Kansas State University's online Professional Master of Business Administration program named among best values in US
Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2016
MANHATTAN — Kansas State University's Professional Master of Business Administration program was recently ranked as the 32nd best value among all online MBA programs in the country by College Values Online's Best Value rankings.
The rankings were compiled by comparing the 20-year return on investment rates of each program, in addition to other factors such as program customization, scholarship and internship opportunities, and innovative programs or teaching methods. Kansas State University was recognized as the second-best value among Big 12 peer institutions according to the rankings.
"We are thrilled to be recognized as one of the best values in the nation among online MBA programs," said Kevin Gwinner, Edgerley family dean of the university's College of Business Administration. "Our ultimate goal is to provide our students with the education and tools they need to take their careers to a higher level."
The College of Business Administration began offering the professional MBA, or PMBA, to online students in fall 2013. Catering to professionals with at least three to five years of experience, the online students receive the same education as their on-campus counterparts to earn their MBAs. The classes are taught by the same professors in both the online and on-campus formats, and the university's College of Business Administration is among the fewer than 5 percent of institutions worldwide to earn the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accreditation.
Kansas State University's Professional Master of Business Administration program is made up of 39 credit hours, which is six fewer hours than is required for the on-campus MBA program. With prior business courses, some students may take as few as 30 hours to earn their PMBA. The classes, which are structured as eight-week courses, allow most students to complete six hours per semester and graduate from the program in two to two and a half years.
"The flexibility of the program is remarkable," said Suzy Auten, director of the Professional Master of Business Administration program. "Some online programs require that you are sitting in front of a camera on your computer at 7 p.m. every Tuesday. That is not what this program is. It is completely self-motivated and set up for student convenience. If you are a night owl and want to start watching a lecture at midnight, you can do that. If you travel a lot, get transferred or change jobs, you can still complete your degree from anywhere there is an internet connection."
One of the most unique features of the program is the requirement for each student to go on a faculty-led international trip. So far students have gone to Costa Rica and China, with upcoming trips scheduled for Italy, Australia and Ireland, along with return trips to China and Costa Rica.
"The international trips happen during intersession periods and allow students to observe the principles that are learned in the courses being applied in an international business setting," Auten said. "Business is becoming more global, and we as a society are becoming far more connected, so we feel that it is important to have an international component in our program. The university as a whole has identified the internationalization of our student body as a major planning theme in our efforts to be among the Top 50 public research universities by 2025. We are very pleased to contribute to this goal in such a meaningful way."
New classes are offered every eight weeks, allowing students to jump into the program in January, March, June, August and October. Applications are due at least one month before the desired start date. To learn more about the program or to apply, visit k-state.edu/onlinemba.
