E. J. Ourso College of Business Administration

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, E. J. Ourso College of Business Administration History

Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, founded in 1853, is a public, coeducational institution. The 650-acre campus is located in a suburban area of Baton Rouge. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 29,317.

The E. J. Ourso College of Business Administration was founded in 1930 and is located on the main campus. Courses also are offered at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center (executive MBA). The basic educational approach is geared toward general management, with the curriculum combining the case method and theoretical approaches.

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, E. J. Ourso College of Business Administration Academics

The Flores MBA Program offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Public Administration (MPA), and Master of Science in accounting, finance, and economics (MS) as well as a doctoral program in accounting, economics, and business administration with specializations offered in finance, management, marketing, and information systems and decision sciences, and a joint degree in law (JD-BCL/MBA juris doctorate, bachelor of civil law/MBA). Other programs include interdisciplinary programs and internships. The strongest areas of study are internal audit, finance, and enterpreneurship. The most popular courses are in internal auditing, information systems, finance, and accounting. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus, including visiting business executives, who lecture in classes; the MBA Distinguished Speaker Series in which 3 CEOs per semester speak to MBA students in a discussion format; and professionals, executives, and recruiters who conduct presentations on current topics to student associations and in the classroom.

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

• The Practice of Business
• Managerial Statistics
• Understanding Financial Information
• Managerial Economics
• Informations Systems
• Understanding Behavior in Organizations
• Elements of Cost Management
• Macroeconomic Analysis and Issues
• Financial Management
• Marketing Administration
• Operations Management
• Managing Sources of Competitive Advantage
• Legal Environment in Business
• Economic Environment of the Firm

Required courses for the Professional and Executive MBA include:

• Special Topics in Entrepreneurship
• Managerial Statistics
• Understanding Financial Information
• Managerial Economics
• Information Systems
• Understanding Behavior in Organizations
• Elements of Cost Management
• Macroeconomic Analysis and Issues
• Financial Management
• Marketing Administration
• Operations Management
• Managing Sources of Competitive Advantage
• Legal Environment in Business
• Economic Environment of the Firm

Required courses for the MS in finance include:

• Advanced Financial Management
• Financial Markets
• Investment Analysis and Portfolio Theory

Required courses for the MS in accounting include:

• Advanced Theory of Accounts

Required courses for the MS in economics include:

• Mathematics for Economists
• Price Theory I
• Macroeconomics I
• Econometrics I
• Econometrics ll

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, 5 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 3 years; maximum, 5 years.

There are 81 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 99% hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated below average for Category I institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 4; average business class size is 25.

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, E. J. Ourso College of Business Administration Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 3,233,034 volumes, 6,663,531 microform items, 2 special business collections, and 26,162 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 58,918 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in management and finance and its Business Administration/Government Documents department, which contains the university’s business and economic reference collections, including major financial and investment services, tax services, annual reports, and 10-K reports. Students have access to numerous financial and economic databases, including WRDS. Other opportunities for research consist of East Baton Rouge Parish Libraries, the State Library, and research centers around Baton Rouge.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of computer labs with more than 100 PCs, access to more than 100 types of software, and high-speed Internet access. Labs are open 7 days a week and are available to all students in business programs. Tech support, printing services, remote access to course information, college resources, and e-mail are also available.

Career and Job Placement

In spring 2006, 35 companies recruited on campus. Seventy-seven percent were national corporations. Majors most in demand were internal auditing, finance, and information systems. Average starting salary of the graduating class was $48,165; range was $26,000 to $150,000. Placement services are extensive. Placement services for alumni are provided by LSU Career Services. Placement is available through MBA placement office, the university placement office, and faculty members, alumni, MBA office staff, and various campus organizations. Ninety-eight percent of the most recent graduating class found jobs within 3 months of receiving their degree.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL or the University of Michigan Language Test. International students must score 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL 9PBT) or 79 on the Internet-Based (iBT) version. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of an immunization form, and proof of adequate funds to cover the first year of study. There is an International Student Compliance fee of $50. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of internships and scholarships. The application deadline for fall entry is May 15.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 15 weeks long; summer sessions, 8 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening and weekends.

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, E. J. Ourso College of Business Administration Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 3.0. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, GMAT results, and work experience. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class (full-time MBA) was 134; 89 were accepted; 72 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.42; average GMAT score was 611. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by information sessions and visits to student organizations.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall. To apply, students must submit an application form, 2 transcripts, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $25, 3 letters of recommendation, and a statement of career and educational objectives. The application deadlines are January 15 for fall entry; October 15, spring; May 15, summer. Students are notified on a rolling basis of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is May 15.

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, E. J. Ourso College of Business Administration Financial Aid

About 66% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $13,100 annually; maximum $28,000. Stipends and programs available for minority students include a graduate school tuition waiver. The FAFSA is required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for in-state students is $8,425 per year, $16,725 for out-of-state. Books and supplies cost approximately $700; personal expenses, $10,000, for an estimated annual total of $19,125 for in-state residents and $27,425 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing includes on-campus residence halls and apartments and off-campus apartments and rental houses. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, E. J. Ourso College of Business Administration Students

Sixty-two percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time. Ninety-six percent of the current graduate business school class (full-time MBA) have had an average of 19 months of full-time work experience.The greatest percentage of students are from Louisiana (87%). Forty percent are women, 17% are minorities, and 7% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 25; ages range from 21 to 59. Four percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 1% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 60%, business; 10%, math and science; 7%, engineering; 7%, social sciences; 5%, liberal arts; and 3%, economics. About 1% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 99% remain to receive their degree. In a recent year, 181 graduate business degrees were awarded.