MBA Program

La Salle University, MBA Program History

La Salle University, founded in 1863, is a private, coeducational institution affiliated with the Brothers of the Christian Schools. The 100-acre campus is located in an urban area 6 miles from the center of Philadelphia. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 6198.

The MBA Program was founded in 1976 and is located on the main campus. Courses also are offered at La Salle Bucks Center in Bucks County and Gwynedd-Mercy College in Montgomery County (MBA). The basic educational approach is a mix of case method and theory, practical and interactive.

La Salle University, MBA Program Academics

The MBA Program offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA) as well as a joint degree in nursing (MSN/MBA). Other programs include internships and work-study programs. The strongest areas of study are finance, management, accounting, and management information systems. The most popular courses are Financial Statement Analysis and Management Skills Lab. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus, including the Executive-on-Campus Program, Economic Outlook, and Business Ethics Forum.

Thirty-three total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 4 elective credits. Required courses include:

• The Executive Communicator: Presentation Module
• Computer Literacy for the Contemporary Business Environment
• Mathematical Methods Module
• Business Economics
• Financial Accounting: A Customer Focus
• Statistical Thinking for Managers
• Effective and Efficient Management of Operations
• Financial Markets
• Creating Customers through Effective Marketing Management
• Financial Performance: Control and Measurement
• Managerial Accounting for Decision Making, Planning, and Control
• Self-Assessment for Leadership
• Information Technology for Decision Making
• Financial Statement Analysis
• Competing in a Global Market

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements for all 500-level, basic core courses.

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 3 trimesters.

There are 35 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 85% hold a doctorate; there are 27 part-time faculty, of whom 25% hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated above average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average business class size is 22.

La Salle University, MBA Program Unique Programs

Library

Publications for the business school contained in the main library consist of more than 320,000 volumes and 2000 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscriptions to 1700 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in corporate databases. Students have access to such databases and networks as Dow Jones News Retrieval, Dialog, BRS, the Internet, SAP, Bloomberg, MarketLine, Hoover’s Online, Plunkett Research, Ltd., Value Line, and Wall Street Journal. Other opportunities for research consist of the Interlibrary Loan Service, Center for Technology and Management, Applied Research Center, and The Nonprofit Center.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of 80 terminals accessing an HP computer as well as numerous PCs.

Career and Job Placement

Average starting salary of the most recent graduating class was $71,250. The percentage of graduates finding jobs were:

• national corporations 44%
• regional corporations 23%
• local large enterprises 16%
• local small enterprises 15%
• self-employment 2%

Placement services are extensive. Placement services for alumni include the same services as for current students. Placement is available through the university placement office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts and proof of adequate funds to cover the entire period of study. The application deadline for fall entry is July 15.

Calendar

The school operates on a trimester basis. Trimesters are 14 weeks long; summer sessions, 12 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening and weekends.

La Salle University, MBA Program Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.0. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x GPA) + GMAT. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, motivation, and management potential. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 342; 208 were accepted; 150 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.15. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by graduate programs in appropriate geographic locations.

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 $35, and a resume. The recommended application deadlines for the full-time MBA are July 15 for fall entry; November 15, spring; April 15, summer. Students are notified on a rolling basis of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is June. Once accepted, students may defer admission if the request is made in writing to keep the student’s folder active.

La Salle University, MBA Program Financial Aid

The FAFSA is required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for all students is $655 per credit. Graduate student housing is available on request. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

La Salle University, MBA Program Students

Fourteen percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 92% have had an average of 7 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 (82%). Forty-three percent are women, 17% are minorities, and 6% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 27; ages range from 21 to 51. Five percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 5% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 60%, business and 40%, nonbusiness. About 4% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 78% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 218 graduate business degrees were awarded.