Friday News – USC Marshall Announces New Dean, HBS Receives Gift for Dual Degree, and More

Let’s take a look at some of the biggest stories from this week, including the newest USC Marshall dean.

Geoffrey Garrett Named New Dean of USC Marshall School of Business – USC Marshall News

The USC Marshall School of Business announced its newest dean, Geoffrey Garrett, formerly of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Garrett, an economist and political theorist, begins his tenure in 2020.

President Wanda M. Austin says of Garrett’s appointment, “He has a demonstrated track record in global business theory and practice, which aligns with our mission to create the leaders of the future … Marshall School of Business has found a tremendous leader in Geoffrey Garrett.”

Geoffrey Garrett is set to begin his USC Marshall dean tenure next year.

Along with serving as Wharton’s dean, Garrett is also the Reliance Professor of Management and Enterprise, and he formerly taught political science there. Prior to his positions at Wharton, he served as dean of the University of Sydney and the University of New South Wales. His appointment at Marshall will not be the first position he has held at USC, however. He also taught communications, international relations, law and business in 2005.

Garrett says, “My first year will be all about listening and learning … I think I have a pretty good appreciation for the world of business and education and for what USC Marshall has achieved. But the DNA of the school is its people, and I have so much to learn from them and about them.”

Read here for more about the newest USC Marshall dean.

HBS and SEAS Announce Gift of Financial Aid to Support Joint Degree Program Students – Harvard SEAS News

A generous gift from two alumni has contributed to the growth of the MS/MBA joint degree program at Harvard University. Denise Dupré and Mark Nunnelly, both 1984 MBA graduates, have given the needed support for a financial aid program for students who are pursuing the dual degree. The MS/MBA program launched in 2018, and it has served to unite HBS and the Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS).

Twenty-nine students are enrolled in the MS/MBA’s inaugural program, whose curriculum focuses in equal part on technology, design, and business and management principles.

Nitin Nohria, Harvard Business School Dean, says:

“This generous gift will support future leaders who will bridge the worlds of business and engineering, spurring innovation and the commercialization of new discoveries to address many of society’s most exciting opportunities … The expansion of SEAS to [the Allston campus] is a catalyst for collaboration that will propel and transform teaching and research at Harvard for decades to come.”

The expansion of Allston was a major catalyst for Dupré and Nunnelly’s gift. “We’ve both been enormous fans of the possibilities in Allston for many years,” says Nunnelly. “It’s so incredibly important to the future of Harvard, the city of Boston, and the entire state of Massachusetts.”

For more on the MS/MBA and the Allston expansion, read here.

Calculating New Ideas – Fox School of Business Idea Marketplace

A statistician and associate professor at Temple University’s Fox School of Business has made great strides in data science with a pair of new developments that will likely be game changers in healthcare and education.

Zhigen Zhao, along with his colleagues, have discovered a way to calculate health risks by studying interactions between human genes. The team developed an algorithm which will analyze 20,000 genes at a time (twice the number of previous methods), which may help doctor’s to determine a patient’s risk for such things as Alzheimer’s, alcoholism, and obesity.

“Our method only takes two-tenths of a second to finish this kind of calculation,” Zhao says. “People’s health can depend on a specific combination of their genes.”

Another breakthrough algorithm Zhao and his team created will help to bridge the divide in standardized test scores between advantaged and disadvantaged students. With the new tool, the team parsed the test results collected from various schools to create a more thorough picture of who was doing well on which tests.

“The main idea for this method is to incorporate school district information to get a new threshold … The standard method, which doesn’t include this information, can be either overly conservative or overly liberal.”

Read here for more on Zhigen Zhao and his team’s work.

Career Changer’s Investment in Master’s Program Has Big Payoff – Rutgers Business School News

Julie Mitchell, a graduate of the Rutgers Business School Online Master of Science in Supply Chain Management program, managed to launch a new and more profitable career even amidst the daily challenges of family and work.

Mitchell is Senior Procurement Agent in Supply Chain Management for Boeing, where she manages every aspect of equipment delivery to create 737 galleys. She has been with Boeing for five years, and in that time her salary has increased by 83 percent. “The degree catapulted me into a senior procurement agent position,” she says. “There are people who have waited 10 years for that to happen.”

Julie Mitchell, Rutgers online Maser of Science in Supply Chain Management alum / Photo via business.rutgers.edu

After a decade plus long career of managing a dental practice, Mitchell decided to take a job at Boeing where she discovered her talent for managing billing, logistics, and operations. Several experiences led her to further hone in on her natural ability for ‘disruption management,’ and from there she earned her degree.

“I like to be challenged and I like fixing problems. A 737 has 400,000 parts, including nuts and bolts. It can be like working on a puzzle. The most rewarding thing is delivering something to a customer that they’re happy with.”

For more on the online Master of Science in Supply Chain Management at Rutgers, read here.

NYU Stern Announces New MBA Deadlines, Essay Updates

Leading up to the beginning of the 2019-20 academic season, the NYU Stern School of Business has unveiled its newest MBA deadlines and updated essay questions. For those looking to apply, take note of these details below:

Continue reading…

Top MBA Jobs: Actuarial Analyst

Chances are that a multitude of options will become available to you once you’ve earned your MBA. But first, you’ll need to decide just how you’ll focus your degree. As you survey schools and specializations, a couple of questions may arise. What is the job market like in my potential major? How well can I put my knowledge to practical use once I earn my MBA?

One career choice that answers both questions in the affirmative is that of Actuarial Analyst. In this article we’ll take a look at the different aspects of this field, its salary potential, some well respected degree programs for actuaries, and some current openings that are available.

What is an Actuarial Analyst?

Put very simply, actuarial analysts take raw data and apply it to real world scenarios. Using their well honed analytical skills, they calculate the probability of certain events, such as accidents, injuries, product malfunctions, or property damage. This information then adjusts pricing of insurance policies. Actuarial analysts may also analyze the likelihood of catastrophic events such as health pandemics, terrorist attacks, hurricanes, earthquakes or tornadoes in order to assess risk exposure for companies.

Financial services firms also employ actuarial analysts to design pension plans and investment portfolios for their clients.

Actuarial Analyst Salary

According to recent Glassdoor data, the national average salary for an actuarial analyst is $74,000 per year, not inclusive of bonuses. It’s important to note, however, that salaries range widely for this field. As in many other professions in finance and insurance, possessing certifications gives you added value to any organization. To reach the associate level, analysts must take a series of exams administered by either the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS).

Students can take some of the exams while still in school, and many firms will hire those who have passed one or two. The next level of certification is the fellowship level, which takes two to three years, and at this point salary potential increases even more.

The good news is that the field is set to experience a high level of growth over the next decade—22 percent according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Advancement opportunities are also abound for actuarial analysts.

“It’s not uncommon for actuarial analysts who show superb business results, intuition and dedication, often combined with a master’s degree in business, to advance to Chief Risk Officer or Chief Financial Officer at their company,” notes an article on learn.org.

Actuarial Science Business School Programs

While entry level actuary jobs are available to those without an MBA or MS, it probably comes as no surprise that the top companies seek those with advanced degrees.

Rutgers Business School

Rutgers University New Brunswick’s Master of Business and Science with a concentration in Actuarial and Statistical Analysis. As with most schools offering this concentration, Rutgers requires a strong background of study in calculus and linear algebra, as well as GRE scores. Of the 43 credits needed for the degree, 24 are in the sciences and 19 are in business.

Columbia Business School

Columbia also offers a well regarded Master’s program, with courses taught by actuarial and analytics professionals. Columbia considers itself on the cutting edge of the industry, with a strong focus upon machine learning, predictive modeling, and the tech that drives financial markets. The Columbia MS in Actuarial Science has 36 required credits, and can be completed on a full or part-time basis.

Those interested in Actuarial Science can earn a 36-credit degree at Columbia Business School in New York City, either full or part-time.

The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania

The Wharton School of Business offers an MBA concentration in Actuarial Science within the Statistics department.  The major is comprised of three required courses, an additional course, and an advanced study project. Detailed requirements for Wharton’s program can be found here.

Among the other schools with top actuarial science programs are Florida State, Ohio State, Baruch College, and Penn State.

Who’s Hiring?

Data from Payscale states companies that are currently hiring, along with their estimated salary ranges. They include United Health Group ($75,000); Mercer, LLC ($69,000); Milliman, Inc. and Anthem ($65,000); Willis Towers Watson ($64,000); and Aetna ($62,000).

