Spring is here and the semester is in full gear. Now is a great time for prospective students to finalized their top choices and make sure that their applications are in order. While some online MBA programs are gearing up for fall starts, some programs also allow students to start in the summer, or even offer monthly starts. If students are still in research mode to help find the right program, a great tool to use is rankings. This month, Online MBA Today kicks off our new state rankings to help students narrow down their search for online MBA programs. Check out the Top Online MBA Programs in Alabama, Top Online MBA Programs in Arizona, Top Online MBA Programs in Arkansas, Top Online MBA Programs in California, Top Online MBA Programs in Colorado, Top Online MBA Programs in Connecticut, and Top Online MBA Programs in Florida. For more information about other online MBA programs, check out our article on the top MBA specializations and explore our other Online MBA Rankings.
Over the past month, there have been two new programs announced and an interesting article about how online MBAs have not only changed the face of the MBA world but also gave it a stronger future. Whether you are a prospective online MBA student, a current student, or a professional in the Online MBA world, enjoy the latest news for Online MBAs!
New Programs
Clemson University
Clemson University announced it will launch an online MBA program in the fall of 2019 which will allow students to pursue their degree either in real-time or as their schedules allow. Of the new program, Greg Pickett, Director of MBA Programs and Senior Associate Dean of the College of Business said, "This model allows students to consume their education in real time or on their own time. And the ‘own time' lecture model isn't simply a recorded version of the interactive, real-time lecture. It utilizes many digital components and instructional design learning supplements that give remote students a complete Clemson MBA experience."
The second largest university in South Carolina, Clemson is a an public, coeducational, land-grant and sea-grant research. Located in Clemson and founded in 1889, the university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. Clemson's College of Business holds accreditation from the AACSB International.
University of Northern Colorado
Kenneth W. Monfort College of Business at the University of Northern Colorado announced it will offer an online MBA program starting in the fall of 2018. This new program will be in partnership with Academic Partnership, an online service provider that helps public universities move on-campus programs to online formats. All current MBA students will be moved to the online program.
Interestingly, The Tribune recently wrote a piece entitled, "To save its struggling MBA program, UNC is plunging into the murky waters of public-private partnerships," regarding this announcement. According to the article, this decision comes out of a necessity for the college to either evolve or kill off their MBA program, which hasn't been meeting enrollment goals. Linda Black, the dean of UNC's graduate school, when asked about the shift said, "How do we remain dynamic and innovative if we don't try new things?"
Yet, as the university makes this switch, it is moving to work with Academic Partnerships, a private company, which begs the question of what role the private sector should play in higher education. Part of the deal with Academic Partnerships is that they will keep 50 percent of the tuition revenue from the program.
UNC says that it will keep full control over the curriculum, faculty, and admissions. Monfort College of Business Dean Paul Bobrowski said, regarding the new partnership, "We do not market or recruit well. They're very strong at that. Our core competencies are content creation and delivery. Theirs are getting people in the door and keeping them there."
There has been tension between other universities, such as the University of Toledo and Arkansas State University, and Academic Partnerships in the past. But more and more schools are moving toward deals with private companies.
Said Black, "I'm proud to be a part of something innovative and measured. But we have to deliver quality education."
UNC is a public undergraduate and graduate research university home to around 12,000 students over six colleges. It was founded in 1889 and is located in Greeley, Colorado. It holds accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Articles
Boston Business Journal
According to the Boston Business Journal's new article, Online and part-time MBA options appeal to more students, keeping MBAs relevant, the appeal of online and part-time MBAs is what is keeping them relevant, despite fears that they will soon be obsolete. According to John Wells, senior vice provost for online education at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, because MBAs are evolving along with their students. While there is a decline in full-time, on-campus MBA students, Wells suggests that because of this evolution to online formats we will see MBA programs continue to thrive.