Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management

Rice University, Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management History

Rice University, founded in 1912, is a private, coeducational institution. The 300-acre campus is located in an urban area. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 5119.

The Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management was founded in 1974 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, Janice and Robert McNair Hall. The basic educational approach is to use theory and experiential learning tools to educate business students in core functional areas and to equip them with essential skills in leadership, communication, and teamwork. Teaching methods used include case studies, lectures, individual projects, and team projects such as the Action Learning Project, a unique experiential learning program.

Rice University, Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management Academics

The Jones Graduate School offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA) as well as joint degrees in engineering (MBA/ME) with the George R. Brown School of Engineering at Rice University and in medicine (MBA/MD) with Baylor College of Medicine. Other programs include foreign exchange with Costa Rica, work-study, internships with national corporations, interdisciplinary programs, cross-registration with Baylor College of Medicine, and joint research. The strongest areas of study are finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, general management, and communications. The most popular courses are in entrepreneurship, finance, general management, marketing, and portfolio management. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. The Dean’s Lecture Series and the Executive Lecture Series feature corporate leaders and management experts from the local and national community. They give free presentations on current management issues.

Sixty total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 25 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Financial Accounting
• Business Ethics
• Data Analysis l and ll
• Competitive and Industry Analysis
• Marketing
• Managerial Economics
• Organizational Behavior
• Communications l and ll
• Finance
• Negotiation
• Organizational Change
• Action Learning Project
• Entrepreneurship
• Leadership
• Strategy Formulation and Implementation

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 2 years; maximum, 2 years.

There are 58 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 95% hold a doctorate; there are 46 part-time faculty, of whom 30% hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated well above average for Category I institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average business class size is 53 in core courses and 25 electives.

Rice University, Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management Unique Programs

Library

The Gilbert and Ruth Whitaker Business Information Center (BIC) houses a collection of more than 18,300 volumes, 60,000 microform items, 1 special business collection, and 293 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 162 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in accounting, management, finance, marketing, management information systems, organizational behavior, and strategy. Students have access to such databases and networks as Academic Universe, ABI/INFORM, Business Source Complete, Business Insight, Choices 3, CountryWatch.com, Datastream, EconLit, Factiva, Faulkner IT Studies, Hoover’s, Investext, Lexis/Nexis, MarketLine, MarketReseasrch.com, Mintel, Mergent Online, Morningstar, NetAdvantage, PAIS, Plunkett Research Center, ReferenceUSA, Research Insight, Statistical Universe, STAT-USA, Thomson ONE Banker, Value Line Research Center, and World Marketing Data and Statistics. Other opportunities for research consist of Baker Institute of Public Policy, Center for Institutions and Values, and Center on the Management of Technology.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. Students have their own laptop computersas part of the program. The laptops are equipped with all software and networking capabilities necessary to communicate with teachers and to work with other students. The business building contains more than $7.5 million in technology to support academic, research, and student computing needs. A state-of-the-art finance center allows students to use all tools found in leading trade centers.

Career and Job Placement

In spring 2006, 50 companies recruited on campus. Eighty percent were national corporations. Majors most in demand were finance, marketing, information systems, and entrepreneurship. Average starting salary of the graduating class was $87,764; range was $35,000 to $125,000. The percentage of graduates finding jobs were:

• national corporations 90%
• regional corporations 5%
• local large enterprises 3%
• self-employment 2%

Placement services are extensive. Placement services for alumni include company presentations and receptions, networking events, job postings, and on-line resources. Placement is available through the Career Planning Center. Eighty-three percent of the most recent graduating class found jobs within three months of receiving their degree.

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 a physical examination, health history, and vaccination record, and proof of adequate funds to cover the first year of study. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of a limited number of scholarships. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Graduate programs are offered only full-time.

Rice University, Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required. Most important admissions factors are management potential, academic accomplishments and ability, and motivation. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 695; 361 were accepted; 160 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.2; average GMAT score was 625. Transfers are not accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by advertising in minority publications and recruiting in U.S. cities and by participating in and sponsoring minority recruiting events.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall only. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $100, 2 letters of recommendation, and responses to 3 essay questions; students may have a personal interview by invitation. Students are notified of the admissions decision on a rolling basis within 6 to 8 weeks of each application deadline. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is March 15. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 1 year on an individual basis.

Rice University, Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management Financial Aid

About 73% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total maximum of $66,100. Stipends and programs available for minority students include alumni and friends scholarship program. The FAFSA, the school’s own financial statement, and the previous year’s tax return are required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for all students is $32,150 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $9000; books and supplies, $1300; personal expenses, $6240; and other fees, $2058, for an estimated annual total of $50,748. Graduate student housing consists of approximately 200 units. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Rice University, Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management Students

All of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 97% have had an average of 13 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from Texas (74%). Twenty-eight percent are women, 24% are minorities, and 22% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 31; ages range from 21 to 52. Three percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 12% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 29%, engineering; 26%, business; 19%, liberal arts; 14%, economics; and 12%, math and science. In 2006, 160 graduate business degrees were awarded.