Division of Business/Graduate Studies

Wilmington University, Division of Business/Graduate Studies History

Wilmington College, founded in 1967, is a private, coeducational institution. The 115-acre campus is located in a suburban area 7 miles south of Wilmington. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 10,400.

The Division of Business/Graduate Studies was founded in 1977 and is located on the main campus. Courses also are offered at Dover, Georgetown, Wilmington, and Dover Air Force Base. The basic educational approach is a mix of the theoretical and case methods.

Wilmington University, Division of Business/Graduate Studies Academics

The Division of Business/Graduate Studies offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Business Administration with concentrations in finance, health care administration, management information systems, or transportation and business logistics (MBA), Master of Science in Management with concentrations in health care administration, human resource management, public administration, or transportation (MS), Master of Science in Administration Management (MS), Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MS), Master of Science in Personal Management (MS), Master of Science in Personal Management and Administration Management (MS), and Master of Science in Human Resource Management and Personal Management (MS). Other programs include a Weekend MBA in Executive Management program, as well as a certificate of Advanced Study in Economics for Educators, a Certificate of Advanced Study in Management Information Systems, and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Finance. Internships are available. The strongest areas of study are human resource management and public administration. The most popular courses are Organizational Development, Legal Environment of Management, Financial Management, and Strategic Planning. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. Informal lectures are organized by a departmental speakers bureau.

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

• Managerial Accounting
• Quantitative Methods in Management
• Economic and Financial Environment of Business
• Organizational Development
• Financial Management
• Operations Management
• Managerial Economics for Decision Making
• Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining Procedures
• Marketing Management
• Business Policy

Required courses for the MSM include:

• Ethical Issues in Management
• Communications and Public Relations
• Analysis of Decision Making
• Applied Organizational Research
• Individual Development in the Organization
• Integrative Independent Study Project

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by transferring up to 6 credit hours of course work successfully completed at another accredited institution.

The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 1 year; maximum, 5 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 2 years; maximum, 5 years.

There are 8 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 80% hold a doctorate; there are 32 part-time faculty, of whom 45% hold a doctorate. Average number of courses faculty teach is 6; average business class size is 18.

Wilmington University, Division of Business/Graduate Studies Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 110,000 volumes and 18,000 microform items, and subscribes to 420 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in management. Students have access to such databases and networks as FirstSearch, OCLC, and Tri-State Library Cooperative.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. Students may use the 50 IBM computers in the college’s computer center.

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 500 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT). They also must submit a translation of their transcripts and proof of adequate funds. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of bank loans.

Calendar

The school operates on a 6 to 7-week block basis. Quarters are 7 weeks long. Graduate programs are offered weekends.

Wilmington University, Division of Business/Graduate Studies Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.0. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, a successful interview, and motivation. A strong mathematics background is not required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 552; 502 were accepted; 255 enrolled. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, a nonrefundable application fee of $25, 2 letters of recommendation, and some programs require an essay. Students are notified not later than 3 weeks before the term begins of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is the first day of classes. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 1 year.

Wilmington University, Division of Business/Graduate Studies Financial Aid

In a recent year about 35% of graduate business school students received financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships. The FFS or FAFSA is required. Check with the school for current deadlines.

Tuition for all students is $327 per credit, or $5886 per year. Graduate student housing is not available. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Wilmington University, Division of Business/Graduate Studies Students

Forty-five percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time. The greatest percentage of students are from Delaware (73%). Fifty-eight percent are women, 13% are minorities, and 1% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 34; ages range from 22 to 59. Ten percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 1% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 60%, business; 20%, social sciences; 10%, engineering; 5%, liberal arts; and 5%, math and science. About 2% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 85% remain to receive their degree. In a recent year, 308 graduate business degrees were awarded.