School of Management

George Mason University, School of Management History

George Mason University, founded in 1972, is a public, coeducational institution. The 583-acre campus is located in a suburban area 16 miles west of Washington, DC. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is approximately 29,889. Enrollment figures in the above capsule are approximate.

The School of Management was founded in 1972 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, Enterprise Hall. Courses also are offered at the campus in Arlington (MBA), and in Herndon, VA (MBA and EMBA). The basic educational approach is a mixture of theoretical and case methods that challenges students to understand business problems and to anticipate and manage change.

George Mason University, School of Management Academics

The School of Management offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA), Master in Technology Management (MS), and Master of Science in Bioscience Management (MS) as well as a joint degree in nursing and business (MSN/MBA). Other programs include an international residency, which all students take. The strongest areas of study are finance and decision science, accounting, marketing, and entrepreneurship. The most popular courses are Finance, Managing Digital Business, Entrepreneurship, and Global Business Perspectives.

Forty-eight total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 18 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Financial Reporting and Decision Making
• Managing Costs and Evaluating Performance
• Managerial Economics
• Introduction to Information Technology and Management
• Statistics for Business Decision Making
• Managerial Finance
• Marketing Management
• Managing Operations in a Digital World
• Organizational Behavior
• Legal Environment for Management
• Strategy and Policy
• Global Business Perspectives (international residency)

Required courses for the Executive MBA include:

• Managerial Economics
• Financial Reporting and Decision Making
• Organizational Behavior
• Business, Government, Regulatory Interface
• Marketing Management
• Operations Management in a Digital World
• Managerial Finance
• Business, Government, and the Global Economy
• Managing Costs and Evaluating Performance
• Legal Environment for Management
• IT Management
• Strategic Management
• international residency
• domestic residencies

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

In a recent year, there were 70 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 93% held a doctorate; there were 56 part-time faculty, of whom 30% held a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated above average for Category I institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 5; average business class size is 30.

George Mason University, School of Management Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 652,198 volumes, 2.5 million microform items, 171,089 special business collections, and 12,376 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 16,017 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in finance, marketing, and international business. Students have access to such databases and networks as Compustat, Lexis/Nexis, Virtual Library of Virginia, Washington Research Library Consortium, and the Center for Research Libraries. Other opportunities for research consist of proximity to federal libraries, including the Treasury, the Commerce Department, the Department of State, the National Archives, and the Library of Congress.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. Available facilities consist of the university’s computer center, which provides PCs and terminals for student use; the business school provides a computer laboratory, Lotus Notes, and Internet access. Microsoft software is used. There are also 3 smart-wireless classrooms.

Career and Job Placement

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

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts and proof of adequate funds. Financial aid is available for these students. The application deadline for fall entry is February 1.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 15 weeks long; summer sessions, 6 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening and weekends.

George Mason University, School of Management Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required. Most important admissions factors are work experience, GMAT results, and grades in upper-level courses. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for a recent class was 430; 264 were accepted; 200 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.22; average GMAT score was 604. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by promoting to local minority business organizations and attending minority recruitment fairs.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall and spring. To apply, students must submit an application form, 2 transcripts, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $60, 2 letters of recommendation, 2 written statements, and a resume. The application deadlines are April 1 for fall entry; November 1, spring. Students are notified on a rolling basis of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is August. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 1 year.

George Mason University, School of Management Financial Aid

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

Tuition for in-state residents is $510 per credit. Nonresidents pay $900 per credit. On-campus room and board costs approximately $7550; books and supplies, $750; personal expenses, $1500; and other fees, $200. Graduate student housing is available on campus. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

George Mason University, School of Management Students

Twenty-two percent of a current graduate business school class were enrolled full time; all had an average of 9 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students were from Virginia (82%). Thirty-three percent were women, 15% were minorities, and 8%were foreign nationals. The average age at entrance was 32; ages ranged from 24 to 48. Seventeen percent already had a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 24%, engineering; 23%, business; 19%, liberal arts; 10%, social sciences; 8%, math and science; and 4%, economics. About 10% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 85% remain to receive their degree. In a recent year, 153 graduate business degrees were awarded.