Invest in Your Future By Applying to New MBA Jobs at Top Investment Firms

You’ve invested all this time in earning your MBA degree, now invest some time in applying to new MBA jobs at these top investment firms. Working at an investment firm can be widely varied and rewarding, with the average graduate earns more than $140,000 according U.S. News & World Report. Here are just a few potential landing spots for MBAs to bring their talents after earning their degree: Continue reading…

School v School: UNC vs. UVA

Should you go to school in the Research Triangle or Virginia? What’s the benefit to each location and the MBA programs offered? How do you choose which school is best? You have to look at everything from the cost of living to employment and more.

Recently, our School v. School series compared Duke Fuqua to UVA Darden—you can find the comparison here. Now, we’re comparing UVA Darden to another top school in the Research Triangle, UNC Kenan-Flagler, to see how the two schools stack up. Continue reading…

Full-Time MBA

NC State Poole College of Management Full-Time MBA Structure

The AACSB-accredited 21-month full-time Jenkins MBA at the NC State Poole College of Management features classes both in the daytime and the evening at the NC State main campus in Raleigh, North Carolina. The program officially begins in the fall with classes held over four separate semesters. In total, the program consists of 54 credits.

Curriculum

After completing the two-week-long pre-MBA portion of the program, consisting of career management prep and pre-orientation assignments, students begin the fall semester of year one with core courses. Year two features the remainder of the required coursework, plus the start of courses chosen by the student for the specific concentration and electives. The five concentrations offered at NC State Poole are: financial management; innovation management; marketing management; supply chain management; and entrepreneurship and technology commercialization.

Prior to the start of year two, 100 percent of Poole Jenkins MBA students undertake a summer internship. After completing the internship, year two consists mostly of elective and concentration coursework, with the final (spring) semester of year two also featuring a practicum course.

Full-Time MBA Rankings

• U.S. News & World Report: 85 (tie)
• Bloomberg: 47
• The Economist: 93

Class Profile

A total of 34 students joined the most recent full-time Jenkins MBA program at NC State, with 65 percent female students and 35 percent male students. Among the class, 6 percent are international citizens, and 35 percent represent a U.S. minority group.

The GMAT average of the class was 606, the GRE average was 307, and the undergraduate GPA was 3.45. The average student joins the program with just over five years of prior work experience.

Career Statistics

Among the most recent NC State full-time MBA class, about 83 percent accepted a job offer within three months of graduating. The average salary of these graduates was $103,500, with an average signing bonus (for those offered) of $17,100.

The majority of these graduates were employed in the tech industry (25.6 percent), followed by manufacturing (11.6 percent), and consulting (9.3 percent).

Tuition, Scholarships, and Financial Aid

The current in-state tuition rate for the NC State full-time MBA at the Poole College of Management is $51,595. Out-of-state comes to $87,217. The typical estimated tuition increase per year is around three percent.

Graduate assistantships and scholarships are awarded to full-time students only, aside for the Fails Graduate Fellowship. Those who wish to qualify for these rewards are suggested to apply by the January deadline. Qualifying grad assistants may be able to cover full-tuition, health insurance costs, or earn a stipend of $3,000 per semester. These roles require working an extra 20 hours per week, on average.

Scholarship offerings include the Entrepreneurship (HiTEC) Scholars Program, the National Association of State Procurement Officials Scholarship, the Supply Chain Graduate Research Assistants Program, and more, which can viewed here.

All U.S. students taking at least 4.5 credits worth of classes per semester (semesters in the full-time program require at least 11 credit hours of classes) qualify for federal loans. Private loan options are also available for domestic and international students. Select students may also qualify for employment sponsorship to help fund their education.

Admissions

Those wishing to apply to the NC State full-time MBA program must have earned an accredited undergraduate degree and have taken a statistics-related course and maintained a GPA of at least a “C” average. No work experience is required for the full-time program, but it is highly suggested, considering most students enroll with at least five years of prior experience. NC State admissions accepts either the GMAT or the GRE. However, a waiver may be available for select students. In addition, full-time applicants must provide three professional recommendations with their application.

International applicants, if they come from a country where English is not the first language, or have not graduated from an accredited institution where English is the predominantly spoken language, may have to take TOEFL/IELTS tests to prove their English-speaking acumen. A nonrefundable $75 is required to apply. Strong candidates are subject to interviews with the admissions team.

Applications can be filled out here.

Application deadlines are as follows:

Full-time Deadlines for Fall 2022

Admission to the Full-time MBA program is granted for the fall term only.

Online MBA

Arizona Eller College of Management Online MBA Structure

Eller Online MBA students can take their courses from anywhere at anytime. Online MBA courses are offered in a carousel format that repeats every 12 months. There are two sessions per semester, and a typical session offers two core courses and a minimum of two electives. To complete the degree, students take 45 credits, including 28 core units and 17 elective units.

Curriculum

Courses for the Eller College of Management Online MBA program are as follows:

• Introduction to Financial Accounting
• Introduction to Managerial Accounting
• Communication for Managers
• Economics for Managers
• Business Strategy
• Survey of Finance as Analyst
• Survey of Finance as Corporate Manager
• Leadership in Organizations
• Managing Ethics in Organizations
• Applied Business Statistics
• Operations Management
• Strategic Management of Information Systems
• Market-based Management
• Marketing of Innovations

Online MBA Rankings

• U.S. News & World Report: 21 (tie)

Class Profile

Previously enrolled students in the University of Arizona Online MBA program at the Eller College of Management were typically around 34-years old. The undergraduate GPA average was 3.26, the GMAT average was 544, and the average work experience average was 7.4 years.

Typical Online MBA classes at UA Eller feature a female-to-male student ratio of 1:3.

Tuition, Scholarships, and Financial Aid

The Eller Online MBA is $1,145 per unit with a total tuition of $51,525.

Tuition for the Online MBA program is $45,000 and the program can be completed in as little as 14 months or up to four years. In addition to covering the cost of our nationally-ranked, state-of-the-art program, the total tuition above includes all e-books and electronic course materials throughout the time in the program. Students will be responsible for additional purchase of external webcam.

We offer a 10 percent tuition scholarship for the Online MBA program to all veterans and active military personnel. In addition, our Office of Financial Aid can help you explore scholarships, grants and loans that may be available to you.

Other financial aid—including government grants and loans—may be available to help pay program costs.

For information, visit the University of Arizona Office of Student Financial Aid.

Admissions

What We Look For:

• An academic background demonstrating strong intellectual capacity
• Professional experience demonstrating challenging assignments, career progression, carefully considered goals and a strong work ethic
• Personal qualities demonstrating leadership potential, initiative, involvement and integrity

A complete application consists of the following items, to be received by the noted admissions deadline:
• A completed application form
• Application fee ($85 domestic applicants/ $95 international applicants, waived until February 15, 2020).
• A comprehensive essay
• A professional resume
• Three professional letters of recommendation
• One copy of official transcripts* from each university, college, or community college attended
• Official GMAT scores or GRE scores (test must have been taken within the last five years of the intended term of enrollment)

* We will accept unofficial versions of school documents for initial evaluation purposes only and this acceptance does not eliminate the need for official school documents to be submitted. Also include a copy of the grading scale or transcript key for each school transcript.

Application deadlines are as follows:

The Online MBA has six start dates per year:

January 11, 2021: Spring 1
March 8, 2021: Spring 2
May 10, 2021: Summer 1
July 5, 2021: Summer 2
August 30, 2021: Fall 1
October 25, 2021: Fall 2

Application deadlines are approximately one month before each start date.

Application fee waived through February 15, 2020.

Executive MBA

Arizona Eller College of Management Executive MBA Structure

The Eller Executive MBA is offered in a hybrid format, bringing students together for two intensive days of on-campus classes every month in addition to online courses.

Curriculum

The challenges students encounter in the upper levels of business leadership are complex and nuanced—in fact, there’s never just one factor on the line. It’s why Eller Executive MBA program courses are so uniquely structured, weaving multiple aspects of business together rather than teaching them in one by one in isolation.

Year One:

• Communications for Managers
• Applied Business Statistics
• Economics for Managers
• Leadership in Organizations
• Introduction to Financial Accounting
• Strategic Management of Information Systems
• Introduction to Managerial Accounting
• Market-based Management
• Information Security in Public and Private Sectors
• Managing Ethics in Organizations
• Leading Organizational Change
• Business Strategy
• Human Resource Management
• Operations Management
• Survey of Finance as Analyst
• Global Context of Business
• Survey of Finance as Corporate Manager
• Advanced Negotiations
• Marketing of Innovations

Class Profile

The Eller College of Management Executive MBA Class of 2020 at the University of Arizona is, on average, 40-years old. About 52 percent of the class are female students, with 48 percent male students, and 15 percent percent active military members or veterans. Students typically have 11.4 years of prior work experience.

