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.

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.

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.

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.

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