Graduate Programs: BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION


NOTE: This document was generated from the 1995-1997 UIUC Programs of Study. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, but be advised that requirements may have changed since this book was published. Errors may have also been introduced in the conversion to a WWW document. Thus for items of importance, it might be wise to seek confirmation from either the paper version or a live human being.

Head of the Department: Kent B. Monroe

Correspondence and Information: Ph.D. and M.S.B.A.: Department of Business Administration, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 350 Commerce West Building , 1206 South Sixth Street, Champaign, IL 61820

M.B.A.: M.B.A. Program Office, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 410 David Kinley Hall , 1407 West Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801; (217) 244-8002

GRADUATE FACULTY

Professors: C. E. Blair, R. Engelbrecht-Wiggans, R. V. Evans, D. M. Gardner, J. F. Hennart, J. Hess, R. M. Hill, J.W. Kindt, P. Lansing, H. Leblebici, K. Monroe, G. R. Oldham, D. M. Roberts, M. E. Roszkowski, S. Sudman, H. Thomas

Associate Professors: S. I. Cohen, C. Kulik, G. E. Monahan, J. F. Porac, Z. Ritz, A. Seth, M. J. P. Shaw, T. Smunt, D. Sudharshan, M. Tang, G. Willard

Assistant Professors: E. Coupey, D. Chhajed, M. Farjoun, D. Johnson, F. Jourden, D. Kim, M. Kraatz, B. S. Liu, J. Mahoney, E. Moore-Shay, C. Motley, S. Narayanan, M. Pratt, N. Raman, T. Roehl, J. Rosa, R. A. Sanchez, T. Smunt, M. Strahilevitz, M. Viswanathan, J. Wade

GRADUATE PROGRAMS

The Department of Business Administration offers the master of science in business administration (M.S.B.A.) and the doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) in business administration. The College of Commerce and Business Administration offers a degree program leading to the master of business administration (M.B.A.). Joint professional degrees are offered with architecture (M.Arch./M.B.A.), law (J.D./M.B.A.), medicine (M.D./M.B.A.), engineering (M.S.E.E./M.B.A., M.S.I.E./M.B.A., M.S.M.E./M.B.A., M.S.G.E./M.B.A., M.S.C.E./M.B.A.), computer science (M.C.S./M.B.A.), journalism (M.S.J./M.B.A.), and education (M.Ed./M.B.A.) Students may also earn a B.A. in liberal arts and an M.B.A. or a B.A. in agriculture and an M.B.A.

ADMISSION

Admission to the graduate business programs is dependent upon an undergraduate degree with a scholastic average of at least B for the last 60 hours, acceptable scores on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), three letters of recommendation, and a statement of career goals. The average GMAT for the fall 1993 M.B.A. class was 600; the average grade-point average was 4.4 (A = 5.0).

Applicants for all programs whose native language is not English are also required to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Test of Spoken English (TSE). A minimum score of 600 must be achieved on the TOEFL. For the Ph.D. program, a minimum score of 230 on the TSE is required.

The master's programs can be started in August only. The Ph.D. program may be started in August or January; however, August is the preferred semester of entry. The application deadline is March 15 for the M.S.B.A. and August Ph.D. programs, and October 1 for January Ph.D. admission. The M.B.A. program has a rolling admissions process and begins making admissions decisions in January. Prosepective students should apply by May 1.

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

The objective of the Illinois M.B.A. is to prepare a diverse set of men and women who have high potential to become and remain effective leaders in a global environment characterized by rigorous competition and continuous change. The course of study is integrated with other technical and professional skills. The program requires 18 units, which students complete in two years. The program begins in the fall semester and is offered on a full-time basis only. Students may have undergraduate degrees from any area of study.

The eighteen-course program is comprised of twelve core courses (six from the fundamental areas of behavioral, economic, and quantitative sciences; six from the functional areas of accounting, marketing, finance, production, operations, law, and policy and planning) and six focus, or elective courses. No evening or correspondence courses are offered. No exemptions or transfer credits are allowed.

Students may select electives from one specific area or a number of different areas. Some suggested elective areas include decision and information sciences, international business, finance, marketing, accounting, organizational behavior, entrepreneurship, technology and operations management, economics, and strategy and policy. Other elective areas include health care management, food and agribusiness management, and the management of technology.

The Illinois M.B.A. is currently revising its curriculum and plans to implement it in fall 1995. The program will still require 18 units to complete. It will feature an integrated core of 11 units (8 units of foundation/functional courses and 3 units of business environment courses). Students select a 7 unit professional track as their concentration. In addition to the areas listed above, students may consult with the M.B.A. program to design their own track. The Illinois M.B.A. will emphasize co-curricular activities designed to complement classroom experiences while further developing leadership skills. Activities will include communications, teamwork, and self-awareness workshops, technical training in current computer software, and career services with a focus on internships and permanent placements.