Tuition, Scholarships, and Financial Aid

Tuition for the Executive MBA program is $68,000.

Many employers choose to sponsor an employee’s participation in the Eller Executive MBA program due to the immediate skills and strengths the student can bring back to work, right from the onset of the program.

In addition, a Community Leadership Scholarship is offered for exceptional candidates from the public sector or a nonprofit and for whom the program cost is prohibitive. The Community Leadership Scholarship covers partial costs of the Eller Executive MBA program for exceptional candidates from the public sector or a nonprofit organization for whom financial constraints would otherwise prevent participation. To be considered for the Community Leadership Scholarship, include a letter along with your application that addresses the following: the name of the public sector or nonprofit organization you work for, an explanation of financial need and a description of the positive impact your participation in the program will have on the community.

Sponsorship:

The skills and knowledge that the Eller Executive MBA impart transfer immediately, boosting not only individual performance but organizational capacity from the first week of the program. The Eller EMBA helps employees prepare for greater responsibilities within an organization at the same time that they educate and improve the productivity of employees below and around them. Because of the tangible benefits that stem from a more educated and skillful workforce, many organizations choose to sponsor employees’ participation in the Eller Executive MBA program.

Other financial aid—including government grants and loans—may be available to help pay program costs.

For information, visit the University of Arizona Office of Student Financial Aid.

Admissions

Admission to the Eller Executive MBA requires a combination of application materials submitted by the prospective student and others and an interview with the Admissions Committee.

Students will need to compile several documents for the application packet, some of which require careful consideration and work.
What We Look For:

The Eller Executive MBA is reserved for professionals with seven or more years of significant experience showing positions of leadership and progressive responsibility.

Employees with less experience may also be admitted if their career history demonstrates leadership potential and successful management of significant projects and assignments. These employees must procure a letter of endorsement from an executive-level supervisor.
Reserving admission for this select group allows for a more advanced curriculum with a focus on executive-level analyses and challenges and creates a class of professionals with equitable levels of experience and industry influence.

A complete application consists of the following items, to be received by the noted admissions deadline:

• A completed application form
• Application Fee ($85 domestic applicants/ $95 international applicants, waived until February 15, 2020)
• Two comprehensive essays
• A professional resume
• Two professional letters of recommendation and completed recommendation forms from two professional associates
• Official transcripts from all universities and colleges attended. For applicants with international school documents, please submit/present an official transcript and an official diploma (degree certification) in the original native language and must be accompanied by an officially verified English translation issued by the university or college, during the formal enrollment process.*
• TOEFL score (this is a proof of English proficiency requirement for international applicants born in a country where English is not the official language). Results should be sent to The University of Arizona Institution Code: 4832.

* We will accept unofficial versions of your school documents for initial evaluation purposes only and this acceptance does not eliminate the need for official school documents to be submitted. Also, include a copy of the grading scale or transcript key for each school transcript.

Application deadlines are as follows:

Early Decision – Oct. 15
Round One – Dec. 1
Round Two – Feb. 15
Round Three – April 1
Final Deadline – June 15

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Evening MBA

Arizona Eller College of Management Evening MBA Program Structure

The Eller Evening MBA program meets in person one night per week.

Curriculum

The Eller Evening MBA was created for working professionals with three or more years of experience and is designed to leverage classroom time by condensing courses into eight weeks.

The program launches with a mandatory four-day orientation session. A 10-day global business experience in the spring of the second year opens horizons to international markets where students see first-hand the barriers and benefits of globalization.

With a dynamic curriculum structure, the Eller Evening MBA program delivers 45 academic units addressing traditional business fundamentals as well as up-to-date competitive strategies. Students can pursue a concentration in finance, management information systems or marketing by completing optional online electives within the concentration area.

Year One:

• Leadership in Organizations
• Statistical Decision Making
• Intro to Financial Accounting
• Market Based Management
• Managerial Economics
• Management Communications
• Influence
• Advanced Negotiations
• Operations Management
• Business Strategy
• Project Management
• Global and Social Entrepreneurship

Year Two:

• Financial Management
• Marketing Strategy
• Advanced Business Communications
• Managerial Accounting
• Strategic Management of Information Systems
• Global Content of Business
• Global Business Experience
• Legal and Ethical Values in Business
• Marketing of Innovation

Students can pursue a concentration in Entrepreneurship, Finance, Health Care Management, Management Information Systems, or Marketing by completing optional online electives within the concentration area.

Part-Time MBA Rankings

• U.S. News & World Report: 52 (tie)

Class Profile

The average age of the most recent Evening MBA class at the University of Arizona Eller College of Management was 32-years old. About 39 percent of these students are female, with 61 percent male students, and 21 percent active military members or veterans.

These students have a typical GMAT score of 610, a GPA of 3.4, and seven years of work experience.

Career Statistics

The average starting salary of Eller College of Management Evening MBA students is $77,758.

Tuition, Scholarships, and Financial Aid

Tuition for the Evening MBA program is $54,000.

To make tuition as manageable as possible, it’s broken into six payments—one per semester. Many students also qualify for financial aid, and the University of Arizona Office of Student Financial Aid stands ready to help students hone in on the best grants and loans to make it happen.

Other financial aid—including government grants and loans—may be available to help pay program costs.

For information, visit the University of Arizona Office of Student Financial Aid.

Admissions

Potential Arizona Evening MBA applicants are expected to possess the following:

• An academic background demonstrating strong intellectual capacity
• Professional experience demonstrating challenging assignments, career progression, carefully considered goals and a strong work ethic
• Personal qualities demonstrating leadership potential, initiative, involvement and integrity

A complete application consists of the following items, to be received by the noted admissions deadline:

• A completed application form
• Application fee ($85 domestic applicants/ $95 international applicants, waived until February 15, 2020)
• Two comprehensive essays
• A professional resume
• Two professional letters of recommendation
• One copy of official transcripts* from each university, college or community college attended
• Official GMAT scores or GRE scores (test must have been taken within the last five years of the intended term of enrollment)
• Domicile Affidavit (for admitted domestic students only)

* We will accept unofficial versions of school documents for initial evaluation purposes only and this acceptance does not eliminate the need for official school documents to be submitted. Also, include a copy of the grading scale or transcript key for each school transcript.

Application deadlines are as follows:

Early Decision: Oct. 15
Round One – Dec. 1
Round Two – Feb. 15
Round Three – April 1
Final Deadline – June 15

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Application fee waived through February 15, 2020.

Full-Time MBA

Arizona Eller College of Management Full-Time MBA Structure

The Eller Full-time MBA is cohort-based and classes are taken in-person. Students complete the MBA curriculum consisting of 48 units over the course of 21 months.

Curriculum

At Eller, students spend the first year building skills and knowledge in foundational areas such as finance, marketing, accounting, management, communication and leadership.
In year two, students select electives that challenge and inspire them along the way, including those required by a specialized concentration of choice. In total students complete 48 units; 32 of which are core course and 16 are electives.

The Eller Full-time MBA Curriculum:

Year One:

• Leadership in Organization
• Applied Business Statistics
• Communication for Managers and Professional Development
• Economics for Managers
• Finance
• Introduction to Financial Accounting
• Market-Based Management
• Business Strategy
• Global Business Experience
• Introduction to Managerial Accounting
• Operations Management
• Finance II
• Business Consulting Projects
• Strategic Management of Information Systems

Year Two:

The second-year experience is about choosing a concentration(s) to specialize the MBA or constructing a unique curriculum to build professional career goals. The full-time Eller MBA program offers five concentrations, including courses in Entrepreneurship, Health Care Management, Finance, Management Information Systems and Marketing.

Advanced consulting projects and electives allow students to complete their portfolio to assure they achieve their career objectives. Electives can be taken as part of a concentration, functional specialization or as a stand-alone course.

Full-Time MBA Rankings

• U.S. News & World Report: 46
• Bloomberg: 61
• The Economist: 95

Class Profile

The average age of the most recent University of Arizona Eller College of Management full-time MBA class was 29-years old. The GMAT average of the class was 605, with a 3.4 GPA, and 4.6 years of prior work experience. An estimated 71 percent of class are male students, with 29 percent female students, and 21 percent active military members or veterans.

