College of Business Professor David Levy has taught in the MBA program since the program’s inception in 1995. He said the program has blazed a path of innovation since day one, including when it became the first MBA offered entirely online.
Another example of early innovation: an emphasis from the beginning on teaching analytics and problem-solving. Levy said this focus has remained constant over the program’s history.
“I believe this is a strength of our program. We have seen other MBA programs move away from this as these courses can be more challenging. However, there is now an increased interest in not only analytics but data analytics,” Levy said. “So, our program has been prepared for this interest in preparing MBA students for analytical work. We continue to integrate data analytics into our program, including redesigning one course with this specific focus.”
The university also was an early leader in providing concentration areas of study for MBA students.
“We’ve modified our program over the years as there was interest in students wanting to take some courses focused on specific business functions,” said Levy, who served as the MBA program director for 12 years.
Students can now choose from 21 concentrations that align with their career goals, including marketing, cybersecurity, accounting, finance and healthcare.
Other key features of the MBA program that have never wavered: the flexibility for students to learn online, in-person or a combination of both; the ability for students to earn their degrees in an accelerated amount of time; and learning that connects classroom and career.
“Through activities throughout the various courses, students have the opportunity to connect their course work with their professional life,” Levy said. “In addition, our adjuncts bring their experience into the classroom. This also gives the students an opportunity to see the application of their course work.”