All M.B.A. students complete a semester-long, noncredit computer competency sequence offered through the Office for Information Management. The sequence is offered during the fall semester of the first year. Students are provided with hands-on training in management tools of the profession, such as electronic mail, word processing, spreadsheet, data base management, and business graphics.

Illinois M.B.A. students also complete a communication series focusing on communication skills that are crucial to success in the job search and in one's career. A variety of formats is used to cover such topics as interviewing, persuasive writing, oral presentations, graphic communication, and communicating in teams. A communications consulting service offers students individual assistance with written, oral, and graphic communication.

A two-year Executive M.B.A. program is offered to experienced managers. Details may be obtained from the Executive M.B.A. Program, 218 Commerce West, 1206 South Sixth Street, Champaign, IL 61820.

JURIS DOCTOR AND MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

The J.D./M.B.A. program promotes careers in which administration and law overlap, such as corporate and trust law. Students in this program complete at least 74 hours of law courses and 12 units of business courses. For more information on the J.D. degree, write to admission officer, 201 Law Building , 504 East Pennsylvania Avenue, Champaign, IL 61820.

MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE AND MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

The M.Arch./M.B.A. program is designed to provide training for careers in which management and architecture overlap. This joint program enables students to fulfill the requirements for both degrees by completing a total of 211/2 units, 12 of which are in business administration. For more information on this degree, write to Graduate Admission Officer, 117 Architecture Building , 608 East Lorado Taft Drive, Champaign, IL 61820.

DOCTOR OF MEDICINE AND MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

The M.D./M.B.A. program is designed for medical doctors who anticipate administrative responsibilities. In addition to the requirements for the M.D. degree, the program requires 12 units in business administration. Students can finish the program in four full years, including three summers. For more information on the Medical Scholars Program, write to coordinator of the Medical Scholars Program, 190 Medical Sciences Building , 506 South Mathews, Urbana, IL 61801.

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING AND MASTER OF BUSINESS

ADMINISTRATION

The M.S.E.E./M.B.A. program encourages careers in professional engineering and the management of technology. Students in the joint program must complete a total of 18 units, 14 of which are in business administration. For more information, write to admission officer, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, 156 Everitt Laboratory , 1406 West Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801.

OTHER ENGINEERING JOINT DEGREE PROGRAMS

The master of science in industrial engineering/master of business administration program (M.S.I.E./M.B.A.), the master of science in mechanical engineering/master of business administration program (M.S.M.E./M.B.A.), the master of science in general engineering/master of business administration program (M.S.G.E./M.B.A.), and the master of science in civil engineering/master of business administration (M.S.C.E./M.B.A.) were created in response to a growing demand for industrial, mechanical, civil, and general engineers who are also professional managers. The M.S.I.E./M.B.A. and M.S.M.E./M.B.A. programs require a total of 20 units, 12 of which are in business administration; the M.S.C.E./M.B.A. requires 20 units, 14 of which are in business administration. The M.S.G.E./M.B.A. program requires 18 units, 12 of which are in business administration. For more information on the M.S.I.E./M.B.A. or M.S.M.E./M.B.A., write to Graduate Programs Office, 144 Mechanical Engineering Building , 1206 West Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801. For more information ont he M.S.C.E./M.B.A., write to Graduate Admissions, 3108 Newmark CE Laboratory, 205 North Mathews, Urbana, IL 61801. For more information on the M.S.G.E./M.B.A., write to Graduate Admissions, 315 Transportation Building , 104 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801.

MASTER OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

The M.C.S./M.B.A. allows students to earn both degrees in three years instead of the usual four. The program serves the application-minded computer scientist who seeks management skills. Requirements include 12 units from business administration and 9 units from computer science. For more information, write to Graduate Admissions, 2270 Digital Computer Laboratory , 1304 West Springfield Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801.

MASTER OF EDUCATION AND MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

The M.Ed./M.B.A. was created in response to the growing demand for specialists in continuing education and professional development who also have an understanding of the management of projects, people, and resources. The program requires 12 units of M.B.A. course work, plus 8 units in the College of Education. For more information, write to Department of Administration, Higher, and Continuing Education, 334 Education Building , 1310 South Sixth Street, Champaign, IL 61820.

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN JOURNALISM AND MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

The joint master of science in journalism/M.B.A. program permits students with an interest in business administration and print or broadcast journalism and management to earn both degrees. Students complete 12 units in business administration and 8 units of journalism course work. For more information, applicants should write to Department of Journalism, 119 Gregory Hall , 810 South Wright Street, Urbana, IL 61801.