Career Statistics

An estimated 64 percent of the most recent University of Arizona Eller College of Management full-time MBA class was employed within three months of graduation. Those students reported an average annual salary of $81,000.

Tuition, Scholarships, and Financial Aid

Tuition for Arizona residents is $24,900. Arizona full-time MBA tuition for non-residents is $46,000.

The Eller College offers a number of merit-based scholarships for U.S. and international students. Students apply for scholarship aid when they apply to Eller and are notified of scholarship awards when admitted. Ninety-percent of recent students received a merit-based scholarship.

The Eller MBA program is also sponsored by the University of Arizona’s Peace Corps Fellowship program. Peace Corp Fellowship recipients are not excluded from consideration for an Eller scholarship. Learn more.

There are also numerous external aid sources such as Graduate PLUS Loans, Stafford Loans, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and many others.

• Loan programs available to MBA students include:
• Federally sponsored (Stafford) loans–for U.S. citizens only
• Alternative private loans–for U.S. and international students
• MBA LOANS program (sponsored by Sallie Mae and the Graduate Management Admissions Council)
• Other financial aid—including government grants and loans—may be available to help pay program costs.

For information, visit the University of Arizona Office of Student Financial Aid.

Admissions

In order to apply to the University of Arizona full-time MBA at the Eller College of Management, the following must be submitted:

• A completed online application
• Official transcripts
• Current resume
• Two professional recommendations
• Two essays (third essay optional for scholarship consideration)
• Domicile Affidavit (for admitted U.S. students)
• GMAT/GRE scores (if required)
• $85 application fee ($95 for international students)

International applicants must submit citizenship information, and TOEFL scores, if applicants earned an accredited degree from an academic institution that was not predominantly English speaking, or, are from a non-English speaking country. As well, international applicants must provide a financial guarantee.

Most students are required to submit GMAT/GRE scores, unless they have previously earned a JD, MD, or Ph.D. Active or veteran U.S. Armed Service members or Peace Corps Volunteers with a minimum 3.0 GPA from an accredited, non-profit academic institution may also be eligible for a GMAT/GRE waiver.

Application deadlines are as follows:

October 15 : Round 1

December 1: Round 2

February 1: Round 3 (international deadline)

April 1: Round 4

June 1: Final Deadline  

Pick Your City: Should You Get an MBA in Toronto or Vancouver?

Should you get an MBA in Toronto or Vancouver? What are the benefits of each city, how much will each location cost, what can you expect in terms of job opportunities, and what MBA programs are available?

At a glance, the two Canadian cities are very comparable, offering similar big-city experiences for residents. However, when you dig a little deeper, some major differences arise. In our “Pick Your City” series, we break down two similar locations to help you choose your best MBA program.

Toronto or Vancouver: Cost of Living

Before we start digging down into the nitty-gritty details comparing Toronto to Vancouver, let’s take a look at the facts. When it comes to how much it costs to live in each city, which city comes out on top? According to Numbeo, it’s actually more affordable to live in Vancouver, if you can believe it.

To maintain the same standard of living in both cities, you would need $6,293 CAD in Vancouver compared to $6,900 CAD in Toronto (assuming you rent in both locations). This breaks down to:

• Consumer prices in Vancouver are 8.72 percent lower
• Rent prices in Vancouver are .18 percent higher
• Restaurant prices in Vancouver are 11.46 percent lower
• Groceries in Vancouver are 13.75 percent cheaper

Overall, if you live in Vancouver, your purchasing power is 13.41 percent higher than in Toronto.

However, a major cost of living difference between each city comes down to where specific residents live. According to data from Expatistan, a furnished apartment in the most expensive part of Vancouver can cost about 11 percent more than living in the most expensive part of Toronto.

Toronto or Vancouver: Culture

Vancouver is consistently named as one of the top five worldwide cities for livability and quality of life, and the Economist Intelligence Unit acknowledged it as the first city ranked among the top-ten of the world’s most well-living cities for five consecutive years.

But what about when you start looking at living in Toronto or Vancouver outside of how much it costs? Lifestyle, activities, and culture can be a significant differentiator for where you want to live and earn your MBA. In many ways the cities are very similar; they offer all the same essential conveniences that you would expect from any big city.

Toronto Lifestyle

Toronto is the largest city in Canada. It’s known for being the financial and cultural hub of the entire country. It has a global city vibe that’s always bustling. Think of it as the New York City of Canada. If you love the city lifestyle, you may love Toronto.

When you are downtown in Toronto, you’ll be surrounded by hundreds and thousands of people all going about their business at the same time. And speaking of business, Toronto’s salaries are the highest in the country, and there are many incredible job opportunities (we’ll talk about this more a little later).

One major selling point for Toronto is its extreme diversity. More than 50 percent of residents belong to a visible minority population group. Residents of Toronto come from all different backgrounds, cultures, and locations. It’s a vibrant community for anyone from anywhere, which can translate to some incredible food, activities, and shops

Vancouver Lifestyle

Vancouver is also a big city, but it’s a lot more laid back. People say the city has a more relaxed pace, which can mean it’s a little boring if you’re looking for nightlife. However, if you’re looking for better work/life balance, Vancouver takes the lead.

However, that also means that business can be a little slower in Vancouver. Don’t expect quite as high salaries or as many open jobs. Though there are still many companies thriving in the area, which we’ll talk about more later.

One of Vancouver’s main features is its landscape. It’s surrounded by mountains, which makes it not only one of the most beautiful cities in Canada but one of the best for outdoor enthusiasts. There are many opportunities for skiing, kayaking, hiking, and more all within 30-minutes of downtown.

We also have to mention Vancouver’s incredible public transportation. It has the world’s longest fully automatic driverless train system in the world: Skytrain. It’s known for its efficiency and regularity. There’s also the Seabus, which ferries people to North Vancouver in 20 minutes.

Toronto or Vancouver: Job Opportunities

Toronto is one of the most multicultural and multiracial cities in the world with established ethnic neighborhoods such as Chinatown, Corso Italia, Little India, Greektown, Koreatown, Little Jamaica, Little Portugal, and Roncesvalles.

When it comes to job opportunities and the economy, Toronto stands out. The city is home to the Toronto Stock Exchange as well as being the headquarters of Canada’s five largest banks (known as the Big Five). Also, many large Canadian and multinational corporations call the city home. You’ll find jobs in almost every industry from technology to design, financial services, life sciences, education, arts, fashion, business services, tourism, and more.

Some of Toronto’s top employers include:

• Accenture
• Bayer
• AIG Insurance Company of Canada
• CIBC
• Ford Motor Company
• Proctor & Gamble
• Oracle
• IMAX Corporation
• Salesforce
• Royal Bank of Canada
• Xerox

As for Vancouver, it’s consistently named one of the top five worldwide cities for livability and quality of life. And since the Port of Metro Vancouver is the third-largest port by tonnage in the Americas (beating out NYC), it offers some uniquely thriving industries, doing more than $172 CAD billion in trade with over 160 different trading economies annually. Vancouver is also a center of software development, biotechnology, aerospace, video game development, animation studios, and television production. There’s also a strong focus on lifestyle and health culture, being the hub for Lululemon, Arc’teryx, Nature’s Path Foods, and more.

Some of Vancouver’s top employers include:

• Best Buy Canada
• BC Assessment
• BC Hydro
• HSBC Bank Canada
• Fraser Health Authority
• Nintendo
• Oppenheimer Group
• SPK Consulting
• Arrow Transportation Systems

Toronto or Vancouver: MBA Programs

Both Vancouver and Toronto are home to some well-known business schools with quality MBA programs. We’ll take a quick look at the top three programs in each location.

Toronto MBA Programs

• University of Toronto Rotman School of Management: Rotman offers both a part-time and full-time MBA program with sixteen possible majors, including Brand Management; Business Design; Sustainability and Health Sector Management.
• Wilfrid Laurier University’s Lazaridis School of Business and Economics: The Lazaridis School offers both a part-time and full-time MBA program along with multiple dual-degree options with specializations in everything from Operations Management to Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
• York University’s Schulich School of Business: The Schulich School offers both a flexible part-time MBA as well as a full-time MBA. Students can specialize in more than twenty different areas, including Arts, Media & Entertainment Management; Organizational Studies; Business & Sustainability and Social Sector Management.

