UMO to Offer Seated MBA Program
MOUNT OLIVE –The University of Mount Olive through the Tillman School of Business has announced that it will offer a seated (face-to-face) version of its Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program starting in August 2018. The program will feature the same course rotation and structure as the online MBA, which the University launched in 2014.
“The only difference will be the seated mode of delivery, which can have a dramatic impact on student success,” said Dr. David Dommer, Dean of the School of Graduate Studies. “Research has shown that students have a preferred mode of learning and that there are wide differences in their achievement simply based on the mode of instruction.”
According to Dr. Dommer, the addition of the seated (face-to-face) mode of delivery is due in large part to student demand. “The decision to launch the MBA as an online program allowed us to serve our graduates across the region. We have consistently heard from some students and members of the community that they would prefer face-to-face learning. Offering both online and seated courses allows students the flexibility to choose the option that best fits their individual needs or preferences.”
The program is a 12-course, 36-semester hour sequence that allows students to graduate within two years. “Our faculty studied what has worked in our adult undergraduate programs for over 25 years. As a result, they have structured the MBA program to be rigorous while being mindful of the work-life balance for their students.” Each course will be offered one night each week for seven weeks with a one-week built-in break at each midterm. “The mid-semester break is one of the most unique aspects of our semester schedule, allowing students and professors to reflect and re-energize prior to the next leg of their educational journey.”
The UMO MBA program focuses on fundamental business concepts with an emphasis on both ethical decision-making and strategic planning. “I am proud that the UMO MBA has a unique two-course strategy capstone. We present our students with real-world business scenarios. They must use teamwork and the tools learned throughout the program to find workable problem solving strategies,” said Dr. Paul F. Cwik, Director of the MBA.
Dr. Kathy Best, Dean of the Tillman School of Business said, “The Tillman faculty worked diligently to develop a program of quality that prepares students for 21st century businesses. They have integrated ethical decision-making strategies with current business practices to produce a strong curriculum.”
On why students choose the UMO MBA program, Dr. Dommer commented, “UMO has established itself as a leader and recognized name in affordable and effective education for working adults in the region. We are a University for the people, and live our mission with a caring faculty and dedicated staff who want to see our students graduate and succeed. Our MBA is competitive with other schools in terms of length of time, course number, and quality with the added benefit of being a great value for the price. Moreover, our students do not simply learn theory; they also learn how to apply theory to real life scenarios.”
The University plans to begin the program on August 27 with a class of 25 students. For more information regarding the UMO Master of Business Administration degree program, email Mr. Robert Barnes at rbarnes@umo.edu or call 919-299-4633. The application deadline is August 13; an online application is available at https://apply.umo.edu/apply/.
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University, sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists, has locations in Mount Olive, New Bern, Wilmington, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Research Triangle Park, Washington, Jacksonville, and in Smithfield at Johnston Community College. For more information, visit www.umo.edu.