West Virginia University’s College of Business and Economics has expanded its executive MBA degree, allowing students to obtain the degree online.
The online program was developed to gain potential students because of its convenience and accessibility for working professionals.
"Our hopes are that by having this degree available online, we can reach out to even more West Virginians," said Gary Insch, director of graduate programs for the College of Business and Economics.
Traditionally, the executive MBA degree classes were offered in weekend class sessions to give working professionals time to work while earning their degree. The classes have also been offered on campus during the week.
As technology has evolved, WVU expanded this degree to the "nontraditional" classroom that consists of video screens where the student and professor can interact virtually, Insch said.
Development of the online degree was a result of a wave of feedback received by WVU’s Extended Learning department. Many professionals were seeking an easier and more efficient way to gain an executive MBA degree while still catering to their career needs.
The executive MBA degree is a two-year program consisting of 48 credits.
It is the first online executive MBA program in the state to be accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International.
"Another reason to take pride in this program is that all the classes are taught by faculty of the College of Business and Economics or highly trained experts in the specific field taught," Insch said.
The online program requires a student to complete four different residencies – once during each semester.
The residencies include an orientation on campus, a trip to Washington, a venture capital fair in Morgantown and an executive project with a business. Students can also go on one of the college’s sponsored international trips.
"By having students complete residencies once a semester, they are still connecting with their classmates, their professor and WVU, while still maintaining extreme flexibility," said Bonnie Anderson, associate director of graduate programs at the College of Business and Economics.
It also lets students gain experience that will help them complete their business goals in the long run, she said.
Prospective students for the fall of 2010 must take the Graduate Management Admissions Test and submit a current resume.
They must also submit a WVU application for graduate admission and official transcripts from all prior academic work must be forwarded to the Office of Admissions and Records by June 15.
Students can also submit three letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose if they choose.
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