College of Business

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, College of Business History

Bloomsburg University, founded in 1839, is a public, coeducational institution. The 170-acre campus is located in a small town 75 miles northeast of Harrisburg. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 8723.

The College of Business was founded in 1976 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, Sutliff Hall. Courses also are offered at Penn College in Williamsport. The basic educational approach is to prepare students for a globally dynamic and competitive business environment through a variety of instructional techniques, case studies, applied research, and team projects.

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, College of Business Academics

The MBA Program and MEd Program offer the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Education in Business (MEd). Other programs include foreign exchange with France and a cooperative program with the University of Nancy in France. The strongest areas of study are accounting, finance, management, and marketing.

Thirty-six total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 12 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Statistical Analysis and Design
• Managerial Accounting
• Marketing Management
• Management Information Systems
• Financial Management
• Operations Management
• Organizational Behavior
• Social Responsibility and Business Ethics
• Strategic Management

Required courses for the MEd in BE include:

• Business Information Systems and Technology
• Business Information Systems Application
• Administrative Communications
• Telecommunications
• Training and Development
• 5 approved graduate electives

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by transferring up to 9 credit hours of graduate courses.

The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 1<1/2>years; maximum, 6 years. For students attending part time, the maximum is 6 years.

There are 27 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 87% 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 12; average business class size is 20.

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, College of Business Unique Programs

Library

The business school library and the university’s main library houses a collection of more than 400,000 volumes, 2 million microform items, 5 special business collections, and 3400 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 19,000 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in computer business databases. Students have access to such databases and networks as Ebscohost, ProQuest, Euromonitor, Lexis/Nexis, and Mergent. Other opportunities for research consist of free interlibrary loan service with sister universities.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. Available computer facilities consist of more than 700 computers and 25 laser printers are available for student use in labs, classrooms, and general-access work areas. Software includes Microsoft Office and SPSS. Students are given e-mail accounts and server space for personal Web pages and have access to the Internet and electronic registration.

Career and Job Placement

In spring 2006, 14 companies recruited on campus. Ninety percent were national corporations. Placement services for alumni include the same as that available to current students. Placement is available through the university placement office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. International students must score 553 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT) or 85 on the Internet-Based (iBT) version. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health, and proof of adequate funds to cover 1<1/2> years of study. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of assistantships awarded on a competitive basis. The application deadline for fall entry is May 1.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 16 weeks long; summer sessions, 3 to 6 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the evening only.

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, College of Business Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.5. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (GPA x 200) + GMAT + 250 points for work experience, letters of recommendation essay, and personal interview (if required by MBA coordinator) Most important admissions factors are work experience, GMAT results, and undergraduate GPA. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 37; 28 were accepted; 28 enrolled. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited through contracts with minority offices of other universities, advertisements, and minority assistantships.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $30, 3 letters of recommendation, and a resume. The application deadlines are August 15 for fall entry; January 10, spring; May 20, summer. Students are notified 2 weeks after a complete file is received of the admissions decision.

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, College of Business Financial Aid

About 20% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships. Stipends and programs available for minority students include minority graduate assistantships. The GAPSFAS is required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for in-state residents is $336 per credit, or $3024 per year. Nonresidents pay $538 per credit, or $4830 per year. Graduate student housing is limited. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, College of Business Students

Thirty-four percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 90% have had an average of 3 to 5 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school. The greatest percentage of students are from Pennsylvania (84%). Forty percent are women, 6% are minorities, and 12% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 27; ages range from 21 to 46. Twenty-one percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 5% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 40%, business; 25%, math and science; 10%, social sciences; 5%, economics; 5%, engineering; and 5%, liberal arts. About 7% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 75% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 38 graduate business degrees were awarded.