Lucas Graduate School of Business

San Jose State University, Lucas Graduate School of Business History

San Jose State University, founded in 1857, is a public, coeducational institution. The 70-acre campus is located in an urban area in downtown San Jose. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 29,604.

The Lucas Graduate School of Business was founded in 1964 and is located on the main campus, in its own building, the Business Tower. Courses also are offered at the Rose Orchard Technology Center (MBA, MST, MBA/MSE dual degree program). The basic educational approach is a core, required group of courses taught from a theoretical and applied basis using lecture and case methods to achieve a general management perspective. Then, through electives, students choose application-oriented courses to achieve more depth or breadth in their areas of interest.

San Jose State University, Lucas Graduate School of Business Academics

The Lucas Graduate School of Business offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science in Taxation (MST), Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA), and Master of Science in Transportation Management (MSTM) as well as a joint degree in business and engineering. Other programs include interdisciplinary majors and consulting projects. The strongest areas of study are management, finance, accounting and taxation, and management information systems. The most popular courses are in global marketing, finance, and e-commerce.

Forty-two total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 12 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Managerial Communications
• Managerial Decision Analysis
• Law and the General Manager
• Global Business Environment
• Developing and Managing People
• Accounting Principles
• Marketing Management
• Strategic Thinking
• Financial Management
• Operations and Supply Chain Management

Required courses for the MST include:

• Tax Research and Decision Making
• Taxation of Partnerships
• Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders
• Seminar in Tax Planning and Practice
• Business and Tax Aspects of High Technology Companies
• Tax Accounting Methods/Periods

Required courses for the MS in Accountancy include:

• Core Concepts in Accounting
• Financial Reporting and Analysis I
• Accounting Information Systems
• Financial Analysis and Markets
• Financial Accounting and Analysis ll
• Management Accounting and Control Systems
• Tax Factors and Investment Decisions
• Financial Auditing
• Forensic Accounting
• Professional Communications l
• Internship or two other graduate courses
• Legal and Ethical Environment of Accounting
• Organizational Behavior
• Tax of Individual and Pass Through Entities
• Financial Accounting and Analysis lll
• Issues in E-Business
• Business Analysis and Valuations
• Professional Communications ll/lll

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by transferring a maximum of 2 required or elective courses from another AACSB university.

Business students may take relevant nonbusiness courses in other departments. The maximum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time or part time is 7 years.

There are 29 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate; there are 13 part-time faculty, of whom 45% hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated well above average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 6; average business class size is 35.

San Jose State University, Lucas Graduate School of Business Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 900,000 volumes, and subscribes to 3500 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in taxation, international business, and accounting. Students have access to such databases and networks as ABI/Global Image, InfoTrac, Lexis/Nexis, and Wilson Business Full Text. Other opportunities for research consist of an interlibrary loan program, which makes it possible to borrow materials from any library in the world willing to lend from its collections.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of 100 terminals with Microsoft Office and Project, Oracle, SPSS, and Business Plan Pro, among other software programs. Students have access numerous hours daily and on weekends.

Career and Job Placement

In spring 2006, 60 companies recruited on campus. Seventy-five percent were national corporations. Majors most in demand were accounting, finance, management, management information systems, and marketing. Average starting salary of the graduating class was $54,000. Placement services are extensive. Placement services for alumni include individual counseling, an on-campus interview program, and career fairs. Placement is available through the university placement office.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of measles and hepatitis vaccinations, and proof of adequate funds to cover the first year of study. The application deadline for fall entry is April 1.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 16 weeks long; summer sessions, 10 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening.

San Jose State University, Lucas Graduate School of Business Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 3.0 and a GMAT score of 500. Most important admissions factors are GMAT results, grades in upper-level courses, and academic accomplishments and ability. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 451; 245 were accepted; 145 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.25; average GMAT score was 554. Transfers are accepted.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall and spring. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $55, and a statement of purpose. The application deadlines are May 1 for fall entry; October 15, spring. Students are notified of the admissions decision 4 to 6 weeks after all documents are in. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is May 1.

San Jose State University, Lucas Graduate School of Business Financial Aid

About 13% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $9604 annually; maximum $10,000. Stipends and programs available for minority students include graduate fellowships for underrepresented minority groups. The FAFSA is required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

On-campus room and board costs approximately $9096; books and supplies, $1314; personal expenses, $3690, for an estimated annual total of $17,958 for in-state residents and $24,060 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing is readily available through regular university dormitories. There is no special graduate housing. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

San Jose State University, Lucas Graduate School of Business Students

Twenty-seven percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 80% have had an average of 5 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from California (71%). Fifty-two percent are women, 61% are minorities, and 10% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 30; ages range from 21 to 59. Fifteen percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 11% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 31%, business; 25%, engineering; 14%, math and science; 12%, liberal arts; 9%, social sciences; and 7%, economics. About 25% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 70% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 208 graduate business degrees were awarded.