Businessweek Ranks Smith Among Nation’s Best Full-Time MBA Programs

Bloomberg Businessweek released its annual ranking of the best U.S. full-time MBA programs last week. While there were some surprising changes in the 2016 rankings, the Robert H. Smith School of Business was given the same ranking by the publication for 2015, coming in at 33rd overall in the U.S.As we break down in this article, Bloomberg BW assessed schools based on five factors: a survey of MBA recruiters, weighted at 35 percent; an alumni survey, weighted at 30 percent; a survey of the 2016 graduating class, weighted at 15 percent; the school’s placement rate, weighted at 10 percent and the starting compensation for the class of 2016, weighted at 10 percent.

The Smith full-time MBA program encompasses 54 credits taken over a two-year period and follows a cohort structure. The program’s core courses explore how globalization, entrepreneurship and technology are changing business practices, as well as build critical management skills in leadership, teamwork, integrative analysis and oral and written communication.

The program also features a 10-day study abroad that provides MBA candidates the ability to meet with international executives, visit multinational organizations and enjoy cultural and social events while earning academic credit. In the past, students have covered alternative fuels in Brazil, agricultural exports in Chile, and the emerging stock exchanges in India and China. Smith students have participated in courses in India, China, Dubai/Tunisia, France, the Czech Republic, Spain, Chile, Brazil and Argentina.

The new Bloomberg rankings come after a Smith MBAs team beat teams from Businessweek-ranked programs at Northwestern (9th), Georgetown (34th) and Carnegie Mellon (15th) to capture the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s inaugural MBA Case Competition.

regions: Baltimore / Washington, DC

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