MBA Programs Give Students Edge With Customization Options

WICHITA, Kan., April 11 -- Friends University issued the following news:

Students enrolling in Friends University's MBA program will be able to choose a specific focus to better tailor their education to meet their interests and goals and create a personal path of study.

The MBA program will be split into two major formats: the Professional MBA program and the Global MBA program. Each program will have six unique areas of concentration for students to shape their educational experience to meet their specific career goals. Students who choose either the Global MBA or Professional MBA can further customize their education with the following niches:

* Accounting (http://www.friends.edu/academics/business-administration-in-accounting) is designed to prepare students for financial leadership positions with technical training to include auditing, tax, law and advanced accounting.

* Business Law (http://www.friends.edu/academics/mba-business-law-concentration) touches on most every aspect of business and governmental affairs, specifically on legal principals, contract law, employment law and business associations.

* Change Management (http://www.friends.edu/academics/mba-change-management-concentration) helps students understand the process of innovation and the role of sustainability, understanding organizations from a systems perspective, and strategic thinking.

* Healthcare Leadership (http://www.friends.edu/academics/mba-health-care-leadership-concentration) students will study risk management and decision-making, healthcare finance, quality management in health care and managing complex healthcare systems.

* Management Information Systems (http://www.friends.edu/academics/mba-management-information-systems-concentration) will prepare graduates for a technology-related leadership position. This concentration accentuates the need for systems thinking so students can securely collect, store and analyze data to meet an organization's needs.

* Supply Chain Management and Logistics (http://www.friends.edu/academics/mba-supply-chain-management-logistics-concentration) will broaden graduates' understanding of the various aspects of developing a supply chain to obtain a competitive advantage, including obtaining certification in Six Sigma.

"Friends University asked the business community what MBA students need to know and be able to do," said Dr. David Hofmeister, dean of the Friends University Graduate School. "Through multiple conversations, we learned that the traditional MBA remains an important curriculum, and we continue to offer it. We also learned that there are areas where employers want further specialization. We listened and created additional specializations beyond the one we already offered in accounting."

Both the Global and Professional MBA formats have core courses. The Global MBA program has seven courses in global business, finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, cross-cultural communications, and strategy as well as a residency in Beijing. The Professional MBA core includes management, finance, accounting, leadership, marketing and information systems.

"All of the global core is about global business, and the professional program is about domestic business. The concentrations hone expertise into respective areas of business with possible internships in either program."

The new concentrations will be available starting in August at Friends University'sWichita campus and online. Courses can be taken on campus, online and in a combination of the two formats. At the University's Topeka location, students may take the MBA core courses at the Topeka site, with concentration classes taken online. Students will have the option of five start times throughout the year for both programs.

"The opportunity to enroll multiple times a year enables a student to start when it is convenient to do so, and then pace the classes to fit work and family schedules," Hofmeister said. "They can take more than one class at a time or they can sit out for an eight-week session if they wish. It gives students far more flexibility than they had under the former cohort model."

While other universities offer international business programs, Hofmeister noted the program is unique due to the shared learning experiences in the core that combine like-minded classmates for addressing business issues and developing coherent perspectives on business strategies.

"Then the deep dive into a concentration separates classmates into specific areas of study that provide a clear signal about career interests to current or prospective employers," Hofmeister said. "In other words, each concentration is unique and aligned to careers. These concentrations can be stacked to further customize expertise to the needs of diverse learners with different visions of leadership and management."

Hofmeister noted both MBA programs will include prior learning assessment opportunities, where students can earn credit for past learning experiences that reduce the total length of the program. Students will also receive personalized advising through a faculty member and a professional advisor as well as professional development assistance, including help with career goals, job search, networking and other services.

"Students and graduates will definitely benefit from the new formatting and concentrations, providing them with a roadmap to advance their careers," Hofmeister said.

For more information about the Global MBA or the Professional MBA, contact Graduate Admissions at [email protected] or 316-295-5300.

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