|
General Questions
Application Process
Placement Exams
GMAT
International Applicants
General Questions
What courses do I have to take?
That depends on which graduate business degree you applied for as well as on your undergraduate record and the length of time since your undergraduate degree was received. For example, for the MBA, you must finish Phase I (the prerequisite courses) before you can begin the core MBA courses in Phase II.
Click here for MBA program guide.
Click here for MSA program guide.
Click here for MS-MIT program guide.
Do I have to have an undergraduate degree in business?
No! In fact 60% of our students do not have an undergraduate degree in business. If you do not have an undergradaute degree in business you will need to take the Phase I classes. If you do have an undergraduate degree in business you will typically be waived from the Phase I classes.
Where can I find course descriptions?
Click here for course descriptions
How many courses should I take each semester?
The typical working student takes two classes each semester and usually one class each summer session. Visa restrictions require international students to be listed as full time so they are required to take at least three classes (nine hours).
What if I want to take a course or two to see if this is the right program for me?
You may take two graduate business courses before seeking formal admission into one of our graduate business programs. You may register for any two of the following courses: Survey of Accounting (A501), Mathematical Tools in Business (A511), Survey of Economics (A514), or Organizational Behavior I (B502). You would register as a graduate non-degree student. As a graduate non-degree student, you only have to fill out a simple one-page application (also available by calling our office at 574-520-4279) and pay the $45 application fee. You do not have to repay this fee if you officially apply to the program within two years. Our standards require that we matriculate only qualified individuals into our graduate program. To protect the integrity of our program, we do not allow students to audit or take any other classes on a trial basis. We have standards to maintain and the only way to do so is to make sure that every student who enters our graduate program has the capabilities and the competencies required to perform. Thus, you must seek formal admission before you can take any other graduate business courses.
Do I have to submit my undergraduate transcripts?
Yes, we need to have an official record from every school you attended as an undergraduate. Even if you had courses officially transferred to another school and your transcripts reflect those classes we still need official documentation for our records to verify all courses taken in your undergraduate career.
What if I am already enrolled in another graduate program?
Enrollment in another graduate program would allow you to take a maximum of four courses at our institution. You must obtain a guest student application from us, fill out the vital information, obtain your home institution's written permission, pay the $45 application fee, and submit a copy of your transcripts from both your undergraduate current graduate work. Be sure to check with your home institution as to what courses will transfer and what information you will need to receive full credit for courses taken at Indiana University South Bend (e.g., course description, syllabus, textbook reference, etc.)
How long will it take me to finish my MBA?
That depends on your undergraduate background and the timing of your previous course work. For the student who has an undergraduate degree in business that was completed within the last five years, and demonstrates proficiency in computer and statistical applications there are only 12 course (36 hours) needed to complete the MBA degree. At the rate of two classes per semester and one each summer session you should be able to finish the program in two years. If you take a lighter course load, it will take a bit longer. If your undergraduate degree is not in business, or your degree is more than five years old, you will need to take between 13 and 19 courses (39 to 57 credit hours) depending on your performance on the computer and statistics placement exams. Information about placement exams listed below.
How long do I have to finish my graduate degree?
You have five years from the date of acceptance to finish your graduate degree. Your clock starts upon admission, even if you do not start taking classes until a later date. For example, suppose we grant you admission in the Spring Semester of 2004 but do not begin taking classes until the Fall Semester of 2004. Your clock towards your five-year limit begins in the Spring Semester of 2004 semester.
I work full time, how do I complete my graduate degree?
We gear our graduate programs to the part-time student. All of our classes are in the evening and typically meet only once a week for two hours and forty minutes. Most classes begin at 7:00 p.m. making it possible for students who are traveling a fair distance to reduce their commuting efforts by only having to travel to campus only once a week for each course. Summer session classes meet twice a week for three hours and fifteen minutes. Summer classes begin at 6:00 p.m.
What if my work schedule forces me to miss a class?