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN LIBERAL ARTS/MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND BACHELOR

OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURE/MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

These programs allow students to earn two degrees in five years rather than the usual six. The programs integrate an undergraduate education with a professional education without diluting the quality or purpose of either. Through careful course selection and program planning, students complete the first year of the M.B.A. program during their senior year. This course work counts toward both degrees. Students complete remaining M.B.A. program requirements during their fifth year. For more information on the B.A. in liberal arts/M.B.A. program, write to 270 Lincoln Hall , 702 South Wright Street, Urbana, IL 61801. For more information on the B.A. in agriculture/M.B.A. program, write to 314 Mumford Hall , 1301 West Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801.

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

The master of science in business administration is a 10- to 12-unit master's program best suited for those with a strong technical expertise in one of the concentrations offered within the Ph.D. program. The focus is on preparation for advanced study in the doctoral program or for a research-oriented position. The course work can usually be completed in four semesters. The program core consists of three areas of study: quantitative methods, behavioral science, and economics. These courses integrate, in the major functional areas, contributions of the qualitative, social, and behavioral sciences to administrative decision-making. A major must be specified from one of five areas offered within the Department of Business Administration: organizational behavior, business policy, marketing, international business, and decision and information science. A minor is required as well and can be chosen from another area within the Department of Business Administration or a related area outside the department or college. Admission to the program is highly selective.

Within the master of science in business administration program an option has been developed for international mangers. The M.S.B.A. for International Managers is a fourteen-month master's degree program designed to meet the management development needs of organizations involved in international business. It is intended for experienced international managers and administrators who want to earn an advanced degree while gaining valuable experience in the world of American business. Students typically are experienced managers who possess unusual potential for future achievement in international business. Those who wish to specialize in a functional area may extend their program to two years.

In addition to formal course work, students participate in a series of management development seminars, which provide an overview of American business concepts and practices. Business and industry field trips, seminars with American executives, and other special activities provide another dimension to the program. A conference at which students present papers on topics of special interest is held at the conclusion of the program.

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

This program offers an in-depth education in teaching and research in selected areas of business and administration. Doctoral students can specialize in marketing, organizational behavior, decision sciences, operations management, information systems, international business, and strategic management and policy. The program is intensive, flexible, and adapted to individual needs.

Each student's program entails sufficient study and preparation to achieve the following: (1) competence in a common core covering substantive and research methods courses, which are formulated by the faculty in each area; (2) in-depth expertise in a major area; (3) expertise in at least one area in addition to the chosen major area, with this minor area selected from within or outside the department; (4) teaching competence; (5) research or problem-solving competence.

Competency is determined by comprehensive written and/or oral examinations. Following successful completion of all course work and comprehensive examinations in major and minor areas, students must propose and gain approval of a thesis topic at a public colloquium. The final program requirement is the successful oral defense of the thesis.

For persons entering the program from an undergraduate program, the minimum requirements are 16 course units and 8 thesis units. Persons entering with a master's degree in business generally will need a minimum of 8 course units and 8 thesis units. The program usually is completed in four years, although students with a master's degree in business may require only three years.

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS

The department has worked with various language and social science faculty members to design master's and doctoral program options that address education for the growing internationalization of business. These are suited particularly for undergraduates prepared in foreign languages and cultures, international economics, and politics.

RESIDENCE REQUIREMENT

Master's degree candidates must maintain continuous full-time registration through the completion of their course work. Ph.D. candidates must maintain continuous registration through the approval of a dissertation proposal, unless a leave has been approved by the department. Joint degree students in the M.B.A. program must complete a minimum of two consecutive full-time semesters in the M.B.A. program.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Faculty research interests are in the areas of marketing, organizational behavior, decision and information sciences, strategic planning and business policy, international business, accounting, economics, entrepreneurship, and finance. The College of Commerce and Business Administration houses computer facilities, a behavioral science laboratory, and a separate library. The college maintains contacts with industry and government through its Executive Development Center, Executive-in-Residence Program, Survey Research Laboratory, Bureau of Economics and Business Research, and several professional and scholarly journals edited by its faculty.

FINANCIAL AID

One fellowship and a number of scholarships are offered to first-year M.B.A. students. The Illinois M.B.A. offers Student Management Leadership Grants to outstanding M.B.A. students.

Most Ph.D. students receive some form of financial assistance. This assistance is likely to be in the form of a teaching or research assistantship, which includes a waiver of tuition and most service fees, and/or the award of a merit-based fellowship.


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