Bill and Vieve Gore School of Business

Westminster College, Bill and Vieve Gore School of Business History

Westminster College, founded in 1875, is a private, coeducational institution. The 27-acre campus is located in a suburban area in Salt Lake City. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is approximately 2500. Figures in the above capsule are approximate.

The Bill and Vieve Gore School of Business was founded in 1982 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, Bill and Vieve Gore School of Business. The basic educational approach is to prepare students to deal creatively and effectively with the challenge of an increasingly complex business environment. The MBA curriculum emphasizes problem identification and resolution, goal determination and implementation, and provides a solid foundation in managerial and communication skills.

Westminster College, Bill and Vieve Gore School of Business Academics

The Gore School of Business offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Business Administration Technology Management (MBATM), and Master of Science in Technology Commercialization (MSTC). Other programs include internships. The strongest areas of study are finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, and accounting. The most popular courses are Project Management, Entrepreneurial Finance and Equity, Business Valuation, Entrepreneurship, and Technology Commercialization. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus, including the Weldon J. Taylor Executive Lecture Series.

Forty-two total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 9 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Organizational Behavior or
• Ethics and Business or
• Managerial Marketing or
• Management Information Systems
• Managerial Economics
• Managerial Accounting or
• Managerial Finance or
• Operations Management
• Strategic Practicum
• Entrepreneurship
• One of the following:
• International Marketing
• International Management
• International Economics
• International Finance

Required courses for the MBATM include:

• Introduction to the Process of Technological Innovation
• Technical Standards and Competition in High Technology Industries
• Macroeconomic Perspectives on Technological Change
• Microeconomic Perspectives on Technology and the Economy
• The Development of New Technology Products
• Marketing of Technology
• Technology and Organizational Behavior
• Human Resources and New Technology
• Fundamentals of Financing Technology Ventures
• Legal and Strategic Issues in Financing Technology Ventures
• Intellectual Property Law
• Intellectual Property Strategy
• Licensing Strategy
• Technology Commercialization, Research Institutions, and Government
• International Dimensions of Technology Management
• Organizations, Technology, and Society
• Principles of Managing Technology Projects
• Implementation of Technology Projects
• Design and Evolution of Technology Commercialization Strategy
• Enactment of Technology Commercialization Strategy
• Ethics
• Managerial Marketing
• Operations Management
• Managerial Finance
• Strategic Practicum

Required courses for the MSTC include:

• Introduction to the Process of Technological Innovation
• Technical Standards and Competition in High Technology Industries
• Macroeconomic Perspectives on Technological Change
• Microeconomic Perspectives on Technology and the Economy
• The Development of New Technology Products
• Marketing of Technology
• Technology and Organizational Behavior
• Human Resources and New Technology
• Fundamentals of Financing Technology Ventures
• Legal and Strategic Issues in Financing Technology Ventures
• Intellectual Property Law
• Intellectual Property Strategy
• Licensing Strategy
• Technology Commercialization, Research Institutions, and Government
• International Dimensions of Technology Management
• Organizations, Technology, and Society
• Principles of Managing Technology Projects
• Implementation of Technology Projects
• Design and Evolution of Technology Commercialization Strategy
• Enactment of Technology Commercialization Strategy

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements.

Business students may take relevant nonbusiness courses in other departments.

In a recent year, there are 15 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 90% held a doctorate; there were 20 part-time faculty, of whom 50% held a doctorate. Average number of credit hours faculty teach is 18; average business class size is 18.

Westminster College, Bill and Vieve Gore School of Business Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 88,086 volumes, 100,000 microform items, and 3145 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 320 periodicals. Students have access to such databases and networks as InfoTrac and UMI. Other opportunities for research consist of the University of Utah Library and the city and county libraries.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The Center for Financial Analysis, located in the Gore School of Business, has 32 terminals with programs including Reuters and Bloomberg as well as all campus-wide software. Hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday to Sunday.

Career and Job Placement

The major most in demand by companies recruiting ina recent year were business. Average starting salary of the graduating class was $54,225; range was $50,276 to $69,157. Placement services are limited, since most students are already employed full time. Placement services for alumni include an employment board, access to career library, and disciplinary networks. Placement is available through the university placement office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL or the University of Michigan Language Test. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts and proof of adequate funds to cover 1 academic year of study. Check with the school for application deadline.

Calendar

The school operates on a modified semester (4-1-4) basis. Semesters are 16 weeks long; summer sessions, 14 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the evening only and weekends.

Westminster College, Bill and Vieve Gore School of Business Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 3.0. 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 class was 228; 182 were accepted; 152 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.2; average GMAT score was 500. Transfers are accepted.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, 2 letters of recommendation, a resume, and an essay. The application deadline is open for fall entry. Check with the school for fee. Students are notified 2 weeks after their file is complete of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is August 15. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 1 year.

Westminster College, Bill and Vieve Gore School of Business Financial Aid

The FAFSA and and the SAR are required. The application deadline is open for fall entry.

Tuition for all students is approximately $740 per credit, or $5130 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $5570; books and supplies, $400; and other fees, $75, for an estimated annual total of $11,175. Graduate student housing is in the form of on-campus residence halls.

Westminster College, Bill and Vieve Gore School of Business Students

Twenty-two percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 90% have had an average of 5 to 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 Utah (99%). Twenty-four percent are women, 18% are minorities, and 1% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 31; ages range from 21 to 58. Seven percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 4% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 40%, business; 20%, social sciences; 17%, math and science; 10%, liberal arts; 7%, engineering; 3%, economics; and 3%, education. About 34% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 66% remain to receive their degree. In a recent year, 94 graduate business degrees were awarded.