The Craig School of Business/MBA

California State University-Fresno, The Craig School of Business/MBA History

California State University/Fresno, founded in 1911, is a public, coeducational institution. The 1410-acre campus is located in an urban area. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is approximately 20,000.

The Craig School of Business/MBA was founded in 1964 and is located on the main campus. Courses also are offered at the Entrepreneurial Resource Center in Clovis (entrepreneurship classes). The basic educational approach is a seminar format utilizing a combination of lecture, case study, and individual/group projects. There is a strong emphasis on the application of theory to real-world situations.

California State University-Fresno, The Craig School of Business/MBA Academics

The Craig MBA Program offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA). Other programs include cross-registration, cooperative programs in agribusiness, internships, and foreign exchange with Germany, Sweden, France, India, and China. The strongest areas of study are entrepreneurship and finance. The most popular courses are Entrepreneurship, Organizational Behavior, Investment Portfolio, and information systems courses. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. The extended education program has a lecture series every semester, the MBA Student Association brings in business leaders, and the faculty invites visiting professors.

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

• Organization Design and Development
• Financial Management
• Managerial Accounting
• Management Information Systems
• Marketing Management
• Regulatory and Ethical Environment of Business
• Business Policy and Strategy

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by having previously taken foundation courses as business undergraduates or passing challenge exams.

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 1 year; maximum, 2 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 2 years; maximum, 5 years.

There are 23 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate; there are 5 part-time faculty, of whom 20% hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated above average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 3; average business class size is 20.

California State University-Fresno, The Craig School of Business/MBA Unique Programs

Library

The Craig MBA Lab library houses a collection of more than 800,000 volumes and 200 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 3500 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in entrepreneurship, finance, international business. Students have access to such databases and networks as Compustat, CRSP, Citibase, Disclosure and Lexis/Nexis. Other opportunities for research consist of the University Business Center, Lyles Center for Entrepreneurship, the Business Advisory Council, and the Small Business Institute.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of 9 business school computer laboratories containing a total of 208 IBM P/2 Model 50 workstations, with WordPerfect, Excel, dBASE, and SPSS software, all available at various hours throughout the week. In addition, there are 5 Pentium Pro (233 MHz) computers (with Lexis/Nexis connection) dedicated exclusively to MBA students.

Career and Job Placement

In spring 2006, 50 companies recruited on campus. Ninety percent were national corporations. Majors most in demand were entrepreneurship, finance, information systems, and marketing. Average starting salary of the graduating class was $52,000; range was $34,000 to $120,000. The percentage of graduates finding jobs were:

• local large enterprises 40%
• local small enterprises 30%
• national corporations 20%
• regional corporations 5%
• self-employment 5%

Placement services are limited, since most students are already employed full time. Placement services for alumni include the same services and aid that are available for all students (including web site postings of jobs and resumes). Placement is available through the university placement office and university web site. Ten percent of the most recent graduating class found jobs within three months of receiving their degree.

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 to cover the time they anticipate it will take them to complete their studies. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of a partial tuition waiver. The application deadline for fall entry is March 1.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 15 weeks long; summer sessions, 6 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the evening only and weekends.

California State University-Fresno, The Craig School of Business/MBA Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.5 and a GMAT score of 550. Most important admissions factors are grades in upper-level courses, management potential, and GMAT results. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 210; 85 were accepted; 30 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.4; average GMAT score was 580. Transfers are accepted.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall and spring. To apply, students must submit an application form, 2 transcripts, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $55, 2 letters of recommendation, and a 500-word statement of purpose. The application deadlines are March 1 for fall entry; September 30, spring. Students are notified of the admissions decision as soon as a complete application is received. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is June.

California State University-Fresno, The Craig School of Business/MBA Financial Aid

In a recent year, about 25% of graduate business school students received financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $2000 annually; maximum $5000. Stipends and programs available for minority students include scholarships and grants. The school’s own financial statement is required. The application deadlines are April 1 for fall entry; October 1, spring.

Residents pay no tuition. Fees for all students total $3629 per year. Tuition for nonresidents is $339 per unit; the maximum nonresident tuition per academic year is $10,170. On-campus room and board costs approximately $7480. Graduate student housing is highly affordable, either on or near campus. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

California State University-Fresno, The Craig School of Business/MBA Students

Sixty percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 90% have had an average of 4 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school. The greatest percentage of students are from California (70%). Thirty-six percent are women, 30% are minorities, and 20% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 31; ages range from 21 to 46. Twenty-two percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 4% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 60%, business; 25%, engineering; 7%, economics; 4%, social sciences; and 3%, 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 a recent year, 42 graduate business degrees were awarded.