Robert B. Willumstad School of Business

Hagedorn Hall, Room 121
p - 516.877.4600 (undergraduate office)
p - 516.877.4670 (graduate office)
f - 516.877.4607
w - business.adelphi.edu

Administration
business.adelphi.edu/about/who-we-are/administration/

Britt’ny A. Brown, Director of Graduate Programs
p - 516.877.4605
e - mminutoli@adelphi.edu

Erin Raia, Director of Undergraduate Programs
p - 516.877.4668
e - eraia@adelphi.edu

Faculty
business.adelphi.edu/our-faculty/

Professional Philosophy

Few areas of American life are as dynamic and challenging as the world of business. The rapid pace of technological change and the growth of international markets and competition are creating rich opportunities for increased productivity and abundance for an ever-growing population. Business knowledge has become an all-important factor not only in corporate enterprises, but also in government, and not-for-profit institutions.

The Robert B. Willumstad School of Business believes that the best business leaders are those who enjoy an intellectual challenge; have a deep appreciation of the theoretical and the practical; understand today’s realities and tomorrow’s possibilities; and see the link between the skills they learn and the character they display.

The Willumstad School of Business has five general learning goals that stem from our mission statement. These learning goals are: ethics, global/multicultural perspective, communication skills, critical thinking skills, and leadership. The faculty is integrally involved in the learning assessment process and engages in the continuous improvement of the curricula. As part of the capstone course, all undergraduate and graduate students in the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business, including students enrolled in the BS in Business program through University College, are required to engage in assessment activities that assess their (1) discipline-specific knowledge, and (2) achievement of one or more general learning goals.

Vision Statement

We aspire to provide an unparalleled learning environment and to be a highly trusted academic and professional source for socially conscious managerial talent.

Mission Statement

We provide students with a distinctive experience focusing on ethics, sustainability, and innovation-aimed at preparing them to be leaders and strategic problem solvers who are ready to meet the rapidly changing needs of today’s multicultural society.

We do this through an experience-based and integrated curriculum delivered by a student-centered faculty that is committed to classroom excellence and engaged in peer reviewed scholarship, and throughactive engagement with alumni and the business community.

Values

At the Willumstad School ofBusiness we are guided by the following values of:

• Mutual respect, civility and concern for others
• Partnership, collaboration, and cooperation
• Openness to new ways of knowing and doing
• Honesty and transparency
• The importance of an underlying liberal arts education

Our School

Adelphi University’s Robert B. Willumstad School of Business is located on Long Island in the New York City metropolitan area, the world’s leading business center. Our mission is to prepare our students to be ethical leaders with a global perspective, innovators and problem-solvers. The faculty’s wide-ranging expertise and experience informs our teaching so that our students master a body of knowledge and develop proficiencies in analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills, in and out of class.

Our Students and Programs

Our diverse student body is drawn not only from across the U. S. but also includes a vibrant community of international students. It consists of college-age students and career changers. Our full-time undergraduate and graduate programs aim at excellence in business education with a foundation in the liberal arts and sciences in accordance with the vision of the University as a whole. The Willumstad School of Business is also committed to advancing the career needs of working adults through our evening and weekend undergraduate, graduate, and offsite course offerings. The Willumstad School of Business fosters strong and personalized faculty-student interaction through small class sizes, convenient and flexible schedules, online options, ample opportunities for advising, and accessible faculty. Student instruction is enhanced through technology and by offering opportunities for experiential learning in class, via internships, study abroad programs and campus events and lectures.

Our Faculty

Recognizing that ongoing intellectual development of the faculty is a cornerstone for effective teaching, the Willumstad School of Business is committed to enhancing the academic and professional growth of our faculty. Faculty research is expected and rewarded; faculty teaching is developed and evaluated; and, faculty professional practice relevant to teaching and research is encouraged. Faculty publications focus primarily on applied research with some emphasis on basic and pedagogical scholarship. Our faculty aim to develop new perspectives on leadership, ethics, sustainability and specialized knowledge in various disciplines. Additionally, the faculty aim to validate theory by examining a variety of industries including the healthcare industry in the region. We foster an interdisciplinary approach through research collaborations.

Our Community

The Willumstad School of Business promotes ties across the University community through interdisciplinary and joint degree programs, and the active participation of our faculty in university-wide service. We create value for industry and society by providing qualified candidates for internships and full-time positions in both business and the not-for-profit sector. We seek to contribute to alumni, employers, and the community-at-large through publications, continuing education, symposia, and guest lectures. We also invite the advisory board and other stakeholders to participate in the ongoing evolution of our institution. All of this supports our endeavor to create a culture of engagement.

