College of Business-Graduate Programs in Business

Washington State University, College of Business-Graduate Programs in Business History

Washington State University, founded in 1890, is a public, coeducational institution. The 620-acre campus is located in a rural area 75 miles south of Spokane and 8 miles west of Moscow, Idaho. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 22,000.

The College of Business-Graduate Programs in Business was founded in 1957 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, Todd Hall. Courses also are offered at Vancouver and Tri-Cities (MBA). The basic educational approach is lecture, real-world, hands-on practicum, and the case method with a strong theoretical component. The emphasis is on global competitive business leadership, delivery of innovation, and positive societal impact.

Washington State University, College of Business-Graduate Programs in Business Academics

The Graduate Programs in Business offers the Master of Accounting (MAcc) and Master of Business Adminstration (MBA) as well as a doctoral program in business administration and economics, and a joint degree in JD/MBA with University of Idaho. Other programs include faculty-led study abroad program in Switzerland and internships. The strongest areas of study are entrepreneurship, marketing, internatinal business, finance, and management information systems. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. The Executive Education Seminar Speaker Series presents 10 self-contained lectures, seminars, and workshops annually.

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

• Introduction to Financial and Managerial Accounting
• Managerial Economics for Decision Making
• Statistical Analysis for Business Decisions
• Managerial Leadership and Productivity
• Survey of Marketing
• Executive Education Seminar Series
• Administrative Control
• Advanced Financial Management
• Operations Management
• Information Systems Management
• Marketing Management and Administrative Policy
• Internship
• Business Law and Ethics
• Problems in Financial Management
• Services Management
• Emerging Technologies
• Strategy Formulation and Organizational Design

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, 6 years.

There are 44 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate; there are 4 part-time faculty. Faculty salaries are rated below average for Category I institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 4; average business class size is 30.

Washington State University, College of Business-Graduate Programs in Business Unique Programs

Library

The business school library and the university’s main library houses a collection of more than 1.8 million volumes and 3 million microform items, and subscribes to 24,905 periodicals. Students have access to such databases and networks as EBSCO Business Source Premier, ABI/INFORM Global, and JSTOR. Other opportunities for research consist of a reference librarian specific to the College of Business.

Computers

Graduate business students must have their own PCs. The university has serveral labs for student use. Wireless laptops are required of all MBA students.

Career and Job Placement

In spring 2006, 11 companies recruited on campus. Ninety-one percent were national corporations. Average starting salary of the graduating class was $71,600; range was $50,000 to $140,000. The percentage of graduates finding jobs were:

• national corporations 43%
• self-employment 29%
• local small enterprises 14%

Placement services are extensive and are available through a separate placement office for graduate business students. The Office of Graduate Programs in Business employs a placement coordinator for MBA students.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. International students must score 580 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT) or 93 on the Internet-Based TOEFL (iBT). They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of immunization records, and proof of adequate funds to cover 1 year of study. There are special fees for immigration paperwork. Check with the office of International Student Services for specific information. The application deadline for fall entry is March 1.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 16 weeks long; summer sessions, 6 to 8 weeks for internships and 3 weeks for travel abroad. Graduate programs are offered during the day only and only full-time.

Washington State University, College of Business-Graduate Programs in Business Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 3.0. 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 work experience. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 128; 74 were accepted; 28 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.52; average GMAT score was 570. Transfers are not accepted. Minority students are actively recruited.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall only. To apply, students must submit an application form, 2 transcripts, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $35, and 3 letters of recommendation. The application deadline is March 1 for fall entry. Students are notified mid-March of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is February 28.

Washington State University, College of Business-Graduate Programs in Business Financial Aid

About 42% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $17,147 annually; maximum $26,245. Stipends and programs are available for minority students. The FAFSA and the school’s own financial statement are required. The application deadline is March 1 for fall entry.

Tuition for in-state residents is $10,400 per year. Nonresidents pay $20,680 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $4924; books and supplies, $1080; personal expenses, $7398, for an estimated annual total of $23,802 for in-state residents and $34,082 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing is available in residence halls and married-student housing. Students should sign up for housing as early as possible. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Washington State University, College of Business-Graduate Programs in Business Students

All of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 52% have had full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from foreign countries (50%). Forty-four percent are women, 2% are minorities. The average age at entrance is 24; ages range from 21 to 39. Forty-two percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 2% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 50%, business; 17%, math and science; 15%, engineering; 13%, liberal arts; and 6%, social sciences. In 2006, 14 graduate business degrees were awarded.