School of Graduate Studies and Research

Academics

The Department of Business and Economics offers the Master of Science in Business Administration (MSBA). Other programs include work-study programs such as graduate assistantships; internships are optional. The strongest areas of study are management, economics, marketing, accounting, and finance. The most popular courses are International Business Marketing, Human Resource Management, Organizational Behavior, and Financial Markets and Institutions.

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

  • Organizational Behavior
  • Production Management/International Business
  • Industrial Relations
  • Managerial Accounting
  • Financial Management
  • Marketing Management
  • Microeconomic Analysis
  • Macroeconomic Analysis
  • Quantitative Methods
  • Strategic Management

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements for up to 6 credits of foundation courses.

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

There are 15 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 73% hold a doctorate; there are 9 part-time faculty, of whom 45% 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 3; average business class size is 15.

Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 3.0 and a GMAT score of 400. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, work experience, and GMAT results. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 65; 53 were accepted; 19 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.52. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by waiving the McNair Scholars application fee.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, and a nonrefundable application fee of $25. The application deadlines are August 15 for fall entry; December 15, spring; April 15, summer. Students are notified of the admissions decision 2 weeks after receipt of materials. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is rolling.

Financial Aid

About 65% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $6421 annually; maximum $23,541. Stipends and programs available for minority students include graduate assistantships. The FAFSA is required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for in-state residents is $336 per credit, or $6048 per year. Nonresidents pay $538 per credit, or $9678 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $11,816; books and supplies, $500; personal expenses, $1000; and other fees, $896, for an estimated annual total of $20,260 for in-state residents and $23,890 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing consists of new residence halls and off-campus university-based apartments. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Students

Sixty-three percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 20% have had an average of 3 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school. The greatest percentage of students are from Pennsylvania (89%). Forty-two percent are women, 10% are minorities, and 6% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 27; ages range from 21 to 56. Fifty percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 3% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 50%, business; 15%, social sciences; 10%, liberal arts; 5%, economics; 5%, engineering; and 5%, math and science. About 12% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 90% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 16 graduate business degrees were awarded.

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