Portland State University, School of Business Administration History

Portland State University, founded in 1946, is a public, coeducational institution. The 35-acre campus is located in an urban area within the city of Portland. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 24,015.

The School of Business Administration was founded in 1970 and is located on the main campus, in its own building.The MBA is also offered in Washington County and on-line. The basic educational approach is to prepare individuals with the integrity and skills necessary to lead businesses into the future. The program stresses pragmatic as well as emotional intelligence.

Portland State University, School of Business Administration Academics

The School of Business Administration offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of International Management (MIM), and Master of Science and Financial Analysis (MSFA) as well as a doctoral program in systems science. Other programs include interdisciplinary programs in engineering management, urban studies, environmental studies, and Master of International Management, cross-registration with the University of Oregon and Oregon State University for an Executive MBA, and cooperative programs with the University of Oregon and Oregon State University. Work-study, foreign exchange with 4 countries, internships, and joint research with the Systems Science Department are also available. The strongest areas of study are management of innovation and finance. The most popular courses are finance and innovation management. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus, including an executive day in residence.

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

• Leadership Development and Assessment
• Pioneering Innovation
• Executive Briefings
• Financial Reporting
• Managerial Accounting and Control
• Economic Environment of the Firm
• Managerial Decision Making
• Ethics in Organizations
• Financial Management
• Marketing Strategy and Research
• Organizational Management
• Managing Information Technology
• Managing Operations and the Value Chain
• Leadership Immersion
• Law for Managers
• Business Strategy Capstone
• Business Project

Required courses for the MSFA include:

• Executive Briefings
• Business Strategy and Policy
• MSFA Business Project
• Tax Factors in Business Decisions
• Accounting Information Systems
• Strategic Cost Management
• Financial Statement Analysis
• Professional Ethics and the Public Interest
• Financial Management for Financial Analysts
• Financial Analysis and Business Valuation
• Applied Econometrics for Financial Analysis

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements for the MBA by taking challenge exams for up to 12 credits.

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, 7 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 3 years; maximum, 7 years.

There are 37 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate; there are 5 part-time faculty, of whom 40% hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated well below average for Category I institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 5; average business class size is 32.

Portland State University, School of Business Administration Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 1.4 million volumes, and subscribes to 13,000 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in taxation. Students have access to such databases and networks as Lexis/Nexis, ABI/INFORM, EIU Country Intelligence, Invest plus, Mintell Mergent On-line, Mybest Segment, and Reference U.S.A. Other opportunities for research consist of a full Oregon Regional and U.S. Government Documents Depository, Market Activity Report by RMLS, Standard Rate, and Data Service.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of 25 PCs. Most software is available; there is full Internet and wireless access. The graduate laboratory is open 80 hours per week.

Career and Job Placement

In spring 2006, 15 companies recruited on campus. Eighty percent were national corporations. Majors most in demand were finance and marketing. Average starting salary of the graduating class was $56,000; range was $45,500 to $64,500. Placement services are extensive. Placement services for alumni include career counseling, resume help, informational interviews, and access to job board. Placement is available through a separate placement office for graduate business students and the university placement office. Seventy-three percent of the most recent graduating class found jobs within three months of receiving their degree.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. International students must score 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT) or 79 on the Internet-Based TOEFL (iBT). They also must submit a translation of their transcripts and proof of adequate funds to cover the first year of study. The application deadline for fall entry is March 1.

Calendar

The school operates on a quarter basis. Quarters are 10 weeks long; summer sessions, 8 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening.

Portland 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 470. Most important admissions factors are work experience and GMAT results. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 327; 140 were accepted; 109 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.2; average GMAT score was 607. Transfers are accepted.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall only. To apply, students must submit an application form, 2 transcripts, GMAT scores, TOEFL or IELPS, a nonrefundable application fee of $50, 2 letters of recommendation, and a nonrefundable deposit of $200. The application deadline is April 1 for fall entry. Students are notified of the admissions decision as early as possible. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is August.

Portland State University, School of Business Administration Financial Aid

Stipends and programs available for minority students include. Oregon Laurels tuition remission. The FAFSA is required. The application deadline is January 1 for fall entry.

Tuition and fees for in-state residents is $9848 per year. Nonresidents pay $15,968 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $7725 to $15,968; books and supplies, $1600, for an estimated annual total of $19,173 for in-state residents and $25,293 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing consists of on- and off-campus facilities. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Portland State University, School of Business Administration Students

Eighteen percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 90% have had an average of 6 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from Oregon (76%). Thirty-five percent are women, 14% are minorities, and 17% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 30; ages range from 21 to 54. One percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 1% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 31%, business; 20%, engineering; 20%, social sciences; 18%, math and science; 6%, liberal arts; and 5%, economics. About 5% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 95% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 97 graduate business degrees were awarded.