School of Business and Economics

Lynchburg College, School of Business and Economics History

Lynchburg College in Virginia, founded in 1903, is a private, coeducational institution affiliated with the Disciples of Christ. The 214-acre campus is located in an urban area in Lynchburg. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 2398.

The School of Business and Economics was founded in 1967 and is located on the main campus. The basic educational approach is a mix of lecture, case study, and other experiential integrated exercises to promote mastery of relevant theory and thought and their application to business problems.

Lynchburg College, School of Business and Economics Academics

The Graduate Programs in Business offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA). Other programs include internship programs. The strongest areas of study are marketing, financial services, health care marketing services, and international business. The most popular course is Finance. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. These include the Richard P. Gifford Lecture Series in business, economics, and business leadership and the Executive-in-Residence program.

Required courses include:

• Managerial Accounting
• Managerial Economics
• Operations Management and Production
• Marketing Management
• Managerial Finance
• Global Business Policy and Strategy
• Information Technology Management
• Government Regulation of Enterprise
• Organizational Behavior and Management

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by transfering up to 2 (6 credit hours) approves core or elective graduate courses from accredited institutions.

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 21 months; maximum, 6 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 31 months; maximum, 6 years.

There are 9 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate; there is 1 part-time faculty member, who holds a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated below average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 3; average business class size is 14.

Lynchburg College, School of Business and Economics Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 208,273 volumes, 454,996 microform items, 12,273 special business collections, and 6212 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 518 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in standard business reference materials, management, and marketing. Students have access to such databases and networks as Business Source Premier, Emerald Management Full-Text, Factiva, Lexis/Nexis, RIA, Stat-USA, JSTOR. Other opportunities for research consist of interlibrary loans, area colleges (LION), and current awareness service for faculty.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. Students may use the 15 PC labs, which house approximately 220 machines.

Career and Job Placement

Placement services are limited, since most students are already employed full time. Placement services for alumni include web-based job serach database sites, writing and interviewing technique sites, Vault Online Career Library, and Career Development and Internship Program. Placement is available through the university placement office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. A writing sample and a personal interview are required to determine their comprehension of the English language. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of a form completed by a personal physician, and proof of adequate funds to cover the first year of study. The application deadline for fall entry is June 30 (must include certificate of finance and bank letter).

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 15 weeks long; summer sessions, 5 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the evening only.

Lynchburg College, School of Business and Economics Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.75 and a GMAT score of 400. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x GPA) + GMAT, or minimum 1000. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, GMAT results, and letters of recommendation. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 38; 38 were accepted; 35 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.53; average GMAT score was 498. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by offering a special financial aid package to qualified candidates from a grant received to recruit minorities.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall and spring. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $30, and 3 letters of recommendation. The application deadlines are July 31 for fall entry; November 30, spring; May 1, summer. Students are notified as early as possible after all materials are received of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is July.

Lynchburg College, School of Business and Economics Financial Aid

The GAPSFAS or FAFSA and the previous year’s tax return are required. Financial aid awards are made for the academic year prior to the fall semester. Other awards are made if funds for the academic year are available. The application deadline is April 1 for fall entry.

Tuition for all students is $350 per credit. On-campus room and board costs approximately $5800; books and supplies, $2500; personal expenses, $1800 Graduate student housing consists of dormitory rooms, if available. Most graduate students live off campus. International students may live in undergraduate dormitories. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Lynchburg College, School of Business and Economics Students

Twenty-one percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time. The greatest percentage of students are from Virginia (83%). Forty-nine percent are women, 17% are minorities, and 1% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 33; ages range from 22 to 58. Twenty-three percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 12% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 38%, business; 17%, engineering; 15%, math and science; 12%, liberal arts; 8%, social sciences; and 5%, economics. In 2006, 9 graduate business degrees were awarded.