Degroote (McMaster) MBA 2009

Degroote MBA – McMaster University

Location: Hamilton, Ontario

There are 3 main MBA options offered by Degroote, the Co-op MBA, the Full-Time MBA, and the Part-Time MBA. The Full-Time MBA is a 20 month program. The Part-Time MBA is based around evening courses with schedule flexibility. The Co-op MBA is somewhat unique in Canada and consists of 4 academic terms and 3 co-op work terms.

Degroote is AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) Accredited.

If you are considering doing your MBA shortly (or immediately) after completing your undergraduate degree, Degroote is a very appealing option. The Co-op option allows you to gain relevant professional work experience. At graduation you would likely have a salary on par, if not higher, than you would have after putting in 3 years of work and would already have a Master’s degree under your belt.

Degroote (McMaster) Rankings

Degroote is not included in the Financial Times, Business Week or EIU Which MBA Rankings. Degroote ranks 50th in North America in the QS Global 200 Business Schools 2009: The Employers’ Choice Rankings.

Degroote promotes the fact that their grads have 118% increase in income after graduation (the highest in Canada from the 2007 Canadian Business Survey). However to put that in perspective, they have one of the lowest average entering salaries of approx. $32,000 CDN. After grad, the average salary increases to ~$69,000, which lags behind the big Toronto-area schools.

The low entering salary is a function of the average age of students entering the program. With the Co-op MBA option, most students will likely have little work experience prior to joining the MBA. The lower starting salaries (and lower graduating salaries) are strongly related to the limited pre-MBA work experience of students.


Degroote (McMaster) Student Profile

Average GMAT: 620
Average GPA: B+ (3.3)
Average Age: 26 (Full-Time), 24 (Co-op), 26 (Part-Time)
Average Work Experience: 2 yrs (Full-Time), 1.2 yrs (Co-op), 4 yrs (Part-Time)
Male/Female Ratio: 45% Female(Full-Time), 48% Female (Co-op), 38% Female (Part-Time)

Degroote (McMaster) MBA Admission

The admission criteria at Degroote are fairly similar to most other MBA programs in Canada, the slight exception being the requirement for only 1 year of post-degree work experience (most schools ask for 2). No work experience is needed for the Co-op program. In addition to 2 letters of reference and a resume, applicants need to show:

GMAT – No minimum (although the average score is 620)
Official Transcripts – Minimum B (3.0) GPA
TOEFL – 100 Internet-based (for students who don’t have an English undergraduate degree)


Degroote Website
QS MBA Rankings

Comments