Robins School of Business

University of Richmond, Robins School of Business History

University of Richmond, founded in 1830, is a private, coeducational institution. The 350-acre campus is located in a suburban area in Richmond. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 4494.

The Robins School of Business was founded in 1976 and is located on the main campus. The basic educational approach is to emphasize analytical techniques, both quantitative and qualitative, and their importance in decision making.

University of Richmond, Robins School of Business Academics

The Robins School of Business offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA) as well as a joint degree in law (JD/MBA). Other programs include cross-registration with the University of Alabama in Huntsville. The strongest areas of study are strategic management, leadership, and finance. The most popular course is Creativity and Innovation, Principals of Design Management, and Mergers and Acquisitions. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus, including a monthly brown bag series.

Fifty-four total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 12 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Opening Residency
• Financial Accounting
• Social, Ethical, and Legal Issues in Business
• Statistical Analysis for Business
• Strategic Resource Management
• Economics for Managers
• Marketing Management
• Organizational Behavior
• Operations Management
• Managing Information and Technology in Organizations
• Financial Management
• Strategic Management
• Global Environment of Business/International Residency
• Capstone Project

Up to 12 hours of credit may be transferred for core courses completed at another AACSB-accredited institution.

The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 3 semesters; maximum, 5 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 6 semesters; maximum, 5 years.

There are 48 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 96% hold a doctorate; there are 6 part-time faculty, of whom 33% hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated well above average for Category IIB institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 5; average business class size is 24.

University of Richmond, Robins School of Business Unique Programs

Library

The Business Information Center houses a collection of more than 476,816 volumes, 49,000 microform items, 47,000 special business collections, and 32,000 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 20,381 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in its collection of business journals and databases. Students have access to such databases and networks as Standard & Poor’s MarketScope, ABI/INFORM, InfoTrac, Wilson Business Abstracts, CCH Tax Services, Lexis/Nexis, EconoLit, Datastream, Business Source, Premier Business, CCH Accounting and Tax, Compustat, Accounting Research, Manager, Mintel, Snapshots, CCH HRM, CCH Tax Research, Factiva, Business Monitor Online, Marketline, Global Insight, and Virginia State Library. Other opportunities for research consist of the Richmond Research Institute and independent study courses.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. Students have access to more than 200 PCs and 50 Macs located in Jepson Hall, Gottwald Science Center, and the Boatwright Memorial Library. The software available in these labs includes: Microsoft Office suite, multimedia/web development tools, statistical, GIS, and presentation software. The labs are open for student use from 16 to 24 hours a day.

Career and Job Placement

Placement services are limited, since most students are already employed full time. Placement services for alumni include the Career Development Center for the University of Richmond. Placement is available through the university placement office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of the university health questionnaire signed by their doctor and proof of adequate funds to cover the total period of study. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of assistantships, but the number available is very limited. The application deadline for fall entry is May 1.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 15 weeks long; summer sessions, 7 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the evening only.

University of Richmond, Robins School of Business Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, GMAT results, and work experience. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 78; 60 were accepted; 43 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.16; average GMAT score was 587. Transfers are accepted.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall only. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, and a nonrefundable application fee of $50. Interviews and letters of recommendation are encouraged. The application deadline is May 1 for fall entry. Students are notified on a rolling basis of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is March. Once accepted, students may defer admission for 1 year for valid reasons.

University of Richmond, Robins School of Business Financial Aid

About 46% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $12,730 annually. The FAFSA is required. The suggested submission date is 6 weeks prior to the start of the semester.

Tuition for all students is $700 per credit. Graduate student housing is not available on campus.

University of Richmond, Robins School of Business Students

Ninety-two percent of the current graduate business school class have had an average of 6 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from Virginia (97%). Forty-four percent are women, 7% are minorities, and 5% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 28; ages range from 22 to 48. One percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 7% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 41%, business; 17%, social sciences; 14%, engineering; 11%, math and science; 7%, economics; and 7%, liberal arts. About 3% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 79% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 34 graduate business degrees were awarded.