Undergraduate Information

Educational Strategy

The bachelor’s degree programs, which integrate cutting-edge business theory and practice with state-of-the-art instruction, are structured around the concept of managing an organization’s assets-people, money, information, and technology-because no matter where one “sits” in an organization, one has these four assets with which to work.

Every organization demands leaders who have strong technical competencies in one or more of the functional areas of business, as well as significant interdisciplinary, cross-functional expertise so that the individual manager understands how his/her function and expertise have an impact on the entire organization. Our functional courses provide a solid foundation in the fundamentals of business and serve as the “building blocks” for the more advanced courses. Through its programs, the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business prepares undergraduates for either graduate study or direct entry into the job market. More importantly, the Willumstad School of Business nourishes a deep-rooted and practical intelligence that will serve students not only in business but throughout their life.

Official Program of Study

All students in the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business are required to have an Official Program of Study on file in the Business Undergraduate Programs Office.

The Official Program of Study serves as an agreement between the student and the School. No commitments can be made regarding individual requirements until the student has been admitted as a matriculated degree candidate. If degree requirements change subsequent to enrollment, the student will be given the option of meeting the requirements listed on the program of study, or having the program revised. The student should use the Official Program of Study as a guide when registering for courses. The program may be amended at a later time, but the student is cautioned not to deviate from the Official Program of Study unless it has been officially changed by the Business Undergraduate Programs Office.

Five-Year Bachelor/M.B.A. Option

Normally students with a non-business undergraduate degree would need at least 2 years after the undergraduate program to earn an MBA. However, non-business majors at Adelphi University may be able to complete the bachelor’s and M.B.A. degrees in 5 years with an appropriate selection of business courses at the undergraduate level. Business undergraduate majors also may be able to complete the M.B.A. in one year after finishing their bachelor’s degree by taking graduate courses on a full-time basis. Students are encouraged to obtain more information from the Director of MBA Programs, Hagedorn Hall, Room 121.

Additional Information for Undergraduate Students

Policies and General Information

Advisement

Comprehensive and thorough student advising is a priority in the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business. Each student is assigned a faculty adviser based upon area of major and/or interest. If for some reason a particular student-adviser relationship proves to be incompatible, either party may request a change. All changes, however, should be made through the Business Undergraduate Programs Office, Hagedorn Hall, Room 121.

Faculty schedule office hours at times convenient for their advisees. Many also provide extra hours of service before each registration period.

Degree Audit

All students should access the degree audit system every semester to keep track of their plan of study and progress towards completion, and especially three semesters before their expected date of graduation to ensure that all degree requirements will be satisfied on time. Information is available in the Business Undergraduate Programs Office, Hagedorn Hall, Room 121.

Change of Major

A change to a major listed under the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business must be approved by the Office of the Dean. The student’s record will be evaluated and a determination made that the student can meet the same academic standards and criteria established for all Business majors.

Independent Study

Students who have demonstrated the ability to undertake independent study may, under the sponsorship of a business faculty member with whom they consult, engage in intensive research on a topic of merit and originality. Students will generally be limited to a maximum of 3 credits per course in independent study. In cases of demonstrated exceptional ability, a maximum of 6 credits will be permitted in a single independent study course in a given semester. The maximum number of independent study credits that may be taken by a business major is 9 credits. No required course may be taken as independent study.

Internship Program

All business and economics majors are encouraged to apply for internships. The purpose of an internship is to provide students with an opportunity to obtain practical knowledge in an area related to their intended career. An internship, which may be paid or unpaid, involves a 12- to 15-week part-time placement in a corporation or non-profit entity. Internships are available through the Center for Career Development located in the Nexus Building, as well as through the Office of the Dean in the Willumstad School of Business. Students may earn up to a maximum of 3 credits per semester from an internship. Any student with a GPA of 2.5 or higher after the sophomore year is eligible to apply for an internship. Students desiring to engage in an internship for academic credit should register for BUS 495  after speaking to the Director of Graduate Programs in Hagedorn Hall, Room 121.  Please call 516-877-4673 for more information about internships.

Dismissal/Withdrawal

Students who fail to maintain a 2.3 GPA for two consecutive semesters are subject to dismissal from the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business. A student who withdraws from the School for one or more semesters must be readmitted through the Business Undergraduate Programs Office. A student who is withdrawn for one year or more must meet any new degree requirements in effect at the time of readmission.

Waiver of Academic Regulations

A student in the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business may request the waiver of an academic regulation by petitioning the Academic Standards Committee of the School. Students are requested to discuss the matter with the Director of Undergraduate Programs prior to submitting their petitions. Petitions should be addressed to the Academic Standards Committee and filed with the Business Undergraduate Programs Office.

