Beacom School of Business

University of South Dakota, Beacom School of Business History

University of South Dakota, founded in 1862, is a public, coeducational institution. The 216-acre campus is located in a small town 70 miles south of Sioux Falls. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 8746.

The Beacom School of Business was founded in 1956 and is located on the main campus. Courses also are offered at The MBA and MPA programs are offered face-to-face in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The MBA program is delivered to many locations throughout the state as well as in the Sioux City, Iowa region via interactive technology. The school has plans to begin rolling out on-line deliveries of the MBA program as well. The basic educational approach is a mix of theoretical, case method, and hands-on practical exercises involving actual businesses. There is an emphasis on the development of quantitatiave decision-making skills and the study of enterprise resource management systems.

University of South Dakota, Beacom School of Business Academics

The Beacom School of Business offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Business Administration with specialization in Health (MBA), and Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) as well as a joint degree in law (JD/MBA). Other programs include foreign exchange and international internships. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. The Beacom School of Business sponsors a Dean’s Lecture Series, which brings 3 to 5 distinguished business people, including USD alumni, to campus each year to meet with students.

Thirty-three total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 6 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Managerial Economics
• Quantitative Analysis
• Managerial Accounting
• Organizational Theory and Behavior
• Financial Administration
• Marketing Administration
• Business and Its Environment
• Administrative Policy
• Advanced Information Systems or
• Production and Operations Management

Required courses for the MPA include:

• Advanced Accounting
• Seminar in Accounting Theory
• Seminar in Cost Accounting
• Accounting in Government and Nonprofit Organizations
• Seminar in Tax
• Contemporary Topics in Auditing

Required courses for the MBA/HSAD include:

• Financial Administration
• Organizational Theory and Behavior
• Quantitative Analysis
• Adminstrative Policy
• Advanced Health Care Systems
• Strategic Management of Health Care Organizations
• Health Care Practicum
• Managerial Economics or
• Advanced Management Information Systems
• Accounting for Government and Nonprofit Organizations or
• Managerial Accounting
• Advanced Health Care Management

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by transferring a maximum of 9 hours credit from other AACSB-accredited schools.

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 year; maximum, 7 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 22 months; maximum, 7 years.

There are 35 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 86% hold a doctorate; there are 4 part-time faculty, of whom 50% hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated well below average for Category I institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 6; average business class size is 35.

University of South Dakota, Beacom School of Business Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 550,000 volumes, 18,075 microform items, 4000 special business collections, and 7210 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 1700 periodicals. Students have access to such databases and networks as Business Source Premier, ValueLine, Morningstar, Compustat, LEXIS-Nexis, JSTOR, Science Direct, Blackwell, Springer-Link, and Wylie. Other opportunities for research consist of the Business Research Bureau, Small Business Development Centers statewide, and Family Business Initiative.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of 25 IBM PS/2s networked to an AS 400 and IBM mainframe. All types of software are available,including Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, SPSS, Netscape Explorer, and Cisco Telnet Adobe. Facilities are open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (shorter hours Fridays and Saturdays).

Career and Job Placement

Average starting salary of the 2006 graduating class was $49,286; range was $22,000 to $82,000. The percentage of graduates finding jobs were:

• national corporations 69%
• local large enterprises 19%
• regional corporations 6%
• local small enterprises 6%

Placement services are limited, since most students are already employed full time. The Campus Development Center and the School of Business Employment Service Office provide services to alumni, access to online job board, weekly email newsletter and campus interviews. This service is provided for six months after graduation and upon request after that point. Placement is available through the university placement office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL and the IELTS with a mininum score of 6. International students must score 79 on the Internet-Based TOEFL (iBT) version.They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of an immunization record, and proof of adequate funds. There is a one-time $113 international student fee. 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 16 weeks long; summer sessions, 8 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening.

University of South Dakota, Beacom School of Business Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.7 and a GMAT score of 450. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (GPA x 200) + GMAT, or minimum 1100. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, GMAT results, and grades in upper-level courses. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 71; 70 were accepted; 47 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.46; average GMAT score was 540. Transfers are accepted.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, 2 transcripts, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $35, and 2 letters of recommendation. The application deadlines are June 1 for fall entry; October 1, spring; March 1, summer. Students are notified within 45 days of receipt of the completed application packet of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is June 1. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 3 years.

University of South Dakota, Beacom School of Business Financial Aid

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

Tuition for in-state residents is $120 per credit, or $3960 per year. Nonresidents pay $355 per credit, or $11,715 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $4396; books and supplies, $2000; personal expenses, $4300; and other fees, $3115, for an estimated annual total of $17,771 for in-state residents and $25,526 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing includes limited on-campus dormitory rooms and married-student housing. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

University of South Dakota, Beacom School of Business Students

Forty-eight percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 75% have had an average of 5 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school. The greatest percentage of students are from South Dakota (68%). Forty-nine percent are women, 12% are minorities, and 6% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 29; ages range from 21 to 48. Twenty-five percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 5% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 75%, business; 9%, economics; and 9%, engineering. About 2% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 98% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 120 graduate business degrees were awarded.