The UConn School of Business announced today that it has revised its MBA program, making it faster, more flexible, and more convenient for graduate students to earn their degrees.
Beginning in Fall 2023, the program will decrease the number of credits required to earn an MBA from 57 to 42. It will also change its concentrations and realign its core courses. The changes allow students to complete the MBA program faster—in just over a year if pursued aggressively—and at a lower cost.
“The UConn MBA program, which has long set the bar for excellence, will retain its vibrancy, rigor, and focus on essential leadership development,’’ says John A. Elliott, Dean of the School of Business. “We have re-examined our offerings and arranged courses to have maximum impact, added elective concentrations, and allowed students to pursue specialized interests.’’
The change is being made in a way that maintains the program’s high academic rigor and is in line with similar updates at many other universities nationwide that offer MBA degrees. The redesign of the MBA program was based on an extensive benchmarking exercise with several peer and aspirant business schools, and after carefully considering feedback from students and employers.
UConn MBA students may opt for the Online MBA program, which is 100% online, or what is called the FLEX MBA, which allows them to take in-person courses in Hartford, Stamford, or Waterbury, in addition to online courses. UConn also offers a cohort-based Executive MBA program that meets in Hartford on weekends and typically serves more senior executives.
The redesign reduces the timeframe for completion from three years. Some students will now be able to complete the program in just over one year, although pursuing the degree at a more leisurely pace is also an option.
“The revised program offers tremendous appeal to aspiring managers and to their employers,’’ Elliott says. The changes reflect a national trend toward a more consolidated program. The School of Business routinely reviews and updates its MBA curriculum. The committee charged with that task reviewed top-tier programs around the world, consulted with alumni and corporate partners, and interviewed students and graduates before recommending the changes.
One of the many advantages of the new program is a degree that is more easily customizable, says Jose Cruz, Associate Dean for Business Graduate Programs. Students can select from specialties in Business Analytics, Digital Marketing Strategy, Finance, Management, and Supply Chain Management or elect to pursue a general MBA degree.
The new program allows students to more easily mix-and-match courses that meet their needs, instead of having to follow a pre-planned track.
“This is a modern MBA that ambitious managers are seeking,’’ Cruz says. “Today, aspiring professionals seek targeted knowledge and more diverse opportunities. Rather than extensive concentration in one specialty, they often prefer to mix-and-match courses that would serve them well. Our revised curriculum allows students to customize the program they wish.’’
In addition, the program is introducing elective courses called “MBA Now’’ which address some of the most prominent topics in business today, taught by a team of some of the School’s most respected faculty. The first of these programs will address sustainability and global supply chain.
Students who are already enrolled in the UConn MBA program, and have partially completed their MBA, will meet with their academic advisers individually to determine next steps in completing their degrees.