Vancouver MBA Programs

• University of British Columbia Sauder School of Business: The Sauder School offers both a full-time and part-time MBA program with three pre-determined career tracks in Product & Service Management, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, and Finance.
• Simon Fraser University Beedie School of Business: The Beedie School has both a full-time MBA and a part-time MBA. The school stands out for enrolling just 55 students each year and taking only 12 months to graduate.
• Vancouver Island University: The Vancouver Island University offers a 14 to 16-month MBA program featuring 12 core courses in subjects such as Managing and Strategy; Foundations of Marketing; Foundations of Economics; and Basics of Accounting and Quantitative Methods.

Top Real Estate MBAs: Northwest

The Pacific Northwest is home to some of the fastest-growing cities in the country. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Northwest real estate is rapidly expanding, with population increases (16.5-19.8 percent) in the these five metros:

• Greeley, CO
• George, UT
• Bend-Redmond, OR
• Provo-Orem, UT
• Boise, ID

While the Northwest is home to relatively few of the top-ranked MBA programs, the region makes up for a lack of quantity with quality—and specificity. Unbeknownst to many prospective b-schoolers pining for a tony school on the Eastern Seaboard, the American Northwest boasts a surprising number of excellent Real Estate-focused degrees.

Let’s take a closer look at the premiere options in the region:

The Top Northwest Real Estate MBA Programs

Located in Boulder, UC’s Leeds School of Business offers a traditional two-year full-time MBA with a real estate concentration. Noting its multi-disciplinary approach and the support of the CU Real Estate Center, the Leeds MBA real estate concentration offers a curriculum organized by industry focus, including the following courses:

• Sustainability & Real Estate
• Real Estate Finance
• Entrepreneurial Real Estate

In addition, the program offers a combination of “networking events, personal mentoring, conferences and competitions” to aid their MBA students in building their real estate industry careers. Annual tuition for in-state residents is $35,782, while out-of-state students can expect to pay $66,600.

Founded in 1908, the University of Denver Daniels College of Business organizes its MBA curriculum around a series of challenges that run concurrently with classes to provide students with a continually applied learning experience.

Students design a growth plan to monitor themselves so they can optimize their education and performance. Daniels offers a two-year, full-time MBA with a concentration in “Real Estate and the Built Environment.” With a customizable curriculum, annual tuition is $90,400.

Portland State University offers a Master’s of Real Estate Development that functions as an interdisciplinary program with PSU’s School of Business Administration, the School of Urban Studies and Planning, and the Center for Real Estate.

With 12-month full-time and 24-month part-time options, the curriculum includes courses in real estate fundamentals, a real-world capstone development project, fast tracks to professional licenses, and exposure to examples of sustainable urban development.

Annual tuition for in-state students is $37,800 full-time and $39,162 for out-of-state students, with residents of certain western states potentially eligible for tuition through WICHE and WRGP. Non-resident tuition is $45,555 full-time and $46,917 part-time for out-of-state students.

Nestled in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountain Range just outside of Salt Lake City, the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business offers a Master of Real Estate Development that emphasizes hands-on learning informed by and contributing to the research through the Ivory-Boyer Real Estate Center.

Students also have access to competitions such as the Utah Real Estate Challenge, weekly real estate labs, and professional mentorships. Study abroad opportunities and flexible, work-compatible schedules are also available. Annual tuition for Utah residents is $43,200 full-time and while non-residents can expect to pay $71,900.

In the University of Washington Foster School of Business full-time MBA program, students can take up to 16 credits worth of courses that are “non-MBA” coursework, of which includes real estate courses via the university’s College of Built Environments.

While some non-MBA courses at UW require pre-approval, the real estate course options do not require a a Non-MBA Class Request form. The total cost (tuition and fees)of the full-time program at UW’s Foster School of Business is currently $66,654 for in-state residents, and $96,666 for out-of-state residents. Prices are subject to change annually.

#1 Ranked IU Kelley Online MBA Undergoes Major Curriculum Update

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Already ranked #1 by the U.S. News & World Report, the IU Kelley Direct Online MBA has revamped its program for a more customizable experience. Now, their online program is even more robust while still offering the same flexibility and strengths that have made Kelley Direct a long-time business leader.

As always, the same faculty that teach in the IU Kelley on-campus programs also teach in the Kelley Online program. The Kelley Direct Online program also still includes live case studies within every in-residence week, offers global and domestic immersions, and focuses on quality student experiences.

The purpose of the revamp wasn’t to take away any of the elements that made the online MBA so great in the first place. Instead, the goal was to enhance the curriculum and offer more customization to make the program even stronger.

The Kelley Direct Online MBA now offers students 50 percent electives, seven majors, and a signature integrated core experience focused on business fundamentals.

It’s the next evolution of the online MBA, which goes far beyond what people typically think of for online MBAs.

“The primary motivation for the redesigned online MBA was not to focus on a new market segment, but to update our product and create a significant differentiator from other competitors in the marketplace,” explains Ramesh Venkataraman, chair of the Kelley Direct Online MBA and MS programs.

More Electives for a More Customized Student Experience

A quick glance at the current marketplace tells you that a candidate with specialized knowledge is more valuable than a general management MBA candidate. So, it made sense for the Kelley Online MBA program to update its curriculum to match what employers want, and they did this by drastically increasing the number of electives offered.

“In general, online MBA programs tend to be more core-heavy with less potential for electives,” Ramesh says. “But why should our online MBA not have as many electives as any other product? Specialized knowledge is what the marketplace wants, and our new electives allow students to gain that knowledge and use it as a launching pad in their careers.”

The newly revamped online MBA, which launches this fall, requires students to complete 27 credit hours of core coursework and 27 credit hours of electives—a 50/50 split. It’s a significant change from the previous format, which allowed for just 12 elective credits. The increase—with at least ten different electives in each of seven disciplines—results in a far more customizable student experience that’s aligned with both student and employer expectations.

But don’t worry; to get here, the online MBA didn’t take away from the core knowledge students need. Instead, the new curriculum is far more streamlined. The core material has been compressed into two credit hour classes instead of three, but with the same subject matters and essence.

“They’re not going to lose content,” states Ramesh. “They’re just going to enjoy their core content in a new format.”

The newly revamped online MBA format breaks down the core curriculum into three blocks: understanding markets and institutions; delivering value through functional excellence; and creating and sustaining competitive advantage. Each block includes a trio of 12-week courses with eight live sessions each that leverage technology to get the content out synchronously and asynchronously.

• Core 1: Business law and ethics, economics, and organizational behavior.
• Core 2: Operations management, marketing management, and financial management.
• Core 3: Digital tech and innovation, developing strategic capabilities, and an integrative live case experience.

Though, you should note, the update does mean that there’s a little more overall work. Online students now have to complete a total of 54 credits compared to 51.

However, the hope is that this increased workload will result in MBA students from a wider variety of backgrounds choosing the program thanks to the depth and breadth of their new course offerings, which includes seven new majors.

1. Business Analytics
2. Entrepreneurship & Innovation
3. Finance
4. Global Supply Chain Management
5. IT Management
6. Marketing
7. Strategic Management

These majors allow students to choose the curriculum that best reflects their interests and career goals. Now, it’s possible to go deep into a specific business area or industry in a way that wasn’t possible before, providing students with a way to optimize their resume and find the best opportunities for moving forward.

Learning Doesn’t Stop Inside the Classroom. It’s an Immersive Experience with Many Co-Curricular Opportunities.

But learning doesn’t stop in the classroom when you choose the Kelley Online MBA. It’s an immersive experience that helps you build skills and confidence far beyond the curriculum through co-curricular opportunities.

“We know that online MBA students want to build a set of experiences that complement what they do in their online courses, but there’s a lot of variability in terms of what students want to build,” says Adam Herman, executive director of the Kelley Direct MBA and MS programs. “So, we offer a wide range of co-curricular opportunities that students can use to strengthen their professional profile.”

There are four main types of co-curricular activities:

1. Experiential learning, including global and domestic immersion experiences as part of credit-bearing courses.
2. A robust slate of affinity groups/clubs, both identity-oriented and career field-specific.
3. Twice-annual Global Connect Networking Night in 25-30 cities across the globe.
4. A suite of high-impact offerings from the career and professional development center.

In particular, experiential learning is a hallmark of the Kelley Direct Online MBA program. From a variety of in-person courses that focus on a particular business area to global and domestic immersion experiences, experiential learning is a highlight of many students’ education.

“Experiential learning is super important to the Kelley Online MBA program,” says Joe Hwalek, a ’19 MBA and associate brand manager for Hyatt Place Hotels, Hyatt Corp. “The greatest experience has been working in smaller teams. You spend an incredible number of hours working and learning from them, and each time, I’ve been awed at the level of professionalism and the solutions that we’ve put together.”