Honors in Business

Dean’s List

To qualify for the Dean’s List in a given semester, business students are required to have a GPA of 3.5 or higher and must have completed at least 12 credits during that semester.

School Honors

The Robert B. Willumstad School of Business awards school honors to graduating seniors who have completed at least 33 credits in business courses taken at Adelphi University with a GPA of 3.5 or above in those courses.

Beta Gamma Sigma - International Business Honor Society

Beta Gamma Sigma is the international honor society for schools accredited by AACSB International. It recognizes and rewards superior academic achievement and is limited to those undergraduate students who have at least a junior status, have completed at least 30 credits at Adelphi, and are in the top 10% of their class. Membership advantages include the Student Leadership Forum, the Scholarship Program, Alumni Chapter Network and the Career Central Job Board.

Beta Alpha Psi - International Honor Society for Financial Information Professionals

Beta Alpha Psi is an honorary organization for financial information students and professionals. The primary objective is to encourage and give recognition to scholastic and professional excellence in the business information field. This includes promoting the study and practice of accounting, finance and information systems; providing opportunities for self-development and service; and encouraging a sense of ethical, social, and public responsibility. Eligible students must attain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5. They must also have earned at least 30 credits at Adelphi in addition to having at least a junior status.

Graduate Information

Educational Strategy

The M.B.A. program is designed to serve middle-level professionals and others seeking advancement in management careers. To be able to perform with distinction in our global environment, today’s managers must be intellectually well-rounded and have the capacity to understand and appreciate the impact of their decisions on society, and the role that society plays in forming their decisions. They must know how to communicate effectively and must possess a thorough understanding of the legal, environmental, technological, and social issues that affect an organization’s operations. The program’s foundation core, and required advanced core components integrate contemporary management issues and business fundamentals, thereby enabling students to acquire such knowledge and competencies. Students have the option of specializing in one of the traditional areas of management or pursuing a more general approach by spreading their advanced elective course of study over several functional areas.

Graduate Admissions

Admission Requirements
In addition to the requirements for University graduate admission, specified elsewhere in this Bulletin, all prospective graduate business students are required to submit:

• Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) results. A minimum GMAT score of 450 (or an equivalent score on the GRE) is required. Applicants with a low undergraduate GPA are required to have higher GMAT scores. Scores that are more than five years old are not accepted. (Test information and an application can be obtained at gmac.com or mba.com). The GMAT requirement may be waived for holders of J.D., M.D., C.P.A. or C.F.A. designations.
• Two letters of recommendation by persons (academic or professional) who are knowledgeable about the applicant’s qualifications for graduate work.

Note: Full matriculation status will only be granted upon satisfactory fulfillment of all the admissions requirements for degree and certificate programs.

To ensure that your application is considered for the term you wish to enter as a fully accepted student, it is suggested that your application and supporting credentials be received by the following dates: fall semester-August 15; spring semester-December 15.

Additional Admission Requirements for International Students
In addition to the University and Robert B. Willumstad School of Business admissions requirements, international students must submit the following credentials:

• Certified English translations of all prior academic records of studies that have been conducted in non-English-speaking countries. Credentials must be certified and include all studies completed to date; grades or examination results; degrees, diplomas, or certificates earned; and length of the school year.
• A total score of 550 or better on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language Exam (TOEFL), or 213 or better on the computer-based TOEFL, or 80 or better on the IBT TOEFL, or completion of Adelphi’s Language Institute for English (LIFE) program level XII, unless there is a demonstrated competence while attending an American institution. (Information concerning the TOEFL exam is available from Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey 08540.) IELTS scores may also be accepted in lieu of scores on the TOEFL exam.
• Declaration and certificate of finances. Applicants must file a financial affidavit before an I-20 form can be issued.

Application deadlines for international students are: fall semester-May 1; spring semester- November 1; Summer Sessions-March 1.

Admission for Other Applicants
Students Registered in Other Degree Programs at Adelphi: Graduate students officially registered in other divisions of the University may register for course work within the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business only after obtaining written permission from the Office of the Dean at the time of registration. Students registering on a continuing basis under the classification will be considered as visiting students within the Willumstad School of Business.

Visiting Students: Graduate students officially registered in a business degree program at another accredited university may register for course work within the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business after obtaining written permission from the Office of the Dean in Hagedorn Hall, Room 121, at the time of registration.

Additional Information for Graduate Students

Scholastic Requirements

Students who are accepted into the M.B.A. program must maintain a 3.0 GPA while completing the course work. Failure to comply with the conditions of acceptance may result in probation and/or dismissal from the program.

