John F. Donahue Graduate School of Business

Duquesne University, John F. Donahue Graduate School of Business History

Duquesne University, founded in 1878, is a private, coeducational institution affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. The 39-acre campus is located in an urban area in downtown Pittsburgh. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 10,184.

The John F. Donahue Graduate School of Business was founded in 1958 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, Rockwell Hall. Courses also are offered at Saint Vincent College, Latrobe PA (MNA) and the Regional Learning Alliance, Cranberry, PA (MBA). The basic educational approach is to emphasize quality teaching, stressing application as well as theory. The value chain, globalization, ethics, technology, cultural diversity, leading change, and communications are topics emphasized. Students analyze real business problems provided by the regional corporate community.

Duquesne University, John F. Donahue Graduate School of Business Academics

The Donahue School offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science in Information Systems Management (MSISM), Master of Science in Taxation (MST), and Master of Science in Accountancy (MAcc) as well as a joint degree in law (MBA/JD), pharmacy (MBA/MPh), environmental sciences (MBA/MS), liberal studies (MBA/Master of Liberal Studies), and health care management (MBA/MS). Other programs include a 3-2 degree with Duquesne’s McNulty College of Arts, cross-registration with the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie-Mellon University, internships, and foreign exchange with 3 countries. The strongest areas of study are finance, marketing, supply chain management, information technology. The most popular courses are in leadership, financial management, and supply management. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus, and include executive faculty, Executives-in-Residence programs, and distinguished speakers through the Beard Center for Leadership and Ethics.

Fifty-seven total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 15 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Public Affairs Management
• Managing Operations
• Managing a Diverse Workforce
• Strategy Formulation
• Quantitative Analysis
• External Financial Reporting
• Economics for Decision Making
• Information Systems for Managers
• Law for the Executive
• Marketing Management and Product Development
• Assessing the Financial Health of the Firm
• Strategic Uses of Accounting Information
• Communications—Written
• Communications—Presentation
• The Global Economy
• Understanding the Value Chain
• Leading Change in Organizations
• Applied Ethics

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements.

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 1 1/2 years; maximum, 6 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 2 to 3 years; maximum, 6 years.

In a recent year, there were 43 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 90% held a doctorate; there were 6 part-time faculty, of whom 50% held 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 18; average business class size is 24.

Duquesne University, John F. Donahue Graduate School of Business Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 703,981 volumes, and subscribes to 3900 periodicals. Students have access to such databases and networks as ABI/INFORM. Other opportunities for research consist of remote access to library database, other university libraries, and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities. Students have access to approximately 800 computers, located across campus, several of which are open 24 hours. The Donahue School has 4 large computer labs, which are available from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from noon to 10:30 p.m. Sunday. Graduate business students also have access to the Investment Center.

Career and Job Placement

Placement services are extensive and are available through the university placement office. Ninety percent of the most recent graduating class found jobs within three months of receiving their degree.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL or the college’s own test. International students must score 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT) or 80 on the Internet-Based TOEFL (iBT) version. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of health insurance, and proof of adequate funds to cover the entire period of study. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of graduate assistantships. The application deadline for fall entry is June 1.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 15 weeks long; summer sessions, 6 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the evening only and weekends.

Duquesne University, John F. Donahue Graduate School of Business Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.5. Most important admissions factors are GMAT results, grades in upper-level courses, and academic accomplishments and ability. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 174; 120 were accepted; 75 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.1; average GMAT score was 510. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by targeting minorities via broadcast media and through attendance at GMAC 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 $50, 2 letters of recommendation, and 1 essay. The application deadlines are June 1 for fall entry; November 1, spring; March 1, summer. Students are notified within 3 weeks of receipt of a completed application of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is June. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 1 year.

Duquesne University, John F. Donahue Graduate School of Business Financial Aid

The FAFSA and the school’s own financial statement are required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for all students is $715 per credit, or $21,937 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $8296; books and supplies, $1200; personal expenses, $6000; and other fees, $71, for an estimated annual total of $37,504. Graduate student housing is available in dormitories and Pittsburgh area apartments. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Duquesne University, John F. Donahue Graduate School of Business Students

Thirty-two percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 85% have had an average of 3 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from Pennsylvania (75%). Forty percent are women, 8% are minorities, and 9% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 29; ages range from 22 to 54. Fifteen percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 10% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 59%, business; 16%, liberal arts; 9%, social sciences; 5%, math and science; 4%, engineering; and 3%, economics. About 5% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 95% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 146 graduate business degrees were awarded.