Graduate Business Programs

Eastern University, Graduate Business Programs History

Eastern College, founded in 1952, is a private, coeducational institution affiliated with the American Baptist Church. The 106-acre campus is located in a suburban area 20 miles southwest of Philadelphia. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is approximately 2800. Figures given in the above capsule are approximate.

The Graduate Business Programs was founded in 1982 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, Andrews Hall. Courses also are offered at Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary (MBA in Economic Development and MS in Economic Development) and various contracted off-campus sites for nontraditional accelerated programs (MBA). The basic educational approach is a mix of case method and the theoretical, with integrative projects.

Eastern University, Graduate Business Programs Academics

The Graduate Business offers the Global Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science in Nonprofit Management (MS), Master of Sscience in Economic Development (MS), Master of Arts in Leadership (MA), Fast-Track MBA (MBA), and MBA-NGO Leadership (MBA) as well as a joint degree in divinity (M Div./MS in economic development, M Div./MBA in economic development, and M Div./MBA.-Nonprofit). Other programs include cross-registration with Philadelphia Urban Ministry Consultation, internships, and interdisciplinary programs in economic development, including theology, business and economics, and anthropology, and cooperative programs with Cornerstone Christian College in Capetown, South Africa. The strongest areas of study are economic development, leadership, and nonprofit management. The most popular courses are Business Ethics and International Marketing. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus, including the Business Leader in Residence program, Nonprofit Lecture Series, Business Ethics dinners, and visiting professors from areas of distinction.

Thirty-six total credits are required to complete the MBA/Global, including 9 elective credits. Required courses for the MBA/Global include:

• Global Financial Management
• Global Macroeconomic Analysis
• Managerial Accounting
• International Marketing
• Leadership and Organizational Behavior
• Business Ethics
• Managerial Economics or Quantitative Approaches to Decision Making
• Quantitative Approaches to Decision Making
• Business Strategy
• Management Information Systems

Required courses for the MBA/International Economic Development include:

• Entrepreneurship
• Financial Management
• Macroeconomic Analysis or Managerial Economics
• Leadership and Empowerment
• Community Research and Needs Analysis
• God’s Kingdom in Economic Development
• Community Organization
• Christian Mission and Economic Justice, or
• Holistic Ministry in a Comtemporary World, or
• Biblical Faith and Economics, or
• Christian Mission and Social Transformation
• Accounting for Developing Enterprises
• Small Business Management

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by previous course work or transferring up to 9 credits.

Business students may take relevant nonbusiness courses in other departments. The maximum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time or part time is 7 years.

In a recent year, there were 9 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 63% hold a doctorate; there were 21 part-time faculty, of whom 38% hold a doctorate. Average number of credit hours faculty teach is 9; average business class size is 20.

Eastern University, Graduate Business Programs Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 155,630 volumes, 739,228 microform items, 1200 special business collections, and 14,074 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 982 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in nonprofit and economic development and business history. Students have access to such databases and networks as BRS, CRAM-Business Periodicals Index, EBSCOhost, FirstSearch, J-Stow, Wilson Web, Lexis/Nexis, and OCLC. Other opportunities for research consist of the Tri-State College Library Cooperative, through which students have privileges at a number of other academic libraries in the Philadelphia area.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. There are 68 terminals in labs at the library plus 20 terminals in residence halls. Sofware includes MS Office and SPSS.

Career and Job Placement

Placement is available through the university placement office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL or the Comprehensive English Language Test. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of a health form completed with the school nurse, and proof of adequate funds to cover 1 year of study. Financial aid is available for these students. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 14 weeks long; summer sessions, 6 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the evening only.

Eastern University, Graduate Business Programs Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.5 and a GMAT score of 500. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, GMAT results, and work experience. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for a recent class was 283; 191 were accepted. The average GPA was 3.0. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, 2 letters of recommendation, and essays. Students are notified on a rolling basis of the admissions decision. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 1 year.

Eastern University, Graduate Business Programs 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 $9000 per year. Books and supplies cost approximately $972; personal expenses, $11,316, for an estimated annual total of $22,288. Graduate student housing is not available on campus. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Eastern University, Graduate Business Programs Students

Ninety-four percent of a recent graduate business school class were enrolled full time; 85% have had an average of 12 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students were from Pennsylvania (69%). Fifty-four percent were women, 32% are minorities, and 8% were foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 31; ages range from 22 to 61. Four percent enter directly from undergraduate school. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 40%, business; 21%, math and science; 20%, social sciences; and 19%, liberal arts. About 1% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons.