Villanova School of Business

Villanova University, Villanova School of Business History

Villanova University, founded in 1842, is a private, coeducational institution affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. The 260-acre campus is located in a suburban area 12 miles west of Philadelphia. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 10,274.

The Villanova School of Business was founded in 1982 and is located on the main campus. Courses also are offered at the Villanova Conference Center (EMBA). The basic educational approach is to emphasize cross-functional and creative problem solving, leadership, teamwork, and strategic decision-making skills.Through a combination of the case method, theoretical, and experiential learning approaches, students gain general knowledge in management and deeper technical knowledge in their fields of specialization.

Villanova University, Villanova School of Business Academics

The VSB offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA), Full Time Equivalent 24-month MBA (FTEMBA), Master of Accountancy (MAC), Master of Taxation (MT), Master of Technology Management (MTM), and Master of Science in Finance (MSF) as well as a joint degree in law (JD/MBA). Other programs include interdisciplinary programs in engineering and computer science (MTM). The strongest areas of study are finance and marketing. The most popular courses are Portfolio Management and E-business. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus.

Forty-four to 56 total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 12 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Accounting Information and Decision Making
• Economic Analysis
• Corporate Finance
• Decisions in Marketing
• Operations and Supply Chain Management
• Management Accounting: Concepts for Planning, Control, and Decision Making
• Leadership and Team Building
• Applied Corporate Finance
• Strategic Management of Marketing
• Technology Course Option
• Decision Technology for Business Application
• Economics of Strategy
• Strategic Management
• Statistical Analysis for Business Decisions
• Business Ethics

Required courses for the MT include:

• Employment Law
• Introduction to Taxation
• Legal Process and Professional Responsibility
• Taxation of Property Dispositions
• Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders
• Tax Accounting
• Tax Procedure
• Taxation of Trusts and Estates
• Partnership Taxation
• Legal Orientation
• Federal Wealth Transfer and Taxation
• Tax Research and Writing

Required courses for the MAC include:

• Taxes and Business Strategy
• Performance Measurement/Strategic Cost Management
• Applied Corporate Finance
• Fraud Examination and Forensic Accounting
• Advanced Topics in Disclosure and Financial Reporting
• Risk Management and Assurance Services
• Negotiation, Ethics and Relationship Management
• Accounting Information Systems
• Global Financial Markets
• Ethics and Legal Environment of Business

Required courses for the MSF include:

• Survey of Financial Theory
• Probabillity and Stochastic Processes
• Contemporary Topics in Finance: Valuation
• Financial Marketing and Institutions
• Derivatives
• Time Series and Applied Business Forecasting
• Financial Modeling
• Applied Corporate Finance
• Corporate Risk Management
• Student Managed Funds

Required courses for the FTEMBA include:

• Foundations of Economics
• Statistics
• Accounting
• Marketing Management
• Business Technology Management
• Leadership and Ethics
• Decision Making for Business Applications
• Financial Management
• Virtual Supply Chain Management
• Strategic Management for Global Organizations
• Financial Risk Management

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by having basic core courses waived if completed through prior course work or by taking a challenge exam.

The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 1 year; maximum, 7 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 2 years; maximum, 7 years.

There are 95 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 90% hold a doctorate; there are 61 part-time faculty, of whom 14% 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 9; average business class size is 27.

Villanova University, Villanova School of Business Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 682,713 volumes, 1.1 million microform items, 100 special business collections, and 40,500 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 12,000 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in e-commerce. Students have access to such databases and networks as Dialog, BRS, and Dow Jones.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of 120 computers, an operating system with Novell Network, spreadsheets, databases, word processing and statistical software, financial analysis, and communications to the mainframe.

Career and Job Placement

Placement services are limited, since most students are already employed full time. All Career Services Office services are available to students and alumni. Placement is available through the university placement office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. International students must score 600 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT). They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of the university’s health history record, and proof of adequate funds to cover 1 year of tuition plus $9000 in living expenses. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of graduate assistantships. The application deadline for fall entry is July 15.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 15 weeks long; summer sessions, 9 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the evening only and weekends.

Villanova University, Villanova School of Business Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x GPA) + GMAT. Most important admissions factors are work experience, academic accomplishments and ability, and GMAT results. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for a recent year was 311; 230 were accepted; 156 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.2; average GMAT score was 587. 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, a nonrefundable application fee of $50, 2 letters of recommendation, essays, and a professional resume. The application deadlines are July 15 for fall entry; November 15, spring; March 31, summer. Students are notified of the admissions decision on a rolling basis after the deadline has passed. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is August 1. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 1 year.

Villanova University, Villanova School of Business Financial Aid

The FAFSA and the school’s own financial statement are required. Link to www.gradbusiness.villanova.edu for admissions deadlines.

Tuition for all students is $675 per credit, or $16,200 per year. Books and supplies cost approximately $800; and other fees, $60, for an estimated annual total of $17,060. Graduate student housing is not available on campus. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Villanova University, Villanova School of Business Students

Twenty percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 95% have had an average of 5 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. Thirty percent are women. The average age at entrance is 28; ages range from 22 to 50. Four percent already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 50%, business; 19%, engineering; 19%, liberal arts; 5%, math and science; 4%, economics; and 3%, social sciences. In 2006, 186 graduate business degrees were awarded.