These immersive, educational experiences enrich the online MBA and create life-changing moments where students can make connections and learn by doing.

For example, there’s an annual trip to Washington D.C. that focuses on public policy. Students spend a week at the Washington Campus exploring, site seeing, and learning from the best and brightest individuals in politics.

“The program is fantastic,” describes Elisa Stampf, a ’19 MBA and senior small commercial sales representative at The Hartford. “The first day we were on campus we listened to speakers from all walks of life, backgrounds, and political parties. The next day, we toured Capitol Hill, spent time at the National Press Club, and more. Everything was incredibly relevant, and was an investment that was worth every penny.”

Also worth every penny are the global experiences where students will see the world and gain international economic knowledge and skills to move their careers forward.

MBA Students Are Going to Work in a Global Environment, and Being Online Doesn’t Change that Fact.

“Just because you’re an online MBA student doesn’t change the fact you’re an MBA student in need of international experience,” says Ramesh. “So, the more our students understand what it takes to do business outside the U.S. and in different cultures, the better. Our global experiences are crucial to providing that exposure.”

These Global Immersions typically include 5-6 weeks of online content to give students a deep understanding of business in a rapidly emerging market such as Thailand, India, South Africa, or Cuba. Then students head to their country of study to visit key companies and work on a real-world project. After returning to their homes, students work on—and submit—valuable deliverables designed to meet their clients’ needs.

“Our group was paired with a client and tasked to solve some of their business problems,” remembers Elisa. “We faced some challenges along the way, but we were able to consult with a local MBA student who knew the language and culture and who helped strengthen our experience.”

Even if students choose not to head out on a week-long international trip to a foreign country, they still have the opportunity to gain exposure to global business during their second Kelley Connect Week. During that time, they take on a business case study in a foreign country, which forces them to solve an international business problem, giving every student a global perspective.

IU Kelley MBA students in Vietnam.

Kelley Connect Weeks Are When Students Fall in Love with the Program

Speaking of Kelley Connect Weeks, when you ask students about their most memorable times in the Kelley Online MBA, they’ll always mention these two weeks. As Elisa says, “Kelley Connect Week was when I fell in love with the program and what I was doing.”

In most online programs you rarely meet your fellow students in person. However, that’s exactly the point of Kelley Connect Weeks. You attend these twice during the program for a full week, not a short weekend, allowing you to be completely immersed in the program, city, and school.

“Kelley Connect Weeks immerse you in something bigger,” explains Elisa.

Kelley Connect Weeks are a chance to feel connected to your classmates, professors, and the program on a much deeper level. Students head to Indiana University’s Bloomington campus for a week when they’ll meet faculty and classmates, work on team projects, undergo intensive coursework, and attend networking events. The highlight of the week is the live business case where students work in a team to solve a real client/company problem before presenting their solution to the real company, face-to-face.

“The Kelley Connect Weeks are super rewarding,” says Joe. “I’ve created friendships that I’ll have for the rest of my life. And from a career perspective, my classmates have been a valuable source of advice and networking, ultimately helping me make a career change.”

Top-Ranked Career Services Take Online MBAs to the Next Level

And making a career change is why many online MBA students choose an MBA. They’re looking for a change in their function, industry, location, or promotion—a way to enhance their potential. And that’s why the Kelley’s Graduate Career Services are so valuable.

“We have a five-phase career development model for our online MBA students,” explains Adam Herman. “It begins before the first Kelley Connect Week when students are sent pre-work focused on their career goals. From there, students are assigned a dedicated career coach who works alongside the student and guides them throughout the rest of their MBA program.”

These career coaches regularly check in with their students one-on-one to provide insight, offer feedback, and help with overall career navigation. Combined with online materials, weekly communication, and the ability to take classes delivered by the career services office, students have endless opportunities to impact their career in both small and large ways.

With a 115,000-strong alumni network, there are thousands of ways to make meaningful career connections.

For Joe Hwalek, that meant changing his career twice throughout the course of the program. He started out working at an advertising agency, but what he really wanted was to make the switch to working for a corporation. And that’s exactly what he did.

“I’m very fortunate that throughout my online MBA, I was able to move to another ad agency and then to a strategic role with Hyatt,” Joe explains. “The MBA gave me the knowledge that I needed to showcase myself well and demonstrate my commitment to my career field.”

In the End, It’s All About the Students.

And, in the end, the Kelley Online MBA, revamped or not, has always been about what students can get out of it.

“Our lives are so incredibly unique and diverse, and we get to share those experiences live,” says Elisa. “I now have people across the country and world that I know thanks to this program. And we’ve all been able to help each other in our professional lives. The technology IU Kelley uses does a stellar job of bringing people together.”

“The reason I chose the Kelley Online MBA is the flexibility it gave me, no matter my life stage,” Joe says. “I was able to move homes, change jobs twice, and maintain my lifestyle all while continuing my education. Life is busy, and you never know what will happen, so the flexibility to adjust my schedule weekly was invaluable.”

Choose an MBA where your success is paramount. Learn more and apply at the Kelley Direct Online MBA website.

New MBA Jobs in the Automotive and Gas Industries

There’s no better time to take a road trip than in the summertime, when the sun is shining and the cool breeze blowing against your face. So in the spirit of hitting the open road and enjoying some fun after getting out a list of MBA job applications, here’s a look at new MBA jobs at top companies in the automotive and gasoline industries. Continue reading…

Top Real Estate MBAs and MS Degrees in the Southeast

Recent figures suggest that the Southeastern United States has one of the most robust economies in the country, with its states contributing over a fifth to the GDP. In a report issued at the end of 2018 by real estate developer CBRE, the strength of the region’s economy was confirmed. “Every primary economic driver … tourism, technology, manufacturing and logistics; are all trending in a positive direction …strong demographic growth will help mitigate any downside.”

This, along with report’s suggestion that the affordability of construction makes it rife for new development, are good news for those with an eye toward real estate in their MBA or MS studies. Following is a look at some of the Southeast’s top real estate programs.

Top Southeast Real Estate MBA Programs

The University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business offers a real estate concentration as part of its MBA degree. Combining a foundation in theoretical knowledge with real world case studies and market simulations, Terry’s Real Estate concentration prepares graduates for a lucrative career. Nine hours of required courses and 12 hours of electives comprise the program.

Terry Real Estate MBA grads have landed jobs at such firms as CBRE, Toll Brothers, Bank of America, and Landmark Properties. Senior Associate, Enterprise Planning Manager, Senior Vice President, and Associate Vice President are just some of the roles assumed by grads of the program. Tuition for Georgia residents is fairly affordable, at $15,868 and $34,896 for those out-of-state, annually.

Georgia Tech’s Scheller College of Business offers a full-time MBA with a real estate concentration which prepares graduates for degrees in both the public and private sectors. The entrepreneurial aspects of real estate are a primary focus of Scheller’s program. Graduates are ready for careers in development, public and private finance, consulting, brokerage, property and facilities management, and land use planning.

The Scheller MBA consists of 54 credit hours: 12 core courses worth 21 credits and 11 electives totaling 33 credits. Nine credits in the elective category are required for the real estate concentration. Annual tuition at Scheller is $29,508 for in-state students and $40,752 for those outside of Georgia, not including fees.

Self described as one of the nation’s top Real Estate MBA programs, The University of Miami Business School offers an accelerated program beginning each May. Students participate in two paid internships at leading commercial real estate companies such as Lennar Commercial Real Estate, The Related Group, and the Kislak Company. With the guidance of a mentor, Real Estate MBAs also participate in a project assisting a non-profit organization.

Coursework is cross-curricular, with classes in both the Business School and the School of Architecture. The program is 18 months long, and it consists of 40 credits. As host of the Annual Real Estate Impact Conference, the University of Miami attracts leaders in the industry as both faculty and Advisory Board members. Tuition for the Real Estate MBA is $2,030 per credit hour ($81,200 in total) not inclusive of fees.

Clemson University’s Master of Real Estate Development is a full-time program consisting of 56 credits. There are two options: an 18 month duration for students at the beginning stages of their careers; and a 12 month program for more experienced professionals with 15 pre-approved credits.

The MRED at Clemson invites students from all undergraduate disciplines to the specialty, including architecture, engineering, finance, construction management, accounting and marketing.  Clemson’s location in Greenville, SC is another asset, as the area is one of the country’s most successful revitalization efforts, and opportunities for real estate development continue to expand here. A small class size, at 30 students maximum, allows for highly individualized training. Tuition for the 18 month early career option is $55,000 per year. Those in the 12 month experienced professional program pay $49,000.