Grading System

Each candidate for a master’s degree must complete all graduate course requirements with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0. A student who fails to maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA is placed on academic probation and is subject to possible dismissal. If a student has not withdrawn from a course, or has not completed the course requirements and made no arrangements with the instructor for an Incomplete, the instructor must issue the grade of A, B, C (including plus or minus grades if applicable), or F.

Waiver and Substitution Policy

Depending upon the student’s previous academic background, waivers or substitutions for certain courses may be granted, reducing the total number of overall credits needed to complete a degree program. The Office of the Dean and departmental chairpersons will advise as to whether the student qualifies for any course waivers or substitutions upon acceptance into a degree program. Waivers can only be petitioned for and granted during the first semester as a matriculated student in the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business.

Petitions should be addressed to the Academic Standards Committee of the Willumstad School of Business and filed with the Office of the Dean of the School. Students are requested to discuss the matter with the Director of Graduate Programs or Graduate Advisor Dean prior to submitting their petitions.

Proficiency Examinations

Students who do not meet the criteria to be considered for course waivers and substitutions may be granted permission to take a proficiency examination in prerequisite course requirements.

Transfer Credit Policy

The transfer of advanced graduate courses should be rare and limited up to six credit hours (2 courses). These courses shall not be counted towards any elective courses. The graduate student should get approval of transfer of advanced courses taken prior to enrollment in the graduate program no later than first semester of admission in the program by the Assistant Dean. The policy on transfer of advanced graduate courses is as follows:

A maximum of six graduate credits hours may be transferred to meet advanced course requirements provided they have been:

• Taken in an AACSB accredited graduate program
• Completed within the last five years prior to entering Adelphi University’s Robert B. Willumstad School of Business
• Completed with a grade of B or better
• Comparable to content in courses offered by the Willumstad School of Business

Transfer request of advanced graduate courses after enrolling in the program should be petitioned to the Assistant Dean and approved by the Academic Standards Committee. The graduate student will petition to the Assistant Dean who shall forward the petition to the respective department chair. If the petition is reviewed and approved by the department chair, it shall then be forwarded to and reviewed by the Academic Standards Committee for final approval. The Academic Standards Committee shall review the transfer of advanced courses only in extenuating cases. The student is required to complete a minimum of thirty graduate credit hours at Adelphi University to graduate.

Graduation with Distinction

Graduate degrees are awarded with distinction to outstanding graduate students who have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.9 or higher. The cumulative GPA is based only on graduate courses taken at the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business.

Beta Gamma Sigma–International Business Honor Society

Beta Gamma Sigma is the international honor society for schools accredited by AACSB International. It recognizes and rewards superior academic achievement and is limited to students who have completed at least one half of their graduate business program, and are in the top 20% of their class. Membership advantages include the Student Leadership Forum, the Scholarship Program, Alumni Chapter Network and the Career Central Job Board.

Internship Program

All MBA students are encouraged to apply for internships. An internship, which may be paid or unpaid, involves a 12- to 15-week part-time placement in a corporation or non-profit entity. Internships are available through the Center for Career Development located in the Nexus Building as well as through the Dean’s Office. Students may earn up to a maximum of 3 credits per semester from an internship. Graduate students desiring to engage in an internship for academic credit should register for BUS 795, Business Internship  after speaking to the Director of Graduate Programs or Graduate Advisor in Hagedorn Hall, Room 121. Please call 516-877-4670 for more information about internships.

Additional Information for All School of Business Students

Academic Advising

Faculty advisers and mentors are available for academic counseling through all our business programs. Students may meet with advisers from the time of first inquiry through graduation. Considering the individual’s interests, desired area of specialization, and time constraints, the student and adviser together formulate a plan of study matching educational needs with the individual’s career and professional goals.

Advisers/mentors schedule office hours at times convenient for their advisees. Extra hours of service are also added during each registration period. For all graduate students, advising is done through the Business Graduate Program Office in Hagedorn Hall, Room 121.

Minimum Course Requirements At Adelphi University

A minimum of 30 credits in residence must be taken at Adelphi University for degree programs.

Career Counseling

The University’s Center for Career and Professional Development offers help with career decisions, taking into account both the students’ interests and education and their desired salary and career path. Whether you are an undergraduate or graduate student, an experienced professional seeking a career change, or someone returning to the work force, counselors will take the time to assess your interests and skills and help you make the right decision. Annual reports, recruiting brochures, and employment guides are available as handouts or on a lending basis.

The Center for Career and Professional Development also holds special receptions for employers and students, as well as career seminars on résumé writing and interviewing. These events are only part of an overall career strategy that the Center can put together for you.

See more information in the sections for Undergraduate and Graduate students.

Programs of Study