The question of absences is up to each individual professor. Most professors will make every effort to accommodate planned absences, but expect the student to do what he or she can to schedule out-of-town trips around their course schedules.
How much does it cost?
Fees for 2006-2007 are as follows: Indiana Resident $223.65 per credit hour Non-Resident $539.70 per credit hour. If you have recently moved to the area and have not yet met the residency requirement, we may be able to offer partial tuition assistance. If you live in Southwestern Michigan, we may be able to offer partial tuition assistance. Please contact our office (574) 520-4138 for more information.
Application Process
How do I obtain an application for admission?
Click Here or you can email us at Email: gradbus@iusb.edu and we will send you a packet of information, including the application, the next business day. The packet includes information about studying for the GMAT, a program guide and other information you may find useful as you make this all-important decision about your future.
Explain the application process
You will need to fill out an application, submit your undergraduate transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and a $40 application fee. Once you complete your application and have submitted all the accompanying information, you should receive a letter from the Director of Graduate Business Programs about the Admissions Committee's decision within three weeks after the application deadline. Click here for specific steps about the application process.
What are the application deadlines?
The deadline for application is as follows:
- July 1st for Fall Semester entrance
- November 1st for Spring Semester entrance
- April 1st for Summer Session entrance
How much is the application fee?
The application fee is $40 for domestic applicants and $50 for international applicants.
From whom should I solicit recommendations?
The best people are those who are in a position to make a judgment about your past academic and professional performance. Former professors and supervisors (past and present) are excellent choices. What we do not like to see is letters from friends, family members, and others who, by definition, think you are wonderful. We use the letters to procure a sense about your abilities and competency to perform graduate level work.
Do you require a personal interview?
We do not require personal interviews, but we do encourage candidates to meet with the director and discuss career plans and “get a feel for the program” and its fitness for your future career plans.
Do I have to have work experience?
Nearly 50 percent of our students have more than five years of work experience. We recommend that candidates have a minimum of two years managerial work experience prior to entering the MBA and MS-MIT program. We strongly urge candidates that have a weak work experience background to consider postponing their entrance.
Why do you want work experience?
Most of our full-time domestic students have work experience at the managerial level. To be a benefit to your fellow students, to get the most from your course work, and to have something to offer in classroom discussions there is no substitute for work experience. A graduate degree does the most for you if you have an environment in which to apply the theories, concepts and practical applications taught in the graduate program.
When will I find out if I have been accepted?
The Graduate Admissions Committee begins the formal admissions process immediately following the submission deadline. The Committee will only consider those candidates whose applications are complete. You can expect to receive notification of the Graduate Admissions Committee's decision within three weeks following the submission deadline. We will not provide you the Committee's decision over the phone nor will we send notification via electronic communication networks such as by fax or email. We make all admission decision communications via a formal letter sent through the United States Postal Service.
Placement Exams
What are placement exams?
Each graduate business student, regardless of undergraduate or professional experience must take the computer placement exam or you may elect to take K501-Computer Skills for Management. This is a five-week course designed to build the computer skills of entering graduate students. In addition, all MBA and MS-MIT students must take the placement exam for A503-Statistical Applications or you may elect to take A503-Statistical Applications course. Otherwise, if you have taken any of the other prerequisite classes within the last five years and received a grade of B or better, you qualify for automatic exemption. You may qualify to take a placement exam if your grade in one of the prerequisite courses was below a B, your course work is more than five years old, or you have significant work experience in a specific prerequisite area. There is no fee to take the placement exam. Should you fail to receive a passing score, you will be required to take the prerequisite course. You may not retake any of the placement exams. If you receive a passing grade on a placement exam, you will receive a course waiver for that course. Beside the computer and statistics placement exams, your admittance letter will tell you which additional placement exams you qualify to take for course exemption and which, if any, prerequisite courses will be automatically waived.
Why do I have to show proficiency in these areas?
The courses that follow these basic core requirements assume you are proficient in these areas. A lack of expertise could hurt your future academic performance.
