College of Business Administration

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, College of Business Administration History

University of Wisconsin/La Crosse, founded in 1909, is a public, coeducational institution. The 119-acre campus is located in a small town 138 miles west of Madison. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 8991.

The College of Business Administration was founded in 1975 and is located on the main campus. Courses also are offered via the Internet. The basic educational approach is an outcome-based orientation that mixes theoretical and applied methodologies.

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, College of Business Administration Academics

The College of Business Administration offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA). The strongest areas of study are human resources, organizational behavior, comparative management, and finance. The most popular courses are human resources, finance, information systems, and total quality management.

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

• Decision Framing and Decision Making in Complex Environments l
• Decision Framing and Decision Making in Complex Environments ll
• Business Decision Making and Research Methodology
• Managing in an Environmental and Socially Conscious World
• Managing in a Changing Technological Environment
• Managing in a Global Environment
• MBA Program Assessment

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements. Foundation requirements may be fulfilled in this way.

The maximum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 2 years; part time, 7 years.

There are 15 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated below average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of credit hours faculty teach is 18; average business class size is 23.

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, College of Business Administration Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 515,000 volumes and 700,000 microform items, and subscribes to 2000 periodicals. Students have access to such databases and networks as Dow Jones News Retrieval and ABI/INFORM. Other opportunities for research consist of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of 2 Micro VAX 3100s, which can be accessed via the College of Business LAN, 7 general access computer laboratories, and 3 PC-based classrooms. The university offers noncredit seminars and technical consulting services to computer users.

Career and Job Placement

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

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL or the college’s own test. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health, and proof of adequate funds. There is a $10 orientation fee. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of assistantships and tuition waivers. The application deadline for fall entry is March 1.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 15 weeks long; summer sessions, 4 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the evening only.

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, College of Business Administration Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.85. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x GPA) + GMAT. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, GMAT results, and grades in upper-level courses. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 33; 25 were accepted; 16 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.27; average GMAT score was 550. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by advertising in minority-oriented publications and attendance at graduate program forums.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, and a nonrefundable application fee of $45. The application deadlines are May 1 for fall entry; October 1, spring; March 1, summer. Students are notified of the admissions decision 2 weeks after the deadline. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is May. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 1 year.

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, College of Business Administration Financial Aid

Stipends and programs available for minority students include assistantships. The FAFSA is required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for in-state residents is $401 per credit, or $7294 per year. Nonresidents pay $992 per credit, or $17,904 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $3950; books and supplies, $900; personal expenses, $2000, for an estimated annual total of $14,144 for in-state residents and $24,754 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing is plentiful off campus. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, College of Business Administration Students

Eighty percent of the current graduate business school class have had an average of 3 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from Wisconsin (73%). One percent are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 28; ages range from 22 to 50. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 36%, engineering; 30%, business; 14%, health care; 5%, liberal arts; and 5%, social sciences. In 2006, 22 graduate business degrees were awarded.