Management school explores tuition fee options

Syracuse University's Martin J. Whitman School of Management may begin to charge graduate students a flat tuition fee rather than per credit hour, but the process is still "in the in-between phase," according to School of Management Associate Dean Sandra Hurd.

Inspired by the payment plans of rival schools, SU began researching the flat tuition method of payment last spring, Hurd said. Under the school's current setup, graduate students pay $806 per credit hour, adding up to an average of $43,500 to complete the 54-credit degree.

"Anytime we propose a change that students might have an interest in, it's appropriate to consult with them, tell them what we're doing and ask for their feedback," Hurd said.

Last spring, the proposal was discussed with members of the graduate tuition committee, the Bursar's Office, committees within the School of Management, and members of the Master's of Business Administration Student Association, who all approved.

"It makes it easier for the students to plan," said Ravi Shukla, interim associate dean for MBA and MS Programs. "Right now, when they come in, they know how much they'll pay for the first year, per credit."

But Shukla says that under the current plan tuition could rise and management students would have to pay a higher amount per year. The new plan would allow them to pay a consistent tuition for the four semesters they attend the management school.

"(The plan) allows lots of students to get more concentration and more coursework in their specific fields," said John Popkess, a graduate student who serves as one of the vice presidents of the MBA Student Association.

Currently, most graduate students take five courses per semester their first year, and four per semester during their second. Under the new plan, students will have the opportunity to take as many credits as they choose, with no additional financial concerns for taking extra classes.

"We charge them a rate whether they take nine credits or 18," Shukla said. "They won't have to count every dime to take an extra course."

The plan is far from being implemented, however. Special cases still need to be taken into account, such as student internships, study abroad programs or situations when less than the standard 12-credit course load is taken.

"In the summer, if someone didn't want to take the extra course load, they still have to pay the (flat) amount, so they're paying more," said Popkess. "So if you take summer classes, I don't know how it will affect what you're paying. In that case, it's kind of bad, depending on what the outcome is."

Shukla said the details of the proposed tuition plan are currently being questioned. Once they are worked out, administrators hope to implement the plan as soon as possible, although no solid timeline exists yet.

Regardless of whether or not the plan begins, it will only affect new incoming students. Existing students will complete their degrees with the original payment plan.

"If you were to ask me 'will it happen, will it not happen,' I would say at this point, it's 50/50," Shukla said. "There are lots of questions that we want to make sure get answered."