Pacific Lutheran University, School of Business History

Pacific Lutheran University, founded in 1890, is a private, coeducational institution affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The 126-acre campus is located in a suburban area in Parkland, a suburb of Tacoma near Puget Sound. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 3643.

The School of Business was founded in 1965 and is located on the main campus. The basic educational approach is one that focuses on integration, interaction, and developing real-world skills. A variety of educational methods are used, including case analysis, presentations, teams, and external projects.

Pacific Lutheran University, School of Business Academics

The School of Business offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA). Other programs include foreign exchange with Norway, for-credit internships, and joint research with faculty. The strongest areas of study are finance, management, services marketing, and closely held business. The most popular courses are Negotiations, Knowledge Management, Managing Innovation and Technology Change, Project Management, and Financial Investments. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus including a leadership forum with distinguished guests, an Executive-in-Residence program, and an MBA Executive Leadership speaker series.

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

• Global Business Perspectives
• Legal, Ethical, and Social Responsibilities of Business
• Accounting for Decision Making
• Marketing Management
• Organizations and Leadership
• Understanding and Managing Financial Resources
• Supply Chain and Operations Management
• Economic Policy Analysis
• Information Systems and Knowledge Management
• Conflict and Negotiation
• Managing Innovation
• Strategy & Global Competitiveness Students may eliminate up to 6 hours, which may be waived through previous coursework taken within 5 years with an earned grade of B or better or by successfully passing a waiver exam. If more than 6 credits qualify, students may substitute electives to meet 39 credit minimum requirements.

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 16 months; maximum, 7 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 20 months; maximum, 7 years.

There are 11 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate; there are 4 part-time faculty, of whom 50% hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average business class size is 16.

Pacific Lutheran University, School of Business Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 400,000 volumes, 235,931 microform items, and 12,210 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 3370 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in organizations, finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, and technology management. Students have access to databases and networks in the fields of business and allied subject areas. Other opportunities for research consist of graduate research assistantships with faculty.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of up-to-date computers labs equipped with Microsoft Windows and Office Professional, and wireless access in classrooms and buildings as well as specialized business software. Computers are connected to the Internet via the campus network, and students can navigate the World Wide Web using Netscape Web Browser or Microsoft Explorer.

Career and Job Placement

Placement services are limited, since most students are already employed full time. Placement services for alumni include the PLU Career Development Office for employment services. Placement is available through the university placement office faculty member community contacts, and an alumni network.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL, IELTS (score of 6.5) is accepted in place of the TOEFL. International students must score 570 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT) or 88 on the Inrernet-Based (iBT) version. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of a health form, and proof of adequate funds to cover 1 year of study. There are special fees of a $300 deposit applied toward the first semester’s tuition. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of graduate assistantships of up to $5000 per year and international student grants. The application deadline for fall entry is May 1.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 14 weeks long; summer sessions, 12 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the evening only and weekends.

Pacific Lutheran University, School of Business Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.75 and a GMAT score of 470. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (GPA x 200) + GMAT, or minimum 1050. Most important admissions factors are GMAT results, academic accomplishments and ability, and management potential. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 38; 32 were accepted; 30 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.34; average GMAT score was 534. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, winter, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $40, 2 letters of recommendation, a goals statement, and a resume. The application deadlines are July 15 for fall entry; October 15, winter; November 15, spring; April 15, summer. Students are notified within 2 weeks of receipt of the completed application of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is August 1. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 1 year.

Pacific Lutheran University, School of Business Financial Aid

About 30% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships. The FAFSA is required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for all students is $738 per credit, or $17,625 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $7140; books and supplies, $850; personal expenses, $2094, for an estimated annual total of $27,709. Graduate student housing is available on campus in single rooms. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Pacific Lutheran University, School of Business Students

All of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 94% have had an average of 8 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from Washington (80%). Thirty-eight percent are women, 19% are minorities, and 21% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 29; ages range from 23 to 45. Eight percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 7% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 35%, business; 23%, math and science; 16%, social sciences; 13%, engineering; 9%, economics; and 4%, liberal arts. About 3% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 97% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 27 graduate business degrees were awarded.