When do I learn the results of my placement exams?
We will notify you about the results of your placement exam by mail within two weeks. In your notification letter, we will tell you your results and what courses you will need to take given your performance.
Do I have to take the placement exam?
Many students opt not to take the placement exams feeling that they need the background work. If you choose to take the prerequisite courses rather than placing out of these areas with a placement exam, you will need to drop us a line of your intention for us to keep in your academic file.
What is the computer placement exam?
We give all students a computer placement exam administered by our MIS faculty. This exam is to determine your readiness for taking upper-level core graduate courses. While you may have a working knowledge of Windows operating system, spreadsheets, and data base management, you may not have sufficient proficiency to be successful in your graduate level course work. We have found the computer placement exam results to be a good indicator of a student's expertise and a good predictor of success. Prior to sitting for the computer placement exam, you will receive a list of topics covered on the exam and a copy of a previous exam to give you an idea of the content and format of the exam. You may bring any notes or books that you want, but no computer disks or other electronic implements.
What happens if I do not pass the computer placement exam?
There are two possible results of your computer placement exam. You may pass with flying colors and meet all the requirements. Alternatively, your skills may be weak and we require you take K501 Computer Skills for Management. This one credit hour course meets once a week for five weeks. The course is not part of your graduate credit hours and is taken on a pass/fail basis.
How do I study for the placement exams?
We have a list of review topics we will send to you prior to taking the placement exam.
GMAT
What is the GMAT?
Educational Testing Service (ETS) prepares the Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT) for the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). “The GMAT measures general verbal, mathematical, and analytical writing skills that are developed over a long period of time and are associated with success in the first year of study at graduate schools of management.” For more information contact GMAT
What does the GMAT measure?
“The verbal section of the test measures ability to understand and evaluate what is read and to recognize basic conventions of standard written English. The quantitative section tests basic mathematical skills and understanding of elementary concepts as well as the ability to reason quantitatively, to solve quantitative problems, and to interpret data given in graphs, charts, or tables. The analytical writing section of the test measures the ability to think critically and communicate complex ideas through writing. Because of the wide variation in course requirements for admission to graduate study in management, the GMAC decided a test of general developed abilities would be more appropriate than a test of knowledge in specific subject matter areas. The GMAT does not, therefore, measure achievement in such specific fields as economics and accounting."
How do I study for the GMAT?
Click here for suggested strategies.
Click here for connection to MBA Explorer TM
How much does it cost to take the GMAT?
The GMAT costs $250
When will I get my GMAT scores?
The GMAT is a computerized exam and you will receive your unofficial score immediately. GMAT will mail your official scores to you and up to five designated institutions within two to three weeks.
What is the difference between the GMAT and the GRE?
The GMAT involves a writing component to give a sample of your writing acumen. The GMAT test measures different attributes putting more emphasis on mathematical skills while the GRE puts more emphasis on vocabulary.
How do I sign up for the GMAT?
Locally (Michiana Region) the Sylvan Learning Center at 3005 Grape Road (between Edison and McKinley) in Mishawaka gives the GMAT.You may register for the exam online at www.mba.com. You can contact Sylvan directly by calling 574-254-1055 . Sylvan administers the test daily (including some Saturdays) the last three weeks of every month. Make sure to make your reservations early as the testing center tends to be backed up. Consult the GMAT Information Bulletin in your information packet or check out the GMAT Bulletin online for other testing sites that may be closer to you or contact the Graduate Council directly for testing locations
International Applicant
I am an international student, are there any additional things I need to do?
International students will fill out an international application giving much the same information as our domestic students. The international application fee is $50. You can contact our International Programs for more information. International students must also provide proof of proficiency in English by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language TOEFL. You may also prove your proficiency in English by completing Level 9 with the South Bend English Institute.
Do you have many international students?
We will let our international students speak for themselves!
What does the campus at IU South Bend look like?
Click here for some pictures of campus life.
What is there to do in South Bend?
Click here for information about South Bend |