Auburn University’s Master of Real Estate Development, like others on this list, combines coursework from the College of Architecture, Design and Construction and the Harbert College of Business. The program educates students in all facets of the industry, including law, planning, finance, and market analysis. With a focus on sustainability, Auburn leads the way in training students for responsible development in the next century.

The program combines online courses with campus residencies and field studies, and it is 21 months long. It begins in August of each year. Students have an average of 12 years of work experience, though all levels of career development are considered. Annual tuition is $58,500, and includes all fees along with membership in the Urban Land Institute, NAIOP, ICSC and CCIM.

Full-Time MBA

University of South Carolina Moore School of Business Full-Time MBA Program Structure

The University of South Carolina Moore School of Business offers two different full-time MBA options: the One-Year MBA, and the acclaimed two-year International MBA—ranked as the best international business school program in the United States by U.S. News & World Report.

The One-Year MBA program is actually shorter than advertised, and can be completed in just 10 months, making it one of the most time-efficient full-time MBA options in the country. Students in the program begin in July, starting foundational courses, before moving into specialization coursework of the student’s choosing. Options include finance, global supply chain and operations management, marketing, and strategic management.

The 22-month International MBA is one of the most versatile internationally-focused MBA programs in the world, with two optional study tracks: The Global Track, where students learn in countries that widely speak English; and the Language Track, which includes a language study as part of the curriculum in either French, German, or Spanish. The program also features a 10-to-15 week internships.

Curriculum

The One-Year MBA curriculum is divided into five different seven-week sections, beginning in July. At the beginning of the program, students complete the first of three core courses while starting the Career Leadership Program (CLP). The following four sections of the program feature both core courses and elective coursework, with areas of focus in: finance, global supply chain and operations management, marketing, and strategic management. In the final two sections of the program, students can complete the optional spring break international trip elective. In total, students must complete six different electives in order to complete the program.

Those in the International MBA start the program with the exact same schedule as the One-Year MBA cohort: three core classes and the start of the CLP, taking place in July. From August through December, however, students continue core courses while being integrated with the internationally-focused curriculum in the program, with the mandatory Global Strategic Management and Managing the Multinational Enterprise courses taking place. In the final sequence of the first year, from early January to early May, students begin elective coursework and can also complete the aforementioned international trip elective during spring break.

The second year of the International MBA program features much more specialized studies, starting with a 10-to-15 week corporate internship in the summer. From mid-August through mid-December of the second year students complete elective courses and start preparation for the international element of the curriculum. Global Track students finish their elective coursework (needing to take two more electives than Language Track students), and Language Track students begin specific language studies. From mid-January to early March, students travel to international destinations for the eight-week in country immersion. The final seven weeks of the program takes place back at the University of South Carolina campus, where students complete the program with internationally-focused classes.

Full-Time MBA Rankings

• U.S. News & World Report: 74 (tie)
• Bloomberg: 70

Class Profile

An estimated 47 total students are enrolled in the full-time MBA programs at the University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business, with 68.1 percent female students and 31.9 percent female students. About 27.7 percent of those students are of international origin.

The GMAT average of the class was 651 and the undergraduate GPA was 3.4.

Career Statistics

About 63 percent of full-time graduates were employed within three months of earning their MBA. The average base salary is around $85,923.

Tuition, Scholarships, and Financial Aid

Tuition for the University of South Carolina full-time MBA program costs $35,702 for South Carolina residents in the One-Year MBA, and $43,142 for the International MBA. Out-of-state residents pay an estimated $40,790 for the One-Year MBA, and $71,580 for the International MBA. Prices may vary for residents attending the International MBA program in neighboring ACM states, as well as active-duty U.S. Armed Services members. Per semester fees will be required for healthcare, technology fees, and an international student fee. A deposit of $1,000 is required to hold a spot in the program.

Information on scholarships, fellowships, loans, and other financial resources can be found here. Typically, those who earn some kind of financial reward will use it to fund around half of the amount of the program cost, although some scholarships cover 70-100 percent of the cost.

Admissions

Applicants to the University of South Carolina full-time MBA programs must have at least two years of prior work experience in order to apply, in addition to an accredited undergraduate degree, although it does not have to be in business. Enrolled students typically have GPAs between 3.5 and 4, although strong candidates with lower GPAs are considered.

The following must also be provided:

• A completed online application
• Official transcripts
• Statement of Purpose (500 words), a short essay, and an optional personal essay
• GMAT/GRE scores
• Two letters of recommendation
• Proof of English proficiency (if needed)
• $100 application fee (waiver available for select candidates)

Strong applicants may be asked to complete an interview, either in-person on the Moore campus, via Skype, or at an agreed regional location.

Application deadlines are as follows:

Priority – Oct. 15
Round One – Dec. 1
Round Two – Jan. 15 (international applicant preferred deadline)
Round Three – March 1 (scholarship consideration preferred deadline)
Round Four – April 15

All applications submitted after April 15 are reviewed on a rolling case-by-case basis.

Top MBA Jobs: Investment Banking Analyst

Landing a job in an investment firm is a top goal for many MBAs. They want to bring their talents and knowledge to investors, banks, and corporations who can benefit from their expertise. It’s an exciting and very demanding career field, especially in the wake of the Great Recession of 2008 and 2009.

Banks, brokerages, and financial services firms are looking for candidates that have deep and broad insight into the industry and a willingness to learn more. That’s how you get started as an Investment Banking Analyst. Continue reading…

The Online MBA: Which Programs Matter?

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to earn your MBA online? We wanted to take an in-depth look at the advantages of an Online MBA program and what it looks like to complete your graduate business education online—how long it will take, what activities will be available to you, and how it will enhance your career.

To that effect, we interviewed the admissions staff at some of the top brick and mortar business schools with leading Online MBA programs: CMU Tepper, Indiana Kelley, Michigan Ross, UNC Kenan-Flagler, and USC Marshall. Here’s what we learned:

CMU Tepper School of Business Online MBA

The CMU Tepper School of Business Online MBA program is a hybrid program, meaning students attend live, interactive online classes two evenings a week (for 70 minutes each) and then work the rest of the time offline, at their own pace. Students take the same rigorous curriculum as full-time students and are taught by the same faculty and staff.

• Duration: Flexible program duration
• Travel: Six times a year, students meet in-person for Access Weekends in Pittsburgh, Silicon Valley, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.
• Workload: You’ll attend two, 70-minute live class sessions every week with an additional 3-5 hours of offline assignments.

CA: How do your Online MBA students take advantage of extracurricular activities (e.g., can they join a finance club, organize a tech conference, what are the similarities for an online program with the full-time program)?

“The Tepper School part-time Online Hybrid MBA is structured to provide maximum flexibility without sacrificing the extra-curricular experience, which is an essential component of an MBA program. Our online students have access to various campus activities, including student clubs, speaker events, and career treks that enrich the academic experience and provide opportunities to connect with colleagues, alumni, and potential employers. We also have a TepperBot (picture attached), which  is a great way for students to actively join campus activities remotely. They can control the TepperBot’s movements from their phones, adjust the height, roll through spaces. It’s an excellent way for online students to be part of the on-campus experience.

Throughout their Tepper experience, online MBA students actively participate in student club activities; leadership coaching and workshops; corporate presentations and recruiting; and all that business school has to offer. Our online students have an active student leadership organization, and even started a virtual Friday afternoon happy hour!

CA: How do your Online MBA students take advantage of career resources. Do you offer the full-time MBA equivalent of on-campus recruiting?

“Our part-time Online Hybrid MBAs have access to the same career resources as our full-time students, including on-campus recruiting, corporate presentations, career treks to visit employers around the country, and connections to jobs at premier companies. Our top-ranked Masters Career Center provides career coaching from seasoned professionals to help them successfully manage career opportunities.”

IU Kelley School of Business Online MBA

The IU Kelley Direct Online MBA is delivered completely online. Students must complete 54 units to graduate—27 credits of core courses and 27 credits of electives. Courses are taught by the same faculty that teach the full-time MBA, but students have the flexibility to fit the coursework into their busy schedule.  You can either participate in live lectures with your classmates or watch recorded lectures on your own schedule.

• Duration: Two to four years
• Travel: Students attend two Kelley Connect Weeks, which are intensive seven-day, in-person experiences on IU’s Bloomington campus.
• Workload: Live weekly classes are around 75 minutes in length in addition to prep work and additional study.

CA: How do your Online MBA students take advantage of co-curricular activities (e.g., can they join a finance club, organize a tech conference, what are the similarities for an online program with the full-time program)?

