Academics
Valparaiso University College of Business offers “strong academic programs with an emphasis on values-based leadership and sustainability,” thereby creating MBAs who are “well-equipped to be the leaders of the future green economy,” students report. It’s a big deal; Valpo’s “commitment to moral and ethical standing” is frequently cited by students when asked to explain why they chose to attend this northwest Indiana university. Convenience, especially for the part-time students who make up about 36 percent of the MBA student body, is another factor. Valpo offers evening classes with the ability to attend remotely anf through which live on-campus classes are broadcast over the Internet (allowing those remote students to participate in class). Valpo’s online software also allows students to collaborate on group projects remotely.
Valpo’s MBA program is small and relatively new. It is also innovative, particularly in its scheduling. Valpo’s eight-week bloc system creates six different entry dates during the academic year and allows a pick-and-choose approach that accommodates both fast-trackers and those who need take a little more time to complete the degree. The Valpo MBA entails eight core courses and four elective, or “enhancement” courses; the latter run the gamut from finance to management to e-commerce. Students who lack adequate undergraduate training in business can complete a series of foundational courses in addition to their core and enhancement work.
The small size of the MBA program and a “low student-to-professor ratio” mean plenty of “individual attention from professors,” which students appreciate. “Access to mentors and extra projects is excellent” here, and students report that “it’s easy to get into the classes you want” (although class selection, due to the size of the program, is limited). Professors bring “real-world experience” to the classroom to “provide real-world examples that we can immediately implement at work.” Administrators are “constantly looking to improve the available programs. They seek student input [on] topics [ranging from]…new courses offered to the overall strategic plan of the university.”
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