Clarion University of Pennsylvania, College of Business Administration History

Clarion University of Pennsylvania, founded in 1867, is a public, coeducational institution. The 99-acre campus is located in a rural area 90 miles north of Pittsburgh. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 6591.

The College of Business Administration was founded in 1975 and is located on the main campus. Courses also are offered at Venango Campus (local branch campus) and on-line (Executive MBA program). The basic educational approach is to provide a core of knowledge about various theories, techniques, and practices of administering business activities and problem solving.

Clarion University of Pennsylvania, College of Business Administration Academics

The MBA Program offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA). The most popular courses are finance and marketing. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus, including speakers from the business community each semester, and as part of the Economic Policy Lecture Series.

Thirty-three total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 9 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Leadership, Organization, and Assessment
• Quantitative Methods and Statistics
• Managerial Accounting
• Legal/Ethical Environment of Business
• Managerial Economic Analysis
• Financial Management
• Marketing Concepts and Strategy
• Operations and Information Management
• Global Environment of Business
• Strategic Management/Integration

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.

There are 22 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated well above average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of credit hours faculty teach is 18; average business class size is 15.

Clarion University of Pennsylvania, College of Business Administration Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 473,880 volumes, 1,603,492 microform items, and 1447 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 18,887 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in business reference search engines. Students have access to such databases and networks as ABI/INFORM, InfoTrac Business ASAP, EBSCO, Lexis/Nexis, Business Source Premier, Mergent’s Financial Information Online, Academic Universe, BRS, and others. Other opportunities for research consist of CD-ROM workstations, Internet-accessible databases, and an expanded network of resources available through a comprehensive interlibrary loan program.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of 36 Gateway E4100 Intel Pentium 4 processor desktop computers that provide access to the university’s networked mainframe. All students have access to the Internet, e-mail, i-Clarion Portal, mainframe programming languages, and the library system from the 2 computer labs located in Still Hall. Still Hall has 2 wireless carts with a total of 34 laptops for faculty and student use in classrooms.

Career and Job Placement

Placement is available through the university placement office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. International students must score 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT) or 80 on the Internet-Based (iBT) version. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts and proof of adequate funds to cover 1 year of study. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of the International Assistantship Program. The application deadline for fall entry is April 15.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 15 weeks long; summer sessions, 5 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening and weekends.

Clarion University of Pennsylvania, College of Business Administration Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.75 and a GMAT score of 450. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x GPA) + GMAT. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, GMAT results, and letters of recommendation. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 53; 46 were accepted; 24 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.4; average GMAT score was 508. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by providing graduate assistantship positions for minority students, making regular mailings to predominantly black colleges, and attending minority graduate school fairs.

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, and 3 letters of recommendation. The recommended application deadlines are August 1 for fall entry; December 1, spring. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is June. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 1 year.

Clarion University of Pennsylvania, College of Business Administration Financial Aid

About 91% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $9540 annually; maximum $23,500. Stipends and programs available for minority students include graduate assistantships. The FAFSA is required. The application deadlines are July 1 for fall entry; November 15, spring; April 15, summer.

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 $5246; books and supplies, $1200; personal expenses, $600; and other fees, $1766 to $1830, for an estimated annual total of $14,860 for in-state residents and $18,554 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing is limited in the university-supervised residence halls. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Clarion University of Pennsylvania, College of Business Administration Students

Seventy percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 55% have had an average of 7 of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school. The greatest percentage of students are from Pennsylvania (70%). Forty-three percent are women, 8% are minorities, and 23% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 31; ages range from 22 to 55. Forty-five percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 4% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 57%, business; 17%, engineering; 13%, math and science; 10%, social sciences; and 3%, liberal arts. In 2006, 17 graduate business degrees were awarded.