“Effective November 1, we have re-branded student services to the Office of Student Services and Advising. That unit is now responsible for co-curricular and experiential activities. What is true about an online MBA student is that they want to build a set of experiences that complement what they do in the classroom, but there is a lot of variability in terms of what they want to build.

Our co-curricular experiences have been divided into various buckets.

• There are four-credit experiential learning opportunities. Specifically, there are global learning courses that offer two types of experiential learning. There is a consulting course where they work on a live project, and then there’s an exploratory course where students spend a few weeks in a different country working with and learning from high-performing corporations outside the U.S.
• We also offer a robust suite of affinity groups—both identity-oriented groups and functional groups. As an example, there are several events for online MBA students, including virtual happy hours and excursions to visit Warren Buffet in Nebraska.
• Third, twice a year, we have a Global Connect Night where students get together and have refreshments with each other all across the world. Students entirely coordinate these events.
• Finally, we have a high-impact suite of offerings from our Career Management Center and one-on-one career coaching.”

CA: How do your Online MBA students take advantage of career resources. Do you offer the full-time MBA equivalent of on-campus recruiting?

“We have a five-phase career development model for our online MBA students that begins before a student’s very first Kelley Connect Week. They are sent access to a website that allows them to begin pre-work on their career goals and what they’re hoping to get out of their online MBA.

We recognize that most students in our program are primarily seekers looking to change their function, industry, or location, or they are career navigators looking to move up in their organization. So, as a first-year student, we ask them to complete career work early and then come to campus for a two-hour content session led by the Career Center to gain more insight into their options.

Then, our online MBA students have touch-points with their career coaches throughout their time in the program. Not only do they have access to the Career Center online, but they can check-in with their coach in person as well; it’s up to the individual. Our career office also sends out regular communications with career tips, job offers, and more. Students can also participate in several 1.5-credit hour courses offered by our career office for job seekers, career navigators, consultants, and more.”

Michigan Ross School of Business Online MBA

The Michigan Ross Online MBA (OMBA) is a flexible format that includes live class sessions, self-guided study, and leadership development training on the Ross campus. To graduate, students must complete 57 credit hours including 27 credits of core curriculum, 18 credits of electives, nine credits of in-person residencies, and three credits for an action-based learning project (MAP). It’s a highly flexible, self-paced program.

• Duration: Two or more years
• Travel: Students must attend three in-person residencies on the Ross campus that take place Thursday through mid-Sunday.
• Workload: Each 2.25-credit course requires students to participate in four live classes via the online platform.

CA: How do your Online MBA students take advantage of extracurricular activities (e.g., can they join a finance club, organize a tech conference, what are the similarities for an online program with the full-time program)?

“We will work with club leadership to devise ways to accommodate these students, knowing that this will be an enriching experience for both the online students and the clubs.  We are planning on using technology for students to participate remotely in events.”

CA: How do your Online MBA students take advantage of career resources. Do you offer the full-time MBA equivalent of on-campus recruiting?

“Online students will be able to take part in the formal recruiting process if they wish.  We have a career professional dedicated to our PT students, who is familiar with their specific needs and common career paths. OMBA students will have access to comprehensive career development services to prepare them for recruiting. These include resume reviews, networking guidance, interview practice, and negotiation advice.”

UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School MBA@UNC

The UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School MBA@UNC is an online MBA program where the teaching and coursework are delivered online. Students must complete a total of 62 credits, including a broad business foundation and an emphasis on strategic leadership. Weekly, students meet face-to-face online for collaborative sessions that build on coursework and foster stronger connections. However, using the mobile learning platform, students can complete coursework 24/7 from anywhere in the world.

• Duration: Anytime between 18 to 36 months, as it fits their work/personal commitments.
• Travel: Optional three-day intensive Global Summits are available every quarter, and students must attend two prior to graduation. Summits are held around the world and students can choose the location and term that best fits their schedule.
• Workload: Throughout each week, students complete interactive assignments on their own time comprised of case studies, video simulations, group projects, and reading materials. Students then meet each week in a webcam-based online classroom of no more than 15 students to discuss the week’s material with classmates and professors.

CA: How do your Online MBA students take advantage of extracurricular activities (e.g., can they join a finance club, organize a tech conference, what are the similarities for an online program with the full-time program)?

“Yes! Online MBA students at the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School students engage in our many and very active student-led MBA clubs. Some use online social media channels for communication and promotion, while others hold virtual meetings and webinars. In some cities, they have regularly scheduled in-person social outings.

They also participate in events on campus–in-person or via live-stream–including speakers and conferences. Conferences include Carolina Women in Business, Careers with Impact Forum, Real Estate Conference, and Healthcare Club Conference.

For those students who join our in-person orientation, their networking/relationships begin before classes start. Then it occurs organically through group projects in courses, but they also use “cyber-rooms” (where they study with classmates and work on group projects) to run happy hours.

At our in-person summits (four per year – two in the U.S. and two in other countries), students spend a great deal of time creating and strengthening their networks and relationships. Many plan personal trips together before or after the summits.”

CA: How do your Online MBA students take advantage of career resources. Do you offer the full-time MBA equivalent of on-campus recruiting?

“Our students take advantage of the school’s many career resources, including:

• Every student participates in a 360 Multirater process at the beginning of the program and conducts a one-hour debrief with an Executive Coach to help understand their strengths and areas for improvement as a leader.
• Our Career & Leadership team conducts over 400 additional (optional) individual, one-hour personalized coaching sessions annually for our online students on a variety of topics, including developing a personalized action plan, assistance with job search, working through leadership challenges with their team, onboarding into a new role, etc.
• We conduct nearly 100 Career & Leadership programs (in-person events, webinars, networking forums, etc.) annually on topics ranging from leadership development to industry education and preparation sessions, to tactical career search elements. We deliver many of these ourselves; well also offer them in collaboration with national experts when appropriate.
• We offer a complementary suite of recruiting activities for our working professional students. These include virtual career fairs, networking events with employers, student, and alumni panels, and two in-person career fairs per year, in addition to the MBA National Conferences, which provide company networking and interview opportunities as well.
• We participate in a wide variety of national MBA career fairs (Forte, Prospanica, MBA Veterans Conference, ROMBA, National Black, etc.) where we provide on-site support.
• The long history of the MBA@UNC program and UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School has helped us grow a strong student and alumni base at top companies. Students have exposure to this network through industry/functional panels; our 17-city alumni networking summer series; and ongoing, informal events throughout the year at our various alumni chapters both nationally and internationally. We have about 37,000 alumni living and working in 86 countries.”

USC Marshall School of Business Online MBA

The USC Marshall Online MBA offers a unique, integrated curriculum designed for the online platform. Each class is taught weekly via live, interactive class discussions and asynchronous coursework. To graduate, students must complete 51 credits to graduate or six courses: Role of the Manager; Fundamentals of Business; Opportunity Recognition and Implementation; Managing Inside the Firm; Managing Outside Firm; and Business Environment & Leadership.

• Duration: 21 months
• Travel: Students must participate in a one-week, on-campus residency
• Workload: Every course requires two meetings per week for about one to two hours for each live class meeting—typically, Monday through Thursday from 5 pm to 10 pm. On average, students are expected to spend between 20-30 hours per week on coursework.

CA: How do your Online MBA students take advantage of extracurricular activities (e.g., can they join a finance club, organize a tech conference, what are the similarities for an online program with the full-time program)?

“The Marshall online MBA students may join the student organizations, attend all campus events, and participate in USC and Marshall alumni events. They are fully USC Marshall students. Some have attended alumni events in their region. Similar to the residential program, students may serve as cohort ambassadors, graduate with all of the residential MBA students and with the same diploma. Some have engaged in entrepreneurship competitions. Many attend the monthly virtual conversations with executives.”

CA: How do your Online MBA students take advantage of career resources. Do you offer the full-time MBA equivalent of on-campus recruiting?

“Because 100 percent of the students are fully employed–meaning they also cannot pursue internships–and nearly 40 percent are financially supported by their employers, and because the average work experience is 10+ years, OMBA students have a different set of career resource needs than our residential MBAs. When the Marshall admissions committee interviews final candidates, we explain the career options to avoid any later disappointments. Our Online MBA students consistently make appointments with the Online MBA career coaches for individual career counseling, most use the Marshall alumni network, and some attend on-campus job fairs. A few have even hired cohort-mates, and four OMBAs started a new company together.”

This article has been edited and republished from its original source, Clear Admit.