human Value in Organizations
• Statistics and Decision Modeling
• Management Assessment and Development
• Information Design and Management
• Action Learning (integrative consulting course)

Requirements may be waived for part-time MBA students who have completed equivalent course work within the past 6 years with grades of B or better; waiver exams are also available for part- or full-time students.

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 11 months; maximum, 6 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 2 years; maximum, 6 years.

In a recent year, there were 92 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 99% held a doctorate; there were 10 part-time faculty, of whom 80% held a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated above average for Category I institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 4; average business class size is 38.

Case Western Reserve University, Weatherhead School of Management Unique Programs

Library

Publications for the business school contained in the main library consist of more than 2.3 million volumes and 23 special business collections, and subscribes to 950 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in accounting, operations research, and organizational behavior. Students have access to such databases and networks as more than 400 databases available through Dialog, Bloomberg, Dow Jones, Telerate, Datastream, and Bridge. Other opportunities for research consist of the Center for Regional Economic Issues, the Health Systems Management Center, and the Mandel Center for Nonprofit Organizations.

Computers

Graduate business students must have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of a fully integrated network of Pentium PCs, UNIX terminals, and CD-ROM resources, with a campuswide wireless network providing access to a range of business and educational software. All classrooms equipped with ports for laptop computers are available to students. Dial-in connection allows off-campus access to the Weatherhead network any hour of the day. The staffed computer lab is open 7 days a week.

Career and Job Placement

In a recent spring, 75 companies recruited on campus. Sixty percent were national corporations. Majors most in demand were banking and finance, marketing management, and operations. Average starting salary of the graduating class was $68,158; range was $30,000 to $150,000. The percentage of graduates finding jobs were:

• national corporations 77%
• regional corporations 10%
• nonprofit 3%
• local large enterprises 2%
• local small enterprises 2%
• self-employment 2%
• healthcare institutions 2%
• government 2%

Placement services are extensive. Placement services for alumni include a resume portfolio (distributed to recruiters and executive search firms), a networking resource program, access to placement office business contacts, use of the computer laboratory to support job search, career development seminars, and a career counselor exclusively for alumni use, and school organized trips to New York City. Placement is available through Career and Student Life Center and the university placement office. Eighty-seven percent of a recent graduating class found jobs within three months of receiving their degree.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of a CWRU medical records form (completed by a physician), and proof of adequate funds to cover 1 year of study. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of a limited number of scholarships and loans. Check with the school for current deadlines.

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. There are weekend classes in the Executive MBA and Executive Doctor of Management programs.

Case Western Reserve University, Weatherhead School of Management Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.8. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, work experience, and a successful interview. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for a recent class was 340; 234 were accepted; 100 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.23. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by special scholarships and fellowships, and a scholars weekend.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, (MSM candidates may take either the GMAT or GRE), a nonrefundable application fee of $50, 2 letters of recommendation, an employment history/resume, and essays. Students are notified of the admissions decision application approximately 5 weeks after deadlines. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is April for full time, July for part time.

Case Western Reserve University, Weatherhead School of Management Financial Aid

Stipends and programs available for minority students include directed scholarships and fellowships (tuition plus stipend). The FAFSA, the school’s own financial statement and the previous year’s tax return are required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for all students is $1250 per credit, or $30,000 per year. Books and supplies cost approximately $1080; personal expenses, $13,000; and other fees, $2400, for an estimated annual total of $46,480. The Cleveland Heights area, which is within walking distance of campus, offers a large selection of apartments. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Case Western Reserve University, Weatherhead School of Management Students

Forty-nine percent of a recent graduate business school class were enrolled full time; 90% 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 were from foreign countries (43%). Thirty-seven percent were women, 15% were minorities, and 15% were foreign nationals. The average age at entrance was 27; ages ranged from 23 to 45. Ten percent entered directly from undergraduate school; 12% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 26%, engineering; 22%, business; 15%, economics; 15%, social sciences; 9%, math and science; 7%, nursing, fine arts, and music; and 6%, liberal arts. About 1% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 99% remain to receive their degree.