MBA program ranked in top 10

By Lance Dwyer

Santa Clara's Leavey school of business' part-time MBA program received a top 10 ranking and the business school itself was once again included in the top 100 business schools in the country in April's U.S. News and World Report.

The order of ranking is determined by using a criterion including peer and recruiter assessment, average undergraduate grade point average, average GMAT (the Graduate Management Admission Test) score, 2003 acceptance rate, average starting salaries and graduate employment statistics, according to the university's marketing office.

Assistant Dean Elizabeth Ford said the distinctions give Santa Clara and the Leavey School of Business in particular added visibility to the general public.

"It validates the work we've been doing and separates us from the competition," Ford said. "It's just means a lot to have an outside agency evaluate our program as being outstanding."

"It's an endorsement of things we've been doing and things we've accomplished," said Senior Associate Dean David Caldwell.

Administrators aren't the only ones taking notice of the report.

"It makes me proud knowing that I am part of a department that's considered with such high regard across the country," said freshmen business major Mariel Clemente.

Many of the schools ranked ahead of Santa Clara, including New York University and the University of California, Berkeley, measure full-time programs in addition to part-time programs, which Ford said may help their part-time program to be more easily recognized.

Santa Clara is unique in that it is one of the few institutions only hosting a part-time program, Ford said.

There is no plan to develop the part-time program into a full-time program, as the same faculty and resources are utilized for both the graduate and undergraduate programs.

The students participating in the part-time MBA program create a high standard for the school because they have an average of seven years of work experience before pursuing their MBA, Ford said.

Another difference is Santa Clara's strong alumni support, as more than 7,000 alumni are currently local.

Ford described the school's curriculum as progressive and dynamic, saying the MBA program has a stronger devotion to business ethics courses than many other universities.

Santa Clara's part-time MBA program has frequently hit U.S. News' top 20 in recent years, according to Caldwell, but this is the first year it was in the top 10.

Still, Caldwell said he sees little room to overtake lead programs primarily because of limitations in facilities.

Business school courses are housed in Kenna Hall, a former residence hall. Ford said the accomplishments of the school are all the more impressive considering the limitations of the aging building.

Ford hopes the Leavey School will be able to reach new levels in the quality of education as well as increased national recognition once the new business building is complete sometime in 2007.

Regardless of which building the business school resides in, Caldwell said retaining high ranking is no easy task.

"It's certainly an honor to be placed in the top 10, but it's going to take a great deal of work to stay there," Caldwell said.

û Contact Lance Dwyer at (408) 554-4546 or ldwyer@scu.edu