David Eccles School of Business

University of Utah, David Eccles School of Business History

University of Utah, founded in 1850, is a public, coeducational institution. The 1535-acre campus is located in an urban area in Salt Lake City. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is approximately 28,440. Figures in the above capsule and this profile are approximate.

The David Eccles School of Business was founded in 1955 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, Kendall D. Garff Business Building, C. Roland Christensen Center. The basic educational approach is a mixture of the theoretical, the case method, computer simulation, required field study, and other experiential activities.

University of Utah, David Eccles School of Business Academics

The David Eccles School of Business offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Accounting (Macc), Master of Science in Finance (MSFin), and Master of Statistics (MStat) as well as a doctoral program in business administration with major and subconcentrations in accounting, marketing, management, and finance, and a joint degree in law (MBA/JD) and architecture (MBA/MA). Other programs include interdisciplinary programs in health services administration, statistics, civil engineering, and nursing, cooperative education, international field study opportunities in Germany, France, Mexico, and the Netherlands, and the Lassonde New Business Development Center. The strongest areas of study are tax accounting, managerial finance, strategic management, information systems, and product management. The most popular courses are Quality Management, Entrepreneurship, New Product Development, Management Information Systems, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, International Marketing, Real Estate Finance, Financial Reporting, and Nonprofit Consulting. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. and include the Executive MBA Guest Speaker series, the Special Topics in Finance course, the Business Roundtable series, the International Business Speaker series, the Utah Entrepreneur Center Speaker series, and the Spencer Eccles Convocation.

Sixty-two total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 30 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Managerial Economics
• Financial Management
• Financial and Managerial Accounting
• Production and Operations Management
• Data Analysis and Decision Making
• Business Strategy
• Marketing Management
• Field Study I and II
• Management Information Systems
• Career Strategies
• Business Communications
• Managing/Leading in Organizations
• Laying Foundations of Teamwork

Required courses for the Macc include:

• Interpersonal Relations and Communications in Accounting
• Cases in Auditing and Systems
• Accounting Integration
• Business and Tax Strategies

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements if they have completed an equivalent course with a satisfactory grade, with adviser approval.

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 to 2 years; maximum, 6 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 2 to 3 years; maximum, 6 years.

In a recent year, there were 67 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom held a doctorate; there were 4 part-time faculty, of whom 75% held a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated average for Category I institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of credit hours faculty teach is 12; average business class size is 53.

University of Utah, David Eccles School of Business Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 2.4 million volumes, 2.9 million microform items, and 50,000 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 14,929 periodicals. Students have access to such databases and networks as Business File, ABI/INFORM, Articles First, On Point, CD Periodical Index, Business Periodicals Index, EconLit, Lexis/Nexis, Academic Universe, Moody’s Company Data, RIA Tax CDs, Axiom Biz, Business Abstracts, Business Index ASAP, CCH Internet Tax Network, CIAO, InfoTrac, and UMI Proquest Direct. Other opportunities for research consist of a full-time reference service, printed index sources, an interlibrary loan service, an on-line catalog, Internet access to other libraries, and 36 electronic databases. The Center for International Business Education and Research sponsors student research and internships.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of 65 PCs in the computer laboratory and 50 terminals in the computerized classroom reserved for business students. Software includes statistical analysis, database management, spreadsheets, financial modeling, graphics, and word processing. All computers have Internet access. There are network connections in 8 classrooms and 18 team study rooms, and in lounge areas in the classroom building.

Career and Job Placement

Average starting salary of the graduating class was $51,187; range was $35,000 to $90,000. The percentage of graduates finding jobs were:

• national corporations 35%
• local small enterprises 33%
• local large enterprises 12%
• regional corporations 10%
• self-employment 5%
• international 3%
• government 2%

Placement services are extensive, and those available to alumni include individual counseling on resumes, cover letters, salary negotiation, and career search strategy, as well as job listings, a career library, and job referrals. Placement is available through MBA Career Services and the university placement office. Ninety-one percent of the most recent graduating class found jobs within 3 months of receiving their degree.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL and must score 50 on the TSE. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of a doctor’s statement, and proof of adequate funds to cover the first full calendar year of study. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of departmental scholarships. Check with the school for current application deadlines and fee.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 15 weeks long; summer sessions, 11 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening, and weekends, and Classes for the Executive MBA program are held on weekends.

University of Utah, David Eccles School of Business Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 3.0 and a GMAT score of 600. Most important admissions factors are GMAT results, academic accomplishments and ability, and work experience. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for a recent class was 618; 418 were accepted; 273 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.41; average GMAT score was 621. Transfers are not accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by forums, an open house, school networking, and minority mailings.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall only. To apply, students must submit an application form, 2 transcripts, GMAT scores, 2 letters of recommendation, essays, and a resume. Students are notified prior to April 30 of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is April. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

University of Utah, David Eccles School of Business Financial Aid

About 67% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $16,297 annually; maximum $26,320. Stipends and programs available for minority students include in the form of private scholarships reserved exclusively for minority students. The FAFSA and the previous year’s tax return are required. The application deadline is April 1 for fall entry.

On-campus room and board costs approximately $8000; books and supplies, $1500; personal expenses, $4000, for an estimated annual total of $20,820 for in-state residents and $30,760 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing includes both dormitory rooms and apartments, with some reserved for married students and international students. There also is a graduate business house that accommodates 12 students.

University of Utah, David Eccles School of Business Students

Thirty-seven percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 94% have had an average of 5 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from Utah (72%). Twenty-three percent are women, 6% are minorities, and 9% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 28; ages range from 21 to 50. Twelve percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 5% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 47%, business; 17%, social sciences; 15%, math and science; 10%, engineering; 9%, liberal arts; and 2%, economics. About 6% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 94% remain to receive their degree. In a recent year, 226 graduate business degrees were awarded.