College of Business and Economics

California State University-Los Angeles, College of Business and Economics History

California State University/Los Angeles, founded in 1947, is a public, coeducational institution. The 200-acre campus is located in an urban area 7 miles east of Los Angeles. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 20,576.

The College of Business and Economics was founded in 1947 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, Salazar Hall. The basic educational approach is a combination of the case method and theoretical approaches.

California State University-Los Angeles, College of Business and Economics Academics

The College of Business and Economics offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science in Accountancy (MSAcc), Master of Arts in Economics (MAEcon), Master of Science in Health Care Management (MSHCM), and Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS). Other programs include an interdisciplinary program in health care management. The strongest areas of study are management, information systems, and accounting. The most popular courses are in management, information systems, accounting, and marketing. Regular programs bring a distinguished speaker to campus every quarter. A scholar-in-residence program allows visiting professors with highly specialized backgrounds to teach.

Forty-eight total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 16 elective credits. Required courses include:

• High Performance Management
• Integrative Business Strategy
• Managing Business Processes
• Competing in a Global Environment
• New Business Management

Required courses for the MSBA include:

• Administrative Practices
• Economic Analysis
• Quantitative Approaches to Managerial Decisions
• Management Information Systems
• Policy Integration and Strategy

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by transferring limited course work.

The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 18 months; maximum, 7 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 2<1/2> years; maximum, 7 years.

There are 78 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 98% hold a doctorate; there are 2 part-time faculty. Faculty salaries are rated well above average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of credit hours faculty teach is 28; average business class size is 40.

California State University-Los Angeles, College of Business and Economics Unique Programs

Library

The library subscribes to 4000 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in accounting and international business. Students have access to such databases and networks as Lexis, ABI/INFORM, and Compustat.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of 300 terminals open to all graduate students from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Software includes Microsoft Office and many others.

Career and Job Placement

Placement services are limited, since most students are already employed full time. Placement services for alumni include the university’s career planning and placement services.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health, and proof of adequate funds. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of tuition waivers. The application deadline for fall entry is March 1.

Calendar

The school operates on a quarter basis. Quarters are 11 weeks long. Graduate programs are offered during the evening only.

California State University-Los Angeles, College of Business and Economics Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.5 and a GMAT score of 500. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, grades in upper-level courses, and GMAT results. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 383; 272 were accepted; 132 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.31; average GMAT score was 557. 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, 2 transcripts, GMAT scores, 3 letters of recommendation, and a separate School of Business and Economics application. The application deadlines are July 1 for fall entry; October 1, winter; December 1, spring; March 1, summer. Students are notified August 1, November 1, February 1, and May 1 of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is June.

California State University-Los Angeles, College of Business and Economics Financial Aid

Stipends and programs available for minority students include the Northrop Fellowship. The school’s own financial statement is required. The application deadlines are September 15 for fall entry; January 15, winter; April 15, spring; June 30, summer.

Tuition for in-state residents is $152 per credit, or $3659 per year. Nonresidents pay $378 per credit, or $9083 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $7656; books and supplies, $650; personal expenses, $950; and other fees, $290, for an estimated annual total of $13,205 for in-state residents and $18,627 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing is available on campus. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

California State University-Los Angeles, College of Business and Economics Students

Ninety-five percent of the current graduate business school class have had an average of 7 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from California (54%). Fifty-two percent are women, 48% are minorities, and 32% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 30; ages range from 28 to 50. Five percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 5% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 50%, business; 18%, engineering; 10%, liberal arts; 10%, social sciences; 5%, economics; and 5%, math and science. About 2% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 98% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 128 graduate business degrees were awarded.