School of Business Administration

Wayne State University, School of Business Administration History

Wayne State University, founded in 1868, is a public, coeducational institution. The 185-acre campus is located in an urban area in Detroit. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is approximately 33,000. Enrollment figures in the above capsule are approximate.

The School of Business Administration was founded in 1946 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, Prentis Building. Courses also are offered at Clinton Township, Farmington Hills, and on-line. The basic educational approach is to provide a common body of knowledge in business administration as well as opportunities for specialization in particular areas. The broad program is directed at general competence for overall management. A combination theoretical/case method approach is used.

Wayne State University, School of Business Administration Academics

The School of Business offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science in Taxation (MST), and Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) as well as a joint degree in law (JD/MBA). Other programs include joint research and cross-registration with the School of Law for students in the MST program. The strongest areas of study are finance, international business, and information systems. The most popular courses are International Business and Finance. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus, including the Entrepreneurship Forum and the George Husband/Alvin Gorton Lecture Series.

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

• Managerial Accounting
• Corporate Financial Management
• Managing Organizational Behavior
• Social Perspectives on the Business Enterprise
• Strategic Management
• Marketing Strategy

Required courses for the MST include:

• Tax and Accounting Research
• Tax Communications, Procedure, and Professional Ethics
• Advanced Tax Problems
• Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders
• Taxation of Partnerships, and Limited Liability Companies * 3 of the following: * Advanced Accounting * Governmental Not-for-Profit Accountng
• Cost Accounting, Control, and Analysis
• International Accounting
• Auditing
• Tax and Accounting Research
• Advanced Tax Problems

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements.

Business students may take relevant nonbusiness courses in other departments. The maximum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time or part time is 6 years.

In a recent year, there were 58 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 90% held a doctorate; there are 36 part-time faculty, of whom 53% held a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated above average for Category I institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 2; average business class size is 35.

Wayne State University, School of Business Administration Unique Programs

Library

The library subscribes to 25,000 periodicals. Students have access to such databases and networks as LUIS, Plus, ABI/INFORM, InfoTrac, and Lexis. Other opportunities for research consist of the Detroit Public Library.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of 125 PCs in 6 laboratories with a variety of software programs, including Lotus, dBASE, WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, and Paradox.

Career and Job Placement

Majors most in demand by companies recruiting in a recent year were accounting, finance, and management information systems. Average starting salary of the graduating class was $66,262; range was $50,000 to $100,000. Placement services are extensive. Placement services for alumni include job postings, career counseling, recruiting fairs, and a career/placement library. Placement is available through the university placement office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL, MELAB, or IELTS. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health, and proof of adequate funds to cover each year of study. There are special fees a $50 nonrefundable application fee. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of is limited. The application deadline for fall entry is May 1.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 16 weeks long; summer sessions, 8 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the evening only and weekends.

Wayne State University, School of Business Administration Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.75 and a GMAT score of 450. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x GPA) + GMAT, or minimum 1000. Most important admissions factors are grades in upper-level courses, GMAT results, and letters of recommendation. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for a recent year class was 498; 333 were accepted; 206 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.2; average GMAT score was 530. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, winter, and spring. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, and a nonrefundable application fee of $50. The application deadlines are July 1 for fall entry; November 1, winter, March 15, spring. Students are notified after the admissions file is complete of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is June.

Wayne State University, School of Business Administration Financial Aid

Stipends and programs are available for minority students. The GAPSFAS and the previous year’s tax return are required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for in-state residents is $415 per credit. Nonresidents pay $846 per credit. On-campus room and board costs approximately $7000; books and supplies, $1000; personal expenses, $2600; and other fees, $500. Graduate student housing is limited. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Wayne State University, School of Business Administration Students

Nineteen percent of a recent graduate business school class was enrolled full time; 95% had an average of 2 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students were from Michigan (95%). Forty-one percent were women and 16% were minorities. The average age at entrance was 27; ages ranged from 21 to 55. Five percent already had a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 55%, business; 20%, engineering; 14%, liberal arts; 5%, economics; 3%, math and science; and 3%, social sciences.