Baylor Launches Online MBA Program
In May, Baylor launched its first online degree program with a class of 13 online MBA students.
“Delivering our MBA program online allows working professionals to take advantage of a Baylor education, without relocating or giving up a salary to attend a full-time residential program,” said Gary Carini, associate dean for graduate business programs. “Our first group of students is fully engaged in the experience and has been highly motivated to learn.”
Students have the option to take one or two 7-week courses each term, depending upon their work flexibility and desired completion time. A student taking two courses per term can complete the degree in 12 months. New students can enter the program at any one of the six entry terms in the year; however, an undergraduate degree in business is currently required to enter the program. The School plans to expand the course offerings in 2015 to enable non-business undergraduates to pursue the online MBA program.
The core curriculum of the online MBA courses teaches business fundamentals, including analytical skills, communication and leadership, and also focuses on ethics and values as they impact businesses. The same acclaimed faculty who teach on campus teach the online program.
“The MBA students in my online class were technologically adept and actively participated in the discussion boards, which was an absolute necessity for success in my negotiations class,” said Chris Meyer, associate professor of Management.
The School estimates 10 to 12 students will enter the online MBA program each term, which increases the size of each class throughout the year. However, the courses will be divided into sections to limit the number of students in each class.
Baylor has partnered with Academic Partnerships (AP) to help convert its MBA program into an online format. AP is working closely with Baylor business faculty to ensure the new online MBA maintains the highest educational standards.
The Austin Executive MBA Program Expands with Healthcare Concentration
The Baylor Executive MBA (EMBA) program in Austin, Texas, expanded its curriculum to include a healthcare concentration option in August 2014. The program is one of the first of its kind in the Austin area.
“In fall 2012, we implemented our EMBA healthcare specialization in Dallas, and we’re very encouraged by the strong interest we continue to have,” Gary Carini, associate dean of graduate business programs said. “We decided to add this specialization to our Austin EMBA program. The recent and significant growth in the healthcare industry in Austin will enable us to be an important provider of high quality, innovative management education in the region.”
Designed for high-achieving, working professionals, the Executive MBA Healthcare Program focuses on building business acumen while also instilling specific healthcare expertise that is vital to development as an executive leader in healthcare.
The Executive MBA Healthcare Program, is offered through the Robbins Institute for Health Policy and Leadership, the foundation for healthcare-related initiatives in the Hankamer School of Business. The School is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The Baylor Healthcare MBA is a CAHME accredited program. CAHME accreditation is the benchmark by which students and employers determine the integrity of healthcare management education and establishes the standard of measurement for the world community.
A portion of the classes focus solely on the unique aspects of the healthcare industry. Professionals in this concentration have dedicated classes in topics including healthcare law, healthcare operations and contemporary topics in healthcare. Students also benefit from a focus on healthcare information systems and healthcare economics.
The 21-month Executive MBA curriculum allows professionals to work full-time while completing an MBA. Courses in the Executive MBA program are taught by Baylor faculty and healthcare executives.
Baylor Business Review, Fall 2014